Seropozitifity of Anti-Echinococcus granulosus in Patients with of Clinical Prediagnosis Cystic Echinococcosis at Kafkas University Health Research and Application Hospital

Objective: Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is a common zoonotic disease in the world, which is caused by the larval form of Echinococcus granulosus settling in various organs in both animals and humans. It is common in livestock breeding areas and rural areas. This study was conducted to determine anti-E. granulosus seropositivity in patients with clinical pre-diagnosis/suspected CE in Kafkas University Health Research and Application Hospital in the Eastern Anatolia region of Turkey. Methods: Study material; between January 2018 and December 2020, 498 blood samples were sent to the Parasitology Laboratory from patients with clinical pre-diagnosis of CE, who applied to Kafkas University Health Research and Application Hospital for three years. The obtained serum samples were analyzed by indirect hemagglutination method. Results: Anti-Echinococcus granulosus antibodies were detected in 74 (14.9%) of 498 patients with clinical pre-diagnosis of hydatid cyst. Of the positive cases, 53 (71.6%) were observed in women, and 21 (28.4%) in men (p<0.05). Anti-E. granulosus antibodies were most commonly detected in the 16-30 age group (32.9%) (p<0.05), and 19.3% in the 16-60 age group. Conclusion: Although the study data do not cover the entire Eastern Anatolia region of Turkey, it has been concluded that KE maintains its importance as a public health problem in the region.

The Investigation of Prevalence of Demodex spp. in University Students: The Case of the Faculty of Health Sciences

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of Demodex spp. in college students, mostly adolescent individuals. Methods: A questionnaire including questions about the risk factors of Demodex spp. was administered to college students. Samples were taken with Standard Superficial Skin Biopsy method and examined under light microscope. Results: Presence of Demodex spp. was detected in 160 (42.7%) students out of 375 totally; 126 out of 291 nursing students (43.3%) and 34 out of 84 midwifery students (40.5%). It was detected in 47.3% of males and 40.2% of females. There was a statistically significant difference in terms of the prevalence of Demodex spp. between those who used foundation cream/make-up products and those who did not, and between those who removed hair and those who did not (p<0.05). There was no relationship between other variables and Demodex spp. prevalence. Conclusion: It is concluded that Demodex spp. is very common among college students in Kars. Dermatologists should also consider the existence of Demodex spp. in the etiology and pathogenesis of dermatoses which develops in the facial region of individuals in this group of age.

Retrospective Evaluation of Patients Diagnosed with Cystic Echinococcosis at Kafkas University Faculty of Medicine's Surgical Outpatients Unit.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to retrospectively evaluate the serological and radiological analysis and medical and surgical treatment results of patients diagnosed with cystic echinococcosis (CE). METHODS: Records belonging to a total of 67 patients diagnosed with CE who presented to the Kars Kafkas University Faculty of Medicine Research Hospital's Surgical Outpatient unit between January 2012 and December 2015 were retrospectively evaluated. RESULTS: Of 67 CE cases, 53 (79.1%) were females and 14 (20.9%) were males. The age ranged between 12 and 77 years, and the mean age was 47.37±17.81 years. The most common cyst location was the liver, in 60 patients (89.5%). Other localizations were found in 7 (10.5%) of the 67 cases. Open surgery was used to treat 32, and drainage accompanied by ultrasonography (USG) was used to treat 13 cystic cases. The remaining 22 patients were followed-up. Among the followed-up patients, the radiologic imaging findings of six patients were consistent with a hydatid cyst, but the indirect hemagglutination assay (IHA) results were negative. CONCLUSION: We concluded that CE is an important public health problem for the Kars region due to a low socioeconomic and educational level, where livestock breeding is also common. More comprehensive epidemiological studies should be undertaken and national control programs are required to keep the disease under control.

The Situation of Cystic Echinococcoses in Kars State Hospital for The Last Five Years.

OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to contribute to the information regarding the spread of cystic echinococcosis (CE) in our country and to reveal its importance in our region by determining the spread of CE in people. METHODS: CE cases, which were detected by retrospectively reviewing the records at Kars State Hospital in Kars between 2009 and 2013, were evaluated in terms of age group, gender, and organ involvement. For features, descriptive statistics were stated in numbers and percentages. RESULTS: According to the obtained results, in total, 168 CE cases were specified. While female patients constitute 101 cases (60.1%), male patients constitute the remaining (39.9%). Their distribution was specified between the ages of 3 and 79 years, and it was ascertained that the cases were mostly between the age groups of 16 and 30 years at the rate of 26.8%. The second most frequent age group was between 31 and 45 years at the rate of 25.6%. CE was mostly seen in the lung (49.4%) and liver (44.6%). Additionally, 10 patients with CE in both the lung and liver were ascertained. CONCLUSION: It is seen that CE is an important public health problem in Kars. Extensive protection and control programs should be implemented against this disease.

[Knowledge levels about some ectoparasites in owners of dairy cattle enterprises in the Kars province of Turkey]. / KarsIlindeki Süt Sigircilik Isletme Sahiplerinin Bazi Ektoparazitlere Iliskin Bilgi Durumlari.

OBJECTIVE: One of the most important problems in the livestock sector in Turkey is the failure to provide the desired yield increase in animal production. In dairy cattle enterprises owner's in Kars province in order to detect their knowledge level about recognition of some ectoparasites and protection methods from them. METHODS: In this study, a survey was conducted in 26 villages with a total of 92 producers in Kars province. RESULTS: Producers, participating in the study, are involved with livestock activity average 24.33 years, veterinary and vaccines--drug costs the average annual 161.42 TL for parasitic diseases, and the most common parasitic drug ivermectin was used with the oxfendazole-derived drugs. A total of 78.3% of producers expressed that there were lice, fleas, and ticks over animals, but only 59.8% of them gave the wrong answer to the question of "Lice, fleas, ticks, and mange. Is it a parasite?" The study also showed that among producers who have information about hypoderma infection, only 14.3% of them apply the vaccine /drug at the right time. CONCLUSION: As a result, producers in the region do not have enough knowledge about parasitic diseases, and irrational drug use was found to be common.

[Seasonal distribution and economic importance of cystic echinococcosis in cattle slaughtered at Kars Municipal Abattoir, Turkey]. / Kars Belediye mezbahasinda kesilen sigirlarda kistik echinococcosis'in yayginligi, mevsimsel dagilimi ve ekonomik önemi.

OBJECTIVE: Cystic echinococcosis is a very important zoonotic disease both for the World and Turkey. This study was performed to determine the prevalence, seasonal distribution and economic importance of Cystic echinococcosis by using the data provided from the 2010 records of the Kars Municipal Abattoir. METHODS: In this retrospective study, the records of 3.846 cattle slaughtered at the Kars Municipal Abattoir between January and December 2010 were investigated. RESULTS: In this study, 3.846 cattle were examined. CE was found in 203 (5.3%) out of 3846 cattle in that Abattoir. It was also found that the incidence rate of this infection in female cattle is higher than the rates in the males (p < 0.001). It was also determined that this infection is mostly prevalent in Spring (37.4%), while it is less prevalent in Autumn (15.8%). The total annual economic loss due to hydatidosis in cattle slaughtered at Kars municipal abattoir was estimated to be to 12.180 TL (7.708 $) per year. CONCLUSION: As a result, obtained prevalence values indicate that cystic echinococcosis causes potential risks for public health besides causing significant economic losses in the Kars province.

[The prevalence of intestinal parasites in children brought to the Kars Maternal and Children's Hospital with complaints of gastrointestinal symptoms]. / Kars Dogum ve Cocuk Bakimevi Hastanesine Gastrointestinal Yakinmalarla Basvuran Cocuklarda Bagirsak Parazitlerinin Yayginligi.

This study was carried out to determine the prevalence of intestinal parasites in 2-6 year-old children who were brought to Kars Maternal and Children's Hospital with complaints of gastrointestinal symptoms during March-June 2007. Fecal samples were taken from children and brought to the parasitology laboratory of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine to be examined for intestinal parasites. Fecal samples were examined by centrifugal formalin ether, zinc-sulphate floatation, and modified acid fast techniques. Lugol solution was used during microscopic examination and suspected samples were also examined by the Giemsa dye technique. The prevalence of intestinal parasites in children was found to be 36.2% (50/138). Protozoan and helminth parasites were found to be 34.1% (47/138) and 2.9% (4/138) in the fecal samples examined, respectively. Giardia intestinalis (10.9%), Entamoeba histolytica/dispar (10.1%), Entamoeba coli (8%), Blastocystis hominis (6.5%), Endolimax nana (4.3%), Chilomastix mesnili (1.4%), Ascaris lumbricoides (1.4%), Entamoeba hartmanni (0.7%), Cyclospora cayetanensis (0.7%), Enterobius vermicularis (0.7%) and Hymenolepis nana (0.7%) were identified from the feces of children of Kars and vicinity. No Cryptosporidium spp. was detected.