Clinical and laboratory features of adult measles cases detected in Van, Turkey

To evaluate adult measles patients with respect to their clinical and laboratory findings as well as complications. The retrospective study was conducted at Yuzuncu Yil University, Van, Turkey, between December 2012 and June 2013, and comprised cases diagnosed with measles. The diagnosis was based on clinical findings and all were serologically confirmed with the presence of Anti-measles Immunoglobulin M antibodies. Of the 50 records studied, 41[84%] related to women. Overall mean age was 25.52 +/- 4.07 years. The most common symptoms were fever and rash 50[100%], malaise 49[98%], cough 48[96%], headache 44[88%] and sore throat 36[72%]. The presence of Koplik spots, lymphadenopathy and hepatomegaly were observed in 3[6%], 6[12%] and 2[4%] patients respectively. Thrombocytopenia and elevated liver enzymes were detected in 26[52%] and 22[44%] patients. Pneumonia was the most common complication in 9[18%] patients. Other respiratory complications were bronchitis 5[10%] and laryngotracheitis 6[12%]. Of the cases, 9[18%] exhibited otitis media. Premature delivery and spontaneous abortus occurred in 2[4%] and 3[6%] patients of the 15[30%] pregnant women. Measles continues to be an important health problem in Turkey and needs an effective elimination programme

Higher Seroprevalence of Hepatitis B Virus Antigen in Patients with Cystic Hydatid Disease than in Patients Referred to Internal Medicine Clinics in Turkey

Turkey remains an intermediate area for prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) surface antigenemia. The sheep-raising areas of Turkey also pose a high risk for cystic hydatid disease (CHD). Both HBV infection and CHD are major public health issues particularly in eastern parts of Turkey; however, there is no data regarding HBV infection in patients who have had CHD. The aims of this study were to evaluate the association between HBV infection and CHD and suggest ways to reduce HBV infection which is still widespread in Turkey. A retrospective study was conducted with 94 adult patients with active CHD referred to the hepatology department, Yuzuncuyil University School of Medicine from December 2010 to December 2012. All subjects came from rural areas of the region and underwent ultrasonography of abdomen which detected CHD of the liver. All the patients were serologically positive for Echinococcus granulosus. The control group consisted of 500 patients (300 men and 200 women) referred to the internal medicine clinics for other reasons. The patients with CHD and in the control group were tested for the existence of HBs antigen according to the standard procedures. The seroprevalence of HBs antigen was significantly higher in patients with active CHD than those in the control group (12.7% vs 5.2%; P=0.0017). Our data indicate that there is significant association between HBV infection and CHD. All patients with CHD should be screened for HBV infection.