Objective: To investigate effect of serum total testosterone and its relationship with other laboratory parameters on the prognosis of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infected male patients. Methods: This prospective cohort study included 221 consecutive male patients (>18 years old) with laboratory confirmed SARS-CoV-2 who had been hospitalized due to COVID-19. The patients were divided into 3 groups: Asymptomatic patients (n: 46), symptomatic patients who were hospitalized in the internal medicine unit (IMU) (n: 129), and patients who were hospitalized in the intensive care unit (ICU) (n: 46). Results: As serum total testosterone level at baseline decreases, probability (%) to be in the ICU significantly increases (p ¼ 0.001). As serum total testosterone level at baseline decreases, probability (%) of mortality significantly increases (p ¼ 0.002). In the patients who had pre-COVID-19 serum gonadal hormones test (n: 24), serum total testosterone level significantly decreased from pre-COVID-19 level of 458 ± 198 ng/dl to 315 ± 120 ng/dl at the time of COVID-19 in the patients (p ¼ 0.003). Conclusions: COVID-19 might deteriorate serum testosterone level in SARS-CoV-2 infected male patients. Low serum total testosterone level at baseline has a significant increased risk for the ICU and mortality in patients with COVID-19.

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In this multicentre study, which is the largest case series ever reported, we aimed to describe the features of tularaemia to provide detailed information. We retrospectively included 1034 patients from 41 medical centres. Before the definite diagnosis of tularaemia, tonsillitis (n = 653, 63%) and/or pharyngitis (n = 146, 14%) were the most frequent preliminary diagnoses. The most frequent clinical presentations were oropharyngeal (n = 832, 85.3%), glandular (n = 136, 13.1%) and oculoglandular (n = 105, 10.1%) forms. In 987 patients (95.5%), the lymph nodes were reported to be enlarged, most frequently at the cervical chain jugular (n = 599, 58%), submandibular (n = 401, 39%), and periauricular (n = 55, 5%). Ultrasound imaging showed hyperechoic and hypoechoic patterns (59% and 25%, respectively). Granulomatous inflammation was the most frequent histological finding (56%). The patients were previously given antibiotics for 1176 episodes, mostly with β-lactam/β-lactamase inhibitors (n = 793, 76%). Antituberculosis medications were provided in seven (2%) cases. The patients were given rational antibiotics for tularaemia after the start of symptoms, with a mean of 26.8 ± 37.5 days. Treatment failure was considered to have occurred in 495 patients (48%). The most frequent reasons for failure were the production of suppuration in the lymph nodes after the start of treatment (n = 426, 86.1%), the formation of new lymphadenomegalies under treatment (n = 146, 29.5%), and persisting complaints despite 2 weeks of treatment (n = 77, 15.6%). Fine-needle aspiration was performed in 521 patients (50%) as the most frequent drainage method. In conclusion, tularaemia is a long-lasting but curable disease in this part of the world. However, the treatment strategy still needs optimization.

The SARS‐CoV‐2 set off a pandemic involving millions of people around the world. The topic of discussion is the possible viral detection in different body fluids than respiratory droplets. Therefore, we evaluated the possible presence of SARS‐CoV‐2 in semen and urine samples. Thirty patients were included in the study aged 35.67 ± 6.84 years. The day after the pharyngeal and/or nose swab of SARS‐CoV‐2 was positive, urine and semen samples were taken from patients, and the presence of SARS‐CoV‐2 was investigated. Laboratory tests and chest CT findings were evaluated simultaneously. SARS‐CoV‐2 was detected in four (13.3%) patients’ semen samples and in seven (23.3%) patients’ urine samples. White blood cell (WBC), neutrophil, C‐reactive protein (CRP), ferritin, alanine transaminase (ALT), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and procalcitonin were significantly higher in patients with SARS‐CoV‐2 in semen (p < .05), though no statistical difference was found in urine (p > .05). Patients with severe pneumonia findings in Chest CT images are likely to be PCR positive in semen and urine samples (p = .005, p = .001). SARS‐CoV‐2 was not detected in urine and semen samples of patients after they had recovered (average duration 23 ± 4 days). SARS‐CoV‐2 can be detected in the urogenıtal fluıds of patients with severe clinical conditions and high viral load.

A choristoma is the presence of histologically normal tissue in an area where it is not normally located. The most frequently reported choristoma of the middle ear is salivary choristoma. Heterotopic brain tissue is very uncommon in the middle ear and mastoid. We present a rare case of glial choristoma of the middle ear, together with a review of the literature.

A case of neurobrucellosis complicated by optic, abducens and vestibulocochlear nerve palsies is reported. Brucella melitensis was isolated in the cerebrospinal fluid, and the patient was diagnosed with retrobulbar neuritis. Despite medical treatment, the patient developed optic atrophy. Multiple cranial nerve involvement should be kept in mind in patients presenting with blurred vision and double vision, especially in regions where brucellosis is endemic.

Our purpose is to investigate the electrophysiological characteristics of Bell's palsy and to obtain clues for estimating prognosis in the late period by using electroneurography. Thirty-three patients were followed by electroneurography over a period of 12 months. They were classified according to House-Brackman system. At the end of the follow-up, 100% of grade II-III patients, and 61% of grade IV patients recovered completely. Thirty per cent of grade IV patients recovered as grade II, and one grade IV (8%) and one grade V (100%) patient had bad prognoses (grade IV). There were significant differences between each group in the time course between the first and third months of onset. We concluded that the amount of non-degenerated synchronous fibres can allow us to estimate prognosis of Bell's palsy, especially between the first and third month of onset, if we make serial tests.

Aim: The aim of this study is to evaluate the attitudes of healthcare workers against seasonal influenza vaccine and the reasons for vaccine avoidance. Materials and Methods: This national survey was conducted from April 1st to June 30th in 2017. The study was carried out among health care workers working in primary, secondary and tertiary care settings. A total of 12 questions were sent to 5046 health care professionals from 55 different cities who agreed to participate in the survey. Results: 7% of the participants stated that they get vaccinated regularly every year. 65.8% of the participants stated that they don't get vaccinated at all. The most important reason for those who did not receive influenza vaccination was their disbelief in the necessity of the vaccination (51.9%). The most common reason for the seasonal influenza vaccination was the prevention of influenza infection (56.7%). Conclusion: The results of the study showed that HCWs influenza vaccination rates are very low. Doctors have been found to have slightly better rates than other HCWs. The high level of education and the increase in professional experience had a positive effect on the vaccination rate. It is important to know the HCWs attitudes and behaviors towards the vaccination to increase the rates.