Tetanus seroepidemiology and factors influencing immunity status among farmers of advanced age.

Objectives: Tetanus, which is a vaccine preventable disease, remains a significant health concern. The mortality is especially high in elderly and farming is a significant risk factor for the disease. This study evaluates the serological immunity of tetanus and the related factors, in a farmer population.

Prevalence and risk factors for HEV infection in pregnant women.

Background: Hepatitis E is an infectious viral disease with clinical and morphological features of acute hepatitis, clinically similar to other forms of acute viral hepatitis except in pregnant women, in whom the illness is particularly severe and has a high mortality rate. The present study was conducted in western Turkey to investigate the prevalence and risk factors for HEV infection in pregnant women.

Material/methods: The data for the study were acquired from health centers in urban and rural areas of Aydin province, Turkey.

Hepatitis A and B seropositivity among medical students.

Objective: Health science students are commonly exposed to some infectious agents, including hepatitis A virus (HAV) and hepatitis B virus (HBV), which may cause substantial morbidity and even deaths. The identification of prevalence and risk factors is essential for implementing efficacious preventive measures. A serological survey was performed among medical students of Adnan Menderes University Medical Faculty to determine the prevalence of antibodies against HAV and HBV, and, as a secondary objective, to determine risk factors for acquisition of these infections.

Neuraminidase produces dose-dependent decrease of slime production and adherence of slime-forming, coagulase-negative staphylococci.

Background: Slime is one of the important structures of certain bacterial strains involved in nonspecific adherence. This study was conducted to determine the role of neuraminidase on slime formation and adherence of slime-forming coagulase-negative staphylococci to inert surface.

Methods: Quantitative biofilm and qualitative bacterial adherence assays were performed with increasing concentrations of neuraminidase extracted from Clostridium perfringens-treated bacteria in polystyrene plates and polypropylene tubes.

Effect of preventive applications on prevalence of hepatitis B virus and hepatitis C virus infections in West Turkey.

Objective: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections are community health problems in developing countries and the most common causative agents of chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. This study investigates the prevalence and the effect of preventive applications on prevalence of HBV and HCV infections in blood donors.

Methods: Blood donors enrolled to the University and State Hospital Blood Banks in Aydin region of Turkey through the years 1993 to 2002 were retrospectively analyzed.

Elimination of intraluminal colonization by antibiotic lock in catheters.

Antibiotic lock (AL) technique for catheter related infection encompasses the filling of a catheter lumen with high concentrations of antibiotics for hours. The goal of AL therapy is to decontaminate the intraluminal surface of the catheter. However the duration of antibiotic therapy is not established.

Anthrax--an overview.

Anthrax, a disease of mammals (including humans), is caused by a spore-forming Gram-positive bacilli called Bacillus anthracis. Anthrax is one of the oldest threats to humanity, and remains endemic in animals in many parts of the world. The incidence of anthrax has decreased in developed countries, but it remains a considerable health problem in developing countries.