Search

Children with cancer can have a severe disease when infected with respiratory viruses. In this study, we aimed to understand the clinical course and outcomes of SARS-CoV-2 infection in children with cancer. Data evaluated about laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infections in sixty-three children (

COVID-19 has been associated with central nervous system manifestations; however, cerebral venous thrombosis is rarely reported. A 34-year-old woman was admitted to the hospital with headache and recurrent seizures; she was recently discharged after COVID-19 pneumonia. Cranial magnetic resonance imaging and magnetic resonance venography showed cortical vein thrombosis in the right frontal lobe. SARS-CoV-2 RNA was detected in cerebrospinal fluid analysis. The patient was anticoagulated and put on antiepileptics. The most probable mechanism underlying the venous thrombosis is COVID-19-associated hypercoagulability. However, the relation between the viral RNA in cerebrospinal fluid analysis and the thrombosis is controversial.

Background: The outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) created unexpected impacts worldwide. Objectives: This study aimed to examine the association of SARS-CoV-2 viral load in pregnant women with maternal disease severity and neonatal outcomes. Methods: In this retrospective cohort study, 55 pregnant women infected with SARS-CoV-2 and their newborn infants were included. The association between maternal viral load (tested by cycle threshold) and maternal disease severity/neonatal outcomes was examined. Results: Infants had a median gestational age of 38 (29 - 41) weeks and birth weight of 3200 (630 - 4570) grams. The median Ct value of pregnant women was 30 (20 - 37). No significant difference was detected among mild, moderate or severely ill pregnant women in terms of median Ct values (30, 28.5, and 30, respectively; P > 0.05). The median Ct value of pregnant women who gave preterm delivery was similar to those who had term delivery [30 (21 - 36) vs. 30 (25 - 35); P > 0.05]. The median Ct values were similar among pregnant women who died or survived [32.5 (30 - 34) vs. 30 (21 - 36); P > 0.05]. Preterm delivery rates and overall mortality were not associated with SARS-CoV-2 RT-qPCR Ct values, (r = 0.04, P > 0.05). No correlation was found between maternal SARS-CoV-2 viral load and maternal disease severity/neonatal outcomes. Conclusions: To the best of our knowledge, this study was the first one examining the association between maternal SARS-CoV-2 viral load and maternal/neonatal outcomes. It was suggested that viral load may not have been used for predicting the severity of maternal disease and maternal/neonatal outcomes.

This study aimed to investigate epidemiological, clinical, and laboratory features of children with COVID-19 to identify predictors for pulmonary involvement. We conducted a retrospective, single-center study of pediatric COVID-19 at a tertiary care hospital in Turkey between December 2020 and June 2021. A total of 126 children (70 males, 55.6%) were examined during the study period. Their mean age was 74.73 ± 81.11 months (range, 1–216 months). The most frequent COVID-19 symptoms were fever (65.9%), cough (52.4%), and shortness of breath (18.3%). Ten patients required noninvasive mechanical ventilation. Sixty-nine patients (54.8%) had pneumonia. Longer duration of fever and the presence of cough were significantly associated with pulmonary involvement. In children with pneumonia, the C-reactive protein (CRP), procalcitonin levels, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and viral load were significantly higher and lymphocyte and thrombocyte counts were significantly lower than in children without pneumonia. The cutoff viral load, CRP, and procalcitonin values for predicting pulmonary involvement were 26.5 cycle threshold (Ct; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.54–0.74; sensitivity, 0.65; specificity, 0.56; area under curve [AUC]: 0.647, p = 0.005), 7.85 mg/L (95% CI, 0.56–0.75; sensitivity, 0.66; specificity, 0.64; AUC = 0.656; p = 0.003) and 0.105 ng/mL (95% CI, 0.52–0.72; sensitivity, 0.55; specificity, 0.58; AUC = 0.626; p = 0.02), respectively. High CRP, procalcitonin levels, ESR, and viral load and low lymphocyte and thrombocyte counts can predict pulmonary involvement in children with COVID-19, so better management may be provided for good prognosis.

Background: The most common sexually transmitted infection in the world is human papillomavirus (HPV). HPV types 16 and 18 are responsible for 60–80% of cervical cancers and precancerous cervical lesions worldwide. Aim: In this study, it was aimed to evaluate the correlation of HPV genotype distribution with cervical cytology results in cervical smear samples and to contribute to HPV epidemiology. Materials and Methods: This study included 72 female patients. For detection of the HPV genotypes, a multiplex real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method that could detect more than 25 different HPV types was used. The cervical cytology and histopathology results of the patients were also evaluated simultaneously. Results: The frequency of high-risk HPV was 35% (25/72). The most common types were HPV51 (10%), HPV16 (8%), and HPV66 (8%), respectively. The most common type HPV51 and multiple HPV types were seen in 21–34 age groups. HPV DNA was detected in 21 of 43 samples that had cervical smear diagnosis grouping. Twelve samples (26%) had normal cytology. Low grade squamous intraepithelial lesions were the most common cytological diagnosis in HPV DNA positive samples. The most common HPV types in the patients diagnosed low grade squamous intraepithelial lesions and high grade squamous intraepithelial lesions were HPV16 and HPV52. Conclusions: In this study, the frequency of high-risk HPV genotypes was 35% as similar to reports of the other studies conducted in our country. The most common types were HPV51, HPV16, and HPV66, respectively. The follow-up of patients with HPV51 infection in our area could help to improve the natural course of the disease and effective prevention programs.

Introduction: Human bocavirus (HBoV) is a linear single-stranded DNA virus belonging to the Parvoviridae family. This study aimed to investigate the incidence of HBoV and co-infections in pediatric patients with symptoms of viral respiratory tract infection. Methodology: This study included 2,310 patients between the ages of 0-18 in whom HBoV and other respiratory tract viral pathogens were analyzed in nasopharyngeal swab specimens. Results: In the pediatric age group, HBoV was found in 4.5% (105/2310) of the patients and higher in children between the ages of 1 and 5. Mixed infection was detected in 43.8% (46/105) of HBoV positive patients (p = 0.10). Mono and mixed infection rates were higher in outpatients than in inpatients (p < 0.05). Respiratory syncytial virus was significantly higher than the other respiratory viral pathogens (p < 0.001). Conclusions: This study is important as it is one of the rare studies performed on the incidence of HBoV in the Marmara region. In pediatric age group, the incidence of HBoV was found 4.5%. The incidence rate of HBoV in this study was similar to those in studies around the world, but close to low rates. The incidence of HBoV was found higher especially among children between the ages of 1-5 in this study. In addition to the incidence of HBoV, accompanying co-infections in the pediatric age group were also investigated in this study. Since concurrence of RSV, HRV and hMPV with HBoV was the most common it must be considered that there may be more than one agents in patients with symptoms of respiratory tract infection.

Newborn cases commonly have milder COVID-19 disease. However, this is not enough to define knowledge about clinical manifestation and prognosis of this disease in newborns. A 17-day-old male neonate was admitted to the emergency room with fever and refusal to breastfeed at March 12, 2020. His pharyngeal swab testing was positive with real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR) assay for SARS-CoV-2. Except his father, all his close contacts were asymptomatic and screened for SARS-CoV-2 and all his close contacts have revealed as positive. During this very contagious outbreak, the COVID-19 disease should be considered in newborns with fever or refusal of feeding.

Background: Latent Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infections may be reactive in consequence of immunosuppression. Recently, CMV-associated uveitis cases have also been reported in immunocompetent individuals. Aim: The aim of this study was to obtain epidemiological data by evaluating CMV DNA PCR results, clinical characteristics and risk factors of patients diagnosed with viral uveitis. Methods: Between the years 2011-2017, anterior chamber fluid samples of 35 patients with viral uveitis sent from the ophthalmology clinic to the Virology Laboratory were included in this study. CMV DNA real-time PCR results were evaluated. Results: CMV DNA positivity was detected in 9 (26%) of the 35 patients. CMV DNA positivity was highest (13%) in over 60 years (p=0.02). Acute recurrent uveitis in 44% (4/9) of patients, single eye involvement in 78% (7/9) and anterior uveitis in 44% (4/9) were found. Conclusion: In this study, CMV DNA positivity was detected in 26% of the patients with viral uveitis. Considering the presentations of a small number of cases related to CMV uveitis in our country, this study is important due to being the most comprehensive study in our country.

Purpose: The hepatitis C virus (HCV) has seven main genotypes and multiple subtypes. The distribution of HCV genotypes varies across geographical regions worldwide. Updated estimates of HCV genotype distributions have a critical importance for developing strategies to manage or eliminate HCV infection. The aim of this study was to determine the distribution of HCV genotypes in patients with HCV admitted to a university hospital in Istanbul, Turkey. Materials and Methods: A total of 412 HCV RNA positive patients with 46.6% of males and 53.4% of females between January 2013 and September 2016 were included in the study. Genotyping of HCV of the study population was performed by a commercial reverse hybridisation line probe-based assay. Results: Genotype 1 (82.5%) was dominant genotype, followed by genotype 3 (10.7%), genotype 2 (4.6%) and genotype 4 (2.2%). Among patients with genotype 1, subtype 1a, 1b and undetermined subtype were 6.3%, 38.8% and 37.4%, respectively. It was observed that genotype proportion was dependent on gender and age of the patients. Genotype 1 and genotype 2 were more prevalent in females, whereas genotypes 3 and 4 were more prevalent in males. Genotype 1 in the older patients and genotype 3 in the younger patients were more prevalent. Conclusion: The majority of patients with HCV infection had genotype 1 (82.5%), followed by genotype 3, 2 and 4. Monitoring the change in HCV genotype distribution is critical for the development of effective strategies for HCV elimination.

Objective: There are very few data about the epidemiology of hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV) and HIV infections in drug addicts in Turkey, whereas several countries have a developed surveillance systems to monitor the spread of HBV, HCV and HIV infections in drug users. In this study, HBV, HCV and HIV prevalence in cannabis and opioid addicts were investigated.Materials and Methods: Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), anti-HBs, anti-HCV and anti-HIV tests were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The cannabis and opioid metabolites in urine samples of drug addicts were analyzed by cloned enzyme donor immunoassay.Results: This retrospective study was conducted on 276 individuals with a mean age of 28.89±10.49 years. HBsAg, anti-HBs and anti-HCV prevalence in drug addicts was found to be 4%, 52.3% and 7.9%, respectively. In all the drug addicts, anti-HIV test was negative. Whereas the rate of HBsAg among cannabis users (8.8%) was higher than opioid (4.1%) and both cannabis and opioid users (1.4%), the difference was not statistically significant. Although anti-HCV positivity among cannabis users was not detected, 6.4% of opioid users and 15.9% of both cannabis and opioid users were anti-HCV positive (p=0.009).Conclusion: This study showed that HCV infection among especially opioid users and both cannabis and opioid users was a problem. Understanding of local status in HBV, HCV and HIV infections is crucial for developing prevention and geographical strategies for these infections.

Amaç: Respiratuvar sinsityal virus (RSV), yaşamın ilk yıllarında solunum yolu enfeksiyonlarının (SYE) en sık etkenidir. Bu çalışmada SYE olan çocuklarda RSV A/B’nin multipleks polimeraz zincir reaksiyonu (PCR) ile araştırılması, yaş grupları arasında RSV dağılımı, eşlik eden koenfeksiyonlar ve mevsimsel dağılım özelliklerini değerlendirmeyi amaçladık.Yöntemler: Bu çalışma çapraz kesitsel olarak planlanmıştır. Çalışmaya Nisan 2015 – Mart 2018 tarihleri arasında, 0-18 yaş arasında SYE ön tanısı ile gönderilen nazofaringeal sürüntü örnekleri dahil edildi. Örneklerden nükleik asit ekstraksiyon işlemi, EZ1 Virus Mini Kit V 2.0 (Qiagen, Almanya) ile EZ1 Advanced XL (Qiagen, Almanya) cihazında yapıldı. RSV A/B ve solunum paneline ait diğer viruslar, FTD Respiratory pathogens 21 (Fast-Track Diagnostics, Luxembourg) kiti kullanılarak multipleks real-time PCR yöntemi ile araştırıldı.Bulgular: Yaş aralığı 0-18 olan 2707 hastanın medyan yaşı 1 idi ve %57,4’ü (1554) erkekti. RSV pozitifliği %14,4’ünde (390) tespit edildi. Kız ve erkeklerde RSV sıklığı sırasıyla %13,6 ve %15,5 idi (P=0,16). En yüksek RSV oranı, Aim: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the most common agent of respiratory tract infections (RTIs) in the early stages of life. This study aimed to investigate RSV A/B in children with RTIs by multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and evaluate the distribution of RSV among age groups, concurrent co-infections, and features of its seasonal distribution. Methods: Zero to eighteen-year-old patients whose nasopharyngeal swab samples were analyzed with the pre-diagnosis of RTI between April 2015 - March 2018 were included in this cross-sectional study. RSV A/B and other viruses of the respiratory panel were investigated with the multiplex real-time PCR method. Results: Median age of 2707 patients was 1 (age range: 0-18) and 57.4% (1554) of them were male. RSV positivity was found in 14.4% (390). Prevalence of RSV in females and males were 13.6% and 15.5% respectively (P=0.16). The highest RSV rate was 18.1% in those younger than one year. Mixed infection factors were found in 5.4%, the most common ones being RSV and human rhinovirus (1.8%). RSV was mostly seen in December, followed by January and February (P

Background: Hepatic cirrhosis develops within 20-30 years in approximately 20% of individuals chronically infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV). Aims and Objective: This study aimed to determine the distribution of HCV genotypes in patients with HCV-associated HCC in our region and thus to contribute to the epidemiology of HCV. Materials and Methods: HCC patients referred to the virology laboratory for HCV genotype identification between January 2013 and April 2018 were included in this study. Genotyping of HCV was performed by a commercial reverse hybridization line probe-based assay. Results: Seventeen patients who were diagnosed with HCC and whose HCV genotypes were analyzed were included in this study. Genotype 1 was detected in all 17 patients with HCC. When evaluating subtypes of genotype 1, genotype 1b was detected in 16 (94%) of the patients. The HCV subtyping in one patient (6%) could not be performed. Conclusion: As a result, genotype 1b, one of the major risk factors for HCC, was detected in 94% of the patients included in this study. This study, consistent with the literature, shows a high association between the development of HCC and genotype 1b in patients with chronic HCV.

OZ Objective: Several studies have demonstrated that psychiatric patients are at increased risk for hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections compared the general population. The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of HBV, HCV and HIV infections among patients with schizophrenia in Elazig Mental Health Hospital in Turkey. Materials and Methods: Screening tests for HBV, HCV and HIV have been routinely performed in patients with schizophrenia. Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), anti-hepatitis B surface (anti-HBs), anti-HCV and anti-HIV tests were performed by the ELISA technique. Results: Four hundred and eighty-nine patients with schizophrenia in the mental health hospital were screened for HBsAg, anti-HBs, anti-HCV and anti-HIV. The study population was consisted of 409 male and 80 female patients. Overall seroprevalence was detected as 6.5% for HBsAg, 41.5% for anti-HBs and 0.2% for anti-HCV. All patients were found to be anti-HIV-negative. Conclusion: This study showed that the frequency of HBV, HCV and HIV infections among patients with schizophrenia was no higher than in the general population. Screening for blood-borne pathogens at the time of admission to the hospital is an important strategy to identify infected residents. Furthermore, hepatitis

Mutations occurring in viral polymerase gene of hepatitis B virus (HBV) due to the use of nucleos(t)id analogs reduce the activity of the drugs by causing antiviral resistance. In this study, it was aimed to evaluate mutations responsible for drug resistance and drug resistance mutation rates in patients followed up by the diagnosis of chronic hepatitis B (CHB). A total of 318 CHB patients were included in the study. HBV mutations were detected using the INNO-LiPA commercial kit based on the reverse hybridization principle. Drug resistance mutation was detected in 46.86% (149/318) of the patients. The rates of drug resistance were found 36.79% (117/318) for lamivudine resistance, 12.58% (40/318) for entecavir (ETV), and 7.86% (25/318) for adefovir. In 10 patients, the possible tenofovir (TDF) resistance (3.14%) was found. Single-drug and double-drug resistances were detected in 34.59% and in 11.01% of the patients, respectively. Triple drug resistance was detected in only 1.26% of the patients. Unlike various studies in Turkey and in other countries, remarkable resistance to ETV and TDF were found in this study. The high rate of the probable TDF resistance was striking, with 3.14%.

Akademisyen Yayinevi yoneticileri, yaklasik 30 yillik yayin tecrubesini, kendi tuzel kisiliklerine aktararak uzun zamandan beri, ticari faaliyetlerini surdurmektedir. Anilan sure icinde, basta saglik ve sosyal bilimler, kulturel ve sanatsal konular dahil 750 kitabi yayimlamanin gururu icindedir. Uluslararasi yayinevi olmanin alt yapisini tanimlayan Akademisyen, Turkce ve yabanci dillerde yayin yapmanin yaninda, kuresel bir marka yaratmanin pesindedir.Bilimsel ve dusunsel calismalarin kalici belgeleri sayilan kitaplar, bilgi kayit ortami olarak yuzlerce yilin taniklaridir. Matbaanin icadiyla varolusunu saglam temellere oturtan kitabin gelecegi, her ne kadar yeni buluslarin yorungesine tasinmis olsa da, daha uzun sure hayatimizda yer edinecegi muhakkaktir.

Background A large number of studies have hypothesized that Toxoplasma gondii is a potentially relevant etiological factor in some cases of schizophrenia. By contrast, some studies have disproved this association. The aim of this study was to investigate whether latent toxoplasmosis has any role in schizophrenia disease. Additionally, the association between T . gondii and subtypes of schizophrenia, and the impacts of toxoplasmosis on psychopathology were examined in the study. Methods A total of 85 patients with schizophrenia and 60 healthy volunteers were included in this prospective study. Immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibody to T . gondii was examined by enzyme-linked immune-sorbent assay method. Results Seropositivity rates were 43.5% for the patients with schizophrenia and 43.3% for the healthy controls (odds ratio: 1.008, 95% confidence interval: 0.517–1.964, p = 0.981).There was no significant difference in T. gondii IgG positivity between the schizophrenia and control groups with respect to sex and age. The difference in seroprevalence of T. gondii IgG antibodies among the schizophrenia subtypes was not statistically significant ( p = 0.934). No significant difference was found in Positive and Negative Syndrome Subscales between Toxoplasma -infected and Toxoplasma -free patients. Conclusion In the study area with a high prevalence of T. gondii , no association between toxoplasmosis and schizophrenia was detected. These findings showed that toxoplasmosis has no role in the risk of schizophrenia disease.

Background: Hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV infections constitute serious healthcare problems worldwide. Objectives: There are a limited number of studies regarding the prevalence of hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV infections among the drug addicts in Turkey; hence, the current study aimed to determine the frequency of these infections among 235 drug addicts treated in a drug addiction treatment centre/Elazig, Turkey. Patients and Methods: HBsAg, anti-HBs, anti-HCV and anti-HIV tests in 235 drug addicts were studied by ELISA technique. Urine samples obtained from drug addicts were analyzed for cannabis, opiate and cocaine metabolites. Results: All the 235 drug users were males, and their mean age was 30.69 ± 9.494 years; 112 (47.7%) of them were in the age group ranging 20 - 29 years (P < 0.05). Of 235 drug addicts, 113 (48.1%) and 115 (48.9%) were only cannabis and opiate users, respectively. In urine samples of seven (3%) drug addicts both cannabis and opiate metabolites were detected. Cocaine was detected in none of the urine samples. The frequencies of HBsAg, anti-HBs and anti-HCV among drug addicts were 2.6%, 38.3%, and 9.4%, respectively. None of the drug addicts was positive for HIV. Anti-HCV was more prevalent in opiate users than in cannabis users: 15.7% vs. 1.8% (P < 0.001). Conclusions: The obtained results showed that HCV infection was an alarming problem among opiate users in the eastern part of Turkey. It is suggested to rapidly diagnose the infected persons; thus preventive measures and appropriate control may limit further transmission of these infections.