Stenotrophomonas maltophilia endophthalmitis following keratoplasty.

Endophthalmitis is among the most sight-threatening infections in ophthalmology practice. Many microorganisms causing endophthalmitis have been reported. Stenotrophomonas maltophilia is among the rare causes of endophthalmitis and has been reported after cataract surgery, intravitreal injections and ocular trauma. We report a case of S. maltophilia endophthalmitis after keratoplasty, which is a rare entity, in a 63-year-old female patient.

Evaluation of the effects of Covid-19 on cochleovestibular system with audiovestibular tests.

PURPOSE: The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects of COVID-19 on audiovestibular system with Transiently Evoked Distortion Otoacoustic Emissions (TOAE), Distortion Product Otoacoustic Emissions (DPOAE), video head impulse test (vHIT) and caloric test. METHODS: Audiovestibular findings of 24 patients with moderate/severe COVID-19 and 24 healthy controls were compared using pure tone audiometry, tympanometry, TOAE, DPOAE, caloric test, and vHIT. RESULTS: On audiometry, the pure tone averages of the COVID-19 patients were higher than the controls (P = .038). The TEOAE amplitudes at 4000 and 5000 Hz (P = .006 and P < .01), and DPOAE amplitudes at 3000, 6000, and 8000 Hz (P < .001, P = .003 and P < .001) were significantly lower in COVID-19 patients compared to the controls. On vestibular tests, there was no significant difference between the caloric test results of the patients and the controls (P > .05). On vHIT testing, amplitudes of right semicircular canal was found to be significantly lower in COVID-19 group compared to the control group (P = .008). CONCLUSION: COVID-19 may affect inner ear functions causing a subtle damage in the outer hair cells and lateral semicircular canals. It must be kept in mind that COVID-19 may cause cochleovestibular problems.

[Investigation of the Relationship of Systemic Immune-Inflammation Index, C-Reactive Protein and Interleukin-6 with Viral Dynamics in Patients with COVID-19]. / COVID-19 Tanili Hastalarda Sistemik Immün-Enflamasyon Indeksi, C-Reaktif Protein ve Interlökin-6'nin Viral Dinamik ile Iliskisinin Arastirilmasi.

Coronaviruses are enveloped, positivepolarity, single-stranded RNA viruses that can cause respiratory and gastrointestinal tract infections, less likely to cause infections with hepatic, neurological and nephrotic involvement. A novel coronavirus termed as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) emerged in the city of Wuhan, China, and caused an outbreak of unusual viral pneumonia at the end of 2019. This study aimed to reveal the relationship between systemic immune-inflammation index (SII), C-reactive protein (CRP) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) and viral dynamics in COVID-19 patients. This retrospective, single-center study was conducted in Ankara City Hospital from April 1 to May 31, 2020. A total of 338 hospitalized patients who had positive results in SARS-CoV-2 reverse transcrytase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test from nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal samples during their hospital admission were included in this study. Patients were divided into three groups according to their ward/intensive care unit, intubation and mortality situation and their clinical data were evaluated. Correlation analysis was performed to determine the relationship between viral dynamics and laboratory parameters such as SII, the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), the lymphocyte-to-CRP ratio (LCR), the lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio (LMR), the platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), CRP, IL-6 ferritin, albumin levels and lymphocyte count. Advanced age, low Ct value, increase in IL-6, increase in SII, decrease in albumin, increase in ferritin, decrease in lymphocyte count, increase in NLR, decrease in LCR, decrease in LMR, increase in PLR and increase in CRP levels were found statistically significantly different in all three groups (p<0.001; p= 0.02; p<0.001; p<0.001; p<0.001; p<0.001; p<0.001; p<0.001; p<0.001; p<0.001; p<0.001; p<0.001, respectively). Statistical analysis revealed a significant negative correlation between serum IL-6, NLR, LCR and CRP values with Ct values (p<0.01, r= -0.233; p= 0.021, r= -0.126; p=0.004, r= -0.156 and p= 0.011, r= -0.138, respectively) and a significant positive correlation between Ct values and lymphocyte count and albumin levels (p= 0.005; r= 0.151 and p= 0.050; r= 0.106, respectively). Severe progression was observed in patients with advanced age, low Ct value, high IL-6 levels, high SII, hypoalbuminemia, high ferritin levels, lymphopenia, high NLR, low LCR, low LMR, high PLR and high CRP. In these patients hospitalization in intensive care unit, intubation and mortality were found to be higher. High levels of IL-6, NLR, LCR and CRP, lymphopenia and hypoalbuminemia were associated with low PCR Ct values.

Synthetic mesh placement in the presence of abdominal infection: An experimental study of feasibility.

BACKGROUND: There are varying opinions on the feasibility of the placement of synthetic materials in contaminated surgical fields. The aim of this study was to investigate the outcomes of the use of a commercially available composite mesh in the presence of abdominal infection. METHODS: Twenty-four hours after the induction of experimental peritonitis, 20 rats were randomized into 2 groups of 10 subjects. After abdominal cleansing with a second laparotomy, the abdomen was closed with running sutures in the control group and the composite mesh was applied in the experimental group before closure. The rats were followed up for findings of sepsis, mortality, and wound infection. On the 28th day, the rats were sacrificed and evaluated for abdominal infection, abdominal adhesions, and bacterial growth in the mesh and tissue cultures. RESULTS: The mortality rate was 0% and 30% in the control and mesh groups, respectively (p=0.21), and the wound infection rate was 20% and 57.1% (p=0.162). In the mesh group, the adhesions were significantly more intense (p=0.018) and significantly more microorganisms proliferated in the tissue cultures (p=0.003). CONCLUSION: The significant increase in the intensity of adhesions and bacterial proliferation, as well as the higher rate of mortality and wound infection in the mesh group indicated that this composite mesh cannot be used safely in the repair of abdominal defects in the presence of abdominal infection.

Role of efflux pump and OprD porin expression in carbapenem resistance of Pseudomonas aeruginosa clinical isolates.

INTRODUCTION: In recent years, the prevalence of multidrug-resistant P. aeruginosa has remarkably increased. Thus, we wanted to investigate the carbapenem resistance mechanisms and clonal relationship among 80 carbapenem-resistant P. aeruginosa strains. METHODOLOGY: Carbapenemase production was detected using the Modified Hodge Test (MHT), EDTA combined disc method (ECD), and PCR. Expression levels of efflux and porin genes were mesured by real-time reverse transcription PCR. Clonal relationship of the isolates was investigated by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). RESULTS: Carbapenemase production was detected in 7.5% of the isolates with MHT/ECD tests and in 11.3% of the isolates with PCR. Although the specificity of MHT/ECD was high, the sensitivitivity was low. oprD downregulation and mexB, mexY, and mexD overexpression were demonstrated in 55%, 16.3%, 2.5%, and 2.5% of the isolates, respectively. Multiple carbapenem resistance mechanisms were found in nearly a quarter of the isolates. PFGE typing of the 80 P. aeruginosa isolates yielded 61 different patterns. A total of 29 isolates (36.3%) were classified in 10 clusters, containing 2 to 7 strains. We could not find a strict relationship between PFGE profile and carbapenem resistance mechanisms. CONCLUSIONS: Although oprD downregulation and MexAB-OprM overexpression were the most common mechanisms, carbapenem resistance was associated with multiple mechanisms in the study. MHT/ECD tests should not be used alone for investigation of carbapenemase production in P. aeruginosa. Rapid tests with high sensitivity and specificity should be developed for the detection of carbapenemase production in P. aeruginosa.

[Extended-spectrum beta-lactamase production by Enterobacteriaceae isolates from urine cultures of outpatients: results of a 7-year follow-up]. / Ayaktan basvuran hastalarin idrar kültürlerinde üretilen Enterobacteriaceae izolatlarinda genislemis spektrumlu beta-laktamaz üretimi: 7 yillik izlem sonuçlari.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the change of the frequency of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) producing Enterobacteriaceae isolates from urine samples of outpatients in years and to analyse the antibiotic resistance profiles for a rational drug use. The urine samples cultured in our laboratory from the patients who were admitted to outpatient clinics of our hospital between years 2007-2013 were included in this study. Enterobacteriaceae strains were isolated and identified by conventional methods and API 20E system (BioMérieux, France). The standard antimicrobial susceptibility tests were performed by Kirby Bauer disk diffusion method. ESBL production were screened by double-disk synergy method according to CLSI guidelines. E-test method (BioMérieux, France) were used for the verification of suspicious ESBL production. The identification and antimicrobial susceptibility testing were performed for a total of 12.535 isolates. Of the isolates 8716 were identified as Escherichia coli (69.3%), 1514 were Klebsiella pneumoniae/oxytoca (12.1%), 257 were Proteus mirabilis (2.1%), 345 were other Enterobacteriae members (8%), 411 were various non-fermentative gram-negative bacteria (3.3%) and 1292 were various gram-positive bacteria (10.3%). The total positivity rate of ESBL was found as 21.8% (2.283/10.487), and the ESBL positive rates for E.coli, K.pneumoniae/oxytoca and P.mirabilis were 21.2%, 28.2% and 4.7%, respectively. Other Enterobacteriaceae isolates were not evaluated because of the absence of standardized methods and breakpoint values. There was no statistically significant difference among ESBL producing isolates within seven years (p= 0.364). The antibiotic resistance rates of the ESBL-positive isolates were statistically higher than ESBL-negative isolates [amoxicillin-clavulanate (73.1%/11.3%), trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (63.1%/31.0%), nitrofurantoin (17.3%/8.6%), gentamicin (42.2%/10.1%), amikacin (3.5%/0.9%), tobramisin (56.8%/10.5%), imipenem (0.3%/0.1%), ofloxacin (66.8%/19.8%), ticarcillin-clavulanate (73.5%/19.8%), piperacillin-tazobactam (28.8%/5.0%)] (p< 0.05). Statistically significant variations were detected within the years for the resistance rates of amoxicillin-clavulanate (p= 0.001), tobramycin (p=0.003), ofloxacin (p= 0.001), ticarcillin-clavulanate (p= 0.001) and piperacillin-tazobactam (p= 0.001) were detected within the years. Although a quite high percentage of ESBL positivity in Enterobacteriaceae isolates was determined, there was a slight but not statistically significant increase of this value during the seven-year period. The stability of the percentage of ESBL positivity may indicate a positive change in the habit of the usage of beta-lactam antibiotics. According to the results of our study, the most effective drugs for ESBL-producing isolates were piperacillin-tazobactam among inhibitor combinations, amikacin among aminoglycosides and nitrofurantoin among orally-used drugs.

Molecular characterization of vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium strains isolated from carriage and clinical samples in a tertiary hospital, Turkey.

This study aimed to determine the presence of vancomycin resistance (vanA and vanB) and virulence genes (esp, asa1, gelE, ace, hyl, cylA, cpd and ebpA) in vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium (VREfm) strains and to analyse the clonal relationships among the strains. E. faecium strains were identified from rectal and clinical specimens by biochemical tests and the API-20 Strep kit. Susceptibility testing was performed using disc-diffusion and broth-dilution methods. PFGE was used for molecular typing of the VREfm strains. The vancomycin resistance and virulence genes were amplified by two-step multiplex PCR. All 55 VREfm isolates were resistant to penicillin G, ampicillin and high-level gentamicin but were susceptible to quinupristin/dalfopristin and linezolid. Multiplex PCR analysis indicated that all isolates harboured vanA and that 41 (75 %) were positive for virulence genes. The esp gene was the most common virulence factor and was detected in nine (41 %) invasive and 32 (96.7 %) non-invasive isolates. Multiple virulence genes were observed only in two non-invasive isolates; one harboured esp and ebpA and the other harboured esp, ebpA, asa1, gelE and cpd. PFGE typing yielded 16 different types, seven of which were clusters with two to 14 strains each. The clustering rates of the rectal swab, blood and urine isolates were 72.7 %, 61.5 % and 87.5 %, respectively. The genetic similarity observed among the VREfm isolates indicated cross-transmission in the hospital. Further studies on the virulence factors present in the strains might provide insight into the acquisition of these traits and their contribution to increased prevalence of VREfm.

[Detection of plasmid-mediated AmpC beta-lactamase production in Escherichia coli and Klebsiella spp. isolates]. / Escherichia coli ve Klebsiella spp. izolatlarinda plazmid kaynakli AmpC beta-laktamaz üretiminin arastirilmasi

This study was conducted to obtain data about prevalence of plasmid-mediated AmpC (pAmpC), efficacy of various phenotypic tests applied for the detection of pAmpC-mediated resistance and the enzyme types responsible for this resistance. A total of 1316 isolates (1030 Escherichia coli and 286 Klebsiella spp.) obtained from the clinical samples sent to our laboratory between 2008-2011 period, from various inpatient and outpatient clinics and intensive care units, were included in this study. Antimicrobial susceptibility profiles of the isolates were determined by using Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method. Production of pAmpC was phenotypically investigated by Boronic Acid Inhibition Test (BAIT), Cefoxitin Hodge Test (CHT) and AmpC Disk Test (ACDT) in a total of 36 (2.7%) cefoxitin-resistant isolates (77% were E.coli, 23% were K.pneumoniae); and by synergy tests with or without AmpC inhibitors in a total of 165 (88% were E.coli, 12% were K.pneumoniae) cefoxitin-susceptible, third generation cephalosporin-resistant (S3R) isolates. For the detection of pAmpC genes a multiplex-PCR protocol was applied to the isolates found positive at least by one of the phenotypic tests. CHT, ACDT and BAIT were found positive in 21 (58%), 18 (50%) and 7 (19%) of the 36 cefoxitin-resistant isolates, respectively. In only 10 (27.7%) of these isolates (all were E.coli strains), pAmpC presence was detected by PCR; and the enzyme produced was assessed as CMY-2. Based on the positive PCR results; specificity rates of the phenotypic tests, BAIT, ACDT and CHT were 97%, 69% and 58%; while the sensitivity rates were 50%, 100% and 100%, respectively. Our data indicated that, pAmpC prevalence (10/1316, 0.8%) detected in this study, did not seem to be an important problem yet, in the population screened. However, since the first detection of this resistance was in 2010, it should be considered as a sign to get necessary precautions preventing its spread. In conclusion, none of the phenotypic methods were satisfactory alone for the detection of pAmpC-mediated resistance; and BAIT was superior in terms of specificity while the others were superior in terms of sensitivity. Thus, combined application of these phenotypic tests are necessary to screen and confirm the presence of pAmpC-mediated resistance.

[In vitro susceptibility of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus isolates to vancomycin, teicoplanin, linezolide and daptomycin]. / Metisiline dirençli staphylococcus aureus izolatlarinin vankomisin, teikoplanin, linezolid ve daptomisine in vitro duyarliliklari.

In this study, vancomycin, teicoplanin, linezolide and daptomycin susceptibility rates of 67 methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) isolates obtained from various clinical samples between November 2006 and August 2010 in our laboratories, were investigated by E-test method and MIC values of the drugs were determined. Seventeen (25%) of the samples were from outpatient wards, 50 (75%) from inpatients of which 24 (48%) were from intensive care units. Distribution of MRSA isolated clinical samples were as follows: 16 (23.4%) blood, 28 (42.2%) wound swab, 15 (21.8%) tracheal aspirate, 2 (3.1%) urine, 2 (3.1%) urethral discharge, and one for each (1.6%) cerebrospinal fluid, joint fluid, catheter tip and nasal swab. Except one (1.5%) which was probably intermediate-resistant to vancomycin (since not confirmed by microdilution test or population analysis, this isolate was considered as "probable" intermediate-resistant), all of the isolates were found susceptible to all tested antibiotics. MIC(50) and MIC(90) values were determined as 0.75 and 1.5 µg/ml for vancomycin, 2 and 3 µg/ml for teicoplanin, 0.38 and 0.5 µg/ml for linezolide and 0.094 and 0.19 µg/ml for daptomycin, respectively. The MIC ranges were 0.25-3 µg/ml for vancomycin, 0.125-4 µg/ml for teicoplanin, 0.094-3 µg/ml for linezolide and 0.047-0.25 µg/ml for daptomycin. There was no statistically significant difference between MICs of outpatient, inpatient and intensive care unit isolates for any of the tested drugs (p> 0.05). Based on MIC90 values, daptomycin seems 4-16 times more effective than the other three drugs. It was concluded that considering their in-vitro antibacterial activity, these antibiotics can be used as alternatives to each other for the treatment of MRSA infections.

[Antibiotic resistance profiles of Acinetobacter species isolated from several clinical samples between 2007-2010]. / Çesitli klinik örneklerden 2007-2010 yillarinda izole edilen acinetobacter türlerinin antibiyotik direnç profilleri.

This study was aimed to investigate the changes in antibiotic resistance profiles of Acinetobacter spp. in our hospital during a four-year period. The study included a total of 465 non-duplicate Acinetobacter spp. isolated from various samples sent from intensive care (n= 274, 58.9%), inpatient (n= 141, 30.3%) and outpatient (n= 49, 10.5%) units of our hospital between 2007 and 2010. Sample distribution was as follows: 184 tracheal aspirates (39.5%), 70 blood (15.3%), 92 (19.8%) wound, 40 urine (8.6%), 24 sputum (5.1%), 22 (4.7%) bronchial lavage and 22 (4.7%) other (catheter tip, cerebrospinal fluid, thorasynthesis material) samples. The isolates were identified as A.baumannii (n= 340, 73.1%), A.lwoffii (n= 64, 13.7%) and Acinetobacter spp. (n= 61, 13.1%). The susceptibility profiles were investigated by Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method. Overall, the results indicated an increase in resistance against all tested drugs since 2007. A steady increase of resistance from 2007 to 2009, followed by a tendency to decrease in 2010 was also noted for all drugs, except for ceftazidime (CAZ), trimethoprim-sulfomethoxazole (SXT), netilmicin (NET), imipenem (IPM), meropenem (MER) and gentamicin (CN). NET, IPM, cefepime and MER resistance rates increased regularly from 2007 to 2010. CAZ resistance followed a fluctuating course, while CN resistance displayed a decreasing trend since 2009. According to the statistical analyses (X2 and Fisher’s exact test), there was a regular resistance increase between 2007-2009 except for amikacin (AK), SXT and PIP. Resistance rates were also increased for AK and PIP, but only between 2007 and 2009; as well as for piperacillin-tazobactam, ticarcilin-clavulanate, NET, MER and IPM between 2008 and 2009. A significant increase from 2008 to 2010 was observed for NET; and a significant resistance decrease in 2010 was noted for only sultamicillin, cefotaxime, CN and tobramycin (TOB) (p< 0.05). As of 2010, the results indicated high resistance rates against ciprofloxacin [resistance rate (RR): 79%], NET (RR: 60%) and all beta-lactam drugs, including carbapenems (mean RR: 80%). Moreover, there was a progressive increase in resistance to carbapenems and NET, two very important treatment alternatives. Tigecycline (RR: 5.5%), TOB (RR: 19%), CN (RR: 34%) and cefoperazone-sulbactam (RR: 38%) appeared to remain as relatively effective treatment choices. The resistance rates of inpatient and outpatient isolates which were usually lower than those of the intensive care unit isolates, also displayed a noteworthy increase over the past four years. Evidently, pan-resistant Acinetobacter spp. will become a serious health problem in the near future, unless efficient and appropriate precautions are taken.

[Anti-HIV and confirmation test results of our hospital for seven years (2004-2010)]. / Hastanemizin yedi yillik (2004-2010) anti-HIV ve dogrulama testi sonuçlari.

In this study, 7-year anti-HIV test results of our medical microbiology laboratories were evaluated retrospectively. Between 2004 and 2010, a total of 268.901 blood samples from blood bank, outpatient and inpatient clinics of Ankara Ataturk Training and Research Hospital were tested for HIV antibodies by one of the following macro-ELISA systems [Vitros ECi (Ortochemical Diagnostik, USA), Axsym (Abbott, USA) and Architect (Abbott, USA)] in different periods. The blood samples repeatedly negative by one of these systems were reported as non-reactive, while the positive ones were studied again by VIDAS kits (BioMeriéux, France). A total of 38 samples (% 0.014) were found reactive by VIDAS kits and send to Ankara Refik Saydam National Public Health Agency for Western-blot confirmation test. Of them 14 (36.8%) were reported as positive and 2 (5.2%) as "indeterminant". After one month, one of the anti-HIV ELISA test repeats was found negative and the other was found positive for the indeterminant patients. In summary, only 15 (0.006%) samples were confirmed as having HIV antibodies and our results are consistent with the previous reports from our country.