Evaluation of chronic hepatitis B patients who voluntarily discontinued oral antiviral therapy: is there an answer to the controversial topic?

Objective: The uncertain treatment duration for nucleos(t)ide analogues (NA) used in the treatment of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) is an important problem for both patients and physicians. The aim of this study was to evaluate the determinants of virologic relapse (VR) and the optimum time of treatment discontinuation in the follow-up of CHB patients who voluntarily discontinued treatment after virological suppression was achieved under NA use.

Methods: Data from 138 patients from 11 centers were included in this registry-based study.

Subarachnoid hemorrhage due to pituitary adenoma apoplexy-case report and review of the literature.

Pituitary apoplexy (PA) may be complicated by development of subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). We conducted a literature review to evaluate the rate of PA-associated tumor rupture and SAH. We conducted a systematic literature search (PubMed, Web of Science, Medline) for patients with PA-associated SAH and report a case SAH following PA.

Risk factors for post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 in hospitalized patients: An observational study based on a survey in a tertiary care center in Türkiye.

Introduction: Long COVID is a multisystem disease with various symptoms and risk factors. We aim to investigate the post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 and related risk factors in a tertiary care center.

Materials And Methods: In this observational study, based on a survey of 1.

Successful treatment of HIV-associated progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) with mirtazapine, mefloquine, and IVIG combination therapy: a case report.

Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) is a severe demyelinating disease of the central nervous system caused by reactivation of the polyomavirus JC (JCV). Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is one of the leading causes of PML which has high morbidity and mortality due to the lack of a proven standard treatment. We found clinical and radiological improvement with the combination of high-dose methylprednisolone, mirtazapine, mefloquine, and IVIG in our patient who presented with neurological symptoms and had diagnosed concurrent acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and PML.

Bacteremia: From Diagnosis to Treatment.

Objective: There are many difficulties in diagnosing and treating bacteremia. In this study, we aimed to evaluate "true" and "false-positive bacteremia" and assess mortality risk factors and the impact of different treatment regimens.

Materials And Methods: Hospitalized adult patients with -positive blood cultures were assessed by a two-stage analysis.

Surgically treated intradural spinal manifestation of hereditary amyloidogenic transthyretin amyloidosis - A case report and scoping review of the literature.

Introduction: Hereditary transthyretin amyloidosis (ATTRv) is an autosomal-dominant disorder, where a TTR mutations lead to amyloid fibril deposits in tissues and consecutively alter organ function. ATTRv is a multisystemic disorder with a heterogeneous clinical presentation. Spinal leptomeningeal depositions are described only scarcely in the literature.

Natural Course of Muscular Strength, Physical Performance, and Musculoskeletal Symptoms in Hospitalized Patients With COVID-19.

Objective: To investigate the course of muscle strength, musculoskeletal symptoms and physical performance over time in hospitalized COVID-19 patients, and their relation with disease severity at admission.

Design: Prospective cohort study.

Setting: Pandemic clinic of Gazi University Hospital, Ankara, Turkey.

Prognostic Value of Serial Measurement of Serum Des-Arg(9)-Bradykinin Levels in Severe COVID-19 Patients.

Background: Excessive inflammatory immune response during SARS-CoV-2 infection contributes to severe disease in COVID-19 patients. Recently, some researchers hypothesized that dysregulation of the bradykinin (BK) system may also play a role in the pathogenesis of severe disease. Des-Arg(9)-bradykinin (DABK), an active metabolite of BK, is responsible for vasodilatation and increased permeability in the lungs and regulated by angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE-2).

Nivolumab-ipilimumab combination therapy-induced seronegative encephalitis; rapid response to steroid plus intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) treatment.

Introduction: The efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) against malignant melanoma and numerously solid tumors has been demonstrated in several clinical studies. The incidence of immune-related adverse effects (irAEs) has increased after the rapidly expanding indications and clinical applications of ICIs. We present a case of nivolumab and ipilimumab-induced encephalitis with rapidly worsening consciousness and full recovery following ICIs suspension and high-dose steroid coupled with intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG).

Psychological outcomes of COVID-19 survivors at sixth months after diagnose: the role of kynurenine pathway metabolites in depression, anxiety, and stress.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has resulted in long-term psychiatric symptoms because of the immunologic response to the virus itself as well as fundamental life changes related to the pandemic. This immune response leads to altered tryptophan (TRP)-kynurenine (KYN) pathway (TKP) metabolism, which plays an essential role in the pathophysiology of mental illnesses. We aimed to define TKP changes as a potential underlying mechanism of psychiatric disorders in post-COVID-19 patients.

Evaluation of long-term antibody kinetics in healthcare workers vaccinated with inactivated COVID-19 Vero cell vaccine (CoronaVac), a propensity score-matched observational study.

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the long-term antibody kinetics after vaccinating with an inactivated COVID-19 Vero cell vaccine (CoronaVac) in healthcare workers (HCWs) at a single center in Turkey.

Methods: For this prospective observational study, Chemiluminescence immunoassay (CLIA) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) were used for the determination of binding antibodies (bAb) and neutralizing antibodies (nAb), respectively. Antibody kinetics were compared for the potential influencing factors, and propensity score analysis was performed to match the subcohort for age.

The Role of Pneumococcal Pneumonia among Community-Acquired Pneumonia in Adult Turkish Population: TurkCAP Study.

Objective: To evaluate the rate of pneumococcal pneumonia (PP) among patients with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in Turkey and to investigate and compare features of PP and non-PP CAP patients.

Material And Methods: This multicenter, non-interventional, prospective, observational study included adult CAP patients (age ≥ 18 years). Diagnosis of PP was based on the presence of at least 1 positive laboratory test result for Streptococcus pneumoniae (blood culture or sputum culture or urinary antigen test [UAT]) in patients with radiographic findings of pneumonia.

Immunogenicity and safety of the CoronaVac vaccine in patients with cancer receiving active systemic therapy.

To evaluate the immunogenicity and safety of the CoronaVac vaccine in patients with cancer receiving active systemic therapy. This multicenter, prospective, observational study was conducted with 47 patients receiving active systemic therapy for cancer. CoronaVac was administered as two doses (3 μg/day) on days 0 and 28.

Occult hepatitis B infection in Turkish HIV-infected patients: A multicentre, retrospective, cross-sectional study, Schindler study.

Objective: Occult hepatitis B infection (OHBI) appears to have a higher prevalence in populations at high risk for hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection with concomitant liver disease. The aim was to assess the prevalence of OHBI in a sample of human immunodeficiency virus -1 positive and HBV surface antigen-negative (HIV-1+/HBsAg-) Turkish patients.

Methods: Ten centres in Turkey were included in the study.

[Evaluation of Infections in Intensive Care Units: A Multicentre Point-Prevalence Study].

Infection control is a top priority for hospitals, especially in intensive care units (ICU). In intensive care units, prevalence of infection is estimated to be 30% worldwide, which is a major cause of morbidity and mortality. Many factors are known to increase the risk of infection in ICU patients.

Variables determining mortality in patients with Acinetobacter baumannii meningitis/ventriculitis treated with intrathecal colistin.

Aim: To examine the variables associated with mortality in patients with Acinetobacter baumannii-related central nervous system infections treated with intrathecal colistin.

Materials And Methods: This multi-centre retrospective case control study included patients from 11 centres in Turkey, as well as cases found during a literature review. Only patients with CNS infections caused by multidrug-resistant or extensively drug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii treated with intrathecal colistin were included in this study.

Oral mucosal lesions: a retrospective review of one institution's 13-year experience.

Background/aim: To investigate the relative frequency of biopsied nonneoplastic oral mucosal lesions in Ankara, Turkey.

Materials And Methods: Biopsy records of a single center from 2000-2012 were retrospectively collected. Diagnosis was recorded and evaluated with respect to patient demographics (age, sex) and location of the lesion.