INTRODUCTION: Urethritis is one of the major causes of morbidity in men. The primary pathogens are Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae, but also Mycoplasma genitalium. Ureaplasma urealyticum, Trichomonas vaginalis, anaerobes, Herpes simplex virus (HSV), and adenovirus. AIM: The aim of this study was to detect common bacterial causes of urethritis in symptomatic men by Gram stain, culture and nucleic acid amplification techniques (NAAT), and to compare them. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seventy-eight male patients with clinical symptoms suggestive of urethritis were enrolled in the study. Three urethral samples were obtained from each one -for smear on a glass slide, culture, and NAAT. The glass slides were subjected to Gram stain. Culture on modified Thayer Martin media was used for detection of N. gonorrhoeae. Isolation of C. trachomatis was performed on McCoy cells, afterwards stained for immunofluorescence with anti-lipopolysaccharide monoclonal antibody. Cultivation and ennumeration of Ureaplasma spp. and M. hominis was done with Mycofast Revolution kit. DNA extractions and amplifications by using multiplex Real Time PCR tests were done for all the bacteria. RESULTS: In 30 persons, infections were detected by using different microbiological tests. N. gonorrhoeae was discovered by Gram stain in 5 samples; by cultivation -in 6; by PCR -in 8. C. trachomatis was found in 13 samples with cultivation; by PCR -in 14. Ureaplasma spp. was found in 7 samples with cultivation and in 9 with PCR. M. genitalium was detected only by PCR in 3 samples. M. hominis was negative in all tested swabs. Co-infections with two microorganisms were detected in 4 samples. All the samples with positive results showed increased number of leukocytes on Gram staining. DISCUSSION: Although many infections can be diagnosed on the basis of clinical criteria alone, accurate and timely diagnostic microbiology is essential for the clinical management of patients' infections. In our study the PCR was the most sensitive and rapid method for the diagnosis of urethritis in symptomatic
Background: Herpetic whitlow is a herpes simplex virus infection of the fingers or thumb characterized by erythema accompanied by painful non-purulent vesicles. Aim: To draw attention to the typical appearance of herpetic whitlow and to distinguish it from bacterial infections and other skin diseases because of their different management. Materials and methods: The patient’s history, dermatological status, and scrapings from the vesicles were taken. The swabs were cultured for isolation of bacteria and fungi. DNA extraction and PCR were performed for detection of HSV. Results: Repeated identical infections of the finger were found in the patients’ history, commonly associated with respiratory infections. The cultured swabs for bacterial or fungal detection remained negative. The scraping from vesicle used for viral detection showed positive HSV result. Conclusion: It is important to distinguish herpetic whitlow from infectious and skin diseases and to learn from yet done mistakes - the patient was previously diagnosed with bacterial whitlow, contact dermatitis and dermatitis of unknown origin.
Introduction: Totally edentulous patients require a specific approach to prosthetic treatment, due to presence of excessive bone resorption, painful neurogenic spots and thin mucosa. One possible approach to treatment is application of complete dentures, lined with elastic materials. The porous structure of these materials is a prerequisite for bacterial and fungal colonization in oral cavity. The saliva flow, through its cleansing and antibacterial action, partly regulates this process due to the presence of histidine-rich peptides, peroxidase system, lysozyme, lactoferrin, slgA etc. Aim: Investigation of the relation between sIgA or LF levels and the type and amount of Candida spp. in saliva of totally edentulous patients, treated with conventional and two-layer complete dentures. Material and methods: 43 totally edentulous patients at the average age of 68.4 ± 9.94 years were treated with conventional complete dentures and with complete dentures, lined with silicone-based elastic materials. In relation to Candida spp. presence in the saliva, the patients were divided into three groups, as follows: without Candida presence, with norm/light presence and with moderate/heavy presence of Candida spp. The salivary levels of LF, sIgA, and the amount and type of Candida spp. were examined before and after prosthetic treatment. Results: We found dependence between LF levels and the type and amount of Candida spp. in saliva. The increase of LF concentration was established in the presence of non-albicans Candida and in the presence of Candida spp in levels below and above 10 4 CFU/ml in saliva. Such dependence at sIgA levels was not detected. Conclusion: Despite the major role of sIgA in the mucosal immune system, its levels were not dependent on the type and amount of Candida spp. in saliva, unlike those of LF.
An 18-year-old girl presented with yellowish discoloration of her palms that had appeared several days earlier. The rest of her skin, mucous membranes and sclera were with normal color. She denied history of anorexia, jaundice, pruritus, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain or change in the color of her urine or stool or any other symptom. She reported the presence of thalassemia minor and increased beet consumption (0.5 kg/day) in the last one and a half month. After conducting the necessary research tests anorexia, hypothyroidism, renal failure and diabetes mellitus were ruled out. The discoloration was diagnosed as lycopenemia. Simple changes in diet brought complete resolution of the symptoms.
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