Rates of PCR Positivity of Pleural Drainage Fluid in COVID-19 Patients: Is It Expected?

Background: Tube thoracostomy, utilized through conventional methodologies in the context of pleural disorders such as pleural effusion and pneumothorax, constitutes one of the primary therapeutic interventions. Nonetheless, it is imperative to recognize that invasive procedures, including tube thoracostomy, are classified as aerosol-generating activities during the management of pleural conditions in patients afflicted with COVID-19, thus raising substantial concerns regarding the potential exposure of healthcare personnel to the virus. The objective of this investigation was to assess the SARS-CoV-2 viral load by detecting viral RNA in pleural drainage specimens from patients who underwent tube thoracostomy due to either pleural effusion or pneumothorax.

Characterization of resistance genes and replicon typing in Carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae strains.

Objective: In our study, K. pneumoniae strains (non-susceptible to carbapenem) (n = 60) were obtained from various clinical samples from Rize State Hospital between 2015 and 2017 and it is aimed to identify antibiotic resistance genes and replicon typing.

Methods: Antibiotic susceptibility tests of the strains were performed with Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion test and the Vitek-2 automated system (BioMerieux, France).

Evaluating molecular epidemiology of carbapenem non-susceptible Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates with MLST, MALDI-TOF MS, PFGE.

Background: This study aimed to evaluate antibiotic resistance genes and virulence genes and the clonal relationship of the carbapenem-nonsusceptible Klebsiella pneumoniae strains by molecular methods which are isolated from various clinical specimens from patients treated in tertiary care hospital in Turkey.

Methods: Identification of 32 carbapenem non-susceptible K. pneumoniae were determined by VITEK-2 (BioMérieux, France) automated system.

Comparison of a novel antigen detection test with reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction assay for laboratory diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Molecular diagnosis of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) by real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in respiratory specimens is considered the gold standard method. This method is highly sensitive and specific but it has some limitations such as being expensive and requiring special laboratory equipment and skilled personnel. RapidFor™ Antigen Rapid Test Kit is a commercially available Ag-RDT which is produced in Turkey and designed to detect the nucleocapsid antigen of SARS-CoV-2 in nasopharyngeal swab samples.

Molecular epidemiological analysis of integron gene cassettes and tetA/tetB/tetD gene associations in Escherichia coli strains producing extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) in urine cultures.

Background: Epidemiological studies of tetracycline (TE) resistance genes and integron gene cassettes, particularly in urine samples, are limited in Turkey.

Objectives: To investigate antibiotic susceptibility profiles, extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) positivity, tet gene types, class-I/-II integron gene cassettes, and clonal relationships among tet-resistant isolates of Escherichia coli from urine cultures of outpatients.

Material And Methods: Isolates were identified using conventional methods and the automated Vitek® 2 Compact system.

Screening of Antimicrobial Resistance Genes and Epidemiological Features in Hospital and Community-Associated Carbapenem-Resistant Infections.

Introduction: Researching carbapenem-resistant isolates enables the identification of carbapenemase-producing bacteria and prevents their spread.

Methods: isolates were recovered from Medicine Faculty of Recep Tayyip Erdoğan University and identified by conventional methods and the automated Vitek 2 Compact system. Antimicrobial susceptibility experiments were performed in accordance with CLSI criteria and the automated Vitek 2 Compact system.

The Antibiotic sensitivity of Stenotrophomonas maltophilia in a 5-year period and investigation of clonal outbreak with PFGE.

Introduction: Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, which is able to form a biofilm, has mostly been related to catheters when it is the agent in hospital infections; these infections generally present as bacteremia and pneumonia, which may progress with complications and result in death.

Methodology: The study included 153 S. maltophilia strains isolated from clinical samples sent to our hospital laboratory between 1 January 2014 and 30 June 2018.

Determination of antibiotic resistance genes and virulence factors in Escherichia coli isolated from Turkish patients with urinary tract infection.

Introduction: : Escherichia coli ranks among the most common sources of urinary tract infections (UTI).

Methods: Between November 2015 and August 2016, 90 isolates of E. coli were isolated from patients at Rize Education and Research Hospital in Turkey.

Effect of mazEF, higBA and relBE toxin-antitoxin systems on antibiotic resistance in Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus isolates.

Background: A toxin-antitoxin (TA) system is a set of two or more closely linked genes that are encoded as a poison and a corresponding antidote on a protein. In typical bacterial physiology, an antitoxin binds to a toxin and neutralizes it, which prevents the bacterium from killing itself. We aimed to determine whether and isolates have TA genes and to investigate whether there is a relationship between the expression levels of TA genes and resistance to antibiotics.

High prevalence of NDM metallo-β-lactamase among ESBL-producing Escherichia coli İsolates.

Resistance to β-lactams in Enterobacteriaceae has been increasing worldwide. This study aimed to determine the frequency of β-lactamase genes and antibiotic resistance rates of 140 extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Escherichia coli isolates obtained from urinary tract infection in Ordu Province, Turkey. Isolates were identified by classic methods and by automated system.

[Antimicrobial susceptibility and molecular characterization of multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii isolated in an university hospital].

Acinetobacter baumannii, an aerobic, non-motile, gram-negative bacterium is an important nosocomial pathogen which shows resistance to the most antibiotics. Carbapenems are the most commonly used antibiotics for the treatment of infections caused by this pathogen. However the emergence of resistance against carbapenems in an increasing rate generates serious problems for antimicrobial therapy.

[Investigation of the frequency and distribution of beta-lactamase genes in the clinical isolates of Acinetobacter baumannii collected from different regions of Turkey: a multicenter study].

The diversity and distribution of TEM, SHV and CTX-M type of extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs) are important for the treatment and control of infections. Determination of ESBL genes in clinical isolates by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and DNA sequencing can obtain useful data for their molecular epidemiology and risk. The aim of this study was to investigate the frequency of beta-lactamase genes in Acinetobacter baumannii strains isolated from different regions of Turkey.

Evaluation of the Carbapenem Inactivation Method for Detection of Carbapenemase-Producing Gram-Negative Bacteria in Comparison with the RAPIDEC CARBA NP.

Timely detection of carbapenemases by both phenotypic and genotypic methods is essential for developing strategies to control the spread of infections by carbapenem-resistant isolates and related morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study was to compare the performance of a commercial kit, the RAPIDEC CARBA NP, and an in-house technique, the carbapenem inactivation method (CIM), against a panel of 136 carbapenemase- and noncarbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae, Acinetobacter baumannii, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates. RAPIDEC CARBA NP displayed 99% sensitivity and 100% specificity, whereas the sensitivity and specificity were 78% and 100% for the CIM test, respectively.

[Characterization of class 1 and class 2 integron gene cassettes in Escherichia coli strains isolated from urine cultures: a multicenter study].

Escherichia coli is the most common pathogen isolated from both nosocomial and community acquired urinary tract infections. Although there are many studies from different centers concerning the antibiotic susceptibility of E.coli isolates in Turkey, the studies are quite few about class 1 and class 2 integron cassettes in clinical E.

Kinetic characterization of GES-22 β-lactamase harboring the M169L clinical mutation.

The class A β-lactamase GES-22 has been identified in Acinetobacter baumannii isolates in Turkey, and subsequently shown to differ from GES-11 by a single substitution (M169L). Because M169 is part of the omega loop, a structure that is known to have major effects on substrate selectivity in class A β-lactamases, we expressed, purified and kinetically characterized this novel variant. Our results show that compared with GES-11, GES-22 displays more efficient hydrolysis of penicillins, and aztreonam, but a loss of efficiency against ceftazidime.

Distribution of β-lactamase genes among carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae strains isolated from patients in Turkey.

Background: The emergence of carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae poses a serious problem to antibiotic management. We investigated the β-lactamases in a group of carbapenem-resistant K. pneumoniae clinical isolates from Turkey.

Clinical potential of resistin as a novel prognostic biomarker for cellulitis.

Cellulitis is an acute, subacute or chronic inflammation of the dermis and subdermal tissues, which is typically caused by bacteria, although other causes are possible. The present study aimed to evaluate the association between resistin levels and the recovery time of patients with cellulitis. In addition, the effect of resistin and insulin resistance on the prognosis of cellulitis was investigated.

Molecular characterisation and control of Acinetobacter baumannii isolates resistant to multi-drugs emerging in inter-intensive care units.

Background: A nosocomial outbreak of Acinetobacter baumannii (AB) infections occurred among intensive care units (ICU) (surgery, medical, cardiovascular surgery, coronary unit) of Recep Tayyip Erdogan University Medical School (Rize, Turkey) between January 2011 and May 2012. The identification of isolates and clonal relation among them were investigated by molecular techniques.

Methods: A total of 109 AB isolates were obtained from 64 clinical materials from 54 ICU patients and 3 from the hands of healthcare workers (HCWs) of 42 environmental samples.

Antimicrobial resistance patterns and integron carriage of Escherichia coli isolates causing community-acquired infections in Turkey.

We aimed to observe antimicrobial resistance patterns and integron carriage of Escherichia coli isolates causing community-acquired infections. Two hundred sixty-eight E. coli strains were obtained from outpatients with various infections at different polyclinics at the 82nd Year of State Hospital in Rize, Turkey.

[Carriage of class 1 and 2 integrons in Acinetobacter baumannii and Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolated from clinical specimens and a novel gene cassette array: blaOXA-11-cmlA7].

The dissemination of antibiotic resistance genes between bacteria leads to serious problems in the treatment of infectious diseases. It has been shown that resistance genes can also be carried by the integrons. There are limited studies regarding the carriage of class 1 and 2 integrons in Acinetobacter baumannii and Pseudomonas aeruginosa clinical strains in Turkey.

Taenia infestation in the appendix: a case report.

Taenia saginata is a zoonotic cestode causing taeniasis. Taeniasis refers to the intestinal infection with the adult stage of this tapeworm. An association between teaniasis and acute appendicitis is uncommon.