Assessment of the levels of some prognostic biomolecules (galectins, ACE2, SCUBE1/2/3) in COVID-19 patients.

Our aim was to investigate the differences between healthy people and COVID-19 patients in terms of some immunological biomolecules, especially including those related to the inflammation process. A total of 180 participants (90 healthy controls and 90 COVID-19 patients) were included. The expression levels of eight different inflammation-related biomolecules were measured by the ELISA technique.

Rates of underreported needlestick and sharps injuries among healthcare workers in Turkey: in the light of Infection Control Committee data.

Objective: Doctors and nurses are frequently exposed to needlestick and sharps injuries (NSIs) because of their work. It is estimated that NSIs are more common than the rates reported to Infection Control Committee. The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence and reporting rates of NSIs in our hospital.

[Antibody Response After Two Doses of Inactivated SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine in Healthcare Workers with and without Previous COVID-19 Infection: A Prospective Observational Study].

In this study, we aimed to investigate the anti-S1 IgG response that occurs after inactivated severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) vaccine and the factors affecting this response in healthcare workers (HCWs) who are in the risk group for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). A total of 276 HCWs, of whom 82 previously exposed to COVID-19 infection and 194 naive who are working in Kafkas University Faculty of Medicine, Health Research and Application Center were included in this study. Anti-SARS-CoV-2 QuantiVac ELISA IgG (Euroimmun, Lubeck, Germany) kit, coated with recombinant S1 antigen including the receptor binding domain of the SARS-CoV-2 S protein was used for quantitative determination of the humoral immune response in serum samples 28 days after the first and second dose of vaccination.

Molecular characterization, phylogenetic and variation analyses of SARS-CoV-2 strains in Turkey.

We present the sequence and single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) analysis for 47 complete genomes for SARS-CoV-2 isolates on Turkish patients. The Illumina MiSeq platform was used for sequencing the libraries. The SNPs were detected by using Genome Analysis Toolkit - HaplotypeCaller v.

The effectiveness of inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccine (CoronaVac) on antibody response in participants aged 65 years and older.

In this study, it was aimed to determine the antibody responses after the two doses of inactivated severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) vaccinations in people who were above 65 years old and to evaluate the factors affecting this response. A total of 235 participants aged 65 years and older were included. Blood samples were taken and data about age, gender, comorbid diseases, and presence of side effects after vaccination were noted.

Prevalence of COVID-19 in 10,000 samples from 7853 patients in Eastern Turkey by positive real-time PCR.

COVID-19, caused by SARS-CoV-2, started in December 2019 and has spread across the world. We analyzed real-time PCR results of 10,000 samples from 2 April to 30 May 2020 in three neighbor cities located in the East of Turkey. The final study population was 7853 cases, after excluding screening tests.

Saliva samples for detection of SARS-CoV-2 in mildly symptomatic and asymptomatic patients.

Background: The ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic has been rapidly spreading throughout the world with confirmed case numbers already exceeding 75 million. Although nasopharyngeal swabs are the most commonly utilized samples for based severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) RNA detection, collecting these specimens requires healthcare workers and necessitates the use of personal protective equipment as it presents a nosocomial transmission risk. We aimed to assess the diagnostic value of saliva samples in mildly symptomatic and asymptomatic patients with confirmed Covid-19.

Use of WhatsApp for Polyclinic Consultation of Suspected Patients With COVID-19: Retrospective Case Control Study.

Background: Telephones, internet-connected devices (phablets, personal computers), chat platforms, and mobile apps (eg, Skype, Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp) can be exploited for telemedicine applications. WhatsApp and similar apps are also widely used to facilitate clinical communication between physicians. Moreover, WhatsApp is used by emergency department (ED) physicians and consulting physicians to exchange medical information during ED consultations.

Predicting diabetic foot ulcer infection using the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio: a prospective study.

Objective: To investigate whether the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) may be used in the early stage risk assessment and follow-up in diabetic foot infection.

Methods: Over a five-year study, NLR values on admission and day 14 of treatment were matched with their laboratory and clinical data in a cohort study. Patients were followed-up or consulted in several clinics or polyclinics (infectious diseases).

The Role of Ciprofloxacin Resistance and Extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) Positivity in Infective Complications Following Prostate Biopsy.

Purpose: To evaluate ciprofloxacin resistance (CR) and extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) positivity in the rectal flora, antibiotic prophylaxis received, and post-biopsy infectious complications in patients undergoing prostate biopsy.

Material & Methods: Rectal swab samples collected from 99 patients suspected of prostate cancer two days before prostate biopsy were tested for microbial susceptibility and ESBL production. All patients were given standard ciprofloxacin and ornidazole prophylaxis.

Reactivation rates in patients using biological agents, with resolved HBV infection or isolated anti-HBc IgG positivity.

Background/aims: Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) inhibitors and ustekunimab are widely used in autoimmune diseases. It is known that these biological agents cause the reactivation of hepatitis B virus (HBV). There is no standardized strategy to prevent the reactivation in patients with evidence of a previous HBV infection.

Adherence to Nucleoside/Nucleotide Analogue Treatment in Patients with Chronic Hepatitis B.

Background: Adherence to medication is an important aspect of preventing drug resistance and treatment failure in patients receiving nucleos(t)ide analogues for chronic hepatitis B.

Aims: To assess adherence to nucleoside/nucleotide analogues in chronic hepatitis B treatment and to determine factors associated with non-adherence.

Study Design: Cross-sectional study.

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.

Evaluation of Prognostic Values of Tissue Plasminogen Activator and Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor-1 in Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever Patients.

Background: Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is a widespread disease in Turkey, and was responsible for many deaths in endemic regions during the last decade. The pathogenesis of the disease is not fully understood yet.

Objectives: In this study we aimed to determine the levels of tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) and Plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) as predictors of prognosis in CCHF.

[Investigation of reduced vancomycin susceptibility in methicillin-resistant staphylococci].

The first Staphylococcus aureus strain with reduced susceptibility to vancomycin was reported from Japan in 1996, and since then an increasing numbers of cases had been reported from various countries. Along with the unfeasibility in the identification of these strains with routine laboratory methods, the use of glycopeptid antibiotics in infections due to these strains may result in therapeutic failure. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of vancomycin intermediate staphylococcus (VIS) and heterogenous VIS (hVIS) strains with the use of agar screening, macro E-test, and population analysis profile (PAP-UC; population analysis profile-area under the curve) methods.

[A water-borne tularemia outbreak caused by Francisella tularensis subspecies holarctica in Central Anatolia region].

In this study, we investigated a waterborne tularemia outbreak occured in Kadiozu, a village of Cerkes county of Cankiri province (located in North-west part of central Anatolia, Turkey) between 18 November 2009-24 December 2009. Active surveillance was conducted to determine clinical characteristics and risk factors of cases after two patients from the same village had been diagnosed as oropharyngeal tularemia. All villagers were examined, and clinical specimens from cases and water samples which may be the source of outbreak in the field investigations were taken.

Device-associated infection rates and bacterial resistance in the intensive care units of a Turkish referral hospital.

Objective: To determine device-associated infection (DAI) rates, and the microbiological and antibiotic resistance profiles of infecting pathogens in our hospital.

Methods: Prospective surveillance of healthcare-associated infections was performed from January 2007 to March 2010 in 4 different intensive care units (ICUs) of SB Diskapi Yildirim Beyazit Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey.

Results: During the study period, 6,005 patients were followed-up in ICUs for a total of 46,355 patient-days.

Clinical characteristics of 74 pandemic H1N1 influenza patients from Turkey. Risk factors for fatality.

Objective: To evaluate the clinical characteristics and certain risk factors that may be associated with fatal outcome in patients with H1N1 influenza.

Methods: This retrospective study was conducted between October and December 2009 in the Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, SB Diskapi Yildirim Beyazit Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey. Data regarding the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of 74 hospitalized cases of confirmed pandemic H1N1 influenza were reviewed.