Prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis/Neisseria gonorrhoeae and human papilloma virus among women-at risk in the Aegian region of Turkey, and their knowledge about HIV/AIDS / Prevalencia de Chlamydia trachomatis/Neisseria gonorrhoeae y el virus del papiloma humano entre las mujeres en riesgo, y sus conocimientos sobre la VIH/SIDA, en la región egea de Turquía

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of selected sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and the level of knowledge and attitudes regarding HIV/AIDS among Turkish brothel based sex-workers (SWs). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A pre-designed questionnaire was administered to 199 SWs to obtain their sexual behaviours and their level of knowledge of HIV/AIDS. The specimens collected for C trachomatis/N gonorrhoeae and human papillomavirus (HPV) were tested using Gen-Probe PACE 2 and HPV-screening assays, respectively. RESULTS: Aproximatelly sixty-seven per cent of the SWs knew that condoms afforded protection against HIV/AIDS and 62% reported continued use of condoms. Although most of the SWs had heard about HIV/AIDS, thorough knowledge of transmission and prevention was lacking. The overall estimated rates for C trachomatis/N gonorrhoeae and HPV were 18.6% and 9.7%, respectively. CONCLUSION: There is a need for further studies to generate more data on the prevalence of STDs and the knowledge of STDs in this population.

ANTECEDENTES: El objetivo de este estudio es determinar la pevalencia de las enfermedades de trasmisión sexual (ETS) seleccionadas, y el nivel de conocimientos y actitudes en relación con el VIH/SIDA entre las trabajadoras sexuales (TS) en burdeles turcos. SUJETOS Y MÉTODOS: Se aplicó un cuestionario prediseñado a 199 trabajadoras sexuales a fin de revelar sus comportamientos sexuales y su nivel de conocimientos acerca del VIH/SIDA. Las muestras de C trachomatis/N gonorrhoeae y virus del papiloma humano (VPH) recogidas, fueron analizadas mediante la sonda genética conocida como Gen-Probe PACE 2 y ensayos de pesquisaje de VPH, respectivamente. RESULTADO: Aproximadamente sesenta y siete por ciento de las TS sabían que los condones daban protección contra el VIH/SIDA, y el 62% reportó uso continuado de condones. Aunque la mayor parte de las TS habían oído acerca del VIH/SIDA, les faltaban conocimientos cabales sobre la trasmisión y prevención de ETS. Las tasas generales estimadas de C trachomatis/N gonorrhoeae y VPH fueron 18.6% y 9.7%, respectivamente. CONCLUSIÓN: Es necesario realizar estudios ulteriores a fin de generar más datos acerca de la prevalencia de las ETS y los conocimientos acerca de ellas en esta población.

Prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis/Neisseria gonorrhoeae and human papilloma virus among women-at risk in the Aegian region of Turkey, and their knowledge about HIV/AIDS.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of selected sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and the level of knowledge and attitudes regarding HIV/AIDS among Turkish brothel based sex-workers (SWs). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A pre-designed questionnaire was administered to 199 SWs to obtain their sexual behaviours and their level of knowledge of HIV/AIDS. The specimens collected for C trachomatis/N gonorrhoeae and human papillomavirus (HPV) were tested using Gen-Probe PACE 2 and HPV-screening assays, respectively. RESULT: Aproximately sixty-seven per cent of the SWs knew that condoms afforded protection against HIV/AIDS and 62% reported continued use of condoms. Although most of the SWs had heard about HIV/AIDS, thorough knowledge of transmission and prevention was lacking. The overall estimated rates for C trachomatis/N gonorrhoeae and HPV were 18.6% and 9.7%, respectively. CONCLUSION: There is a need for further studies to generate more data on the prevalence of STDs and the knowledge of STDs in this population.

Clinical aspects and risk factors of nosocomial Stenotrophomonas maltophilia bacteremia episodes in a Turkish intensive care unit.

Stenotrophomonas maltophilia is an important nosocomial pathogen with increasing frequency in recent years, especially in immunocompromised and clinically debilitated patients. The aim of this study is to describe the characteristics of 35 episodes of S. maltophilia bacteremia at Celal Bayar University hospital in Turkey over a 3-year period from January 2003 to December 2005. Cases were identified with microbiology laboratory records and clinical data were collected from the medical record of each patient. The source of bacteremia was central venous catheter (CVC) in 65.7% (23) and respiratory tract infection in 2.9% (1) of episodes while the source of bacteremia was unknown in 11 (31.4%) episodes of bacteremia. Factors significantly associated with mortality were age of > or =65 years, APACHE score of > or =16, the presence of the total parenteral nutrition, anemia, low creatinine clearance level and shock. The most sensitive antibiotic was found as trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (91.4%) in antibiotic susceptibility testing of the isolates. Susceptibilities of piperacillin-tazobactam and netilmicin which frequently used antibiotics as an empirical therapy were 62.8% and 68.6%, respectively.

Comparison of antimicrobial effects of dexmedetomidine and etomidate-lipuro with those of propofol and midazolam.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The aim of our study was to investigate the antimicrobial effects of dexmedetomidine and etomidate-lipuro, and to compare these effects with those of midazolam and propofol on Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeroginosa, Acinetobacter baumannii and extended-spectrum beta-lactamase Escherichia coli ( E. coli ESBL). METHODS: All hypnotic dilutions were exposed to micro-organisms for 0, 30, 60, 120 and 240 min at room temperature in vitro. The inoculums taken from diluted suspensions were re-inoculated on blood agar and incubated for 18-24 h at 35 degrees C after which a count of the colonies was compared. RESULTS: Midazolam reduced the viable cells of S. aureus at 30, 60, 120 and 240 min, and also completely inhibited the growth of E. coli, P. aeroginosa, A. baumannii and E. coli ESBL. Dexmedetomidine, etomidate-lipuro and propofol, however, did not inhibit any of the micro-organisms tested. CONCLUSION: In vitro, midazolam had an antimicrobial effect on E. coli, P. aeroginosa, A. baumannii and E. coli ESBL. Like propofol and dexmedetomidine, etomidate-lipuro had no antimicrobial effect on any of the micro-organisms tested.

Bacteriology of surgical wound infections in a tertiary care hospital in Turkey.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the spectrum of the pathogens cultured from surgical wound infections and assess their antimicrobial drug resistances. DESIGN: Laboratory-based retrospective study for the five year period. SETTING: A four hundred bed, tertiary-care university hospital in Turkey. RESULTS: Overall 621 pathogens were identified from January 1999 to January 2004. Of these isolates, 431 (69%) were gram-positive, 178 (29%) were gram-negative bacteria and also 12 (2%) were identified as Candida albicans. The most common organism was Staphylococcus aureus (50%), followed by Escherichia coli (8%), Streptococcus pyogenes (7%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (7%), coagulase-negative staphylococci (6%), Enterococcus faecalis (4%), Enterobacter spp. (4%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (3%), Acinetobacter spp. (3%), Proteus spp. (3%), group B. B-haemolytic streptococci (2%), Candida albicans (2%), and Citrobacter spp. (1%). The rate of resistance to methicillin in staphylococci and multidrug resistance in S. aureus were 31% and 12%, respectively. There was no increase in resistance to methicillin by years. Piperacillin/tazobactam, sefoperazone/sulbactam, carbapenems, ofloxacin and amikacin were the most active agents against gram-negative isolates. The rates of extended spectrum beta-lactamase production in K. pneumoniae and E. coli strains were determined as 14%, and 6%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is emerging as a major pathogen in surgical wound infections. We concluded that antimicrobial treatment of surgical wound infections should include empiric coverage for MRSA. The surveillance of resistance in pathogens causing surgical wound infections is necessary to promote the appropriate therapeutic choices for these infections.

Oropharyngeal carriage and penicillin resistance of Neisseria meningitidis in primary school children in Manisa, Turkey.

INTRODUCTION: To determine the oropharyngeal carriage rates and serogroups of Neisseria meningitidis in primary school children in Manisa, Turkey as well as the prevalence and penicillin resistance of N. meningitidis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Throat swabs obtained from 1128 children were cultured and recovered organisms were tested by disk diffusion method and the E-test for antimicrobial susceptibilities. RESULTS: The carriage rate of N. meningitidis in our region was 6.2% (71 strains) and the serogroups identified were serogroups A (28.1%), B (22.5%), C (35.2%), D (2.8%) and W-135 (11.2%). Penicillin resistance was found in 16 strains (22.5%), while beta-lactamase activity was found in none. CONCLUSIONS: The carriage rate of N. meningitidis and serogroups are similar to the rates reported in other countries. Continued surveillance of meningococci for antimicrobial resistance will allow early detection of changes in susceptibility patterns that might affect recommendations for chemoprophylaxis as well as for treatment.

Tissue-irritation potential of dilute formocresol.

Bacteriologic studies indicate that 50 percent formocresol in propylene glycol is an efficient bactericide. The tissue-irritation potential of this concentration was evaluated in rats. Assessment of the subcutaneous connective tissue reactions to 50 percent formocresol, 100 percent formocresol, and normal saline solution (as a control) indicates that formocresol, when diluted with propylene glycol, is significantly less irritating to the subcutaneous connective tissue of rats. The atraumatic implantation technique also seems to influence significantly the intensity of tissue reaction. Dilute formocresol deserves further study to evaluate its use in clinical endodontics.