Seroprevalence of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Among Health Care Workers from Three Pandemic Hospitals of Turkey

COVID-19 is a global threat with an increasing number of infections. Research on IgG seroprevalence among health care workers (HCWs) is needed to re-evaluate health policies. This study was performed in three pandemic hospitals in Istanbul and Kocaeli. Different clusters of HCWs were screened for SARS-CoV-2 infection. Seropositivity rate among participants was evaluated by chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay. We recruited 813 non-infected and 119 PCR-confirmed infected HCWs. Of the previously undiagnosed HCWs, 22 (2.7%) were seropositive. Seropositivity rates were highest for cleaning staff (6%), physicians (4%), nurses (2.2%) and radiology technicians (1%). Non-pandemic clinic (6.4%) and ICU (4.3%) had the highest prevalence. HCWs in "high risk group" had similar seropositivity rate with "no risk" group (2.9 vs 3.6 p=0.7), indicating the efficient implementation of protection measures in the hospitals in Turkey. These findings might lead to the re-evaluation of infection control and transmission dynamics in hospitals.

The Authors Reply: Predictive role of hematologic parameters in testicular torsion

No abstract available.

Predictive role of hematologic parameters in testicular torsion

PURPOSE: To evaluate the predictive role of the neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet to lymphocyte ratio (PLR), mean platelet volume (MPV), and platelet count (PLT) in the diagnosis of testicular torsion (TT) and testicular viability following TT. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We analyzed two study groups in this retrospective study: 75 patients with a diagnosis of TT (group 1) and 56 age-matched healthy subjects (group 2). We performed a complete blood count as a part of the diagnostic procedure, and NLR, PLR, MPV, and PLT values were recorded. We compared the patient and control groups in terms of these parameters. Then, TT patients were divided into two subgroups according to the time elapsed since the onset of symptoms. Subsequently, we evaluated the relationship between the duration of symptoms and these parameters. RESULTS: There were significant differences between groups 1 and 2 in NLR, PLR, and PLT (p<0.001 for all). There was no predictive role of MPV in the diagnosis of TT (p=0.328). We determined significantly high sensitivity and specificity levels for NLR in the prediction of TT diagnosis (84% and 92%, respectively). Furthermore, NLR was significantly related to the duration of symptoms in TT patients (p=0.01). CONCLUSIONS: NLR may be a useful parameter in the diagnosis of TT. Furthermore, NLR may be used as a predictive factor for testicular viability following TT.

Nature of lesions undergoing radical nephrectomy for renal cancer.

AIM: The aim of the present study was to evaluate retrospectively histopathologically-diagnosed lesions that were detected in the kidney after radical nephrectomy for a preoperative diagnosis of kidney cancer. METHODS: The medical records of 83 patients (51 male, 32 female) were included. Preoperative staging was accomplished by various methods including physical examination, blood hemography and biochemistry, abdominal ultrasonography (US), chest x-ray, abdominal computed tomography (CT) and abdominal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). RESULTS: Totals of 70 patients underwent radical nephrectomy and 13 nephron sparing surgery. Of the 83 patients, 70 had malignant lesions (renal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma or other malignancies) 13 had a variety of benign lesions, the most frequently detected being oncoytoma (6), angiomyolipoma (3), xanthogranulamatous pyelonephritis (2), cortical cyst (1) and chronic pyelonephritic change (1). CONCLUSION: It was concluded that in spite of great technological developments regarding radiological imaging modalities such as US, CT and MRI, benign lesions might still be detected pathologically in patients who undergo radical nephrectomy with the preoperative diagnosis of renal cancer. But, all renal masses should be regarded as malignant and should be managed surgically otherwise proven benign.

Significance of Atypical Small Acinar Proliferation and High-Grade Prostatic Intraepithelial Neoplasia in Prostate Biopsy

PURPOSE: In clinical practice, atypical small acinar proliferation (ASAP) and high-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (HGPIN) are two common findings on prostate biopsies. Knowing the frequency of a prostate cancer diagnosis on repeat biopsies would aid primary treating physicians regarding their decisions in suspicious cases. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred forty-three patients in whom biopsies revealed ASAP or HGPIN or both were enrolled in the present study; prostate cancer was not reported in the biopsy specimens and at least one repeat biopsy was performed. Age, digital rectal examination findings, prostate volumes, and free and total prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels and the biopsy results of the patients were recorded. RESULTS: Of the 97 patients with ASAP on the first set of biopsies, prostate cancer was diagnosed in the second and third biopsies of 32 and 6 patients, respectively. Prostate cancer was not detected in the second or third biopsies of the 40 patients with HGPIN in the first biopsy. Of the 6 patients with ASAP+HGPIN in the first biopsy, prostate cancer was detected in 3 patients in the second biopsy and in 1 patient in the third biopsy. CONCLUSIONS: The diagnosis of ASAP is a strong risk factor for prostate cancer. A repeat biopsy should be performed for the entire prostate subsequent to the diagnosis of ASAP. In patients with HGPIN according to the biopsy result, the clinical decision should be based on other parameters, such as PSA values and rectal examination, and a repeat biopsy should be avoided if the initial biopsy was performed with multiple sampling.

Severe complications of circumcision: an analysis of 48 cases.

OBJECTIVE: Circumcision is still the most commonly performed surgery in Islamic and Jewish societies. We report the findings of 48 cases referred for serious complications after circumcision that needed secondary surgical interventions. The aim of this study is to emphasize the important problem of circumcision complications. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The 48 cases (mean age 14 years, range 5 months-24 years) with complications of circumcision were reviewed retrospectively. Circumcisions were performed at various medical centers or during religious ceremonies in environments other than health facilities. RESULTS: The most commonly observed complication was preputio-glandular fusion, seen in 25 cases (52%). The other complications were: meatal stenosis in 11 (23%), urethral fistula in five (10.4%), partial glandular amputation in four (8%) and opening distal urethra in three (6%). Adhesion freeing and revision were performed in all cases of preputio-glandular fusion, patients with meatal stenosis underwent meatotomy, urethral fistulae were repaired by simple closure, partial glans amputations were patched with buccal mucosa, and patients with complete open distal urethra were repaired by Mathieu (one patient) and tubularized incised plate urethroplasty techniques. CONCLUSION: Circumcision may be associated with many serious complications. To prevent these complications, the operation should be performed by educated and experienced personnel.