Irfan Sencan

Primary subcutaneous cyst hydatic disease in proximal thigh: an unusual localisation: a case report

BackgroundMusculoskeletal hydatidosis is very rare and represents 1% – 5.4% of all cases of echinococcosis. On clinical basis, infection mimics a soft-tissue tumor, and the preoperative radiological diagnosis is very important to avoid biopsy.Case PresentationWe report an unusual case of primary subcutaneous hydatidosis in proximity to vastus lateralis muscle. It was diagnosed according to the computed tomography appearance, clinical and pathological findings. A 43 year old female patient was admitted with a history of pain at proximal thigh for the last 30 days. On physical examination, a mass which was 4 × 5 cm in diameter, painful and erythamatous, was palpated over greater trochanter. Sedimentation rate was 40 mm in the first hour. CT (Computed Tomography) scan demonstrated, a soft tissue mass with central cystic component in the subcutaneous tissue near vastus lateralis muscle.Histopathological examination of the specimen revealed a pericystic structure, which consisted of connective tissue and scattered hyaline cells showing a necrotic basophilic structure that resembled a cuticular membrane. Treatment with high dose albendazole was conducted for 4 weeks.ConclusionsThis case illustrates that echinococcal disease should be considered in the differential diagnosis of every cystic mass in every anatomic location, especially when they occur in areas where the disease is endemic.

Ofloxacin plus rifampicin versus doxycycline plus rifampicin in the treatment of brucellosis: a randomized clinical trial [ISRCTN11871179].

BackgroundThe combination therapies recommended by the World Health Organization for treatment of brucellosis are doxycycline plus rifampicin or doxycycline plus streptomycin. Although highly successful results have been obtained with these two regimens, relapse rates as high as 14.4%. The most effective and the least toxic chemotherapy for human brucellosis is still undetermined. The aim of the present study was to investigate the efficacy, adverse effects and cost of ofloxacin plus rifampicin therapy, and doxycycline plus rifampicin therapy and evaluate in the treatment of brucellosis.MethodsThe open trial has been carried out prospectively by the two medical centers from December 1999 to December 2001 in Duzce region Turkey. The diagnosis was based on the presence of signs and symptoms compatible with brucellosis including a positive agglutination titre (≥1/160) and/or a positive culture. Doxycycline and rifampicin group consisted of 14 patients who were given doxycycline 200 mg/day plus rifampicin 600 mg/day during 45 days and this group Ofloxacin plus rifampicin group was consisted of 15 patients who were given ofloxacin 400 mg/day plus rifampicin 600 mg/day during 30 days.ResultsRegarding clinical and/or demographic characteristics no significant difference was found between two groups of patients that underwent two different therapeutic regimens. At the end of the therapy, two relapses were seen in both groups (p = 0.695). Although duration of therapy was two weeks shorter in group treated with rifampicin plus ofloxacin, the cure rate was similar in both groups of examinees. Fever dropped more rapidly in the group that treated with rifampicin plus ofloxacin, 74 ± 30 (ranges 48–216) vs. 106 ± 26 (ranges 48–262) hours (p = 0.016).ConclusionsOfloxacin plus rifampicin therapy has advantages of shorter treatment duration and provided shorter course of fever with treatment than in doxycycline plus rifampicin therapy. However, cost of ofloxacin plus rifampicin treatment is higher than doxycycline plus rifampicin treatment. Because of the similar effects, adverse effects and relapses rates between two regimens, we still advice doxycycline plus rifampicin for the treatment of brucellosis for countries, which have limited resources.

Compliance and efficacy of hand rubbing during in-hospital practice.

Objective: To compare alcohol-based hand rubbing with hand washing using antimicrobial soap regarding antimicrobial efficacy and compliance with routine practice in hospital and intensive care units. Subjects and Methods: From February to June 2003, 35 nurses were randomly selected from a nursing staff of 141 and divided into two groups: hand rubbing and hand washing groups. Hand cultures were obtained before and after health care procedures. The nurses were observed on days 1, 7 and 14 of the study, in order to determine compliance and efficacy of the hand hygiene methods. Results: A total of 368 routine patient care activities were observed during the study period. Hand rubbing with alcohol-based solutions significantly reduced the bacterial contamination of the hands of the nurses more than hand washing with an antimicrobial soap (54 and 27%, respectively; p < 0.01). Compliance was also better in the hand rubbing group than in the hand washing group (72.5 and 15.4%, respectively; p < 0.001). Compliance with hand rubbing was markedly lower among the nurses who had experience of more than 3 years in hospital practice. Both hand rubbing and hand washing compliance were poorer among nurses working inintensive care units than among nurses working in the other hospital wards. Generally, after taking off gloves, nurses preferred hand washing to hand rubbing. Conclusion: These data indicate that alcohol-based hand rubbing reduces mean bacterial counts on the hands of nurses more effectively than hand washing with antimicrobial soaps, and compliance rates with hand rubbing were also higher than with hand washing. Nevertheless, the compliance with hand rubbing was markedly lower in more experienced nurses.

Assessment of HAV and HEV seroprevalence in children living in post-earthquake camps from Düzce, Turkey.

The aim of the study was to investigate the prevalance of enterically transmitted hepatitis among children living in post-earthquake camps, and to assess the efficacy of the measurements during and after the disaster in Düzce and Golyaka. In the second half of 1999, North-western Turkey, was struck by two massive earthquakes in less than 3months. The first, on 17 August 1999, involving Golyaka, was struck, measuring between 7.4 and 7.8 on the Richter scale. Irregularity about providing clean water and necessary sanitary facilities were observed after the first earthquake because of confusion. The second quake, on 12 November 1999, which rated 7.2 on the Richter scale, shook Düzce. Necessary precautions were applied rapidly at the second quake about shelter, clean drinking water, food and control of distribution of the aids by government and civil aid organisations. Anti-HEV(IgG) and anti-HAV(IgG) antibodies were determined in 476 sera of the children who was living in six camps. HAV prevalence of the children who were living in Düzce and Golyaka temporary houses was 44.4 and 68.8% respectively, OR: 0.37, CI 95%: 0.22–0.61, p=0.0005. HEV prevalence of the children was 4.7 and 17.2% respectively, OR: 0.24, CI 95%: 0.11–0.51, p=0.0007. In conclusion, HAV and HEV prevalence of children were lower than that in endemic areas but higher than that in developed countries. This study has pointed out the importance of providing urgent need of the sufficient sanitary facilities after disasters for preventing or reducing the incidence of enterically transmitted hepatitis, especially in the regions which were at risk for various disasters. Essential precautions such as providing clean water and food supply must be taken and an emergency action plan for preventing the infectious disease must be prepared before disasters such as earthquakes.

Dermatophytes in the rural area of Duzce, Turkey

A total of 227 subjects (112 were male and 115 female), who were residents of the rural region of Duzce, were examined for dermatomycosis. A total of 120 samples (47 nail fragments, 73 skin scales) were collected from 81 patients for mycological analysis on the basis of the results of clinical evaluation. All specimens collected were analysed by direct microscopy and culture. Positive results were detected in the cultures of 53 (44.1%) of the 120 samples. About 46 (86.7%) samples also presented positive results in direct microscopy. In the cases of seven samples positive results were found in culture and negative results with direct microscopy. Both culture and direct microscopy presented negative results in 67 (55.8%) samples. The most frequently isolated aetiological agents were 33 Trichophyton rubrum (62.2%), and nine T. mentagrophytes (16.9%). In conclusion, traditional and religious habits such as cohabitation and performing ritual ablutions may affect the prevalence of dermatophyte infections. The performance of ritual ablutions is not in itself a risk factor for acquiring dermatophyte infection; rather it is not drying the extremities after ablutions, that is the main risk factor for this group. Tinea capitis was not found in any of the subjects in spite of the fact that it is one of the most common infectious conditions in children. This is the first paper to report the prevalence of fungal infections in Duzce, a western Black Sea region of Turkey.

In vivo evaluation of teicoplanin- and calcium sulfate-loaded PMMA bone cement in preventing implant-related osteomyelitis in rats.

Abstract The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of teicoplanin- and calcium sulphate-loaded polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) bone cements in preventing experimental implant-related osteomyelitis in rats. Four groups of antibiotic-loaded rods were prepared and were implanted into the lateral condylus of the rat femur after inoculation of Staphylococcus aureus. The effectiveness of these were assessed microbiologically, radiographically, and histopathologically. Radiographic evaluation revealed a significant reduction of periostal reaction and osteolysis in rats that received calcium sulphate- and teicoplanin-loaded rods. Histopathological evaluation confirmed these results. Acute infection and bone necrosis were found to be significantly lower in rats that had received calcium sulphate- and teicoplaninloaded rods. The addition of calcium sulfate to teicoplanin-loaded PMMA bone cement appeared satisfactory as an antibiotic-carrying system for prophylaxis of experimental implant-related osteomyelitis, but further investigations are needed to reach definitive statements for clinical applications.

Low-dose venlafaxine-associated liver toxicity in chronic hepatitis

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In vitro bacterial adherence to teicoplanin and calcium sulfate-soaked bone cement.

Abstract The aim of this study was to assess In Vitro the improvement in release kinetics for teicoplanin and the inhibition of bacterial adhesion on calcium sulfate-soaked PMMA discs. Calcium sulfate has been used in vivo and shown to be biocompatible, and prevention of bacterial adhesion may be expected with calcium sulfatesoaked polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA). Discs were made by adding teicoplanin and calcium sulfate in powder form to PMMA powder. The antibiotic concentration eluted from PMMA discs was assayed by agar diffusion assay. Nonadherent bacteria were removed by washing and adherent bacteria were detached by sonication. The suspension including nonadherent bacteria was seeded on sheep blood agar plate and incubated for 24 h at 37°C for the growth of microorganisms. The teicoplanin released from discs containing calcium sulfate was higher than that released from discs which had not been soaked with calcium sulfate. The count of bacteria adhering to the calcium sulfate-soaked discs was lower than that from the discs without calcium sulfate. In conclusion, the addition of calcium sulfate to teicoplanin-loaded PMMA bone cement may provide local antibiotic concentrations higher than MIC values due to increased antibiotic release. Furthermore, calcium sulfate was found to be effective in reducing bacterial adherence to treated discs.

The Use of Teicoplanin in a Patient with Acute Intermittent Porphyria

Acute intermittent porphyria is an autosomal dominant disorder caused by a defect in porphobilinogen deaminase activity. The latent form of the disease may exist indefinitely. Certain antimicrobial agents, infections, and excessive dieting (starvation) can precipitate attacks. Also, the safety of many of the drugs used in the treatments of acute intermittent porphyria patients is unknown 1 . In this letter we reported the safety of using teicoplanin in a patient with acute intermittent porphyria. A 23-year-old woman was admitted to the hospi