Do patients infected with human coronavirus before the COVID-19 pandemic have less risk of being infected with COVID-19?

Background/aim: Although seasonal human coronaviruses (HCoVs) have long been recognized as respiratory tract viruses, the newly identified SARS-CoV-2 caused a pandemic associated with severe respiratory failure. We aimed to evaluate the incidence of COVID-19 infection in patients diagnosed in three tertiary teaching hospitals, both with and without prior confirmed HCoV infection, and to compare these cohorts in terms of COVID-19 contraction.

Materials And Methods: In our study, we examined HCoV PCR-positive cases obtained retrospectively between January 2014 and March 2020 from three University Hospital Microbiology Laboratories (Cohort 1), as well as PCR-negative patients detected in the same PCR cycle as the positive cases (Cohort 2).

Human papillomavirus DNA testing with the urine sample is not yet available: the accuracy of two distinct kits.

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the results and efficiency of two real-time polymerase chain reaction procedures for detecting human papillomavirus utilizing urine samples.

Methods: This study comprised 151 patients who had previously tested positive for human papillomavirus in their cervical samples. Two different commercial real-time polymerase chain reaction techniques were used for identification and genotyping human papillomavirus in urine specimens.

Assessing neutrophil-derived ROS production at the bedside: a potential prognostic tool in severe COVID-19 cases.

Purpose: A prompt and effective immune response is required for clearance of pathogens but exaggerated states of inflammation can cause extensive collateral damage to the host. We have previously used a rapid near-patient assay that measures the functional capacity of neutrophils to produce reactive oxygen species (ROS) to show that values are elevated in patients with severe COVID-19 or sepsis. Here, we assess the utility of longitudinal ROS measurements to monitor and predict mortality outcome for patients with COVID-19 infection being treated in an ICU setting.

Determination of the Relationship between Globus-Type Complaints and COVID-19 Anxiety in Adult Cases with COVID-19.

Introduction: Besides generalized symptoms, patients with COVID-19 also show otolaryngological (ENT) symptoms. Globus is one of these symptoms. Anxiety problems may accompany the disease, as well.

The relationship between the clinical course of SARS-CoV-2 infections and ACE2 and TMPRSS2 expression and polymorphisms.

Background: The viral spike (S) protein and host ACE2 and TMPRSS2 genetic variations may act as a barrier to viral infections or determine susceptibility to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infections.

Objectives: We investigated the relationship between the expression patterns and polymorphisms of the ACE2 and TMPRSS2 receptor genes associated with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and the clinical course of SARS-CoV-2 infections.

Material And Methods: We examined 147 COVID-19 patients (41 asymptomatic, 53 symptomatic and 53 cases treated in the intensive care unit (ICU)) and 33 healthy controls.

Is diagnostic performance of SARS-CoV-2 detection dogs reduced -due to virus variation- over the time?

Medical detection dogs have a high potential for use as alternative diagnostic tools not only for organic diseases, but also for infectious diseases. However, new variants emerging over time may affect the accuracy and sensitivity of diagnostic methods including medical detection dogs in case of viral pandemics. To the best of our knowledge, this is a pioneer study aimed to investigate diagnostic performances and generalization ability of SARS-CoV-2 detection dogs against the new variant after being trained with the original virus.

Erratum: Evaluation of prevalence and risk factors for bloodstream infection in severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients - CORRIGENDUM.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1017/ash.2021.

The Prognostic Value of Lung Injury and Fibrosis Markers, KL-6, TGF-β1, FGF-2 in COVID-19 Patients.

Background: Biomarkers of lung injury and interstitial fibrosis give insight about the extent of involvement and prognosis in well-known interstitial lung diseases (ILD). Serum Krebs von den Lungen-6 (KL-6) reflects direct alveolar injury and, transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-β1) and fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2) are principal mediators of fibrosis in ILD and in almost all fibrotic diseases. In this sense, we aimed to assess associations of these biomarkers with traditional inflammatory markers and clinical course of COVID-19.

Evaluation of prevalance and risk factors for bloodstream infection in severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients.

Objectives: In this study, we sought to determine the prevalence of bloodstream infection (BSI) in severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients and to determine the risk factors of BSI in critical COVID-19 patients.

Design: Retrospective, descriptive study between March 2020 and January 2021.

Setting: An 1,007-bed university hospital.

Immunogenicity and safety of the CoronaVac and BNT162b2 Covid-19 vaccine in patients with inflammatory rheumatic diseases and healthy adults: comparison of different vaccines.

Objectives: To determine the seroconversion (SC) rate after CoronaVac and BNT162b2 vaccines in adults with inflammatory rheumatic disease (IRD).

Methods: Patients who were followed up with IRD and who received two doses of either CoronaVac or BNT162b2 vaccines were included in this prospective observational single-center study. Subjects with two doses of CoronaVac or BNT162b2 without known IRD were included in the healthy controls.

The prevalence and distribution of human papillomavirus in 4267 Turkish women with or without cervical lesions: A hospital-based study.

In the present study, it was aimed to screen the genotypes of human papillomavirus (HPV) retrospectively in women with gynecological symptoms who were admitted to a tertiary care university hospital in Ankara, Turkey. A total of 4267 cervical swab samples of women aged 18-79 years were sent to Medical Virology Laboratory from January 2017 to November 2020. Nucleic acid extraction and amplification of samples were done by an automated system.

Retrospective evaluation of viral respiratory tract infections in a university hospital in Ankara, Turkey (2016-2019).

Introduction: Viruses are responsible for two-thirds of all acute respiratory tract infections. This study aims to retrospectively detect respiratory tract viruses in patients from all age groups who visited the hospital.

Methodology: A total of 1592 samples from 1416 patients with respiratory tract symptoms were sent from several clinics to the Molecular Microbiology Laboratory at Gazi University Hospital from February 2016 to January 2019.

Hepatitis E Infection in Solid Organ Transplant Recipients in Turkey.

Background: Hepatitis E virus is a re-emerging pathogen with an increase in human cases that can lead to chronic infection in immunosuppressed patients. Turkey is located between Asia and Europe, 2 regions with distinct epidemiological and clinical features of hepatitis E virus infection. This multicenter cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the prevalence of hepatitis E virus infection in liver and kidney transplant recipients in Turkey and to determine the role of possible transmission factors.

[Investigation of Group A Rotavirus G10, G12 Genotypes Emerging in Patients with Acute Gastroenteritis in a Tertiary Care Hospital].

Rotaviruses are the most common cause of viral gastroenteritis with the highest mortality and morbidity rates in children aged 0-5 years. The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of rotavirus infection in patients whose stool samples were sent to microbiology laboratory to investigate the etiology of diarrhea, to investigate the rotavirus genotypes that are common in our region and G10, G12 genotypes that have recently become common in the world. Fecal samples of 476 patients aged between 0-92 years who applied between November 2016 and February 2018 were studied via immunochromatographic rapid test and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) methods.

[Investigation of HTLV-I/II Seroprevalance of Patients with HIV Positivity being Monitored by Real-Time RT-PCR].

Human T-lymphotropic virus-I/II (HTLV-I/II) and human immun viruses (HIVs), that have similar genomic characteristics also share the same transmission routes and infect T lymphocytes. Regarding this epidemiological similarity, HIV and HTLV infections can be seen together. HIV and HTLV-I/II coinfection occurs with variable frequencies in different populations and geographic regions.

Genomic characterization of SARS-CoV-2 isolates from patients in Turkey reveals the presence of novel mutations in spike and nsp12 proteins.

Novel mutations have been emerging in the genome of severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2); consequently, the evolving of more virulent and treatment resistance strains have the potential to increase transmissibility and mortality rates. The characterization of full-length SARS-CoV-2 genomes is critical for understanding the origin and transmission pathways of the virus, as well as identifying mutations that affect the transmissibility and pathogenicity of the virus. We present an analysis of the mutation pattern and clade distribution of full-length SARS-CoV-2 genome sequences obtained from specimens tested at Gazi University Medical Virology Laboratory.

Relationship between chest computed tomography findings and clinical conditions of coronavirus disease (COVID-19): A multicentre experience.

Aims: This study aimed to investigate the clinical and chest computed tomography (CT) features associated with clinical parameters for coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in the capital of Turkey, Ankara.

Materials And Methods: Epidemiological, clinical features, laboratory findings and radiological characteristics of 1563 hospitalised patients with COVID-19 in Ankara were collected, reviewed and analysed in this study. The risk factors associated with disease severity were investigated.

Determination and Role of Epstein-Barr Virus in Patients With Lymphoproliferative Disorders.

Introduction: Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is associated with different types of human malignancies, including Burkitt lymphoma, nasopharyngeal carcinoma, and lymphomas. We retrospectively investigated the presence of EBV-DNA by real-time PCR in clinical samples of patients diagnosed as having hematologic malignancies while investigating the cause of lymphoproliferative disorders, and investigated its relationship to clinical manifestations.

Patients And Methods: Fifty clinical samples sent to Gazi University's hematology clinics between November 2013 and March 2018 were included.

Early predictors of acute kidney injury in COVID-19 patients.

Aim: This study aims to determine the frequency of COVID-19 related AKI and to identify the early predictors of AKI.

Methods: This study is a single-center, retrospective, observational study. Hospitalized COVID-19 patients between 24/03/2020 and 31/05/2020 were included in the study.

Monoclonal outbreak of Ralstonia solanacearum catheter-related bloodstream infection associated with contaminated package of normal saline solution in a tertiary care hospital.

Background/aim: Ralstonia solanacearum is a very rare cause of infection in humans. There is no described nosocomial outbreak due to R. solanacearum so far.

The prognostic role of neopterin in COVID-19 patients.

In Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) cases, hyper inflammation is associated with the severity of the disease. High levels of circulating cytokines were reported in severe COVID-19 patients. Neopterin produced by macrophages on stimulation with interferon-gamma, which is an important cytokine in the antiviral immune response, hence it can be used to predict the severity of disease in COVID-19 cases.

Multi-assay investigation of viral etiology in pediatric central nervous system infections.

Introduction: In an attempt to identify a wide spectrum of viral infections, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) specimens were collected from pediatric cases with the preliminary diagnosis of viral encephalitis/meningoencephalitis in two reference hospitals, from October 2011 to December 2015.

Methodology: A combination of nucleic acid-based assays, including in house generic polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays for enteroviruses, flaviviruses and phleboviruses, a commercial real-time PCR assay for herpesviruses and a commercial real time multiplex PCR, enabling detection of frequently-observed viral, bacterial and fungal agents were employed for screening.

Results: The microbial agent could be characterized in 10 (10%) of the 100 specimens.

The factors predicting pneumonia in COVID-19 patients: preliminary results from a university hospital in Turkey.

Background/aim: Pneumonia is the most serious clinical presentation of COVID-19. This study aimed to determine the demographic, clinical, and laboratory findings that can properly predict COVID-19 pneumonia.

Materials And Methods: This study was conducted in the Gazi University hospital.

Detection of HPV DNA in Esophageal Lesions: a Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: Several studies have documented human papillomavirus (HPV) in extra-cervical tumors. We aimed to detect HPV type 16 and HPV other than type 16 (OT-16) DNA in esophageal papilloma and esophagus squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) samples and to compare clinicopathological features of HPV positive and negative patients.

Methods: Materials were obtained from a tertiary care public hospital and studied in an university hospital for this cross-sectional study.