Özden Boral

Human ocular filariasis: further evidence on the zoonotic role of Onchocerca lupi.

BackgroundAmong ocular vector-borne pathogens, Onchocerca volvulus, the agent of the so-called “river blindness”, affects about 37 million people globally. Other Onchocerca spp. have been sporadically reported as zoonotic agents. Cases of canine onchocerciasis caused by Onchocerca lupi are on the rise in the United States and Europe. Its zoonotic role has been suspected but only recently ascertained in a single case from Turkey. The present study provides further evidence on the occurrence of O. lupi infesting human eyes in two patients from Turkey (case 1) and Tunisia (case 2). The importance of obtaining a correct sample collection and preparation of nematodes infesting human eyes is highlighted.MethodsIn both cases the parasites were identified with morpho-anatomical characters at the gross examination, histological analysis and anatomical description and also molecularly in case 1.ResultsThe nematode from the first case was obviously O. lupi based on their morphology at the gross examination, histological analysis and anatomical description. In the second case, although the diagnostic cuticular characters were not completely developed, other features were congruent with the identification of O. lupi. Furthermore, the morphological identification was also molecularly confirmed in the Turkish case.ConclusionsThe results of this study suggest that O. lupi infestation is not an occasional finding but it should be considered in the differential diagnosis of other zoonotic helminths causing eye infestation in humans (e.g., D. immitis and Dirofilaria repens). Both cases came from areas where no cases of canine onchocerciasis were previously reported in the literature, suggesting that an in depth appraisal of the infestation in canine populations is necessary. Physicians and ophthalmologists are advised on how to preserve nematode samples recovered surgically, to allow a definitive, correct etiological diagnosis.

The effects of streptozotocin‐induced diabetes on brucellosis of rats

It is believed that an infection is more common and runs a more protracted course in people with diabetes. In clinical practice, it is important to be aware of these associations, as the prognosis is often dependent upon prompt recognition and appropriate treatment. To show the course of brucellosis in the diabetic state, a model of Brucella melitensis infection was used in the setting of streptozotocin-induced diabetes in rat. B. melitensis infection proceeded more severely in diabetic rats and the severity of diabetes affected the prognosis. However, no association was found between B. melitensis and insulin using in vitro and in vivo experiments. Our study illustrates that B. melitensis infection in diabetes should be taken seriously.

Interaction between caspofungin or voriconazole and cefoperazone–sulbactam or piperacillin–tazobactam by in vitro and in vivo methods

Immunosuppressive patients are at risk of fungal and bacterial infections. Therefore, these patients receive prophylactic, preemptive, empirical or target antifungal and concomitant antibiotic therapy. To this end, caspofungin (CAS) or voriconazole (VRC) antifungals and cefoperazone–sulbactam (CPZ/SAM) or piperacillin–tazobactam (PIP/TAZ) antibiotics may be used. Here, we aimed to investigate the interaction between these antifungals and antibiotics by in vitro and in vivo methods. The interaction was tested by chequerboard analysis and fractional inhibitory concentration index (FICI). It was also tested in a neutropenic mice‐invasive candidiasis model and evaluated by fungal burden in kidney tissue of infected animals from the first day to the fifth day of treatment with 24 h intervals. A synergism was detected between CAS and CPZ/SAM (FICI = 0.1) and PIP/TAZ (FICI = 0.3). Fungal burden in tissues of drug‐treated mice was reduced compared with controls in a time‐dependent manner. In comparison with CAS‐alone treated group, there were 1.32 log10 reductions of fungal burden in CAS + CPZ/SAM (p = 0.002) and in CAS + PIP/TAZ group (p = 0.14). The same interactions were not found with VRC and antibiotics. CPZ/SAM had stronger synergistic interaction with CAS than PIP/TAZ. The mechanism of synergism is not well understood. This is most likely due to an increase in the anticandidal effect of CAS plus antibiotics.

Antimicrobial Resistance Profiles of the Two Porcine Salmonella Typhimurium Isolates

The aim of the study is to detect the presence of the Salmonella species in swine with diarrhea, and to investigate their antimicrobial resistance and extended spectrum beta lactamase (ESBL) and/or AmpC β-lactamase production. For this purpose, stool samples from three commercial pig farms in Istanbul and Tekirdag were collected and processed for Salmonella isolation by culture and isolates were identified by biochemical activity tests. Salmonella isolates were confirmed by PCR then serotyped. Antimicrobial resistance and ESBL and AmpC production of the isolates were determined according to the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) standard. In the study, two hundred and thirty eight stool samples were examined. Salmonella spp. were obtained from 2 samples, and the isolation rate was determined as 0.8%. Both of the isolates were defined as Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Typhimurium (serotype 1, 4, [5], 12: I: 1, 2) by serotyping. Both of them were resistant to cefaclor, cloxacillin and lincomycin (100%). Multidrug resistance (resistance ≥3 antimicrobials) observed in all isolates. ESBL and AmpC production were not detected in any of the isolates. To our knowledge, this is the first report of the isolation of S. Typhimurium in pigs with diarrhea in Turkey. This study also represents the first report of multi-drug resistant S. Typhimurium isolates from pig stools in Turkey.