Comparison of Candida colonization in intensive care unit patients with and without COVID-19: First prospective cohort study from Turkey.

Candida species are the primary cause of fungal infections in intensive care units (ICUs). Despite the increasing prevalence of Candida-related infections, monitoring the progression of these infections from colonization in COVID-19 ICU patients lacks sufficient information. This study aims prospectively to compare 62 COVID-19 and 60 non-COVID-19 ICU patients from admission to discharge in terms of colonization development, rates, isolated Candida species, risk factors, and Candida infections during hospitalization.

Phenotypic Investigation of Virulence Factors, Susceptibility to Ceragenins, and the Impact of Biofilm Formation on Drug Efficacy in Isolates from Türkiye.

has emerged as a significant fungal threat due to its rapid worldwide spread since its first appearance, along with its potential for antimicrobial resistance and virulence properties. This study was designed to examine virulence characteristics, the efficacy of ceragenins, and biofilm-derived drug resistance in seven strains isolated from Turkish intensive care patients. It was observed that none of the tested strains exhibited proteinase or hemolysis activity; however, they demonstrated weak phospholipase and esterase activity.

Distribution of Opportunistic Pathogens in People Living with HIV at a University Hospital in Istanbul over a One-Year Treatment Period and Its Association with CD4 T Cell Counts.

Among sexually transmitted diseases, HIV causes very serious clinical manifestations that can lead to death. As a result, millions of people have to live with this problem that threatens their health. The virus attacks the immune system of the host, especially CD4+ T lymphocytes, causing the suppression of the immune system.

Evaluation of Blood Cultures from SARS-CoV-2-Positive and Negative Adult Patients.

Bacteremia and fungemia are significant causes of morbidity and mortality that frequently occur as co-infections with viral respiratory infections, including SARS-CoV-2. The aim of this study was to evaluate the microorganisms that were isolated from the blood cultures of SARS-CoV-2-positive and negative patients and investigate their antimicrobial resistance patterns. A retrospective analysis was performed of 22,944 blood cultures sent to the laboratory between November 2020 and December 2021.

[Distribution of Yeast Species Isolated from Blood Cultures for a Six Year Period in Turkey: a Multicentre Study].

Bloodstream infections due to yeast species especially Candida spp. have been reported to be important healthcare associated infections with high mortality and morbidity rates. Candidemia causes prolonged hospital stays as well as increased cost.

In vitro assessment of CSA-131 and CSA-131 poloxamer form for the treatment of Stenotrophomonas maltophilia infections in cystic fibrosis.

Background: Stenotrophomonas maltophilia is a Gram-negative bacterium resistant to several antibiotics and its prevalence in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients is increasing.

Objectives: To evaluate the effects of ceragenins, non-peptide mimics of antimicrobial peptides, against both planktonic and biofilm forms of S. maltophilia and the cytotoxicity of ceragenins to the IB3-1 CF cell line.

Successful outcome of mucormycosis in a child with acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Invasive fungal infections may cause morbidity and mortality in pediatric patients with hematologic and oncologic malignancies treated with intensive protocols. We present a case of mucormycosis in an 8-year-old boy with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. In our patient, the suspicion for an oculoorbital and paranasal infection only due to mild pain in the orbital area without any abnormal pathologic findings in the ophthalmologic and otolaryngologic examination, led us to an early diagnosis.

Genotypic characterization of isolates from Turkish children with cystic fibrosis.

To identify epidemic and other transmissible strains, genotypic analyses are required. The aim of this study was to assess the distribution of strains within the Turkish pediatric cystic fibrosis (CF) clinic population. Eighteen patients attending the pediatric CF clinic of Cerrahpasa Medical Faculty were investigated in the study.

Determination of Azole Resistance and TR/L98H Mutations in Isolates of Aspergillus Section Fumigati from Turkish Cystic Fibrosis Patients.

Background: Aspergillus fumigatus is the species section Fumigati most frequently isolated from the respiratory tract of cystic fibrosis (CF) patients. Recent studies suggest that mutations in the Cyp51 gene, particularly TR/L98H, are responsible for azole resistance.

Objectives And Methods: The focus of this study was on section Fumigati isolates isolated from the respiratory tract samples of CF patients.

Epidemiologic and microbiologic evaluation of nosocomial infections associated with Candida spp in children: A multicenter study from Istanbul, Turkey.

Background: The purpose of this study was to establish species distribution of Candida isolates from pediatric patients in Istanbul, Turkey, and to determine risk factors associated with nosocomial Candida infections.

Methods: This study was conducted between June 2013 and June 2014 by participation of 7 medical centers in Istanbul. Candida spp strains isolated from the clinical specimens of pediatric patients were included.

Is the extraction by Whatman FTA filter matrix technology and sequencing of large ribosomal subunit D1-D2 region sufficient for identification of clinical fungi?

Although conventional identification of pathogenic fungi is based on the combination of tests evaluating their morphological and biochemical characteristics, they can fail to identify the less common species or the differentiation of closely related species. In addition these tests are time consuming, labour-intensive and require experienced personnel. We evaluated the feasibility and sufficiency of DNA extraction by Whatman FTA filter matrix technology and DNA sequencing of D1-D2 region of the large ribosomal subunit gene for identification of clinical isolates of 21 yeast and 160 moulds in our clinical mycology laboratory.

Distribution of nontuberculous Mycobacteria strains.

Aim: Mycobacteria other than tuberculosis (MOTT) cause increasingly serious infections especially in immunosuppressive patients by direct transmission from the environment or after colonization. However, identification of these species is difficult because of the cost and difficulties in defining to species level. Identification and distribution of these species can help clinician in the choice of treatment.

Panton-Valentine leukocidin and biofilm production of Staphylococcus aureus isolated from respiratory tract.

Introduction: Staphylococcus aureus is one of the first bacteria colonizing in cystic fibrosis (CF) respiratory tract and different virulence factors are responsible for disease progression. It is not clear if CF S. aureus strains are more virulent than strains isolated from non-CF patients.

Isolation of nontuberculous mycobacteria from hospital waters in Turkey.

Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are ubiquitous in hot and cold water distribution systems. With molecular typing methods it was shown that water can be the source of colonization and infection with NTM. The aim of our study was the investigation of NTM in hot and cold water samples taken from various departments of two hospitals in Istanbul, Turkey.

Frequency of fungi in respiratory samples from Turkish cystic fibrosis patients.

An increased isolation of fungi from the respiratory tract of patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) has been reported. The prevalence of different fungi in CF patients from Turkey is not known. Our aim was to determine the frequency of fungi in the respiratory tract of Turkish CF patients.

[Investigation of plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance in Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains isolated from cystic fibrosis patients].

Pseudomonas aeruginosa which is widely found in the environment, may lead to serious nosocomial infections. Due to its intrinsic resistance to many antibacterial agents, treatment of P.aeruginosa infections usually present difficulty.

[Investigation of biofilm formation and relationship with genotype and antibiotic susceptibility of Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains isolated from patients with cystic fibrosis].

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a frequent cause of respiratory infections in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients. P. aeruginosa strains isolated from these patients have often a mucoid phenotype at advanced disease.