Background:The hepatitis C virus (HCV) has six major genotypes and more than 100 subtypes, and the determination of the responsible genotype, collection of epidemiological data, tailoring antiviral therapy, and prediction of prognosis have an important place in disease management.Objectives:The aim of the present study was to determine the distribution of HCV genotypes across geographic regions and compare these data with those obtained from other geographic locations.Patients and Methods:The HCV genotypes were identified in HCV RNA positive blood samples, obtained from different centers. The HCV genotype was determined using molecular methods [Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR)] in 313 patients, who were found to be positive for HCV RNA. The presence of HCV RNA was investigated using the RT-PCR method in serum samples delivered to the Microbiology Laboratory at Kahramanmaras Necip Fazıl City Hospital, Kahramanmaras, Turkey, from the centers located in Kahramanmaras City center and peripheral districts of the province, between March 2010 and August 2014. The HCV genotype analysis was performed in HCV RNA positive samples, using RT-PCR reagents kit. Urine samples from the patients were tested for amphetamine with an Amphetamines II (AMPS2) kit, cocaine was tested with a Cocaine II (COC2) kit, opiates were tested with an Opiates II (OPI2) kit, and cannabinoids were tested with a Cannabinoids II (THC2) kit in Roche/Hitachi Cobas c501 device.Results:The blood samples collected from 313 patients were included in the study. Of these patients, 212 (67.7%) were male and 101 (32.3%) were female. The mean age of the patients was 41.29 ± 20.32 years. In terms of HCV genotype distribution, 162 patients (51.7%) had genotype 1, 144 patients (46%) had genotype 3, four patients (1.3%) had genotype 2, and three patients (1%) had genotype 4. The results of urine drug tests were available in only 65 patients (20.2%). Of these, 61 (93.8%) patients had HCV genotype 3.Conclusions:In conclusion, the prevalence of HCV genotype 1 was 51.7%, which was lower than the rates reported in other studies in Turkey, while the prevalence of HCV genotype 3 was 46%, which was remarkably higher than the reported Turkish data. In addition, the prevalence rate for genotype 3 reported in the present study is the highest that has ever been reported in the literature.

Aim We aimed to analyse the influence of the COVID‐19 pandemic on the frequency and clinical presentation of celiac disease. Methods The study included the patients with celiac disease since January 2008. They were divided into 2 groups (diagnosed in pre‐pandemic [January 2008 and February 2020] [ n = 148] and in pandemic period [March 2020 and June 2021] [ n = 47]). Clinical and histological findings were compared between groups. Additionally, data about severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection were obtained in subgroup patients ( n = 22) with celiac disease diagnosed during pandemic period. Results The number of patients per year (12.1–37.6) and the percentage of patients who were diagnosed with celiac disease/total endoscopy were increased during the pandemic period (2.2% vs. 10%, p < 0.00001). The association of celiac disease with type 1 diabetes mellitus was significantly high in pandemic period (4% vs. 17%, p = 0.002). Frequency of moderate‐severe mucosal lesions was low in pandemic period (42.4% vs. 81.7%, p = 0.0001). Clinical and laboratory markers for the past severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection were found in 36.3% of patients diagnosed during the pandemic period. Conclusion It seems that the frequency of celiac disease and its association with type 1 diabetes mellitus is increased during the COVID‐19 pandemic in children.

Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, which is a non-fermentative gram-negative bacillus, has an increasing importance in nosocomial and opportunistic infections. Since it exhibits resistance to numerous broad-spectrum antibiotics such as aminoglycosides, beta-lactams and tetracyclines, it may considerably limit empirical treatment options. Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (SXT) is recommended as the first-line therapy in the treatment of S.maltophilia infections thanks to its high potency and usefulness in a range of patients. In recent years, however, studies in different geographical regions have started to report resistance to SXT. In this study, we aimed to investigate the genes sul1, sul2, dfrA9, dfrA10, dfrA20 and class I, class II integron gene cassettes which are known to play role in SXT resistance among SXT-resistant S.maltophilia strains. A total of 618 S.maltophilia strains isolated from various clinical samples of 339 patients between January 2006 and October 2011 at the laboratory of Medical Microbiology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Karadeniz Technical University, Trabzon, Turkey, were included in the study. The isolates were identified by both conventional methods and the Phoenix automated identification system (Becton Dickinson, USA). SXT resistance was determined in the isolates of 32 patients (32/339, 9.4%) by both the automated system and agar dilution method of them 29 (90.6%) were hospital-acquired, and 3 (9.4%) were community-acquired. The genes which are known as SXT resistance determining genes including sul1, sul2, dfr genes, and class I and class II integron gene cassettes were analyzed by using specific primers with polymerase chain reaction in the 32 SXT-resistant isolates. Subsequently, nucleotide sequence analysis of the amplified materials was performed. As a result of this assay, the presence of class I integron gene cassette and sul1 gene were detected in one isolate. Nucleotide sequence analysis of the gene cassette revealed oxacilinase (oxa2) type of beta-lactamase, an aminoglycoside 6'-N-acetyltransferase [aac(6')-IIc], leading to resistance of aminoglycosides, and a quaternary ammonium compounds resistance gene (qacF), respectively. In conclusion, to best of our knowledge the sequences of class I integron gene cassette including oxa2, aac(6')-IIc, qacF genes were identified in S.maltophilia for the first time. It should be kept in mind that the co-presence of a class I integron gene cassette and the sul1 gene in S.maltophilia may lead to the development of multi-drug resistance and may act as a potential source for the dissemination of resistance.

ÖZET levofloksasin, meropenem, imipenem, piperasilin-tazobaktam, seftazidim, sefepim, gentamisin ve amikasin direnç oranları sırasıyla % 27, % 24.3, % 24.6, % 19.1, % 42.6, % 29.6, % 25, % 28.3, % 12 , 83 (27.8 %) urine, 81 (26.8 %) soft tissue, 16 (5.3 %) blood, one (0.3 %) catheter and three (1 %) sterile body fluids. Strains were mostly isolated in anaesthesia intensive care units,involving 238 (79.9 %) isolates. The resistance rate of the strains examined in the study to ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, meropenem, imipenem, piperacillin-tazobactam, ceftazidime, cefepime, gentamicin and amikacin have been found respectively as 27 %, 24.3 %, 24.6 %, 19.1 %, 42.6 %, 29.6 %, 25 %, 28,3 % and 12 %. The resistance to colistin has been found as 3.5 %.According to the results of our study, P.aeruginosa isolation is more common in intensive care units of hospitals. The greatest resistance among P.aeruginosa strains has been identified against piperacillin-tazobactam. Colistin is found to be the most effective antibiotic. Updating antibiotics resistance profiles is significant as it will enable the regulation of antipseudomonal treatment policies.

We found that an increased number of Demodex spp. was strongly related to increased severity of ear itching.