Lütfiye Öksüz

Pathologic Alterations Detected in Acute Pancreatitis Induced by Sodium Taurocholate in Rats and Therapeutic Effects of Curcumin, Ciprofloxacin and Metronidazole Combination

Background and Aims: Secondary bacterial infections and free radical injury have been known to play an important role in the pathogenesis and clinical outcome of acute pancreatitis. Despite the therapy models developed in recent years, the mortality rate is still reported to be higher than expected. The objective of this study therefore was to investigate the effectiveness of ciprofloxacin and metronidazole combination and curcumin together in the treatment of acute pancreatitis. Methods: Acute pancreatitis was induced in rats by sodium taurocholate (n = 60). Starting 6 h after the induction of acute pancreatitis, groups I and II were injected 200 mg/kg ciprofloxacin and 500 mg/kg metronidazole intraperitoneally every 12 h for 6 days. Groups II and III received 100 mg/kg curcumin since day 20 prior to the initiation of acute pancreatitis. On day 6, animals of all groups were killed. Blood and tissue samples were taken for biochemical, pathologic and bacteriologic examination. Results: No statistical difference in the treatment groups versus the non-treatment group has been detected in the pancreatic tissue on the basis of histopathological scoring results. Prevalences of bacterial translocation were significantly lower in the treatment groups (groups I–III) than in the non-treatment group (group IV) (p < 0.001, p < 0.001, p < 0.05, respectively). Serum amylase, lipase, malon dialdehyde and nitric oxide (except for nitric oxide level in group I), levels of groups I, II and III were significantly lower than those of group IV (p < 0.05). Conclusions: The administration of ciprofloxacin and metronidazole in combination and curcumin in acute pancreatitis failed to provide a preventive effect on the occurrence of tissue injury, whereas free radical injury and prevalence of bacterial translocation were reduced significantly.

Bacteremia following dental implant surgery: Preliminary results

Objectives: The aims of this study were to investigate the incidence of bacteremia, bacteriology and antibiotic susceptibility against to causative bacteria associated with dental implant installation. Study Design: 30 generally healthy patients were enrolled in this study. Blood samples were collected at baseline and at 30 minutes after dental implant installation and 24 hours after dental implant surgery. Blood samples were cultured in a BACTEC system. The isolated bacteria were identified using conventional methods. Antimicrobial sensitivity tests were performed by disc diffusion. Results: No bacteria were isolated at the baseline and 24 hours after surgery, whereas the prevalence of bacteremia at 30 minutes after dental implant installation was 23%. The isolated bacteria species were Staphylococcus epidermidis, Eubacterium spp., Corynebacterium spp. and Streptococcus viridans. The Staphylococcus epidermidis, which was isolated in three patients, was found to be resistant to penicillin which is first choice of many clinicians. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that installation of dental implants can produce bacteremia. Within the limitations of this study, it can be speculated that the resistance of antibiotics may compromise the routine prophylaxis against infective endocarditis. Therefore use of blood cultures and antibiograms may be suggested in risky patients. The outcome of the present study should be verified using a larger patient group with varying conditions. Key words: Dental implant, bacteremia, infective endocarditis, antibiotic prophylaxis.

Serotypes of Streptococcus pneumoniae Isolates from Children with Invasive Pneumococcal Disease in Turkey: Baseline Evaluation of the Introduction of the Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine Nationwide

ABSTRACT Before use of the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine PCV7 became widespread in Turkey, 202 invasive pneumococcus isolates were analyzed. The most common serotypes were 19F and 6B. In children ≤2 years of age, the potential coverage rate of PCV7 was 69.5%. The most frequent non-PCV7 serotypes were 19A, 3, 1, 6A, and 8.

Serotypes of Streptococcus pneumoniae Isolates of Children with Invasive Pneumococcal Disease in Turkey: A Baseline Evaluation of the National Introduction of the Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine

ABSTRACT Before use of the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine PCV7 became widespread in Turkey, 202 invasive pneumococcus isolates were analyzed. The most common serotypes were 19F and 6B. In children ≤2 years of age, the potential coverage rate of PCV7 was 69.5%. The most frequent non-PCV7 serotypes were 19A, 3, 1, 6A, and 8.

Bacillus Cereus Catheter Related Bloodstream Infection in a Patient with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

Bacillus cereus infection is rarely associated with actual infection and for this reason single positive blood culture is usually regarded as contamination . However it may cause a number of infections, such catheter-related bloodstream infections. Significant catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSI) caused by Bacillus spp. are mainly due to B. cereus and have been predominantly reported in immunocompromised hosts. Catheter removal is generally advised for management of infection. In this report, catheter-related bacteremia caused by B. cereus in a patient with acute lymphoblast c leukemia (ALL) in Istanbul Medical Faculty was presented.

Serotype distribution of Streptococcus pneumoniae in children with invasive diseases in Turkey: 2008–2014

Successful vaccination policies for protection from invasive pneumococcal diseases (IPD) dependent on determination of the exact serotype distribution in each country. We aimed to identify serotypes of pneumococcal strains causing IPD in children in Turkey and emphasize the change in the serotypes before and after vaccination with 7-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV-7) was included and PCV-13 was newly changed in Turkish National Immunization Program. Streptococcus pneumoniae strains were isolated at 22 different hospitals of Turkey, which provide healthcare services to approximately 65% of the Turkish population. Of the 335 diagnosed cases with S. pneumoniae over the whole period of 2008–2014, the most common vaccine serotypes were 19F (15.8%), 6B (5.9%), 14 (5.9%), and 3 (5.9%). During the first 5 y of age, which is the target population for vaccination, the potential serotype coverage ranged from 57.5 % to 36.8%, from 65.0% to 44.7%, and from 77.4% to 60.5% for PCV-7, PCV-10, and PCV-13 in 2008–2014, respectively. The ratio of non-vaccine serotypes was 27.2% in 2008–2010 whereas was 37.6% in 2011–2014 (p=0.045). S. penumoniae serotypes was less non-susceptible to penicillin as compared to our previous results (33.7 vs 16.5 %, p=0.001). The reduction of those serotype coverage in years may be attributed to increasing vaccinated children in Turkey and the increasing non-vaccine serotype may be explained by serotype replacement. Our ongoing IPD surveillance is a significant source of information for the decision-making processes on pneumococcal vaccination.

Susceptibility of clinical methicillin-resistant Staphylococci isolates to new antibiotics

BACKGROUND The treatment of methicillin-resistant staphylococcal infections has been a growing problem both in and out of hospitals for the past 30 years. Therefore, there is a need for other antibiotics as an alternative to glycopeptides in the treatment of methicillin-resistant staphylococcal infections. This study investigated the in vitro susceptibility of 49 methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and 59 methicillin-resistant coagulase negative staphylococci (MRCNS) clinical isolates to daptomiycin, telithromycin, tigecyclin, quinupristin/dalfopristin, and linezolid. METHODOLOGY The identification of the strains was made by conventional methods. Antibiotic susceptibility tests were performed according to CLSI. Methicillin resistance was determined by cefoxitin disk. Susceptibilities of the strains to daptomycin, quinupristin/dalfopristin, tigecycline, and vancomycin were performed using the E-test according to the recommendations of CLSI 2011 and the manufacturer. RESULTS Two strains of MRCNS were resistant, and one was teicoplanin intermediate. It was found that one (2%) strain of MRSA and two (3%) strains of MRCNS were resistant to tigecyclin. Telithromycin resistance was detected in 33% of MRSA strains and 37% of MRCNS strains. Inducible clindamycin resistance was found in nine (18.4%) strains of MRSA and eighteen (30.5%) strains of MRCNS. All strains were susceptible to daptomiycin, quinupristin/dalfopristin, and linezolid. CONCLUSIONS Although it has recently been used, telithromycin has a high percentage of resistance; its use for methicillin-resistant staphylococcal strains, therefore, should be limited. Daptomycin and quinupristin/dalfopristin were found to be effective against MRSA and MRCNS strains and were concluded to be a good choice in the treatment of methicillin-resistant staphylococci.

The High Diversity of MRSA Clones Detected in a University Hospital in Istanbul

Background: To characterize the methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) clones present in Istanbul, 102 MRSA isolates collected during a 5-year period at the Istanbul Medical Faculty Hospital were characterized using microarray analysis and phenotypic resistance profiles. Methods: Resistance to methicillin was detected with a cefoxitin disk diffusion assay and confirmed with a MRSA-agar and MRSA detection kit. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed by a disk diffusion assay and interpreted according to the 2012 guidelines of the Antibiogram Committee of the French Society for Microbiology. Decreased susceptibility to glycopeptides was confirmed using the population analysis profile-area under the curve (PAP-AUC) method. The presence of the mecA gene was detected by polymerase chain reaction. Bacterial DNA was extracted according to the manufacturers recommended protocol using commercial extraction kits. Strains were extensively characterized using the DNA microarray. Results: Isolates were grouped into six clonal complexes. The most frequently detected clone was the Vienna/Hungarian/Brazilian clone (ST239-MRSA-III), which accounted for 53.9% of the isolates. These isolates were resistant to multiple antibiotics, particularly penicillin, tetracycline, rifampicin, kanamycin, tobramycin, gentamicin, levofloxacin, erythromycin, lincomycin and fosfomycin. Furthermore, three isolates were detected by population analysis profile as heterogeneous vancomycin-intermediate S. aureus (hVISA). The UK-EMRSA-15 clone (ST22-MRSA-IV PVL negative) was detected in 9.8% of the isolates and was mainly susceptible to all anti-staphylococcal antibiotics. Seven isolates (6.9%) were positive for PVL genes and were assigned to the CC80-MRSA-IV clone (European CA-MRSA clone, three isolates), ST8-MRSA-IV clone (USA300 clone, two isolates, one ACME-positive) or ST22-MRSA-IV clone (“Regensburg EMRSA” clone, two isolates). All other clones were detected in one to six isolates and corresponded to well-known clones (e.g., Pediatric clone, Dublin EMRSA clone, WA MRSA-54/63, WA MRSA-1/57). Conclusions: This work highlighted both the high prevalence of ST239-MRSA-III clone and the large diversity of the other MRSA clones detected in a university hospital in Istanbul.

Serotype Distribution and Antibiotic Resistance of Streptococcus pneumoniae Strains Isolated from the Adult Patients in a Turkish University Hospital

Infections caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae are the most important cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. S.pneumoniae is the most common cause of community-acquired pneumonia, especially in adults. Invasive pneumococcal disease can usually occur in the elderly, children and immunocompromised individuals. Usage of the vaccines for the protection against S.pneumoniae infections, is an effective method to reduce the burden of disease in both children and adults. Serotypes frequently isolated from purified capsular polysaccharides of S.pneumoniae are used in polyvalent vaccines. Significant differences are observed between countries and regions in serotypes and antibiotic resistance of S.pneumoniae strains. For this reason, each country and region should determine their own serotypes and antibiotic resistance. The aim of this study was to determine serotype distribution, antibiotic resistance and vaccine coverage rates in S.pneumoniae strains isolated from invasive and non-invasive samples of adult patients in our hospital. A total of 100 S.pneumoniae isolates from invasive and non-invasive samples of adult patients between March 2007 and August 2014 were used in this study. S.pneumoniae strains were identified by conventional methods. Serogrouping was performed with the latex particle agglutination and serotyping was made with the conventional Quellung reaction using a commercial type-spesific antisera (Statens Serum Institute, Copenhagen, Denmark). Antibiotic susceptibility testing for penicillin G, cefotaxime and erythromycin was performed by gradient test and evaluated according to the breakpoints of Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI). Sixty four percent of of the S.pneumoniae strains were isolated from non-invasive and 36% were isolated from invasive samples. Serotype 3 (20%), 19F (9%), 8 (7%), 14 (7%), 23F (6%), 6A (6%) were most common determined serotypes among all strains. Among S.pneumoniae strains isolated from invasive samples serotype 3 (22%), 14 (14%), 1 (8%) and in S.pneumoniae strains isolated from non-invasive samples 3 (19%), 19F (11%), 6A (9%), 23F (8%) were the most common serotypes. Among all isolates 2% penicillin and 3% cefotaxime intermediate resistance were detected. Erythromycin resistance was detected in 25% of invasive, 37% of non-invasive strains and a total of 33% in all of the isolates. Vaccine coverage rates were found to be 68% for PCV13 and 78% for PPV23 among all isolates. In our study penicillin resistance was lower compared with the other similar studies in the world, but resistance against erythromycin was almost similar. This study is important to show that serotype 3 predominated in serious pneumococcal infections in the adult population of our hospital. For this reason, administration of routine pneumococcal vaccination program in adults and especially in the elderly is recommended. In conclusion, it is important to know the serotype distribution and antibiotic resistance of S.pneumoniae to monitor the empirical treatment in serious pneumococcal infections.

Procalcitonin and C-reactive protein in differantiating to contamination from bacteremia

Procalcitonin (PCT) and C-reactive protein (CRP) are important biological markers used in the diagnosis of severe infections. The aim of this study was to evaluate the consistency of blood culture with PCT and CRP in differentiating contamination and non-bacteremia from true bacteremia. In this study blood samples were obtained from 809 febrile patients and analyzed using BACTEC 9120 system. All of positive blood cultures were performed Gram staining. The microorganisms were identified with conventional methods and automated systems. Antibiotic susceptibility tests were made by disc diffusion. PCT levels were analyzed by mini VIDAS device and PCT kit. PCT and CRP levels were analyzed with blood cultures in same times. Kruskal Wallis test, Mann-Whitney U test, Spearman’s rho test and ROC curve were used for statistical analyses. The bacteremia group was found to be significantly different from non-bacteremia group and contamination group in terms of both PCT and CRP (p<0.0001). The p values of PCT and CRP in differentiating bacteremia from non-bacteremia were p<0.001 for PCT, p=0.002 for CRP and in differentiating bacteremia from contamination were p<0.001 for PCT, p<0.001 for CRP. PCT is a more useful marker than CRP in the differentiating of true bacteremia from contamination according to the results of this study.