Selahattin Atmaca

The effects of magnesium, calcium and EDTA on slime production byStaphylococcus epidermidis strains

Effect of magnesium, calcium and EDTA on slime production by 15 slime-positive and 13 slime-negativeStaphylococcus epidermidis strains isolated from various clinical specimens was determined. The slime production on tryptic soy broth was significantly enhanced after addition of 128 µmol/L Mg2+. Similarly, the addition of Ca2+ caused a significant increase in slime production of all tested strains when concentration of Ca2+ exceeded 64 µmol/L. In contrast, in the presence of EDTA the slime production by all strains was significantly reduced. Hence Ca2+ and Mg2+ increase slime production ofS. epidermidis. This finding is important in the context of the pathogenesis of biomedical implant infections caused byS. epidermidis.

Investigation of correlation between Toxoplasma gondii IgG positivity and Hs-CRP

Toxoplasmosis is a disease caused by the intracellular protozoan parasite, Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii). Toxoplasmosis is 1 of the more common parasitic zoonoses worldwide and it has been estimated that up to one-third of the world human population has been exposed to the parasite [1]. Birgisdottir et al. [2] have investigated Hs-CRP positivity in IgG positive sera. The investigators have reported a weak yet statistically significant correlation between Toxoplasma gondii IgG positivity and Hs-CRP positivity. The aim of this study was to determine whether Hs-CRP positivity was significant in individuals infected with T.gondii, as has been reported by Birgisdottir et al. For this purpose, sera with suspected T.gondii positivity sent to Dicle University Faculty of Medicine Central Laboratory were studied in COBAS CORE II, Roche equipment by the Macroelisa method; and those sera found positive for Toxoplasma IgG (0 6 IU/ml) were investigated for Hs-CRP (0.00 0.744 mg/dl) in Beckman Coulter equipment by the nephelometric method. In a 2-month period, 56 serum samples were detected as Toxoplasma gondii IgG positive and Hs-CRP levels in only 15 of these (%26,78) were found to be above the normal level. No significant correlation was detected (p 0.05) between the Toxoplasma IgG values and Hs-CRP levels in the statistical evaluation performed by the paired samples correlation test. Furthermore, sera were grouped according to the cut-off levels detected in Toxoplasma gondii IgG positivity, Group I defining B50 IU/ml, Group II defining 51 200 IU/ml, and Group III defining 201 IU/ml. When 31 serum samples in Group I, 17 serum samples in Group II, and 8 serum samples in Group III were compared by the ANOVA statistical method for Hs-CRP levels in mg/dl, no statistical significance was observed (p 0.05). In conclusion, we did not detect the weak yet statistically significant correlation previously detected by Birgisdottir et al. between T.gondii IgG positivity and Hs-CRP.