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Objective: The association between hantavirus seropositivity and chronic renal failure has been reported in several studies. The objective of this study is to investigate the prevalence of hantavirus antibodies among patients with end-stage renal failure undergoing hemodialysis and continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis in Ankara and Kırıkkale cities. Methods: A total of 125 patients including 68 females (mean age, 48 years) and 57 males (mean age, 45.8 years) with chronic renal failure undergoing hemodialysis or continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis, and 47 healthy subjects including 24 females (mean age, 55.9 years) and 23 males (mean age, 49.5 years) were included in the study. Hantavirus IgM and IgG antibodies were investigated by ELISA. Results: Hantavirus IgM and IgG positivity were not detected in any of the patients and control group. Conclusions: Controlled studies performed on endemic patient groups including more cases are required to establish the role of hantavirus infection in patients with chronic renal failure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: We aimed to analyze all peritonitis attacks recorded in our unit, and examine the correlation between culturing technique and culture positivity. Methods: The files of 103 patients have been examined retrospectively. Clinical findings, cell counts of the peritoneal fluid, microorganisms isolated, treatment protocols and the outcome were recorded. Peritonitis attacks before and after 2008 were compared in terms of culture positivity. Results: During the follow-up of 103 patients (mean treatment duration 23.79 ± 18.23 months) for 2450.72 patient-months, 80 peritonitis attacks were recorded. The number of attacks per patient was 0.78, and one attack occurred every 30.63 patientmonths. Culture positivity before and after 2008 were 39.21% and 55.17%, respectively (p<0.001). Conclusions: Culture negativity, reported to be up to 20%, decreases the effectiveness of treatment, increases the incidence of autotoxicity, and loss of residual renal function due to antibiotics, results in secondari fungal peritonitis attacks and emergence of vancomycin-resistant enterococci. Inappropriate culture technique and recent antibiotic use were leading causes of culture negativity. Prevention of inappropriate antibiotic use and improving culture techniques, as in our study, may increase culture positivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multiple drug resistant Acinetobacter spp. are usually responsible for hospital-acquired infections. Development of a central nervous system infection due to Acinetobacter spp. without head trauma or neurosurgical procedure is rare. We report a case of meningoencephalitis caused by A. baumannii in a diabetic 36-year-old man on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis. He was admitted to hospital because of sudden loss of consciousness and jaw tightening, and his physical examination revealed high fever and nuchal rigidity. Laboratory investigations showed elevated acute phase reactants, in addition to normal cranial computed tomographic and electroencephalographic findings. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) examination disclosed an elevated protein concentration and very low glucose level. Following the growth of A. baumannii in CSF culture, meropenem treatment provided a complete cure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]