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Biomedical subjects

Serhat Unal

Publications and source records attributed to Serhat Unal.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Aphasic status epilepticus with periodic lateralized epileptiform discharges in a bilingual patient as a presenting sign of "AIDS-toxoplasmosis complex".

We describe an HIV-infected, bilingual patient presenting with Wernicke's aphasia due to partial status epilepticus with periodic lateralized epileptiform discharges, as the first sign of AIDS-toxoplasmosis complex. The localization of the native and secondary language centers in the brain and the possible role of recurrent seizures in the fluctuating course of Wernicke's aphasia in this patient are discussed. The clinical course of this patient supports the belief that a second language area for a second language learned in the later stages of life is located in an area different from that for the native language but still in close proximity to it.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗
PubMed2006

Paradoxical deterioration during the course of antituberculous treatment.

Paradoxical deterioration during antituberculous therapy is defined as the clinical or radiological worsening of pre-existing tuberculous lesions or the development of new lesions in a patient who initially improves. Although it has frequently been reported for patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), it can also be seen in HIV-negative patients. Here, we present a case of miliary tuberculosis in a patient who clinically deteriorates after antituberculous treatment, and discuss this confusing entity under the light of the pertinent literature.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Fasciola hepatica infection: clinical and computerized tomographic findings of ten patients.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Fasciola hepatica is the cause of liver infection, fascioliasis. Although rare, it is still a problem even in developed countries. In this study, the clinical and computerized tomographic findings of 10 patients diagnosed with fascioliasis are summarized. METHODS: The medical records of the patients with fascioliasis were retrospectively examined. Clinical, laboratory findings and computerized tomographic results were recorded. RESULTS: Abdominal pain, fever, eosinophilia and abnormal liver function tests were the most commonly encountered symptoms and signs. One patient was human immunodeficiency virus -positive with active tuberculosis. Serologic test for fasciola hepatica was positive in all patients. Nodular masses without prominent enhancement, and branching low-attenuated tubular lesions were the most commonly seen tomographic findings and were supportive for the diagnosis. All except the HIV-positive patient received bithionol therapy; six patients responded well, two lost contact with the clinic and one patient who was unresponsive to bithionol therapy received triclabendazole. During follow-up of the six patients who responded, all the clinical and radiological findings regressed. CONCLUSION: In any patient with peripheral eosinophilia, abdominal pain and elevated liver enzymes, especially when CT reveals tubular and nodular hypodense lesions particularly in subcapsular area, F. hepatica infection should be considered. Either triclabendazole or bithionol can be used effectively for the treatment.

Abdominal Pain↗
PubMed2006

[Antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of nosocomial gram negative pathogens: results from MYSTIC study in Hacettepe University Adult Hospital (2000-2004)].

Antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of Gram negative pathogens (n: 699) isolated from nosocomial infections in Hacettepe University Adult Hospital included in MYSTIC programme between 2000-2004 were determined by Etest (AB BIODISK, Solna, Sweden) using CLSI criteria. Of the total Escherichia coli (n: 179), Klebsiella pneumoniae (n: 168), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (n: 179) and Acinetobacter baumannii (n: 173) isolates, 55% were from patients in inpatient clinics and 45% were from patients in intensive care units. The extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) production rate of E. coli and K. pneumoniae isolates were 28% and 47%, respectively. All E. coli and K. pneumoniae isolates were found susceptible to carbapenems. The susceptibility of ESBL positive E. coli isolates to piperacillin+tazobactam was 76% and 65% to cefepime, 63% to ceftazidime, 56% to tobramycin, 24% to ciprofloxacin. For ESBL negative E. coli isolates, the susceptibility rates were found 95%, 92%, 84% and 58% for ceftazidime and tobramycin, cefepime, piperacillin+tazobactam and ciprofloxacin, respectively. The susceptibility rates of ESBL positive K. pneumoniae isolates to piperacillin+tazobactam was 55% and 51% to cefepime, 49% to ciprofloxacin, 45% to tobramycin, 42% to ceftazidime. For ESBL negative K. pneumoniae isolates, the susceptibility rates were determined as follows; 92% for cefepime, 87% for tobramycin, 70% for piperacillin+tazobactam, 62% for ceftazidime and 60% for ciprofloxacin. Of the P. aeruginosa isolates, 77% were multi-drug resistant with susceptibility rates to piperacillin+tazobactam, ciprofloxacin, meropenem and imipenem as 55%, 53%, 51% and 49%, respectively. The susceptibilities of P. aeruginosa isolates were 48% to ceftazidime, 41% to cefepime and 35% to tobramycin. Of the A.baumannii isolates, 67% were multi-drug resistant with higher susceptibility rates to meropenem (53%), imipenem (48%) and tobramycin (44%) compared to other antimicrobials cefepime (37%), ciprofloxacin (29%), piperacillin+tazobactam (26%) and ceftazidime (22%).

Acinetobacter baumannii↗
PubMed2006

[A plasmodium alciparum malaria case originated from Mozambique: clues for the diagnosis and therapy].

The aim of this report was the presentation of a falciparum malaria case originated from Mozambique and the evaluation of diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. Sixty years old Canadian male patient who has been working in Mozambique for 13 years was admitted to hospital with the complaints of high fever (39.6 degrees C), weakness, nausea and vomiting, when returned to Turkey. The patient was sleepiness and has undulating confusions with the laboratory findings of thrombocytopenia, hypoglycemia, hyperlactatemia, increased BUN/creatinine levels, increased LDH levels and hypocholesterolemia. The diagnosis was based on the detection of multiple ring formed trophozoites in the thick blood film and the presence of multiple ring forms inside the erythrocytes and the absence of trophozoite and shizont forms in the thin blood film. His medical history revealed that he experienced another falciparum malaria infection one year ago, although he has been using mefloquine prophylaxis during his stay in Mozambique. Since chloroquine resistance was thought to be high in this region, the patient was treated with quinine sulphate and doxycycline. Six days after the onset of therapy, the biochemical markers turned to normal and 14 days later the blood films were free of the parasite. The patient was given doxycycline prophylaxis since he would return to Mozambique. In conclusion, the followings should be taken into consideration for the diagnosis and therapy: (i) cyclic type of fever which is characteristic for malaria, might not be detected in falciparum malaria; (ii) some of the clinical symptoms might be blocked by partial immune response in case of recurrent infections; (iii) thrombocytopenia and hypocholesterolemia might indicate the presence of falciparum malaria; and when falciparum malaria is confirmed by parasitological examinations the patient should be treated as if he/she is accepted as resistant to chloroquine.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Fever of unknown origin: what is remarkable in the elderly in a developing country?

OBJECTIVES: To investigate fever of unknown origin (FUO) in 97 patients and compare geriatric and adult population. METHODS: We investigated 97 (22 elderly) patients with FUO using the criteria of Petersdorf and Beeson [Medicine 40 (1961) 1] hospitalized between January 1990 and May 2005 at Hacettepe University Hospital. RESULTS: Infectious diseases were the most common cause in the adult (33.3%) and the elderly (45.5%) patients both. Neoplasms were seen in 18.7; 4.5% and collagen vascular diseases were diagnosed in 9.3; 4.5% of the adults and the elderly respectively. Tuberculosis accounted for 60% of all the infectious causes and empirical anti-tuberculous treatment served as a diagnostic method in 43% of the cases with tuberculosis. Lymphadenopathy was more common among the adults with FUO. A diagnosis could be reached in all the elderly patients with a very high erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR>100mm/h). At the end of the hospitalization, 14.7% (11/75) of the adult patients and 13.6% (3/22) of the elderly patients died. CONCLUSION: Geriatric patients with FUO usually have characteristics similar to the adult patients with respect to the hospitalization time, diagnosis, and inpatient mortality. Lymphoid organ hyperplasia might be expected less frequently and very high ESR might be a more reliable indicator of systemic disease in the elderly. Empirical anti-tuberculous treatment plays an important diagnostic role in the developing countries with a higher prevalence of tuberculosis.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Pathogenic antibody removal using magnetically stabilized fluidized bed.

Magnetic poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (mPHEMA) beads were used in the removal of anti-dsDNA antibodies from systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patient plasma in a magnetically stabilized fluidized bed. mPHEMA beads, in the size range of 80-120 microm, were produced by suspension technique. Then, DNA was immobilized onto mPHEMA beads by carbodiimide activation. Magnetic beads were contacted with blood in in vitro systems. Loss of blood cells and clotting times were followed. mPHEMA beads were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Important results obtained in this study are as follows: the mPHEMA beads have a spherical shape and porous structure. Loss of cells in the blood contacting with mPHEMA/DNA was negligible. The anti-dsDNA adsorption capacity decreased significantly with the increase of the flow-rate. With increasing anti-dsDNA antibody concentration, the amount of antibody adsorbed per unit mass increased, then reached saturation. Maximum anti-dsDNA antibody adsorption capacity was found to be 97.8 mg/g. Pathogenic antibody molecules could be repeatedly adsorbed and desorbed with these magnetic beads without noticeable loss in their antibody adsorption capacity. Because of the good blood-compatibility, mPHEMA is hopeful for the treatment of SLE by magnetically stabilized fluidized bed systems in the future.

Antibodies, Antinuclear↗
PubMed2005

Infectious complications in patients with hematological malignancies consulted by the Infectious Diseases team: a retrospective cohort study (1997-2001).

In order to identify the characteristics of patients with hematological malignancies (HM) in the presence/suspicion of any accompanying infectious disease, and to find the predictors of mortality in this group, hospital charts of patients with HM consulted by the Infectious Diseases (ID) team for signs/symptoms of any infection between January 1, 1997 and December 31, 2001 were retrospectively reviewed. A total of 1,132 consultations were done for 641 patients: 59.4% of the patients were male and the mean (+/-standard deviation) age of the study participants was 47.9+/-1.4 years. The most common underlying diseases were non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (30.9%), acute myelogenous leukemia (26.2%), and multiple myeloma (10.9%). Clinically and microbiologically documented infections and fever of unknown origin were observed in 43.3%, 38.1%, and 18.5% of the participants, respectively. Bloodstream infections were detected in 134 episodes (20.9%): 56.5% were caused by gram-negative microorganisms. In logistic regression analysis, the presence of pneumonia (OR 7.56, 95% CI 4.84-12.486), invasive fungal infection (OR 4.12, 95% CI 1.78-9.55), relapse or recent diagnosis of the underlying disease (OR 2.82, 95% CI 1.53-5.21) and neutropenia (OR 2.70, 95% CI 1.70-4.31) were identified as statistically significant predictors of mortality.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Osteoporosis In Turkish HIV/AIDS patients: comparative analysis by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry and digital X-ray radiogrammetry.

Recently, osteoporosis has attracted concern among physicians treating patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). Many confounding factors are assumed to play a role in its pathogenesis. The discussion has increased dramatically since the introduction of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), and, in fact, the pertinent data have become much more contradictory. In this study, we have evaluated the BMD of our HIV/AIDS patients, comparatively by two methodologies: dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and digital X-ray radiogrammetry (DXR). The study comprised 27 HIV/AIDS patients (15 males, 12 females). Bone mineral density measurements using DXA (Hologic QDR-4500) were performed at the lumbar spine (L1-L4), femur and distal radius. DXR evaluations were done by Pronosco X-posure system (Sectra Pronosco, Denmark) using the X-ray graphs of the patients' non-dominant hands. Nine patients (33.33%) were found to have osteoporosis. Fourteen (51.85%) had osteopenia and four (14.81%) were normal. Estimated BMD and cortical thickness measurements obtained from DXR significantly correlated with lumbar, femoral and radial DXA measurements. Whether disease-related or drug-related, the tendency to a decline in the bone mass of these patients exists, and future studies are awaited to unravel the clinical significance of osteopenia, risk of fracture and the individual differences between HAART regimens in HIV/AIDS. We also believe that launching screening and treatment guidelines for osteoporosis in these patients will then become reasonable. Last but not least, DXR appears to be a promising tool in this regard.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗
PubMed2005

Activity of meropenem and comparators against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter spp. isolated in the MYSTIC Program, 2002-2004.

This study examines the susceptibilities of meropenem and other broad-spectrum antimicrobials tested against bacterial isolates collected from hospitalized patients during 2002-2004 from worldwide medical centers participating in the Meropenem Yearly Susceptibility Test Information Collection (MYSTIC) Program. The in vitro activity of meropenem and 5 comparator antimicrobial agents was assessed against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter spp. Generally, the susceptibility of Australasian and North American isolates was higher than that of the European and South American isolates. The rank order of activity of the antimicrobial agents tested against a worldwide collection of P. aeruginosa was piperacillin/tazobactam (77.7% susceptible) > meropenem (75.4%) > ceftazidime (70.0%) > imipenem (69.7%) > gentamicin (66.1%) > ciprofloxacin (62.0%). Against a worldwide collection of Acinetobacter spp. meropenem (76.1% susceptible) was the most active compound followed by imipenem (74.7%) > gentamicin (51.9%) > ciprofloxacin (40.5%) > piperacillin/tazobactam (39.8%) > ceftazidime (38.1%). The carbapenems appear to be a valuable option for the treatment of serious nosocomial infections caused by P. aeruginosa or Acinetobacter spp. over a broad geographical region.

Acinetobacter↗
PubMed2005

Political issues in internal medicine in Europe. A position paper.

What will be the future of internal medicine in Europe? Because of rapidly growing concerns regarding the position of internal medicine in many European countries, the European Federation of Internal Medicine (EFIM) has established a working group to analyze the situation. Being well aware of the variation in working practices in the different countries, the members of the group used an "all-European" approach to answer the following questions: Internal medicine is the modern, clinical, and scientific medical discipline that is responsible for the care of adult patients with one or more complex, acute, or chronic illnesses. Internal medicine is the cornerstone of an integrated health care delivery service that is needed today. Decision-makers in politics and hospitals, insurers, journalists, and the general public need a better understanding of what internal medicine can offer to the health care system and to the individual patient.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2005

A controlled-study of preventive effects of peer education and single-session lectures on HIV/AIDS knowledge and attitudes among university students in Turkey.

The goal of this study was to assess the impact of peer education and single-session educational lectures on HIV/AIDS knowledge and attitude change among university students (n = 157 male, n = 230 female; mean age = 20) on the campuses of two metropolitan state universities in Ankara, Turkey. The students were randomly selected to participate in peer education (n = 204), single-session lecture (n = 74) or wait-list control (n = 109) groups. Statistical analyses reveal significant differences in knowledge and attitudes, personal behavior, and awareness of HIV/AIDS. Both the peer education and HIV/AIDS lecture strategies were more effective in eliciting change in student's knowledge and attitudes than the control condition (p > .05). Male and female students in both experimental groups showed higher attitude scores compared with all students in the control group.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

Chitosan delivery systems for the treatment of oral mucositis: in vitro and in vivo studies.

Oral mucositis is a frequent and potentially severe complication of radiation or chemotherapy for cancer. Associated with atrophy and ulceration of the oral mucosa is an increased risk of infection, and the most common pathogenic agent is Candida. Chitosan is an excellent candidate for the treatment of oral mucositis. Its bioadhesive and antimicrobial properties offer the palliative effects of an occlusive dressing and the potential for delivering drugs, including anti-candidal agents. The aim of this study was to develop an occlusive bioadhesive system for prophylaxis and/or treatment of oral mucositis. Gel and film formulations were prepared using chitosans at different molecular weights and in different solvents. Nystatin, which is considered as a prophylactic agent for oral mucositis was incorporated into the formulations. The in vitro release of nystatin from the formulations was decreased with the increasing molecular weight of chitosan. The effect of the formulations was investigated in vivo in hamsters with chemotherapy-induced mucositis. Mucositis scores in groups treated with nystatin incorporated into gel and suspension formulations were significantly lower (p < 0.05) than those treated with the chitosan gel alone. Survival of animals in the treated groups was higher than that in the control group. The retention time and distribution of the gels in the oral cavity were investigated in healthy volunteers. A faster distribution of nystatin in the oral cavity was obtained using the suspension compared to the gels, but the nystatin saliva level decreased rapidly as well. A drug concentration above the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) value for Candida albicans (0.14 microg/ml) was maintained for longer periods of time at the application site (90 min) than at the contralateral site (45 min) in the oral cavity.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Reliability of interpretation of gram-stained vaginal smears by Nugent's scoring system for diagnosis of bacterial vaginosis.

This study was designed to assess reliability of interpretation of Gram-stained vaginal smears by using Nugent's scoring system for diagnosis of bacterial vaginosis (BV) across three different centers in Turkey: two in Ankara and one in Trabzon. The vaginal smears were collected from clients attending a family planning clinic in Trabzon, Turkey during October-December 1997. One slide taken from each client was prepared according to the standard methods and enumerated. One evaluator from each center examined the slides independently for the presence of BV and none of them had access to the evaluation of the others. Out of 372 slides, 301 (81%) were found to be satisfactory for scoring by all three evaluators and included in the analysis. Nugent's scores from 1-10 reported from each evaluator were compared by Spearman correlation coefficients and Kappa statistics. The difference in the proportions of BV diagnosis in three centers was evaluated by chi2 test. There was good agreement for the interpretation of Gram-stained vaginal smears by Nugent's scoring system for diagnosis of BV. These results indicate that it is a reliable method in diagnosis of BV at different settings.

Female↗
PubMed2004

Bacteraemia in Europe--antimicrobial susceptibility data from the MYSTIC surveillance programme.

The in vitro antimicrobial susceptibility of organisms isolated from bacteraemic versus non-bacteraemic patients was evaluated using data (1997-2001) from the Meropenem Yearly Susceptibility Test Information Collection (MYSTIC) Programme. Minimum inhibitory concentration values and susceptibility breakpoints of meropenem and other broad-spectrum antimicrobials were determined using standard methodology. Three thousand one hundred and thirty-six blood culture (BC) isolates and 17261 non-BC isolates were obtained from 51 European MYSTIC centres. Gram-positive bacteria appeared to be more prevalent in BC isolates compared with other sources. Escherichia coli, methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were isolated most frequently. Antimicrobial susceptibility of isolates from bacteraemic versus non-bacteraemic patients was similar. Meropenem and imipenem were the most active agents against the majority of the Gram-positive and Gram-negative organisms. Ceftazidime, gentamicin and ciprofloxacin generally exhibited the lowest activities against the most commonly isolated organisms. Meropenem was most active against P. aeruginosa and showed the highest potency and activity against all extended-spectrum and AmpC beta-lactamase producers. These results are relevant to the choice of initial, empirical therapy for patients with suspected bacteraemia.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed2003

Concomitant Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Aspergillus niger infection in a patient with acute myeloid leukemia.

Primary cutaneous infection by Aspergillus spp. is an uncommon form of aspergillosis in patients with severe immunosuppression, e.g. patients with HIV infection or hematological malignancies. Disruption of the dermal integrity by trauma or maceration, followed by colonization of the wound by Aspergillus spp. creates a suitable environment for cutaneous infection. Despite aggressive therapy with amphotericin, primary cutaneous aspergillosis can lead to disseminated disease with fatal consequences. Tuberculosis is another rare infection in patients with hematological malignancies, but when present it is usually disseminated. We present a 46-year-old woman with acute myeloid leukemia who developed concomitantly Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Aspergillus niger infection. Cutaneous aspergillosis was diagnosed during neutropenia after induction therapy, which later became disseminated disease during antifungal therapy. Tuberculosis infection was diagnosed in a scalene lymph node biopsy specimen. The patient achieved remission of her underlying disease and responded very well to antituberculous and antifungal therapy.

Acute Disease↗