Distribution of Intestinal Parasites Detected between September 2011-2018 at Dokuz Eylül University Medical Faculty Hospital.

OBJECTIVE: Intestinal parasitic diseases are important public health problems in our country as well as in the world. In this study, intestinal parasites were investigated in patients admitted to Dokuz Eylül University Hospital (DEUH) with various gastrointestinal system complaints. METHODS: Patients (n=18460) who were referred to the DEUH Central Parasitology Laboratory between January 2011 and December 2018, were included in the study. Fecal samples were examined with Nativ-lugol method and then formol ethyl-acetate precipitation method was applied. Trichrome and kinyoun acid-fast stainings were performed on the necessary samples. Demographic data of the patients were obtained from the hospital's and laboratory's information operating system. RESULTS: One or more parasites were detected in 6% (1128) of 18460 patients examined. The mean age of the patients with parasites was 39.7 (±23.1) years, of which 53.3% were male and 47.6% were female. The distribution of parasites detected were as follows; 4.8% (879) Blastocystis hominis, 0.7% (135) amoebas other than Entamoeba histolytica/dispar, 0.4% (70) Giardia intestinalis, 0.3% (49) Enterebius vermicularis, 0.1% (21) Entamoeba histolytica/dispar, and 0.01% (10) other rare parasites. CONCLUSION: Our study shows that intestinal parasitic infections are still an important public health problem in our region and that there is a decrease in their incidence.

Toxoplasma gondii - obsessive -compulsive disorder relationship: is it different in children?

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a common neuropsychiatric illness. Although the etiology of OCD is still unknown, recent investigations have associated development of OCD with infectious illness. Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) is a neurotropic protozoan parasite that causes infection of the central nervous system. In the last decade, a lot of researches have focused on the possible relationship between exposure to T. gondii and neuropsychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia. Therefore, in this study, it was aimed to investigate a possible association between Toxoplasma infection and OCD in children and adolescents. METHODS: We selected 55 patients with OCD (aged between 7 and 16 years) and 59 healthy children and adolescents (aged between 7 and 16 years), and investigated the seropositivity rate for anti-Toxoplasma IgG antibodies by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: The seropositivity rate for anti-T. gondii IgG antibodies among OCD patients (21.82%) was found to be higher than the rate in control group (15.25%). However, the difference between the OCD group and the control group was not statistically significant (p > .05). CONCLUSION: In contrast to studies in adult patients, the results of this study do not support the relationship between T. gondii and OCD children and adolescents.

[Cysticercus bovis in Turkey and its importance from the public health aspect]. / Türkiye'de Cysticercus bovis ve halk sagligi yönünden önemi.

This study was conducted in order to compare the different regions according to the literature on the prevalence of bovine cysticercosis and T. saginata in Turkey. Bovine cysticercosis and T. saginata status were evaluated retrospectively. The distribution of the data obtained according to provinces and regions were showed in the Table and the minumum / maximum values of this data in different regions in the Figure. The data obtained through the literature showed that the prevalence of C. bovis and T. saginata infections are parallel in the same region. The higher prevalence of both C. bovis and T. saginata infections was determined in the Southeastern Anatolia, Eastern Anatolia and Central Anatolia regions respectively.

[The prevalence of intestinal parasites in children with Helicobacter pylori gastritis evaluated retrospectively]. / Helicobacter pylori Gastriti Olan Çocuklarda Intestinal Parazit Sikliginin Retrospektif Olarak Arastirilmasi.

OBJECTIVE: H. pylori infection is more frequent and is seen in younger ages in developing countries when compared to developed countries. Etiopathogenetic factors include living in crowded families, low educational level of mother, low income and infected drinking water. Intestinal parasites are more frequent in low socioeconomical populations. In this study, it was aimed to determine the prevalence of intestinal parasite in patients with H. pylori gastritis proven with endoscopic and histopathological study. METHODS: Parasitology laboratory results of children who had undergone upper gastrointestinal system endoscopy (UGE) and were proved to have H. pylori gastritis were evaluated retrospectively. Stool samples were examined using native lugol and precipitation by formol ethyl acetate methods. RESULTS: A total of 138 children had undergone upper GIS endoscopy. Among those children, 97,1% had H. pylori positive gastritis. Of those H. pylori positive gastritis children, we obtained the stool test results of 105 children. Six children (5.71%) had Blastocystis hominis and 2 (1.91%) had Giardia intestinalis so a total of 8 patients had (7.61%) intestinal parasites. CONCLUSION: H. pylori and intestinal parasites are frequent among individuals living in low socioeconomical countries. The co-existence of hp and intestinal parasites, which have a negative effect on thriving and iron status in a growing child is a very important public health problem. National sanitation education and methods may help decrease the co-existence of these synergistic microorganisms.

[Cysticercus bovis in slaughtered cattle in the Afyonkarahisar and Burdur provinces and its importance from the point of view of public health]. / Afyonkarahisar ve Burdur illerinde kesilen sigirlarda cysticercus bovis ve halk sagligi yönünden önemi.

OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to determine the current status of bovine cysticercosis and human taeniosis in two provinces (Afyonkarahisar and Burdur in the western part of Turkey between October 2009 and October 2011). METHODS: In the study period, a total of 1684 cattle and 7644 human stool samples were examined for Cysticercus bovis, and Taeniosis, respectively. Carcasses of animals were subjected to routine meat inspection. Stool samples of humans were analysed macroscopically and microscopically including direct and formaldehyde-ether sedimentation methods. RESULTS: C. bovis was determined in 0.24% of cattle by postmortem examination. The prevalence of infection was found to be 0.46% in Afyonkarahisar and 0.09% in Burdur. Taenia sp. eggs were shown in 0.1% of the human stool samples. The infection rate was detected as 0.1% and 0.09% in Afyonkarahisar and Burdur, respectively. CONCLUSION: This study is characterized as a preliminary investigation which offers useful information on a public health level within a short time at a low cost. Results obtained from this study cannot be generalized to study areas in epidemiological terms, but they are useful data for the relevant geography.

[Alveolar echinococcosis in Turkey: in the light of the literature]. / Literatür Isiginda Türkiye'de Alveolar Ekinokokkozis.

Alveolar echinococcosis is a parasitic infectious disease caused by the larval stage of Echinococcus multilocularis, which is one of the two most important species of Echinococcus. Foxes are significant reservoir hosts in Europe. AE is an endemic disease in Turkey and is particularly common in people living in the eastern Anatolia region. The disease is a very aggressive and potentially fatal infection which always affects the liver primarily, develops as a tumor-like lesion and metastasizes to any part of the body. Diagnosis of AE is often difficult and almost always only possible in the later stages of the disease. Surgical resection and liver transplantation, as life-saving treatments, are accepted treatment options for early and advanced disease. The records of 162 cases of AE in Turkey, 24 case reports in the form of a separate report, were published during the 2000-2010 period. Most of these cases came from eastern and southeastern Anatolia (86.24% of cases). Their ages ranged from 23 to 71 years (mean age: 45.72±8.99). 62.20% of the cases were females. AE was located mainly in the liver (95.03%). Thus, radiological and serological screening studies for the public in this region may increase the possibility of surgical treatment for AE.

Could Toxoplasma gondii have any role in Alzheimer disease?

BACKGROUND: Alzheimer disease (AD), a chronic progressive neurodegenerative disorder, has a mainly unknown multifactorial etiology. Neuroinflammatory mechanisms might contribute to the cascade of events leading to neuronal degeneration. Central nervous system infections have been previously suggested as possible etiological agents in the development of sporadic AD. Toxoplasmosis can be associated with various neuropsychiatric disorders. In this study, we aimed to investigate the possible association between toxoplasma infection and AD. METHODS: This study evaluated the serum anti-Toxoplasma gondii IgG levels. It included an age-matched and sex-matched study and control groups that consisted of 34 patients with AD and 37 healthy individuals, respectively. There were no difference between the socio economic states of the patients and control subjects. serecm anti-I-gondi IgG levels were measured by using ELISA. RESULTS: According to the statistical analysis, there were no significant differences among the patients and the control participants with respect to age (68.05±15.98, 62.91±5.89 y, P=0.072; respectively) and sex. The seropositivity rate for anti-T. gondii IgG antibodies among AD patients and control groups were 44.1% and 24.3%, respectively, and there was significant difference between the serum anti-T. gondii IgG levels (P=0.005). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that toxoplasma infection may be involved in the pathogenetic mechanisms of AD. If confirmed, a positive correlation between toxoplasmosis and AD may lead to new approaches for the management of AD.

[The clinical, serological and morphological analysis of 91 patients with cystic echinococcosis following surgery]. / Kistik ekinokokkozis nedeniyle opere edilmis 91 olguda klinik, morfolojik ve serolojik irdelemeler.

Cystic echinococcocis (CE) is a zoonotic infection caused by metacestod form of Echinococcus granulosus. In this study, 91 patients with CE were revealed according to their gender, age, symptoms, cyst localization and size, and also to their preoperative serologic analysis results. These patients were recruited in Pathology Department of Inonu University, School of Medicine, Turgut Ozal Medical Center between January 2002 and December 2005. They had already undergone surgery following the preliminary diagnosis of CE and were diagnosed definitively after histopathological analysis. Thirty-seven of them were female (41%) and the rest were male (n=54, 59%). Mean age was 36.24 ± 20.35 (range: 4-80 years). Lung and liver were the most common localizations for CE cysts (n=67, 73.63%). Fifty patients' preoperative serological analysis (IHA) were already available (55%) and 46 of them (92%) were positive. Since histopathological definitive diagnosis was CE, false negative result rate was assessed as 8%. Intraabdominal CE cyst localization was found related with bigger cyst size and multiple organ involvement. Symptom duration was correlated with cyst size (p < 0.05; r < sup > 2 < /sup > =0.09). IHA results were failed to be found related with clinical features of the cysts.

The probable relation between Toxoplasma gondii and Parkinson's disease.

Parkinson's disease (PD), a chronic progressive neurodegenerative disorder, has a mainly unknown multifactorial etiology. Neuroinflammatory mechanisms might contribute to the cascade of events leading to neuronal degeneration. Toxoplasmosis can be associated with various neuropsychiatric disorders. The most commonly affected central nervous system (CNS) region in toxoplasmosis is the cerebral hemisphere, followed by the basal ganglia, cerebellum and brain stem. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to investigate the possible association between Toxoplasma infection and PD by evaluating the serum anti-Toxoplasma gondii IgG antibodies. There were no difference between the socioeconomic status of the patients and control subjects and magnetic resonance images of the patients were normal. Serum anti-T. gondii IgG levels were measured using ELISA. There was no statistically significant differences among the patients and control subjects with respect to age (66.01+/-12.14 years, 62.42+/-5.93 years, p=0.089; respectively) and gender. The sero-positivity rate for anti-T. gondii IgG antibodies in PD patients and control groups were 42.3 and 22.5%, respectively, and they were statistically significant (p=0.006). These results suggest that Toxoplasma infection may be involved in the pathogenetic mechanisms of PD. If confirmed, this hypothesis would represent a valuable advancement in care of patients with Parkinson's disease.

[Histopathology of strobilocercosis found in the livers of white mouse.]. / Beyaz Farelerde Karaciger Yerlesimli Strobilocercosis Histopatolojisi.

The adult form of Taenia taeniaeformis is found in the intestine of the cat and cheetah. The larva form is called Strobilocercus fasciolaris and is found in rodents such as mice and rats. Our objective was to draw attention to that rare zoonosis, since it has already been reported in the literature as strobilocercosis in humans. During an experimental animal study conducted at Inonu University, some unexpected cystic formations were found in the livers of nine 6-8-month-old healthy white mice, which affected the conducted study negatively. These cystic formations were examined histopathologically. Prepared sections were stained with haemotoxylin eosin, periodic acid-Schiff and Masson trichrome stains, and examined by light microscopy. Strobilocercus fasciolaris larvae that curled towards cyst cavity and their hooks were seen. Plasma cells, macrophage, focus of eosinophilic infiltration and fibroblastic connective tissue were simultaneous found. In this paper, histopathological changes in intermediate hosts caused by Strobilocercus fasciolaris and other cestod larvae have been discussed.

Bilateral aural myiasis (Wohlfahrtia magnifica): a case with chronic suppurative otitis media.

Myiasis is a disease caused by fly larvae and aural myiasis is a rare clinic condition often occuring in children or mentally retarded people. We report the case of an unusual presentation of a bilateral aural myiasis in a mentally retarded patient with bilateral chronic otitis media caused by the third instar larvae of Wohlfahrtia magnifica. Two larvae were located on the other ear canal while two additional larvae were located in the middle ear cavity and were removed through perforation of the tympanic membrane. Treatment of aural myiasis is based on removal of the maggots and cleansing of the ear with ethanol, chloroform or physiological saline. Physiological saline is preferred in patients who have tympanic membrane perforation. Myiasis is related to personal hygiene. Therefore, in order to decrease the incidence of these infestations, care and hygiene standards should be carried out for those at risk.

Is there any role of Toxoplasma gondii in the etiology of obsessive-compulsive disorder?

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a common psychiatric illness. Although the aetiology of OCD is still unknown, the family-genetic data show that familial forms of OCD may be associated with a specific genetic susceptibility. Recent investigations have associated development of OCD with infectious illness. Toxoplasmic encephalitis (TE) is a common presentation of Toxoplasma gondii infection of the central nervous system (CNS). The most commonly affected CNS region in TE is the cerebral hemisphere, followed by the basal ganglia, cerebellum and brain stem. The basal ganglia has been implicated in the development of OCD. Therefore, in this study, it was aimed to investigate a possible association between Toxoplasma infection and OCD. We selected 42 patients with OCD and 100 healthy volunteers, and investigated the sero-positivity rate for anti-Toxoplasma IgG antibodies by Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). The sero-positivity rate for anti-T. gondii IgG antibodies among OCD patients (47.62%) was found to be significantly higher than the rate in healthy volunteers (19%). This is the first report to examine a potential association between Toxoplasma infection and OCD. The main finding of the present study is an increased level of IgG antibodies to T. gondii in OCD patients when compared with the level in healthy controls. There might be a causal relationship between chronic toxoplasmosis and the aetiology of OCD.

[A rare cause of obstructive jaundice: fascioliasis]. / Nadir bir tikanma sariligi sebebi: fascioliasis.

A 56 year old woman was admitted to the clinic with severe colicky right upper abdominal pain. There was a three-week history of jaundice. Pathological biochemical laboratory results of her serum were as follows: direct bilirubin 4.53 mg/dl, total bilirubin 3.08 mg/dl, AST 45 U/L, ALT 72 U/L. Surgical treatment, cholecystectomy + choledochtomy + T-tube drainage, was performed. Exploration of the choledochus revealed two Fasciola hepatica. The patient was also given antihelmintic treatment. We present a case of fascioliasis-induced acute cholangitis that was diagnosed and treated via surgery. A review of the literature on extraction of living parasites is also included.

The prevalence of Demodex folliculorum on the scrotum and male perineal skin.

Demodex folliculorum (D. folliculorum) is a human ectoparasite that resides in the pilosebasceous skin unit. Common sites of predilection are the skin of cheeks, forehead, nose, nasolabial fold and eyelids. Genital D. folliculorum inoculation case reports are extremely rare and depend on investigation of skin lesions. There is no study of genital skin without lesions, and, as far as we know, there is no literature on D. folliculorum prevalence in male genital skin. We examined D. folliculorum prevalence on the healthy scrotum and male perineum. One hundred males were examined for D. folliculorum on facial and genital skin. Samples were taken from cheek, forehead, scrotum and perineum by standard skin surface biopsy (SSSB) or hair epilation. The mean age was 53.5+/-13.0 (24-70) years. Eight percent of males had D. folliculorum on their facial skin. Mean Demodex density (Dd) of men with D. folliculorum positivity was 5.1+/- 2.9/ cm (2)(2-9/cm(2)). Diagnostic results of both sampling methods were similar. No D. folliculorum was demonstrated on genital skin.

[Determination of house dust mites in Eskisehir]. / Eskisehir'de Ev Tozu Akari Görülme Durumu.

House dust contains various organic and inorganic materials. The most important parts of the house dust are dust mites causing allergic diseases such as allergic rhinitis, asthma, atopic dermatitis and seasonal keratoconjunctivitis. In this study, a total of 72 random house dust samples collected from various regions of Eskisehir were examined. The dust samples were examined by the lactic acid precipitation method which was modified from the Spieksma-Boezaman's method. The mite positive house dust rate was 16.67% including Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, Chortoglyphus arcuatus and Tyrophagus sp. It was concluded that investigation of a greater number of samples would lead to more precise rate of detection of mite positive dust and also that more mite species would be found.

[A case of alveolar echinococcosis in Malatya province]. / Malatya'da Alveolar Echinococcosis Olgusu.

The disease resulting from being infected with the larval stage of Echinococcus multilocularis is called alveolar echinococcosis (AE). In our country AE is seen in eastern and southeastern regions of Anatolia. Previously no case of AE had been reported by any hospital in Malatya. In this one case, a 70 year-old woman who presented at the Inönü University Turgut Ozal Medical Center with a right upper quadrant abdominal pain was given a diagnosis of cystic echinococcosis (CE) by dynamic liver computed tomography. The pathological examination following the cystectomy revealed the presence of AE. This is a report of the first AE case detected in Malatya province.

[Serum zinc (Zn) levels in patients with giardiosis]. / Giardiosisli hastalarda serum Cinko (Zn) düzeyleri.

A decrease may occur in the levels of trace elements due to absorption deficiency resulting from giardiosis. This study was designed in order to reveal the difference in serum zinc levels between patients with giardiosis and healthy controls. Thirty one patients who were diagnosed as having giardiosis after detection of G. intestinalis and 31 healthy controls participated in the study. A significant decrease was observed in serum zinc levels of patients with giardiosis compared to those of controls (p < 0.0001). In conclusion, we suggest that parasitic diseases should also kept in mind in the differential diagnosis of cases characterized by low serum zinc levels.

[Malaria cases in Malatya during the past seven years]. / Malatya'da son yedi yil içindeki sitma olgulari

Malaria can be seen in every region inhabited by human blood-sucking Anopheles and species of disease-causing Plasmodium. Since the region is on the crossroads of other cities where malaria is more widespread and it has a population of seasonal workers and an increasing number of tourists during the summer, additional imported cases may also be detected in the Malatya region. The aim of this study was to determine the state of malaria for the past seven years in Malatya. According to the records of the Malaria Control Unit of the Health Directorate of the Malatya province, 189 positive patients were reported during the seven years from 1999-2005. Of these cases, 186 (98.4%) were P. vivax, while 3 (1.6%) were imported cases of P. falciparum malaria. The rate of positivity was found to be 58.2% in male patients and 41.8% in female patients. Consequently, malaria can be said to persist as a health problem in Malatya region. It was concluded that people in the region should be informed about malaria and the ways to protect themselves.

[Hydatid cyst prevalence in the region of Kars.]. / Kars bölgesinde hidatik kist prevalansi

It has been reported that hydatid cysts are more common in societies that breed animals. Although there have been epidemiologic studies in various regions of our country, there has been no previous study related to this issue in the province of Kars where stockbreeding is quite common. In this study in order to determine the seroprevalence in the city of Kars and villages of the province of Kars, 511 serums were obtained and the specimens were analyzed by the indirect hemagglutination technique (IHAT) and indirect immunofluorescent technique (IFAT). The seropositive rate of 34.6% (177) found in this study, leads to the conclusion that hydatid cysts may be an important health problem in the region, and it was concluded that it would be suitable to carry out more comprehensive studies in the region.