Fevzi Altuntaş

Publications of Fevzi Altuntaş

• Pandemic 2009 H1N1 influenza in patients with hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and hematologic malignancy: single center experience.

  Authors: Emre Tekgündüz, Meltem Kurt Yüksel, Ciğdem Erbay, Bilgin Arıbaş, Ciğdem Özdilekcan, Hülya Arslan, Serife Koçubaba, Itır Demiriz, Ayşegül Tetik, Kemal Arda, Fevzi Altuntaş

  Oncology. 03/2011; 79(5-6):409-14.

  Although valuable information on many aspects of the pandemic 2009 H1N1 influenza came to light in a relatively short period of time, the disease course among immunocompromised patients is largelyAlthough valuable information on many aspects of the pandemic 2009 H1N1 influenza came to light in a relatively short period of time, the disease course among immunocompromised patients is largely unknown. In this study, we present the results of active H1N1 surveillance in 32 patients who were treated at our hematology/stem cell transplantation clinic between December 2009 and January 2010. We also report the clinical and laboratory features of patients with laboratory-proven disease and try to define the impact of novel H1N1 disease on their outcome. Eight patients in the hematology clinic and 7 patients in the hematology/stem cell transplantation unit tested positive for pandemic H1N1 infection. Patients were treated with oral oseltamivir for 5-15 days. In 10 patients the infection was limited to the upper respiratory tract. But in 5 patients it was complicated with lower respiratory diseases. Three of them required intensive care support with mechanic ventilation and all died during follow-up. As the clinical and radiological findings of H1N1 infection are nonspecific in nature, we should have a high index of suspicion in immunocompromised patients. Therefore, beginning empiric oseltamivir therapy while waiting for laboratory results and increasing the dose/duration of therapy in laboratory-confirmed cases could be life saving.

• The effects of fresh frozen plasma on cholinesterase levels and outcomes in patients with organophosphate poisoning.

  Authors: Muhammet Güven, Murat Sungur, Bülent Eser, Ismail Sari, Fevzi Altuntaş

  Journal of toxicology. Clinical toxicology. 02/2004; 42(5):617-23.

  OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to determine the effects of fresh frozen plasma, as a source of cholinesterase, on butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE; plasma or pseudo cholinesterase) levels andOBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to determine the effects of fresh frozen plasma, as a source of cholinesterase, on butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE; plasma or pseudo cholinesterase) levels and outcomes in patients with organophosphate poisoning. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This prospective study was performed at the Department of Intensive Care of Erciyes University Medical School. Over 2 yrs, patients admitted to the ICU for OP poisoning were entered into the study. OP poisoning was diagnosed on the basis of history and BuChE levels. All patients received atropine. Fresh frozen plasma was given to 12 patients. The study was approved by the Ethical Committee, and verbal informed consent was obtained. RESULTS: Thirty-three patients were included in the study. BuChE levels measured at admission and the pralidoxime and atropine doses administered were not different between groups (p>0.05). Although intermediate syndrome developed in 28.6% of patients receiving pralidoxime, there were no intermediate syndrome cases in patients receiving plasma prior to developing intermediate syndrome. The mortality rates were 14.3% in the pralidoxime group and 0% in the plasma+atropine+pralidoxime group. Two patients received plasma after developing the intermediate syndrome, and one patient who received only atropine died. BuChE levels of fresh frozen plasma were 4069.5 +/- 565.1 IU/L. Every two bags of plasma provided an increase in BuChE levels of approximately 461.7 +/- 142.1 IU/L. CONCLUSION: Fresh frozen plasma therapy increases BuChE levels in patients with organophosphate poisonings. The administration of plasma may also prevent the development of intermediate syndrome and related mortality. Plasma (fresh frozen or freshly prepared) therapy may be used as an alternative or adjunctive treatment method in patients with organophosphate pesticide poisoning, especially in cases not given pralidoxime. Further randomized controlled and animal studies are required to infer a definitive result.