Neutralization Synergy between HIV-1 Attachment Inhibitor Fostemsavir and Anti-CD4 Binding Site Broadly Neutralizing Antibodies against HIV.

Attachment inhibitor (AI) BMS-626529 (fostemsavir) represents a novel class of antiretrovirals which target human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) gp120 and block CD4-induced conformational changes required for viral entry. It is now in phase III clinical trials and is expected to be approved by the U.S.

Comparison of the Elecsys HBsAg II Assay and the Architect Assay for Quantification of hepatitis B surface antigen in patients with chronic hepatitis B.

Quantitative hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) is a valuable tool in hepatitis B virus (HBV) disease diagnosis and management for evaluating the effectiveness of antiviral therapy. The aim of the current research was to compare the performances of the Elecsys HBsAg II and Abbott Architect HBsAg assays in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients. Between May 2014 and December 2014, 72 CHBs were tested using Abbott Architect HBsAg QT and Roche Elecsys HBsAg II assay.

Cranial imaging findings in neurobrucellosis: results of Istanbul-3 study.

Objective: Neuroimaging abnormalities in central nervous system (CNS) brucellosis are not well documented. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of imaging abnormalities in neurobrucellosis and to identify factors associated with leptomeningeal and basal enhancement, which frequently results in unfavorable outcomes.

Methods: Istanbul-3 study evaluated 263 adult patients with CNS brucellosis from 26 referral centers and reviewed their 242 magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and 226 computerized tomography (CT) scans of the brain.

Mean platelet volume and red cell distribution width to platelet ratio for predicting the severity of hepatic fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis C.

Objective: We designed this study to investigate the relationship between the severity of fibrosis and mean platelet volume (MPV), red cell distribution width, and red cell distribution width to platelet ratio (RPR) in patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC).

Design: Overall, 98 biopsy-proven naïve CHC cases were enrolled in the study. Complete blood count variables, including white blood cell, hemoglobin, platelet count, MPV, red cell distribution width, platelet distribution width as well as aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase, total bilirubin, albumin, and other routine biochemical parameters, were tested.

Evaluation of Dual Therapy in Real Life Setting in Treatment-Naïve Turkish Patients with HCV Infection: A Multicenter, Retrospective Study.

Background: Before the introduction of direct-acting antivirals in the treatment of chronic hepatitis C patients, the combination of peginterferon alpha and ribavirin was the standard therapy. Observational studies that investigated sustained virological response (SVR) rates by these drugs yielded different outcomes.

Aims: The goal of the study was to demonstrate real life data concerning SVR rate achieved by peginterferon alpha plus ribavirin in patients who were treatment-naïve.

[Tuberculosis and tularemia as part of the differential diagnosis in cervical lymphadenitis].

We have read with interest the recently published article entitled "Investigation of the presence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in the lymph node aspirates of the suspected tularemia lymphadenitis cases" by Albayrak et al. published in Mikrobiyol Bul 2014; 48(1): 129-34. They concluded that tuberculous lymphadenitis (TCL) should be kept in mind in suspected tularemia cases and those patients should also be investigated simultaneously for the presence of TCL.

[Two imported and relapsed of Plasmodium vivax malaria cases and primaquine prophylaxis].

Malaria is a worldwide infection causing serious health and financial problems. Turkey is in the elimination phase, and malaria cases have been observed in patients who have come from abroad recently. In this study, 2 relapsed Plasmodium vivax (Pv) cases that returned from Afghanistan to our country at least 6 months ago were presented.

High resolution computed tomography findings in smear-negative pulmonary tuberculosis patients according to their culture status.

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the clinical features and high resolution computed tomography (HRCT) findings in smear-negative pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) and to evaluate the correlation between these parameters and the culture results.

Methods: We retrospectively studied 78 active smear-negative PTB patients. They were divided into two groups according to their culture results.

[The management of therapeutic failure in a falciparum malaria patient under oral arthemether-lumefantrine therapy].

Malaria is a parasitic infection characterized by anemia, splenomegaly and periodic fever. This infection has a tendency to cause serious complications. Falciparum malaria could occur in our country as an imported case due to increasing intercontinental travel opportunities.

Antibiotherapy with and without bone debridement in diabetic foot osteomyelitis: A retrospective cohort study.

Background And Objective: The treatment of diabetic foot osteomyelitis (DFO) is a controversial issue, with disagreement regarding whether the best treatment is surgical or conservative. The purpose of this study was to compare the outcome of patients with DFO who were treated with antibiotherapy alone and those who underwent concurrent minor amputation.

Methods: Hospital records of patients who were diagnosed as having DFO within a 2-year study period were retrospectively reviewed.

Nosocomial infection characteristics in a burn intensive care unit: analysis of an eleven-year active surveillance.

Aims: The objective of this study was to describe nosocomial infection (NI) rates, risk factors, etiologic agents, antibiotic susceptibility, invasive device utilization and invasive device associated infection rates in a burn intensive care unit (ICU) in Turkey.

Methods: Prospective surveillance of nosocomial infections was performed according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) criteria between 2001 and 2012. The data was analyzed retrospectively.

Mortality indicators in pneumococcal meningitis: therapeutic implications.

Background: The aim of this study was to delineate mortality indicators in pneumococcal meningitis with special emphasis on therapeutic implications.

Methods: This retrospective, multicenter cohort study involved a 15-year period (1998-2012). Culture-positive cases (n=306) were included solely from 38 centers.

Differential diagnosis of cervical lymphadenitis mimicking malignancy due to tularemia: our experiences.

Background: Tularemia is a disease caused by a Gram-negative coccobacillus Francisella tularensis. This bacterium may cause different types of clinical pictures owing to acquisition route and entrance site, such as ulceroglandular, oropharyngeal, glandular, pneumonic, typhoid and ocular forms. Oropharyngeal tularemia (OPT) is the most common form of tularemia in some regions.

Mortality indicators in community-acquired pneumonia requiring intensive care in Turkey.

Background: Severe community-acquired pneumonia (SCAP) is a fatal disease. This study was conducted to describe an outcome analysis of the intensive care units (ICUs) of Turkey.

Methods: This study evaluated SCAP cases hospitalized in the ICUs of 19 different hospitals between October 2008 and January 2011.

Withdrawal of Staphylococcus aureus from intensive care units in Turkey.

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).

Management of Brucella endocarditis: results of the Gulhane study.

Brucella endocarditis (BE) is a rare but life-threatening complication of human brucellosis. The aim of this study was to investigate the course of BE along with the therapeutic interrelations. A total of 53 patients with BE hospitalised in 19 health institutions between 2006 and 2011 were included in the Gulhane study.

Assessment of the requisites of microbiology based infectious disease training under the pressure of consultation needs.

Background: Training of infectious disease (ID) specialists is structured on classical clinical microbiology training in Turkey and ID specialists work as clinical microbiologists at the same time. Hence, this study aimed to determine the clinical skills and knowledge required by clinical microbiologists.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out between June 1, 2010 and September 15, 2010 in 32 ID departments in Turkey.

Efficacy and tolerability of antibiotic combinations in neurobrucellosis: results of the Istanbul study.

No data on whether brucellar meningitis or meningoencephalitis can be treated with oral antibiotics or whether an intravenous extended-spectrum cephalosporin, namely, ceftriaxone, which does not accumulate in phagocytes, should be added to the regimen exist in the literature. The aim of a study conducted in Istanbul, Turkey, was to compare the efficacy and tolerability of ceftriaxone-based antibiotic treatment regimens with those of an oral treatment protocol in patients with these conditions. This retrospective study enrolled 215 adult patients in 28 health care institutions from four different countries.

Hepatitis B virus reactivation in a juvenile rheumatoid arthritis patient under treatment and its successful management: a complicated case.

Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis is a common chronic inflammatory disease in the childhood and it can differentiate rarely into spondiloarthropaties. It is one of the important causes of chronic pain and disability. Some of the drugs used for the treatment have immunosupressive activity.

[Diagnosis of intestinal-protozoa in patients with immune deficiency].

In our study, we tried to detect gastroenteritis causing intestinal protozoa in patients with immune deficiency and who suffered from diarrhea. We also tried to determine which laboratory methods should be used in detecting intestinal protozoon in these patients. Thirty-six immune deficient patients who had had diarrhea for more than 10 days and 44 immune deficient patients without diarrhea were included in the study.