Radiological Imaging of Rare Intracranial Complications Secondary to Otitis Media and Mastoiditis.

Acute otitis media used to cause fatal results because of its intracranial complications before the introduction of potent and effective antibiotics. After the introduction of antibiotics, complications have started to be observed more frequently as a result of chronic otitis media and especially in children. Because clinical findings changed and became indistinct, the diagnosis of otitis and mastoiditis has been made occasionally with imaging findings only after complications occurred. Multidetector computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging are efficient and sufficient methods in the rapid diagnosis and should be immediately referred methods.

Causative pathogens and antibiotic resistance in diabetic foot infections: A prospective multi-center study.

AIM: Clinical practice guidelines for the management of diabetic foot infections developed by the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) are commonly used worldwide. The issue of whether or not these guidelines need to be adjusted for local circumstances, however, has seldom been assessed in large prospective trials. METHODS: The Turk-DAY trial was a prospective, multi-center study in which infectious disease specialists from centers across Turkey were invited to participate (NCT02026830). RESULTS: A total of 35 centers throughout Turkey enrolled patients in the trial. Overall, investigators collected a total of 522 specimens from infected diabetic foot wounds for culture from 447 individual patients. Among all isolates, 36.4% were gram-positive organisms, with Staphylococcus aureus the most common among these (11.4%). Gram-negative organisms constituted 60.2% of all the isolates, and the most commonly isolated gram-negative was Escherichia coli (15%). The sensitivity rates of the isolated species were remarkably low for several antimicrobials used in the mild infection group. CONCLUSIONS: Based on our findings, several of the antimicrobials frequently used for empirical treatment, including some also recommended in the IDSA guidelines, would not be optimal for treating diabetic foot infections in Turkey. Although the IDSA guideline recommendations may be helpful to guide empiric antimicrobial therapy of DFIs, they should be adjusted to local conditions.

Investigation of the association between glaucoma and Helicobacter pylori infection using the 14C-urea breath test.

PURPOSE: To investigate the association between glaucoma and Helicobacter pylori infection by evaluating for the presence of H. pylori infection in patients with glaucoma using the 14C-urea breath test (14C-UBT). METHODS: Using 14C-UBT, H. pylori infection positivity was compared between a group of patients with primary open-angle glaucoma and a control group with normal intraocular pressure and a normal optic disc or normal perimetry. RESULTS: The 14C-UBT was positive in 18 (51.42%) out of 35 patients in the glaucoma group and in 15 (42.85%) out of 35 patients in the control group. H. pylori infection positivity rates were similar between the glaucoma and control groups (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: According to the 14C-UBT, there is no association between primary open-angle glaucoma and H. pylori infection.

Investigation of the association between glaucoma and Helicobacter pylori infection using the 14C-urea breath test / Investigação de associação entre glaucoma e infecção pelo Helicobacter pylori pelo teste respiratório da ureia 14C

ABSTRACTPurpose:To investigate the association between glaucoma and Helicobacter pylori infection by evaluating for the presence of H. pylori infection in patients with glaucoma using the 14C-urea breath test (14C-UBT).Methods:Using 14C-UBT, H. pylori infection positivity was compared between a group of patients with primary open-angle glaucoma and a control group with normal intraocular pressure and a normal optic disc or normal perimetry.Results:The 14C-UBT was positive in 18 (51.42%) out of 35 patients in the glaucoma group and in 15 (42.85%) out of 35 patients in the control group. H. pylori infection positivity rates were similar between the glaucoma and control groups (p>0.05).Conclusion:According to the 14C-UBT, there is no association between primary open-angle glaucoma and H. pylori infection.

RESUMOObjetivo:Investigar a associação entre glaucoma e infecção por H. pyloripor meio do teste para a presença de infecção por H. pylori em pacientes com glaucoma usando o teste de respiração da ureia 14C (14C-UBT).Métodos:Foi feita uma comparação em relação a positividade H. pyloriutilizando 14C-UBT entre um grupo de pacientes com glaucoma primário de ângulo aberto e um grupo controle com pressão intraocular normal e sem verificação de disco óptico glaucomatosa.Resultados:O 14C-UBT foi positivo em 18 (51,42%) dos 35 pacientes no grupo de glaucoma e em 15 (42,85%) dos 35 pacientes no grupo de controle. As taxas de positividade foram semelhantes entre os grupos de glaucoma e de controle e não houve diferença significativa entre os grupos (p>0,05).Conclusão:De acordo com o 14C-UBT, não há associação entre o glaucoma primário de ângulo aberto e H. pylori.

Comparison of the chronic effects of ribavirin and caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) on pancreatic damage and hepatotoxicity.

UNLABELLED: This study was aimed to comparison of the effects of the chronic use of the Ribavirin and caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) on the pancreatic damage and hepatotoxicity in rats. METHODS: The rats were given orally 30 mg/kg/day doses of Ribavirin for 30 days, and intraperitoneally 10 µmol/kg doses of CAPE. The 37 rats were divided into 4 groups: (I) Control (n=7), (II) Ribavirin (R) (n=10), (III) CAPE (n=10), and (IV) R+CAPE (n=10). RESULTS: Ribavirin and CAPE yielded similar results in terms of Serum, total antioxidant status (TAS), total oxidant status (TOS), amylase, lipase, and insulin compared to the control group. However, while Ribavirin provided similar results with the control group in terms of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) enzymes, the CAPE group had elevated AST and ALT levels compared to the control group. Histopathologic evaluations revealed that CAPE or Ribavirin had no degenerative effects on both the pancreas and liver tissues. In this way, the biochemical results were confirmed by the histopathologic results. CONCLUSION: It can be concluded that Ribavirin does not lead to any pancreatic damage and hepatotoxicity, and has more beneficial effects than CAPE on especially liver tissue.

[The case of Henoch-Schönlein Purpura associated with Blastocystis hominis]. / Blastocystis hominis ile Iliskili Henoch-Schönlein Purpura Vakasi

Blastocystis hominis (B. hominis) is a parasite that often causes gastrointestinal symptoms in patients with immune deficiency and has a controversial pathogenicity in healthy people, although some symptoms are reported outside of the gastrointestinal system in healthy persons. Henoch-Schönlein Purpura (HSP) vasculitis is an acute autoimmune disease characterised by IgA storage of small vessels that is believed to include infectious factors in its aetiology. A 30-month follow-up with a boy diagnosed with HSP being treated with steroid therapy showed that he had recurrent symptoms within two days, and B. hominis was detected in the faecal analysis. His symptoms including rash, abdominal pain, and arthritis improved after treatment with steroid and co-trimaksazol. This paper is the first to present a case of HSP associated with B. hominis.

The investigation of total PSA, free PSA, and free/total PSA ratio in patients with liver cirrhosis patients according to Child-Pugh score.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the total prostate-specific antigen (tPSA), free PSA (fPSA), and free/total PSA (fPSA/tPSA) ratio in patients with liver cirrhosis (LC) according to the severity of hepatic insufficiency. METHODS: Eighty-two male patients with LC were studied. The severity of liver disease was categorized by Child-Pugh score (Child-Pugh A, B, and C). Forty-two age-matched healthy subjects were used as a control group. The tPSA, fPSA, fPSA/tPSA ratio, total prostate volume (TPV), total testosterone (TT), and total protein (TP) were measured. The LC group was compared with the control group in terms of these parameters. In addition, intra-comparison and inter-comparison was made between all the Child-Pugh groups and normal subjects, in terms of these parameters. RESULTS: The tPSA and fPSA levels in LC cases, Child-Pugh A, Child-Pugh B, and Child-Pugh C groups were significantly decreased compared with the control group. The ratio of fPSA/tPSA in the LC subjects and Child-Pugh A groups significantly increased compared with the control group. TT, TP levels, and TPV in patients with LC were significantly lower compared with the control group and the results were significantly correlated with the Child-Pugh score. CONCLUSION: The present study reveals that tPSA and fPSA were decreased in patients with LC in comparison to healthy subjects in terms of 3 mechanisms. First, it might be due to shrunken prostatic volume. Second, it also resulted in decreased levels of testosterone because of the abnormality of hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular axis. Third, it might be the diminished serum protein level in the composition of the PSA.

Investigation of parvovirus B19 seroprevalence, endothelin-1 synthesis, and nitric oxide levels in the etiology of essential hypertension.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Many studies have focused on the role of pathogen infection in hypertension (HT). It has been postulated that increased vascular tonus in HT is basically related to the imbalance between vasodilator, such as nitric oxide (NO), and vasoconstrictor, such as endothelin-1 (ET-1), substances secreted by endothelium. The aim of the present study was to investigate the seroprevalence of human parvovirus B19 (HPV B19) in the etiology of essential HT and the effect of HPV B19 on ET-1 and NO levels in this disorder. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 135 participants were enrolled in the study (90 patient and 45 controls). Antibodies to HPV B19 and ET-1 were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method. Nitric oxide levels were calculated according to the Griess reaction. RESULTS: Of the total participants, 27 patients (30%) and 7 control subjects (15.6%) had IgM positive (P = .068), whereas 27 patients (30%) and 14 control subjects (31.1%) had IgG positive (P = .895). There was no statistical difference between patients and control subjects in terms of serum ET-1 and NO levels. CONCLUSIONS: The role of HPV B19 in the etiology of essential HT was not shown in the present study. A larger sample may be needed for the investigation of these relations.

Effect of Thymoquinone on Oxidative Stress in Escherichia coli-Induced Pyelonephritis in Rats.

BACKGROUND: Recurrent urinary tract infections are important in children and adults with diabetes mellitus and/or incontinence due to risk of pyelonephritis (PYN) and renal damage. There is a positive correlation released free radicals during PYN and renal damage. Experimental studies showed that antioxidant agents improve renal damage when used immediately after bacterial inoculation. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to evaluate whether treatment by thymoquinone (TQ) before or during Escherichia coli inoculation prevents oxidative damage in acute pyelonephritis (PYN) in an ascending obstructive rat model. METHODS: In this study, 42 Wistar rats were grouped as follows: control, PYN (24, 48, and 72 hours), and TQ-PYN (24, 48, and 72 hours). E. coli (1 ×10(9) colony forming units) was inoculated into the bladder via urethral catheterization in both the PYN and TQ groups. TQ injections were performed 24 hours before bacteria inoculation and repeated at 24-hour intervals during the indicated time at a dose of 10 mg/kg body weight intraperitoneally in TQ groups. RESULTS: Superoxide dismutase activity was statistically lower in the TQ-PYN-48 and -72 groups than the PYN-48 and -72 groups (P < 0.001, P = 0.004, respectively). Catalase activity was significantly higher in PYN-24, -48, and -72 groups than the control group (P < 0.001). In addition, there was a significant difference between the TQ-PYN-24, -48, and -72 groups and PYN groups in terms of glutathione peroxidase activity (P < 0.001, P = 0.026, P = 0.046, respectively). When the TQ-PYN-72 group was compared with the PYN-72 group, malondialdehyde levels were significantly lower in the TQ-PYN-72 group than in the PYN-72 group (P = 0.033). A histologic examination also confirmed the protective effect of TQ. In statistical analysis of histopathologic findings, there were significant differences between the PYN-24 and TQ-PYN-24, PYN-48 and TQ-PYN-48, and PYN-72 and TQ-PYN-72 groups (P = 0.008, P < 0.001, P < 0.001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that TQ administration attenuated the oxidative damage that occurred in PYN and, therefore, could be used as a supportive agent to protect the kidneys from oxidative damage caused by PYN.