Molecular characterization of Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates from Izmir, Turkey.

In recent years, molecular typing methods have been used in epidemiologic studies of Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates in various areas of the world. However, there have been few data on this issue in Turkey. We describe the molecular characterization of 56 Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates recovered from individual patients in Izmir and the surrounding area by three different molecular methods.

Species distribution and antifungal susceptibilities of dermatophytes during a one year period at a university hospital in Turkey.

Dermatophyte infections have been considered to be a major public health problem in many parts of the world. The aim of this study was to determine the causative agents of dermatophytoses and their antifungal susceptibilities in a Turkish University Hospital, west of Turkey. A total of 926 patients suspected to have dermatophytic lesions were examined over a period of 1 year (2001-2002).

[The importance of antinuclear (ABA) and anti-double stranded dna (anti-dsDNA) antibodies in the diagnosis of connective tissue diseases.].

Connective tissue diseases (CTD) are characterized by the presence of autoantibodies against several tissues. These autoantibodies occur against cell membrane, cell receptors, plasma proteins, and cytoplasmic and nuclear components. In laboratories, anti-nuclear antibodies (ANA) and anti-double stranded DNA (anti-dsDNA) antibodies are widely used in diagnosis of CTD.

[Comparison of indirect immunofluorescence and enzyme immunoassay methods for the determination of antinuclear antibodies].

Antinuclear antibodies (ANA) are widely used for screening and monitoring of connective tissue diseases (CTD). Indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA) is the standard method which is more often preferred for detecting these antibodies. Another method is enzyme immunoassay (ELISA) which includes extractable nuclear antigens (ENA).