A large proportion of the participants were found to be immune to VZV.

In conclusion, the prevalence of atopy was found lower in Izmir as compared to the results of other studies.

Background:The hepatitis B virus (HBV) is one of the major causes of chronic liver disease. From the perspective of hospital workers (HWs), employees are at risk of hepatitis B infection because of occupational exposure. Apart from this occupational risk, health professionals may still be affected by HBV, depending on the epidemiological characteristics of the country and geographical region they live in.Objectives: This study aimed to determine HBV, HCV, and HIV seroprevalence among HWs using data obtained from 21 hospitals located in six geographical regions in Turkey and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. Methods: The study was designed as a retrospective, multicentre, descriptive study. Twenty hospitals from Turkey and one hospital from the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus were involved in the study. The variables of the study were vaccination status against HBV and hepatitis A and HBsAg, anti-HBs, anti-HBcIgG, anti-HAV IgG, anti-HCV, anti-HDV, and anti-HIV serology results belonging to the previous year.Results: Women constituted 58.9% (n = 5,622) of the HWs included in the study. The mean age was 36.3 ± 9.09 years (min = 18, max = 72). In terms of occupation, 42.5% (n = 4,064) were nurses/health officers, and 24.8% (n = 2365) were physicians. HBsAg seroprevalence was found to be 1.8% (n = 169; 95% CI = 1.5% -2.0%), while anti-HBs seropositivity was 75.7% (n = 7,234). About 7.3% (n = 701) had natural immunity to hepatitis B. About 21.6% (n = 2,066) of the HWs did not receive hepatitis B vaccine. Conclusions: This study is the first study involving a large sample size from different locations of Turkey. According to the results, hepatitis B and hepatitis A vaccines should be administered to susceptible individuals and HWs.

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Introduction: BK virus (BKV) and cytomegalovirus (CMV) infections are common in renal transplant patients. In this retrospective study, we investigated the frequency of BKV and CMV infections and their effects on graft. Materials and Methods:The data of 118 renal transplant recipients who were transplanted and followed-up between January 2010 and January 2011 were reviewed. Demographic characteristics, biochemical data, BKV and CMV DNA levels by polymerase chain reaction (QIAGEN, Hilden, Germany) were investigated. The patients were followed-up monthly in the first six months and then every three months. Results: A total of 118 patients were included in the study. BK viraemia was detected in 12 (10.2%) patients and the DNA level of BKV was >10 4 copies/mL in five cases. Three patients with elevated creatinine and compatible renal biopsy findings were considered to have BKV-associated nephropathy (BKVAN). With the reduction of immunosuppressive treatment, viraemia was reduced and creatinine levels decreased within normal levels. Cytomegalovirus DNA was found to be positive in 23 (19.5%) patients, and was >500 copies/mL in 4 (3.4%) patients. The viraemia in these four patients has decreased after antiviral therapy. No CMV related disease were found in any of the patients. Cytomegalovirus DNA positivity at low levels were also detected in three patients who were diagnosed with BKVAN. None of the patients developed rejection. Conclusion: BK and CMV infections in kidney transplant patients are common and can be seen together. However, graft dysfunction and rejection rates are low with close monitoring, early diagnosis and treatment. Randomized, controlled studies with larger patient groups are necessary in order to determine the viral threshold levels associated with graft dysfunction or rejection, to decide the optimal management and to explain the role of concomitant infection. Keywords: BK, kidney, transplantation, infection, ciprofloxacinGiriş: BK virüs (BKV) ve sitomegalovirüs (CMV) enfeksiyonları böbrek nakli hastalarında yaygın olarak görülür. Bu retrospektif çalışmada BKV ve CMV enfeksiyon sıklığı ve greft üzerine etkileri araştırılmıştır. Gereç ve Yöntem: Ocak 2010 ve Ocak 2011 tarihleri arasında böbrek nakli uygulanan ve takip edilen 118 böbrek nakil alıcısının verileri retrospektif olarak değerlendirildi. Hastaların demografik özellikleri, biyokimyasal veriler ve polimeraz zincir reaksiyonu (QIAGEN, Hilden, Germany) yöntemiyle BKV ve CMV DNA seviyeleri araştırıldı. Hastalar önce altı ay aylık olarak, daha sonra üç aylık periyotlarla izlenmiştir. Bulgular: Çalışmaya toplam 118 hasta alınmıştır. BK viremisi 12 (%10,2) hastada saptanmış olup, beş olguda BKV DNA düzeyi >10 4 kopya/mL olarak tespit edilmiştir. Kreatinin yüksekliği de olan ve biyopsi bulguları uyumlu bulunan üç hasta, BKV ile ilişkili nefropati olarak değerlendirilmiştir. İmmünsüpresif tedavinin azaltılması ile viremi gerilemiş ve kreatinin seviyeleri normal düzeye gelmiştir. Sitomegalovirüs DNA, 23 (%19,5) hastada pozitif, dördünde (%3,4) ise >...