Browsing by Author "Evren, Ebru"

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Canaliculitis Awareness
(2016) Yilmaz, Melike Balikolglu; Sen, Emine; Evren, Ebru; Elgin, Ufuk; Yilmazbas, Pelin; 27800254
Objectives: To evaluate the demographic characteristics, treatment, and results of patients with canaliculitis. Materials and Methods: Medical records including the demographic characteristics, clinical findings, and treatment outcomes of patients diagnosed and treated for canaliculitis between September 2009 and March 2014 were analyzed retrospectively. Results: The median age of the 7 canaliculitis patients consisting of 4 women and 3 men was 49 (range 8-58) years. All patients had unilateral canaliculitis (on the right side in 2 and left side in 5 patients) and the inferior canaliculus was involved more frequently (71.4%). Epiphora, chronic conjunctivitis, a palpable and thickened canaliculus, and yellow discharge from the punctum were present in all cases. Actinomyces spp. was the most frequently cultured microorganism (75%). Dacryolith was observed in 6 patients. Canaliculotomy and dacryolith removal with canalicular curettage were performed, followed by medical treatment (topical penicillin 100,000 U/ml and oral ampicillin/sulbactam) for 10 days. Patients were followed up for a mean duration of 17.0 +/- 15.2 (range 3-46) months. Signs and symptoms resolved completely within a month. Epiphora recurred in the 36th month in a single patient and was treated with daily canalicular irrigation with antibiotics and there were no further symptoms during 10 months of follow-up after the recurrence. Conclusion: Canaliculitis is often overlooked and can be misdiagnosed. Every patient with chronic conjunctivitis and lacrimal infection should be examined carefully for canaliculitis.
Canaliculitis due to Gemella Haemolysans and Porphyromonas Asaccarolytica
(2015) Sen, Emine; Evren, Ebru; Elgin, Ufuk
Objective: We reported a canaliculitis case due to Gemella haemolysans and Porphyromonas asaccarolytica. Methods: After the diagnosis of canaliculitis, the unusual finding of yellowish-greenish material supplied from canalicular curettage and canaliculotomy was sent to microbiology laboratory for the presence of aerobic, anaerobic bacteria and fungi. Systemic and topical antimicrobial treatment was administered. Results: Bacteriological stains revealed polymorphonuclear leukocytes and gram-positive cocci. Facultative anaerobe Gemella haemolysans and anaerobe Porphyromonas asaccarolytica were identified according to bacteriological cultures. Routine cultures were negative for fungi. Recurrence was not observed at two years follow-up. Conclusion: To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of canaliculitis due to both Gemella haemolysans and Porphyromonas asaccarolytica and is also remarkable ocular infection case occurred after any surgery and/or trauma.
Efficacy of Multipurpose Contact Lens Solutions Against ESBL-Positive Escherichia coli, MRSA, and Candida albicans Clinical Isolates
(2014) Demirbilek, Muge; Evren, Ebru; 24756120; JWP-3001-2024
Objectives: The antimicrobial effects of multipurpose contact lens solutions (MPSs) have been evaluated according to ISO 14729 standards. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of commercially available MPSs against extended-spectrum beta lactamases (ESBL)-producing Escherichia coli, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), and Candida albicans clinical isolates. Methods: Three commercially available contact lens solutions (Opti-Free Expresss, ReNu MultiPlus, and Solo Care Aqua) were tested against 18 ESBL-positive E. coli clinical strains, 20 MRSA clinical strains, and 20 C. albicans clinical strains. The stand-alone assays for bacteria and fungi were performed according to ISO 14729 criteria, and all samples were evaluated after 2, 4, and 24 hours of incubation. The numbers of viable microorganisms were evaluated by the plate-counting method. Results: All MPSs demonstrated at least 3 log reduction in colony-forming units (CFU) for all bacterial isolates and 1 log reduction in CFU for all yeast isolates, which meets ISO 14729 standards. Although no statistically significant differences were obtained among MPSs for bacterial isolates, variable responses were observed against clinical isolates: 5% povidone-iodine was more effective compared with Solo Care Aqua for C. albicans clinical strains (P<0.05); and all solutions were effective after an incubation time of only 2 hrs. The MPSs showed good activity against S. aureus, E. coli, and C. albicans. Conclusions: Although effective log reductions were provided with all MPSs, the reduction was variable depending on the strains tested. Multipurpose contact lens solutions should be tested under ISO 14729 standards for both standard and clinical strains.
Evaluation of Blood Culture Practices: Use of System (Epicenter) Data
(2019) Basustaoglu, Ahmet; Suzuk Yildiz, Serap; Mumcuoglu, Ipek; Karahan, Zeynep Ceren; Ogunc, Dilara; Kaleli, Ilknur; Kursun, Senol; Evren, Ebru; Ozhak, Baysal Betil; Demir, Melek; Murray, Patrick; 30683035
Sepsis is a serious clinical problem and estimated to be responsible for 18 million annual deaths worldwide. Therefore, the use and the rapid processing of blood cultures are important for the transition from empiric therapy to directed therapy. The aim of this study was to assess the best blood culture practices in Turkey. We have examined the collection practices and techniques at four different hospitals, and a total of 165.443 blood culture bottles were evaluated (2013-2015). At the preanalytical phase most of the data which were important and which could support hospital quality systems/practices were not entered into the HIS and EpiCenter system. At the analytical phase loading of the bottles and removal of positive bottles primarily occurred between 6:00 and 9:00 AM but the positivity rate of the bottles showed a homogeneous distribution throughout the day. In other words, there were significant delays at processing positive blood culture bottles related to laboratory workers. The effect of education regarding best practices, transition from single bottle to two bottle cultures was successful in all hospitals. Single bottle usage decreased below 10% in all hospitals. Significantly more positive cultures were detected at multiple cultures when compared with the single bottle collection practice. In retrospective patient records, it was seen that all the laboratories reported the results of Gram staining to the clinics. However, these data were not recorded to the Epicenter. The contamination rates of Ankara Numune Hospital and Akdeniz University Faculty of Medicine Hospital are 6.2% and 5.4% respectively, contamination rates were not reported in other hospitals. The most common isolates detected in blood cultures were Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Enterococcus faecium, Staphylococcus aureus, and Acinetobacter baumannii. The mean time for the detection of these organisms were less than 20 hours in the aerobic bottle and anaerobic bottles. A total of 79.6% of facultative anaerobic isolates were detected in both bottles; 9.8% were detected only in the aerobic bottles; 10.6% of the isolates were detected only in the anaerobic bottles. As a result, the educational efforts in Turkey have met with success for transition from collecting single bottle blood culture sets to two bottle blood cultures. However, further efforts are needed to increase the number of blood culture sets collected during a 24 hour's period. In addition, errors at the preanalytical, analytical and postanalytical periods (taking samples, loading bottles into the system and processing positive blood cultures) should be eliminated.
Experimental Study on The Effects of Massive Bowel Resection on Liver Function and Hepatocyte Apoptosis
(2014) Bostanoglu, Akin; Orug, Taner; Yildiz, Baris Dogu; Isik, Sevil; Zengin, Neslihan Inci; Evren, Ebru; Saydam, Gul Sevim; 25599780
Background/Aims: The effects of short-bowel syndrome on liver function and liver morphology independent of parenteral nutrition have not been thoroughly investigated. Our aim was to investigate the effects of massive bowel resection on hepatocyte apoptosis and liver function in rats. Materials and Methods: A total of 37 female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to five groups: Control (no procedure); Sham 1 [laparotomy (LT)/enterotomy (ET); evaluated on postoperative day (POD) 1]; Sham 2 (LT/ET; evaluated on POD7; Group 1 (80% bowel resection after LT/ET; POD1); and Group 2 (80% bowel resection; POD7). Blood samples were obtained for measuring aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, and lactate dehydrogenase levels. For assessing hepatocyte apoptosis, liver tissue samples from the median lobe were obtained and used for a terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase deoxyuridine triphosphate nick-end labeling assay. Results: Aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, and lactate dehydrogenase levels showed statistically significant differences among the five groups. Apoptotic hepatocyte counts there were statistically significant differences among groups for counts made in 20 consecutive high-power fields. However, liver sinusoidal cell apoptosis rates among groups showed statistically significant differences for counts made in 20 consecutive highpower fields, particularly on POD7 in rats undergoing massive bowel resection. Conclusion: Parenteral nutrition is not the only factor involved in liver dysfunction after massive bowel resection. Massive bowel resection alone can cause liver abnormalities. Rats undergoing massive small intestinal resection show significant temporal increases in liver sinusoidal cell apoptosis rates.
In Vitro Effects on Biofilm Viability and Antibacterial and Antiadherent Activities of Silymarin
(2015) Evren, Ebru; Yurtcu, Erkan; 0000-0003-4930-8164; 25937395; AAA-2998-2021; JWP-3001-2024
Limited treatment options in infectious diseases caused by resistant microorganisms created the need to search new approaches. Several herbal extracts are studied for their enormous therapeutic potential. Silymarin extract, from Silybum marianum (milk thistle), is an old and a new remedy for this goal. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the antibacterial and antiadherent effects of silymarin besides biofilm viability activity on standard bacterial strains. Minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC), minimal bactericidal concentration (MBC), antiadherent/antibiofilm activity, and effects on biofilm viability of silymarin were evaluated against standard bacterial strains. MIC values were observed between 60 and > 241 mu g/mL (0.25-> 1 mmol/L). Gram-positive bacteria were inhibited at concentrations between 60 and 120 mu g/mL. Gram-negative bacteria were not inhibited by the silymarin concentrations included in this study. MBC values for Gram-positive bacteria were greater than 241 mu g/mL. Adherence/biofilm formations were decreased to 15 mu g/mL silymarin concentration when compared with silymarin-untreated group. Silymarin reduced the biofilm viabilities to 13 and 46 % at 1 and 0.5 mmol/L concentrations, respectively. We demonstrated that silymarin shows antibacterial and antiadherent/antibiofilm activity against certain standard bacterial strains which may be beneficial when used as a dietary supplement or a drug.
Multiple Brain Abscesses Due to Phialemonium in a Renal Transplant Recipient: First Case Report in the Literature
(2015) Aydin, Mehtap; Ozcelik, Umit; Cevik, Halime; Cinar, Ozlem; Evren, Ebru; Demirag, Alp; 0000-0003-1073-2494; 0000-0003-4044-9366; 26640919; AAG-8651-2021; HLX-0937-2023; JAZ-1759-2023
Fungal brain abscesses are a rare but serious complication in transplant recipients. Phialemonium organisms are rare causes of invasive mold infections. Here, we present the first case of a renal transplant recipient with multiple brain abscesses caused by Phialemonium infection A. A 51-year-old female kidney transplant recipient was admitted with pneumonia of an unknown cause and treated with empiric intravenous antibiotics. Her treatment was uneventful, and she was discharged 1010 days later. After 5 days, she was readmitted with fever, cerebral palsy, and speech disorder. The patient had undergone living-donor renal transplant 7 months earlier. A cranial computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging were performed for a possible cerebro vascular pathology. The magnetic resonance imaging scan showed multiple brain abscesses located at the left parietal, frontal and occipital lobes; right parietal and occipital lobes; right basal ganglia; and left cerebellum. The patient received meropenem, linezolid, sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim, and AmBisome for probable pathogenic infection, and immunosuppressive agents dosage was reduced increasingly immuno suppressed. We identified Phialemonium in cerebrospinal fluid culture. The patient received voriconazole 200 mg twice daily. Lesions could not be drained due to lack of capsula formation. The patient died on the 30th day of antifungal therapy. Phialemonium organisms, although a rare cause of fungal infections, are associated with a high mortality rate in immunocompromised patients. To our knowledge, this is the first case report in the literature describing multiple brain abscesses due to Phialemonium in a transplant recipient. Clinicians recipient should be alert about these rare opportunistic fungi in the differential diagnosis of brain abscess, and bronchoscopy and broncho alveolar lavage are recommended for transplant patients when they are admitted with pneumonia exclude fungal infections.
Silymarin: Implications for Antibacterial and Antiadherent Activity
(2014) Evren, Ebru; Yurtcu, Erkan; https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4930-8164; AAA-2998-2021