Arif Serhan Cevrioglu

Efficient and non‐invasive method for investigating Helicobacter pylori in gravida with hyperemesis gravidarum: Helicobacter pylori stool antigen test

Aim:  To investigate the relationship between Helicobacter pylori infection and severe hyperemesis gravidarum (H.Gravidarum) by using Helicobacter pylori Stool Antigen (HpSA) and other serologic test results.

Investigation of the incidence of hepatitis E virus among pregnant women in Turkey

Aim:  The aim of our study was to determine the prevalence of hepatitis E virus (HEV) among pregnant and non‐pregnant women in Middle Anatolia, identify the factors that affect being HEV positive and to study the effects of HEV positivity on mother and fetus.

Bacterial vaginosis: comparison of Pap smear and microbiological test results

Our purpose was to determine the reliability of the Pap smear in making the diagnosis of bacterial vaginosis and to examine the characteristics of Pap smear vs vaginal culture in diagnosis of bacterial vaginosis, with the vaginal Gram stain used as the diagnostic standard. We performed a prospective, blinded study involving 245 women who referred to the Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics in our hospital for routine genital examination between September 2001 and September 2002. Exclusion criteria included vaginal bleeding and pregnancy. Each patient had standard Pap smear, Gram-stained vaginal smear and culture of vaginal swab. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and diagnostic value of Pap smear and vaginal culture results were determined with Gram stain used as the standard for diagnosis of bacterial vaginosis. Using Gram stain diagnosis of bacterial vaginosis as the standard, Pap smear and vaginal culture test results had sensitivity of 43.1 and 77.8%, specificity of 93.6 and 97.7%, positive predictive value of 73.8 and 93.3%, negative predictive value of 79.8 and 91.4%, diagnostic value of 78.8 and 91.8%, respectively, for the diagnosis of bacterial vaginosis. Compared to the microbiological test results, Pap smear is not sensitive enough for screening of bacterial vaginosis. However, because of its high specificity, it may be an adequate diagnostic criteria when it is positive.

Assessment of endocervical and endometrial damage inflicted by embryo transfer trial: a hysteroscopic evaluation.

The aim was to assess the endocervical and endometrial damage inflicted by embryo transfer trial using office hysteroscopy. Seventy-five consecutive infertile women who underwent office hysteroscopy were enrolled. Hysteroscopy was performed immediately after embryo transfer trial. The relationship between clinical perception of easiness of transfer, presence of blood on the catheter, degree of endocervical and endometrial damage was examined. In the difficult transfer group, minor and moderate endocervical lesions were noted in 35% and 24% of the cases, respectively. The respective figures for the easy transfer group were 19% and 3% (P>.05). There was a statistically significant concordance between the perceived difficulty of transfer and degree of endometrial damage (P<0.05). Of interest, in the easy transfer group, 32% of the patients had minor, 3% moderate and 65% no endometrial damage. The respective figures were 42%, 29% and 29% in the difficult transfer group. There was blood on the catheter in 25%, 56% and 71% of the easy, moderate and difficult transfer groups, respectively. There was a statistically significant concordance between the perceived difficulty of embryo transfer and presence of blood on the catheter (P<0.05). These results suggest that clinical perception of difficulty of transfer and the presence of blood on the catheter are directly associated with endometrial disruption.

Isolated intrauterine femoral fracture in an otherwise normal fetus.

Multiple fractures of the long bones can be seen in the intrauterine period as a result of disorders such as skeletal dysplasias or maternal trauma, but isolated intrauterine femoral fracture is an extremely rare condition. Congenital short femur should be kept in mind, especially during the intrauterine period in the differential diagnosis. We report a case diagnosed as isolated femoral fracture in the 34th gestational week with post‐partum confirmation of the diagnosis by X‐rays and physical examination.