Zeynep Sumer

The Prevalence of Demodex folliculorum in Blepharitis Patients and the Normal Population.

Purpose: Demodex folliculorum (DF), which is frequently found in patients with chronic blepharitis, is a well-known common inhabitant of eyelash follicles. In the present study, the prevalence of DF in seborrheic blepharitis patients and controls was investigated. In addition, the associations between the presence of DF and host factors (age, sex) were analyzed. Methods: A prospective, cross-sectional study was done involving 500 cases. In all, 6000 cilia from 170 patients with seborrheic blepharitis and 330 patients with normal eyes were examined for DF. Twelve eyelash samples were epilated from each patient and examined under the light microscope. Results: DF was found in 28.8% (49/170) of patients with blepharitis and in 26.7% (88/330) of controls. The difference between the two groups was not statistically significant. The overall prevalence was 27.4% (137/500) in all patients. Although the prevalence of DF increased with increasing age, no significant difference was found between the age groups. There was also no statistically significant difference for DF prevalence between males (28.9%; 71/246) and females (24.1%; 61/254). Conclusion: Our findings show a high DF prevalence in both blepharitis and control patients and no relationship was found between the presence of DF and host factors (age, sex).

Chlorhexidine Gluconate: An Ideal Scolicidal Agent in the Treatment of Intraperitoneal Hydatidosis?

Hydatid disease is a parasitic disease that is treated primarily by surgery. The most important complication of surgical treatment is spillage of the contents of the cyst, leading to secondary dissemination. In this study, the effect of chlorhexidine gluconate (Chx-Glu) was investigated in the treatment of experimental intraperitoneal hydatidosis (IPH). IPH was reproduced in 100 Wistar albino rats by inoculation with 1 ml of a suspension contained approximately 1500 viable protoscolices of Echinococcus granulosus following determination of scolicidal activity of chlorhexidine gluconate in vitro. Five minutes after protoscolex inoculation, 5 ml of the scolicidal solution was instilled into the peritoneal cavity: 0.9% NaCl (control group), 4.0% Chx-Glu, 0.4% Chx-Glu, and 0.04% Chx-Glu. After 6 months of follow-up, the rats were sacrificed, and the number of isolated cysts, peroperative and postoperative deaths, and toxicity were evaluated. Cyst formation did not occur in any of the Chx-Glu groups compared to the control group (p < 0.05), whereas it was detected in all of the control rats. In addition, to 4.0% Chx-Glu was found to be more toxic and to cause a high mortality rate compared to the 0.4% and 0.04% Chx-Glu groups and the control group (p < 0.05). Chx-Glu 0.04% was found to be the most potent, nontoxic agent; it is easily available, inexpensive, and highly potent in a short period of time at the low concentration. Chx-Glu 0.04% can be used safely in the treatment of intraperitoneal hydatidosis and hydatid cyst.

Efficacy of Chlorhexidine Gluconate During Surgery for Hydatid Cyst

BackgroundDissemination of protoscolices-rich fluid during surgery for hydatid cyst disease is a major cause of recurrence. Instillation of a scolicidal agent into a hepatic hydatid cyst before opening is the most commonly employed measure to prevent this serious complication. In this clinical study, the efficacy of 0.04% chlorhexidine gluconate (Chx-Glu) during hydatid cyst surgery was tested, and early-term results were evaluated.MethodsA total of 30 consecutive patients with 45 liver cysts were studied. Only type I and type II cysts were included. Cysts were punctured, and fluid was aspirated. The viability of protoscolices in this fluid was determined. Chx-Glu 0.04% was instilled into the cyst cavity. After 5 minutes of exposure, the cyst fluid was reaspirated and evaluated for the viability of protoscolices. Imprints of the germinative membranes were determined for protoscolices viability.ResultsAll protoscolices in 45 cysts evaluated were killed by 5 minutes of exposure to 0.04% Chx-Glu. The whole of the germinative membrane imprints contained dead protoscolices. Chx-Glu 0.04% did not cause any adverse effect on biliary tracts in communication with cysts. There was no recurrence during the 2-year follow-up period. There were also no mortality and no cavity-related complications.ConclusionsThis study shows that intracystic injection of 0.04% Chx-Glu is an effective measure against the dissemination of viable protoscolices. In addition, Chx-Glu is the most convenient scolicidal agent as per the criteria defined by the World Health Organization. Therefore, it can be used safely during hydatid cyst surgery. However, there remains the need to perform advanced comparative clinical studies on the efficacy of Chx-Glu and other scolicidal agents.

Bactericidal effect of KTP laser irradiation against Enterococcus faecalis compared with gaseous ozone: an ex vivo study.

OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of potassium-titanyl-phosphate (KTP) laser and gaseous ozone in experimentally infected root canals. STUDY DESIGN Eighty single-rooted teeth with straight canals were selected. After preparation and sterilization, the specimens were inoculated with 10 microL Enterococcus faecalis for 24 hours at 37 degrees C. The contaminated roots were divided into 2 experimental groups, 1 negative control group, and 1 positive control group of 20 teeth each: Group 1, KTP laser group; Group 2, gaseous ozone group; Group 3, sodium hypochlorite group (NaOCl) (negative control); and Group 4, saline group (positive control). Sterile paper points used to sample bacteria from the root canals were transferred to tubes containing 5 mL of brain heart infusion broth. Then 10-microL suspension was inoculated onto blood agar plates. The colonies of bacteria were counted and data were analyzed statistically using Kruskal-Wallis 1-way analysis of variance and Mann-Whitney U tests. RESULTS There were statistically significant differences between all groups (P < .05). The saline group had the highest number of remaining microorganisms. Complete sterilization was achieved in the 2.5% NaOCl group. The KTP laser and gaseous ozone did not completely sterilize the root canals. CONCLUSION Both KTP laser and gaseous ozone have a significant antibacterial effect on infected root canals, with the gaseous ozone being more effective than the KTP laser. However, 2.5% NaOCl was superior in its antimicrobial abilities compared with KTP laser and gaseous ozone.

Apical extrusion of intracanal bacteria following use of various instrumentation techniques

AIM To evaluate the number of bacteria extruded apically from extracted teeth ex vivo after canal instrumentation using a manual technique and three engine-driven techniques utilizing nickel-titanium instruments (K3, RaCe, and FlexMaster). METHODOLOGY Seventy extracted human mandibular premolar teeth with similar dimensions were used. Access cavities were prepared and root canals were then contaminated with a suspension of Enterococcus faecalis and then dried. The contaminated roots were divided into four experimental groups of 15 teeth each and one control group of 10 teeth. G1. RaCe group: the root canals were instrumented using RaCe instruments. G2. K3 group: the root canals were instrumented using K3 instruments. G3. FlexMaster group: the root canals were instrumented using FlexMaster instruments. G4. Manual technique group: the root canals were instrumented using K-type stainless steel instruments. G5. CONTROL GROUP no instrumentation was attempted. Bacteria extruded from the apical foramen during instrumentation were collected into vials. The resultant microbiological samples were removed from the vials and then incubated in culture media for 24 h. The number of colony-forming units (CFU) was determined for each sample. The data obtained were analysed using the Kruskal-Wallis one-way analysis of variance and Mann-Whitney U-tests, with alpha = 0.05 as the level for statistical significance. RESULTS There was a significant difference between experimental-control and engine-driven-manual technique groups (P < 0.05). The manual technique was associated with the greatest extrusion of microorganism. CONCLUSIONS All instrumentation techniques extruded intracanal bacteria apically. No significant difference was found in the number of CFU among the engine-driven techniques; manual techniques extruded significantly more microorganisms.

The resistance ofEscherichia coli strains isolated from community-acquired urinary tract infections

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are the most common infections caused byEscherichia coli. Most recent research demonstrates that antibiotic resistance has reached a critical point throughout the world, as increased use of antibiotics among nonhospitalized patients encourages the growth of drug-resistant pathogens among that population. The goal of this study was to determine the antimicrobial drug resistance ofE coli strains isolated from community-acquired UTIs in 5 different regions in Turkey. The minimum inhibitory concentrations of ciprofloxacin, gentamicin, sulfamethoxazole, trimethoprim, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, and ampicillin and forE coli were determined with the agar dilution method. Among the 480 strains isolated, 8.3% were resistant to ciprofloxacin, 3.3% to gentamicin, 35.4% to sulfamethoxazole, 33.3% to trimethoprim, 27.9% to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, and 40.8% to ampicillin. These results show that the antibiotics currently most effective againstE coli are ciprofloxacin and gentamicin. Local epidemiologic trends should be considered when prescribing antibacterial therapy. More research in bacterial gene mapping will be necessary to elucidate the influence of regional antimicrobial drug use and resistance in epidemiologic trends among the general population.

Antibacterial Effects of Two Different Types of Laser and Aqueous Ozone Against Enterococcus faecalis in Root Canals

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to investigate the antibacterial effects of two different types of laser and aqueous ozone in human root canals infected by Enterococcus faecalis. BACKGROUND DATA Many techniques have been developed to find an alternative to sodium hypochlorite as a disinfection agent for infected root canals. However, no study has evaluated the exactly the same antimicrobial agent with sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl). METHODS Eighty mandibular premolar teeth with single roots and canals were selected. Following root canal preparation and irrigation, sterilization was performed in an autoclave. E. faecalis was incubated in the root canals and kept at 37°C for 24 h. The teeth contaminated with E. faecalis were divided into one negative control group (NaOCl) and three experimental groups; (Er:YAG laser, KTP laser, and aqueous ozone groups)(n=20). A disinfection procedure was performed for 3 min in order to standardize all groups. After this procedure, the microbial colonies were counted. RESULTS The results indicated that whereas the NaOCl group exhibited the highest antibacterial effect among all groups, the aqueous ozone showed the highest antibacterial effect among the experimental groups. Whereas a statistically significant difference was noted between the aqueous ozone and laser groups (p<0.05), the difference between the Er:YAG and KTP lasers was not statistically significant (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS The results showed that when aqueous ozone was applied with the aim of disinfecting the root canals, it exhibited a higher antibacterial effect than the KTP and Er:YAG lasers. However, the antibacterial effect of the aqueous ozone was insufficient when compared with NaOCl.

Investigation of flexural strength and cytotoxicity of acrylic resin copolymers by using different polymerization methods

PURPOSE The aim of this study was to appraise the some mechanical properties of polymethyl methacrylate based denture base resin polymerized by copolymerization mechanism, and to investigate the cytotoxic effect of these copolymer resins. MATERIALS AND METHODS 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) and isobutyl methacrylate (IBMA) were added to monomers of conventional heat polymerized and injection-molded poly methyl methacrylate (PMMA) resin contents of 2%, 3%, and 5% by volume and polymerization was carried out. Three-point bending test was performed to detect flexural strength and the elasticity modulus of the resins. To determine the statistical differences between the study groups, the Kruskall-Wallis test was performed. Then pairwise comparisons were performed between significant groups by Mann-Whitney U test. Agar-overlay test was performed to determine cytotoxic effect of copolymer resins. Chemical analysis was determined by FTIR spectrum. RESULTS Synthesis of the copolymer was approved by FTIR spectroscopy. Within the conventional heat-polymerized group maximum transverse strength had been seen in the HEMA 2% concentration; however, when the concentration ratio increased, the strength decreased. In the injection-molded group, maximum transverse strength had been seen in the IBMA 2% concentration; also as the concentration ratio increased, the strength decreased. Only IBMA showed no cytotoxic effect at low concentrations when both two polymerization methods applied while HEMA showed cytotoxic effect in the injection-molded resins. CONCLUSION Within the limitations of this study, it may be concluded that IBMA and HEMA may be used in low concentration and at high temperature to obtain non-cytotoxic and durable copolymer structure.

Does hydatid disease have protective effects against lung cancer

We hypothesized that solid tumors rarely occur in patients with hydatid disease. We obtained the serum of 14 patients diagnosed with hydatid disease, the serum of 10 patients who did not have a history of hydatid disease, and the hydatid cyst fluid from six patients. These sera and fluid samples were added at different concentrations to NCI-H209/An1 human lung small cell carcinoma cells and L929 mouse fibroblasts as a control group. Sera of patients with hydatid diseases had cytotoxic effects on NCI-H209/An1 cells, but they did not have cytotoxic effects on fibroblast cells. Sera from healthy subjects did not have a cytotoxic effect on the tumor cell line or control fibroblasts. Cyst fluid, also, did not have toxic effects on the NCI-H209/An1 cell line, but was toxic to fibroblasts up to a 1:32 dilution. Sera from patients with hydatid disease had cytotoxic effects on human small cell lung cancer cells in vitro.

The effect of low dose teicoplanin-loaded acrylic bone cement on biocompatibility of bone cement.

Antibiotic-loaded acrylic bone cement (polymethylmethacrylate, PMMA) is used to prevent or treat infection in total joint replacement surgery. The purpose of this study was to investigate biocompatibility and cytotoxicity of the teicoplanin-loaded acrylic bone cement. Cytotoxicity examination of acrylic bone cement balls and 400 mg teicoplanin added acrylic bone cement balls conducted by MTT (3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5 diphenyl tetrazolium bromide) assay. SEM (Scanning electron microscopy) was used to observe adhesion and spreading of cells on surface of the balls. Cytotoxicity examination conducted by MTT assay on acrylic bone cement balls and teicoplanin-added acrylic bone cement balls revealed no cytotoxicity. SEM analysis put forward that cells started to proliferate and adhere on surface of the samples in both groups as a result of 48-hour incubation and that the cell proliferation over acrylic bone cement and teicoplanin-added acrylic bone cement was similar. As a consequence, there was no cytotoxicity in acrylic bone cement and teicoplanin-added acrylic bone cement groups according to results of MTT assay. On the other hand, results of SEM showed that biocompatibility of both groups was similar. In conclusion, teicoplanin-loaded bone cement did not change biocompatibility of bone cement in studied dose.