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In this article, Early Career Task Force Group members of the Turkish Thoracic Society summarize the European Respiratory Society 2020 virtual congress. Current developments in the field of respiratory diseases were compiled with the addition of sessions specific to coronavirus disease 2019 this year. Almost all of the congress sessions were examined, and the important and striking results of the congress were highlighted. Congress sessions were attended by expert researchers, and the prominent messages of each session were highlighted in short summaries. They were then grouped under relevant titles and ranked in order of meaning and relation. It was finalized by a team of researchers.

There are concerns regarding the risk and the course of COVID-19 in pregnancy and in the neonates. In this review, we aimed to present the current understanding of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection during pregnancy and neonatal periods considering diagnosis, treatment, prognosis, and prevention. Few studies on pregnant women with COVID-19 have been conducted between December 2019 and April 2020. The majority of patients applied in the third trimester and presented with fever and cough. Ground-glass opacities and consolidation on computed tomography were reported to be common. COVID-19 was proposed to have a milder course than SARS and the Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus in pregnant women. Hydroxychloroquine and antiproteases (lopinavir/ritonavir) were reported to be safe; however, therapeutic efficacy and safety of remdesivir still lack evidence. As ribavirin and favipiravir have teratogenic effects, there are some debates on the use of ribavirin in severe cases. There is still no clear evidence of vertical transmission of SARS-CoV-2 during delivery. Occupational safety issues of pregnant healthcare workers on the frontline should be considered as their risk to develop severe pneumonia is higher because of altered maternal immune response. Knowledge about neonatal outcomes of COVID-19 was based on studies of the last trimester of pregnancy. There is much to be learnt about COVID-19 in pregnant women and in the neonates, especially concerning prognosis- and treatment-related issues.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to evaluate the perspective of the Turkish Thoracic Society (TTS) members regarding institutional preparedness, in terms of administrative measures and availability of personal protective equipment (PPE), in the first and third months of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in Turkey. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A 22-item online survey was e-mailed between the first and third months to TTS members, and participants’ responses were evaluated. RESULTS: The number of participants was 295 in the first survey and 141 in the second. In the second survey, the percentage of answers implying availability increased in all 18 control measures, 16 of which were statistically significant. However, there were still less than half of the respondents who reported the availability of psychological and behavioral support and some PPE, including respirators, facial protectors, goggles, and gowns. Statistical significance was observed for provision of a waiting area (P = .008), rooms for aerosol-gener-ating procedures (P = .042), and special wards for patients with suspected or definite COVID-19 (P < .001);testing healthcare workers (HCWs) with a history of contact with a COVID-19 case (P < .001);and surveillance of symptomatic HCWs (P = .048), between tertiary vs. primary and secondary healthcare facilities in the first survey, but provision of special wards (P = .002) and supply for aprons (P = .027) in the second survey. CONCLUSION: Our results showed an improvement in control measures in the third month of the pandemic. However, the persistent low availability of psychological and behavioral support and several items of PPE pointed out the need for action. Considering the health and safety of HCWs, the control measures should be actively monitored and deficiencies eliminated. ©Copyright 2021 by Turkish Thoracic Society-Available online at www.turkthoracj.org.

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the data of Turkish health care workers practicing chest medicine on their coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) status and related parameters. METHODS: This descriptive study included online survey data that the Turkish Thoracic Society conducted with its members in two phases starting in June and December 2020. The 33-item survey included demographic data, smoking status, the presence of any chronic diseases, occupation, working status, and non–work-related and work-related COVID-19 exposure characteristics. RESULTS: Of 742 responses, 299 (40.3%) reported that they had contracted COVID-19. The second survey detected a higher frequency of health care workers who had contracted COVID-19 (12.1% versus 57.4%, p

Background. In recent years, many studies have evaluated the increasing incidence of asthma and chronic respiratory diseases among children living close to rural areas with pesticide application. Pesticide exposure in 266 children (126 girls and 140 boys) in Sanliurfa, a cotton-producing province in Turkey, was explored in this work. Four different villages spread over 40 km(2) were included. Methods. Measurements of peak expiratory flow (PEF) in 266 children were conducted in late June, before intensive pesticide applications in the cotton-producing fields. The measurements were repeated for 72 of 266 children after pesticide application in late August. PEF, particulate matter with diameter less than 2.5 mu m (PM2.5), particulate matter with diameter less than 10 mu m (PM10), temperature, humidity, and wind speed were measured. Results. After pesticide application, mean PM2.5 and PM10 values were significantly increased compared to before pesticide application (p < 0.001 for both parameters). After pesticide exposure, nasal discharge, sneezing, burning and itching in the eyes, cough, sputum production, wheezing, shortness of breath and chest tightness were significantly increased (p < 0.001). The mean PEF value was demonstrated to decrease significantly after pesticide application (p < 0.001). Moreover, significant negative correlations were noted between PEF and PM10 and between PEF and PM2.5 (p < 0.001). Conclusions. Intensive pesticide application causes respiratory dysfunction and increased respiratory complaints in children living near the affected agricultural areas, and impacts quality of life adversely. The results of this work can be used to develop an early warning system and methods to prevent respiratory disorders in children residing in the study area., Turkish Thoracic Society, The authors wish to express their thanks to the Turkish Thoracic Society for providing financial support for this work.

As coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) spreads across the world, the ongoing clinical trials are leading to a big race worldwide to develop a treatment that will help control the pandemic. Unfortunately, COVID-19 does not have any known effective treatment with reliable study results yet. In this pandemic, there is not a lot of time to develop a new specific agent because of the rapid spread of the disease. The process of developing a vaccine is long and requires hard work. Although the pathophysiology of the disease is not fully understood, some of the proposed treatment alternatives are based on old evidence and some have been used with the idea that they might work owing to their mechanism of action. The efficacy, reliability, and safety of the currently available treatment alternatives are therefore a matter of debate. Currently, the main therapies used in the treatment of COVID-19 are antiviral drugs and chloroquine/hydroxychloroquine. Other proposed options include tocilizumab, convalescent plasma, and steroids, but the mainstay of the treatment in intensive care units remains supportive therapies. WOS:000600070300012 2-s2.0-85103141655

Scientists from all over the world have been intensively working to discover different aspects of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) since the first cluster of cases was reported in China. Herein, we aimed to investigate unclear issues related to transmission and pathogenesis of disease as well as accuracy of diagnostic tests and treatment modalities. A literature search on PubMed, Ovid, and EMBASE databases was conducted, and articles pertinent to identified search terms were extracted. A snow-ball search strategy was followed in order to retrieve additional relevant articles. It was reported that viral spread may occur during the asymptomatic phase of infection, and viral load was suggested to be a useful marker to assess disease severity. In contrast to immune response against viral infections, cytotoxic T lymphocytes decline in SARS-CoV-2 infection, which can be partially explained by direct invasion of T lymphocytes or apoptosis activated by SARS-CoV-2. Dysregulation of the urokinase pathway, cleavage of the SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein by FXa and FIIa, and consumption coagulopathy were the proposed mechanisms of the coagulation dysfunction in COVID-19. False-negative rates of reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction varied between 3% and 41% across studies. The probability of the positive test was proposed to decrease with the number of days past from symptom onset. Safety issues related to infection spread limit the use of high flow nasal oxygen (HFNO) and continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) in hypoxic patients. Further studies are required to elucidate the challenging issues, thus enhancing the management of COVID-19 patients. WOS:000542299000018 2-s2.0-85087118043

Ojective To investigate respiratory health problems related to pesticide exposure in the inhabitants of agricultural areas. Material and methods This study included 252 participants prior to pesticide application and 66 participants from the first group after pesticide application across four cotton farms. Symptom questionnaires were filled out by participants and respiratory function tests were measured before and after pesticide exposure. In addition, PM 10 , PM 2.5 , air temperature, and humidity were measured in all four farming villages before and after pesticide administration. Results PM 10 and PM 2.5 levels were significantly increased after pesticide application. After pesticide application, all participants’ nose, throat, eye, and respiratory complaints increased significantly. Expected forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) percentage values decreased significantly. The rates of FVC and FEV1 values lower than 80% were 23.5% and 22%, espectively, before pesticide application, and this rate increased to 42.4% and 43.1%, respectively, after pesticide application. There was a significant negative correlation between PM 10 levels and FVC, FEV1, and PEF values. After PM 2.5 pesticide application, the risk of experiencing burning in the mouth, nose, and throat increased by 2.3-fold (OR: 2.316), 2.6-fold for burning symptoms in the eyes (OR: 2.593), 2.1-fold for wheezing (OR: 2.153), and 2.2-fold for chest tightness (OR: 2.211). With increased PM 10 levels, the risk of chest tightness increased 1.1-fold (OR: 1.123). Conclusions After pesticide administration, the respiratory health of the participants deteriorated. Performing pesticide applications in agriculture with harmless methods is the most important measure to be taken to protect public health

Introduction Impact of Cytomegalovirus (CMV) co-infection pneumonia in non-HIV patients with Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PCP) is unclear. Objectives The aim of our study was to determine whether CMV co-infection is associated with an increased risk of mortality. Methods Our study was conducted at Ege University Hospital, Turkey. We used molecular assays to diagnose Pneumocystis jirovecii in respiratory samples, and CMV in both respiratory and blood samples. We compared morbidity and mortality stratified by CMV co-infection status. Results Between 2009 and 2015, 43 patients (mean age: 56.7 ± 15.3 years) were diagnosed with PCP. Only 3 of 43 patients had received PCP prophylaxis. We microbiologically confirmed CMV co-infection in 28 of 43 (65.1%) patients. Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and requirement of mechanical ventilation were more common in the CMV co-infection group (P = .019 and P = .031 respectively), and duration of intensive care unit was also longer (P = .006). In univariate analyses, mortality at 30 days was higher in the CMV co-infection group as compared to the group with PCP alone (78.6% and 46.7% respectively; P = .046). In multivariate analyses, mortality was independently associated only with the presence of ARDS [OR: 6.22 95% CI 1.3-29.32] and the association with CMV co-infection was no longer significant [OR: 2.6 95% CI 0.49-13.72, P = .257]. Conclusion The risk of mortality appears to be increased in the setting of CMV and PCP co-infection in HIV-uninfected immunocompromised patients. PCP prophylaxis use was lower than expected, suggesting low physician awareness of the risks of PCP in this population.

Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is mainly related to previous asbestos exposure. There is still dearth of information on non-invasive biomarkers to detect MPM at early stages. Human studies on exhaled breath biomarkers of cancer and asbestos-related diseases show encouraging results. The aim of this systematic review was to provide an overview on the current knowledge about exhaled breath analysis in MPM diagnosis. A systematic review was conducted on MEDLINE (PubMed), EMBASE and Web of Science databases to identify relevant studies. Quality assessment was done by the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Six studies were identified, all of which showed fair quality and explored volatile organic compounds (VOC) based breath profile using Gas Chromatography Coupled to Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS), Ion Mobility Spectrometry Coupled to Multi-capillary Columns (IMS-MCC) or pattern-recognition technologies. Sample sizes varied between 39 and 330. Some compounds (i.e, cyclohexane, P3, P5, P50, P71, diethyl ether, limonene, nonanal, VOC IK 1287) that can be indicative of MPM development in asbestos exposed population were identified with high diagnostic accuracy rates. E-nose studies reported breathprints being able to distinguish MPM from asbestos exposed individuals with high sensitivity and a negative predictive value. Small sample sizes and methodological diversities among studies limit the translation of results into clinical practice. More prospective studies with standardized methodologies should be conducted on larger populations. ispartof: INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH vol:17 issue:3 ispartof: location:Switzerland status: published

Introduction: The effects of pesticide application on the health of the individuals living in the same environment should be considered as a public health problem.Objective: We aimed to compare respiratory complaints and respiratory functions of people living in agricultural areas, before and after pesticide application which cause air pollution. Materials and Methods: Two hundred and fifty two individuals (144 women, 108 men) living in Sanliurfa Province in Turkey (widespread cotton farming area) were asked about respiratory and systemic complaints, lung function tests were applied. After administration of pesticide, 66 individuals were examined. PM2.5 (μgr / m3) and PM10 (μgr / m3) were measured. Results: The mean values of PM2.5 (7.9 μg / m3 and 13.0 μg / m3, p Conclusion: Pesticide administration leads to decrease in respiratory function and increase in respiratory complaints of adults living in the area.

Widespread belief from developing countries is the implementation of Specific Inhalation Challenge Tests (SICTs)are not quite feasible and can be risky in lower healthcare facilities. The work of setting up a SICTs-Lab started with scientific support of EgeTPAG-Advisory Board Members from FIOH in 2014.A multidisciplinary structure was constituted by Pulmonary/Allergy-immunology/PublicHealth/ Chemisty/Biology to implement of methodology. With Turkey’s first Occupational Fellowship Program, SICTs were officially started in spring 2016. Now, in spring 2017 we are presenting our first year’s very recent data. Among 41 patients who were referred to us, five patients (%12.19) diagnosed as OA with support of SICTs. Two painters, two bakers, one carpenter had work-related dyspnea and history of wheezing during worktimes and common shared features of them were having inconsistent asthma findings. Following negative placebo challenge tests, patients were exposed to their culprit agent in a specifically manufactured challenge cabin in Izmir, as faithful the original one in Helsinki. Ambient levels of particulate matter concentrations in the cabin were continuously monitored and kept under permitted exposure limits.FEV 1 &PEF monitoring kept continue for 8-hours after SICT and the data recorded to OASYS computer program. In the first year of their establishment SICTs have been very helpful either exclude or confirmation of diagnosis of OA. Unlike the common belief of those who hesitate to apply them, they were very safe and economically reasonable. The implementation to a developing country was not easy, but possible with right team and scientific support.

Impact of Cytomegalovirus (CMV) co-infection pneumonia in non-HIV patients with Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PCP) is unclear.The aim of our study was to determine whether CMV co-infection is associated with an increased risk of mortality.Our study was conducted at Ege University Hospital, Turkey. We used molecular assays to diagnose Pneumocystis jirovecii in respiratory samples, and CMV in both respiratory and blood samples. We compared morbidity and mortality stratified by CMV co-infection status.Between 2009 and 2015, 43 patients (mean age: 56.7 ± 15.3 years) were diagnosed with PCP. Only 3 of 43 patients had received PCP prophylaxis. We microbiologically confirmed CMV co-infection in 28 of 43 (65.1%) patients. Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and requirement of mechanical ventilation were more common in the CMV co-infection group (P = .019 and P = .031 respectively), and duration of intensive care unit was also longer (P = .006). In univariate analyses, mortality at 30 days was higher in the CMV co-infection group as compared to the group with PCP alone (78.6% and 46.7% respectively; P = .046). In multivariate analyses, mortality was independently associated only with the presence of ARDS [OR: 6.22 95% CI 1.3-29.32] and the association with CMV co-infection was no longer significant [OR: 2.6 95% CI 0.49-13.72, P = .257].The risk of mortality appears to be increased in the setting of CMV and PCP co-infection in HIV-uninfected immunocompromised patients. PCP prophylaxis use was lower than expected, suggesting low physician awareness of the risks of PCP in this population.

WOS: 000428115400002, PubMed ID: 29631525, Introduction: Colistimethate sodium (CMS) is frequently used in the treatment of nosocomial multidrug-resistant gram-negative infections. Nephrotoxicity is the most important side effect. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of colistin on nephrotoxicity and to assess prognosis in patients treated with CMS due to hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP). Materials and Methods: Patients treated with CMS for HAP due to multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa or Acinetobacter baumannii were included in this cohort study. Results: We evaluated 281 patients treated with two different brands of CMS whose administration dose is different: imported (n=58, low dose/kg) and domestic (n=223, high dose/kg). Nephrotoxicity developed in 175 patients (62.3%). The median age (73 vs. 66 years, p=0.004) and mortality rates were higher (66.9% vs. 52.8%, p=0.022) in patients having nephrotoxicity. The patients receiving high dose/kg had higher nephrotoxicity rate (67.7% vs. 41.4%, p < 0.001). The clinical, bacteriological response and mortality rates of the whole group were 52.0%, 61.0%, 61.6%, respectively. The clinical and bacteriological response rates were similar in the different dose groups. Multivariate analysis showed that nephrotoxicity was associated with domestic brand depending on use of high dose (OR=3.97), advanced age (beta=0.29, p=0.008), male gender (OR=2.60), hypertension (OR=2.50), red blood cells transfusion (OR=2.54), absence of acute kidney injury (OR=10.19), risk stage of RIFLE (OR=11.9). Conclusion: Nephrotoxicity is associated with the use of high dose colistin, age, gender, hypertension, red blood cells replacement and RIFLE stage. The mortality rate is higher in patients developing nephrotoxicity.

In this study,we aimed to evaluate Ventilator Associated Pneumonia(VAP) between the years 2011-2013 in the respiratory intensive care unit(ICU) of a university hospital in terms of aetiological agents,antibiotical resistances and prognosis.121(87 male,median age 72 yrs,mean APACHE II 24±8.5)cases who met the clinical and bacteriological VAP criteria is included in the study.Mechanical ventilation rates were minimum 0.34,maximum 0.88 dates while VAP rates were minimum 8,maximum 75 days per 1000 ventilator days.ARDS and blood transfusion rates were higher in late onset VAP(65.3%)cases while parenteral nutrition rates were higher in early onset VAP(34.7%)cases (p values;0.029, 0.005 and 0.001 respectively).The most common agent isolated from endotracheal samples was A. baumannii (53.7%)having tendency to have increased Imipenem,Meropenem,Ceftazidim,Cefepime,Gentamicin,Levofloxasin resistances in years.Being previously intubated or intubation in our ICU were detected as independent risk factors for having resistance to extended spectrum beta-lactam/beta-lactamase inhibitors in multivariate analyses(p=0.044 and OR=2.44, p=0.036 and OR= 2.67 respectively).Noninvasive positive pressure ventilation before intubation was detected as an independent risk factor for having resistance to antipseudomonal cephalosporins in multivariate analyses(p=0.037 and OR=2.64).Nosocomial infections were seen in 70(%57.9) cases 36(%29.8) of which were VAP.Median durations of ICU and hospital stay were 21.5 and 26 days respectively.73.6% of cases were dead.Clinical irresponsiveness was increasing the mortality 6.8 fold while procalcitonin levels being 1 µg/L ≥ on first day of VAP 10.4 fold.

Occupational exposure to hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) can cause serious adverse health effects such as lung cancer and irritation of the skin and airways. Although assessment of chromium (Cr) in urine is not specific for Cr(VI) exposure, the total amount of Cr in urine is the most used marker of exposure for biomonitoring of Cr(VI). The purpose of this systematic review was fourfold: (1) to assess current and recent biomonitoring levels in subjects occupationally exposed to Cr(VI), with a focus on urinary Cr levels at the end of a working week, (2) to identify variables influencing these biomonitoring levels, (3) to identify how urinary Cr levels correlate with other Cr(VI) exposure markers and (4) to identify gaps in the current research. To address these purposes, unpublished and published biomonitoring data were consulted: (i) unpublished biomonitoring data comprised urinary Cr levels (n = 3799) of workers from different industries in Belgium collected during 1998–2018, in combination with expert scores indicating jobs with Cr exposure and (ii) published biomonitoring data was extracted by conducting a systematic literature review. A linear mixed effect model was applied on the unpublished biomonitoring data, showing a decreasing time trend of 30% in urinary Cr levels. Considering the observed decreasing time trend, only articles published between January 1, 2010 and September 30, 2020 were included in the systematic literature search to assess current and recent biomonitoring levels. Twenty-five studies focusing on human biomonitoring of exposure to Cr(VI) in occupational settings were included. Overall, the results showed a decreasing time trend in urinary Cr levels and the need for more specific Cr(VI) biomarkers. Furthermore, this review indicated the importance of improved working conditions, efficient use of personal protective equipment, better exposure control and increased risk awareness to reduce Cr levels in biological matrices. Further investigation of the contribution of the different exposure routes is needed, so that better guidance on the use of control measures can be provided. In addition, this review support the call for more harmonization of human biomonitoring.