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Objectives: Scabies, an infestation affecting individuals of all ages, poses significant public health implications due to its potential for epidemics and transmission within households. The aim of this study was to evaluate the demographic data of patients diagnosed with scabies between the years 2022 and 2023. Methods: A retrospective analysis of patients admitted to the Infectious Diseases and Dermatology Outpatient Clinics between January 2022 and November 2023 was conducted, with symptoms of itching and rash, and was diagnosed with scabies during the first admission. The patients of all age groups were included in the study. Results: A total of 1261 patients were included in this study, with a median age of 30.0 (0.0-93.0) years and 669 (53.0%) were male. In 2022, 521 (41.3%) patients were diagnosed with scabies, while in 2023, the number increased to 740 (58.7%). Among the total patients, 167 (13.2%) were admitted from outside the province, with 77 (6.1%) in 2022 and 90 (7.1%) in 2023. Interestingly, 114 (9.0%) patients were diagnosed with scabies while hospitalized for reasons unrelated to scabies itself. This includes 16 (1.3%) patients in 2022 and 98 (7.8%) patients in 2023. Conclusion: Scabies are an escalating public health concern that has the potential to trigger epidemics. Primary health-care institutions, specialty associations, and the General Directorate of Public Health play vital roles in recognizing the disease, coordinating treatment strategies, and disseminating preventive measures to the public. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: We aimed to determine the utility of CD4 T lymphocyte counts and percentages and CD4/CD8 ratios as markers for the progression of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) to active tuberculosis (TB) infection in HIV-positive patients followed in the Acquired Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Polyclinic of our hospital. Methods: The files of 530 HIV-positive patients were retrospectively analyzed. "Tuberculin skin test" (TST) was applied after the anti-HIV test was positive. Asymptomatic patients with a TST =5 mm were considered TB negative, patients with a TST =5 mm were considered LTBI, and all symptomatic patients (fever, cough, night sweats, weight loss) regardless of TST result were considered as active TB infection. CD4 counts and percentages and CD4/CD8 ratios were calculated and the relationship between LTBI and active TB infection was evaluated using Mann-Whitney U test and independent sample t-test. Results: During the specified period, 530 patients were admitted to the HIV Outpatient Clinic. There were 43 (8.11%) patients in the LTBI group, of whom 4 (9.3%) were female and 39 (90.7%) were male. CD4 was <200 mm² in 7 (16.3%) patients and >200 mm² in 36 (83.7%) patients. The mean CD4/CD8 ratio was 0.55 (0.08-1.45). 21 (3.96%) patients had symptoms of fever, cough, night sweats and weight loss and were diagnosed with active TB infection. Among these patients, 1 (4.8%) was female and 20 (95.2%) were male. CD4 was <200 mm² in 5 (23.8%) patients and >200 mm² in 16 (76.2%) patients. The mean CD4/CD8 ratio was 0.38 (0.07-1.8). The difference in CD4 counts between patients with LTBI and active TB infection was not significant, but the difference in CD4/CD8 ratio was significant (p<0.05). Conclusion: Immune dysfunction that occurs in HIV and TB co-infection facilitates the activation of LTBI. While CD4 counts and CD4 percentages were not significant as risk markers, CD4/CD8 ratio was found as significant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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