Efficacy of favipiravir in COVID-19: A retrospective two center comparative study.

Introduction: Favipiravir (FVP) is an antiviral, targeting RNA-dependent RNA polymerase. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of FVP as a treatment for COVID-19.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective study in two centers (San Martino University Hospital in Genova, Italy, and Marmara University Pendik Training and Research Hospital, Turkey).

Factors Associated with 28-day Critical Illness Development During the First Wave of COVID-19.

Objective: This study aimed to define the predictors of critical illness development within 28 days postadmission during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Materials And Methods: We conducted a prospective cohort study including 477 PCR-positive COVID-19 patients admitted to a tertiary care hospital in Istanbul from March 12 to May 12, 2020.

Results: The most common presenting symptoms were cough, dyspnea, and fatigue.

The safety and adverse event profile of favipiravir in the treatment of COVID-19 patients, Turkey.

Introduction: Favipiravir (FVP) is an antiviral and used to treat COVID-19. We aimed to document the safety and adverse events associated with FVP on the outcome of COVID-19 treatment.

Methodology: The study included 225 adult patients with moderate COVID-19 infection (World Health Organization scale-5).

Prognostic values of baseline cortisol levels and neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio in COVID-19.

Background: The prediction of disease severity in COVID19 could be a valuable tool for providing early treatment and reducing mortality. We aimed to evaluate the predictor value of baseline cortisol values on disease severity and assess the correlation between the neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and cortisol levels.

Methods: In this retrospective study, we compared the prognostic value of baseline NLR, morning cortisol, ferritin, and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels among patients with severe and non-severe COVID-19.

Identification of Molecular and Genetic Resistance Mechanisms in a Candida auris Isolate in a Tertiary Care Center in Türkiye.

Background: Candida auris is a multidrug-resistant pathogen that causes nosocomial outbreaks and high mortality. We conducted this study to investigate the molecular mechanisms of antifungal resistance in our clinical isolate of C. auris with a high level of resistance to three main classes of antifungals.

Nosocomial infection of C. auris in COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit in Türkiye and Phylogenetic Analysis of Isolates.

Background: The difficulties in the identification of C. auris and the delays in the implementation of infection control precautions contribute to outbreaks. This study analyzed 10 patients with COVID-19 and C.

Diagnostic Efficacy of Aspergillus Galactomannan Lateral Flow Assay in Patients with Hematological Malignancies: A Prospective Multicenter Study.

Background: A rapid and reliable diagnostic test is needed to reduce mortality through early diagnosis of invasive aspergillosis (IA) in patients with hematological malignancies.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of serum and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) Aspergillus galactomannan lateral flow assay (GM-LFA) in IA diagnosis and determine the correlation of GM-LFA with GM enzyme immunoassay (GM-EIA) in patients with hematological malignancies.

Methods: In this prospective multicenter study, we used serum and BAL fluid samples from patients with hematological malignancies and suspected IA and performed GM-LFA and GM-EIA.

Diagnostic performance of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) isoenzymes levels for the severity of COVID-19.

Background: Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels predict coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) severity. We investigated LDH isoenzyme levels to identify the tissue responsible for serum LDH elevation in patients with COVID-19.

Methods: Hospitalised COVID-19 patients with serum LDH levels exceeding the upper reference limit included.

Staphylococcus aureus costochondritis and chest wall abscess in a COVID-19 patient treated with tocilizumab.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a worldwide pandemic, causing a global health threat. Up to 15% of the confirmed cases develop severe disease, requiring hospitalization or intensive care unit (ICU) admission. Tocilizumab, an IL-6 receptor antagonist, is a promising treatment of severe pneumonia with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) or cytokine release syndrome (CRS) in the course of COVID-19.

Tocilizumab treatment in severe COVID-19: a multicenter retrospective study with matched controls.

Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) associated pneumonia may progress into acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Some patients develop features of macrophage activation syndrome (MAS). Elevated levels of IL-6 were reported to be associated with severe disease, and anti-IL-6R tocilizumab has been shown to be effective in some patients.

Application of CALL score for prediction of progression risk in patients with COVID-19 at university hospital in Turkey.

Background: The CALL score was developed as a predictive model for progressive disease. We aimed to validate and/or improve the performance of CALL score in our hospital settings.

Methods: Adult patients with polymerase chain reaction-confirmed COVID-19 were included in this retrospective observational study.

Cryptococcus meningitis presented with multiple cerebral infarcts in an immunocompetent patient.

is generally observed with immunosuppressive conditions. Rarely, it may be seen in immunocompetent individuals and presented with non-specific conditions. We described an immunocompetent case of cryptococcal meningitis presented with multiple cerebral infarcts.

Liver stiffness is associated with disease severity and worse clinical scenarios in coronavirus disease 2019: A prospective transient elastography study.

Background: Pre-existing chronic liver disease is currently considered a poor prognostic factor for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The present study aimed to investigate the association of liver stiffness measurement (LSM) with disease severity and clinical course of COVID-19.

Methods: We prospectively recruited consecutive hospitalised adult patients with COVID-19 in a 3-month period.

Consideration of Severe Coronavirus Disease 2019 As Viral Sepsis and Potential Use of Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors.

Taking into consideration the multisystemic clinical and autopsy findings in "severe" coronavirus disease 2019 patients, viral sepsis would be a more accurate term to describe the whole clinical picture. The most significant pathophysiological components of this picture are intense cytokine release, prolonged inflammation, immunosuppression with T cell exhaustion, and the development of organ dysfunctions. Currently, the optimal treatment for severe coronavirus disease 2019 is uncertain.

Candida urinary tract infections in adults.

Candiduria is commonly seen in hospitalized patients and most of the patients are asymptomatic, but it may be due to cystitis, pyelonephritis, prostatitis, epididymo-orchitis or disseminated candidiasis. Major risk factors are diabetes mellitus, indwelling urinary catheters, use of broad-spectrum antibiotics, urinary obstruction, and admission to intensive care units. Candida urinary tract infections can be caused by hematogenous spread following candidemia, or retrograde route via the urethra.

Miliary Tuberculosis Induced Acute Liver Failure.

Hepatobiliary tuberculosis is uncommon even in endemic countries. It is associated with a high mortality and is even diagnosed early in the disease course. Acute liver failure (ALF) caused by tuberculosis bacilli has been reported in only a few reports.

Diagnosis of Invasive Fungal Diseases in Hematological Malignancies: A Critical Review of Evidence and Turkish Expert Opinion (TEO-2).

One of the most problematic issues in hematological malignancies is the diagnosis of invasive fungal diseases. Especially, the difficulty of mycological diagnosis and the necessity of immediate intervention in molds have led to the adoption of "surrogate markers" that do not verify but rather strongly suggest fungal infection. The markers commonly used are galactomannan (GM), beta-glucan, and imaging methods.

Outcomes of fecal carriage of extended-spectrum β-lactamase after transrectal ultrasound-guided biopsy of the prostate.

Objective: To determine the prevalence of extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Enterobacteriaceae (PE) fecal carriage in patients that undergo transrectal ultrasonography-guided biopsy (TRUSbx) and its relationship with post-biopsy infections.

Methods: A prospective clinical study in 4 different tertiary hospitals between 2008 and 2010 was conducted. Four hundred men with sterile urine who were to undergo a TRUSbx because of the suspicion of prostate cancer were included and followed for 14 days after biopsy.

Unusual causes of peritonitis in a peritoneal dialysis patient: Alcaligenes faecalis and Pantoea agglomerans.

An 87 -year-old female who was undergoing peritoneal dialysis presented with peritonitis caused by Alcaligenes faecalis and Pantoea agglomerans in consecutive years. With the following report we discuss the importance of these unusual microorganisms in peritoneal dialysis patients.

Toll-like receptor expression in monocytes in patients with chronic kidney disease and haemodialysis: relation with inflammation.

Background: Inflammation is one of the main contributors to atherosclerosis in haemodialysis (HD) patients. Activation of Toll-like receptors (TLRs) leads to inflammatory response. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the expression of TLRs on monocytes and relate their expression with inflammation in chronic kidney disease (CKD) and HD patients.

Acute respiratory distress syndrome in Plasmodium falciparum malaria.

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) as a complication of malaria infection is rare but with a very high mortality rate. We report the case of a patient who developed high fever, then respiratory distress during a trip to Haiti who was admitted to our hospital and diagnosed with malaria. During recovery the patient developed ARDS in the hospital.

Concomitant Aspergillus and Cytomegalovirus infection in heart transplant: early diagnosis is the key to successful treatment.

Concomitant infections, which are common in patients who have received an organ transplant, must be diagnosed and treated early to prevent high mortality rates. We describe a case of concomitant Cytomegalovirus infection and Aspergillus pneumonia in a heart transplant patient who received pulsed steroids as therapy for rejection, and we describe the successful treatment of that coinfection with ganciclovir and voriconazole.

Lack of correlation of 24- vs. 48-h itraconazole minimum inhibitory concentrations with microbiological and survival outcomes in a guinea pig model of disseminated candidiasis.

A 'trailing' effect has been commonly observed when azole antifungals are tested against Candida spp. Previous experience with fluconazole indicates that 24-h minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values are more compatible endpoints when compared with clinical outcomes. We evaluated the trailing effect of Candida isolates tested with itraconazole in a guinea pig model of systemic candidiasis.

Effects of serum on in vitro susceptibility testing of echinocandins.

The effects of protein binding on the activities of caspofungin, anidulafungin, and micafungin were evaluated against Candida and Aspergillus species. Adding human serum sharply increased the MICs of micafungin and anidulafungin and modestly affected the MIC of caspofungin. The increase in MICs does not appear consistent with the rate of protein binding for the three compounds.