Relationship of angiopoietin-2 level with the prognosis of the COVID-19 disease.

INTRODUCTION: COVID-19 infection is associated with coagulopathy. There is increased expression of markers such as E-selectin or angiopoietin-2 upon the activation of endothelin. The aim of this study was to determine whether there was a difference in angiopoietin-2 levels among patients with a diagnosis of COVID-19 who need to be hospitalized in the intensive care units (ICUs) or service. METHODOLOGY: COVID-19 infected patients admitted in the hospital were included in this study. In addition to the routine biochemical parameters of patients in ICUs and services, 5 cc blood samples were collected and angiopoietin-2 was analyzed. Demographic data of the patients, biochemical parameters at the time of hospitalization, places and durations of hospitalization as well as their ways of being discharged from hospital were recorded. RESULTS: 180 patients who presented to our hospital's emergency service and were hospitalized with a diagnosis of COVID-19 were included in our study. 137 patients (76.1%) were hospitalized in the service and 43 (23.9%) were hospitalized in ICU. The angiopoietin-2 level was determined to be significantly high in the patients hospitalized in ICUs (p = 0.018). When the cut-off value of angiopoetin-2 in predicting the ICU hospitalization was assumed as 64.5 ng/L, its sensitivity was determined to be 59% and its specificity was found to be 42%. CONCLUSIONS: We concluded that angiopoietin-2 level in COVID-19 patients upon their presentation to the hospital might be an important parameter in predicting and ascertaining their place of hospitalization.

A Prognostic Marker in COVID-19 Disease Severity and Mortality: D-Dimer/Platelet Ratio.

INTRODUCTION: We aimed to examine the D-dimer/platelet ratio (DPR), which includes the combination of D-dimer and platelet measurements, which are two important markers in predicting prognosis, considering that it will show clinical progression. METHODS: After ranking the patients from high to low according to DPR level, they were divided into three equal groups. Demographic, clinical, and laboratory parameters between groups were compared according to DPR level. The consistency of DPR with other coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) biomarkers in the literature in terms of hospitalization and mortality in the intensive care unit was examined. RESULTS: Complications such as renal failure, pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE), and stroke of the patients increased as the DPR increased. Patients in the third group with high DPR had higher oxygen demands from symptom onset, such as reservoir masks, high-flow oxygen, and mechanical ventilation. The first hospitalization location in the third group was determined as the intensive care unit. Mortality increased as the DPR value increased, and the time to death in patients in the third group was significantly shorter than the patients in the other two groups. While most of the patients in the first two groups recovered, 42% of the patients in the third group died. While the area under the curve was 80.6% in predicting DPR admission to the intensive care unit, the cut-off value was determined as 1.606. When the effect of DPR on predicting mortality was examined, the area under the curve for DPR was 82.6% and the cut-off value was determined as 2.284. CONCLUSION: DPR is successful in predicting the severity, ICU admission, and mortality of COVID-19 patients.

Is Homocysteine Associated with the Prognosis of Covid-19 Pneumonia.

Background/Aim. Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a life-threatening disease characterized by a prothrombotic state. Because homocysteine (Hcy) is a potential biomarker in thrombotic disease, this article aims to highlight the role of Hcy in the prognosis of COVID-19 pneumonia. Methods. This prospective study was conducted between April 2021 and December 2021 at the University of Health Sciences, Antalya Training and Research Hospital. 162 patients admitted to the emergency department for COVID-19 pneumonia and scheduled for hospitalization in the intensive care unit (ICU) or COVID-19 ward of the chest disease department were included in the study. Hcy levels and other necessary laboratory parameters were analyzed. Results. 134 patients were admitted to the COVID-19 ward and 28 to the ICU. Hcy levels were significantly higher in ICU patients than in ward patients (p : 0.001). Of the 134 patients, 55 later required ICU treatment for various reasons and were transferred to the ICU. Hcy (p : 0.010), ferritin (p : 0.041), and LDH (p : 0.010) were significantly higher in patients who were transferred to the ICU than in patients who remained in the ward. The Hcy level was associated with a poor prognosis. It was found that each unit increase in the Hcy level approximately doubled the risk of death in patients with COVID-19 (odds ratio: 1.753). Discussion. There are few studies examining the association between high Hcy levels and disease severity in COVID-19. Our study supports previous studies and shows the association between the need for intensive care and high Hcy levels. Conclusion. A high Hcy value is a helpful marker in determining the need for critical care on admission to the emergency department and a marker of poor prognosis in COVID-19 pneumonia.

Should Preventive Antifungal Treatment Be Given to Patients With Abdominal Contamination in the Intensive Care Unit?

Background Intra-abdominal contamination is a critical risk factor for candidemia. Because of the high mortality of candidemia and delayed results of cultures, preventive antifungal (AF) treatment can be administered. Especially in the intensive care unit (ICU), it may be necessary to determine the preventive AF approach due to the poor clinical condition of the patients. However, this practice is not standard among clinicians, and it is controversial whether it is beneficial or not. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of different AF treatment approaches (prophylactic, empirical, and culture-directed) on mortality, development of candidemia, and length of hospital stay in these patients. The primary outcome of the study was mortality, and the secondary outcomes were the development of candidemia and length of hospital stay. Methodology This is a retrospective, single-center, cohort study. Adult patients who were hospitalized in the ICU with the diagnosis of intra-abdominal contamination between January 1, 2017, and December 31, 2020, were reviewed retrospectively from electronic hospital records and Infectious Diseases ICU patient follow-up forms. Age, gender, comorbid diseases, the reason for hospitalization, history of surgical operation, surgical procedure type, length of hospital stay, culture results of blood and intraoperative intra-abdominal samples (pus, peritoneal fluid, abscess), type of AF agents, and mortality status of the patients were recorded. Furthermore, white blood cell (WBC) count, platelet count, C-reactive protein (CRP) level, procalcitonin (PCT) level, and serum albumin levels in blood samples taken on three different days (the day of diagnosis, the day of operation, and the day of candidemia) were examined. The patients were grouped as without AF, receiving prophylactic AF, receiving empirical AF, and receiving culture-directed AF. Additionally, the study population was evaluated by dividing it into two groups, namely, those who developed candidemia and those who did not. The patients were evaluated regarding the development of candidemia, AF treatment approach, length of hospital stay, and mortality. Results A total of 196 patients were included in the study. Candidemia was determined in 31.6% of the patients. Candidemia was more common in patients with a history of previous surgery and presenting with acute abdominal pain than other causes. It was determined that 70% of the patients who developed candidemia had perforation, with the most common being colonic perforation. The hospital stay was longer in patients with candidemia than without candidemia (47.9 vs. 22.4 days; p < 0.001). When empirical and prophylactic AF recipients were compared, there was no difference in mortality and length of hospital stay. Prolongation of the time to empirical treatment after perforation/leak was associated with increased candidemia (p = 0.004). Furthermore, patients with a waiting time of ≥4.5 days until surgical operation were at a higher risk of developing candidemia. Conclusions Although the study did not demonstrate a difference in terms of reducing mortality, it was concluded that preventive AF therapy can be administered to reduce the risk of candidemia and hospitalization duration, especially in patients with a history of previous surgical operations and abdominal contamination with a prolonged waiting period until the surgical operation.

The Impact of Vaccination Among Hospitalized Patients with the Diagnosis of COVID-19.

Objective: We aimed to investigate the vaccination status and the risk factors for the intensive care unit (ICU) support need of the laboratory-confirmed breakthrough COVID-19 infection inpatients. Materials and Methods: This multi-center point-prevalence study was conducted on inpatients, divided into two groups as 'fully' and 'partially' vaccinated according to COVID-19 vaccination status. Results: Totally 516 patients were included in the study. The median age was 65 (55-77), and 53.5% (n=276) of the patients were male. Hypertension (41.9%, n=216), diabetes mellitus (DM) (31.8%, n=164), and coronary artery disease (CAD) (16.3%, n=84) were the predominant comorbidities. Patients were divided into two groups ICU (n=196) and non-ICU (n=301). Hypertension (p=0.026), DM (p=0.048), and congestive heart failure (CHF) (p=0.005) were significantly higher in ICU patients and the median age was younger among non-ICU patients (p=0.033). Of patients, 16.9% (n=87) were fully vaccinated, and this group's need for ICU support was statistically significantly lower (p=0.021). Conclusion: We conclude that older age, hypertension, DM, CHF, and being partially vaccinated were associated with the need for ICU support. Therefore, all countries should continuously monitor post-vaccination breakthrough COVID-19 infections to determine the national booster vaccine administration approach that will provide vulnerable individuals the highest protection.

Vaccine hesitancy and refusal among parents: An international ID-IRI survey.

INTRODUCTION: Although vaccines are the safest and most effective means to prevent and control infectious diseases, the increasing rate of vaccine hesitancy and refusal (VHR) has become a worldwide concern. We aimed to find opinions of parents on vaccinating their children and contribute to available literature in order to support the fight against vaccine refusal by investigating the reasons for VHR on a global scale. METHODOLOGY: In this international cross-sectional multicenter study conducted by the Infectious Diseases International Research Initiative (ID-IRI), a questionnaire consisting of 20 questions was used to determine parents' attitudes towards vaccination of their children. RESULTS: Four thousand and twenty-nine (4,029) parents were included in the study and 2,863 (78.1%) were females. The overall VHR rate of the parents was found to be 13.7%. Nineteen-point three percent (19.3%) of the parents did not fully comply with the vaccination programs. The VHR rate was higher in high-income (HI) countries. Our study has shown that parents with disabled children and immunocompromised children, with low education levels, and those who use social media networks as sources of information for childhood immunizations had higher VHR rates (p < 0.05 for all). CONCLUSIONS: Seemingly all factors leading to VHR are related to training of the community and the sources of training. Thus, it is necessary to develop strategies at a global level and provide reliable knowledge to combat VHR.

Evaluation of testing and vaccination status of healthcare workers in Turkey for hepatitis A: A multicenter study.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of the disease and testing and vaccination status of healthcare workers in terms of hepatitis A infection as well as their awareness. This study is a multicenter descriptive study performed with healthcare workers. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Testing status for hepatitis A, awareness of the results and vaccination status of healthcare workers were compared. RESULTS: Of the 12,476 healthcare workers participating in the study, only 65% (8,115 healthcare workers) had awareness of hepatitis A test results. Of the participants, 6,481 (66.3 %) stated that they were not vaccinated against hepatitis A. Vaccination rates against hepatitis A decreased with increasing age (P < .01). The rates of vaccination in all departments where participants worked were above 60% (P < .05). While the rate of protection among those working in departments creating a risk for hepatitis A virus infection was higher, no difference among vaccination rates was observed compared with the other departments. CONCLUSION: Vaccination of seronegative individuals is the safest way for hepatitis A, which can progress to fulminant hepatitis at advanced ages. It must be aimed primarily to increase the awareness of healthcare professionals and to increase the vaccination rates for hepatitis B and hepatitis A for the prevention of viral hepatitis. In our study, the awareness level was found to be above 50%, and the vaccination level was 35%, which is a rate that must be increased.

Retrospective evaluation of seven different treatment protocols in hospitalized COVID-19 patients

Background/aim: As the experience has increased regarding SARS-CoV-2 in time, treatment trends have changed since the beginning of the pandemic. This study aimed to compare the outcomes of different treatment modalities for inpatients in a tertiary pandemic hospital in Antalya, Turkey. Materials and methods: Individuals aged 18 years and above who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 in PCR with presenting COVID-related radiological findings, hospitalized for at least 3 days, and completed follow-up between March 15, 2020 and November 30, 2020 were included in the study. Patients' data were reviewed retrospectively. Seven treatment groups based on the single or combined use of hydroxychloroquine, oseltamivir, favipiravir, and remdesivir were formed and compared in terms of mortality, survival, length of hospital stay, need for intensive care, and mechanical ventilation. Results: A total of 321 patients were included in the study. The length of hospital stay, the need for intensive care, and mechanical ventilation were lower in Group 1 (hydroxychloroquine) and Group 2 (hydroxychloroquine + oseltamivir) compared to the other groups (p < 0.05). No significant difference was determined in survival between treatment groups. Analysis of prognostic factors affecting overall survival revealed that the need for intensive care and mechanical ventilation increased mortality [11.1 times (p < 0.001) and 6.48 times (p < 0.001), respectively]. Conclusion: No significant difference was determined between different treatment protocols in terms of their impact on survival. To end the COVID-19 pandemic, there is an urgent need to develop highly efficient, rapid-acting, and orally available antiviral drugs.

Influenza vaccination rates, knowledge, attitudes and behaviours of healthcare workers in Turkey: A multicentre study.

AIM: Influenza vaccination is the most effective method in prevention of influenza disease and its complications. Our study aimed to investigate the rates of vaccination and the behaviours and attitudes against the vaccine in healthcare workers in Turkey. METHODS: This multicentre national survey is a descriptive study in which 12 475 healthcare workers. Healthcare workers were asked to answer the questionnaire consisting of 12 questions via the survey. RESULTS: It was found that 6.7% of the healthcare workers regularly got vaccinated each year and that 55% had never had the influenza vaccine before. The biggest obstacle against getting vaccinated was determined as not believing in the necessity of the vaccine (53.1%). CONCLUSION: The rates of influenza vaccination in healthcare workers in Turkey are quite low. False knowledge and attitudes on the vaccine and disease are seen as the most important reasons to decline vaccination. It is important to detect reasons for anti-vaccination and set a course in order to increase the rates of vaccination.

[Causative agents of intravenous catheter-related infections and their antibiotic susceptibilities]. / Damar Içi Kateter ile Iliskili Enfeksiyon Etkenleri ve Antibiyotik Duyarliliklari

Intravenous catheterization can lead to colonization as well as a broad spectrum of infections ranging from catheter site infections to catheter-related blood stream infections (CRBSIs). The aim of this study was to evaluate the distribution of causative agents and their antibiotic susceptibility patterns in CRBSIs and catheter site infections along with the colonization rates and colonizing microorganisms in Zonguldak Karaelmas University Hospital, Turkey. The results of cultures from catheter tips and/or intracatheter blood cultures and simultaneously taken peripheral blood cultures were sent to medical microbiology laboratory and were retrospectively investigated for 201 patients hospitalized between September 2007 and September 2009. The catheter tips were cultured by semi-quantitative and quantitative culture methods. Blood cultures from the catheters and peripheral veins were performed in BACTEC 9120 (Becton Dickinson, USA) blood culture systems. The antibiotic susceptibility tests were done by Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method according to the guidelines of the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI). Out of 201 patients included, 28 (13.9%) had CRBSIs and 13 (6.4%) had catheter site infections while colonization was defined for 55 (27.3%) patients. Of 28 patients with CRBSIs, Acinetobacter spp. were isolated from 11 including five carbapenem-resistant strains, methicillin-resistant coagulase-negative staphylococci (MRCNS) from eight, methicillin-susceptible coagulase-negative staphylococci (MSCNS) from two, Klebsiella pneumoniae from two patients and one of each patient's cultures yielded methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enterococcus spp., Escherichia coli and MRCNS + Enterococcus faecium. Of 13 patients with catheter site infections, five MSCNS, two methicillin-susceptible S.aureus (MSSA), two E.coli, and one of each K.pneumoniae, MRCNS, Enterococcus spp., K.pneumoniae + P.aeruginosa were isolated. No resistance to vancomycin and teicoplanin were detected among the staphylococci isolated from CRBSIs and catheter site infections. The distribution of the 55 colonizing microorganisms were as follows; 18 MSCNS, 18 MRCNS, four Acinetobacter spp., five K.pneumoniae, three E.coli, two MSSA, and one of each MRSA, P.mirabilis, P.aeruginosa, Corynebacterium spp., Candida albicans. In this study, the predominant microorganism isolated from CRBSIs was Acinetobacter spp., followed by coagulase-negative staphylococci. This unexpected distribution of the agents was related to the Acinetobacter spp. that have gained endemic potential following an Acinetobacter outbreak in our hospital in 2006. We emphasize that it is critical for any individual hospital to assess periodically the distribution and susceptibility profiles of isolates obtained from catheter-related infections to set out rational empirical treatment strategies.

[An adult case of visceral leishmaniasis in a province of Black-Sea region, Turkey]. / Zonguldak'ta eriskin viseral leysmaniyaz olgusu.

Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) which is a chronic disease caused by the protozoon, Leishmania, occurs widely worldwide and it is widespread in most of the countries in the Mediterranean basin. The infection which is transmitted by a sandfly (Phlebotomus) vector, has a prolonged incubation period and insidious onset. VL generally affects children and may be fatal if not treated. In this report, a 31 years old male patient, who was the first adult VL case from Zonguldak (a province located at western Black-Sea region of Turkey) was presented. He was admitted to the hospital with two-months history of fever, chills, sweating and weight loss. There was no history of travel outside the city nor insect bites, however, he indicated that there would be unnoticed sandfly bites since sandflies were very common in the coal mines he worked. His physical examination revealed body temperatue of 39.2°C and hepatosplenomegaly, while laboratory findings yielded anemia, leucopenia, hypoalbuminemia and hypergamaglobulinemia. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate was 62 mm/h, C-reactive protein was 113 mg/L and liver transaminases were 2 to 5 folds higher than the reference values. The only pathological finding was hepatosplenomegaly in the abdominal ultrasound and computerized tomography. He was further examined to rule out infections with similar signs and symptoms, connective tissue diseases and malignancies and all were found negative. Hypercellular bone marrow were detected in the aspiration material. Bone marrow smears, bone marrow samples inoculated in NNN medium and serum samples of the patient were sent to the reference parasitology laboratory of Refik Saydam National Public Health Agency for evaluation in terms of VL. The diagnosis was confirmed by the detection of Leishmania IgG titer as 1/512 with in-house indirect immunofluorescence antibody test, by positivite rK39 Dipstick (InBios, USA) test and by the observation of Leishmania amastigote forms in the bone marrow smears. Bone marrow culture in NNN medium also revealed positive result by the determination of Leishmania promastigote forms on the 7th day. The treatment was initiated by pentavalent antimony [glucantime 1 x 10 mg/kg/day intramuscular (IM)] however, due to severe adverse effects it has switched to liposomal amphotericin B (3 mg/kg/day). The patient completely recovered without complication. In conclusion VL should be considered in the differential diagnosis of patients, even adults, with persistent fever, hepatosplenomegaly and pancytopenia, in endemic countries such as Turkey.

[Factors effecting the duration of hospitalization and mortality in patients with community-acquired pneumonia]. / Toplum kökenli pnömoni olgularinda hastanede yatis süresi ve mortaliteyi etkileyen faktörler.

Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is a common infectious disease with high morbidity and mortality. In this study, demographic features, underlying conditions, causative pathogens and factors affecting length of hospital stay and mortality were retrospectively investigated in patients who were diagnosed as CAP and followed-up in our unit between January 2005-December 2007. Among 97 patients 65 (67%) were male, 32 (33%) were female and the mean age was 62.7 (age range: 18-94) years. Patients were grouped according to criteria of Turkish Thoracic Society into four groups; 22 were group 2 (patients with risk factors, without aggrevating factors), 59 were group 3 (patients with aggrevating factors), and 16 were group 4 (patients who have necessity for intensive care) CAP. The patients have also been grouped according to criteria of American Thoracic Society (CURB-65 score = Confusion, Urea > 7 mmol/L, Respiratory rate > or = 30/min, low Blood pressure and being > or = 65 years old), as group I (n = 65), group II (n = 20), and group III (n = 12). During follow-up 11 (11.3%) patients required mechanical ventilation support and 6 (6.2%) patients have died. Causative pathogens were isolated from 14 (23.3%) out of 27 well-qualified sputum samples obtained from 60 patients who could produce sputum (8 Streptococcus pneumoniae, 2 methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus, 2 Klebsiella pneumoniae, 1 Haemophilus influenzae, 1 Moraxella catarrhalis). Thirty-seven of cases were treated with levofloxacin, 10 with moxifloxacin, 24 with ceftriaxone +/- clarithromycin, 16 with sulbactam-ampicillin +/- ciprofloxacin, 10 with beta-lactam/beta-lactamase inhibitor combinations, and fever declined within 2.5 days in 83 (85.6%) of them. The mean duration of hospital stay was estimated as 11.1 days. In the evaluation of the factors that affect the length of hospital stay, being > or = 65 years old, gender, underlying conditions, central venous catheterisation, presence of nasogastric tube, positive culture result, previous antibiotic treatment, fever continuing for > 3 days despite antibiotic therapy and scoring groups were not determined as risk factors (p > 0.05 for all of these parameters). However, mechanical ventilation was found as a significant risk factor (p < 0.05). In the evaluation of the factors that affect mortality, mechanical ventilation (p < 0.001), staying in intensive care unit (p < 0.001), being group 4 CAP (p < 0.001) and fever continuing for > 3 days despite antibiotic therapy (p = 0.05) were found to be significant risk factors. In conclusion, length of hospital stay, mortality and treatment costs in CAP patients could be reduced by defining the risk factors and starting empirical antibiotic therapy according to the national and international guidelines.