Chemerin plasma levels are increased in COVID-19 patients and are an independent risk factor of mortality.

Background: Chemerin is an extracellular protein with chemotactic activities and its expression is increased in various diseases such as metabolic syndrome and inflammatory conditions. Its role in lung pathology has not yet been extensively studied but both known pro- and anti-inflammatory properties have been observed. The aim of our study was to evaluate the involvement of the chemerin/ChemR23 system in the physiopathology of COVID-19 with a particular focus on its prognostic value.

Distinct Expression Patterns of Interleukin-22 Receptor 1 on Blood Hematopoietic Cells in SARS-CoV-2 Infection.

The new pandemic virus SARS-CoV-2 is characterized by uncontrolled hyper-inflammation in severe cases. As the IL-22/IL-22R1 axis was reported to be involved in inflammation during viral infections, we characterized the expression of IL-22 receptor1, IL-22 and IL-22 binding protein in COVID-19 patients. Blood samples were collected from 19 non-severe and 14 severe patients on the day they presented (D0), at D14, and six months later, and from 6 non-infected controls.

Differential expression of maturation and activation markers on NK cells in patients with active and latent tuberculosis.

NK cells were recently suggested to be important for the initial control of M. tuberculosis infection. The phenotypes of the 3 main NK blood subsets, CD56 , CD56 , and CD56 cells, were characterized by flow cytometry in a cohort of 81 prospectively enrolled subjects (21 untreated patients with active tuberculosis -aTB-, 35 latently TB infected -LTBI- subjects, and 25 non-infected controls), using 9 different mAbs added to whole blood.

Multicenter evaluation of crystal violet decolorization assay (CVDA) for rapid detection of isoniazid and rifampicin resistance in Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

The aim of this multicenter study was to evaluate the performance of the crystal violet decolorization assay (CVDA) for detection of multidrug resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB). This study was performed in 11 centers in two phases. A total of 156 isolates were tested for INH and RIF resistance.

[Multicenter evaluation of the indirect nitrate reductase assay for the rapid detection of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis].

Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) is defined as resistance to at least isoniazid (INH) and rifampicin (RIF), and it complicates the implementation of tuberculosis control programmes. The rapid detection of MDR-TB is crucial to reduce the transmission of disease. The nitrate reductase assay (NRA) is one of the colorimetric susceptibility test methods for rapid detection of MDR-TB and based on the ability of reduction of nitrate to nitrite by Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

[Tuberculosis Laboratory Surveillance Network (TuLSA) study group. The first step for national tuberculosis laboratory surveillance: Ankara, 2011].

The most effective method for monitoring country-level drug resistance frequency and to implement the necessary control measures is the establishment of a laboratory-based surveillance system. The aim of this study was to summarize the follow up trend of the drug-resistant tuberculosis (TB) cases, determine the load of resistance and evaluate the capacities of laboratories depending on laboratory quality assurance system for the installation work of National Tuberculosis Laboratory Surveillance Network (TuLSA) which has started in Ankara in 2011. TuLSA studies was carried out under the coordination of National Tuberculosis Reference Laboratory (NRL) with the participation of TB laboratories and dispensaries.

Safety and effectiveness of a 2009 H1N1 vaccine in chronic kidney disease children.

Background/aims: Influenza vaccination is the most effective method for preventing influenza infection and its complications. The risk groups are children with chronic kidney diseases (CKDs) such as children on peritoneal dialysis (PD) and hemodialysis (HD), predialysis CKD (pCKD) and renal transplant (RTx) patients and immunosuppressed children. The aim of the present study was to assess the safety and immunogenicity of a single administration of a monovalent inactivated pandemic (H1N1) 2009 vaccine in children with CKD.

[Comparison of two different real-time PCR systems in postmortem diagnosis of tuberculosis in paraffin-embedded tissues].

Tuberculosis (TB) is one of those infections with high morbidity and mortality in all around the world. Hundreds of people died from this disease without diagnosed or due to resistant strains in Turkey. Therefore, it is important to identify postmortem cases who have died from tuberculosis.

[Investigation of the presence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in the lymph node aspirates of the suspected tularemia lymphadenitis cases].

Recently reports of cervical tuberculous lymphadenitis and oropharyngeal tularemia which are the most common infectious causes of granulomatous lymphadenitis, have been significantly increased in Turkey. The differentiation of cervical tuberculous lymphadenitis and oropharyngeal tularemia is usually confusing on the basis of clinical and histopathological findings. Thus, in tularemia endemic areas, the patients are more commonly evaluated in terms of tularemia lymphadenitis leaving tuberculosis out.

[Evaluation of the distribution of non-tuberculous mycobacteria strains isolated in National Tuberculosis Reference Laboratory in 2009-2010, Turkey].

Non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are commonly encountered environmental bacteria, and most of them are associated with lung diseases. Diagnosis of infections caused by NTM is based on clinical, radiological and microbiological findings. The aim of this study was to investigate the distribution of non-tuberculous mycobacterial species isolated from clinical specimens as etiologic agents.

Evaluation of respiratory viral pathogens in acute asthma exacerbations during childhood.

Objective: Common upper respiratory tract viruses are the most frequent and important causes of asthma exacerbations in both children and adults. Prospective epidemiologic studies report that up to 80% of childhood exacerbations are associated with viral upper respiratory tract infections.

Materials And Methods: The study group consisted of 104 children with asthma aged 3-17 years who received treatment for asthma exacerbations in our clinic between September 2009 and 2010.

Epidemiological, demographic, and molecular characteristics of laboratory-confirmed pandemic influenza A (H1N1) virus infection in Turkey, May 15-November 30, 2009.

A total of 19,973 clinical specimens obtained from suspected cases of pandemic influenza A virus infection were analyzed by real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Mutations in hemagglutinin (HA) gene and alteration at position 275 in neuraminidase (NA) gene of the randomly selected 29 isolates were detected by sequencing analysis. The virus RNA was detected in 47.

[Evaluation of PCR and ELISA-IgM results in the laboratory diagnosis of Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever cases in 2008 in Turkey].

Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is a fatal zoonotic viral haemorrhagic infection described in Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe, and the Middle East. CCHF virus (CCHFV) classified in Bunyaviridae family and Nairovirus genus, is transmitted to humans by tick (Hyalomma and Ixodid) bites and human to human transmission may occur by direct contact with blood or other infected tissues. The disease became endemic and a public health problem since 2002 outbreak in Turkey.

Serological response to influenza vaccine after hematopoetic stem cell transplantation.

Vaccination is the best strategy to prevent influenza infection that is a potential cause of morbidity and mortality in immunosuppressed patients. Here, we evaluated the factors that may affect serological response to influenza vaccine in patients who have undergone hematopoetic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Sixty-one HSCT recipients were included in the study during the 2007-2008 influenza season.

[Investigation of bactericidal effect and nitric oxide responses of Caco-2 epithelial cells and THP-1 macrophage cells against Streptococcus pyogenes and Escherichia coli].

Epithelial cells and macrophages contribute to innate immune responses by cell to cell interactions and releasing proinflammatory mediators. In this study, we aimed to illuminate the underlying mechanisms of contribution of macrophages and epithelial cells in the struggle against pathogens. Therefore, Streptococcus pyogenes and Escherichia coli activated Caco-2 cells and THP-1 macrophage-like cells were investigated for their bactericidal activities and nitric oxide (NO) production when they were alone, in contact with eachother and when their contact was blocked by continuing exposure of soluble mediators.

[Influenza surveillance results in 2007-2008 winter season in nine provinces of Turkey].

Influenza virus infections constitute a serious public health problem owing to their epidemic and pandemic potential. Turkish Ministry of Health established the national influenza surveillance programme in two institutes to detect the virus types leading to the illness and the efficiency of the seasonal vaccine. Influenza surveillance is performed by Refik Saydam Hygiene Center, National Influenza Laboratory in nine provinces (which are located at central, northeast, south and east parts of Turkey) and by Istanbul University, Medical Faculty, Virology Laboratory in five provinces (which are located at west and northwest parts of Turkey).

[Investigation of the bactericidal effect of urinary epithelial cells against different doses of Escherichia coli].

Epithelial cells take part in the stimulation of immune system during the conversion of nonspecific immune response to the adaptive one in the mucosal immune system. Epithelial cells also have critical roles in designating immune homeostasis towards immune regulation or tolerance. Its response type is determined according to the dose and structure of the antigen and the way it is presented.

[Investigation of bactericidal effect and cytokine response of the oral epithelial cells against different antigenic doses of Streptococcus pyogenes].

Epithelial cells (EC) have an important role in the constitution of both innate and acquired immune responses. The aim of this study was to investigate the alterations of bactericidal effects and cytokine production patterns of human oral epithelial cells (OEC) against different doses of Streptococcus pyogenes. For this purpose, OEC have been stimulated with S.

[Bactericidal effects of human oral and urinary system epithelial cells against different Escherichia coli strains].

The functions of epithelial cells are more than a physical selective barrier for protection from mucosal pathogens. The epithelial response regulated by host-microorganism interaction may change due to histological and physiological differences between sterile and nonsterile sites. In this study we examined the presence of a difference between bactericidal capacities of urinary and oral epithelial cells against different strains of Escherichia coli.