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Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate the prevalence and seasonal distribution of rotavirus and enteric adenovirus in patients with acute gastroenteritis. Methods: The results of 2960 patients admitted to Ankara Training and Research Hospital with gastroenteritis between March 2018 and August 2019 were investigated retrospectively. A chromatographic immunoassay (Rotavirus and Adenovirus Combo Rapid Test, General Diagnostica Inc., Rancho Cucamonga, CA, USA), detecting both viruses simultaneously, was used according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Results: Of the 2960 patients, 1286 (43.4%) were female, 1674 (56.6%) were male, and 2873 (97.7%) and 87 (2.3%) were under 18 years old and 18 years and older, respectively. The number of Turkish and refugee patients was 2590 (87.5%) and 370 (12.5%), respectively. Viral antigens of 281/2960 (9.5%) were positive for rotavirus, and 54/2960 (1.8%) were positive for adenovirus. Of the Turkish patients, 243/2590 (9.4%) were rotavirus positive, and 51/2590 (1.9%) were adenovirus positive. Among the refugee patients, 38/370 (10.3%) were rotavirus positive, and 3/370 (0.8%) were adenovirus positive. The highest prevalence of rotavirus and adenovirus, according to age groups, was determined at 12-36 months of age (25.3%) and 49-59 months of age (3.2%), respectively. The highest prevalence of rotavirus and adenovirus positivity was in spring (17.8%) and in autumn (2.9%), respectively. Conclusion: Rotavirus is the most common cause of gastroenteritis during infancy and childhood. Additionally, enteric adenovirus is an important cause of gastroenteritis during this period. Since these viral infections may have serious complications, rapid diagnosis is important, and detection of both viruses among various populations may be useful for epidemiological purposes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Herpesviruses are etiology of various neurological disorders causing morbidity and also mortality in both immunocompetent and immunocompromized children and adults. Viruses play an important role in etiology of encephalitis but their role is still unclear in neurologic diseases such as multiple sclerosis or Guillain-Barre syndrome. Studies revealed that only in few cases, viruses were isolated. But viruses are thought to have a role in triggering the diseases process or progression of the diseases in pathogenesis of neurological disorders, especially in multiple sclerosis. The aim of this study was detection of HSV-1 DNA by Real Time PCR in patients applying to our hospital with neurological symptoms and review of clinical picture in positive patients. Methods: Totally 150 patients whose samples sent to Molecular Microbiology Laboratory between 1 April 2014-31 January 2016 were included in this study. DNAs were extracted by spin-column method (High Pure Viral Nucleic Acid Kit, Roche, Germany). Amplification was done by Real time PCR method (LightCycler®HSV1/2 QualKit, Roche, Germany) in LightCycler 2.0 (Roche, Germany) device and the results were evaluated qualitatively. HSV-1 IgM and HSV-1 IgG antibody titres of the patients were studied by ELISA (DIA. PRO, Milan, Italy). Results: Totally 164 samples were composed of 82.9% (136/164) CSF and 17.1% (28/164) blood. HSV-1 DNA was found positive for 4.8% (8/164) of samples while all samples were negative for HSV-2 DNA. HSV-1 IgM was positive for 6.2% (2/32) and HSV-1 IgG was positive for 57.9% (11/19) of patients. There was no statistically significant difference between HSV-1 DNA positivity in blood and CSF samples of patients and their ages and gender. Three (50%) of positive patients were associated with Herpes simplex encephalitis, the other positive patients had multiple sclerosis, Wilson disease and Guillain Barre syndromes. Conclusion: Real time PCR is a reliable and sensitive method for giving results in short time to patients with neurological symptoms and detecting low positive results. Thus early treatment prevents sequels. There are studies demonstrating the relation of HSV-1 with neurological disorders especially multiple sclerosis and Guillain Barre syndrome. Therefore, we consider that testing HSV-1 can be sensible for the patients with variable neurological disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/aims: To evaluate the HCV RNA genotyping and HDV RNA tests that are performed in molecular microbiology laboratories in Turkey as part of a national external quality assessment programme, MOTAKK (Moleküler Tanıda Kalite Kontrol) (English translation: Quality control in molecular diagnostics)., Materials and Methods: Plasmas having different HCV RNA genotypes were used to prepare HCV genotype control sera. The HDV RNA main stock was prepared from patients with chronic delta hepatitis who had a significant amount of viral load detected, as per the WHO reference materials on viral load studies that were compiled for the purpose of developing HDV RNA control sera. Samples with different viral loads were prepared from this main stock by dilution. The prepared controls were delivered to the registered laboratories. The laboratories carried out the relevant tests and entered their results via the MOTAKK web page. External quality assessment (EQA) reports of the participants were uploaded to the website as well., Results: In total, there were 23 participating laboratories, out of which 20 exclusively performed HCV genotyping, and 15 and 16 only performed HDV RNA in 2015 and 2016, respectively. The success rate of the results of the HCV genotype was 56-96% in 2015 and 30-95% in 2016. The tube with a 30% success rate had a recombinant type of HCV, therefore, it could not be detected in most of the laboratories. The HDV RNA results were evaluated qualitatively. Accordingly, HDV RNA detection rates of participant laboratories were 71-100% in 2015 and 50-100% in 2016., Conclusion: This study was the first national external quality control program in Turkey regarding HCV RNA genotyping and HDV RNA in the field of molecular microbiology, and it was implemented successfully.

MOTAKK, as a national external quality control program has been launched to evaluate the molecular detection of viral infections including HBV DNA and HCV RNA in molecular microbiology diagnostic laboratories in Turkey. This program is prepared in compliance with ISO 17043:2010 (Conformity assessment general requirements for proficiency testing) standards, and aims to take the place of external quality control programs from abroad, contributing to standardization and accuracy of molecular diagnostic tests in our country. The aim of this study was to evaluate 2015 and 2016 results of the MOTAKK External Quality Control Program for HBV DNA and HCV RNA viral load . The calls were announced on the web page of MOTAKK (www.motakk.org). The quality control samples were sent to participating laboratories in 2015 and 2016. Main stocks were prepared from patients with chronic hepatitis B and C who had viral load detection with reference methods according to WHO reference materials for viral load studies to improve quality control sera. From these main stocks, samples with different viral loads were prepared from dilutions of plasma with HBV, HCV, HAV, HIV, Parvovirus B19 and CMV negative serologic markers. Quality control samples were sent to the participating laboratories along with the negative samples in the cold chain. The laboratories accomplished the related tests within 2-3 weeks and entered their results on the MOTAKK web page. These results were analysed according to ISO 13528 (Statistical methods for use in proficiency testing by interlaboratory comparison) and scoring reports were created by a software developed by MOTAKK and sent to participating labs. Each laboratory evaluated their own results in comparison with the other laboratory results, reassessed the tests via observing the distance from the mean result and the reference values. The number of laboratories participating in the HBV DNA and HCV RNA external quality control program was 70-73 in 2015-2016. Participants were able to comply with the program tools, registering, entering results and receiving the results reports without problem. In HBV panel, 72.6-89.1% and 84.7-90.3% of the participant laboratories were in 1 standard deviation (SD) in 2015-2016, respectively. In HCV panel, 70.8-89.1% and 84.7-90.3% of the participant laboratories were in 1 SD in 2015-2016, respectively. A national external quality control program for HBV DNA and HCV RNA in Turkey has been prepared for the first time with this project and implemented successfully. All the data provided in the MOTAKK external quality control program final report, compensate all the data provided by the quality control program final reports from abroad; additionally, the report allows comparison of used technologies and commercial products.