Comparison between corneal cross-linking, topical antibiotic and combined therapy in experimental bacterial keratitis model.

Purpose: This study was conducted to investigate the effects of an experimental bacterial keratitis model on the corneal collagen cross-linking treatment (CXL), and also to compare topical antibiotic treatment with the combined treatment.

Methods: The study involved 40 young adult female Sprague Dawley rats, which had a 2 mm scraped defect of the central corneal epithelium in both eyes. The rats were divided into two equal groups.

Biofilm-forming capacity of blood-borne Candida albicans strains and effects of antifungal agents.

Infections related to Candida albicans biofilms and subsequent antifungal resistance have become more common with the increased use of indwelling medical devices. Regimens for preventing fungal biofilm formation are needed, particularly in high-risk patients. In this study, we investigated the biofilm formation rate of multiple strains of Candida albicans (n=162 clinical isolates), their antifungal susceptibility patterns, and the efficacy of certain antifungals for preventing biofilm formation.

Efficacy of multipurpose contact lens solutions against ESBL-positive Escherichia coli, MRSA, and Candida albicans clinical isolates.

Objectives: The antimicrobial effects of multipurpose contact lens solutions (MPSs) have been evaluated according to ISO 14729 standards. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of commercially available MPSs against extended-spectrum beta lactamases (ESBL)-producing Escherichia coli, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), and Candida albicans clinical isolates.

Methods: Three commercially available contact lens solutions (Opti-Free Expresss, ReNu MultiPlus, and Solo Care Aqua) were tested against 18 ESBL-positive E.

Effects of various analgesics on the level of prostaglandin E2 during orthodontic tooth movement.

Aim: The aim of this double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical study was to evaluate the analgesic effects of preoperative/postoperative ibuprofen and acetaminophen use after bonding and to find a relation between the pain level and the amount of prostaglandin released.

Materials And Methods: Forty-eight patients were included and randomly divided to three equal groups that received either ibuprofen, acetaminophen or placebo for pain relief. The pain levels were measured before bonding, after bonding, at first, second, third, and seventh days on a 100 mm visual analogue scale (VAS) and gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) samples were collected at the same time intervals to measure the amount of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) released.

[The performance of two different chromogenic media for the diagnosis of extended spectrum beta-lactamase producing strains].

The aim of this study was to evaluate the performances of 2 different chromogenic media for the detection of extended spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) producing Escherichia coli and Klebsiella spp. isolated from different clinical samples of patients who were admitted to Baskent University Faculty of Medicine, Adana Application and Research Hospital between September to November 2007. A total of 365 strains [251 were ESBL positive and 114 were negative by double disc synergy (DDS) test] of which 255 were E.

[Activity of tigecycline on planktonic and sessile cells of Acinetobacter baumannii].

Acinetobacter baumannii is an important pathogen, capable of survival for very long periods on various surfaces in the hospital environment. Tigecycline is a commonly used antimicrobial agent especially for the treatment of resistant infections. The aim of this study was to investigate the activity of tigecycline on both planktonic and sessile biofilm cells of A.

In vitro activity of antimicrobial agents against Legionella isolated from environmental water systems: first results from Turkey.

We evaluated the in vitro activity of antimicrobial agents against Legionella obtained from hotel and hospital water systems in three different regions of Turkey. Sixty-five Legionella strains (Legionella pneumophila serogroup 6 [n=32], L. pneumophila serogroup 1 [n=27], L.

The bactericidal and morphological effects of peroxynitrite on Helicobacter pylori.

Peroxynitrite (ONOO-) is correlated with the pathogenesis of Helicobacter pylori-induced peptic ulcer diseases. We aimed to investigate the time- and concentration-dependent bactericidal and morphological effects of ONOO- on H. pylori.

Urease activity and urea gene sequencing of coccoid forms of H. pylori induced by different factors.

Helicobacter pylori exists in two morphologic forms: spiral shaped and coccoid. The nonculturable coccoid forms were believed to be the morphologic manifestations of cell death for a long time. However, recent studies indicate the viability of such forms.

Clinical subgroups and antifungal susceptibilities in fungal culture-positive patients with chronic rhinosinusitis.

The goal of this study was to investigate clinical characteristics of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) in patients with positive fungal cultures. Fungal cultures were taken from 55 CRS patients and 20 healthy volunteers. Susceptibilities of isolated fungi to fluconazole, amphotericin B, itraconazole, voriconazole, and caspofungin were determined in CRS patients.

In vitro activities of non-traditional antimicrobials alone or in combination against multidrug-resistant strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter baumannii isolated from intensive care units.

The aim of this study was to assess the in vitro activity of a number of non-traditional antibiotics (colistin, azithromycin, doxycycline and rifampicin) against multidrug-resistant (MDR) strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter baumannii isolated from Intensive Care Units (ICUs). We also used the checkerboard method to determine whether combinations of colistin with another non-traditional antibiotic or meropenem act synergistically against these strains. Thirty-five P.

Diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori infection and determination of clarithromycin resistance by fluorescence in situ hybridization from formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded gastric biopsy specimens.

A reliable diagnostic test for Helicobacter pylori is important in clinical practice and research. The ideal diagnostic test for H. pylori should be sensitive, specific, and cost-effective.

Effects of heparin on bacterial translocation and gut epithelial apoptosis after burn injury in the rat: dose-dependent inhibition of the complement cascade.

This study investigated levels of complement inhibition, apoptosis of gut epithelium, and bacterial translocation (BT) associated with different doses of heparin in rats with severe burns. After burn injury, the animals in Groups 1, 2, 3, and 4 received intravenous tail-vein bolus heparin doses of 150, 300, 600, and 1200 U/kg, respectively. Group 5 received no heparin after burn injury.

[Clarithromycin resistance of Helicobacter pylori strains isolated from antral biopsy specimens].

Helicobacter pylori is the main causative agent of peptic ulcer disease. Clarithromycin resistance in H. pylori is one of the common causes of failure of the eradication therapy based on the use of amoxicillin-clarithromycin and proton pump inhibitors.

Helicobacter pylori infection in hemodialysis patients: susceptibility to amoxicillin and clarithromycin.

Aim: To evaluate susceptibility of Helicobacter pylori to amoxicillin and clarithromycin in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients and non-uremic controls.

Methods: The subjects with dyspeptic complaints were 33 ESRD patients and 46 age- and sex-matched non-uremic controls who exhibited H pylori on antral biopsy specimens. The two groups were age and sex matched.

A purulent pericarditis caused by Salmonella typhimurium.

A case of Salmonella typhimurium pericarditis is reported. The diagnosis was based on blood and pericardial effusion cultures.

Superficial fungal infections in 102 renal transplant recipients: a case-control study.

Background: Renal transplant recipients are predisposed to superficial fungal infections caused by graft-preserving immunosuppressive therapy. Reports have documented a wide range of prevalence rates for superficial fungal infections in this patient group.

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and clinical and mycological features of superficial fungal infections in renal transplant recipients at our center.