Tularemia is a zoonotic disease caused by Francisella tularensis. Francisella tularensis is transmitted to humans by direct contact or ingestion of infected animal tissues, through the bite of infected arthropods, by consumption of contaminated food or water, or from inhalation of aerolized bacteria. In this report we describe 2 cases with oropharyngeal tularemia who presented with tonsillopharyngitis and cervical lymphadenitis.
Rhodotorula spp. have emerged as opportunistic pathogens, particularly in immunocompromised patients. The current study reports a case of onychomycosis caused by Rhodotorula glutinis in a 74-year-old immunocompetent female. The causative agent was identified as R. glutinis based on the pinkish-orange color; mucoid-appearing yeast colonies on Sabouraud Dextrose Agar at 25°C; morphological evaluation in the Corn Meal-Tween 80 agar; observed oval/round budding yeast at 25°C for 72 hours; no observed pseudohyphae; positive urease activity at 25°C for 4 days; and assimilation features detected by API ID 32C kit and automated Vitek Yeast Biochemical Card 2 system. Antifungal susceptibility test results were as follows: amphotericin B (MIC = 0.5 µg/mL), fluconazole (MIC = 128 µg/mL), itraconazole (MIC = 0.125 µg/mL), voriconazole (MIC = 1 µg/mL), posaconazole (MIC = 0.5 µg/mL), anidulafungin (MIC = 0.5 µg/mL), and caspofungin (MIC = 16 µg/mL). Antifungal therapy was initiated with oral itraconazole at a dose of 400 mg/day; seven-day pulse therapy was planned at intervals of three weeks. Clinical recovery was observed in the clinical evaluation of the patient before the start of the third cure. Although R. glutinis has rarely been reported as the causative agent of onychomycosis, it should be considered.
Objectives It was aimed to compare Alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT), Alpha-1 acid glycoprotein (AGP), Total Immunoglobulin M (Total IgM), Total Immunoglobulin G (Total IgG), Galectin-3 (Gal3), and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 IgG (SARS-CoV-2 IgG) levels in patients with COVID-19 and healthy individuals. Methods The study included a total of 86 participants, 44 patients diagnosed with COVID-19 by real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR) test and 42 as the control group. AAT, AGP, Total IgM, and Total IgG levels were measured using the immunoturbidimetric method. Gal3 and SARS-CoV-2 IgG levels were measured using the chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay method. Results AAT, AGP, Total IgG, Gal3, and SARS-CoV-2 IgG levels were found to be significantly higher in the patient group compared to the control group (p<0.001 for all tests). In the patient group, there was a moderate correlation between AAT-AGP and SARS-CoV-2 IgG-AAT (r=0.692; r=0.561, respectively). Conclusions High levels of AAT, AGP, Total IgG, Gal3, and SARS-CoV-2 IgG in the patient group and correlations between variables suggest that these parameters may be involved in the pathogenesis of the disease and provide an idea about the prognosis of the disease. However, new studies on this subject are needed in order to clearly reveal the laboratory tests related to the clinical course of the disease.
Objective(s). Interferon alpha therapy is associated with series of adverse effects leading premature discontinuation of treatment. Here we aimed to determine the effects of Tumor necrosis alpha promoter polymorphisms on interferon related side effects during interferon alpha 2b treatment in chronic hepatitis B patients Material and Method(s). This observational study enrolled 50 chronic hepatitis B patients, who were treated with interferon alpha 2b 10 tiw plus lamivudine 100mg/day at Selçuk University Meram Medical Faculty Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Bacteriology between 2006-2007. Patients were followed-up with complete blood count, transaminases and amylase monthly at out patient clinics of our department. All patients were asked to fill a questionnaire to evaluate the interferon related side effects at every visit. Tumor necrosis factor alpha -238 and -308 polymorphisms were investigated with PCR-Restriction fragment length polymorphisms. Result(s) and Conclusion Arthralgia was present in 93.8% of patients. Exhaustion, loss of appetite, mount dryness and fever are the leading complaints of the patients. Median complaint scores were 9, 9.5, 11 and 5 at 4th, 12th, 24th and 48th week visits, respectively. Thrombocytopenia and leucopenia were detected in 8 (16%) and 5 (10%) patients, respectively. One-third of the patients reported depressive mood however, depression was diagnosed in 5 (10%) patients. TNF alpha promoter 238GG and 308GG allele was present in 42/50 and 43/50 patients, respectively. No association was found between TNF promoter allele and certain patient-reported side effect, complaint score, hematological and psychological adverse effects. TNF alpha promoter polymorphisms do not contribute to occurrence of IFN alpha treatment related side effects.
Aim: Acute viral hepatitis B may lead to chronic hepatitis in 6% of adult population. We compared the frequency of Tumor necrosis factor alpha promotor polymorphisms in chronic hepatitis B patients and people with natural immunity against hepatitis B. Material and Methodology: Chronic hepatitis B patients and age matched control cases with natural immunity to hepatitis B virus were recruited 1:1 in this study. Tumor necrosis factor alpha -238G/A and -308G/A polymorphisms were studied with PCR-RFLP. χ2 test was performed in statistical analysis. Results: A total of 101 volunteers enrolled in two study groups. Thirty-eight men and 12 women constituted the chronic hepatitis B patient group and 40 men and 11 women recruited in natural immunity group. Frequency of -238G allele was 87.5% and 97% in chronic hepatitis B and natural immunity groups, respectively. Frequency of -308G allel was 93% and 92.1% in chronic hepatitis B and natural immunity groups, respectively. Frequencies of polymorphisms at positions -238 and -308 in the promotor of tumor necrosis factor alpha gene were not different between chronic hepatitis B and natural immunity groups. Conclusion: Tumor necrosis factor alpha promoter polymorphisms at -238 and -308 positions do not effect the outcome hepatitis B infection in Turkish population. Clearance of hepatitis B virus infection is multifactorial. Thus, further studies needed to identify genetic predisposition to chronic hepatitis B infection.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.