<b><i>Objectives:</i></b> Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a well-known oncogenic virus associated with anogenital carcinomas. Despite the anatomical proximity of the bladder and the anogenital region, the relationship between HPV and urothelial carcinoma of the bladder (UCB) is still a controversial issue. This study aimed to test the urethral swabs and first-void urine samples of patients with UCB for HPV-Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay and to compare the results with a control group. <b><i>Materials and Methods:</i></b> Sixty-nine patients who were diagnosed with UCB between January and December 2018 were included in this case-control study. Sixty-nine patients who visited the urology outpatient clinic for non-oncological reasons within the study period were designated as the control group. Urethral swab and first-void morning urine samples were collected from each patient. HPV-DNA presence was investigated using a PCR kit that can detect a total of 22 HPV genotypes, of which 18 are high-risk and 3 are low-risk genotypes. <b><i>Results:</i></b> The mean age of the patients included in the study was 63.2 ± 12.6 years and the male to female ratio was 5.3. HPV-DNA was detected in 28.9% (20/69) of the patients in the case group and in 8.7% (6/69) of the patients in the control group. HPV-DNA positivity was significantly higher in the case group (OR 4.24; 95% CI 1.63–12.34). No statistically significant relationship was found between HPV-DNA positivity and tumor grade (<i>p</i> = 0.36). <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> A statistically significant relationship exists between HPV infection and UCB, regardless of the tumor grade.

Objectives: A carefully chosen and suitably prepared kidney donor is essential in living-donor kidney transplantation. Computed tomography angiography (CTA) is an effective imaging method for evaluating the renovascular morphology of donor candidates. The aim of this study was to evaluate renal artery variations in kidney donors using CTA and compare the findings with the number of arteries detected during laparoscopic donor nephrectomy. Materials and Methods: The study included 2,144 living donors who underwent pretransplant renovascular assessment using CTA and laparoscopic donor nephrectomy in our center between August 2012 and October 2018. The number of renal arteries to the donor kidney detected on CTA was compared with the number of arteries discovered intraoperatively. Results: The mean age of the 2,144 living kidney donors included in the study was 47.19 ± 13.3 (18-87) years. According to CTA findings, 81.1% (n = 1,738) had a single renal artery, 17.2% (n = 369) had double renal arteries, 1.6% (n = 35) had triple renal arteries, and 0.1% (n = 2) had quadruple renal arteries. The same number of renal arteries were detected by CTA and in laparoscopic donor nephrectomy in 97.9% (n = 2,099) of the donors. In the other 2.1% (n = 45), fewer renal arteries were detected intraoperatively compared to their CTA findings. None of the donors included in the study had a greater number of renal arteries discovered during nephrectomy than by CTA. Conclusion: CTA is a highly accurate method for the evaluation of renovascular variations in donor candidates for living-donor kidney transplantation. However, it must be kept in mind that double or multiple renal artery variations may be detected on CTA in 18.9% of donor candidates.

Objectives: The aim of the study is to determine the seroprevalence of hepatitis B (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in barbers and to assess the awareness of these employees related to occupational risks of HBV and HCV. Materials and Methods: In this study, 2145 barbers in Izmir were given an occupational safety seminar. Blood samples were collected from 2066 voluntary participants and 1284 individuals completed the questionnaires. Sera were tested for the presence of HBV and HCV markers by ELISA. Results: Our results document low levels of knowledge about HBV and HCV infection, risk perception and adequate protection among participants before the seminar session. Of the participants, 63.5% reported that they had suffered from equipment-related injuries during the last month. The prevalence of HBsAg positive and anti-HCV individuals of the 2066 person was found to be 2.2% and 0.4%, respectively. Conclusions: Hairdressers' knowledge of HBV, HCV and health hazards associated with their profession was inadequate. The prevalence of HBsAg positive and anti-HCV was similar to that among the general population.

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The genus Legionella is a fastidious Gram-negative bacteria widely distributed in natural waters and man made water supply systems. Legionella pneumophila is the aetiological agent of approximately 90% of reported Legionellosis cases, and serogroup 1 is the most frequent cause of infections. Legionnaires' disease is often associated with travel and continues to be a public health concern at present. The correct water management quality practices and rapid methods for analyzing Legionella species in environmental water is a key point for the prevention of Legionnaires' disease outbreaks. This study aimed to evaluate the positivity rates and serotyping of Legionella species from water samples in the region of Antalya, Turkey, which is an important tourism center. During January-December 2010, a total of 1403 samples of water that were collected from various hotels (n = 56) located in Antalya were investigated for Legionella pneumophila. All samples were screened for L. pneumophila by culture method according to "ISO 11731-2" criteria. The culture positive Legionella strains were serologically identified by latex agglutination test. A total of 142 Legionella pneumophila isolates were recovered from 21 (37.5%) of 56 hotels. The total frequency of L. pneumophila isolation from water samples was found as 10.1%. Serological typing of 142 Legionella isolates by latex agglutination test revealed that strains belonging to L. pneumophila serogroups 2-14 predominated in the examined samples (85%), while strains of L. pneumophila serogroup 1 were less numerous (15%). According to our knowledge, our study with the greatest number of water samples from Turkey demonstrates that L. pneumophila serogroups 2-14 is the most common isolate. Rapid isolation of L. pneumophila from environmental water samples is essential for the investigation of travel related outbreaks and the possible resources. Further studies are needed to have epidemiological data and to determine the types of L. pneumophila isolates from Turkey.