Objective: Vaccination is the most effective way to control the COVID-19 pandemic all over the world. We aimed to evaluate the relationship between antibody titers and vaccine side effects after the BNT162b2 vaccine was administered as a reminder dose in healthcare workers (HCW) who received two doses of inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccine name CoronaVac (Sinovac Life Sciences, Beijing, China). Methods: A total of 428 HCWs participated in the study. Participants who received the mRNA vaccine as a reminder dose were evaluated with a questionnaire regarding antibody values and vaccine side effects. Three weeks after the first BNT162b2 vaccine, the same questionnaire was applied face-to-face to HCW, and the same questionnaire was applied to those who received a second reminder dose via telephone. Results: Out of 428, 373 (87.1%) HCWs preferred one and 55 (12.9%) two doses of the BNT162b2 vaccine as reminder doses after being vaccinated with an inactivated vaccine. It was observed that side effects were more frequent in women aged 18-40 after a single dose of the BNT162b2 vaccine (p<0.001). The most common side effects are redness, swelling, and pain at the injection site, with a rate of 59.6%. Fatigue-weakness was the most common systemic reaction, with a rate of 58.6%. Axillary lymphadenopathy was observed seen in 3 (1.1%) HCWs. The median value of IgG titers in the third week after the reminder dose was found to be higher in HCW with side effects than those without side effects (p<0.001). When the cumulative incidence rate of vaccinated people was evaluated over 389 people, no cases were observed on the 14th and 30th days after the first reminder dose of BNT162b2. However, the first case was observed on the 60th day, and after the second reminder dose, cases were seen on the 14th, 30th, and 60th days. Conclusion: Since the side effects detected after the BNT162b2 reminder dose were mild to moderate and progressed with local symptoms, it was concluded that highly protective mRNA vaccines could be safely preferred for protection from COVID-19.
{"title":"Evaluation of Side Effects After Heterologous Vaccination with BNT162b2 Vaccine in Healthcare Workers Vaccinated with Two Doses of Inactive COVID-19 Vaccine","authors":"H. Demirbakan, Ipek Kocer, Ihsan Berk, A. Bayram","doi":"10.36519/kd.2022.4301","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.36519/kd.2022.4301","url":null,"abstract":"Objective: Vaccination is the most effective way to control the COVID-19 pandemic all over the world. We aimed to evaluate the relationship between antibody titers and vaccine side effects after the BNT162b2 vaccine was administered as a reminder dose in healthcare workers (HCW) who received two doses of inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccine name CoronaVac (Sinovac Life Sciences, Beijing, China).\u0000\u0000Methods: A total of 428 HCWs participated in the study. Participants who received the mRNA vaccine as a reminder dose were evaluated with a questionnaire regarding antibody values and vaccine side effects. Three weeks after the first BNT162b2 vaccine, the same questionnaire was applied face-to-face to HCW, and the same questionnaire was applied to those who received a second reminder dose via telephone.\u0000\u0000Results: Out of 428, 373 (87.1%) HCWs preferred one and 55 (12.9%) two doses of the BNT162b2 vaccine as reminder doses after being vaccinated with an inactivated vaccine. It was observed that side effects were more frequent in women aged 18-40 after a single dose of the BNT162b2 vaccine (p<0.001). The most common side effects are redness, swelling, and pain at the injection site, with a rate of 59.6%. Fatigue-weakness was the most common systemic reaction, with a rate of 58.6%. Axillary lymphadenopathy was observed seen in 3 (1.1%) HCWs. The median value of IgG titers in the third week after the reminder dose was found to be higher in HCW with side effects than those without side effects (p<0.001). When the cumulative incidence rate of vaccinated people was evaluated over 389 people, no cases were observed on the 14th and 30th days after the first reminder dose of BNT162b2. However, the first case was observed on the 60th day, and after the second reminder dose, cases were seen on the 14th, 30th, and 60th days.\u0000\u0000Conclusion: Since the side effects detected after the BNT162b2 reminder dose were mild to moderate and progressed with local symptoms, it was concluded that highly protective mRNA vaccines could be safely preferred for protection from COVID-19.","PeriodicalId":44309,"journal":{"name":"Klimik Journal","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.3,"publicationDate":"2022-12-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"43607012","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2022-12-26DOI: 10.36519/10.36519/kd.2022.4462
B. Çakır
SARS-CoV-2 has led to a global public health problem with its quick spread in a naive population, devastatingly affecting social and economic lives. The most positive effect of the pandemic has been on the novel, from bench-to-bedside scientific research, methodology, and publications. The unprecedented speed in planning, conducting, and reporting research activities has improved patient care and public policies during the pandemic. However, some overlooked methodological concerns have hindered the intrinsic and extrinsic validity of the publications. This study, based on peer-reviewed medical journals over the pandemic, aimed to increase awareness of common methodological issues that may improve the quality of evidence upon correction.
{"title":"Methodological Issues in COVID-19-Related Publications During the Pandemic","authors":"B. Çakır","doi":"10.36519/10.36519/kd.2022.4462","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.36519/10.36519/kd.2022.4462","url":null,"abstract":"SARS-CoV-2 has led to a global public health problem with its quick spread in a naive population, devastatingly affecting social and economic lives. The most positive effect of the pandemic has been on the novel, from bench-to-bedside scientific research, methodology, and publications. The unprecedented speed in planning, conducting, and reporting research activities has improved patient care and public policies during the pandemic. However, some overlooked methodological concerns have hindered the intrinsic and extrinsic validity of the publications. This study, based on peer-reviewed medical journals over the pandemic, aimed to increase awareness of common methodological issues that may improve the quality of evidence upon correction.","PeriodicalId":44309,"journal":{"name":"Klimik Journal","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.3,"publicationDate":"2022-12-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"47654351","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
M. Ceylan, Mehmet Çelik, Fatih Esmer, Esin Levent, Ozlem Orer-Beginoglu
Objective: Substance use is a gradually increasing public health problem. Viruses such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and HIV can be transmitted with intravenous substance use and cause significant morbidity and mortality. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the hepatitis B, hepatitis C, HIV, and syphilis test results of patients followed at the Şanlıurfa Alcohol and Drug Addiction Research Treatment and Training Center (AMATEM) clinic. Methods: The age, gender, background, information about type of substance addiction of the patients and HBsAg, anti-HBs, anti-HCV, anti-HIV, and venereal disease research laboratory (VDRL) test results were evaluated. Results: A total of 427 patients over 18 who were followed at the AMATEM clinic between 2021 and 2022 were included in the study. Of these, 408 (95.6%) were male, and 19 (4.4%) were female. The mean age of the participants was 27.03±5.5 years. Three hundred fifteen (73.8%) patients had intravenous substance use, and all these patients (100%) used opioids. HBsAg positivity was detected in 3 (0.71%), and Anti-HCV positivity was detected in 52 (12%) patients. While only 20 (38.46%) of these patients had applied to the relevant clinics for further testing and treatment, HCV-RNA positivity was detected in 12 (60%) of the patients. In addition, the frequency of genotype 3 was higher in HCV RNA-positive patients (66.67%). Conclusion: Opioid use was at the forefront both in the whole patient population and in patients with anti-HCV positivity. Although anti-HCV positivity was detected at a high rate compared to the general population, only one out of every three patients had applied to the relevant clinics for further testing and treatment. Thanks to the new treatment options Hepatitis C is a curable disease. Screening programs are extremely important to ensure both personal and community viral eradication by providing patients with suitable treatments.
{"title":"Substance Use Disorders and Hepatitis C: A Public Health Issue","authors":"M. Ceylan, Mehmet Çelik, Fatih Esmer, Esin Levent, Ozlem Orer-Beginoglu","doi":"10.36519/kd.2022.4290","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.36519/kd.2022.4290","url":null,"abstract":"Objective: Substance use is a gradually increasing public health problem. Viruses such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and HIV can be transmitted with intravenous substance use and cause significant morbidity and mortality. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the hepatitis B, hepatitis C, HIV, and syphilis test results of patients followed at the Şanlıurfa Alcohol and Drug Addiction Research Treatment and Training Center (AMATEM) clinic.\u0000\u0000Methods: The age, gender, background, information about type of substance addiction of the patients and HBsAg, anti-HBs, anti-HCV, anti-HIV, and venereal disease research laboratory (VDRL) test results were evaluated.\u0000\u0000Results: A total of 427 patients over 18 who were followed at the AMATEM clinic between 2021 and 2022 were included in the study. Of these, 408 (95.6%) were male, and 19 (4.4%) were female. The mean age of the participants was 27.03±5.5 years. Three hundred fifteen (73.8%) patients had intravenous substance use, and all these patients (100%) used opioids. HBsAg positivity was detected in 3 (0.71%), and Anti-HCV positivity was detected in 52 (12%) patients. While only 20 (38.46%) of these patients had applied to the relevant clinics for further testing and treatment, HCV-RNA positivity was detected in 12 (60%) of the patients. In addition, the frequency of genotype 3 was higher in HCV RNA-positive patients (66.67%).\u0000\u0000Conclusion: Opioid use was at the forefront both in the whole patient population and in patients with anti-HCV positivity. Although anti-HCV positivity was detected at a high rate compared to the general population, only one out of every three patients had applied to the relevant clinics for further testing and treatment. Thanks to the new treatment options Hepatitis C is a curable disease. Screening programs are extremely important to ensure both personal and community viral eradication by providing patients with suitable treatments.","PeriodicalId":44309,"journal":{"name":"Klimik Journal","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.3,"publicationDate":"2022-12-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"49647214","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Monkeypox virus infection, which is endemic in Central and West Africa, is a zoonotic disease with smallpox-like rashes. In May 2022, the World Health Organization announced an epidemic due to an unusual number of case reports starting from Europe and spreading to other regions, and on July 23, 2022, this epidemic was declared a public health problem of international importance. In this case report, we aimed to give information about clinical and laboratory characteristics: follow-up and isolation processes of the first two cases confirmed by a polymerase chain reaction in Turkey.
{"title":"Monkeypox Virus Infection: First Two Cases in Turkey","authors":"Ridvan Dumlu, Arzu Kanturk, Erdinc Demir, Leyla Cemre Dinc, F. Şimşek","doi":"10.36519/kd.2022.4402","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.36519/kd.2022.4402","url":null,"abstract":"Monkeypox virus infection, which is endemic in Central and West Africa, is a zoonotic disease with smallpox-like rashes. In May 2022, the World Health Organization announced an epidemic due to an unusual number of case reports starting from Europe and spreading to other regions, and on July 23, 2022, this epidemic was declared a public health problem of international importance. In this case report, we aimed to give information about clinical and laboratory characteristics: follow-up and isolation processes of the first two cases confirmed by a polymerase chain reaction in Turkey.","PeriodicalId":44309,"journal":{"name":"Klimik Journal","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.3,"publicationDate":"2022-11-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"45207148","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Objective: Our country has limited data on protective antibody levels following primary tetanus immunization. In this study, we planned to evaluate the tetanus antibody seroprevalence of healthcare workers in our hospital according to age and occupational groups. Methods: Tetanus antibody levels were determined by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method. Antibody results were obtained through the hospital operating system, and the tetanus antibody level ≥0.5 IU/mL was considered seropositive. Results: 77.5% of 2082 healthcare workers were seropositive. According to age groups, the highest seropositivity was between 20-29; the lowest seropositivity was found in individuals over 50 years of age and over (66.3%). We determined that tetanus antibody protection decreased with age (p=0.03). There was no difference between tetanus seropositivity according to occupational groups. Conclusion: Antibody levels of tetanus decrease with age, and protection decreases significantly, especially over 50 years of age. It is important to apply a booster dose every ten years following the primary vaccine schedule in tetanus immunization.
{"title":"Evaluation of Tetanus Seropositivity in Healthcare Professionals by Age and Occupational Groups","authors":"Gulsum Cam, A. Ozel, A. Kadanalı","doi":"10.36519/kd.2022.4191","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.36519/kd.2022.4191","url":null,"abstract":"Objective: Our country has limited data on protective antibody levels following primary tetanus immunization. In this study, we planned to evaluate the tetanus antibody seroprevalence of healthcare workers in our hospital according to age and occupational groups.\u0000\u0000Methods: Tetanus antibody levels were determined by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method. Antibody results were obtained through the hospital operating system, and the tetanus antibody level ≥0.5 IU/mL was considered seropositive.\u0000\u0000Results: 77.5% of 2082 healthcare workers were seropositive. According to age groups, the highest seropositivity was between 20-29; the lowest seropositivity was found in individuals over 50 years of age and over (66.3%). We determined that tetanus antibody protection decreased with age (p=0.03). There was no difference between tetanus seropositivity according to occupational groups.\u0000\u0000Conclusion: Antibody levels of tetanus decrease with age, and protection decreases significantly, especially over 50 years of age. It is important to apply a booster dose every ten years following the primary vaccine schedule in tetanus immunization.","PeriodicalId":44309,"journal":{"name":"Klimik Journal","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.3,"publicationDate":"2022-11-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"48152227","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Objective: Of the existing variants, alpha (B.1.1.7), beta (B.1.351), gamma (P.1), delta (B.1.617.2), and omicron (B.1.1.529) were defined as variants of concern (VOCs) by World Health Organization. We aimed to retrospectively assess the distribution of VOCs in patients with positive COVID-19 real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test. Methods: Between April 2021 and December 31, 2021, 4260 patients whose clinical samples were sent with a COVID-19 PCR test request were included in the study. Of the patients whose samples were evaluated, 2173 (51%) were male, and 2087 (49%) were female. Viral nucleic acid isolation was performed by treating nasopharyngeal swabs, bronchoalveolar lavage, and tracheal aspirate samples with viral nucleic acid buffer (vNAT). SARS-CoV-2 variants were detected by Bio-Speedy® SARS-CoV-2 Variant Plus kit (Bioeksen AR-GE Technologies, Turkey), which targets variant-specific genome regions only found in B.1.1.7, B.1.351, and P.1 as well as ORF1ab and N gene regions. We used Bio-Speedy® SARS-CoV-2 Emerging Plus kit and CFX96 DX real-time PCR system to detect SARS-Cov-2 variants; N D3L mutation was targeted to detect the alpha variant, SL452R mutation to detect the delta variant, and S E484K mutation, which is widespread, to detect the gamma and the mu variants. Results: SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR was positive in 773 (18.14%) of 4260 samples, and different SARS-CoV-2 variants were detected in 316 (40.88%) of positive samples. 407 (52.65%) of the patients with real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) positive test were women, and the mean age was 41.7 years. While no variant type was detected in 457 (59.12%) of the patients, the alpha variant was detected in 156 (20.18%) and the delta variants in 137 (17.72%) patients. Conclusion: In our study, we found that the alpha variant was the dominant type in April, May, and June, and the delta variant became dominant as of July until the end of the year. Decreased rates of delta variants towards the end of 2021 and an increase in the other variants suggest the omicron variant, widely spread globally. Therefore, we believe that the omicron variant has been our country’s dominant type since November 2021. In conclusion, molecular surveillance studies that are planned in the light of epidemiological data and assessment of the frequency and genomic analyzes of regional and global variants are required.
{"title":"Prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 Variants in COVID-19 Positive Patients","authors":"Okan Aydoğan, Ezgi Gozun Saylan, O. Guven, Akif Ayaz, Turkan Yigitbasi","doi":"10.36519/kd.2022.4264","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.36519/kd.2022.4264","url":null,"abstract":"Objective: Of the existing variants, alpha (B.1.1.7), beta (B.1.351), gamma (P.1), delta (B.1.617.2), and omicron (B.1.1.529) were defined as variants of concern (VOCs) by World Health Organization. We aimed to retrospectively assess the distribution of VOCs in patients with positive COVID-19 real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test.\u0000\u0000Methods: Between April 2021 and December 31, 2021, 4260 patients whose clinical samples were sent with a COVID-19 PCR test request were included in the study. Of the patients whose samples were evaluated, 2173 (51%) were male, and 2087 (49%) were female. Viral nucleic acid isolation was performed by treating nasopharyngeal swabs, bronchoalveolar lavage, and tracheal aspirate samples with viral nucleic acid buffer (vNAT).\u0000\u0000SARS-CoV-2 variants were detected by Bio-Speedy® SARS-CoV-2 Variant Plus kit (Bioeksen AR-GE Technologies, Turkey), which targets variant-specific genome regions only found in B.1.1.7, B.1.351, and P.1 as well as ORF1ab and N gene regions. We used Bio-Speedy® SARS-CoV-2 Emerging Plus kit and CFX96 DX real-time PCR system to detect SARS-Cov-2 variants; N D3L mutation was targeted to detect the alpha variant, SL452R mutation to detect the delta variant, and S E484K mutation, which is widespread, to detect the gamma and the mu variants.\u0000\u0000Results: SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR was positive in 773 (18.14%) of 4260 samples, and different SARS-CoV-2 variants were detected in 316 (40.88%) of positive samples. 407 (52.65%) of the patients with real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) positive test were women, and the mean age was 41.7 years. While no variant type was detected in 457 (59.12%) of the patients, the alpha variant was detected in 156 (20.18%) and the delta variants in 137 (17.72%) patients.\u0000\u0000Conclusion: In our study, we found that the alpha variant was the dominant type in April, May, and June, and the delta variant became dominant as of July until the end of the year. Decreased rates of delta variants towards the end of 2021 and an increase in the other variants suggest the omicron variant, widely spread globally. Therefore, we believe that the omicron variant has been our country’s dominant type since November 2021. In conclusion, molecular surveillance studies that are planned in the light of epidemiological data and assessment of the frequency and genomic analyzes of regional and global variants are required.","PeriodicalId":44309,"journal":{"name":"Klimik Journal","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.3,"publicationDate":"2022-11-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"47669693","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
N. Ateş, G. Aygun, Pakize Aygun, Aylin Carki, Serpil Cengiz, L. Alisha, Kamer Kaskaya, Nurgul Tayran, R. Karaali, I. Balkan, N. Saltoğlu
Objective: We aimed to evaluate the spread of COVID-19 among healthcare workers diagnosed with COVID-19 at the beginning of the COVID-19 epidemic and to draw attention to the importance of the correct and effective use of personal protective equipment. Methods: This is a descriptive, cross-sectional, retrospective study. The research universe consisted of healthcare workers and administrative and technical personnel working at a university hospital who were diagnosed with COVID-19 at the beginning of the pandemic. The sample consisted of 100 healthcare workers diagnosed with COVID-19 and agreed to participate in the study. Data were collected between 10 June – 30 July 2020. The “Evaluation of the Transmission Status of Healthcare Workers Diagnosed with COVID-19 Questionnaire” questionnaire, which included questions about demographic and disease information, COVID-19 transmission, and personal protective equipment usage parameters, was used as the data collection tool. The questionnaire was filled face to face or by telephone calls by the researchers. Results: Of the participants, 41% stated that they had never worked in the COVID unit, 33% worked only on duty in the COVID unit, and 26% stated that they constantly worked in the COVID unit; 32% had contact with a patient diagnosed with COVID-19 in the last 14 days. Regarding the use of personal protective equipment, 51% stated that they did not have any problems, and 52% stated that they had not received any training. Conclusion: Frontline healthcare workers can be infected during the pandemic. Inadequacies in the use of personal protective equipment, omissions, failure to carry out systematic training and practices, and neglecting the use of protective equipment in social environments increase the risk of transmission.
{"title":"COVID-19 Transmission in Healthcare Professionals in the First Period of the Pandemic","authors":"N. Ateş, G. Aygun, Pakize Aygun, Aylin Carki, Serpil Cengiz, L. Alisha, Kamer Kaskaya, Nurgul Tayran, R. Karaali, I. Balkan, N. Saltoğlu","doi":"10.36519/kd.2022.4079","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.36519/kd.2022.4079","url":null,"abstract":"Objective: We aimed to evaluate the spread of COVID-19 among healthcare workers diagnosed with COVID-19 at the beginning of the COVID-19 epidemic and to draw attention to the importance of the correct and effective use of personal protective equipment.\u0000\u0000Methods: This is a descriptive, cross-sectional, retrospective study. The research universe consisted of healthcare workers and administrative and technical personnel working at a university hospital who were diagnosed with COVID-19 at the beginning of the pandemic. The sample consisted of 100 healthcare workers diagnosed with COVID-19 and agreed to participate in the study. Data were collected between 10 June – 30 July 2020. The “Evaluation of the Transmission \u0000\u0000Status of Healthcare Workers Diagnosed with COVID-19 Questionnaire” questionnaire, which included questions about demographic and disease information, COVID-19 transmission, and personal protective equipment usage parameters, was used as the data collection tool. The questionnaire was filled face to face or by telephone calls by the researchers.\u0000\u0000Results: Of the participants, 41% stated that they had never worked in the COVID unit, 33% worked only on duty in the COVID unit, and 26% stated that they constantly worked in the COVID unit; 32% had contact with a patient diagnosed with COVID-19 in the last 14 days. Regarding the use of personal protective equipment, 51% stated that they did not have any problems, and 52% stated that they had not received any training.\u0000\u0000Conclusion: Frontline healthcare workers can be infected during the pandemic. Inadequacies in the use of personal protective equipment, omissions, failure to carry out systematic training and practices, and neglecting the use of protective equipment in social environments increase the risk of transmission.","PeriodicalId":44309,"journal":{"name":"Klimik Journal","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.3,"publicationDate":"2022-11-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"47474993","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
A. Habiloğlu, C. E. Ozturk, M. Ozel, S. Demircan, B. C. Uludoğan, Nagihan Memis, O. Ataoglu, Muhammet Ozcan
Objective: There is a positive and significant relationship between severity and viral load in some viral diseases. Studies on the relationship between SARS-CoV-2 viral load at diagnosis and severity of coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) have yielded conflicting results. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the relationship between viral load and the clinical status of patients with COVID-19. Methods: Data of the patients diagnosed with COVID-19 and admitted to our center between May 01 and June 31, 2020, were retrospectively reviewed. The patients were divided into two groups according to their clinical characteristics as mild-moderate and severe. The demographic, laboratory, clinical, and radiological data were retrieved from electronic folders. Results: The entire cohort included 285 patients; 254 had a mild-moderate clinical course, and 31 had a severe course. Statistical analyses revealed that SARS-CoV-2 viral load was not associated with symptom duration and clinical status (p>0.05). According to multivariate logistic regression analysis, only ferritin, C-reactive protein, and lactate dehydrogenase elevations were positively correlated with severe clinical course. (p<0.05). Conclusion: We do not recommend using viral load to predict disease severity in COVID-19. We also found that only ferritin, C-reactive protein, and lactate dehydrogenase accompanied severe clinical course.
{"title":"Evaluation of the Relationship Between Disease Severity and Viral Cycle Threshold Value in COVID-19 Patients","authors":"A. Habiloğlu, C. E. Ozturk, M. Ozel, S. Demircan, B. C. Uludoğan, Nagihan Memis, O. Ataoglu, Muhammet Ozcan","doi":"10.36519/kd.2022.4216","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.36519/kd.2022.4216","url":null,"abstract":"Objective: There is a positive and significant relationship between severity and viral load in some viral diseases. Studies on the relationship between SARS-CoV-2 viral load at diagnosis and severity of coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) have yielded conflicting results. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the relationship between viral load and the clinical status of patients with COVID-19.\u0000\u0000Methods: Data of the patients diagnosed with COVID-19 and admitted to our center between May 01 and June 31, 2020, were retrospectively reviewed. The patients were divided into two groups according to their clinical characteristics as mild-moderate and severe. The demographic, laboratory, clinical, and radiological data were retrieved from electronic folders.\u0000\u0000Results: The entire cohort included 285 patients; 254 had a mild-moderate clinical course, and 31 had a severe course. Statistical analyses revealed that SARS-CoV-2 viral load was not associated with symptom duration and clinical status (p>0.05). According to multivariate logistic regression analysis, only ferritin, C-reactive protein, and lactate dehydrogenase elevations were positively correlated with severe clinical course. (p<0.05).\u0000\u0000Conclusion: We do not recommend using viral load to predict disease severity in COVID-19. We also found that only ferritin, C-reactive protein, and lactate dehydrogenase accompanied severe clinical course.","PeriodicalId":44309,"journal":{"name":"Klimik Journal","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.3,"publicationDate":"2022-11-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"47570355","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Objectives: Streptococcus pneumoniae infections are an important cause of morbidity and mortality, especially among high-risk groups. Our country has limited data on the clinical findings of pneumococcal infections and invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD). Therefore, we aimed to evaluate patients’ demographic and clinical findings with pneumococcal infection. Methods: The data of the patients who were admitted to our hospital between January 2012 and December 2016 were analyzed retrospectively. Isolation of Streptococcus pneumoniae from sterile body sites was defined as invasive pneumococcal disease. Demographic data, clinical findings, laboratory values, and death rates of patients with the pneumococcal disease were analyzed statistically. Results: One hundred and fifty-four patients were included in the study. Of these patients, 106 (68.8%) were male, and the mean age was 65.3±15.6 (20-94). The diagnosis of the patients were pneumonia (79.2%), sepsis (10.4%), wound infection (3.2%), peritonitis (1.9%), epididymoorchitis (3.2%), pyelonephritis (3.2%), meningitis (1.3%), brain abscess (0.6%), arthritis (0.6%), endocarditis (0.6%) and pericarditis (0.6%). The mean follow-up period was 27.8±22.3 months. The overall mortality rate was 32.5% in all patients. Invasive pneumococcal disease was detected in 31 (20.1%) of all patients. C-reactive protein (CRP) levels (>14.4 mg/dL), penicillin and ciprofloxacin sensitivity rates were significant parameters in invasive pneumococcal disease patients (p=0.039, p=0.028 and p=0.045). Pneumococcal strains obtained from patients with IPD were more susceptible to penicillin and ciprofloxacin than non-invasive pneumococcal strains (96.4% and 78.8%, p=0.028; 100%, and 42.9%, p=0.045). Conclusion: Knowledge of risk factors associated with pneumococcal infections in our country is crucial in supporting national immunization programs. CRP elevation, penicillin sensitivity, and fluoroquinolone sensitivity rates were significantly higher in patients with IPD. According to the results of our study, immunocompromised patients and patients with comorbidities have a higher risk for the development of invasive disease. Keywords: invasive, pneumococcus, risk factors, Streptococcus pneumonia
{"title":"Clinical Characteristics of Pneumococcal Infections and Predictors of Invasive Pneumococcal Disease","authors":"Pınar Sen, T. Demirdal, S. A. Nemli","doi":"10.36519/kd.2022.3942","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.36519/kd.2022.3942","url":null,"abstract":"Objectives: Streptococcus pneumoniae infections are an important cause of morbidity and mortality, especially among high-risk groups. Our country has limited data on the clinical findings of pneumococcal infections and invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD). Therefore, we aimed to evaluate patients’ demographic and clinical findings with pneumococcal infection.\u0000\u0000Methods: The data of the patients who were admitted to our hospital between January 2012 and December 2016 were analyzed retrospectively. Isolation of Streptococcus pneumoniae from sterile body sites was defined as invasive pneumococcal disease. Demographic data, clinical findings, laboratory values, and death rates of patients with the pneumococcal disease were analyzed statistically.\u0000\u0000Results: One hundred and fifty-four patients were included in the study. Of these patients, 106 (68.8%) were male, and the mean age was 65.3±15.6 (20-94). The diagnosis of the patients were pneumonia (79.2%), sepsis (10.4%), wound infection (3.2%), peritonitis (1.9%), epididymoorchitis (3.2%), pyelonephritis (3.2%), meningitis (1.3%), brain abscess (0.6%), arthritis (0.6%), endocarditis (0.6%) and pericarditis (0.6%). The mean follow-up period was 27.8±22.3 months. The overall mortality rate was 32.5% in all patients. Invasive pneumococcal disease was detected in 31 (20.1%) of all patients. C-reactive protein (CRP) levels (>14.4 mg/dL), penicillin and ciprofloxacin sensitivity rates were significant parameters in invasive pneumococcal disease patients (p=0.039, p=0.028 and p=0.045). Pneumococcal strains obtained from patients with IPD were more susceptible to penicillin and ciprofloxacin than non-invasive pneumococcal strains (96.4% and 78.8%, p=0.028; 100%, and 42.9%, p=0.045). \u0000\u0000Conclusion: Knowledge of risk factors associated with pneumococcal infections in our country is crucial in supporting national immunization programs. CRP elevation, penicillin sensitivity, and fluoroquinolone sensitivity rates were significantly higher in patients with IPD. According to the results of our study, immunocompromised patients and patients with comorbidities have a higher risk for the development of invasive disease.\u0000\u0000Keywords: invasive, pneumococcus, risk factors, Streptococcus pneumonia","PeriodicalId":44309,"journal":{"name":"Klimik Journal","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.3,"publicationDate":"2022-09-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"43820993","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Mycotic aneurysms, one of the most important complications of bacteremic Salmonella infection, are endovascular infections with a frequency of 25-35% in patients older than 50 years. Bacterial agents such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Treponema pallidum, Salmonella species, Staphylococcus species, and Streptococcus pneumonia can be counted among the infectious causes. We report a 74-year-old immunocompetent male patient who had a mycotic aneurysm of the iliac artery due to Salmonella typhi. Mycotic aneurysm caused by S. typhi is rare in the literature; it should be kept in mind that S. typhi can be a cause of infection in vascular tissue. Keywords: salmonella infection, aneurysm, Salmonella typhi, mycotic aneurysm
{"title":"Mycotic Aneurysm due to Salmonella typhi","authors":"Utku Can Sarıca, Kemal Osman Memikoglu","doi":"10.36519/kd.2022.3741","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.36519/kd.2022.3741","url":null,"abstract":"Mycotic aneurysms, one of the most important complications of bacteremic Salmonella infection, are endovascular infections with a frequency of 25-35% in patients older than 50 years. Bacterial agents such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Treponema pallidum, Salmonella species, Staphylococcus species, and Streptococcus pneumonia can be counted among the infectious causes. We report a 74-year-old immunocompetent male patient who had a mycotic aneurysm of the iliac artery due to Salmonella typhi. Mycotic aneurysm caused by S. typhi is rare in the literature; it should be kept in mind that S. typhi can be a cause of infection in vascular tissue. \u0000\u0000Keywords: salmonella infection, aneurysm, Salmonella typhi, mycotic aneurysm","PeriodicalId":44309,"journal":{"name":"Klimik Journal","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.3,"publicationDate":"2022-09-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"44107630","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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