The Efficacy of Glecaprevir/Pibrentasvir in Chronic Hepatitis C Patients and the Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic: Multicenter Real-Life Data.

Objective: This study aimed to demonstrate the real-life efficacy and safety of glecaprevir /pibrentasvir in the treatment of chronic hepatitis C, as well as to identify the problems caused by the COVID-19 pandemic in the follow-up and treatment of patients.

Materials And Methods: The study was conducted retrospectively with the participation of researchers from universities or training and research hospitals. It included patients with chronic hepatitis C who were over 18 years of age, treatment-naïve or treatment-experienced, had detectable HCV RNA and were receiving glecaprevir/pibrentasvir treatment.

Monitoring of antibody levels in healthcare workers after inactivated coronavirus disease 19 vaccination.

Objective: Because of the coronavirus disease 19 pandemic, studies on vaccination are being conducted in our country as well as across the world. In this study, the antibody levels in healthcare workers vaccinated with two doses of inactivated vaccine and the factors affecting these levels were investigated.

Methods: Randomly selected volunteers from healthcare workers, who had been vaccinated with two doses of inactivated vaccine in January to February 2021, were included in the study.

Development of a safety protocol for training and using SARS-CoV-2 detection dogs: A pilot study.

Medical detection dogs have potential to be used to screen asymptomatic patients in crowded areas at risk of epidemics such as the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. However, the fact that SARS-CoV-2 detection dogs are in direct contact with infected people or materials raises important concerns due to the zoonotic potential of the virus. No study has yet recommended a safety protocol to ensure the health of SARS- CoV-2 detection dogs during training and working in public areas.

In a Real-Life Setting, Direct-Acting Antivirals to People Who Inject Drugs with Chronic Hepatitis C in Turkey.

Background: People who inject drugs (PWID) should be treated in order to eliminate hepatitis C virus in the world. The aim of this study was to compare direct-acting antivirals treatment of hepatitis C virus for PWID and non-PWID in a real-life setting.

Methods: We performed a prospective, non-randomized, observational multicenter cohort study in 37 centers.

INVESTIGATION OF TIGECYCLINE SUSCEPTIBILITY OF MULTIDRUG-RESISTANT ISOLATES BY DISC DIFFUSION, AGAR GRADIENT AND BROTH MICRODILUTION TESTS.

The use of tigecycline is becoming increasingly important because of the high levels of antibiotic resistance in () isolates. In this prospective study, multidrug-resistant isolates were obtained from various tissue and fluid samples of patients admitted to or treated at various departments and tested in Laboratory of Microbiology, Duzce University Medical Faculty between January 2013 and December 2015. Tigecycline resistance in multidrug-resistant isolates were analyzed using the disc diffusion test (DDT), agar gradient test (AGT), and gold standard test [broth microdilution test (BMT)].

Efficacy and Safety of Direct-Acting Antivirals in Elderly Patients with Chronic Hepatitis C: A Nationwide Real-Life, Observational, Multicenter Study from Turkey.

Background: The number and proportion of elderly patients living with chronic hepatitis C are expected to increase in the coming years. We aimed to compare the real-world efficacy and safety of direct-acting antiviral treatment in elderly and younger Turkish adults infected with chronic hepatitis C.

Methods: In this multicenter prospective study, 2629 eligible chronic hepatitis C patients treated with direct-acting antivirals between April 2017 and December 2019 from 37 Turkish referral centers were divided into 2 age groups: elderly (≥65 years) and younger adults (<65 years) and their safety was compared between 2 groups in evaluable population.

The evaluation of both the expression and serum protein levels of Caspase-3 gene in patients with different degrees of SARS-CoV2 infection.

To evaluate the effects of Caspase-3 (CASP3) gene expression and serum levels on preventing severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. A total of 41 individuals (male: 21; female: 20) with SARS-CoV-2 infection were included in the current study. Hemograms were examined from patient blood samples, and CASP3 gene expression levels were detected.

Endogenous Carboxyhemoglobin Concentrations in Predicting Prognosis of Patients with COVID-19 Pneumonia.

Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak has caused great difficulties in providing healthcare services worldwide. Accurate and useful indicators are needed for the effective use of resources. Carbon monoxide (CO) is also produced endogenously without exogenous exposure.

The Demographic Analysis of the Probable COVID-19 Cases in Terms of RT-PCR Results and Age.

Background: Despite global prevention and quarantine efforts, the incidence of COVID-19 disease continues to increase. As a possible cause, our aim was to investigate which parameters increase the sensitivity or protection against COVID-19 between RT-PCR positive and RT-PCR negative cases in patients admitted to the emergency department.

Methods: In the pandemic process, patients admitted to the hospital with suspicion of COVID-19 were evaluated retrospectively.

Factors Affecting Cervical Lymph Node Suppuration in Oropharyngeal Tularemia Cases.

Objective:  To determine the factors associated with cervical lymph node suppuration in oropharyngeal tularemia.

Study Design: Observational study.

Place And Duration Of Study:  Departments of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Faculties of Medicine, Duzce University and Bolu Abant Izzet Baysal University Turkey, between January 2016 and August 2019.

An evaluation of six-year infections in a university hospital.

Background: is a Gram-negative bacillus and opportunistic emergent pathogen causing hospital-acquired infections (HAIs). Due to risk factors such as prolonged intensive care unit stay and invasive procedures, it has become one of the leading causes of HAIs.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the epidemiology of infections over a six-year period at Düzce University Hospital, Turkey.

An evaluation of suspected cases of Hantavirus infection admitted to a tertiary care university hospital in Düzce, Turkey, between 2012 and 2018.

Background/aim: Hantavirus is a rodent borne zoonosis caused by the members of the virus family Bunyaviridae, genus Hantavirus. In this study, we aimed to determine the role of peripheral blood leukocyte ratio in differential diagnosis of Hantavirus disease.

Materials And Methods: The medical records of patients at the Düzce University Medical Faculty were examined retrospectively.

Evaluation of neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio, platelet to lymphocyte ratio, and lymphocyte to monocyte ratio in patients with cellulitis.

Objective: Cellulite infection is a non-necrotizing inflammation of the skin and subcutaneous tissue and is one of the most common reasons for admission to hospital. This retrospective study aimed to investigate the Neutrophil to Lymphocyte Ratio (NLR), Platelet to Lymphocyte Ratio (PLR), and Lymphocyte to Monocyte Ratio (LMR) in patients with cellulitis.

Methods: In our study, we retrospectively analyzed 96 patients with cellulitis and 98 age- and sex-matched healthy controls.

Antibiotic usage in hospitalized patients: a one-day point prevalence study.

Measurements are one of the most important means of evaluating the quality of antibiotic consumption. This study has evaluated the antibiotic consumption using one-day point prevalence study data collected from different hospitals in Turkey. This research was planned as a multicenter point surveillance study which aimed demonstrating the use of antibiotics among inpatients in Turkey.

Serum trace element and heavy metal levels in patients with sepsis.

Sepsis is defined as a life-threatening organ dysfunction syndrome, which occurs when the body's immune response to infection is impaired. The aim of the present study was to investigate serum Iron, Copper, Zinco, Cobalt, Chromium, Selenium, Vanadium, Nickel, Cadmium, and Aliminium levels in patients with sepsis. This prospective and observational study was conducted at a tertiary care university hospital of Turkey from 2015 to 2016, and comprised patients with sepsis.

Leptospirosis: a six-case report from west black sea, Turkey.

Leptospirosis is a ubiquitous acute bacterial zoonosis. This report describes six cases presenting to our hospital with symptoms such as fever and muscle pain and diagnosed as leptospirosis. All cases presented with fever, muscle pain, and lethargy and were engaged in activities such as farming, hunting, and fishing.

Use of complementary and alternative medicine in patients with chronic viral hepatitis in Turkey.

Introduction: The global use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is growing. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of CAM use in patients in Turkey with CVH, the types of therapy, and patients' sociodemographic characteristics.

Methods: The study was designed as a questionnaire-based, cross-sectional analysis.

Elevated mean platelet volume to platelet ratio predicts advanced fibrosis in chronic hepatitis C.

Objective: Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is an important health problem that can cause liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Recently, novel inflammatory markers from complete blood count have been used as a precursor of many clinical conditions. In this study, we investigated the role of hemogram parameters in predicting advanced liver fibrosis in chronic HCV patients.

Quality of life and related factors among chronic hepatitis B-infected patients: a multi-center study, Turkey.

Background: The aim of this study was to assess health-related quality of life (HRQOL) among chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients in Turkey and to study related factors.

Methods: This multicenter study was carried out between January 01 and April 15, 2015 in Turkey in 57 centers. Adults were enrolled and studied in three groups.

Results of a multinational study suggest the need for rapid diagnosis and early antiviral treatment at the onset of herpetic meningoencephalitis.

Data in the literature regarding the factors that predict unfavorable outcomes in adult herpetic meningoencephalitis (HME) cases are scarce. We conducted a multicenter study in order to provide insights into the predictors of HME outcomes, with special emphasis on the use and timing of antiviral treatment. Samples from 501 patients with molecular confirmation from cerebrospinal fluid were included from 35 referral centers in 10 countries.

[Effectiveness of rapid antigen test with throat gargle in detecting group A beta-hemolytic streptococci].

Objectives: The most important disadvantage of rapid antigen tests (RAT) is low sensitivity for the diagnosis of group A beta-hemolytic streptococci (BHS). We determined the sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values of RAT in gargling samples.

Patients And Methods: The study included 106 patients (53 females, 53 males, mean age 22+/-12 years; range 16-65 years) with an initial diagnosis of tonsillopharyngitis.

Trichosporon asahii fungemia in a patient with non-hematological malignancy.

Trichosporon fungemia is usually seen in neutropenic patients with underlying hematological malignancies. In this report we describe a fatal case of Trichosporon asahii fungemia in a non-neutropenic patient with a non-hematological malignancy. For 1 week the patient exhibited hematuria, weakness, easy fatigability and headaches.

In vitro activity of sodium benzoate against clinically relevant Enterococcus faecalis and Enterococcus faecium isolates.

The antimicrobial effects of sodium benzoate against Enterococcus faecalis and Enterococcus faecium were investigated. The MIC(90) of sodium benzoate were 64 mg/L for E. faecalis and 32 mg/L for E.