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Copyright of Journal of Harran University Medical Faculty / Harran Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi Dergisi is the property of Harran University Medical Faculty and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Objective: Growing evidence suggests that increased cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk is associated with female infertility caused by conditions such as polycystic ovarian disease, obesity, thyroid dysfunction, and endometriosis. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether any relationship exists between CVD and unexplained infertility. Methods: Sixty-five women with unexplained infertility and 65 fertile controls were enrolled in the study. CVD risk markers such as low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), insulin resistance (defined by the homeostasis model assessment ratio), and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) were assessed. Results: TG, TC, LDL, and hs-CRP levels were higher and HDL levels were lower in patients with unexplained infertility than in fertile controls (p<0.05 for all). Positive associations were found between unexplained infertility and TG, TC, LDL, and hs-CRP levels, and a negative correlation was found for HDL (p<0.05 for all). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that TG, HDL, and hs-CRP were independent variables associated with unexplained infertility. Conclusion: Our study showed that women with unexplained infertility had an atherogenic lipid profile and elevated hs-CRP levels, suggesting a higher risk of developing CVD in the future. Further studies with larger groups are needed to investigate the nature of this link. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The objective of this study to detect Plasmodium and a subspecies of Plasmodium using filter paper in malaria endemic province, Sanliurfa, in Turkey, compare the results of nested PCR (nPCR) with microscopy for the diagnosis of malaria and present the epidemiological data of malaria. Methods: This study was carried out in malaria-endemic Sanliurfa between 2008 and 2011. Finger prick blood samples, thick and thin Giemsa-stained blood smears, were collected from 153 malaria-suspected farmworkers. The Giemsa-stained blood smears were examined microscopically. The obtained DNA products, extracted from blood-spotted filter papers or from the thick blood smears, were analysed by nPCR to amplify the 18S ssrRNA Plasmodium gene with genus and specific primers. The results of the microscopy were compared to the nPCR results. Results: Of the specimens, 7.2 % were determined as Plasmodium-positive by microscopy, whereas 9.8 % were determined as Plasmodium-positive by nPCR. Of the positive Plasmodium specimens, 93.33 % were identified as P. vivax. Four out of the 15 specimens that were microscopically diagnosed as negative were Plasmodium-positive with nPCR. When compared to the microscopy, the sensitivity, specificity, and positive predictive values of the nPCR were determined as 100, 97.2 and 73.3 %, respectively. nPCR was determined to be more sensitive and specific than microscopy. Conclusions: This study revealed that the accurate diagnosis of malaria by nPCR was compulsory in malaria-endemic Sanliurfa and nPCR should be applied routinely in laboratory studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plasmodium vivax infection has been gaining attention because of its re-emergence in several parts of the world. Southeastern Turkey is one of the places in which persistent focal malaria caused exclusively by P. vivax parasites occurs. Although control and elimination studies have been underway for many years, no detailed study has been conducted to understand the mechanisms underlying the ineffective control of malaria in this region. Here, for the first time, using serologic markers we try to extract as much information as possible in this region to get a glimpse of P. vivax transmission. We conducted a sero-immunological study, evaluating antibody responses of individuals living in Sanliurfa to four different P. vivax antigens; three blood-stage antigens (PvMSP119, PvAMA1-ecto, and PvSERA4) and one pre-erythrocytic stage antigen (PvCSP). The results suggest that a prior history of malaria infection and age can be determining factors for the levels and sustainability of naturally acquired antibodies. Significantly higher antibody responses to all the studied antigens were observed in blood smear-negative individuals with a prior history of malaria infection. Moreover, these individuals were significantly older than blood smear-negative individuals with no prior history of infection. These data from an area of sole P. vivax-endemic region may have important implications for the global malaria control/elimination programs and vaccine design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: There are a limited number of studies of the agricultural population about the prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) infection throughout the world. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and risk factors of toxoplasmosis in female farmworkers in the southeastern region of Turkey. Methodology: The optimum sample size was determined using the Epi Info Program, and blood samples were collected from 684 women of reproductive age. Serum samples were analyzed by qualitative and quantitative methods for anti-T. gondii IgG and IgM antibodies with a commercially available enzyme immunoassay. Questionnaires through which socio-demographic information was collected were applied during face-to-face interviews of subjects who gave their consent to participate in the study. Crude odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated, and Chi-square analyses and logistic regression were performed. Results: Of the 684 women, the prevalence of toxoplasmosis was determined to be 58.3% and 1% for IgG and IgM, respectively. Employment as a seasonal farmworker, increasing age, and having had three or more pregnancies were found to be the crucial associated risk factors that affect the prevalence of T. gondii infection (p < 0.05). In contrast to these, the provincial development level was found to be a confounding factor. There was no association between toxoplasmosis and household size, education attainment, and poverty in the bivariate analyses. Conclusions: The findings show that control and serological screening programs should be implemented nationwide in Turkey for the reliable and fast detection of congenital Toxoplasma infections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: There are limited data on the prevalence of the hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in the agricultural population worldwide., Objectives: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of HBV infection and associated risk factors in the reproductive-age female farmworker., Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted between January and April 2013 in southeastern region (SAR) of Turkey. A community-based representative agricultural sample (n = 705) from the agricultural areas of nine provinces of SAR was randomly determined by clustering method using Epi Info software. Questionnaires including demographic information and risk factors of HBV were administered to participants. The presence of HBsAg, anti-HBs, anti-HBc, and anti-HBe antibodies in blood samples were measured by ELISA., Results: The prevalence of the HBsAg, anti-HBs, anti-HBc, anti-HBe antibodies, and seropositivity were 5.7%, 25.9%, 28.9%, 16.4%, and 36.7%, respectively. There was no association between the HBsAg and the size of the household, age, education level, parity, and place of birth while the prevalence of HBsAg was higher in seasonal migratory farmworkers and people living in urban areas and the prevalence of anti-HBs antibody was significantly higher in women ≥ 35 years of age, those with a high parity, and those who gave birth without the assistance of health professionals (P < 0.05). The risk for HBV infection in the seasonal migratory group was 4.3 times higher in comparison to local workers (P = 0.00; OR = 4.3; 95% CI, 2.2-8.4), with a prevalence rate of 11%., Conclusions: The monitoring of at-risk groups like seasonal migratory farmworkers is necessary to strengthen the healthcare service provided to this population.

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the direct microscopy used for detection of intestinal parasites with antigen casette tests used in diagnosis of giardiasis and crypyosporidiasis., Methods: Forty-six children who lived in the Şanlıurfa Orphanage were enrolled in this study. The stool specimens were taken in the morning and examined by using native-lugol, modified formalin-ethylacetate concentration methods and cellophane tape method on the same day at the Microbiology laboratory of Harran University. Also Kinyoun-acid fast stained preparations were used for the detection of Cryptosporidium. R-biopharm Cryptosporidium/Giardia casette antigen test was used for the determinaton of giardiasis and crytosporidiasis., Results: The mean age of the children enrolled in this study was 8.61±3.45 and the distribution of gender was 24 female (52.2%), 22 male (47.8%), respectively. According to stool examinations, 9 of 46 examples (19.60%) were determined as Giardia intestinalis, Cryptosporidium spp. had never been found. The result of the antigen screening casette test showed 9 of 46 samples (19.60%) were positive for G. intestinalis. Also Cryptosporidium spp. had never been found by the antigen casette test., Conclusion: When we compared the results of the direct microscopy and antigen casette tests, we found no significant difference between them for test reliability (p > 0.05). Antigen tests have higher sensitivity (100%) and specifity (100%) than the modified acid-fast staining technique, therefore, it is a preferred reference method . However, an experienced staff working accurately might access the same conclusion. Considering the cost of antigen tests, direct microscopic examination is cheaper, andeasier when it used by an experienced person.

In this study, we aimed to evaluate the validity of the conventional enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and the Western blotting test for the diagnosis of anthroponotic cutaneous leishmaniasis (ACL) using serum samples obtained from 51 patients with parasitologically proven nontreated CL (NonT-CL patients) and 62 patients under treatment for CL (UT-CL patients). Additionally, 29 serum samples obtained from patients with parasitologically and serologically proven visceral leishmaniasis (VL) were also used as positive controls, and serum samples from 43 blood donors were used as negative controls. All sera were diluted to the same dilution (1/100). Leishmania infantum MON-1 was used as the antigen in the conventional ELISA. The sera of 27 (93.1%) of 29 VL patients were seropositive by ELISA, while the sera of 40 (78.4%) of 51 NonT-CL patients and 43 (69.3%) of 62 UT-CL patients were seropositive by the conventional ELISA. The absorbance values of the CL patients' sera were significantly lower than the absorbance values of the VL patients' sera. Bands between 15 and 118 kDa were detected in two groups of CL patients. Among all bands, the 63-kDa band was found to be more sensitive (88.5%). When we evaluated the Western blotting results for the presence of at least one of the diagnostic antigenic bands, the sensitivity was calculated to be 99.1%. By using serological tests, a measurable antibody response was detected in most of the CL patients in Sanliurfa, Turkey. It is also noted that this response can be changed according to the sizes, types, and numbers of lesions that the patient has. The Western blot test was found to be more sensitive and valid than the conventional ELISA for the serodiagnosis of ACL. In some instances, when it is very difficult to demonstrate the presence of parasites in the smears, immunodiagnosis can be a valuable alternative for the diagnosis of ACL.

Infective sacro-ileitis is due to common bacteria, 25% being tuberculosis and 10% brucellosis. Slow progression characterizes joint tuberculosis, an uncommon variant of this disease. The onset is usually insidious, and early diagnosis requires a high index of clinical suspicion. We report two cases with tuberculous sacro-ileitis which initially mimicked brucellosis infiltration. Diagnosis of tuberculosis of the sacroiliac joint was established by fine-needle aspiration of joint and radiological imaging methods such as computerized tomography, magnetic resonance and three-phase bone scan. The current diagnosis and treatment of this condition is discussed based on these cases and a literature review.

Background: This study was designed to investigate the distribution of cyclosporiasis between October 2003 and October 2004 and the relationship between Cyclospora infection and seasonal as well as patient factors in western Turkey., Material/methods: Stool samples from 4660 immunocompetent patients with gastrointestinal symptoms and 326 immunocompetent patients with allergic symptoms from western Turkey were examined between October 2003 and October 2004 using wet preparation, formalin-ethyl acetate concentration, Trichrome stain, and modified Kinyoun's acid-fast staining methods., Results: Twenty-three patients were found to be infected with Cyclospora oocysts. Parasites such as Cryptosporidium, Giardia intestinalis, Entamoeba histolytica/dispar, Blastocystis hominis and others were also observed. The incidence of cyclosporiasis was higher in summer and early autumn and most of the Cyclospora-infected patients were without diarrhea., Conclusions: Clinicians with patients from Turkey and abroad who have intestinal symptoms after visiting the country should be aware that Cyclospora infections could be considered as a possible cause of gastrointestinal symptoms in the absence of diarrhea in immunocompetent patients during the summer period in Turkey.