Results of Nucleos(t)ide Analog Treatment Discontinuation in Hepatitis B e-Antigen-Negative Chronic Hepatitis B: NUCSTOP Study.

Background/aims: This study aims to investigate the effects of nucleos(t)ide analogs (NAs) discontinuation in eligible patients in accordance with the Asian Pacific Association for the Study of the Liver hepatitis B guideline and the factors affecting clinical and virological relapses.

Materials And Methods: In this prospectively designed study, hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-negative chronic hepatitis B patients who were followed up between 2012 and 2019 were evaluated and 57 patients were included. All participants enrolled the study were HBeAgnegative status at NA initiation.

Understanding clinical outcomes and factors influencing mortality in intensive care unit patients with COVID-19-associated candidemia.

Background: During the COVID pandemic, research has shown an increase in candidemia cases following severe COVID infection and the identification of risk factors associated with candidemia. However, there is a lack of studies that specifically explore clinical outcomes and mortality rates related to candidemia after COVID infection.

Objectives: The aim of this international study was to evaluate the clinical outcomes and identify factors influencing mortality in patients who developed candidemia during their COVID infection.

Clinicopathological profile of peritoneal tuberculosis and a new scoring model for predicting mortality: an international ID-IRI study.

Existing literature about peritoneal tuberculosis (TBP) is relatively insufficient. The majority of reports are from a single center and do not assess predictive factors for mortality. In this international study, we investigated the clinicopathological characteristics of a large series of patients with TBP and determined the key features associated with mortality.

Microstructural alterations in hypoxia-related BRAIN centers after COVID-19 by using DTI: A preliminary study.

Purpose: To investigate whether the diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) parameters alterations in the in hypoxia-related neuroanatomical localizations in patients after COVID-19. Additionally, the relationship between DTI findings and the clinical severity of the disease is evaluated.

Methods: The patients with COVID-19 were classified into group 1 (total patients, n = 74), group 2 (outpatient, n = 46), and group 3 (inpatient, n = 28) and control (n = 52).

One-year follow-up evaluation of radiological and respiratory findings and functional capacity in COVID-19 survivors without comorbidities.

The aim of this study was to assess clinical findings, radiological data, pulmonary functions and physical capacity change over time and to investigate factors associated with radiological abnormalities after coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in non-comorbid patients. This prospective cohort study was conducted between April 2020 and June 2020. A total of 62 symptomatic in non-comorbid patients with COVID-19 pneumonia were included in the study.

Evaluation of hepatitis B vaccine efficacy and factors affecting vaccine nonresponse in patients receiving anti-tumor necrosis factor agents.

Objectives: The response rate of patients to hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccination receiving anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) agents is quite low. We aimed to assess the efficiency of HBV vaccination in patients with chronic inflammatory diseases (CIDs) receiving anti-TNF agents as well as in healthy controls. We also evaluated the impact of different factors on the efficacy of HBV vaccination.

The Effect of Antiretroviral Therapy on IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α, IFN-γ Levels and their Relationship with HIV-RNA and CD4+ T Cells in HIV Patients.

Background: Serum cytokine levels over the course of HIV infection usually increase with immunosuppression and decrease after antiretroviral treatment (ART).

Objectives: The aim of the study is to compare cytokine levels between HIV-infected patients (HIP) and controls and investigate the relationship between CD4+T cell count, HIV-RNA levels, and cytokine levels.

Methods: The study subjects comprised ART-naive HIP (n=30) with no comorbidities and age-and sex-matched healthy controls.

Treatment of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) caused by Acinetobacter: results of prospective and multicenter ID-IRI study.

Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) due to Acinetobacter spp. is one of the most common infections in the intensive care unit. Hence, we performed this prospective-observational multicenter study, and described the course and outcome of the disease.

Foot self-care in diabetes mellitus: Evaluation of patient awareness.

Aims: To assess diabetic patients' knowledge and practices regarding foot care.

Methods: This study was conducted as a cross-sectional study in 1030 patients between November 2017 and February 2018.The descriptive survey instrument was developed by the investigators.

Risk Factors Affecting Patterns of Antibiotic Resistance and Treatment Efficacy in Extreme Drug Resistance in Intensive Care Unit-Acquired Klebsiella Pneumoniae Infections: A 5-Year Analysis.

BACKGROUND We investigated the factors affecting antibiotic resistance in the intensive care unit (ICU)-related hospital-acquired infections caused by Klebsiella pneumoniae (KP-HAI) and the effects of antibiotics used for high-level antibiotic resistance on patient survival. MATERIAL AND METHODS This retrospective study was performed at the adult ICU of Bezmialem Vakif University Hospital. Patients who were followed up between 01 January 2012 and 31 May 2017 were evaluated.

Analysis of infectious spondylodiscitis: 7-years data.

Objective: Infectious spondylodiscitis (SD) is an infectious disease that is rare and difficult to diagnose due to its non-specific clinical features. In this study, we aimed to describe the clinical and diagnostic features of infectious spondylodiscitis.

Methods: All patients who were diagnosed with SD at our hospital during a 7-year period from January 1, 2011 through December 31, 2017 were included in the study.

Distribution of β-lactamase genes among carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae strains isolated from patients in Turkey.

Background: The emergence of carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae poses a serious problem to antibiotic management. We investigated the β-lactamases in a group of carbapenem-resistant K. pneumoniae clinical isolates from Turkey.

Variables determining the development of colistin-associated renal impairment.

Aim: The aim of this study was to identify the predictors of acute renal injury associated with colistin treatment.

Methods: The patients who received treatment with colistin for more than 3 days were included in this retrospective cohort study. Acute renal injury was defined by the RIFLE (Risk Injury Failure Loss End stage renal disease) criteria.

Can platelet indices be used as predictors of complication in subjects with appendicitis?

Background: We examined the changes of mean platelet volume (MPV) and platelet distribution width (PDW) in subjects with appendicitis and whether MPV and PDW could be used to predict the development of complication due to appendicitis.

Methods: The healthy control group, the cases of appendicitis with perforation, and the cases of appendicitis without perforation were compared with regard to MPV and PDW. We determined whether MPV and PDW were independent variables predictive of the development of complication in subjects with appendicitis.

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.

Muscle Abscess due to Salmonella Enterica.

Non typhoidal Salmonellae spp. causes clinical symptoms especially in neonates, infants, aged and immunocompromised patients. Hematogenous dissemination may occur in complicated cases whereas the formation of abscess is rare.

Surveillance, control and management of infections in intensive care units in Southern Europe, Turkey and Iran--a prospective multicenter point prevalence study.

Objective: We aimed to compare the features of intensive care units (ICUs), their antimicrobial resistance patterns, infection control policies, and distribution of infectious diseases from central Europe to Mid-West Asia.

Methods: A cross-sectional point prevalence study was performed in 88 ICUs from 12 countries. Characteristics of ICUs, patient and antibiotic therapy data were collected with a standard form by infectious diseases specialists.

Mortality indicators in pneumococcal meningitis: therapeutic implications.

Background: The aim of this study was to delineate mortality indicators in pneumococcal meningitis with special emphasis on therapeutic implications.

Methods: This retrospective, multicenter cohort study involved a 15-year period (1998-2012). Culture-positive cases (n=306) were included solely from 38 centers.

An electrophysiological study of peripheral polyneuropathy in brucellosis.

Background: Brucellosis is an anthropozoonotic disease with heterogeneous clinical presentations. This study aims to investigate the peripheral nervous system (PNS) involvement in brucellosis. 

Methods: A total of 57 patients with brucellosis, and 42 age- and gender-matched healthy subjects were enrolled into the study.

A new model using platelet indices to predict liver fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis B infection.

Background: We aimed to investigate whether mean platelet volume (MPV) and platelet distribution width (PDW) are variables determining the severity of liver fibrosis in patients with chronic HBV infection.

Methods: Patients were divided into two groups with fibrosis scores of 0-2 and 3-6 (according to Ishac scoring system). Whether MPV and PDW were independent variables determining the severity of liver fibrosis score or not was investigated by comparing these groups.

Seroprevalence of rubella in northeastern Turkey.

Aim: The aim of this study was to search rubella prevalence and compare the results with national and international data.

Materials And Methods: The presence of anti-rubella immunoglobulin G (IgG) and anti-rubella immunoglobulin M (IgM) antibodies were studied in the sera obtained from cases with fever in last week and applied to the Microbiology Laboratory in the period between February 2010 and December 2010. No clinical sign or symptom regarding rubella infection has been evaluated for cases to obtain blood samples.

Ribavirin is not effective against Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever: observations from the Turkish experience.

Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is a viral infection associated with a high mortality rate. Ribavirin is the only drug used in the treatment of this disease. Studies investigating the effectiveness of ribavirin in CCHF have been retrospective and to date have included only a small number of cases.