Effect of the number of portal area on modified histological activity index of viral hepatitis and histological findings.

AIM: Viral hepatitis is one of the most important causes of chronic hepatitis. Liver biopsy is used to verify clinical diagnosis and to evaluate necroinflammation and fibrosis. Biopsy is the guide for therapy and can be performed also after treatment to assess the effect of therapy on liver. This paper aimed to explore histopathological characteristics of biopsy samples, which had been referred to our department with the clinical diagnosis of chronic viral hepatitis, in reference to Ishak Modified Hepatic Activity Index (IMHAI), as well as to compare inflammatory scores and stages in the groups created according to the number of portal area (PA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 107 patients that underwent liver biopsy in 2011 being diagnosed with chronic viral hepatitis. Age, gender and type of viral hepatitis were retrospectively reviewed and histological findings such as IMHAI inflammatory score and stage, hepatosteatosis and ground glass hepatocytes were re-assessed by two pathologists. RESULTS: Of the present cases, 97 had chronic hepatitis B, 5 had chronic hepatitis C, and 5 had chronic hepatitis BDThe group with PA number of 2-4 consisted of 8 cases and the group with PA number of 11 and over consisted of 37 cases. CONCLUSION: Statistical analysis performed by comparing IMHAI inflammatory score and stage with PA revealed that score and stage were significantly higher in PA ≥ 11 groups as compared to PA 2-4 group.

The epidemiology of toxoplasmosis in Turkey--a review of the literature.

Turkish literature published between 1980-2000 were reviewed from the point of the epidemiology of toxoplasmosis in Turkey. The data obtained from this review were collected at five different tables: 1. Hospital patients, 2. People who had close contact with animals or working in meat industry, 3. Apparently healthy people, 4. Special groups such as homosexuals, hemodialysis patients, and 5. The prevalence in animals of live-stocks and domestic animals. The prevalence rates in these groups were as follows: 13.9% -85.3%; 20.7% -57.6%; 23.0% -43.7%; 16.3% - 76.6%; 39.5% -78.0%. The role of meat eating habits of people and living in close contact with cats were emphasized on these high rates.

In vitro potency and stability of fortified ophthalmic antibiotics.

PURPOSE: This study evaluates the in vitro potency, stability and contamination of the fortified ophthalmic antibiotic preparations of cefazolin, vancomycin, gentamicin and tobramycin stored for 4 weeks. The effects of the different solvents and storage temperatures on the antimicrobial potency and stability were also examined. METHODS: The fortified stock solution of cefazolin and vancomycin were prepared by reconstituting with 0.9% sodium chloride and with artificial tears. Gentamicin and tobramycin were prepared by adding parenteral forms into their commercial ophthalmic solutions. The antimicrobial potency was measured by the minimum bactericidal concentration for cefazolin (33.3 mg/mL) and vancomycin (31 mg/mL) against Staphylococcus aureus, and for tobramycin (13.5 mg/mL) and gentamicin (13.5 mg/mL) against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The stability of solution was evaluated by measuring absorbance spectra and pH. During the study period the levels of contamination of the stock solutions were examined by culturing on blood and on Sabouraud-dextrose media. RESULTS: There were no differences in the antimicrobial potency of the cefazolin, vancomycin and tobramycin within the 4-week period; however, the potency of gentamicin was decreased at both temperatures after 21 days. It was found that different solvents or storage temperatures had no effect on the potency. Throughout the 4-week period, no change was found in the absorbance spectra of gentamicin and tobramycin, whereas the absorbance spectra of cefazolin and vancomycin stored at 24 degrees C increased in both of the solvents used (P<0.05). In all of the antibiotics, pH changed at 24 degrees C after 7-10 days; however, at 4 degrees C, only the pH of tobramycin exhibited changes after 14 days (P<0.05). No contamination was detected in the stock solutions during the study period. CONCLUSION: Topical fortified antibiotic solutions used for longer than 7 days should be stored at < or =4 degrees C, those stored at 24 degrees C should be discarded after 7 days.

A survey of intestinal parasites in students of Adult Educational Center in Sivas, Turkey.

The prevalence of intestinal parasites in students of Adult Educational Center (Halk Egitim Merkezi) in Sivas, Turkey was assessed. All of the students were females and their age ranged from 12 to 46 with a mean age of 19. Diagnosis was made following examination of stool specimens and cellophane tape preparations (CTP). From each stool specimen only one preparation prepared in saline was searched for both protozoon and helminth parasites. A total of 524 stool specimens and 504 CTP were examined. One or more parasites were detected in 34.5% the former and 23.8% of the latter. When the findings in both specimens were combined the infection rate raised to 48.0%. 176 of the 485 students harboured one, whereas 57 had more than one parasite; 87 had only protozoa, 104 only helminths whereas 42 were infected with parasites of the two groups. The rate of parasites found was as follows: G. intestinalis 8.2%, E. histolytica 1.2%, E. coli 17.9%, A. lumbricoides 2.3%, T. trichiura 0.8%, E. vermicularis 12.6%, T. saginata 16.7%, H. nana 1.0%, and others 0.6. Findings were evaluated from several points.

Primary amoebic meningoencephalitis in Britain.

Meningoencephalitis proved to be due to an amoeba (Naegleria) has been diagnosed in Great Britain for the first time. The first patient (a boy of 2) survived longer than any previously recorded cases, but in spite of early diagnosis and treatment he died 15 days after the onset of meningeal symptoms.Two other children who were exposed to the same possible source of infection (a warm, muddy puddle) had similar symptoms and developed mild meningitis. A naegleria was isolated from the cerebrospinal fluid of one of them. Both recovered after treatment with amphotericin.