Browsing by Author "Arslan, Hande"

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Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome Associated with Legionnaires' Disease: Two Case Reports
(2018) Erdogan, Haluk; Arslan, Hande; 0000-0002-9033-4236; 0000-0002-5708-7915; O-2247-2015; ABG-7034-2021
Introduction: Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is characterized by the acute onset of illness, bilateral chest radiographic infiltrates consistent with pulmonary edema, and poor systemic oxygenation. ARDS has severe morbidity and mortality. The most common risk factor for the development of community-acquired ARDS is severe sepsis with a pulmonary source of infection. The first step in the therapy of ARDS is identification and treatment of the underlying disease. Here, we report two cases of ARDS associated with Legionnaires disease. Case 1: A 54-year-old male tourist with diabetes mellitus apply to our institution with diarrhea and high fever. At the time of admission, the patient had a temperature of 39.5 degrees C, a blood pressure of 140/70 mmHg, a heart rate of 102 beats/min and a respiratory rate of 24 breaths/min. His oxygen saturation was 93% while breathing room air. Chest examination revealed rales and the chest x-ray showed right-lower zone infiltrates. Legionella urinary antigen was positive on admission day. Treatment with levofloxacin (1000 mg/day) was started in the first 4 hours of admission after taking cultures. The patient had progressive dyspnea and cyanosis was developed. Analysis of arterial blood gas revealed a pH of 7.29, CO2 pressure of 30 mmHg, O-2 pressure of 37 mmHg and oxygen saturation of 62%. Roentgenogram of the chest worsened and showed bilateral infiltration, indicating ARDS. Thirty-two hours after admission, the patient was admitted to intensive care unit for ventilator support. The patient's clinical status continued to deteriorate. He was hypotensive and required dopamine infusions for blood pressure support. Legionella pneumophila serogroup 1 was isolated on sputum culture. Five days after hospitalization, chlarithromycin (1000 mg/day) and ciprofloxacin (1200 mg/day) were substituted for the initial antibiotics. The patient had nosocomial pneumonia caused by methicilline resistant Staphylococcus aureus during subsequent days. Vancomycine 2 gr/days was added to treatment. Clinical status improved and the body temperature fell below 37.5 degrees C on the eleventh day. On the patient's relatives' request, he was flown back to his country by air ambulance. One year later, the patient came back again as a tourist and had fully recovered from the illness. Case 2: A 82-year-old female with diabetes mellitus applied to our institution with high fever, dyspnea and mental change. She had been treated for pulmonary edema without any response to this therapy in a private hospital. She had been hospitalized in another hospital due to gastrointestinal bleeding approximately two weeks prior to her application. Chest examination revealed diffuse rales and the chest x-ray showed bilateral infiltrates. Analysis of arterial blood gas revealed pH of 7.31, CO2 pressure of 41.7 mm Hg, O-2 pressure of 21.9 mmHg and oxygen saturation of 33.6%. The patient was admitted to intensive care unit for ventilator support. Legionella urinary antigen was positive on admission day. Treatment with ciprofloxacin (1200 mg/day) and chlarithromycin (1000 mg/day) was started on admission after taking cultures. Legionella pneumophila serogroup 1 was isolated on endotracheal aspirate culture. The patient died on the 7th day. Conclusions: The clinicians should be aware of Legionnaires disease in etiology of ARDS. Early diagnosis and treatment are important factors in determining prognosis.
Antimicrobial Resistance of Salmonella Isolates in A Holiday Center on the South of Turkey
(2016) Erdogan, Haluk; Erdogan, Askin; Arslan, Hande; 0000-0002-9033-4236; 0000-0002-5708-7915; O-2247-2015; AAD-5420-2020; ABG-7034-2021
Objective: Salmonella is an important pathogen that causes food-borne infection in children and adults worldwide. The aim of this study is to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of antimicrobial agents against Salmonella isolates in Alanya, an important holiday center in Turkey. Material and Method: The study was carried out at Baskent University Alanya Research and Teaching Hospital between January 2004 and September 2013. Salmonella spp. were isolated from stool samples and stored at -80 degrees C for antimicrobial susceptibility. Antimicrobial susceptibility was determined according to the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) criteria. The antimicrobial agents tested against Salmonella spp. included ampicillin, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, tetracycline, chloramphenicol, nalidixic acid, ciprofloxacine and ceftriaxone. Quality control was ensured by testing Escherichia coli ATCC 25922. Results: A total of 63 consecutive Salmonella spp. were assessed for their antimicrobial susceptibility patterns, 21 of which were obtained from travellers. Serogroup D1 was the most common serotype (65.1%), followed by B (22.2%), A (7.9%), C1 (1.6%) and C2-C3 (3.2%). The resistances against ampicillin, tetracycline, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and chloramphenicol were found to be 15.9%, 15.9%, 14.3%, and 11.1%, respectively. None of the strains was resistant to ciprofloxacin and ceftriaxone, while 14.3% were nalidixic acid-resistant. Antimicrobial resistance rates of Salmonella isolates obtained from travellers and local residents were not significantly different (p>0.05). Conclusion: This study suggests that ciprofloxacin and ceftriaxone can be used as empirical therapies in patients who are suspected to have salmonellosis with predisposing factors to severe infection and a history of travel to Alanya, Turkey. However, the nalidixic acid resistance of Salmonella isolates may be a cause for concern.
Assessment of Urinary Tract Infections Microbiologically in Kidney Transplant Recipients
(2022) Sari, Nuran; Arslan, Hande; Karakaya, Emre; Haberal, Mehmet; 0000-0002-3462-7632; 0000-0002-4879-7974; AAJ-8097-2021; AAD-5466-2021
Bloodstream Infections: Etiologic Agents and Their Antibiotic Resistance Rates
(2016) Aydin, Mehtap; Kasikcioglu, Cemre; Nargiz-Kosucu, Sibel; Timurkaynak, Funda; Arslan, Hande; 0000-0002-5708-7915; ABG-7034-2021
Objective: In this study, we aimed to investigate the etiological agents of bloodstream infections (BSIs) and their antibiotic resistance rates. Methods: The rates of antibiotic resistance of the microorganisms isolated from blood cultures in the microbiology laboratory between 2012 and 2013 were evaluated retrospectively. Blood cultures were performed by using BACTEC (TM) 9120 (Becton Dickinson, Sparks, MD, USA) automated system. Microorganisms that were isolated were identified by routine microbiological methods. Results: In our study, BSIs were most frequently detected in the cardiovascular surgery clinic. Out of 95 bacteria isolated from blood culture, 61 (64.2) were Gram-negative bacteria (46% enteric, 18% nonfermentative), 20 (21%) were Candida spp. and 14 (15%) were Gram-positive bacteria. The most effective antibiotics for enteric bacteria were found as colistin, followed by imipenem, meropenem and amikacin and for nonfermentative Gram-negative bacteria as colistin, cefepime, piperacillin-tazobactam, imipenem and amikacin. Conclusions: When the resistance rates were compared within two years, significant increases in resistance were observed for quinolones and ceftazidime in nonfermentative bacteria, and for carbapenems in enteric bacteria. Regular monitoring of etiological agents of BSIs and their antibiotic resistance rates will guide the selection of empiric therapy.
Booster Shots and Additional Doses for COVID-19 in Solid Organ Recipients
(2022) Erol, Cigdem; Sari, Nuran; Yalcin, Tugba Yanik; Akdur, Aydincan; Arslan, Hande; Haberal, Mehmet; 0000-0002-2535-2534; 0000-0002-3462-7632; AAJ-1219-2021; AAJ-8097-2021
Candidaemia among Adult Solid Organ Transplant Recipients
(2018) Yesilkaya, Aysegul; Demirkaya, Melike H.; Ozalp, Onur; Soy, Ebru H. Ayvazoglu; Azap, Ozlem Kurt; Arslan, Hande; Haberal, Mehmet; https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0225-6416; https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4284-2225; https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0993-9917; https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3171-8926; https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5708-7915; https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3462-7632; A-8902-2013; GMW-6437-2022; AAC-5566-2019; AAK-4089-2021; ABG-7034-2021; AAJ-8097-2021
The Clinical Outcomes of Covid-19 Disease in Patients with Solid Organ Transplantation
(2021) Yuce, Gulbahar Darilmaz; Ulubay, Gaye; Karakaya, Emre; Tek, Korhan; Akdur, Aydincan; Bozbas, Serife Savas; Gedik, Ender; Kupeli, Elif; Erol, Cigdem; Arslan, Hande; Akcay, Sule; Haberal, Mehmet; https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4879-7974; https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8726-3369; https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2535-2534; https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5708-7915; https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3462-7632; JBS-4193-2023; AAD-5466-2021; AAA-3068-2021; AAJ-1219-2021; ABG-7034-2021; AAJ-8097-2021
The Clinical Outcomes Of Covid-19 Disease In Patients With Solıid Organ Transplantation
(2021) Yuce, Gulbahar Darilmaz; Ulubay, Gaye; Karakaya, Emre; Tek, Korhan; Akdur, Aydincan; Bozbas, Serife Savas; Gedik, Ender; Kupeli, Elif; Erol, Cigdem; Arslan, Hande; Akcay, Sule; Haberal, Mehmet; 0000-0002-8726-3369; 0000-0002-2535-2534; 0000-0002-5708-7915; 0000-0002-3462-7632; AAA-3068-2021; AAJ-1219-2021; ABG-7034-2021; AAJ-8097-2021
Colonization of Legionella Species in Turkish Baths in Hotels in Alanya, Turkey
(2015) Erdogan, Haluk; Arslan, Hande; 0000-0002-5708-7915; 0000-0002-9033-4236; 25850992; ABG-7034-2021; O-2247-2015
This study evaluated the prevalence of Legionella species in water samples collected from Turkish baths in hotels in Alanya, Turkey, from August 2003 to September 2013. Water samples were collected in 100-mL sterile containers and then concentrated by filtration. Heat treatment was used to eliminate other microorganisms from the samples, which were then spread on Legionella-selective-buffered charcoal yeast extract alpha (BCYE-alpha) agar and on BCYE-alpha agar supplemented with glycine, vancomycin, polymyxin, and cycloheximide. Cysteine-dependent colonies were identified by latex agglutination. In total, 135 samples from 52 hotels with Turkish baths were evaluated. Legionella species were identified in 11/52 (21.2 %) hotels and 18/135 (13.3%) samples. The most frequently isolated species was Legionella pneumophila, with most isolates belonging to serogroups 6 (55.6 %) and 1 (22.2 %). The colony count was <100 colony-forming units (CFU) mL(-1) in nine samples, from 100 to 1000 CFU mL(-1) in six samples, and >1000 CFU mL(-1) in three samples. These findings suggest that the hot water systems of Turkish baths in hotels must be viewed as a possible source of travel-associated Legionnaires' disease, and preventative measures should be put in place.
Comparative Evaluation of Cases with Community-Acquired Infective Endocarditis and Health Care-Associated Infective Endocarditis
(2015) Kursun, Ebru; Turunc, Tuba; Demiroglu, Yusuf Ziya; Togan, Turhan; Tekin, Goknur; Arslan, Hande
Purpose: The present study aimed to comparatively evaluate the cases with health care-associated infective endocarditis and the cases with community-acquired infective endocarditis. Material and Methods: Of the cases followed for infective endocarditis (IE), 21 (40 %) had health care-associated infective endocarditis and 31 (60 %) community-acquired infective endocarditis. Results: Comparing the cases with community acquired infective endocarditis and the cases with health care-associated infective endocarditis, it was determined that advanced age (58.0 +/- 15.1 years vs. 41.3 +/- 14.4 years, P=0.000), presence of chronic renal insufficiency (P=0.001) and diabetes mellitus (P=0.016) as concomitant diseases, being previously hospitalized (P=0.0001), hemodialysis in terms of diagnostic and therapeutic interventions (P=0.022), presence of central venous catheter (P=0.022), and undergone intervention for gastrointestinal system (P=0.060), as well as laboratory results including positive blood culture growth for S. aureus and Enterococcus (P=0.037), and complications such as development of embolic event (P=0.008), spondylodiscitis (P=0.034) and stroke (P=0.007) were statistically significantly more common in health care-associated infective endocarditis cases. Whilst mortality was higher in health care-associated infective endocarditis cases (28.6 %), it was determined that there was no statistically significant difference between the groups. Conclusion: Health care-associated infective endocarditis is a disease that is more common in the patients at advanced age, with concomitant disease and the history of exposing invasive procedures in the past for diagnostic and therapeutic purpose, and it is a disease with high morbidity and mortality that courses with serious complications.
Comparision of Influenza and Covid-19 Infections in Solid Organ Transplant Recipients
(2022) Yalcin, Tugba Yanik; Yuce, Gulbahar Darilmaz; Soy, Ebru H. Ayvazoglu; Azap, Ozlem Kurt; Arslan, Hande; Haberal, Mehmet; 0000-0002-3462-7632; AAJ-8097-2021; JBS-4193-2023
Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) in Kidney and Liver Transplant Patients: A Single-Center Experience
(2020) Akdur, Aydincan; Karakaya, Emre; Soy, Ebru H. Ayvazoglu; Alshalabi, Omar; Kirnap, Mahir; Arslan, Hande; Ulubay, Gaye; Hekimoglu, Koray; Moray, Gokhan; Haberal, Mehmet; 0000-0002-0993-9917; 0000-0002-0805-0841; 0000-0002-3462-7632; 0000-0003-2478-9985; 0000-0003-2498-7287; 0000-0002-8726-3369; 0000-0002-4879-7974; 32519617; AAC-5566-2019; AAD-9097-2021; AAJ-8097-2021; AAB-5064-2021; AAE-1041-2021; AAA-3068-2021; AAD-5466-2021
Objectives: The novel 2019 coronavirus (COVID-19) was first described in December 2019 in Wuhan, China and subsequently announced as a pandemic on March 12, 2020. In several studies, solid-organ transplant recipients were reported to have higher risk for COVID-19. Here, we aimed to determine the frequency of COVID-19 in our kidney and liver transplant patients. Materials and Methods: Our study included 583 transplant patients who were admitted to our outpatient transplant clinics and emergency departments between March 1 and May 1, 2020. Seventy-four of them were liver transplant recipients (46 male, 28 female, of which 14 were pediatric and 60 were adult patients) and 509 of them were kidney transplant recipients (347 male, 162 female, of which 16 were pediatric and 493 were adult patients). We retrospectively evaluated demographic characteristics, currently used immunosuppressant treatment, present complaints, treatment and diagnosis of comorbid diseases, and results of COVID-19 tests. Results: Of 583 transplant recipients, 538 were seen in our outpatient transplant clinics and 45 were seen in our emergency departments. Of these, 18 patients who had had cough and fever were evaluated by respiratory clinic doctors, and nasopharyngeal swab samples were taken. One kidney transplant recipient had a positive COVID-19 test; he was followed with home isolation. He received treatment with hydroxychloroquine (400 mg/day). The other 17 patients had negative tests. There were no mortalities due to COVID-19. Conclusions: Transplant patients also got affected during the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the data of our centers, this effect is not much more different from the normal population. We recommend that transplant recipients should be warned in terms of personal hygiene and should be closely monitored by organ transplant centers. If there is an indication for hospitalization, they should be followed in an isolated unit, with no aggressive changes made to immunosuppressive doses unless necessary
Could there be an association between chronic brucellosis and endothelial damage?
(2015) Togan, Turhan; Ciftci, Ozgur; Turan, Hale; Narci, Huseyin; Gullu, Hakan; Arslan, Hande; 25596571
Introduction: In this study, we examined the effects of Brucella infection on endothelial dysfunction. Flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) measurement is indicator of the endothelial function, and abnormal values indicating endothelial dysfunction are accepted as the first stage of atherosclerosis. Methodology: Twenty-four patients who had been treated for acute brucellosis two years before, and who had had no relapses in the follow-up, were prospectively included in the study, along with 30 healthy individuals in the control group. Results: While the highly sensitive Creactive protein (hs-CRP) value was 2.42 +/- 1.45 in the patient group, it was 1.72 +/- 0.61 in the control group (p = 0.025). While the FMD value was 3.50 +/- 1.58 in the patient group, it was 5.88 +/- 1.88 in the control group (p < 0.001). While the percentage increase in FMD was 9.88 +/- 4.92 in the patient group, it was 17.49 +/- 6.3 in the control group (p < 0.001). It was observed that FMD value, the percentage increase in FMD, and basal radius were correlated with hs-CRP (r = -0.644, p < 0.001; r = -0.558, p = 0.002; r = 0.444, p = 0.018, respectively). The carotid artery intima media thickness (IMT) value was found to be 0.61 +/- 0.17 in the patient group and 0.49 +/- 0.12 in the control group (p = 0.004). Conclusions: The abnormal FMD and IMT values observed in brucellosis patients might be an indicator of more frequent arterial dysfunction, increased cardiovascular risk, and atherosclerosis.
COVID-19 Clinical Outcomes, Coinfection and Secondary Infections in Solid Organ Transplant Recipients
(2022) Yalcin, Tugba Yanik; Erol, Cigdem; Karakaya, Emre; Arslan, Hande; Haberal, Mehmet; 0000-0002-2535-2534; 0000-0002-4879-7974; 0000-0002-3462-7632; AAJ-1219-2021; AAD-5466-2021; AAJ-8097-2021
Cytomegalovirus Viremia in Solid-Organ Transplant Patients in the First Year After Transplantation
(2022) Erol, Cigdem; Akdur, Aydincan; Arslan, Hande; Haberal, Mehmet; https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2535-2534; https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3462-7632; 35384821; AAJ-1219-2021; AAJ-8097-2021
Objectives: Cytomegalovirus infection is an important problem for transplantation. Although effective antivirals for prophylaxis or preemptive therapy have reduced the severity and consequences of infection, cytomegalovirus viremia and cytomegalovirusrelated disease are still matters for patients and for graft survival. The aim of our study was to determine the frequency of cytomegalovirus infections during the first year after transplant. Materials and Methods: In this study, we analyzed the data of 252 liver and kidney transplant patients who had procedures between May 2016 and May 2020. Demographic and laboratory data of patients were recorded retrospectively and analyzed with the SPSS version 25 statistical program. Results: Our study included 35 liver (14%) and 217 kidney transplant recipients. The ratio of male to female was 3.8, and the median age was 41 years (range, 18-71 years). In our study group, there were 32 patients (12.7%) with cytomegalovirus DNAemia, 13 patients (5%) with cytomegalovirus syndrome, and 6 patients (2.4%) with cytomegalovirus endorgan diseases. Four patients were diagnosed with gastrointestinal disease with histopathology, and 2 patients were diagnosed with cytomegalovirus pneumonia with bronchoscopy and radiology. The mortality rate was 0.8% in the first year. Conclusions: Cytomegalovirus reactivations in the first year after transplant play a critical role on graft survival in solid- organ transplant. Regular follow-up of cytomegalovirus DNAemia is crucial for modifying prophylactic and preemptive antiviral regimens.
Differences in Antibody Responses Between an Inactivated SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine and the BNT162b2 mRNA Vaccine in Solid-Organ Transplant Recipients
(2021) Erol, Cigdem; Yalcin, Tugba Yanik; Sari, Nuran; Bayraktar, Nilufer; Soy, Ebru Ayvazoglu; Colak, Meric Yavuz; Azap, Ozlem; Arslan, Hande; Haberal, Mehmet; 0000-0002-3462-7632; 0000-0002-2535-2534; 0000-0002-0993-9917; 0000-0002-5708-7915; 0000-0001-5996-8639; 0000-0002-3165-4520; 34951350; AAJ-1219-2021; AAC-5566-2019; AAJ-8097-2021; ABG-7034-2021; AAA-4708-2022
Objectives: Vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 may reduce COVID-19 mortality and complications in solidorgan transplant recipients, and we evaluated the associated antibody responses and adverse effects in this high-risk population. Materials and Methods: This prospective observational study (April-June 2021) included 10 liver and 38 kidney transplant recipients who received 2 vaccine doses (Sinovac, n = 31; or BioNTech, n = 17) and 56 healthy adults (Sinovac), all of whom provided 3 blood samples (prevaccination, 4 weeks after first dose, and 4-6 weeks after second dose) for quantitative tests (Abbott Quant assay for immunoglobulin G antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 spike protein). Type I error was alpha = .05 in all statistical analyses (SPSS, version 25). Results: We analyzed demographic data, antibody responses, and adverse events after 2 doses of SARS-CoV-2 vaccine, compared immune responses from solidorgan transplant recipients (median age, 36.5 years) versus healthy patients (median age, 37.5 years), and observed significantly higher seropositivity in healthy versus transplant patients after Sinovac vaccination (100% vs 67.5%; P = .001). However, we observed no significant seropositive differences for Sinovac versus BioNTech second doses in transplant recipients. Median SARS-CoV-2 immunoglobulin G level after second dose was significantly higher in BioNTech (1388.6 AU/mL) versus Sinovac patients (136.6 AU/mL) (P = .012). The seropositivity difference between the 2 vaccines was significant in participants 24 to 44 years old (P = .040). The rate of at least 1 side effect was 82.4% (n = 14) for BioNTech vaccine and 32.3% (n = 10) for Sinovac vaccine, and the difference was statistically significant. The most common side effect was arm pain (significantly higher in BioNTech group). Conclusions: Solid-organ transplant recipients demonstrated inadequate vaccine responses (higher risk of complications and mortality) versus healthy patients. Furthermore, immune responses may differ between vaccines. Therefore, additional vaccine doses and strict control measures remain crucial.
Does Brucellosis Cause Arterial Stiffness and Ventricular Remodelling Through Inflammation?
(2015) Togan, Turhan; Ciftci, Ozgur; Gunday, Murat; Narci, Huseyin; Arslan, Hande; 0000-0002-6636-9391; 0000-0002-5708-7915; 0000-0002-6463-6070; 26148379; L-7182-2015; ABG-7034-2021; A-7318-2017
Background Like other acute and chronic infections, Brucella infection leads to endothelial dysfunction. Furthermore, it has been suggested that the chronic inflammatory state present in chronic infectious diseases leads to an acceleration in atherosclerosis. For the prediction of CAD, it is possible to use epicardial fat thickness (EFT) as an adjunctive marker beside the classical risk factors, as it is easily and non-invasively evaluated by transthoracic echocardiography. The purpose of this study was to investigate the presence of impaired myocardial performance as well as of increased arterial stiffness and EFT in patients who had been infected with brucellosis in the past. Methods Included in the study were twenty-seven brucellosis patients and twenty-six healthy volunteers. Using EFT and transthoracic echocardiography, which included Doppler echocardiography in combination with tissue Doppler imaging (TDI), all the patients were examined to measure their aortic stiffness index (AoSI), aortic distensibility (AoD), and aortic elastic modulus (AoEM) values. Results A statistically significant increase was observed in hs-CRP, aortic stiffness index, aortic elastic modulus and EFT in brucellosis patients when compared with the controls (2.46 +/- 1.40 vs 1.71 +/- 0.61, P=0.016; 9.69 +/- 6.99 vs 2.14 +/- 0.72, P < 0.001; 11.17 +/- 8.60 vs 2.18 +/- 0.90, P < 0.001; 0.76 +/- 0.08 vs 0.63 +/- 0.10, P < 0.001). On the other hand, there was a significant decrease in aortic strain and aortic distensibility (7.41 +/- 6.82 vs 18.26 +/- 5.83, P < 0.001; 1.83 +/- 1.71 vs 5.22 +/- 1.72, P < 0.001, respectively). No difference was observed between the two groups with respect to the left ventricular myocardial performance index (MPI) (0.62 +/- 0.15 vs 0.61 +/- 0.13, P=0.859). Conclusions In this study, we demonstrated for the first time in the literature that there was impaired aortic elasticity and increased EFT in patients with brucellosis, while the myocardial performance index remained unaffected. We also determined that these effects had a significant correlation with inflammation.
Domestically Acquired Legionnaires' Disease: Two Case Reports and a Review of the Pertinent Literature
(2016) Erdogan, Haluk; Arslan, Hande; 27308081
Background: Legionella species may colonize in home water systems and cause Legionnaires' disease (LD). We herein report two cases of sporadic LD associated with the solar energy-heated hot water systems of the patients' houses. Case Report: A 60-year-old woman with chronic bronchitis and diabetes mellitus presented with a high fever, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. Physical examination revealed rales, and her chest radiograph showed a homogeneous density in the left lung. The Legionella urinary antigen test was positive, and an indirect fluorescent antibody test revealed a serum antibody titer of 1/520 for L. pneumophila serogroup 1. In the second case, a 66-year-old man with diabetes mellitus was treated for pneumonia at another hospital. After the patient's general condition worsened and he required mechanical ventilation, he was referred to our hospital. The Legionella urinary antigen test was positive. Neither of the patients had been hospitalized or travelled within the previous month. Both patients used hot water storage tanks heated by solar energy; both also used an electrical device in the bathroom to heat the water when solar energy alone was insufficient. The hot water samples from the residences of both patients were positive for L. pneumophila serogroup 1. Conclusion: These cases show that domestic hot water systems heated by solar energy must be considered a possible source of community-acquired LD.
Early Bloodstream Infections Among Solid Organ Transplant Recipients
(2016) Yesilkaya, Aysegul; Soy, Ebru; Ok, Mehtap Akcil; Azap, Ozlem Kurt; Arslan, Hande; Moray, Gokhan; Sezgin, Atilla; Berdan, Fatos; Haberal, Mehmet; https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0993-9917; https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3171-8926; https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5708-7915; https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2498-7287; https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3462-7632; AAC-5566-2019; AAZ-8170-2020; AAK-4089-2021; ABG-7034-2021; AAE-1041-2021; AAJ-8097-2021
Early Postoperative Infections After Liver Transplant
(2018) Soy, Ebru H. Ayvazoglu; Akdur, Aydincan; Yildirim, Sedat; Arslan, Hande; Haberal, Mehmet; 0000-0002-0993-9917; 0000-0002-8726-3369; 0000-0002-5735-4315; 0000-0002-5708-7915; 0000-0002-3462-7632; 29528013; AAC-5566-2019; AAA-3068-2021; AAF-4610-2019; ABG-7034-2021; AAJ-8097-2021
Objectives: Despite surgical advances and effective prophylactic strategies in liver transplant, infection is still a major cause of morbidity and mortality. Up to 80% of liver recipients will develop at least 1 infection during the first year after liver transplant. The spectrum and manifestations of these infections are broad and variable. Their diagnosis and treatment are often delayed because immunosuppressive therapy diminishes inflammatory responses. However, if an infection is not identified early enough and treated properly, it can have devastating consequences. In addition, prophylactic approaches remain controversial. Our aim was to review our early postoperative infection management after liver transplant. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively evaluated infections that occurred during the first hospital stay of transplant patients. Infections were grouped as surgical site and nonsurgical site infections. Consequences and treatment protocols of infections were stratified according to the Clavien scale. Results: Between December 1988 and January 2017, we performed 561 liver transplants at our center (patient age range, 6 months to 64 years), which included 401 living-donor (72%) and 160 deceased-donor (28%) liver transplants. Early postoperative infections were detected in 131 patients (23.3%), comprising 67 surgical site (51%), 56 nonsurgical site (43%), and 8 combined surgical and nonsurgical site infections (6%). Although no mortalities occurred in patients with single nonsurgical or surgical site infections, there were 4 mortalities in patients with combined surgical and nonsurgical site infections. In the 4 other patients with combined infections, 3 patients required endoscopic or radiologic intervention and 1 recovered from single-organ dysfunction. Conclusions: Initiation of appropriate prophylactic and therapeutic protocols at the right time decreases morbidity and mortality due to infection in liver transplant recipients. Increased understanding and effective approaches to prevent infection are essential to improving both graft and recipient survival.