Publications by authors named "Gulcan Gurses"
Introduction: Since the Syrian Civil War began in 2011, the official number of refugees under temporary protection in Turkiye is reported to be 3,522,036 in 2023. Most of the Syrians living outside the refugee camps have worse conditions in terms of access to healthcare centers and social opportunities, compared to those living in camps. The Sanliurfa province hosts the third highest number of Syrians (370,291) in Turkiye.
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- Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is a significant public health concern in Şanlıurfa, Turkey, prompting a study to genotype 136 suspected Leishmania samples using various diagnostic methods.
- The study employed the Sybr Green-based ITS-1 real-time PCR, alongside ITS-1 PCR RFLP and direct microscopy techniques, to identify the presence of amastigotes in lesion samples and compare the efficacy of these methods.
- Results indicated that the Sybr Green-based ITS-1 Rt-PCR method had the highest positivity rate at 97%, identifying 121 samples as L.tropica and 11 as L.major, showcasing its effectiveness in diagnosing CL compared to the other methods.
Scorpion venom is a substance that shows strong neurotoxic effects with its complex protein content and thus plays an important role for the scorpion in catching and digesting the hunt. Human body stung by a scorpion can show life-threatening systemic effects in a short time, ranging from erythema, pain, edema and local fever to abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, diplopia and even coma. Scorpion venome is known to possess antimicrobial activity, and some of its compounds have potent antibacterial and antifungal activities.
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- The study investigated the rise of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) among Syrian refugees in Sanliurfa, Turkey, where over 477,000 refugees reside, aiming to identify the Leishmania species causing CL.
- A total of 154 patients (60 Syrian and 94 Turkish) diagnosed with CL were analyzed, revealing that Leishmania tropica was the most common species, affecting 90.9% of patients, with some infections of L. major and L. infantum also observed.
- The findings indicated a significant association between the species of Leishmania and the nationality of the patients, emphasizing the need for accurate species identification for effective diagnosis and treatment in regions heavily affected by CL.
Article Synopsis
- The article discusses the molecular identification of Leishmania species responsible for causing cutaneous leishmaniasis in a highly endemic area of Sanliurfa, Turkey.
- It mentions that Table 1, which presents pH values of yogurts collected from villages in Turkey, is mistakenly included in this article.
- This table is unrelated to the central topic of Leishmania and its association with cutaneous leishmaniasis.
Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is an important public health problem in Turkey. CL has been most frequently seen in Sanliurfa. There is an expectation of increase in the population of leishmaniasis cases with the influence of Syrian refugees arriving in Turkey.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground/aim: The aim of this study was to determine the seroprevalence of antihepatitis A virus (HAV), risk factors, and the knowledge of female farm workers living in the Southeastern Anatolia Region (SAR) of Turkey. Materials and methods: This representative cross-sectional survey was conducted between January and April of 2013 in the SAR. A total of 705 reproductive-aged women were randomly selected by clustering method using Epi Info software.
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- Since the start of the Syrian civil war in 2011, Turkey has become home to around 2.5 million Syrian refugees, particularly in areas like Sanliurfa due to its proximity to the border.
- A study was conducted to assess the prevalence of the parasite Trichomonas vaginalis among female married Syrian refugees aged 15-49 living outside of refugee camps in Sanliurfa, focusing on those with symptoms of vaginitis.
- The research involved structured interviews with a high response rate and followed ethical guidelines, ultimately leading to gynecological examinations to check for T.vaginalis among 458 participating women.
Article Synopsis
- A study in Sanliurfa, Turkey, aimed to assess the prevalence of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) in children aged 7-15 by actively screening over 163,000 students in primary schools from 2010 to 2012.* -
- Out of the screened children, 455 were diagnosed with CL, indicating a low incidence rate (0.3%), with a higher occurrence in females (54.9%) and children aged 7-11 (64.2%).* -
- Clinical evaluations showed that lesions mostly appeared on the face, particularly the cheeks, with an average lesion duration of about 13 months and sizes averaging around 10.32 mm.*
Article Synopsis
- The study focused on understanding the prevalence and risk factors of brucellosis among female farmworkers in southeastern Turkey, moving beyond hospital data for more accurate insights.
- Conducted over four months in 2013, the research involved analyzing blood samples from 707 women using specific tests and collecting demographic data through interviews.
- Significant risk factors identified included working as a seasonal farmworker and having five or more pregnancies, highlighting the need for improved control, diagnosis, and treatment for brucellosis in this group.
Article Synopsis
- Malaria in Turkey is primarily caused by Plasmodium vivax, but there has been a recent rise in imported cases of P. falciparum, particularly in the southeastern province of Sanliurfa, which has historical issues with malaria due to regional factors.
- Sanliurfa, which shares borders with Iraq, Iran, and Syria, has seen increased malaria cases due to cross-border migration and environmental changes impacting mosquito breeding habitats.
- A study evaluated malaria epidemiology in Sanliurfa from 2001 to 2011, reviewing data from over 1.1 million blood samples, finding that 99.9% of positive cases were due to P. vivax, with a demographic spread of affected
Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the risk factors for and relationship among parasitic infections, growth retardation, and psychomotor developmental delays in children aged 6 years and below.
Methods: This case-control study was performed in Şanlıurfa in southeastern Turkey between October and December 2007. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire, anthropometry, Ankara Development Screening Inventory, and laboratory analysis of stool specimens.
Article Synopsis
- The study aimed to identify the types and prevalence of intestinal parasites among children of farm workers in southeastern Turkey, focusing on various risk factors.
- Out of 333 children under six, it was found that 44.6% were infected, with the most common parasites being G. intestinalis and E. vermicularis, often leading to symptoms like abdominal pain and fatigue.
- The research highlighted the need for improved health education for farm workers and better medical services for early diagnosis and treatment of intestinal parasites in their communities.
Article Synopsis
- In Sanliurfa, CL cases are primarily caused by Leishmania tropica, but three new cases were identified due to L. major, including two local and one imported case.
- This is the first report of L. major causing autochthonous CL in Sanliurfa, highlighting the need for public health measures and further research to understand the vectors and reservoirs for this parasite. *
Article Synopsis
- * Findings show that the prevalence rates for various HBV antibodies were 5.7% for HBsAg and 36.7% seropositivity, with higher infection rates noted in seasonal migratory farmworkers compared to local workers.
- * The research highlights a need for targeted healthcare services for at-risk groups, especially seasonal migratory workers, who face increased risk for HBV infection.
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.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjective: 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.
Prevalence of Staphylococcus aureus and intestinal parasites among food handlers in Sanliurfa, Southeastern Anatolia.
J Public Health Manag Pract
January 2010
Objectives: Food-borne diseases represent a persistent global health burden, and food handlers play a major role in their transmission. Staphylococcus aureus carriage and intestinal parasitism are important risk factors for the contamination of food and water. This study was undertaken to determine the prevalence of Staphylococcus aureus and intestinal parasites among food handlers working in Sanliurfa, Southeastern Anatolia.
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