Mikrobiyol Bul
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Influenza type A viruses have conserved their actuality and importance during history with their special respect of genetic variations and global pandemics. In recent years their significance has increased because of the appearence of "bird flu" caused by a highly virulent strain H5N1 subtype. Although influenza type A viruses that cause infections in the birds (avian influenza) are species-specific, some may cross the species barrier to infect humans. ⋯ Recently, the Food and Drug Administration has announced the first approval in the United States of a vaccine for humans against the H5N1 influenza virus on April 17h, 2007, however the manufacturer (Sanofi Pasteur) won't sell the vaccine commercially; instead, the vaccine has been purchased by the federal government for inclusion within the National Stockpile (http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2007/NEW01611.htm). The major prevention is then mainly based on continous public education about the tranmission routes, early symptoms and signs of the infection, and warning people to obey preventive measures without any panic. In this review article influenza virus A (H5N1) infections, epidemiology and protection have been discussed.
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Panton-Valentin leucocidin (PVL) is a cytotoxin which causes tissue necrosis by degradating leucocytes and other cell types. PVL has recently become very up to date as it has been shown to be the major virulance factor of community acquired methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus strains. In this study, the presence of PVL was investigated in methicillin sensitive and resistant S. aureus (MSSA and MRSA, respectively) strains which were isolated from clinical samples between January 2005-May 2006 at Dokuz Eylul University Hospital, Izmir. ⋯ None of the MRSA isolates had pvl gene. Although this cytotoxin was rarely detected among MSSA isolates, it was interesting to note that the prevalence of PVL was twice more in the year 2006 compared to 2005. It was also worth to notify that four of six (66.7%) PVL positive strains had been isolated from the patients of general surgery inpatient or outpatient clinics.
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The first published tularemia epidemic in Turkey had been reported in 1936 from Luleburgaz (located in European part-Thrace region-of Turkey), and the second was in 1945 again in the same province. Following a long period of time without any tularemia report from Thrace region, in 2005 another epidemic occurred in a village of Edirne, another province located in the same region. Since there is presumptive evidence of circulation of the infectious agent, Francisella tularensis in Thrace region of Turkey, a large scale seroepidemiological study is needed. ⋯ Rose Bengal test was also found positive in three of the seropositive subjects, and with the thought of a probable cross reaction they were taken into an advanced investigation for brucellosis. The risk evaluation revealed that male gender, being together with livestock and exposure to ticks were the major risk factors. Since the data of this study indicated that F. tularensis is in circulation in Thrace Region, the educational programmes for both the healthcare workers and inhabitants of this region should be attempted for the prevention of a possible epidemic.