Development and Sensitivity Determination of Gene-specific Fast Loop-mediated Isothermal Amplification (LAMP) Assay for Rapid Detection of .

Objective: , one of the free-living amoeba, has been detected in many environmental samples, mainly in water, soil and air. keratitis and granulomatous amoebic encephalitis are among the most important clinical manifestations caused by . In this study, it was aimed to determine the sensitivity of the rapid loop mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) test designed with primers specific to 18S rRNA gene to detect more rapidly the presence of in clinical and environmental samples.

Molecular identification of Acanthamoeba spp., Balamuthia mandrillaris and Naegleria fowleri in soil samples using quantitative real-time PCR assay in Turkey; Hidden danger in the soil!

Acanthamoeba spp., Balamuthia mandrillaris, and Naegleria fowleri are pathogenic free-living amoeba (FLA) and are commonly found in the environment, particularly soil. This pathogenic FLA causes central nervous system-affecting granulomatous amebic encephalitis (GAE) or primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM) and can also cause keratitis and skin infections.

Distribution and Phylogenetic Analysis of Subtypes and Alleles of Blastocystis sp. in the Stool Samples Collected from Patients with Gastrointestinal Complaints in İzmir, Turkey.

Purpose: Blastocystis sp. is one of the most prevalent intestinal protozoa found in humans and many other animals. The present study aimed to examine the distribution and genetic diversity of Blastocystis sp.

Genotyping and Molecular Identification of Acanthamoeba Genotype T4 and Naegleria fowleri from Cerebrospinal Fluid Samples of Patients in Turkey: Is it the Pathogens of Unknown Causes of Death?

Purpose: This study was aimed to investigate the presence of pathogenic free-living amoebae (FLA) in suspected cases of meningoencephalitis with unknown causes of death in Turkey.

Method: A total of 92 patients, who were diagnosed as meningoencephalitis, were enrolled. All cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples were directly microscopically examined and cultured.

The Risk Factors and Clinical Features of Acanthamoeba Keratitis: First Time Detection of Acanthamoeba T5 Genotype from Keratitis Patients in Turkey.

Purpose: The primary aim of this study is to investigate Acanthamoeba in clinical samples of keratitis cases (n = 60), in contact lens (CL) and lens care solutions of asymptomatic CL users (n = 41), and to identify the genotypes in positive samples. The secondary aim is to assess the risk factors and clinical features of Acanthamoeba keratitis (AK) patients.

Methods: All samples from patients and asymptomatic CL users were examined by microscopy and inoculated in non-nutrient agar plates.

Evaluation of association with subtypes and alleles of Blastocystis with chronic spontaneous urticaria.

Blastocystis is a single-celled parasite commonly found in humans and its pathogenic role is still controversial. In recent years, some studies have suggested that Blastocystis may be a possible agent of gastrointestinal and dermatological symptoms such as acute or chronic urticaria, angioedema, rash, itch, palmoplantar, and diffuse pruritus. We aimed to investigate whether there is a relationship between Blastocystis subtypes and alleles in patients with chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) as a case-control study.

Real-Time PCR Confirmation of a Fatal Case of Primary Amoebic Meningoencephalitis in Turkey Caused by Naegleria fowleri or Brain-Eating Amoeba.

Background: Naegleria fowleri, the causative agent of primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM), is a free-living amoeba. It is a water-borne infection usually detected in children and young people with healthy immune system who swim, dive and perform activities in fresh and hot springs.

Purpose: In this study, it was aimed to raise awareness in the differential diagnosis of meningitis etiopathogenesis by showing that N.

First time identification of subconjunctival Dirofilaria immitis in Turkey: giant episcleral granuloma mimicking scleritis.

Dirofilariasis is a vector-borne disease that is present worldwide. This report describes a giant subconjunctival granuloma which mimics scleritis, caused by D. immitis.

Evaluation of molecular characterization and phylogeny for quantification of Acanthamoeba and Naegleria fowleri in various water sources, Turkey.

Free-living amoeba (FLA) is widely distributed in the natural environment. Since these amoebae are widely found in various waters, they pose an important public health problem. The aim of this study was to detect the presence of Acanthamoeba, B.

Investigation of Isolated Blastocystis Subtypes from Cancer Patients in Turkey.

Purpose: It is not clear that Blastocystis remains without damage to the digestive tract or has a pathogenic effect in relation to subtypes in immunocompromised people, such as cancer patients. The present study aimed to investigate the frequency and subtype distribution of Blastocystis in cancer patients who were followed-up and treated in the Oncology clinic of Firat University Hospital and to determine the clinical signs of infected sufferers.

Methods: 201 patients aged ≥ 18 with a diagnosis of cancer were enrolled in this cross-sectional study.

Fecal calprotectin as a factor that supports the pathogenicity of Dientamoeba fragilis.

Calprotectin is a protein that is mostly released from neutrophils, monocytes, macrophages and submucosal epithelial cells. Fecal calprotectin (f-CP) is a marker of intestinal inflammation. There are some discussions about the pathogenicity of D.

Investigation of Dientamoeba fragilis Prevalence and Evaluation of Sociodemographic and Clinical Features in Patients with Gastrointestinal Symptoms.

Background: Dientamoeba fragilis is a protozoan parasite of the human gastrointestinal tract and still controversial in association with gastrointestinal symptoms.

Purpose: We present cross-sectional study of the prevalence of D. fragilis, and sociodemographic and clinical features in the patients with gastrointestinal symptoms.

Parasitic Infections in Individuals Travelling to America and Precautionary Measures.

Over the past decade, the number of international travels has increased. Hence, the risk of transmission of parasitic diseases has also increased. One of the risk infections is malaria; Plasmodium vivax and P.

Molecular detection and genotyping of Acanthamoeba spp. among stray dogs using conjunctival swab sampling.

Acanthamoeba is one of the most common free-living amoebas (FLA) that present in environment. In humans, Acanthamoeba can cause an infection of the eye termed Acanthamoeba keratitis, which mostly occurs in contact lens wearers. In the present study, we aimed to screen the presence of Acanthamoeba DNA in stray dogs using previously collected conjunctival swab samples in a hyper-endemic area for canine leishmaniasis.

Epidemiological and diagnostic features of blastocystis infection in symptomatic patients in izmir province, Turkey.

Background: The aims of this study were to identify Blastocystis subtypes (STs) in a cohort of Turkish patients with various gastrointestinal symptoms using a novel Real Time PCR method developed recently for Blastocystis detection and assess the relationship between Blastocystis STs and patient symptoms.

Methods: Totally, 617 stool samples of patients with gastrointestinal symptoms were examined with microscopy and inoculated in Jones medium. Blastocystis-positive samples were further assessed to identify coinfections with other possible pathogens, including bacteria and viruses.

[The molecular diagnosis of cryptosporidiosis in fresh and formalin preserved fecal samples].

The acid-fast staining method is widely used in the diagnosis of cryptosporidiosis, a disease causing diarrhea in humans. However in this technique, some of Cryptosporidium spp oocysts can not be stained and seen as formed "ghost-like bodies" and which can only be evaluated by experienced microscopists. In the recent years, PCR technique which is proven to be also highly sensitive in diagnosis and genotyping, is used as an alternative method.

Investigation of the prevalence of amoebiasis in Izmir province and determination of Entamoeba spp. using PCR and enzyme immunoassay.

Amoebiasis is a common and life-threatening disease. The discrimination of the pathogenic Entamoeba histolytica from the non-pathogenic Entamoeba dispar could be done by advanced methods such as enzyme immunoassay (EIA) and PCR. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of amoebiasis in Izmir province, and differentiate the Entamoeba species by PCR and EIA.

The prevalence of intestinal parasites in the province of Izmir, Turkey.

Stool samples of a total of 2,047 people in Izmir province were examined by wet mount, formalin ethyl acetate concentration, and trichrome staining methods with an aim to reveal the prevalence of intestinal parasites in Izmir together with related personal and environmental risk factors. Geographical mapping showing the density and variation of the species of intestinal parasites in Izmir was done after all maps were scaled, and the coordinates were determined with GeoMedia5.0.

A possible link between subtype 2 and asymptomatic infections of Blastocystis hominis.

Blastocystis hominis is one of the most common eukaryotic organisms in the intestinal tract of humans, while its pathogenic potential is still controversial. A total of 286 stool samples obtained from adult and pediatric patients with or without gastrointestinal symptoms in two hospitals in Manisa, Turkey, were cultured to detect B. hominis infection.

A case of myiasis in a patient with psoriasis from Turkey.

Myiasis infestations caused by the larvae of flies mostly belonging to Cyclorapha suborders are frequently encountered in Turkey, which is located in the subtropical zone. The skin is a common site for myiasis, and the infestations are likely to develop in infected tissues and poorly attended wounds of the skin. The case, a 30-year-old male patient, was diagnosed with psoriasis 18 years ago.

The prevalence of cryptosporidiosis in Turkish children, and genotyping of isolates by nested polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism.

Objective: To verify the incidence of cryptosporidiosis among Turkish elementary school students.

Methods: This study was conducted in the Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Ege University, Turkey during a 3-month period in 2006. We assessed the fecal samples of 707 children using modified acid-fast and phenol-auramine staining followed by modified Ritchie concentration method.

Differentiation of Entamoeba histolytica and Entamoeba dispar by PCR: a preliminary study in Izmir, Turkey.

The causative agent of amoebiasis is currently attributed to two distinct species (E. histolytica and E. dispar).

Incidence of toxoplasmosis in patients with cirrhosis.

Aim: It is known that toxoplasmosis rarely leads to various liver pathologies, most common of which is granulomatose hepatitis in patients having normal immune systems. Patients who have cirrhosis of the liver are subject to a variety of cellular as well as humoral immunity disorders. Therefore, it may be considered that toxoplasmosis can cause more frequent and more severe diseases in patients with cirrhosis and is capable of changing the course of the disease.