Browsing by Author "Sari, Nuran"

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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
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
Detection of COVID-19 by Machine Learning Using Routine Laboratory Tests
(2021) Cubukcu, Hikmet Can; Topcu, Deniz Ilhan; Bayraktar, Nilufer; Gulsen, Murat; Sari, Nuran; Arslan, Ayse Hande; 0000-0002-1219-6368; 0000-0002-7886-3688; 34791032; E-3717-2019; Y-8758-2018
Objectives The present study aimed to develop a clinical decision support tool to assist coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) diagnoses with machine learning (ML) models using routine laboratory test results. Methods We developed ML models using laboratory data (n = 1,391) composed of six clinical chemistry (CC) results, 14 CBC parameter results, and results of a severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction as a gold standard method. Four ML algorithms, including random forest (RF), gradient boosting (XGBoost), support vector machine (SVM), and logistic regression, were used to build eight ML models using CBC and a combination of CC and CBC parameters. Performance evaluation was conducted on the test data set and external validation data set from Brazil. Results The accuracy values of all models ranged from 74% to 91%. The RF model trained from CC and CBC analytes showed the best performance on the present study's data set (accuracy, 85.3%; sensitivity, 79.6%; specificity, 91.2%). The RF model trained from only CBC parameters detected COVID-19 cases with 82.8% accuracy. The best performance on the external validation data set belonged to the SVM model trained from CC and CBC parameters (accuracy, 91.18%; sensitivity, 100%; specificity, 84.21%). Conclusions ML models presented in this study can be used as clinical decision support tools to contribute to physicians' clinical judgment for COVID-19 diagnoses.
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.
Herpes Zoster Infections in Solid-Organ Transplant Recipients
(2023) Sari, Nuran; Erol, Cigdem; Yalcin, Tugba Yanik; Azap, Ozlem Kurt; Arslan, Hande; Karakaya, Emre; Altinel, Cemile Tugba; Sezgin, Atilla; Incekas, Caner; Haberal, Mehmet; 0000-0002-4879-7974; 37885293; AAD-5466-2021
Objectives: Herpes zoster infections can be complicated and mortal in solid-organ transplant recipients. In our study, we investigated herpes zoster infections in solid-organ transplant recipients.Materials and Methods: Until June 2022, our center has performed 3342 kidney, 708 liver, and 148 heart transplants. Herpes zoster infections were investigated in 1050 adult solid-organ transplant recipients from January 1, 2011, to June 31, 2022. We studied 44 patients diagnosed with herpes zoster infections.Results: Of the 44 patients with herpes zoster, 32 had kidney, 7 had heart, and 5 had liver transplant procedures. Crude incidence rate was 5.2%.,with 9.7% being heart, 5.1% being kidney, and 3.9% being liver transplant recipients; 72.7% were male patients. The median age was 47.5 years, and 61% of patients were aged >45 years. Postherpetic neuralgia was significantly higher in patients older than 45 years (P = .006). The median duration to infection posttransplant was 16.5 months. The dermatomes of patients were 43.2% thoracic. Sacral dermatome involvement was significantly higher in heart transplant patients than in other transplant recipients (P = .015). We reviewed specific findings of the Tzanck test in 36.4% of the patients. There was concomitant infection in 15.9% of the patients, and 6.8% had pneumonia. Acute neuritis was more common in kidney transplant recipients (65.6%). The mean duration of acute neuritis/neuralgia was longest in liver transplant recipients (13.5 months; P = .047). Postherpetic neuralgia was detected as high as 24%.Conclusions: Early specific and supportive treatment is important for transplant recipients with herpes zoster infections. Appropriate antiviral prophylaxis regimens and vaccination strategies for varicella zoster (chickenpox) and herpes zoster infections should be implemented in the vaccination schedule of solid -organ transplant candidates to prevent herpes zoster infections and complications.
Immunogenicity after two doses of inactivated virus vaccine in healthcare workers with and without previous COVID-19 infection: Prospective observational study
(2021) Yalcin, Tugba Y.; Topcu, Deniz, I; Sari, Nuran; Erol, Cigdem; Azap, Ozlem K.; Arslan, Hande; 0000-0002-3165-4520; 0000-0001-5996-8639; 0000-0002-2535-2534; 0000-0002-5708-7915; 0000-0002-3171-8926; 34468990; ABA-1149-2021; AAA-4708-2022; AAJ-1219-2021; ABG-7034-2021; AAK-4089-2021
Vaccines have been seen as the most important solution for ending the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. The aim of this study is to evaluate the antibody levels after inactivated virus vaccination. We included 148 healthcare workers (74 with prior COVID-19 infection and 74 with not). They received two doses of inactivated virus vaccine (CoronaVac). Serum samples were prospectively collected three times (Days 0, 28, 56). We measured SARS-CoV-2 IgGsp antibodies quantitatively and neutralizing antibodies. After the first dose, antibody responses did not develop in 64.8% of the participants without prior COVID-19 infection. All participants had developed antibody responses after the second dose. We observed that IgGsp antibody titers elicited by a single vaccine dose in participants with prior COVID-19 infection were higher than after two doses of vaccine in participants without prior infection (geometric mean titer: 898 and 607 AU/ml). IgGsp antibodies, participants with prior COVID-19 infection had higher antibody levels as geometric mean titers at all time points (p < 0.001). We also found a positive correlation between IgGsp antibody titers and neutralizing capacity (r(s) = 0.697, p < 0.001). Although people without prior COVID-19 infection should complete their vaccination protocol, the adequacy of a single dose of vaccine is still in question for individuals with prior COVID-19. New methods are needed to measure the duration of protection of vaccines and their effectiveness against variants as the world is vaccinated. We believe quantitative IgGsp values may reflect the neutralization capacity of some vaccines.
Investigation of HIV/AIDS Knowledge Levels and Approaches to the Disease of Başkent University Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Engineering Students
(2023) Sari, Nuran; Bilgic, Suveyda; Aydogan, Doga; Akici, Nur Ilayda; Yavuz, Esma Yagmur; Kuscu, Nur Selin; Ardebili, Yasaman; Colak, Meric Yavuz; Azap, Ozlem Kurt; 0000-0002-3171-8926; 0000-0002-0294-6874; 0009-0000-4043-3765; 0000-0002-3165-4520; AAK-4089-2021; AAA-4360-2021
Introduction: The number of HIV/AIDS patients is increasing in the world and in our country. It is thought that university students play an important role in developing social awareness necessary for the control of infectious diseases. This study aims to investigate the knowledge level of university students, determine their attitudes towards the disease, and evaluate their behavioral patterns to provide guidance for future studies, training and practices.Materials and Methods: Our research is a descriptive, cross-sectional field study. A survey including questions about HIV/AIDS trans- mission routes, disease recognition, attitudes and behaviors was prepared and delivered to the students of our university's faculty of medicine, dentistry and engineering via an online system. The survey data conducted between February 14, 2022 and April 1, 2022 was recorded and analyzed in the SPSS 25 statistical package program.Results: A total of 233 students participated in the survey, 76 from the faculty of engineering, 121 from the faculty of medicine, and 36 from the faculty of dentistry. 159 of the students are women and 73 are men. The average age was found to be 22.8 +/- 1.9 years. Between the students of the faculty of engineering and the group studying in the field of health; There was a significant difference in knowing the HIV/AIDS difference, ways of protection and disease agent (p< 0.05). In addition, questions about the ways of HIV transmission; There is a significant difference between the two groups regarding genetic transmission, use of the same forks and knives, towels, public toilets, kissing, sneezing, shaking hands, and contamination from swimming pools (p< 0.05). Knowledge that it can be transmitted through blood transfusion, using the same razor and needle, getting a tattoo, pregnancy and birth was found to be significantly lower in the faculty of engineering (p< 0.05). Additionally, 14.5% of the faculty of engineering students thought that they could be protected from HIV/AIDS by exercising regularly and 36.8% thought that they were vaccinated against HIV/AIDS (p< 0.05).To the question of whether HIV/AIDS patients pose a threat to society, 33.5% of students studying in the field of health and 34.2% of students of the faculty of engineering answered yes. The rate of those who want to learn more about HIV/AIDS is 86% in the field of health and 80.3% in the faculty of engineering.Conclusion: In our study, it was also observed that although university students had a certain level of knowledge about HIV/AIDS, they had incomplete and wrong attitudes and behaviors. Necessary training on infectious diseases of public concern must cover all departments.
LAST TWO INFLUENZA SEASON: EVALUATION OF SOLID ORGAN TRANSPLANT RECIPIENTS
(2020) Yalcin, Tugba Yanik; Erol, Cigdem; Sari, Nuran; Arslan, Hande; Karakaya, Emre; Haberal, Mehmet A.
Ophthalmologic Examination and Echocardiography Should be the Essential Components of Candidemia Bundle
(2023) Erol, Cigdem; Sari, Nuran; Yanik Yalcin, Tugba; Yesilkaya, Aysegul; Asena, Leyla; Gur Gungor, Sirel; Kurt Azap, Ozlem; 0000-0002-6848-203X; 0000-0001-5996-8639; 0000-0002-2535-2534; 0000-0001-6178-8362; 0000-0002-3171-8926; 0000-0002-3165-4520; 38633906; E-5914-2016; AAA-4708-2022; AAJ-1219-2021; AAD-5967-2021; AAK-4089-2021
Objective: Candidemia is the most common form of invasive candidiasis, and it is associat-ed with end-organ involvement, prolonged hospitalization, increased mortality, and higher healthcare costs. Candidemia can lead to metastatic heart and ocular infections. This study aimed to define the incidence, characteristics, and mortality of candidemia episodes and compare the data with our center's previous results.Materials and Methods: In this single-center retrospective observational study, we enrolled 250 patients over 18 years diagnosed with candidemia between January 2015 and December 2020. We obtained patients' demographic, clinical, laboratory, and therapeutic data from medical records. An ophthalmologic examination and screening with echocardiography were carried out within the first week after candidemia diagnosis.Results: There were 275 candidemia episodes from 250 patients. The incidence of candidem-ia was 2.8/1000 admissions and 5.68/ 10,000 inpatient days, higher than our previous results (1.23/1000 and 3.29/10,000). The median age was 65 (interquartile range [IQR]=52-75) years. Malignancies were the most frequent comorbidity (50%). The most common type was Candida albicans (n=115, 41.8%). Candida glabrata (n=61, 22.2%) was common, particularly in surgical patients, patients with malignancy, and critically ill patients. There was Infectious disease consultation in 93.3% (257) episodes. The ophthalmoscopic examination was made in 145 episodes (52.7%), and ophthalmitis was detected in 16 (11.0%). Echocardiography was per-formed in 139 (50.5%) episodes; one case had an endocarditis diagnosis. The 30-day mortal-ity was 44.7% (n=123). Mortality rates in C. glabrata and Candida krusei infections were high-er (54.1% and 66.7). The factors related to mortality were intensive care unit requirement (p=0.0001), chronic liver disease (p=0.005), corticosteroid usage (p=0.0001), previous antibiotic usage (p=0.013), multiple antibiotic usage (p=0.020), and CVC related candidemia (p=0.010).Conclusion: Because of the life-threatening complications such as endocarditis, increased mortality rates, and higher healthcare costs, systematic and comprehensive candidemia bundle applications would be effective strategies for providing an effective antifungal stew-ardship program.
TEN YEAR CHALLENGE: HOW THE ETIOLOGY AND RESISTANCE PATTERNS OF BLOOD STREAM INFECTIONS IN SOLID ORGAN TRANSPLANTATION RECIPIENTS HAVE CHANGED?
(2020) Erol, Cigdem; Yanik, Tugba Yanik; Sari, Nuran; Karakaya, Emre; Arslan, Hande; Haberal, Mehmet A.
URINARY TRACT INFECTIONS IN RENAL TRANSPLANT RECIPIENTS IN THREE YEARS
(2020) Sari, Nuran; Erol, Cigdem; Yalcin, Tugba Yanik; Arslan, Hande; Haberal, Mehmet A.