[Establishment of an algorithm for serological testing of syphilis identification].

Serological methods are widely used for the laboratory diagnosis of syphilis or for screening purposes. The aim of this study was to determine an algorithm for the application of laboratory tests that will provide accurate diagnosis of syphilis in a cheap, fast and practical way. A total of 162 serum samples were evaluated by the following tests: VDRL (Venereal Disease Research Laboratory; Omega Diagnostic, UK), TPHA (Treponema pallidum Hemagglutination Test; Omega Diagnostic, UK), ELISA IgG + IgM (Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay; DiaPro Diagnostic Bioprobes, Italy), FTA-ABS (Fluorescent Treponemal Antibody-Absorption; IgG, Euroimmun, Germany) and WB (Western Blot; IgG Euroimmun, Germany).

Co-trimoxazole and quinolone resistance in Escherichia coli isolated from urinary tract infections over the last 10 years.

Over the last 10 years the treatment of choice for urinary tract infections (UTIs) in Turkey has changed from co-trimoxazole to quinolones owing to the rate of resistance to co-trimoxazole and its high level of therapeutic failure. The resistance ratio of 1939 UTI Escherichia coli from outpatients (1994-2003) was evaluated by Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method for the aforementioned antibiotics to determine the change in resistance. The co-trimoxazole resistance ratio decreased during this period, with the highest ratio in 1996 (69.