Mikrobiyol Bul
-
It has been shown recently that signal-mediated interactions between the opportunistic pathogens Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Candida albicans affect virulence features in both organisms. It has been emphasized that the anti-candidal activity of P.aeruginosa is especially due to its pyocyanin pigment. The structure and the properties of monospecies biofilms and their role in infectious disease have been extensively studied. ⋯ In addition to the inhibitory effect of P.aeruginosa on Candida growth, in a dual species environment both organisms mutually suppressed each others' biofilm development quantitatively. These findings indicated that molecular basis of signal-mediated interaction between Pseudomonas and Candida spp. Should be clarified for better understanding of the pathogenesis of mixed bacterial-fungal infections.
-
The aims of this study were to evaluate the attitudes towards H1N1 vaccination and to determine the safety and side effects following 2009 pandemic influenza A (H1N1) vaccination. Pandemic influenza vaccine had been administered to the healthcare personnel in our research and training hospital in December 2009. The rate being vaccinated was established as 40% (800/2000). ⋯ Since no serious side effects were detected related to vaccination, it was concluded that the vaccine was safe. In spite of the scientific proofs, negative concerns about the safety of the vaccines can unfavorably affect the vaccination campaigns and can jeopardize efforts of influenza control. As a result, data collection systems about the safety and side effects of the vaccine all over the country and regular reports about these data may more efficiently guide vaccination programs in the future.
-
The aim of this study was to investigate the tularemia seroprevalence among hunters mainly hunting in districts with emerging tularemia cases in Yozgat province located at the Central Anatolia region of Turkey. A total of 64 serum samples were collected from the subjects (all were male; age range: 18-67 years; mean age: 42.7 years) registered to Hunting and Shooting Clubs in Yozgat province and it's two districts, during January-April 2010 and anamnestic data were obtained using a questionnaire. The presence of Francisella tularensis antibodies in serum samples were screened by microagglutination test (MAT), and the positive samples were also confirmed by a commercial ELISA kit (Serazym, Germany). ⋯ The hunter with 1/2560 antibody titer developed acute oropharyngeal tularemia and treated with 14 days of ciprofloxacin therapy. Evaluation of risk factors in seropositive cases revealed consumption of spring water as a risk factor. In conclusion, our results indicated a considerable exposure of hunters to F.tularensis in Yozgat province and reflected a high prevalence of the pathogen around Yozgat, which coincided with the high notification rate of tularemia in this region.
-
Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is an arthropod-borne alphavirus that causes an acute febrile illness, chikungunya fever. CHIKV virus is geographically distributed in Africa, India, and South-East Asia. Chikungunya fever outbreaks have been reported from India since 2006. ⋯ This was the first laboratory confirmed imported Chikungunya case in Turkey. There are predictions regarding the presence of Aedes species mosquitos that can transmit this virus in Turkey. This case report will be an alarming signal for the clinicians in our country to consider Chikungunya fever in the differential diagnosis of patients presenting with fever, arthralgia and rash.
-
Infections caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is frequent among hemodialysis patients and lead to increased morbidity and mortality rates. It is known that nasal colonization plays an important role for the development of MRSA infections. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and risk factors for MRSA colonization among outpatients undergoing hemodialysis. ⋯ Inducible clindamycin resistance in MRSA isolates was %23.5 (8/34), and multidrug resistance rate was 76.5% (26/34). Multivariate analysis revealed that the history of previous hospitalization within a year [odds ratio (OR), 3.426; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.595-7.361, p= 0.002] and the presence of chronic obstructive lung disease (OR, 5.181; 95% CI, 1.612-16.648, p= 0.006) were independent risk factors for MRSA colonization in this population. A better understanding of the prevalence and risk factors for nasal MRSA colonization among hemodialysis population may hold significant implications for both the treatment strategies and prevention of MRSA infections to establish appropriate infection control measures.