Development of multiplex PCR panel for detection of anaerobic bacteria in clinical samples.

OBJECTIVE: Although anaerobic bacteria are important agents of a wide variety of serious infections, they are overlooked often in the etiology of infection due to difficulties in isolation and detection. The aim of this study was to develop a new multiplex PCR panel that could detect Bacteroides, Fusobacterium, Prevotella, Veillonella, Clostridium, Peptostreptococcus, and Actinomyces bacteria, which are the most frequently isolated from anaerobic infections, at the genus level. METHOD: Aerobic and anaerobic cultures were performed on 46 clinical specimens, with suspicion of anaerobic infection and were sent to the laboratory. DNA isolation was performed with the same samples and anaerobic bacteria were detected by the multiplex PCR test developed in the study. RESULT: The analytical sensitivity of the multiplex PCR assay was found to be 1-103 CFU/ml, depending on the bacterial species. In this study, anaerobic growth was observed in eight (17.4%) of 46 clinical samples. The multiplex PCR test detected 35 anaerobic bacteria from 20 (43.5%) of 46 clinical samples. The most common anaerobes isolated from clinical specimens by the multiplex PCR assay were Prevotella spp. (37.1%) and Fusobacterium spp. (22.9%) while Clostridium spp. (14.3%), Peptostreptococcus spp. (11.4%), Bacteroides spp. (8.6%), and Veillonella spp. (5.7%) followed these genera. CONCLUSION: As a result, it was concluded that the multiplex PCR panel developed in this study eliminates problems in the detection of anaerobes based on culture, provides more accurate detection of anaerobic bacteria from clinical specimens, takes a shorter time, and allows more accurate infection treatment.

Evaluation of Online Education Provided to Students During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A University Experience.

AIM: In this study, it was aimed to evaluate the online education provided to students during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHOD: The research was carried out with 841 students studying for undergraduate and associate degrees in a health sciences university. The research was designed with qualitative and quantitative features using a mixed method. In the quantitative phase, an online questionnaire consisting of eight questions covering socio-demographic data and experiences in the COVID-19 process was used. In the qualitative phase, in-depth interviews were conducted online using a semi-structured interview form. The qualitative design was carried out and reported in accordance with the criteria of "COnsolidated criteria for REporting Qualitative research (COREQ)." RESULTS: Of the students who responded, 75.5% (n = 635) stated that they attended 76-100% of the total number of courses, and 56.1% of them stated that the efficiency of their lessons was over 50%. The analysis of the data was done manually according to Heidegger philosophy, in accordance with the steps of the data analysis method of Colaizzi (1978). As a result of the content analysis, three main themes and 21 categories were determined. The following themes were achieved: "Better than nothing!" for positive aspects of students' experiences, "Face-to-face education is better!" for negative aspects, and "It could have been better!" for their suggestions. CONCLUSION: It has been determined that the contents of distance education in health sciences for theoretical and applied courses should be further developed with a technological approach.