Zafer Cetinkaya

The probable relation between Toxoplasma gondii and Parkinson's disease

Parkinsons disease (PD), a chronic progressive neurodegenerative disorder, has a mainly unknown multifactorial etiology. Neuroinflammatory mechanisms might contribute to the cascade of events leading to neuronal degeneration. Toxoplasmosis can be associated with various neuropsychiatric disorders. The most commonly affected central nervous system (CNS) region in toxoplasmosis is the cerebral hemisphere, followed by the basal ganglia, cerebellum and brain stem. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to investigate the possible association between Toxoplasma infection and PD by evaluating the serum anti-Toxoplasma gondii IgG antibodies. There were no difference between the socioeconomic status of the patients and control subjects and magnetic resonance images of the patients were normal. Serum anti-T. gondii IgG levels were measured using ELISA. There was no statistically significant differences among the patients and control subjects with respect to age (66.01+/-12.14 years, 62.42+/-5.93 years, p=0.089; respectively) and gender. The sero-positivity rate for anti-T. gondii IgG antibodies in PD patients and control groups were 42.3 and 22.5%, respectively, and they were statistically significant (p=0.006). These results suggest that Toxoplasma infection may be involved in the pathogenetic mechanisms of PD. If confirmed, this hypothesis would represent a valuable advancement in care of patients with Parkinsons disease.

Clinical importance of Demodex folliculorum in patients receiving phototherapy.

Background  Patients with immunodeficiency are prone to infestation with Demodex folliculorum mites. Ultraviolet (UV) radiation can lead to immunosuppression and sebaceous gland hyperplasia. Although some cases of demodicidosis related to UV radiation exposure have been reported, no studies have been performed on the incidence of D. folliculorum and its clinical characteristics in patients receiving phototherapy.

Nasal carriage of Staphylococcus aureus in 4–6 age groups in healthy children in Afyonkarahisar, Turkey

Aim: Staphylococcus aureus is a common cause of disease, particularly for colonized persons. Although methicillin‐resistant S. aureus (MRSA) infection has frequently reported, population‐based S. aureus and MRSA colonisation estimates are lacking. Our objective in this report is to present the prevalance of S. aureus carriage among 4–6 age groups healthy children in our region.

Effects of Intravitreal Moxifloxacin and Dexamethasone in Experimental Staphylococcus aureus Endophthalmitis

Purpose: To evaluate the effects of intravitreal moxifloxacin and moxifloxacin and dexamethasone combination in an experimental rabbit model of Staphylococcus aureus endophthalmitis. Methods: The right eyes of 24 rabbits weighing 2 to 3 kg were used. Ten thousand colony-forming units (CFU) of S. aureus in 0.1 ml saline solution were inoculated into the vitreous cavity. The eyes were randomly assigned to one of the four groups equally. Twenty-four hours after the inoculation of S. aureus, group 1 received 50 μ g moxifloxacin, group 2 received 50 μ g moxifloxacin plus 400 μ g dexamethasone, and group 3 received 1mg vancomycin intravitreally. No treatment was given to group 4. Clinical examination scores were recorded. Vitreous aspirates were obtained for microbiological analysis just before sacrifice, and the eyes were enucleated for histopathologic examination. Statistical analysis was performed using Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U tests. Results: In all treatment groups, mean number of CFU and histopathologic score were significantly lower compared with control group (p < 0.05), and the difference between treatment groups was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). The clinical score was not significantly different between groups (p > 0.05). Conclusions: Intravitreal injection of 50 μg moxifloxacin was effective in the treatment of S. aureus endophthalmitis. Bacteriological, histopathologic, and clinical outcomes after treatment using moxifloxacin, moxifloxacin and dexamethasone combination, and vancomycin were comparable. Intravitreal moxifloxacin may be an option in the treatment of S. aureus endophthalmitis.

Efficacy of topical caspofungin in experimental fusarium keratitis.

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy of caspofungin in an experimental rabbit model of Fusarium keratitis and to compare it with amphotericin B. Methods: Eighteen New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into 2 treatment groups and 1 control group. One cornea of each rabbit was inoculated with Fusarium solani spores. The first group received topical amphotericin B 0.15%, the second group received topical caspofungin 1%, and the control group received topical balanced salt solution hourly for 2 days and then 4 times daily for 3 additional days. Treatment effects were evaluated by clinical assessment at days 3 and 5 and by fungal culture after 5 days of treatment. Results: In the treatment groups, progression of keratitis was inhibited, and cultures were sterile at the end of the study. In the control group, keratitis progressed, and cultures were positive for F. solani. Conclusions: Topical caspofungin is effective in Fusarium keratitis, and clinical efficacy studies seem justified.

In vitro anti-Helicobacter pylori activity of usnic acid.

Eradication of Helicobacter pylori is an important objective in overcoming gastric diseases. Many regimens are currently available but none of them could achieve 100% success in eradication. Medicinal lichen is used in the treatment of gastric ulcer in local folk medicine in Anatolia (Turkey). The present study was performed to assess the in vitro effects of usnic acid from Usnea dasypoga against clinical isolates and standard H. pylori strains and their minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs). A total of 38 strains was assayed for anti‐H. pylori activity. The agar dilution method was used for the determination of usnic acid and clarithromycin resistance.

The effects of caspofungin and voriconazole in experimental Candida endophthalmitis.

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy of newly developed antifungal agents caspofungin and voriconazole in Candida albicans endophthalmitis in rabbit eyes. Methods: Thirty New Zealand white rabbits were divided into four treatment groups and one control group. One eye of each rabbit was infected by inoculation of 1 × 104 CFU/ml of C. albicans. Seventy-two hours after the inoculation, caspofungin 100 μg/0.1 ml in group 1 (n = 6), voriconazole 50 μg/0.1 ml in group 2 (n = 6), amphotericin B 10 μg/0.1 ml in group 3 (n = 6), itraconazole 10 μg/0.1 ml in group 4 (n = 6), and 0.1 ml NaCl 0.9% in control group (n = 6) were injected into the vitreous cavity. Clinical and histopathologic examination scores and microbiological analysis of vitreous aspirates were compared. Results: There was statistically significant difference in the clinical scores, histopathologic scores, and mean CFU/ml between the treatment and control groups (p < 0.05). In caspofungin and voriconazole groups, histopathologic scores and mean CFU were lower than other treatment groups and control group. Conclusions: Intravitreal injection of caspofungin and voriconazole was effective against C. albicans endophthalmitis in this experimental rabbit model.

Effects of human milk fortifier on the antimicrobial properties of human milk

Objective:To evaluate the effects of addition of human milk (HM) fortifier and iron on the anti-infective properties of HM.Study design:HM samples were collected from 28 lactating mothers who delivered prematurely, within the first week of post-natal life. HM fortifier Eoprotin was used. The effects of this fortifier against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Candida albicans were evaluated using a filter paper method. The measurements were repeated with pure HM, fortified HM and iron-added HM.Results:HM inhibited the growth of S. aureus, E. coli, P. aeruginosa and Candida. Addition of HM fortifier did not result in any significant difference on this effect. The addition of iron to HM reduced antimicrobial effect against all three bacteria and the Candida.Conclusion:Premature HM has strong antimicrobial activity and addition of the milk fortifier Eoprotin does not change this effect, but addition of iron reduces this antimicrobial activity.

Venous Insufficiency in Patients With Toenail Onychomycosis

Onychomycosis is a common fungal infection of the toenails and can originate secondary to vascular abnormalities. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between onychomycosis and venous insufficiency.

Octenidine hydrochloride in hydatid disease.

Hydatid disease is still endemic in many devoloping countries and continues to be an important cause of morbidity. The objective of this study was to determine the in vitro scolicidal effects of octenidine hydrochloride in different concentrations using different exposure times. After hydatid cyst liquid was left to precipitate for 1 h to obtain cystic sand, various concentrations of octenidine (undiluted, 1% and 0.1% diluted) were added to concentrated hydatid cyst sediments for 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 45, and 60 min, and scolicidal effects of octenidine were compared with 20% saline and control group for the same times. It was found that undiluted octenidine had a strong scolicidal effect at 15 min compared to saline at 20%. One percent octenidine had a scolicidal effect at 30 min. However, 0.1% octenidine did not have enough scolicidal effect in 1 h. It was concluded that undiluted and 1% diluted octenidine might be used for scolicidal purpose in the treatment of hydatid disease.