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Giriş ve Amaç: COVID-19’da karaciğer hasarının ana mekanizmasının, şiddetli akut solunum sendromu koronavirüs-2'nin safra kanalı hücrelerinde yüksek oranda eksprese edilen anjiyotensin dönüştürücü enzim 2 reseptörüne bağlanması olduğu düşünülmektedir. Bu çalışmada COVID-19 tanısı ile yatırılarak takip ve tedavi edilen hastaların, komorbid karaciğer hastalıklarının araştırılması, yatış gününde anormal karaciğer biyokimyasal test sonuçları sıklığının değerlendirilerek hastalığın seyri ve prognozu ile ilişkisinin araştırılması amaçlandı. Gereç ve Yöntem: COVID-19 tanısı ile yatırılarak tedavi edilen 18 yaşından büyük hastalara ait veriler retrospektif olarak değerlendirildi. Hastaların aspartat aminotransferaz, alanin aminotransferaz, alkalen fosfataz, gama glutamil transferaz, total bilirübin değerleri ile hastanede kalış süreleri, yoğun bakım ünitesi ihtiyacı, mortalite arasındaki ilişki araştırıldı. Bulgular: COVID-19 tanısı revers transkripsiyon polimeraz zincir reaksiyonu ile doğrulanmış 795 hastadan 113’ünde (%14.2) yüksek karaciğer enzim (alanin aminotransferaz ve/veya aspartat aminotransferaz) prevalansı saptandı. COVID-19’lu olgularda yüksek alanin aminotransferaz prevalansı %11.1 iken aspartat aminotransferaz prevalansı ise %9.6 idi. Alanin aminotransferaz yüksekliği en fazla 71 yaş ve üstünde (%17.4), aspartat aminotransferaz yüksekliği ise en fazla 51-70 yaş grubunda (%14.8) bulundu. Alanin aminotransferaz ve/veya aspartat aminotransferaz yüksekliği saptanan ve saptanmayan hastalar arasında, hastalığın seyri, hastanede ve yoğun bakımda yatış süresi ve mortalite açısından anlamlı bir fark tespit edilmedi. Ayrıca, aspartat aminotransferaz ve alanin aminotransferaz yüksekliğinin sağ kalım zamanında anlamlı bir fark oluşturmadığı saptandı. Sonuç: COVID-19 hastalarında anormal karaciğer fonksiyon testleri tespit edilebilir. Ancak bunun sebepleri ve prognoza etkileri konusunda yeterli bilgiye sahip olmak için daha geniş popülasyonu içeren prospektif çalışmalara ihtiyaç vardır.

Background and objectives An effective treatment option is not yet available for SARS-CoV2, which causes the COVID-19 pandemic and whose effects are felt more and more every day. Ivermectin is among the drugs whose effectiveness in treatment has been investigated. In this study; it was aimed to investigate the presence of gene mutations that alter ivermectin metabolism and cause toxic effects in patients with severe COVID-19 pneumonia, and to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of ivermectin use in the treatment of patients without mutation. Materials and methods Patients with severe COVID19 pneumonia were included in the study, which was planned as a prospective, randomized, controlled, single-blind phase 3 study. Two groups, the study group and the control group, took part in the study. Ivermectin 200 mcg/kg/day for 5 days in the form of a solution prepared for enteral use added to the reference treatment protocol -hydroxychloroquine + favipiravir + azithromycin- of patients included in the study group. Patients in the control group were given only reference treatment with 3 other drugs without ivermectin. The presence of mutations was investigated by performing sequence analysis in the mdr1/abcab1 gene with the Sanger method in patients included in the study group according to randomization. Patients with mutations were excluded from the study and ivermectin treatment was not continued. Patients were followed for 5 days after treatment. At the end of the treatment and follow-up period, clinical response and changes in laboratory parameters were evaluated. Results A total of 66 patients, 36 in the study group and 30 in the control group were included in the study. Mutations affecting ivermectin metabolism was detected in genetic tests of six (16.7%) patients in the study group and they were excluded from the study. At the end of the 5-day follow-up period, the rate of clinical improvement was 73.3% (22/30) in the study group and was 53.3% (16/30) in the control group (p = 0.10). At the end of the study, mortality developed in 6 patients (20%) in the study group and in 9 (30%) patients in the control group (p = 0.37). At the end of the follow-up period, the average peripheral capillary oxygen saturation (SpO2) values of the study and control groups were found to be 93.5 and 93.0%, respectively. Partial pressure of oxygen (PaO2)/FiO2 ratios were determined as 236.3 ± 85.7 and 220.8 ± 127.3 in the study and control groups, respectively. While the blood lymphocyte count was higher in the study group compared to the control group (1698 ± 1438 and 1256 ± 710, respectively) at the end of the follow-up period (p = 0.24); reduction in serum C-reactive protein (CRP), ferritin and D-dimer levels was more pronounced in the study group (p = 0.02, p = 0.005 and p = 0.03, respectively). Conclusions According to the findings obtained, ivermectin can provide an increase in clinical recovery, improvement in prognostic laboratory parameters and a decrease in mortality rates even when used in patients with severe COVID-19. Consequently, ivermectin should be considered as an alternative drug that can be used in the treatment of COVID-19 disease or as an additional option to existing protocols.

Introduction: COVID-19 infection may be atypically presented in the older adults with a poor prognosis In this study, we aimed to investigate the clinical and laboratory differences of COVID-19 course in older patients Materials and Method: The demographic, clinical, laboratory and radiological data of the patients hospitalized with COVID-19 infection were compiled retrospectively A randomized control group was created from younger patients Chest tomography of the patients were examined and scored Results: Data of 100 older and 127 younger patients with COVID-19 infection, and 80 non-COVID older patients were evaluated retrospectively While the mean CRP, fibrinogen, procalcitonin, urea, LDH, INR, PT, Troponin-I, CK-MB and total radiological lung score were significantly higher in older patients;the mean hemoglobin, hematocrit and d-dimer were significantly higher in younger patients Lymphopenia was more common and the mortalityrate was higher inthe older adults Lymphopenia, presence of comorbidity, being over the age of 75, and radiological lung involvement were identified as mortality risk factors in older patients The cut-off values for mortality were as follows;age >= 77 years, lymphocyte#= 108 71 mg/L, d-dimer >= 2 25 mg/L, fibrinogen >= 383 mg/L, INR >= 1 05, PT >= 12 5 seconds, aPTT >= 31 seconds, Troponin-I >= 19 1 pg/mL, total lung score >= 6 points COVID-19 did not increase mortality much more than other hospital-requiring clinical events in older adults (17% vs 26 25%) Conclusion: The older adults require special attention in COVID-19 pandemic Those with comorbidities, lymphopenia, high d-dimer levels, and extensive lung involvement in the initial tomography should be followed-up closely

This study aimed to present our series of intracranial infections and to determine the possible locations and risk factors for surgical treatment.Over 13 years, 103 patients with intracranial infection underwent surgical evacuation. Seventy-one (68.9%) patients were men, and the mean age was 38.57 years. For intracranial infections, direct and indirect microbiological identification methods were used. The clinical and radiological data of patients were retrospectively analyzed and compared statistically based on the type of infection, location, history of previous surgery, comorbid diseases, and demographic features of the patients.Forty-six (44.7%) patients had intraparenchymal abscess, 25 (24.3%) had subdural empyema, and 32 (31.0%) had epidural empyema. Emergent surgical evacuation was performed in 60 (58.25%) patients. Microbiological agents were not isolated in 26 (25%) patients, while multiple microorganisms were isolated in 17 (16.5%) patients. Intraparenchymal abscesses are more common in the frontal lobe and cerebellum, while subdural empyemas are located more frequently in the frontoparietal region. There was no significant difference between intracranial infection and age, gender, history of surgery, and preoperative antibiotic use. However, a statistically significant relationship between intracranial infection, history of previous surgery, and the patient's comorbid disease was found. Specifically, intraparenchymal abscesses were more frequently detected in immunocompromised patients, and subdural empyemas were common in patients with previous tumor surgery.Brain abscesses commonly develop in the frontal lobe and cerebellum. Patients who underwent previous cranial surgery and patients with comorbid diseases are more prone to intracranial infections. Large abscesses with significant edema are best candidates for emergent surgical evacuation.

Objective: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus, the first cases of which were reported in Wuhan, China in December 2019. The disease often presents with major respiratory symptoms. In addition, gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms are observed. They may be the first or even the only symptoms of the disease. The aim of this study is to demonstrate the presentation of GI symptoms and their relationship to other symptoms, the clinical course and prognosis of patients with COVID-19. Methods: Included in this study were patients over 18 years of age who had been hospitalised for treatment in clinics and intensive care units due to COVID-19 between March and June 2020. The symptoms reported by the patients at the time of admission and the data collected as a result of the clinical follow-up were evaluated. Results: Out of the 1,045 patients with COVID-19, 140 patients (13.4%) had GI symptoms. The complaints of these 140 patients were nausea (53.6%), vomiting (32.1%), abdominal pain (11.4%), diarrhea (45.7%), anorexia (43.6%) and loss of taste (5.6%). In 3.2% of the patients, only GI symptoms were present, without any respiratory symptoms. Conclusion: Gastrointestinal symptoms were present at the time of admission in 13.4% of the patients with COVID-19. The most common GI symptom in the patients was nausea. Length of stay in hospital and mortality rate were higher in patients with only GI symptoms. Therefore, GI symptoms should be considered in patients with suspected COVID-19.

AIMS: This study aimed to investigate the clinical and chest computed tomography (CT) features associated with clinical parameters for coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in the capital of Turkey, Ankara. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Epidemiological, clinical features, laboratory findings and radiological characteristics of 1563 hospitalised patients with COVID-19 in Ankara were collected, reviewed and analysed in this study. The risk factors associated with disease severity were investigated. RESULTS: Non-severe (1214; 77.7%) and severe cases (349; 22.3%) were enrolled in the study. Compared with the non-severe group, the severe group were significantly older and had more comorbidities (ie, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease and chronic kidney disease). Smoking was more common in the severe group. Severe patients had higher respiratory rates and higher incidences of cough and dyspnoea compared with non-severe patients. Compared with the non-severe patients, the severe patients had increased C-reactive protein (CRP), procalcitonin, neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and CRP/albumin ratio and decreased albumin. The occurrence rates of consolidation, subpleural sparing, crazy-paving pattern, cavity, halo sign, reversed halo sign, air bronchogram, pleural thickening, micronodule, subpleural curvilinear line and multilobar and bilateral involvement in the CT finding of the severe patients were significantly higher than those of the non-severe patients. CONCLUSIONS: Many factors are related to the severity of COVID-19, which can help clinicians judge the severity of the patient and evaluate the prognosis. This cohort study revealed that male sex, age (≥55 years), patients with any comorbidities, especially those with cardiovascular disease, dyspnoea, increased CRP, D-dimer and NLR, and decreased lymphocyte count and CT findings of consolidation and multilobar involvement were predictors of severe COVID-19.

BackgroundTuberculous meningitis (TBM) represents a diagnostic and management challenge to clinicians. The“Thwaites’ system” and “Lancet consensus scoring system” are utilized to differentiate TBM from bacterial meningitis but their utility in subacute and chronic meningitis where TBM is an important consideration is unknown.MethodsA multicenter retrospective study of adults with subacute and chronic meningitis, defined by symptoms greater than 5 days and less than 30 days for subacute meningitis (SAM) and greater than 30 days for chronic meningitis (CM). The “Thwaites’ system” and “Lancet consensus scoring system” scores and the diagnostic accuracy by sensitivity, specificity, and area under the curve of receiver operating curve (AUC-ROC) were calculated. The “Thwaites’ system” and “Lancet consensus scoring system” suggest a high probability of TBM with scores ≤4, and with scores of ≥12, respectively.ResultsA total of 395 patients were identified; 313 (79.2%) had subacute and 82 (20.8%) with chronic meningitis. Patients with chronic meningitis were more likely caused by tuberculosis and had higher rates of HIV infection (P P P ConclusionBoth criteria can be helpful in distinguishing TBM from bacterial meningitis, but only the Lancet consensus scoring system can help differentiate TBM from meningitis caused by fungal, viral and unknown etiologies even though significant overlap occurs and the overall diagnostic accuracy of both criteria were either poor or fair.

Graphical abstract, Highlights • Insertion of a Cys4 sequence and single Cys motif allowedsite-specific labeling with FlAsH and Alexa568 of a protein. • FRET is a well-known technique useful for analysis of structural changes of proteins labeled with donor and accepter fluorophores. • Inter-fluorophore distances and proximity ratios of the peakintensities are used to understand structural changes., Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET) is a well-known methodology for detection and quantitation of structural changes of proteins in solution. FRET requires site-specific protein labeling with two fluorophores, one of which functions as an energy donor and the other one as an energy acceptor. However, the site-specific labeling of protein is often complex and difficult, particularly when inserting two fluorophores in specific sites. We have examined several protein labeling approaches with a varying degree of success. Described here is a dual labeling strategy that worked reproducibly in a number of protein targets and we believe will be applicable to a variety of proteins, which have few or no native cysteine (Cys) residues. We have successfully double-labeled DnaA protein of Bacillus anthracis, which lacks intrinsic Cys residues. A cysteine residue was inserted at the N-terminus by in vitro mutagenesis and a Cys-Cys-Phe-Gly-Cys-Cys (CCPGCC) sequence at the C-terminus by PCR. This protein was labeled site-specifically with a fluorescein derivative, FlAsH, at the CCPGCC sequence followed by Alexa568 maleimide at the N-terminus Cys residue. Structural changes of the protein with nucleotide, DNA and an inhibitor protein binding were determined by FRET analysis of the double-labeled protein. This comprehensive novel methodology for site-specific protein labeling with different fluorophores is applicable for understanding different in vitro proteomic structural studies. Here, we describe a verified technique used for FRET spectral analysis and quantitative evaluation of structural changes using fluorophore labeled DnaA protein constructs as an example.

Objective: Cancers have been reported to worsen the clinical course of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection. We aimed to demonstrate the real-life data on health outcomes in COVID-19-infected cancer patients. Materials and Methods: We analyzed the data of 43 COVID-19-infected cancer patients in our COVID-19 clinics between March 25, 2020, and May 9, 2020, retrospectively. Results: We determined that 1051 patients were followed up with COVID-19 infection and 43 (4%) of them were cancer patients. The mean age of the patients was 64.3 ± 12.3 years. Lung cancer is the most common cancer type among the patients (23.2%). Dyspnea (51.2%) was the most common symptom in the first admission. Typical ground-glass consolidation or patchy appearance with peribronchial thickening resembling bronchopneumonia on high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) was present in 29 (67.4%) patients. COVID-19 was diagnosed in 14 (32.5%) patients based on reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction analysis of nose-throat swab samples without any sign of lung involvement on HRCT. Total mortality of the COVID-19 infection was 46.5% (n = 20). Presence of heart disease (hazard ratio [HR]: 3.5; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.29–9.4), previous surgeries to the respiratory system (HR: 6.95; 95% CI: 1.29–27.7), and presence of dyspnea at admission (HR: 4; 95% CI: 1.31–12.3) were statistically significantly associated with death (P = 0.01, 0.02, and 0.01, respectively). Conclusion: Our practices supported that cancer patients were more affected by COVID-19 disease than the normal population. However, our findings can not be generalized due to being retrospective and single centered study, Also, we did not compare the findings with noncancer patients with COVID19 disease.

Neutropenia is a critical risk factor for invasive fungal infections (IFIs). We retrospectively performed this study to assess the performance of the D-index, a new test that combines both the duration and the severity of neutropenia, in predicting IFIs among patients with acute myelogenous leukemia. Fifteen patients with IFIs and 28 patients who did not develop IFIs were enrolled in the study. The D-index was defined as the area over the neutrophil curve, whereas the cumulative-D-index (c-D-index) was the area over the neutrophil curve from the start of neutropenia until the first clinical manifestation of IFI. The D-index and the c-D-index tended to be significantly higher in patients with IFIs, with medians of 10,150 (range: 4000-22,000) and 5300 (range: 2300-22,200), respectively (p=0.037 and p=0.003, respectively). The receiver operating characteristic analyses showed that there was a cutoff point of 3875 for the D-index in predicting IFI; the sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values were 100%, 67.9%, 35.4%, and 100%, respectively. There was also a cutoff point of 4225 for the c-D-index in predicting IFI; the sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values for the c-D-index were 93.3%, 71.4%, 36.6%, and 98.4%. The D-index and especially the c-D-index could be useful tools with high negative predictive value to exclude as well as to predict IFIs in the management of neutropenic patients.Amaç: İnvaziv fungal enfeksiyonların (İFE) gelişiminde nötropeni önemli bir risk faktörüdür. Biz bu çalışmayı, akut miyeloid lösemi olup, İFE gelişen hastalarda, nötropeni süresini ve sayısını birlikte değerlendiren yeni bir test olan D-indeks’in performansını ölçmek için geriye dönük olarak yaptık. Gereç ve Yöntemler: Çalışmaya 50 tane İFE gelişen hasta, 28 tane İFE gelişmeyen hasta alındı. D-indeks nötrofil eğrisinin üzerinde kalan alan olarak, kümülatif-D-indeks (k-D-indeks) ise, nötropeninin ilk başladığı günden İFE’nin belirtilerinin başladığı ilk güne kadar çizilen nötrofil eğrisinin üzerinde kalan alan olarak belirlendi. Bulgular: D-indeks ve k-D-indeks İFE gelişen hastalarda yüksek olma eğilimindedir. D-indeks ve k-D-indeks için değerler ortalama 10,150 (aralık: 4000-22,000) ve 5300 (aralık: 2300-22,200) olup, sırası ile p=0,037 ve p=0,003 saptandı. Yapılan analizlerde D-indeks için eşik değerin 3875 olup, duyarlılık, özgüllük, pozitif ve negatif prediktif değerleri sırası ile %100, %67,9, %35,4 ve %100 saptandı. k-D-index için eşik değer 4225 olup, duyarlılık, özgüllük, pozitif ve negatif prediktif değeri sırası ile %93,3, %71,4, %36,6 ve %98,4 saptandı. Sonuç: D-indeks ve özellikle k-D-indeks nötropenik hastaları günlük değerlendirmede kullanılabilecek bir testtir. Negatif prediktif değerinin yüksek olması nedeni ile İFE olan hastaları erken yakalamanın yanı sıra, İFE’yi dışlamak için de etkili bulunmuştur.

The increased risk of infection for patients caused by construction and renovation near hematology inpatient clinics is a major concern. The use of high-efficiency particulate absorption (HEPA) filters can reduce the risk of infection. However, there is no standard protocol indicating the use of HEPA filters for patients with hematological malignancies, except for those who have undergone allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. This quasi-experimental study was designed to measure the efficacy of HEPA filters in preventing infections during construction.Portable HEPA filters were placed in the rooms of patients undergoing treatment for hematological malignancies because of large-scale construction taking place near the hematology clinic. The rates of infection during the 6 months before and after the installation of the portable HEPA filters were compared. A total of 413 patients were treated during this 1-year period.There were no significant differences in the antifungal prophylaxis and treatment regimens between the groups. The rates of infections, clinically documented infections, and invasive fungal infections decreased in all of the patients following the installation of the HEPA filters. When analyzed separately, the rates of invasive fungal infections were similar before and after the installation of HEPA filters in patients who had no neutropenia or long neutropenia duration. HEPA filters were significantly protective against infection when installed in the rooms of patients with acute lymphocytic leukemia, patients who were undergoing consolidation treatment, and patients who were neutropenic for 1-14 days.Despite the advent of construction and the summer season, during which environmental Aspergillus contamination is more prevalent, no patient or patient subgroup experienced an increase in fungal infections following the installation of HEPA filters. The protective effect of HEPA filters against infection was more pronounced in patients with acute lymphocytic leukemia, patients undergoing consolidation therapy, and patients with moderate neutropenia.Amaç: Hematoloji yatan hasta kliniklerinin yakınındaki inşaat ve tamiratların neden olduğu, hastalardaki artmış enfeksiyon riski büyük bir endişe kaynağıdır. Yüksek etkinlikte partikül emici (YEPE) filtrelerin kullanımı enfeksiyon riskini azaltabilir. Bununla birlikte allojenik hematopoetik kök hücre nakli yapılanlar dışında, YEPE filtrelerin hematolojik malignite hastalarında kullanımı konusunda standart bir öneri yoktur. Bu öncesi sonrası çalışma inşaat esnasında enfeksiyonların engellenmesinde YEPE filtrelerin etkinliğini ölçmek için kurgulandı. Gereç ve Yöntemler: Hematoloji kliniğinin yanında meydana gelen geniş çaplı bir inşaat nedeniyle hematolojik tümörlerin tedavisinin yapıldığı hasta odalarına portabl YEPE filtreler yerleştirildi. Portabl YEPE filtrelerin yerleştirilmesinden önceki ve sonraki 6 aydaki enfeksiyon oranları karşılaştırıldı. Bu 1 yıllık dönemde toplam 413 hasta tedavi edildi. Bulgular: Gruplar arasında antifungal profilaksi ve tedavi rejimleri açısından farklılık yoktu. YEPE filtrelerin yerleştirilmesini takiben tüm hastalarda enfeksiyon, klinik gösterilmiş enfeksiyon ve invaziv fungal enfeksiyon oranları azaldı. Ayrı ayrı analiz edildiğinde ise YEPE filtre yerleştirilmesi sonrası ve öncesi invaziv fungal enfeksiyon oranları nötropenisi olmayan veya uzun nötropeni süresi olan hastalarda benzerdi. Akut lenfoblastik lösemi hastalarının, konsolidasyon tedavisi alan hastaların ve 1 ile 14 gün arasında nötropenik kalan hastaların odalarına yerleştirilen YEPE filtreler enfeksiyonlara karşı belirgin bir şekilde koruyucuydu. Sonuç: Çevresel Aspergillus kontaminasyonunun daha sık olduğu yaz sezonuna ve ortaya çıkan inşaata rağmen, YEPE filtrelerin yerleştirilmesi sonrası dönemde ne hastalarda ne de hasta alt gruplarında fungal enfeksiyonlarda artış gözlenmedi. YEPE filtrelerin enfeksiyonlara karşı koruyucu etkisi akut lenfoblastik lösemi hastalarında, konsolidasyon tedavisi alan hastalarda ve orta derecede nötropenisi olanlarda daha belirgindi.

To determine the perioperative risk factors for postoperative infections among patients undergoing flexible uretero-renoscopy with laser lithotripsy (FURSLL). In addition, the resistance patterns of pathogens isolated from positive preoperative urine cultures were investigated.We retrospectively reviewed data from 492 consecutive patients who had undergone FURSLL for stone disease in our department. Postoperative infection was defined as fever (? 38°C) with pyuria (? 10 white blood cells per high power field), or systemic inflammatory response syndrome, or sepsis. Pre-operative and intra-operative characteristics between patients with and without postoperative infectious complications were compared using univariate analyses. Significant variables on univariate analyses were included in a multivariatelogistic regression analysis to evaluate risk factors associated with postoperative infection following FURSLL.42 (8.5%) of 492 patients had postoperative infectious complications after FURSLL. 59 (12%) of 492 patients had a positive preoperative urine culture. 19 (32.2% of 59) patients had multidrug resistance (MDR) isolates recovered from positive preoperative urine cultures. 75% (9/12 cultures) of the positive preoperative urine cultures of patients in whom a postoperative infectious complication developed consisted of gram-negative pathogens. On multivariate analysis positive preoperative MDR urine culture (OR:4.75;95%CI:1.55-14.56; P = .006) was found to be significant with the dependent variable as the postoperative infectious complications despite appropriate preoperative antibiotic therapy.We found that positive preoperative MDR urine culture is a significant risk factor for infectious complications after FURSLL. Our findings point to the need for further research on assessment of risk factors forMDR infections to reduce the rate of postoperative infectious complications.

Objectives: Most important point for the control and effective treatment of multidrug resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) is early diagnosis and rapid determination of the resistance. The aim of this study is to assess the performance of the Genotype-MTBDR assay applied directly on sputum samples and compare the results with those obtained by DNA sequencing and phenotypic susceptibility testing. Materials and methods: Between November 2005 and February 2006, 93 smear and culture positive sputum samples were included in the study. Drug susceptibility results for rifampin (RIF) and isoniazid (INH), obtained by proportion method on L-J medium, Genotype-MTBDR and DNA sequencing were compared. Results: The rate of concordance between the results of the Genotype-MTBDR and DNA sequencing was 93.5% and 96.7% for RIF and INH, respectively. Moreover, Genotype-MTBDR detected all the RIF (24) and INH (18) resistant strains obtained by sequencing (100%). Compared to the DNA sequencing method; the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive and negative predictive value for RIF and INH were 100%, 91.3%, 80%, 100% and 100%, 96%, 85.7%, 100% respectively. Conclusion: Genotype-MTBDR, one of molecular assays, distinctly shortens the time for diagnosis and detection of resistance to INH and RIF, essential for management of MDR-TB. The test appears to have good sensitivity and specificity when also used directly on sputum specimens.

Sheep breeding is important in terms of meeting both the demand of red meat consumption and the availability of industrial raw materials and the employment of the rural sector in Turkey. It is also very important to ensure the selection and continuity of the breeds that are raised in order to increase quality and productive products related to sheep breeding. The protection of local breeds and crossbreds also enables the development of the sector in the region and the reduction of imports. In this study, the data were obtained from the records of the Turkish Statistical Institute and Antalya Sheep & Goat Breeders' Association. Spatial distribution of sheep breeds in Antalya is reviewed statistically in terms of concentration at the local level for 2015 period spatially. For this reason; mapping, box plot, linear regression are used in this study. Concentration is introduced by means of studbook data on sheep breeding as locals and total sheep farm by mapping. It is observed that Pırlak breed (17.5%) and Merinos crossbreed (16.3%) have the highest concentration in the region. These breeds are respectively followed by Akkaraman breed (11%), Pirlak crossbreed (8%), Merinos breed (7.9%) Akkaraman crossbreed (7.9%) and Ivesi breed (7.2%)., {"references":["Anonymous, 2008. Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Livestock, Antalya Provincial Directorate, Antalya Agricultural Drought Action Plan, 2008.","Anonymous, 2012. Food, Agriculture and Livestock Directorate of Antalya Province, Agricultural Strategic Plan of Antalya Province 2012-2016.","Anonymous, 2015a. Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Livestock, General Directorate of Agricultural Research and Policies, Master Plan for Agricultural Research (2011 - 2015).","Anonymous, 2015b. Workshop Report of West Mediterranean Small Ruminant Breeding, 2015","Anonymous, 2015c. Introductory Guide of Sheep and Goat Breeds. Publication No:5. May, 2015, Ankara. http://www.turkiyekoyunkeci.org/ Date Accessed: 01.03.2017","Anonymous, 2015d. Animal Genetic Resources National Strategic and Action Plan (2015-2020), Ankara.","Ertuğrul, M., Akın, A.O., Yıldırır, M., Dellal, G., Togan, İ., Pabuçcuoğlu, S., Koyuncu, M., Öner, Y., Yılmaz, O., Koncagül, S., Pehlivan, E., Kiraz, S., Elmacı, C., Dağ, B., Özder, M., 2015. , Conservation and Sustainable Use of Genetic Resources of Turkey Livestocks. TMMOB Chamber of Agriculture Engineers, Turkey Agricultural Engineering VIII. Technical Congress, Proceedings Book-1, 212-236. 12-16 January 2015. Ankara.","Anonymous, 2017a. Local Sheep Breeds. https://www.tarim.gov.tr/HAYGEM/ Date Accessed 01.03.2017",". http://sakizkoyunu.net/sakiz-koyunu-hakkinda-genel-bilgiler/ Date Accessed: 20.04.2017\n[10]\tAnonymous, 2017c. http://hayvanuretimi.com/koyunlar/tahirova-koyunu-ozellikleri-2/ Date Accessed: 20.04.2017\n[11]\tKaymakçı, M., Özder, M., Karaca, O., Torun, O., Baş, S. ve Koşum, N., 2009. Turkey Sheep Breeding Strategy, Uludağ University. Faculty of Agriculture Magazine, Vol: 23(2), 67-77.\n[12]\t\tKöksal, B., A., (1985). Statistical Analysis Methods. İstanbul: Çağlayan Kitabevi. p: 508. \n[13]\tTUIK, 2015. Turkish Statistical Institute, Statistics of Animal Production. http://www.tuik.gov.tr Date Accessed: 25.08.2015\n[14]\tTÜİK, 2017a. Turkish Statistical Institute http://www.tuik.gov.tr Date Accessed: 16.03.2017\n[15]\tTÜİK, 2017b. Turkish Statistical Institute http://www.tuik.gov.tr Date Accessed: 01.04.2017"]}

WOS: 000379252100027, PubMed ID: 27085724, There have been many studies pertaining to the management of herpetic meningoencephalitis (HME), but the majority of them have focussed on virologically unconfirmed cases or included only small sample sizes. We have conducted a multicentre study aimed at providing management strategies for HME. Overall, 501 adult patients with PCR-proven HME were included retrospectively from 35 referral centres in 10 countries; 496 patients were found to be eligible for the analysis. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis using a PCR assay yielded herpes simplex virus (HSV)-1 DNA in 351 patients (70.8%), HSV-2 DNA in 83 patients (16.7%) and undefined HSV DNA type in 62 patients (12.5%). A total of 379 patients (76.4%) had at least one of the specified characteristics of encephalitis, and we placed these patients into the encephalitis presentation group. The remaining 117 patients (23.6%) had none of these findings, and these patients were placed in the nonencephalitis presentation group. Abnormalities suggestive of encephalitis were detected in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in 83.9% of the patients and in electroencephalography (EEG) in 91.0% of patients in the encephalitis presentation group. In the nonencephalitis presentation group, MRI and EEG data were suggestive of encephalitis in 33.3 and 61.9% of patients, respectively. However, the concomitant use of MRI and EEG indicated encephalitis in 96.3 and 87.5% of the cases with and without encephalitic clinical presentation, respectively. Considering the subtle nature of HME, CSF HSV PCR, EEG and MRI data should be collected for all patients with a central nervous system infection. (C) 2016 European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

WOS: 000364000400001, PubMed ID: 26538030, Background: Tuberculous meningitis (TBM) caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis resistant to antituberculosis drugs is an increasingly common clinical problem. This study aimed to evaluate drug resistance profiles of TBM isolates in adult patients in nine European countries involving 32 centers to provide insight into the empiric treatment of TBM. Methods: Mycobacterium tuberculosis was cultured from the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of 142 patients and was tested for susceptibility to first-line antituberculosis drugs, streptomycin (SM), isoniazid (INH), rifampicin (RIF) and ethambutol (EMB). Results: Twenty of 142 isolates (14.1 %) were resistant to at least one antituberculosis drug, and five (3.5 %) were resistant to at least INH and RIF, [multidrug resistant (MDR)]. The resistance rate was 12, 4.9, 4.2 and 3.5 % for INH, SM, EMB and RIF, respectively. The monoresistance rate was 6.3, 1.4 and 0.7 % for INH, SM and EMB respectively. There was no monoresistance to RIF. The mortality rate was 23.8 % in fully susceptible cases while it was 33.3 % for those exhibiting monoresistance to INH, and 40 % in cases with MDR-TBM. In compared to patients without resistance to any firstline drug, the relative risk of death for INH-monoresistance and MDR-TBM was 1.60 (95 % CI, 0.38-6.82) and 2.14 (95 % CI, 0: 34-13: 42), respectively. Conclusion: INH-resistance and MDR rates seemed not to be worrisome in our study. However, considering their adverse effects on treatment, rapid detection of resistance to at least INH and RIF would be most beneficial for designing anti-TB therapy. Still, empiric TBM treatment should be started immediately without waiting the drug susceptibility testing.

WOS: 000358623200015, PubMed ID: 25779579, Data in the literature regarding the factors that predict unfavorable outcomes in adult herpetic meningoencephalitis (HME) cases are scarce. We conducted a multicenter study in order to provide insights into the predictors of HME outcomes, with special emphasis on the use and timing of antiviral treatment. Samples from 501 patients with molecular confirmation from cerebrospinal fluid were included from 35 referral centers in 10 countries. Four hundred thirty-eight patients were found to be eligible for the analysis. Overall, 232 (52.9%) patients experienced unfavorable outcomes, 44 died, and 188 survived, with sequelae. Age (odds ratio [OR], 1.04; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.02 to 1.05), Glasgow Coma Scale score (OR, 0.84; 95% CI, 0.77 to 0.93), and symptomatic periods of 2 to 7 days (OR, 1.80; 95% CI, 1.16 to 2.79) and >7 days (OR, 3.75; 95% CI, 1.72 to 8.15) until the commencement of treatment predicted unfavorable outcomes. The outcome in HME patients is related to a combination of therapeutic and host factors. This study suggests that rapid diagnosis and early administration of antiviral treatment in HME patients are keys to a favorable outcome.

WOS: 000353295400011, PubMed ID: 25634680, Predicting unfavorable outcome is of paramount importance in clinical decision making. Accordingly, we designed this multinational study, which provided the largest case series of tuberculous meningitis (TBM). 43 centers from 14 countries (Albania, Croatia, Denmark, Egypt, France, Hungary, Iraq, Italy, Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia, Syria, Turkey) submitted data of microbiologically confirmed TBM patients hospitalized between 2000 and 2012. Unfavorable outcome was defined as survival with significant sequela or death. In developing our index, binary logistic regression models were constructed via 200 replicates of database by bootstrap resampling methodology. The final model was built according to the selection frequencies of variables. The severity scale included variables with arbitrary scores proportional to predictive powers of terms in the final model. The final model was internally validated by bootstrap resampling. A total of 507 patients' data were submitted among which 165 had unfavorable outcome. Eighty-six patients died while 119 had different neurological sequelae in 79 (16 %) patients. The full model included 13 variables. Age, nausea, vomiting, altered consciousness, hydrocephalus, vasculitis, immunosuppression, diabetes mellitus and neurological deficit remained in the final model. Scores 1-3 were assigned to the variables in the severity scale, which included scores of 1-6. The distribution of mortality for the scores 1-6 was 3.4, 8.2, 20.6, 31, 30 and 40.1 %, respectively. Altered consciousness, diabetes mellitus, immunosuppression, neurological deficits, hydrocephalus, and vasculitis predicted the unfavorable outcome in the scoring and the cumulative score provided a linear estimation of prognosis.

Kikuchi–Fujimoto Hastaligi (KFH); benign, cogunlukla kendini sinirlayan, servikal lenfadenopati, ilimli ateș ve gece terlemesi ile karakterize bir durumdur. Siklikla 40 yașin altindaki genc yetișkinleri etkilemektedir. Etiyolojisi halen tam olarak aydinlatilamamiș olmakla birlikte ceșitli mikroorganizmalar tarafindan (Herpesvirusler, ozellikle Ebstein Barr Virus) tetiklenen bir hiperimmun reaksiyon oldugu dușunulmektedir. KFH; nedeni bilinmeyen ateș ve lenfadenopati varliginda akilda tutulmasi gereken, diger etiyolojik ajanlarin ekarte edilmesi sonrasi patoloji ile tani konabilen bir hastaliktir. Burada da hastanemize lenfadenopati ve ateș ile bașvuran ve patoloji sonucu ile KFH tanisi alan 2 vaka sunulmuștur.

WOS: 000330050000001, PubMed ID: 24400646, Background: We evaluated patients admitted to the intensive care units with the diagnosis of community acquired pneumonia (CAP) regarding initial radiographic findings. Methods: A multicenter retrospective study was held. Chest x ray (CXR) and computerized tomography (CT) findings and also their associations with the need of ventilator support were evaluated. Results: A total of 388 patients were enrolled. Consolidation was the main finding on CXR (89%) and CT (80%) examinations. Of all, 45% had multi-lobar involvement. Bilateral involvement was found in 40% and 44% on CXR and CT respectively. Abscesses and cavitations were rarely found. The highest correlation between CT and CXR findings was observed for interstitial involvement. More than 80% of patients needed ventilator support. Noninvasive mechanical ventilation (NIV) requirement was seen to be more common in those with multi-lobar involvement on CXR as 2.4-fold and consolidation on CT as 47-fold compared with those who do not have these findings. Invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) need increased 8-fold in patients with multi-lobar involvement on CT. Conclusion: CXR and CT findings correlate up to a limit in terms of interstitial involvement but not in high percentages in other findings. CAP patients who are admitted to the ICU are severe cases frequently requiring ventilator support. Initial CT and CXR findings may indicate the need for ventilator support, but the assumed ongoing real practice is important and the value of radiologic evaluation beyond clinical findings to predict the mechanical ventilation need is subject for further evaluation with large patient series.

WOS: 000345825900004, PubMed ID: 24849547, We aimed to provide data on the diagnosis of tuberculous meningitis (TBM) in this largest case series ever reported. The Haydarpasa-1 study involved patients with microbiologically confirmed TBM in Albania, Croatia, Denmark, Egypt, France, Hungary, Iraq, Italy, Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia, Syria and Turkey between 2000 and 2012. A positive culture, PCR or Ehrlich-Ziehl-Neelsen staining (EZNs) from the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) was mandatory for inclusion of meningitis patients. A total of 506 TBM patients were included. The sensitivities of the tests were as follows: interferon- release assay (Quantiferon TB gold in tube) 90.2%, automated culture systems (ACS) 81.8%, Lowenstein Jensen medium (L-J) 72.7%, adenosine deaminase (ADA) 29.9% and EZNs 27.3%. CSF-ACS was superior to CSF L-J culture and CSF-PCR (p

WOS: 000326241700021, PubMed ID: 23663858, Background: In the past, Staphylococcus aureus infections have displayed various patterns of epidemiologic curves in hospitals, particularly in intensive care units (ICUs). This study aimed to characterize the current trend in a nationwide survey of ICUs in Turkey. Methods: A total of 88 ICUs from 36 Turkish tertiary hospitals were included in this retrospective study, which was performed during the first 3 months of both 2008 (period [P] 1) and 2011 (P2). A P value

WOS: 000326945100018, PubMed ID: 24075301, Purpose: The aims of this study are to identify factors predicting mortality in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) requiring intensive care unit (ICU) admission and to examine whether noninvasive ventilation treatment reduces mortality. Materials and Methods: An analysis was performed on data from patients with CAP hospitalized in the ICUs of 19 different hospitals in Turkey between October 2008 and January 2011. Predictors of mortality were assessed by both univariate and multivariate statistical analyses. Results: Two hundred eleven patients with COPD and CAP were included. The overall ICU mortality was 23.9%. Noninvasive ventilation treatment (odds ratio [OR], 0.12; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.03-0.49; P=.003), hypertension (OR, 0.13; 95% CI, 0.02-0.93; P=.042), bilateral infiltration (OR, 13.92; 95% CI, 2.94-65.84; P=.001), systemic corticosteroid treatment (OR, 0.19; 95% CI, 0.35-0.96; P=.045), length of ICU stay (OR, 0.65; 95% CI, 0.47-0.89; P=.007), and duration of invasive mechanical ventilation (OR, 1.11; 95% CI, 1.01-1.22; P=.032) were independent factors related to mortality. Conclusion: Noninvasive ventilation, hypertension, systemic corticosteroid treatment, and shorter ICU stay are associated with reduced mortality, whereas bilateral infiltration and longer duration of invasive mechanical ventilation are associated with increased risk of mortality in patients with COPD and CAP requiring ICU admission. (C) 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Brucellosis is a zoonotic infectious disease, which mainly present with lymphoreticular system invovement. However any organ system can be attacked by the microorganism. In this paper we present a 52-year-old female patient who was admitted to the Infectious Diseases Department with complaints of fatigue, arthralgias, fever, and weight loss. In the medical examination and radiological analysis bilateral pleural effusions and hepatosplenomegaly were detected. Serum transaminase levels were two times higher than the upper limits of normal. Abdominal ultrasound revealed sludge in the gallbladder and multiple hypodense splenic lesions (the largest was 1 cm in diameter). Brucella melitensis was isolated from the blood culture of the patient. Rifampicin (600 mg/day) and doxycycline (200 mg/day) therapy was started. Follow-up chest radiography and ultrasonography revealed the absence of pleural effusion. Splenic lesions and hepatosplenomegaly were totally regressed. The patient has been followed for 3 months after 6 week antibiotic regimen without recurrence. Brucellosis was expected to be the cause of all pathological signs.

A complicated case of brucellosis with some rare features is reported. Brucellosis is a multisystemic disease. However, disseminated brucellosis with cerebral, pulmonary, hematopoietic and splenic involvement in an otherwise healthy patient is a rare event. In this article, we report a case of disseminated brucellosis who was initially diagnosed as myelodysplastic syndrome MDS and meningoencephalitis, pulmonary symptoms, and splenic abscess formation occurred thereafter.

Summary: Q fever has rarely been reported and can be difficult to diagnose, especially in immunocompromised patients. In the present report, we describe an unusual case of Q fever that presented as peritonitis and was treated with long-term combination therapy with doxycycline, ciprofloxacin and rifampicin for five weeks in a patient who had been on peritoneal dialysis for six years due to hypertensive nephropathy. Keywords: Q fever, Coxiella burnetii, Peritonitis