Search

Objective:This study aimed to detect the presence of Echinococcus spp. in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPG) samples of hydatid cyst cases and to discuss the DNA isolation problems in FFPG samples.Methods:FFPG samples of 47 cases diagnosed with hydatid cyst were included in this study. Demographic characteristics of the cases were investigated. Microtome sections were taken from the samples and deparaffinization, DNA extraction, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and gel agarose electrophoresis procedures were performed.Results:Of the cases, 55.3% were female, whereas 45.7% were male. Average age was 45.47 and 68.1% of the cases were located in the liver, 17.0% in the lung, 12.8% in the abdomen, and 2.1% in the brain. DNA was obtained in only 11 (23.4%) of the FFPG cyst samples and no proliferation was detected in the PCR products of any of the sample.Conclusion:The scolex/germinal membrane’ absence in the FFPG sections, intense inflammatory cell reaction, presence of fibrosis and stromal/parenchymal tissue, DNA damage due to formaldehyde action, long-term archiving, and insufficient amount of DNA obtained were considered as factors preventing DNA replication in PCR.

Introduction: A higher percentage of sustained virologic response (SVR) has been reported with the introduction of direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) to the treatment of hepatitis C in recent years. However, there are still relatively limited data on the effectiveness and safety of the use of DAAs in hemodialysis patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of chronic hepatitis C treatment with paritaprevir/ritonavir/ombitasvir and dasabuvir (3D) in hemodialysis patients. Materials and Methods: Hemodialysis patients who were treated with 3D regimen between July 2016 and October 2018 were evaluated retrospectively. Patients coinfected with hepatitis B or human immunodeficiency virus and those with cirrhosis were excluded. Serum hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA and alanine aminotransferase levels of the patients were recorded after one and three months of therapy. SVR was defined as negative HCV RNA at three months after cessation of HCV treatment. Any drug-related alterations in clinical or laboratory findings during the treatment period were evaluated as side effects. Results: Fifteen patients who were treated with the 3D regimen during the study period were included. Genotype 1b and 1a were detected in 12 and three patients, respectively. Ribavirin was added to treatment for genotype 1a-infected patients. Hemoglobin levels were reduced in two of the three patients who received ribavirin. One patient had macular rash and another patient complained of fatigue. No serious side effects were observed. At the end of treatment, a low level of HCV RNA (63 IU/ml) was detected in only one patient. At the end of treatment, HCV RNA negativity was achieved in 12 out of 13 patients whose HCV RNA quantitation data were available. End-of-treatment success rate was 92%. SVR was achieved in all of the patients at three-months after treatment cessation (100% SVR12). Conclusion: This study shows that the 3D regimen is safe and effective in the treatment of hemodialysis patients infected with hepatitis C.

Pilomatrixoma is a rare, benign, calcified, adnexial soft tissue tumor of the eyelid which originates from the matrix of hair follicle. In this study, we aimed to present a pilomatrixoma case which presented as a benign mass at the lower part of the eyebrow. An 8-yearold child patient referred to our clinic with a painless mass at the right superior eyelid which had appeared 1,5 month before and seemed to be increasing in size for the last week. The ophthalmologic examination revealed a lobular, 0,7x1 cm sized, pink–violet, solid, swollen mass at the lower part of the right eyebrow. The position of globe was normal and the ocular motility was unrestricted. Orbital computed tomography (CT) revealed 7 mm sized, smooth, noninvasive, benign, homogeneous, well-contoured mass lesion. The lesion was totally excised with sharp dissection under general anesthesia. Benign pilomatrixoma (Malherbe tumor), which is frequently seen especially in the initial two decades, is to be kept in mind in the differential diagnosis of eyelid masses. We should follow up the patients for long term due to possible malignant transformation of pilomatrixoma.(Turk J Ophthalmol 2013; 43: 213-5)

Some of the sexually transmitted diseases' agents other than human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) take an active part in transmission of HIV infection. The objective of the study was to determine the prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae in 18 HIV positive men without urethritis symptoms and in 70 HIV negative men with urethritis symptoms as control group. The urine samples were screened for C. trachomatis and N. gonorrhoeae using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The prevalence of N. gonorrhoeae in HIV positive men without urethritis symptoms was significantly higher than that in HIV negative men with urethritis symptoms (p<0.05). HIV positive individuals should be considered as a high-risk group in respect to the other sexually transmitted diseases, thus necessitating screening for N. gonorrhoeae in order to break the infectious chain in these patients.