Epilepsy's effect on cardiac rhythm and the autonomic nervous system.

Objective: Sudden unexpected death in epilepsy is the most common cause of death in young patients with epilepsy. The aim of this study was to evaluate changes in interictal electrocardiogram parameters and sympathetic skin responses as markers of autonomic dysfunction in patients with epilepsy and to determine their effects on the type and duration of epilepsy, frequency of seizures, and responses to treatment.

Methods: A total of 97 patients with epilepsy and 94 healthy controls were recruited.

Multi-inflammatory index as a new predictive and prognostic marker of acute symptomatic seizures in patients with cerebral venous sinus thrombosis.

Background: The multi-inflammatory index (MII) is a novel marker that indicates the diagnosis, prognosis, and clinical severeness of inflammation-associated diseases. It is indicated that inflammatory biomarkers may help predict the occurrence of acute symptomatic seizures(ASS) after ischemic stroke.

Objective: Our goal was to search the predictive and prognostic capability of the MII-1 and MII-2 for ASS in cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) patients.

[Experience of the National HIV-AIDS Reference Center of Turkey, in the Transition to the New HIV Diagnostic Algorithm; Comparative Analysis of Line-Immunoassay Test and Bio-Rad Geenius™ HIV-1/2 Antibody Confirmatory Assay].

Shortly after the first detection of human immundeficiency virus (HIV) infection in USA in 1981, the number of cases have increased gradually from all around the world. Turkey's high capacity for tourism and the unique geographic location extending between Europe and Asia, provides convenience for the passage of individuals across the countries and sexually transmitted infections including HIV, as well. According to the official data of the Ministry of Health; there are 25809 HIV positive and 1958 AIDS cases as of November 30, 2020, after the epidemic started in 1985 in Turkey.

Evaluation of the diagnostic performance and optimal cutoff value of a fourth-generation ELISA, VIDAS HIV-1/2 Duo Ultra assay, in a low-prevalence country.

In this study, we described the largest analysis to date conducted with VIDAS® HIV Duo Ultra assay. Additionally, we analyzed the diagnostic performance and cutoff values (TV) of HIV Duo Ultra assay and total cost analysis for HIV testing. Of 11,642 enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)-positive samples referred to our center for confirmation, 2000 were positive with HIV Duo Ultra, and of these, 87% were HIV-1 positive and 0.

Investigation of syphilis coinfection and performance of the Architect Syphilis Tp ELISA screening test in HIV positive patients.

Background/aim: Limited data on syphilis coinfection in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) positive cases exist in Turkey. Our aim is to investigate syphilis coinfection and to evaluate the compatibility of the screening Architect Syphilis Tp ELISA with the fluorescent treponemal antibody absorption (FTA-abs) confirmation test in HIV positive cases.

Materials And Methods: Totally 519 HIV positive patients were included in the study.

Serological Diagnosis of Syphilis: Preliminary Study Searching for an Algorhitm in Turkey.

Different algorithms have been proposed to increase the diagnostic capacity of syphilis. We analyzed three common algorithms for detecting suspected syphilis cases in low prevelance Turkish population. The study included a total of 340 clinical serum samples from adults throughout Turkey, who had syphilis as a clinical preliminary diagnosis and were positive on at least one of the following tests: Rapid Plasma Reagin (RPR), Treponema pallidum Haemagglutination test (TPHA) and FTA-abs Ig.

Fosfomycin: In vitro efficacy against multidrug-resistant isolates beyond urinary isolates.

Objectives: Fosfomycin (FOF) is a bactericidal antimicrobial agent active against a range of Gram-negative bacteria, including multidrug-resistant (MDR) and metallo-β-lactamase (MBL)-producing Enterobacteriaceae. However, data are scarce regarding use of the drug beyond urinary tract infections (UTIs).

Methods: In this study, susceptibility rates to FOF among 290 MDR Enterobacteriaceae isolates were analysed by gradient and disk diffusion tests and the results were compared with agar dilution according to the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI).

Recurrent complicated urinary tract infection due to rare pathogen Sphingomonas paucimobilis: contamination or real deal?

Sphingomonas paucimobilis is an aerobic, oxidase-positive, yellow-pigmented, non-fermentative, Gram-negative opportunistic pathogen that rarely causes infections in humans. It is commonly found in nosocomial environments and, despite its low clinical virulence, it can be responsible for several different infections especially among patients with underlying disease. Here we describe a clinical case of a 46-year-old male paraplegic patient with a history of neurogenic bladder due to insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus and renal failure who was admitted to the urology clinic of a university hospital in Kirsehir, Turkey, with the complaints of urinary tract infection (UTI) including fever, chills, dysuria, abdominal and back pain.

Comparative analysis of phenotypic and genotypic detection of methicillin resistance among Staphylococcus aureus.

Aims: Staphylococcus aureus is a common pathogen causing a wide range of infections ranging from mild skin and soft tissue infections to severe, life-threatening infections. Accuracy in the detection of methicillin resistance is important to avoid treatment failures. The aim of this study was to compare the results of phenotypic and genotypic test methods to detect methicillin resistance and also to determine the antimicrobial susceptibilities.

Zika virus: a new arboviral public health problem.

Zika virus (ZIKV) is a single-stranded RNA virus in the Flaviviridae family and transmitted to human through infected mosquitos (Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus). Virus is closely related with other flaviviruses; dengue virus, yellow fever virus, West Nile virus, and Japanese encephalitis virus phylogenetically. Due to the possible relationship between virus and clinical features including microcephaly, ventricule, and eye deformities, Guillain-Barre syndrome increases the interest on this virus gradually.

Characterization of Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli Isolated from Humans between 2011 and 2014.

Although E. coli O157:H7 is the major serotype among Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) strains, non-O157 serotypes have caused numerous outbreaks worldwide. We aimed to evaluate the distribution of serogroups, serotypes, virulence genes, and antimicrobial resistance of STEC strains recovered from stool samples.

Comparison of cervico-vaginal colonization among sexually active women by intrauterine device use.

Introduction: In this study we aimed to evaluate the effect of intrauterine devices (IUDs) on cervico-vaginal colonization.

Methodology: Cervico-vaginal samples of 96 patients with vaginal discharge were included in the study. Microscopic evaluation, bacteriological and fungal culture, and antigen testing for Chlamydia trachomatis using an immunochromatographic test method were performed.

Pneumonia due to Enterobacter cancerogenus infection.

Enterobacter cancerogenus (formerly known as CDC Enteric Group 19; synonym with Enterobacter taylorae) has rarely been associated with human infections, and little is known regarding the epidemiology and clinical significance of this organism. We describe a community-acquired pneumonia case in a 44-year-old female due to E. cancerogenus.

Bloodstream infection with Oligella ureolytica in a newborn infant: a case report and review of the literature.

Oligella species are small, Gram-negative, nonsaccharolytic aerobic rods or coccobacilli that are catalase and oxidase-positive, mostly isolated from the urinary tract and rarely from wounds, bloodstream infections, septic arthritis, or peritonitis.In this article, we report a case of O.ureolytica-related bloodstream infection in a newborn infant and we review the literature for previously reported cases of Oligella infections.

Evaluation of the in vitro activity of fosfomycin tromethamine against Gram-negative bacterial strains recovered from community- and hospital-acquired urinary tract infections in Turkey.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the in vitro activities of antimicrobial agents including fosfomycin tromethamine against Gram-negative isolates recovered from urine samples.

Methods: A total of 2334 strains (1562 Escherichia coli, 509 Klebsiella spp, 85 Proteus spp, 75 Pseudomonas spp, 45 Enterobacter spp, 37 Acinetobacter baumannii, 8 Citrobacter spp, 7 Morganella morganii, and 6 Serratia spp) were identified by VITEK 2 during the study period, November 2008 to June 2012. Antimicrobial susceptibilities of the strains were also evaluated using the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method, in accordance with the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute guidelines.

Panton-Valentine leucocidin gene carriage among Staphylococcus aureus strains recovered from skin and soft tissue infections in Turkey.

Objectives: Regardless of methicillin resistance, Panton-Valentine leucocidin (PVL)-positive Staphylococcus aureus isolates are associated with various types of infections and outbreaks. Limited data exist about the PVL content of S. aureus strains in Turkey.

[A case of urogenital myiasis caused by Psychoda albipennis (Diptera: Nematocera)].

Myiasis which is a parasitic disease of humans and vertebrates, is caused by dipterous fly larvae feeding on the host's necrotic or living tissue. Although infestation by fly larvae is much more prevalent in animals, it occurs relatively frequently in humans in rural, tropical and subtropical regions of Africa and America. Myiasis is usually associated with poor general health and hygiene, restricted mobility and ulcerating lesions.