ABSTRACT
Reported here is the first isolation of vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE) at a hospital in northwestern Turkey and a description of the ensuing outbreak investigation. The first isolate was obtained from a wound culture of a patient in an intensive care unit. Thereafter, a total of 205 rectal swabs, 67 skin swabs and 123 environmental samples were screened, revealing five more VRE isolates. All isolates showed similar antibiotic resistance patterns, except for two that differed regarding gentamicin resistance. The vanA gene was present in all isolates. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis demonstrated that all isolates belonged to a single clone, with the gentamicin-resistant isolates demonstrating two-band differences. This is the first outbreak to be caused by spread of a single VRE clone in Turkey; it was successfully controlled by strict adherence to appropriate infection control practices.
Subject(s)
Cross Infection/microbiology , Disease Outbreaks , Enterococcus faecium/drug effects , Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections/drug therapy , Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections/epidemiology , Vancomycin Resistance/genetics , Aged , Electrophoresis, Gel, Pulsed-Field , Enterococcus faecium/genetics , Enterococcus faecium/isolation & purification , Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections/genetics , Hospitals, University , Humans , Infection Control/methods , Intensive Care Units , Male , Middle Aged , Turkey/epidemiologyABSTRACT
PURPOSE: One of the factors suggested to be causative in hernia formation is defective collagen metabolism. In this study, we investigated whether there is any relationship between the collagen contents of indirect hernial sacs and certain demographic and anatomic parameters. METHODS: Hernial sac hydroxyproline levels were measured in 100 pediatric and 23 adult indirect inguinal hernia cases as indicators of collagen concentrations. Hydroxyproline levels were compared between boys and girls, right and left sided hernias, unilateral and bilateral cases, children and adults. Whether there was any relationship between patient age and hydroxyproline level was also investigated. RESULTS: No difference was found between males and females (p > 0.05), right and left sided hernias (p > 0.05) or unilateral and bilateral cases (p > 0.05). Hydroxyproline levels of adults were found to be significantly higher than those of children (p = 0.000). There was also a positive correlation between age and hydroxyproline levels of boys (r = 0.285, p = 0.023). CONCLUSION: Although a relationship between direct inguinal hernia and collagen structure has been shown by some investigators, we were unable to point to any significant findings which would indicate such a relationship in indirect inguinal hernia cases. Further studies on hydroxyproline levels in peritoneal samples will be necessary to understand the role of peritoneal hydroxyproline levels in hernia formation.
Subject(s)
Collagen/metabolism , Hernia, Inguinal/metabolism , Hydroxyproline/analysis , Adult , Age Factors , Child , Female , Humans , MaleABSTRACT
Wound infection after a surgical procedure is one of the main problems affecting the success of an operation. The prepuce is used in hypospadias surgery and in tissue defects in reconstructive surgery. The objective of this study is to determine the efficacy of povidone-iodine and surgical soap in preputial skin preparation. Ninety-four healthy children were divided into three groups. After obtaining preputial skin swabs, an application of povidone-iodine 10% was made and skin swabs were obtained after two and five minutes in group 1. An additional application of povidone-iodine after two minutes was made in group 2 and swabs taken. Group 3 received a local scrub with surgical soap and an application of povidone-iodine. Results showed that, despite painting with povidone-iodine and/or local cleaning with surgical soap, it is not possible totally to eradicate the micro-organisms in the prepuce. Surgical soap decreases the colony count, which can lead to increased effectiveness of povidone-iodine after painting. We recommend preoperative local cleaning with surgical soap before surgical painting.
Subject(s)
Anti-Infective Agents, Local/therapeutic use , Hypospadias/surgery , Povidone-Iodine/therapeutic use , Antisepsis/standards , Chi-Square Distribution , Child , Child, Preschool , Humans , Infant , Male , Preoperative Care/methods , Soaps , Surgical Wound Infection/prevention & control , Urethral Diseases/prevention & controlABSTRACT
Genome sequencing projects generate a wealth of information; however, the ultimate goal of such projects is to accelerate the identification of the biological function of genes. This creates a need for comprehensive studies to fill the gap between sequence and function. Here we report the results of a functional genomic screen to identify genes required for cell division in Caenorhabditis elegans. We inhibited the expression of approximately 96% of the approximately 2,300 predicted open reading frames on chromosome III using RNA-mediated interference (RNAi). By using an in vivo time-lapse differential interference contrast microscopy assay, we identified 133 genes (approximately 6%) necessary for distinct cellular processes in early embryos. Our results indicate that these genes represent most of the genes on chromosome III that are required for proper cell division in C. elegans embryos. The complete data set, including sample time-lapse recordings, has been deposited in an open access database. We found that approximately 47% of the genes associated with a differential interference contrast phenotype have clear orthologues in other eukaryotes, indicating that this screen provides putative gene functions for other species as well.
