[Seasonal Trends and Interactions of Viral Pathogens in Children Presenting with Acute Respiratory Tract Infections in the Advancing Periods of SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic].

Although various bacteria and viruses have been identified in the etiology of acute respiratory tract infections (ARI), 90% of acute ARIs that develop in children are of viral origin. The aim of this study was to investigate the seasonal trends and interactions between infectious agents and to determine the risk factors associated with ARI in children aged 1-15 years admitted to the Pediatric Emergency Department of Manisa Celal Bayar University Hospital in the advancing periods of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic. To determine the bacterial and viral agents, samples were taken from 314 patients attending to the hospital with symptoms suggestive for ARI, between 06/01/2021 and 05/31/2022.

Evaluation of Clinical Features and Olfactory Functions in COVID-19: A Multicentre Study.

Introduction Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19) causes olfactory loss one of the initial diagnostic criteria. The brief smell identification test (BSIT) is an objective test frequently used in olfactory dysfunction. This study aimed to observe the changes in olfactory functions and clinical features in a short time in COVID-19.

[Efficacy of Homologous and Heterologous Vaccine Applications on SARS-CoV-2 Omicron Variant: Cohort of Manisa Celal Bayar University Healthcare Workers].

This study was aimed to determine the efficacy of homologous (only CoronaVac or only Pfizer-BioNTech) and heterologous (CoronaVac and Pfizer-BioNTech) vaccines during the period when the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) Omicron variant was dominant in Türkiye. Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-2019) infection was confirmed by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction and data on vaccination status against COVID-19 were evaluated during the period of 15 January 2022-1 May 2022 when the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant was dominant among 1854 employees followed in the SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine Cohort of Manisa Celal Bayar University (MCBU) Hospital Health Workers. Two separate reference groups were used in the evaluation of vaccine efficacy: those who were never vaccinated and those who received only two doses of CoronaVac.

The effect of COVID-19 vaccinations on menstrual cycle and serum anti-Mullerian hormone levels in reproductive age women.

The aim of this prospective cohort study was to investigate the effect of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccinations on menstrual cycle and ovarian reserve in reproductive aged-women. Health care providers ( = 258) vaccinated with inactivated (CoronaVac) and mRNA based (Pfizer-BioNTech®) COVID-19 vaccines were included. All subjects completed a gynaecological and menstrual history questionnaire and Anti-Mullerian Hormone (AMH) levels were measured in serum samples collected before first vaccination and at 1, 3, 6 and 9 months.

Factors affecting the serologic response to SARS-CoV-2 vaccination in patients with solid tumors: A prospective study.

Objective: To evaluate the factors affecting seropositivity and antibody levels after SARS-CoV-2 vaccines in patients with cancer because they were excluded from clinical studies of SARS-CoV-2 vaccines.

Methods: This prospective, observational, single-center study included 290 patients with solid tumors followed up in our medical oncology clinic between March 2021 and August 2021. SARS-CoV-2 antibody status was determined before the first dose of vaccine.

[Antibody Sustainability in SARS-CoV-2 Healthcare Professionals' Patient Cohort].

In this study, it was aimed to evaluate one-year follow-up of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) specific antibodies formed against the virus binding site, in a coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) positive case cohort (n= 413) between the period March 2020 to December 2020 in Manisa Celal Bayar University Hospital, until July 2021. SARS-CoV-2 antibodies were determined by the chemiluminescent enzyme immunoassay (CLIA) method. Values of 1.

[Factors Affecting Side Effects, Seroconversion Rates and Antibody Response After Inactivated SARS-CoV-2 Vaccination in Healthcare Workers].

In this study, it was aimed to prospectively evaluate the efficacy, side effects and seroconversion data of inactive severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), CoronaVac® (Sinovac, China) vaccine in healthcare workers. A total of 1053 healthcare workers who were initially seronegative (COV2T® SARS-CoV-2 Total Siemens, USA) and vaccinated with inactivated SARS-CoV-2 were included in the study. Quantitative IgG antibodies (ADVIA Centaur® SARS-CoV-2 IgG, Siemens, USA) were investigated 28 days after the first vaccine (n= 939) and the second vaccine (n= 771).

Evaluation of the /S Gene Overlapping Mutations in Chronic Hepatitis B Patients in Northern Cyprus.

Mutations associated with the and the S gene can emerge as a consequence of the high replication capacity and proofreading deficiencies of hepatitis B virus during replication. The current study was constructed to evaluate primary, partial, compensatory and the escape mutations in chronic hepatitis B patients in Northern Cyprus. The samples of HBsAg positive treatment naïve 100 patients were involved in this study.

[Determination of drug resistance mutations of NS3 inhibitors in chronic hepatitis C patients infected with genotype 1].

Direct-acting antiviral agents (DAA) such as NS3 protease inhibitors is the first class of drugs used for chronic hepatitis C (CHC) treatment. NS3 inhibitors (PI) with low genetic barrier have been approved to be used in the CHC genotype 1 infections, and in the treatment of compensated liver disease including cirrhosis together with pegile interferon and ribavirin. Consequently, the development of drug resistance during DAA treatment of CHC is a major problem.

[Investigation of the correlation between anti-HCV levels (S/Co) with HCV-RNA in the diagnosis of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection].

Detection of borderline and/or low positive anti-HCV results by enzyme immunoassay (EIA) leads to severe problems in routine laboratories and needs confirmation with nucleic acid amplification tests which can increase the cost. In EIA tests, if the ratio of sample to cut-off (S/Co) is ≥ 1, the sample is accepted as positive according to the manufacturers' instructions. Although over the last decade the application of S/Co values have also applied to HCV-RNA readings, the current study aims to determine whether the S/Co value is adequate and applicable for the anti-HCV EIA test, and to determine whether a correlation exists between HCV-RNA and HCV infections.

[Molecular epidemiology of hepatitis B virus in Northern Cyprus].

Identification of hepatitis B virus (HBV) strains and understanding of molecular epidemiological characteristics are important for the effective surveillance of HBV infections. Genotype D is dominant in studies performed in Turkey but it is known that cases infected with genotypes A, E, G and H also exists. In contrast, there are no data regarding the molecular epidemiologic characteristics of the HBV in Northern Cyprus.

[Hepatitis B virus genotype E infection in Turkey: the detection of the first case].

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a global major health problem. Currently, 10 genotypes (A-J) of hepatitis B virus (HBV) are identified based on the nucleic acid sequence heterogeneity, and these genotypes have been shown to have distinct geographic distribution. Reports of the previous studies indicated that the genotype D is the predominant type among hepatitis B patients in different regions of Turkey.

Are human adenovirus-5 and 36 associated with obesity in children?

Objectives: The aims of this study were to determine the association between adenovirus-5- and adenovirus-36-specific antibodies and obesity in children and to investigate their relationship with serum lipid and leptin levels.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed on a total of 120 children who were divided into subgroups according to body mass index percentile as obese (≥ 95th percentile) or nonobese (<95th percentile). The presence of adenovirus-36 and adenovirus-5-neutralizing antibodies was investigated by using the serum neutralization assay.

Human papilloma virus frequency and genotype distribution in a Turkish population.

Objectives: To determine human papillomavirus (HPV) frequency, genotypes and the relation between cervical smear results, risk factors and types in women living in Manisa, Turkey.

Materials And Methods: A total of 410 women were included in the study. Cervical specimens were obtained for linear array HPV genotyping and pathological testing.

[Molecular typing of adenoviruses isolated from clinical specimens by PCR and DNA sequencing methods].

Adenoviruses are responsible for a broad spectrum of diseases, including upper and lower respiratory tract infections (URTIs and LRTIs, respectively), conjunctivitis, gastroenteritis, and hemorrhagic cystitis. The aim of this study was to determine the adenovirus (AdV) types isolated from clinical specimens by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and DNA sequencing methods. A total of 22 AdV strains isolated between January 1st 2011 to May 31th 2011, from various samples (295 nasopharyngeal swabs, 42 conjunctival swabs, 13 stool) sent to our routine virology laboratory were included in the study.

Evaluation of serological tests for diagnosis of brucellosis.

The aim of the present study was to compare serological tests (Rose Bengal [RB]; standard agglutination test [SAT]; enzyme immunoassay [EIA] for detection of IgM, IgA, and IgG; and 2-mercaptoethanol [2-ME] test) that are routinely used in patients prediagnosed with different clinical types of brucellosis (acute, subacute, or chronic), and to evaluate the results of the IgG avidity test. Ninety-two patients having titers≥1/160 as measured by SAT were included in the study. The IgG avidity test was performed in 78 patients who had positive EIA-IgG results.

[Distribution of hepatitis C virus genotypes in Manisa region, Turkey].

The duration of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and the response to the standard therapy is strongly related to the HCV genotypes. In addition, the geographical distribution of HCV genotypes is important for the epidemiological studies in terms of distribution and possible risk groups. The aim of this retrospective study was to investigate the distribution of HCV genotypes in Manisa region (located at the Aegean part of Turkey).

Impact of hemostatic gene single point mutations in patients with non-diabetic coronary artery disease.

Single point mutations in the genes coding for hemostatic factors were shown to be major inherited predisposing factors for venous thromboembolism. However, their contribution in the development of non-diabetic coronary artery disease [nDCAD] remains controversial. Angiographically demonstrated nDCAD patients (n = 86) and healthy controls (n = 90) were included in the study.

[Common viral etiologies of community acquired lower respiratory tract infections in young children and their relationship with long term complications].

Viral lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs) and their late complications are important causes of morbidity and mortality in childhood. The aims of this study were the detection of viral agents that cause community-acquired LRTIs in young children and investigation of the relationship between viral etiology and bronchiolitis obliterans (BO) which is one of the late complications of LRTIs. A total of 151 children (86 male, 65 female; mean age: 2.

[Comparison of interferon-gamma whole blood assay with tuberculin skin test for the diagnosis of tuberculosis infection in tuberculosis contacts].

Tuberculin skin test which is used for the detection of latent tuberculosis (TB), has many disadvantages such as false positivities due to cross reactions between environmental mycobacteria and BCG strain, false negativities due to immunosuppression and malpractice, and also difficulties in application and evaluation. Recently a new diagnostic test which measures the production of interferon (IFN)-gamma in whole blood upon stimulation with specific ESAT-6 and CFP-10 antigens of Mycobacterium tuberculosis has been introduced. Since most of the mycobacteria other than tuberculosis and BCG strain do not contain these antigens, the detection of IFN-gamma levels indicates the specific T-cell response against M.

In vitro activity of ciprofloxacin, ofloxacin and levofloxacin against Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

Background: The increasing incidence of drug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis necessitates therapeutic alternatives. The fluoroquinolones fulfill most of the criteria for an ideal class of antimycobacterial drugs. The aim of the present study was to determine to in vitro activities of ciprofloxacin, ofloxacin, and levofloxacin against M.

E-test: an alternative method for susceptibility testing of Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare the agar proportion method with the E-test method for susceptibility testing of Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

Materials And Methods: A total of 100 isolates were tested for isoniazid, rifampin, streptomycin and ethambutol susceptibility using an indirect-proportion method as well as the E-test method.

Results: Categorical agreement between the methods was 100% for isoniazid, rifampin, streptomycin, and ethambutol.

Clinical significance of TT virus infection in children with chronic hepatitis B.

Background: The pathogenic role of TT virus (TTV) is not clear in patients with chronic hepatitis B. The aims of the present study were to determine the frequency of TTV positivity in serum and saliva samples and the possible role of TTV in children with chronic hepatitis B.

Methods: Sera and saliva from 29 healthy children and 25 children with chronic hepatitis B were tested for TTV-DNA by means of real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

Serum hepatitis B DNA: stability in relation to multiple freeze-thaw procedures.

Quantitation of hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA is often performed in specimens that have been frozen and thawed more than once. It is important to establish whether viral load measurements are affected by repeated freeze-thaw cycles. The effect of multiple freeze-thaw cycles on HBV DNA quantitation was carried out by testing serum specimens subjected to 1 (baseline) to 10 cycles with the appropriate Digene Hybrid Capture System.