Browsing by Author "Asgin, Nergis"

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    Awareness, knowledge and risk factors ofToxoplasma gondiiinfection among pregnant women in the Western Black Sea region of Turkey
    (2020) Eroglu, Semra; Asgin, Nergis; 0000-0002-9959-9433; 33045851
    Toxoplasma gondii(T. gondii) infection causes serious problems leading to maternal complications and foetal anomalies during pregnancy. The aim of this study was to identify risk factors for toxoplasmosis and to determine the seroprevalence of the disease with regard to the awareness levels of patients. A total of 214 pregnant women who were admitted to Karabuk University, Gynaecology and Obstetrics Clinic between July 2018 and November 2018 and accepted to participate were included this cross-sectional study. Venous blood samples were obtained and anti-T. gondiiIgG and IgM levels were analysed. The demographic characteristics of the patients were recorded and a questionnaire investigating aboutT. gondiirisk factors were completed. The relationship between toxoplasmosis and risk factors was evaluated using multivariate regression analysis. The prevalence of toxoplasmosis among the pregnant women was 14% (35/214). The potential risk factors of toxoplasmosis were primigravidity (AOR = 2.56 95% CI: [1.26-8.26]), cat ownership (AOR = 10.29, 95% CI: [3.58-29.60]), and sausage/salami consumption (AOR = 2.96, 95%CI: [2.10-7.46]);22.4% of the women were aware of toxoplasmosis, and awareness was significantly higher in multigravida women compared with primigravida women (p=.042). Congenital toxoplasmosis can be prevented through pregnancy screening programmes and education aimed at increasing awareness and protection.IMPACT STATEMENT What is already known on this subject?The seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis is very variable and may differ significantly between countries, and even different geographic regions of the same country. Raising awareness of the disease among persons in risk groups through education is a primary objective in prevention. What do the results of this study add?T. gondiiseropositivity was found to be related with being primigravid, cat ownership and having close contact with cats, and consumption of meat products such as salami and sausages. In addition, primigravidity is a risk factor for toxoplasmosis because the awareness of the disease was lower than in multiparous women. What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research?It should also be known that women of childbearing age are in the high-risk group for toxoplasmosis, and studies on preventive measures should be performed. Increased awareness can prevent infection and the possibility of complications due to congenital toxoplasmosis, especially in the reproductive period of women.
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    Molecular Epidemiological Analysis of Bacillus Pseudo-Outbreak due to Contaminated Culture Tubes Containing Stuart Medium
    (2022) Asgin, Nergis; Kal-Cakmakliogullari, Elcin; Otlu, Baris; Ersoy, Omer F.; Celik, Betul; Basustaoglu, Ahmet; 35023676
    Background: It is challenging to determine whether Bacillus species other than Bacillus anthracis cause infections. Pseudo and true outbreaks of Bacillus spp. have been noted. Here, we present a molecular analysis of a Bacillus spp. pseudo-outbreak caused by contaminated culture tubes containing Stuart medium. Methods: Between January and March 2015, a high percentage of Bacillus spp. was isolated from the wound samples of inpatients at the Karabuk University Hospital, and an outbreak was suspected. Environmental and staff nasal samples were cultured aerobically, and Bacillus spp. were isolated from some of them. However, the isolation of Bacillus spp. in throat cultures of outpatients suggested contamination caused by culture tubes containing Stuart medium. We examined two lots of culture tubes used in the hospital. Although the culture tubes' expiry date and storage conditions were suitable, Bacillus spp. grew in one of these lots. A total of 47 Bacillus spp. isolated during this period were identified, and the clonal relationship among the isolates was investigated by arbitrarily primed polymerase chain reaction. Results: Twenty-seven strains were identified as Bacillus megaterium and 20 as Bacillus firmus. Of the four strains isolated from the Stuart medium, two were identified as B. firmus and the other two were B. megaterium. Two B. firmus strains isolated from the Stuart medium and two B. firmus strains obtained from the coronary intensive care environmental samples were matched and clustered within the same genotype. We recalled all culture tubes containing Stuart medium. After another brand's culture tubes were distributed, no growth was observed. It was then understood that the pseudo-outbreak source was contaminated culture tubes containing Stuart medium. Conclusions: Microbiological controls of medical materials and equipment should be regularly checked to prevent outbreaks (true or pseudo).