Mehmet Ozden

Role of L‐carnitine in the prevention of acute liver damage induced by carbon tetrachloride in rats

Background and Aim:  Lipid peroxidation is the most important mechanism in the pathogenesis of acute liver damage with carbon tetrachloride (CCl4). L‐carnitine may prevent lipid peroxidation and thus may protect against liver damage. In the present study we investigated the protective effect of L‐carnitine in experimental acute liver damage induced by CCl4.

Serum cytokine levels in patients with acute brucellosis and their relation to the traditional inflammatory markers

The number of clinical studies on gamma interferon (IFN-gamma), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin-4 (IL-4) in human brucellosis is limited. The present study was focused on IFN-gamma, TNF-alpha and IL-4 levels in acute brucellosis cases, in the acute phase and at the end of the treatment. The relation of these cytokines to traditional inflammation markers was also investigated. The study included 27 cases of acute brucellosis and 20 healthy volunteers who had no complaints. It was found that mean IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha levels, CRP (C-reactive protein) levels and ESR (erythrocyte sedimentation rate) values were significantly higher in acute brucellosis cases as compared to post-treatment values and values measured in the control group. In addition, IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha levels measured in the acute phase correlated with the increase in CRP levels and ESR values. Our results confirmed that IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha are involved in the pathophysiology of brucellosis and are closely related to the inflammatory activation of the disease. In view of the present findings, it is suggested that IFN-gamma and TNFalpha may be used for monitoring brucellosis.

Genetic identification of Fasciola hepatica by ITS-2 sequence of nuclear ribosomal DNA in Turkey

The trematodes of the genus Fasciola are the common liver flukes of a range species of animals and have a global geographical distribution. They can generally be distinguished on the basic of their morphology. ITS-2 ribosomal DNA sequences have been used to characterize the liver flukes as a specific marker from different geographical regions which include F. hepatica, F. gigantica, and an intermediate Fasciola. To determine the phylogenetic location of F. hepatica of Turkey origin based on ITS-2 rDNA molecular data, adult F. hepatica trematodes were collected from the liver naturally infected sheep from different geographical locations in Turkey (Elazig, Malatya, Samsun). ITS-2 rDNA were cloned, sequenced, and compared with published sequences ITS-2 rDNA of other species of trematodes in the family Fasciolidae using the GenBank Blast program. The only one ITS-2 sequence had defined for the examined Turkish F. hepatica samples. The phylogenetic trees constructed based upon the ITS-2 sequences from Turkey by multiple tree-building methods in MEGA revealed a close relationship with isolates of F. hepatica, F. gigantica, and Fasciola sp. The present study is the first demonstration of the existence of F. hepatica in sheep in Turkey by the genetic approach using ITS-2 rDNA as genetic marker.

Resistant bacteria in the adenoid tissues of children with otitis media with effusion

OBJECTIVE To investigate the relationship between the resistant bacteria in the adenoid tissue and the middle ear effusion of children who underwent myringotomy and adenoidectomy with the diagnosis of otitis media with effusion (OME). METHODS This study was performed in the ENT Clinic, Firat University between January 2001 and June 2001. Forty-one subjects who were enrolled in the study were diagnosed as OME, their age ranged from 1 to 11 years, and they underwent a myringotomy together with an adenoidectomy because of adenoid hyperthrophy. Bacteriological cultures were performed on the samples obtained from adenoid tissues and middle ear fluids, in the bacteria that were cultured; the resistance to oxacilline sodium and beta-lactamase were investigated. The resistance of penicillin was confirmed by MIC test. The control group composed of individuals who did not have OME but who underwent adenotonsillectomy due to adenotonsillary hyperthrophy. RESULTS In the adenoid tissue cultures; Haemophilus influenzae, Streptococcus pneumoniae and Moraxella catarrhalis species were isolated from the 70% (29/41) of the study group and 40% (20/41) of the control group (P<0.01). In the isolated bacteria, the resistance rates for oxacilline or beta-lactamase were found to be 48% (20/41) in the study group and 16% (4/25) in the control group (P<0.05). We observed that bacterial growth in 29% (9/31) of the middle ear cultures of the study group and resistant bacteria were isolated in 77% (7/9) of them. The same pathogens which have grown in the middle ear cultures were also present in the adenoid tissue cultures. CONCLUSION The isolation of resistant bacteria in most of the adenoid tissue samples of the children with OME, makes us to consider the possible role of these bacteria in the development of OME.

The frequency of Toxocara infection in mental retarded children

Human toxocariasis is commonly seen in places where stray and Toxocara canis-infected dog population is high. There is a strong correlation between frequency of Toxocara infection, life style, and infection risk. Institutionalization of mental retarded patients increases to risk of toxocariasis. In this study, we aimed at investigating the frequency of Toxocara infection among children with mental retardation not requiring institutionalization. The study included 96 cases, who had educatable mental retardation and 85 healthy subjects who comprised the control group. Anti-Toxocara IgG or IgM antibodies were investigated in all serum samples, using ELISA method. The frequency of Toxocara infection was found significantly higher in mental retarded cases than in those in the control group (18.8% and 7.1% respectively) (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference between mental retarded children and the control group in terms of mean age, age groups, gender, owning dogs and cats and duration of their ownership, socio-economic level and behavioural factors, and personal hygiene (p > 0.05). We did not find any significant difference between Toxocara seropositive and seronegative mental retarded children in terms of demographic factors and epidemiological factors that could increase the risk of Toxocara infection (p > 0.05). The present study is the first seroprevalence study carried out with a mental retarded group not requiring institutionalization. Determination of high frequency of Toxocara infection suggests that these subjects constitute a risk factor for Toxocara infection, which may be attributed to their behavioural patterns.

Toxocara Seroprevalence in Schizophrenic Patients in Turkey

Purpose To investigate the seroprevalence of toxocariasis in patients diagnosed as schizophrenia. Patients and Methods Ninety-eight schizophrenic patients hospitalized at The Elazığ Psychiatric Hospital were included in the study. Anti-Toxocara IgG and/or IgM antibodies were determined by using commercial Toxocara canis IgG and/or IgM ELISA kit. Results Seropositivity for T. canis was detected in 45 (45.9%) of 98 patients and 2 (2.0%) of 100 control subjects the difference was statistically significant (p < 0.001). The seroprevalence was 40.4% (19 cases) and 51.0% (26 cases) for female and male subjects, respectively (p = 0.3). When the seropositive and seronegative schizophrenic patients were compared with respect to the age group environment they were living in, occupation period of follow up and number of hospitalizations, there were no differences between the two groups (all, p > 0.05). Conclusion In conclusion, the schizophrenic state seems to present a high risk for Toxocara infection in Turkey.

A case of Brucella spondylodiscitis with extended, multiple-level involvement

Brucellosis is a zoonosis that affects several organs and has a protean presentation. The authors report the case of a 61-year-old male patient with brucellar spondylodiscitis involving several vertebrae and a paravertebral abscess localized in the erector spinae muscle. Diagnosis was made by positive blood culture and MRI. No relapse was seen with a combined treatment (doxycycline/rifampin) for 3 months, followed by doxycycline alone for 6 months. Almost all radiologic findings disappeared at the end of a 1-year follow-up without any further treatment.

Prevalence and Genotypes of Hepatitis G Virus among Hemodialysis Patients in Eastern Anatolia, Turkey

Objectives: To study the prevalence and genotype distribution of hepatitis G virus (HGV) in hemodialysis patients in East Anatolia, Turkey. Subjects and Materials: Eighty-nine hemodialysis patients and 30 healthy individuals were analyzed by using reverse-transcriptase nested polymerase chain reaction with primers specific for 5′ untranslated region. HGV genotyping was performed by PCR and three randomly selected HGV-positive samples were sequenced. Results: Of the 89 hemodialysis patients, HGV RNA was detected in 9 (10.2%). All of our isolates were assigned to genotype 2. Conclusion: Our results showed that hemodialysis patients carry the risk for HGV infection in East Anatolia, Turkey.

In vitro activity of Brucella melitensis isolates to various antimicrobials in Turkey

Abstract Background: Brucellosis is a systemic infectious disease caused by Brucella bacteria. A successful treatment requires antibiotics that can penetrate into the cell at high concentrations. The aim of this study was to assess the biotype and in vitro activity of 80 Brucella isolates obtained from blood against various antimicrobials for human brucellosis in Turkey. Methods: Identification of the types of the species designated Brucella species was made using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), with type-specific primers. Serotyping was performed using mono-specific A and M antisera. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of antibiotics known to have good intracellular penetration (doxycycline, rifampicin, ofloxacin, levofloxacin, moxifloxacin, clarithromycin, and azithromycin) were determined by the agar dilution method. Results: All of the 80 Brucella isolates were determined to be Brucella melitensis: 75 B. melitensis biotype 3 (93.7%) and 5 B. melitensis biotype 1 (6.3%). Doxycycline was the most effective among the tested antibiotics against Brucella species (MIC50–MIC90, 0.25–0.5 μg/ml), and it was followed by levofloxacin (MIC50–MIC90, 0.5–1 μg/ml), moxifloxacin (MIC50–MIC90, 1–1 μg/ml), ofloxacin (MIC50–MIC90, 1–1 μg/ml), rifampicin (MIC50–MIC90, 2–4 μg/ml), azithromycin (MIC50–MIC90, 4–8 μg/ml), and clarithromycin (MIC50–MIC90, 8–32 μg/ml), respectively. Conclusions: The in vitro activity of doxycycline and rifampicin, which are used in the classic treatment of brucellosis, was found to be very good. Quinolones were found to have in vitro activity against Brucella isolates. Among the macrolides, azithromycin had a higher level of activity compared with clarithromycin. A combination of quinolones and azithromycin could be an alternative to doxycycline and rifampicin in the treatment of brucellosis.

Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) in patients with acute brucellosis

In this prospective study, we investigated the serum levels of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and C-reactive protein (CRP) before and after the treatment of patients with acute brucellosis. The study comprised 58 patients with acute brucellosis and 30 healthy volunteers. Pre-treatment serum HGF levels of 58 patients with acute brucellosis (1548.6±220.1) were significantly higher than levels of the control group (401.4±69.7) (p<0.001). Serum levels of HGF and CRP significantly decreased at the end of the treatment period (p<0.001). Post treatment, levels did not differ from those of the control group (p>0.05). Serum HGF levels of patients with acute brucellosis correlated to CRP and ALT levels (r: 0.922, 0.752; p<0.001, respectively). Our findings suggest that serum HGF levels may be used as a supplementary marker to evaluate the effectiveness of the treatment in patients with acute brucellosis.