Publications (10)16.35 Total impact
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Article: Distribution of hepatitis C virus genotypes in patients with chronic hepatitis C infection in Western Turkey.
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ABSTRACT: The primary aim of this study was to determine the recent distribution of various genotypes of hepatitis C virus (HCV) in patients with chronic HCV infection in Western Turkey. Additional objectives were to determine whether there are any associations of genotype with gender and age, and to determine the nucleotide similarities and risk factors of non-1 HCV genotypes. Serum samples from 345 patients (176 male, 169 female; mean age 53.3+/-12.7 years, range 10-81 years) with chronic HCV infection were analyzed in this study. Viral genotypes were determined by a restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP)-based in-house assay. To confirm genotypes for the samples with band patterns other than genotype 1, the 5' UTR was amplified and sequenced. Genotype 1 was observed in 335 of the 345 patients (97.1%). Of these, 34 patients showed infection with subtype 1a (9.9%) and 301 with subtype 1b (87.2%). Genotypes 2, 3, and 4 were determined in 0.9%, 1.4%, and 0.6% of the patients, respectively. Patients infected with type 1 were significantly older than patients infected with non-1 genotypes; however no significant differences were recorded in gender distribution. Genotypes other than genotype 1 are quite rare; these are possibly acquired in other countries. Turkish patients with chronic hepatitis C still represent a rather homogenous group with genotypic diversity encountered rarely.International Journal of Infectious Diseases 06/2008; 12(3):239-44. · 1.94 Impact Factor -
Article: Comparison of immunofluorescence assay and multiplexed microparticle-based immunoassay for detecting Epstein-Barr virus viral capsid antigen antibodies.
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ABSTRACT: A new multiplexed microparticle-based immunoassay was compared with the immunofluorescence assay that is used widely for detecting EBV-specific antibodies in immunocompetent patients. Serum samples of 162 patients submitted for routine EBV diagnosis were tested for viral capsid antigen IgM, viral capsid antigen IgG and serological profile interpretations with both systems. The result concordances were 94.2%, 93.6%, and 92.1%, respectively. Multiplexed microparticle-based immunoassay can be an alternative to immunofluorescence assay especially in laboratories receiving large numbers of samples.Journal of Virological Methods 04/2008; 148(1-2):300-2. · 2.01 Impact Factor -
Article: Efficacy of accelerated hepatitis B vaccination program in patients being actively treated for hematologic malignancies.
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ABSTRACT: The goal of this study was to conduct an accelerated vaccination program and to determine its efficacy in patients susceptible to hepatitis B virus (HBV) receiving chemotherapy because of their hematologic malignancies. Over a one-year period, a total of 327 patients who were diagnosed as having a hematologic malignancy were serologically analyzed in terms of HBV infection. Of those found to be susceptible to HBV infection, a total of 42 patients consisting of 16 females and 26 males were enrolled in the accelerated vaccination program. All the patients were administered a 20-microg yeast-derived recombinant hepatitis B vaccine on days 0, 14, and 28. Anti-HBs titers above 10IU/l at 1 and 3 months after the final dose were accepted as protective. A total of 146 (44.6%) patients were susceptible to HBV, while 13 (4.0%) were carriers, 28 (8.6%) were vaccinated, and 113 (34.5%) had had a previous HBV infection. A total of 42 patients (16 females and 26 males, mean age 34.5+/-10.9 years) were enrolled in the vaccination program. Overall, 23.8% (10/42) of the patients in the program had developed anti-HBs at one month after the last vaccination. Poor results obtained by different vaccination programs suggest the need for alternative strategies to prevent the disease.International Journal of Infectious Diseases 04/2008; 12(2):166-70. · 1.94 Impact Factor -
Article: Evaluation of three different assays for the assessment of Epstein Barr Virus immunological status.
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ABSTRACT: Various attempts have been made to improve Epstein Barr Virus serodiagnosis by developing convenient methods. The present study evaluated the performance of multiplexed bead assays and immunoblot based assays on automated platforms by comparing them with immunofluorescence based assays for the determination of EBV immune status. A total of 45 serum samples were included in the study. Serum samples were tested by multiplexed bead EBV assays (AtheNA Multi-Lyte, Zeus Scientific,USA) and immunoblot based assays (Euroline, Euroimmun AG, Germany) on automated platforms. Assay systems were evaluated by comparing them with immunofluorescence based assays (Zeus Scientific, USA). For EBV anti-VCA IgM, anti-VCA IgG, anti-EA and anti-EBNA, the kappa values reflecting agreements of AtheNA and IFA were 0.20, 0.54, 0.92 and 0.95 for anti-EA, anti-VCA IgG, anti-VCA IgM and anti-EBNA respectively and the agreements of Euroline and IFA were 0.53, 0.67, 0.81 and 1.000 for anti-VCA IgG, anti-EA, anti-VCA IgM and anti-EBNA respectively. The results of the study performed on a limited number of serum samples demonstrated that the multiplexed bead assays and immunoblot assays agree with the standard IFA assay for anti-EBNA IgG and anti-VCA IgM detection while the agreement is less for anti-EA and anti-VCA IgG.The new microbiologica: official journal of the Italian Society for Medical, Odontoiatric, and Clinical Microbiology (SIMMOC) 11/2007; 30(4):393-8. · 1.00 Impact Factor -
Article: Comparison of ELISA with shell vial cell culture method for the detection of human rotavirus in fecal specimens.
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ABSTRACT: The aim of the study was to compare an enzyme immunoassay method with shell vial cell culture method for detection of rotavirus in fecal specimens. In addition, the correlation between laboratory results and clinical scores of patients with gastroenteritis was evaluated. A total of 219 fecal specimens from children (ages 3 weeks to 5 years) with acute gastroenteritis submitted to pediatric emergency room were evaluated by both ELISA and shell vial cell culture. A Vesikari score was used for assessing the severity of the illness. Among 219 stool samples tested, 107 (48.9%) were determined to be positive. Two specimens were positive by shell vial cell culture method while they were ELISA negative. According to these results the calculated sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV of ELISA were 98.1%, 100%, 100%, and 98.2%, respectively. The mean severity score for the 107 episodes of rotavirus diarrhoea was 11.0 +/- 3.6 compared to 4.5 +/- 1.9 for the 112 episodes of non-rotavirus diarrhea in the same population. Our study indicates that ELISA, which is easier to perform, faster and cheaper than cell culture methods may be suitable for routine diagnosis of rotavirus infections. The severity of rotavirus positive gastroenteritis was significantly higher than that of rotavirus negative patients.The new microbiologica: official journal of the Italian Society for Medical, Odontoiatric, and Clinical Microbiology (SIMMOC) 05/2007; 30(2):113-8. · 1.00 Impact Factor -
Article: The influence of marginal zinc deficient diet on post-vaccination immune response against hepatitis B in rats.
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ABSTRACT: To evaluate in vitro T lymphocyte proliferation and specific antibody response to hepatitis B vaccination in two groups of rats fed with normal and marginal zinc content. Twenty-two Wistar-Albino rats were randomly assigned into two groups and were fed with constant diet. Zinc was suplemented 10mg/kg dry weight in group I (marginal zinc content) (n=14) and 30mg/kg dry weight in group II (n=8). Hepatitis B vaccine (Engerix B, 4mug) was administered intramuscularly after 8 weeks on feeding and a booster dose was applied 4 weeks after the first injection. Rats were killed 3 weeks after the second injection. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were stimulated in vitro by PHA (2.5mug/ml) and hepatitis B surface antigen (2.5, 5, 10mug/ml). Proliferation was evaluated by ELISA (celltiter-96 aqueous one solution cell proliferation assay). Serum zinc, anti-HBs titer and zinc per dry liver weight were also measured. Two groups were compared with respect to antigen specific antibody and lymphocyte proliferation responses. Proliferation response to HbsAg were expressed as net percent increase (pci) in lymphocyte proliferation from the baseline activity. Rats' mean body weight and weight gain per month were similar. Median serum zinc was 39 (23-75) and 76(64-115)mug/dl of groups I and II rats, respectively (p<0.05), while there was no difference in liver zinc content between the two groups (37mug/g dry weight versus 32mug/g dry weight). Median anti-HBs levels of groups I and II were 741 (0-10,000)IU/l, 5791 (558-10,000)IU/l, respectively (p<0.05). In lymphocyte proliferation assays, mean net pci with HbsAg of 5 and 10mug/ml were 9.4% and 11.3% in group I rats; while they were 25.3% and 26.1% in group II rats (p<0.01 and p<0.01, respectively). In vitro cell-mediated immune response and in vivo specific antibody response to hepatitis B vaccine was decreased in rats fed a diet with marginal zinc content. These observations have shown that marginal Zn deficiency might influence the efficacy of hepatitis B vaccination in humans.Hepatology Research 06/2006; 35(1):26-30. · 2.20 Impact Factor -
Article: Atorvastatin treatment decreases inflammatory and proteolytic activity in patients with hypercholesterolemia.
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ABSTRACT: Statins have anti-inflammatory and anti-platelet effects, which are known as non-lipid effects. Statin treatment can decrease endogenous inflammatory response. To study the effects of atorvastatin on matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and high sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) - markers of the proteinolytic and inflammatory activity. In this prospective study 44 patients with hypercholesterolemia were randomly assigned into 2 groups; Group 1 (n=22) treated with atorvastatin and diet for 2 months, and Group 2 (n=22) - diet alone. MMP-9 and hs-CRP were measured at baseline and two months later. Groups were matched for age, sex and baseline characteristics. Lipid levels decreased by 32% (LDL from 153.9+/-26.6 to 94.5+/-20.8 mg/dl, p<0.005) in the atorvastatin group and by 9% in the diet alone group. Atorvastatin lowered plasma CRP from 5.16+/-1.9 to 2.88+/-1.06 mg/L (p<0.001) and MMP-9 activity from 64.3+/-28.1 to 35.4+/-20.0 ng/ml (p<0.0001). Atorvastatin-induced reductions in CRP and MMP-9 were greater than in the diet alone group. MMP-9 levels did not show significant changes in Group 2 after two months of diet. Atorvastatin treatment decreases inflammatory and proteolytic activity in patients with hypercholesterolemia.Kardiologia polska 06/2004; 60(5):454-8. · 0.51 Impact Factor -
Article: Elevated levels of matrix metalloprotein-3 in patients with coronary aneurysm: A case control study.
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ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) have been implicated in the pathogenesis of arterial aneurysms through increased proteolysis of extracellular matrix proteins. Increased proteolysis due to elevated matrix degrading enzyme activity in the arterial wall may act as a susceptibility factor for the development of coronary aneurysms. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between MMPs and presence of coronary aneurysms. METHODS: Thirty patients with aneurysmal coronary artery disease and stable angina were enrolled into study (Group 1). Fourteen coronary artery disease patients with stable angina were selected as control group (Group 2). MMP-1, MMP-3 and C-reactive protein (CRP) were measured in peripheral venous blood and matched between the groups. RESULTS: Serum MMP-3 level was higher in patients with aneurismal coronary artery disease compared to the control group (20.23 +/- 14.68 vs 11.45 +/- 6.55 ng/ml, p = 0.039). Serum MMP-1 (13.63 +/- 7.73 vs 12.15 +/- 6.27 ng/ml, p = 0.52) and CRP levels (4.78 +/- 1.47 vs 4.05 +/- 1.53 mg/l, p = 0.13) were not significantly different between the groups. CONCLUSION: MMPs can cause arterial wall destruction. MMP-3 may play role in the pathogenesis of coronary aneurysm development through increased proteolysis of extracellular matrix proteins.Current controlled trials in cardiovascular medicine 02/2004; 5(1):10. · 2.33 Impact Factor -
Article: Evaluation of Brucella dipstick assay for the diagnosis of acute brucellosis.
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ABSTRACT: The diagnostic value of the dipstick assay was evaluated by comparison with Rose Bengal (RB), serum aglutination tests (SAT) and 2 mercaptoethanol test (2-ME) on consecutive serum samples submitted because of suspicion of brucellosis. Serum samples of 232 patients with suspected brucellosis that were submitted for laboratory confirmation were included in the study. Twelve out of 232 serum samples were detected as positive with the dipstick assay. All of these 12 patients had positive RB and SAT results. In 16 RB positive samples dipstick test was negative. Fifteen of these samples had insignificant (titer<1/160) or borderline (titer 1/160) SAT results and the clinical symptoms of these patients were consistent with chronic brucellosis rather than acute or recent-onset brucellosis. Dipstick assay is an easy-to-perform assay that can be used for the diagnosis of acute brucellosis especially in rural areas where brucellosis is widespread and in settings where well-equipped laboratories are not available.Diagnostic Microbiology and Infectious Disease 12/2002; 44(3):241-3. · 2.53 Impact Factor -
Article: Assessment of Chlamydia trachomatis prevalence by cell culture and transcription-mediated amplification in symptomatic women.
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ABSTRACT: The frequency of Chlamydia trachomatis in women with mucopurulent discharge was determined by a cell culture technique and a transcription-mediated amplification (TMA) assay in endocervical swab specimens. Endocervical swab specimens were obtained from 116 symptomatic patients with genitourinary complaints or abdominal pain. All of the women were married, with an age range of between 19 and 44 (median 29) years. The cell culture assay was used in all specimens. For 75 specimens the TMA assay was also performed. Positive cell culture test results were obtained in 6 (5.2%) patients. Among 75 specimens, 2 were positive by both TMA and culture assays, while 1 specimen was positive only by the culture assay. Of those positive for C. trachomatis, 5 were in the 19- to 25-year age group, and 1 was in the >25-year age group. All of the patients with positive results were of low socioeconomic status. This study revealed a relatively low rate of C. trachomatis infections in symptomatic married women in Turkey. A commercial TMA assay failed to identify all positive patients, in contrast to a 'gold standard' culture assay used in patients having such infections.Medical Principles and Practice 13(2):91-4. · 0.89 Impact Factor
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2002–2007
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Ege University
- Department of Microbiology and Clinical Microbiology
İzmir, Izmir, Turkey
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