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Toxoplasmosis is a disease with various clinical findings caused by Toxoplasma gondii. Primer infection is generally asymptomatic in immunocompetent adults but rarely symptoms observed may include fever, malaise, sore throat, headache, maculopapular rash, and lymphadenopathy. The prevalence of T. gondii is depending on geographic diversity, age, race, diet, and lifestyle. In this study, we investigated the distribution of anti-T. gondii IgG and IgM antibodies in patients suspected with toxoplasmosis referred to Erciyes University Medical Faculty Parasitology laboratory between July 2009 - June 2011 retrospectively. It was investigated anti-T. gondii antibodies with the Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) and Indirect Fluorescence Antibody Technique (IFAT) in serum specimens of 336 (21.3%) males and 1245 (78.7%) females, totally 1581 subjects. It was determined that 456 (28.8%) patients were IgG positive, 8 (0.5%) patients were IgM positive and 79 (5%) patients were both IgG and IgM positive. IgG-avidity values were investigated in 535 (%33.8) patients having anti-T. gondii IgG antibody positive. It was found that 466 (87.1%) patients had high IgG avidity, 13 (2.4%) low avidity and 56 (10.5%) of them were in an equivocal range. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The infection caused by intestinal parasites infects through the mouth are common in the world. The intestinal parasites are a health problem not only developing countries but also developed country. They cause various symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, weight loss, anemia, and growth retardation. The prevalence of intestinal parasites is affected by various factors such as climate, socioeconomic status, age, sex, sanitation, and hygiene. In this study, we aimed the distribution of intestinal parasites in patients presenting with intestinal complaints to Erciyes University Medical Faculty, Parasitology department. This study carried out from January 2009-December 2010. A total of 16.445 stool samples were examined using native-Lugol and sedimentation methods and 1.482 cellophane tape preparations were examined directly. Totally 3.214 (19.5%) patients, 1.745 (10.6%) men and 1.469 (8.9%) women were found infected with one or more intestinal parasite species. The more prevalent parasites were found as Blastocystis hominis 2.602 (15.8%), Entamoeba coli 351 (2.1%) and Giardia intestinalis 299 (1.9%) respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Scabies is a parasitic infestation caused by Sarcoptes scabiei. The most common symptom is night itching. Scabies occurs worldwide and affects people of all races, age, gender, and social classes. Due to the fact that the disease is transmitted directly by close contact, early diagnosis is important for both prevention and control. This study was carried out from January 2004 - June 2011, during which 48 patients' samples were examined. The skin scrapings were examined in a drop of 10% potassium hydroxide under 100X magnification by the light microscope. Twenty-one (43.7%) skin scrapings of men and 27 (56.3%) of female patients were investigated and 5 male and 3 female patients were found to be positive for S. scabiei. Although, there is a significant development in the socio-economic situation of the country, we believe that scabies is still an important health problem in Turkey and therefore a continuing public education, prevention and control of this infestation should be implemented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Demodex live in the face, hair-roots, hair follicle and oil glands in the skin. Symptoms of demodicosis (demodex) are often similar to other skin diseases. Demodex folliculorum is commonly found in the skin and is the most common ectoparasite in humans. Demodex can cause itching, erythema and lesion. Our aim was to determinate for the presence of Demodex in patients who came to Erciyes University Medical Faculty Department of Parasitology with various complaint between 2002-2011. Totally 86 cellophan-tape preparations taken from patients were examined for Demodex spp.. Thirty-nine of 58 women (45.3%) and 12 of 28 (14%) men were found positive for Demodex spp. in the study. It has been shown that Demodex spp. is common in patients with various dermatologic complaints in Kayseri, Turkey. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]