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Aim: Candida infections develop especially in intensive care unit (ICU) patients and increase the mortality rates. So, early and accurate diagnosis of Candida infections and determination of risk factors are very important. We aimed to retrospectively investigate Candida infections in terms of species and risk factors for candidemia caused by fungi. Methods: Candida infections in critically ill patients hospitalized in the ICU between January 2014 and December 2018 at Bolu Abant Izzet Baysal University Training and Research Hospital were retrospectively analyzed. The isolated Candida species were evaluated according to the sample types. The cases were investigated in terms of mortality due to candidiasis, previously used antibiotics and isolated Candida species. Results: 34 Candida species isolated from fungal cultures in ICUs were included in the study. Candida albicans (73.5%) was the most prevalent species isolated (NAC 26.5%). Patients with Candida isolated in their urine samples (76%) had a higher mortality rate than patients with Candida from other regions. Conclusion: The results of our study suggest that the highest rate of candidiasis (88%) is in patients who received beta-lactam antibiotic treatment. In addition, we think that when Candida species are detected in the urine samples of critically ill patients in the ICU, care should be taken in terms of candidiasis.

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE This study aimed to determine the rates of IgG and IgM antibodies against cytomegalovirus, rubella, and Toxoplasma gondii (all of which may cause congenital infections) in women of childbearing age who were admitted to Bolu Abant İzzet Baysal University Training and Research Hospital. METHODS Between January 2015 and December 2017, Toxoplasma gondii, rubella, and cytomegalovirus IgM and IgG antibody levels were studied using the ELISA method (Architect i2000SR, Abbott, Germany) in patients aged 15 to 45 who attended the obstetrics and gynecology outpatient clinics. Toxoplasma gondii and cytomegalovirus IgG avidity levels were analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS A total of 13.470 tests were conducted in the laboratory. Seropositivity percentages of IgM antibodies were found to be 1.3%, 0.5%, and 1.6% for Toxoplasma (n = 3607), rubella (n = 3931), and cytomegalovirus (n = 3795), respectively. The seropositivity percentages of IgG antibodies were 22%, 94.2%, and 98.2% for Toxoplasma (n = 702), rubella (n = 693), and cytomegalovirus (n = 679), respectively. Primary infection (acute, recently acquired) was found in 7 (35%) patients with low Toxoplasma IgG avidity. One (3%) patient with low cytomegalovirus IgG avidity had a primary infection. CONCLUSION Toxoplasma gondii seronegativity was found to be high in the region. Therefore, screening women of childbearing age may be important for the prevention of congenital infections caused by Toxoplasma gondii. RESUMO OBJETIVO O objetivo deste estudo foi determinar as taxas de anticorpos IgG e IgM contra citomegalovírus, rubéola e Toxoplasma gondii (todos os quais podem causar infecções congênitas) em mulheres em idade fértil que foram admitidas no Hospital de Pesquisa e Treinamento da Universidade Bolu Abant İzzet Baysal. MÉTODOS Entre janeiro de 2015 e dezembro de 2017, os níveis de anticorpos IgG e IgM para Toxoplasma gondii, rubéola e citomegalovírus foram estudados usando o método Elisa (Architect i2000SR, Abbott, Alemanha) em pacientes de 15 a 45 anos que compareceram a ambulatórios de obstetrícia e ginecologia. Os níveis de avidez de IgG para Toxoplasma gondii e citomegalovírus foram analisados retrospectivamente. RESULTADOS Um total de 13.470 testes foram realizados em laboratório. As porcentagens de soropositividade dos anticorpos IgM foram de 1,3%, 0,5% e 1,6% para Toxoplasma (n=3.607), rubéola (n=3.931) e citomegalovírus (n=3.795), respectivamente. As porcentagens de soropositividade dos anticorpos IgG foram 22%, 94,2% e 98,2% para Toxoplasma (n=702), rubéola (n=693) e citomegalovírus (n=679), respectivamente. Infecção primária (aguda, adquirida recentemente) foi encontrada em sete (35%) pacientes com baixa avidez para Toxoplasma IgG. Um (3%) paciente com baixa avidez para citomegalovírus IgG teve uma infecção primária. CONCLUSÃO A soronegatividade do Toxoplasma gondii foi alta na região. Portanto, testar mulheres em idade fértil pode ser importante para a prevenção de infecções congênitas causadas pelo Toxoplasma gondii.

Background Surgical smoke can be a hazard because e it contains toxic gases with carcinogenic effects that may threaten health. This study aims to determine the effect of surgical smoke containing toxic chemicals on indoor air quality and examine employees’ physical symptoms in the operating room. Method The study was conducted in the operating room between June 2020 and July 2020. In the study, 45 air samples were taken before, during, and after surgery using the active sampling method. Nineteen employees working in the operating room were asked about their physical complaints and their throat cultures were taken before and after surgery. These results were compared with those of the employees working in internal units. Results The Total Volatile Organic Compounds value at the time of surgery was significantly higher ( p ≤ 0.05). Benzene concentrations remained constantly high ( p ≤ 0.05) throughout the surgery, exceeding the limit values. Other VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) were significantly higher during surgery and remained below the limit values ( p ≤ 0.05). When compared in terms of open and laparoscopic surgery, no difference between VOC concentrations was observed ( p ≤ 0.05). The physical symptoms of the surgical team increased during the operation, and they experienced more complaints of tearing, burning in the eyes, hair odor, nausea, and cough than those working in the internal units (e.g., internal medicine, dermatology; ( p ≤ 0.05). Conclusions Surgical smoke was an important contaminant for indoor air quality in the operating room.

Aim: To determine the resistance profile of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC) strains to first-line antituberculous drugs. Methods: A total of 138 patients with MTBC growth from 2008-2018 were evaluated retrospectively. The Ehrlich-Ziehl-Neelsen (EZN) staining method was used for direct smear preparations, the BACTEC MGIT 460 TB system the Lowenstein-Jensen medium for culture planting and the BACTEC NAP test for the diagnosis of MTBC. Susceptibility tests were performed using the BACTEC MGIT 460 TB system with the streptomycin, isoniazid, rifampicin and ethambutol (SIRE) kit in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations. Results: Of the total 138 tuberculosis (TB) cases, 44 (31.9%) were female and 94 (68.1%) were male. MTBC was most frequently isolated from pulmonary specimens (90.6%). Acid-resistant bacilli (ARB) positivity was detected in 88 (63.8%) samples by EZN staining for culture-positive samples. In our study, without considering single or multiple drug resistance (MDR), total resistance rates in MTBC strains were determined for, isoniazid (INH), rifampicin (RIF), ethambutol (EMB), and streptomycin (SM); 10.1%, 4.3%, 2.9%, and 12.3% respectively. While the susceptibility to all drugs was 82.6%, multiple drug–resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) was 2.9%. Conclusion: These results are important since they are the first data reported from our province regarding the determination of the resistance profile to anti-TB drugs. Resistance rates in our study were very close to the 2016 data average of the Ministry of Health of Turkey. Determination of TB resistance profiles, as well as proper and regular treatment, will contribute to the control of MDR-TB.

Background Anti-HCV antibody level screening is used in the diagnosis of HCV. However, a positive (S/Co > 1) result in the anti-HCV test does not always reflect true positivity. Antibody level results of S/Co ratio > 1 have to be validated through HCV RNA. In this study, we aimed to compare the signal-to-cutoff ratios of patients with positive (> 1) HCV antibody levels with the results of HCV RNA by PCR. Methods In total, 17,021 samples were tested for anti HCV between January 2017 and December 2019. HCV antibody (anti HCV) was performed with a fully automated chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay (CMIA, Abbot®, Architect System). Real Time PCR test (Anatolia Geneworks HCV, Turkey) was used as nucleic acid amplification method. Results Of the 17,021 patients, 16,706 (98.15%) tested negative and 315 (1.85%) tested positive in the anti-HCV assay. An additional HCV RNA test was requested for these 315 patients with positive anti-HCV assay results (S/Co ≥ 1) of which 23.81% (75/315) were positive for HCV RNA in serum, with a median (IQR): 5.43 log10 IU/mL (4.75 - 6.01 log10 IU/mL). Patients who tested positive for HCV RNA had significantly higher S/Co values compared to patients who tested negative (median (IQR): 13.38 (12.30 - 14.57) vs. 1.79 (1.34 - 1.79), p Conclusions When S/Co ratios of patients who tested anti-HCV positive and HCV RNA positive were evaluated, it was assumed that high S/Co values were more relevant to true positivity. It was also concluded that low S/Co ratios needed to be verified through PCR.

Background Benign prostatic hyperplasia is an important risk factor for urinary tract infections. In this study, the causative agents of urinary tract infections were isolated from urine samples of benign prostatic hyperplasia patients aged 65 and older. Bacteremia risk and the patterns of antibiotic resistance were investigated to guide clinicians in empirical antibiotic treatment. Methods Between 2015 and 2019, cultures of bacteria and yeast were made from urine samples from 655 patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia. The patients were divided into three groups based on age: 65 - 74, 75 - 84, and ≥ 85. The identification and antibiotic susceptibility tests of microorganisms were performed using the BD Phoenix (Becton Dickinson, USA) and the VITEK®2 Compact (bioMerieux, France) automated systems, as well as traditional methods. Results Microbial growth was detected in 24% of the patients. No significant differences were found concerning age (p = 0.15). The most commonly isolated microorganism was Escherichia coli (47.8%), followed by Klebsiella pneumoniae (22%), Enterococcus faecalis (8.8%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (5.7%), and Candida albicans (4.4%). Escherichia coli showed no resistance to carbapenems. On the other hand, resistance values of 1% for amikacin, 5% for fosfomycin, 11% for nitrofurantoin, 13% for piperacillin/tazobactam, and 24% for gentamicin were detected. Resistance value for trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, ciprofloxacin, ceftazidime, ceftriaxone, cefixime, cefuroxime, and ampicillin were more than 50%. Also, bacterial growth occurred in 9% of blood culture samples made simultaneously with urine culture from 55 patients. Conclusions High resistance rates to some antibiotics frequently used in empirical antibiotic treatment of urinary tract infections have reached alarming levels in elderly male patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia. Therefore, identifying resistance patterns is important to contribute to rational antibiotic use policies. In addition, the risk of Candida-related urinary tract infections and bacteremia should be considered in these patients.

We aimed to evaluate the epidemiological data of malaria cases by using the data of Gaziantep Public Health Directorate between January 2005 and December 2015.Blood samples were taken from suspicious cases and temporary agricultural workers living in the Fırat Watershed and in areas in where malaria was seen before and in the tent cities of Islahiye, Nizip and Karkamış by request of the ministry. The cases were evaluated in terms of age, gender, detected malaria species, months when malaria was detected, and whether they were imported cases.Thirty-one malaria cases were detected in blood samples taken from 184.305 patients. The malaria positivity rate was determined as 0.017%. Five of the patients (16.3%) were indigenous; 2 (6.5%) were cases with relapse and 24 cases (77.2%) were imported.In our study, we last saw a new indigenous case in 2005. In the following years , cases with relapses and cases originating from abroad were seen, which was linked to the ease of transportation and the increase in touristic and commercial relations. Although lack of malaria in the samples taken from people living in tent cities in our region is favorable, necessary measures should be taken against new epidemics.Ocak 2005-Aralık 2015 yılları arasında Gaziantep Halk Sağlığı Müdürlüğü'nden alınan veriler kullanılarak sıtmalı hastaların epidemiyolojik verilerinin değerlendirilmesi amaçlandı.Kan örnekleri daha önce sıtma görülmüş bölgelerde ve Fırat Havzası’nda yaşayan şüpheli olgulardan ve geçici tarım işçilerinden; bakanlığın isteği ile de Islahiye, Nizip ve Karkamış’taki çadır kentlerde yaşayanlardan alındı. Olgular yaş ve cinsiyet özelliklerinin yanı sıra importe olgu olup olmadıklarına, saptanan parazit türüne ve aylara göre değerlendirildi.Toplam 184,305 kişiden kan örneği alındı, 31 sıtma olgusu saptandı ve pozitiflik oranının %0,017 olduğu belirlendi. Hastaların 5’i (%16,3) yerli olgu iken, 2’si (%6,5) nüks ve 24’ü (%77,2) importe olgu olarak tespit edildi.İlimizde yapılan çalışmada en son 2005 yılında yerli yeni olgu görüldü. Bundan sonraki yıllarda nüksler ve yurtdışı kaynaklı olgular görülmüş olup bu durum; ulaşımın kolaylaşması ile turistik ve ticari ilişkilerin artmasına bağlandı. Bölgemizde bulunan çadır kentlerde yaşayan kişilerden alınan örneklerde pozitifliğe rastlanmaması olumlu olmakla birlikte yeni oluşabilecek epidemilere karşı da tedbirli olunması ve gerekli önlemlerin alınması gerektiği kanaatindeyiz.

Introduction. Tubo-ovarian abscess (TOA) is a conglomerated mass of pelvic organs including tube, ovary, and bowel. The most commonly isolated organisms from TOAs are Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Bacteroides species. Case Report. We reported a case of Clostridium septicum (C. septicum) infection from a ruptured TOA with atypical clinical features. Culture of intra-abdominal free fluid obtained during surgery yielded C. septicum. VITEK II (bioM?rieux, France) automated system was used for advanced identification of the bacteria. Parenteral clindamycin in combination with an aminoglycoside was used. The patient was discharged 19 days after the surgery and was clinically asymptomatic 6 months after the surgery. Conclusion. The differential diagnosis of TOA caused by C. septicum can be difficult, due to the lack of the symptoms. Tissues infected with C. septicum can become necrotic. A combination of early, adequate antibiotic therapy and surgery is the key point of the treatment.

OBJECTIVE In this study, the prevalence of intestinal parasites and its relationship with some hygiene habits and socio-demographic characteristics of students in Yigilca were investigated. METHODS This study was conducted in three parts. Firstly, the prevalence of parasitic diseases was measured, and questionnaires about the level of knowledge of hygiene were administered. Secondly, control and intervention groups were determined. Lastly, some education and training courses were organized and provided to the intervention group, including parents and children, about the prevention of parasitic diseases and habits of cleaning. RESULTS In this study, 540 cellophane tapes and 523 stool samples were studied. Among the samples analyzed, 87 (16.1%) with Enterobius vermicularis, 79 (15.1%) with Giardia intestinalis, 73 (13.9%) with various non-pathogenic parasites, 1 (0.19%) with Ascaris lumbricoides, and 1 (0.19%) with Hymenolepis nana were found. G. intestinalis was highly positive among the children who do not wash their hands after defecation. Also, some intestinal parasites were found to be related to the socio-demographic characteristics of families; parental education, family income, and father's profession were found to be associated with the presence of intestinal parasites. After training, the intervention group showed a significant decrease in the number of giardiasis and enterobiasis cases. CONCLUSION Education on hygiene will prevent parasitic diseases from an early age.

INTRODUCTION: Between January 2010 and December 2015, fecal samples of the patients who applied to the Parasitology Laboratory of our hospital were examined. The aim of this study was to investigate the sociodemographic characteristics of positive cases.METHODS: The results of 25.470 stools and 156 cellophane samples were investigated retrospectively. The stool samples were first examined macroscopically and then they were examined by direct treatment native-lugol and saline flotation methods. In cases containing Entamoeba histolytica or suspected protozoan, trichrome staining was fainted.RESULTS: 3.837 5.04% of the cases had B.hominis, 676 2.65% had G.intestinalis and 456 1.79% had E.histolytica / dispar. We found positive in 127 patients 0.5% has been found more than one parasite, most commonly from 20 patients 0.08% E.histolytica/dispar- B.hominis association was determined. E.vermicularis eggs were detected in 32 20% of 156 cellophane samples.DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: The prevalence of intestinal parasites was determined as 15.06% in the cases where adults were mostly formed in the six-year period and showed that intestinal parasites are still a health problem in our region., GİRİŞ ve AMAÇ: Ocak 2010 – Aralık 2015 tarihleri arasında hastanemiz Parazitoloji Laboratuvarı’na başvuran hastaların dışkı örnekleri incelenmiştir. Pozitif tespit edilen olguların sosyodemografik özelliklerinin araştırılması amaçlanmıştır.YÖNTEM ve GEREÇLER: 25.470 dışkı ve 156 selofanbant örneğinin sonuçları retrospektif olarak araştırılmıştır. Dışkı örnekleri önce makroskobik olarak sonrasında direkt bakı nativ-lugol ve tuzlu su yüzdürme yöntemleriyle incelenmiştir. Entamoeba histolytica veya şüpheli protozoon içeren örneklerde ise trikrom boyama yapılmıştır.BULGULAR: 3.837 pozitif saptanan olgunun 1.284’ünde %5.04 B. hominis, 676’sında %2.65 G. intestinalis, 456’sında %1.79 E. histolytica/dispar olduğu tespit edilmiştir. Pozitif saptadığımız hastaların 127’sinde %0.5 birden fazla parazit bir arada görülmüş olup, en sık 20 olguda %0.08 E. histolytica/dispar- B. hominis birlikteliği saptanmıştır. 156 selofanbant örneğinin 32’sinde %20 E. vermicularis yumurtaları tespit edilmiştir.TARTIŞMA ve SONUÇ: Altı yıllık süreçte çoğunluğunu yetişkinlerin oluşturduğu olgularımızda bağırsak parazit prevelansı %15.06 olarak tespit edilerek bağırsak parazitlerinin halen bölgemizde mücadele edilmesi gereken bir sağlık sorunu olduğunu göstermiştir.