Growing OXA-23 type strains among carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii and tigecycline as an alternate combination therapy

BACKGROUND/AIM

The increasing prevalence and global spread of difficult-to-treat carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii has become a serious problem. The aim of this study is to investigate the resistance patterns and tigecycline sensitivity of carbapenem-resistant A. baumannii strains.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Acinetobacter strains that were carbapenem-resistant and collected mainly from intensive care units were included into this study. The antibiotic sensitivity/resistance of the strains to other antibiotics and tigecycline were noted. Presence of blaOXA-23, blaOXA-48, blaOXA-58, and NDM-1 was investigated by PCR.

RESULTS

In total, 44 carbapenem-resistant A. baumannii strains were detected. In addition, 57% (25/44) showed resistance to netilmicin and 2% (1/43) to tigecycline. All of the strains were susceptible to colistin. blaOXA-58 was found only in one (2%) strain while blaOXA-23 was found in 14 (32%) strains. All strains were negative for blaOXA-48 and NDM-1.

CONCLUSION

blaOXA-23 was the main resistance pattern in carbapenem-resistant A. baumannii strains. blaOXA-58 was present only in one strain and no blaOXA-48 was found. Tigecycline susceptibility is high and it can be a treatment option for a possible combination therapy of carbapenem-resistant A. baumannii, especially for those for whom colistin is contraindicated because of its toxicity.

[Comparison of GeneXpert® vanA/vanB PCR system and culture methods in the surveillance of vancomycin-resistant enterococci]

Vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) are important agents of hospital infections worldwide. Early recognition of VRE colonization is important in the control of hospital infections. The aim of this study was to compare a real-time PCR (Rt-PCR) system and culture methods in the detection of VRE colonization. A total of 210 perirectal swab samples obtained from the patients (142 were in internal and 68 were in surgical intensive care units) hospitalized at Ankara Training and Research Hospital, Turkey between January-September 2013 were included in the study. The samples were simultaneously evaluated with both Rt-PCR (GeneXpert®vanA/vanB, Cepheid, USA) and the culture methods. The samples were cultivated in enterococcosel agar and incubated at 370C for culture. Culture plates were evaluated for three days on a daily basis. Bacterial identification was done by conventional methods and automated Vitek 2.0 system (BioMérieux, France). Antibiotic susceptibility testing was performed by the E-test. VRE was detected in 76 (36.1%) of the samples by the Rt-PCR method; of them 70 were positive for vanA, two for vanB, and four for vanA + vanB. On the other hand, VRE was detected in 71 (33.8%) of the samples by the culture method. Out of 71 samples, colony growth was observed on the first day in 39 cases, on the second day in 29 cases, and on the third day in three cases. The two strains identified as vancomycin-sensitive enterococci by the Vitek 2 Compact system were determined as vanB positive by PCR. These samples were also confirmed as VRE by E-test. The PCR result of a sample which was found to be invalid, also yielded negative result by culture. Five out of the seven culture-negative samples were positive for vanA, and two for vanB by the GeneXpert® system. In our study, the sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values of the GeneXpert vanA/vanB PCR system were determined as 97.4%, 98.4%, 97.4%, and 97.4%, respectively. Although the GeneXpert® vanA/vanB RT-PCR method seems to be more attractive regarding the turn around time, it has a higher cost than the culture method. Thus, it was concluded that all laboratories should choose the most appropriate method for screening VRE in the hospital setting according to their own capacities.

An investigation of pulmonary findings of Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever patients

AIM

Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF) generally affects many organs. In this study a retrospective evaluation of the pulmonary findings of CCHF patients was made.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The records of patients were retrospectively analysed. For each patient an evaluation was made of age, sex, occupation, place of residence, contact with ticks, smoking history, and pulmonary radiological and laboratory findings. A confirmed diagnosis of CCHF was made on determination by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay or polymerase chain reaction.

RESULTS

Of the 128 patients, 48.4% were female. Symptoms of coughing were determined in 18% of patients, sputum in 4.7%, chest pain in 3.9%, dyspnoea in 3.1%, and haemoptysis in 0.8%. The mortality rate was 7%. In terms of sex, place of residence, contact with ticks, smoking, findings of the respiratory system, and physical examination findings, no statistically significant difference was seen between the survivor and nonsurvivor groups (P > 0.05). The white blood cell count values of the survivors were determined to be significantly lower compared to those of the nonsurvivors and the alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, lactate dehydrogenase, creatine phosphokinase, and C-reactive protein values of the nonsurvivors were significantly higher compared to those of the survivors (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

CCHF can be fatal for the respiratory system. An early diagnosis of CCHF and referral to a specialised centre is therefore important.

Plasmodium falciparum malaria case originating from Uganda

Malaria is the fifth infection leading to death in the world. Plasmodium species is the malarial parasite that infects human cells. The five species of the human Plasmodium parasites are P. falciparum, P. vivax, P. ovale, P. malariae and P. knowlesi. Recently, the World Health Organization reported that Uganda has the world's highest malaria incidence, with a rate of 478 cases per 1000 population per year. In this article, a patient who had specific clinical signs and symptoms of malaria after work-related travel to Uganda has been evaluated. The major clinical findings of the patient were chills and fever. After examination of thin and thick blood smears prepared from the peripheral blood of the patient, P. falciparum parasites were observed. Cerebral malaria was suspected as the patient's consciousness, orientation and cooperation had deteriorated. No Plasmodium was seen in control blood smears after treatment.

[Can mannose-binding lectin and plasma level of soluble urokinase receptor be used in diagnosis and treatment monitorization of brucellosis patients?]

The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic value of serum mannose-binding lectin (MBL) and plasma soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (SuPAR) levels in monitoring the treatment in patients with brucellosis, by comparing their levels before and after treatment with the values obtained from healthy control group. Thirty brucellosis patients (mean age: 25.8 ± 12.2 years; 15 were male) and 28 healthy controls (mean age: 29.3 ± 12.3 years; 15 were male) were included in the study. Patients were diagnosed with brucellosis according to the characteristic clinical findings and by brucella standard tube agglutination test (SAT) titer ≥ 1/160 and/or blood culture positivity. Serum MBL (Antibodyshop, Denmark) and plasma SuPAR (Virogates, Denmark) levels were investigated with commercial ELISA kits. In our study, no statistical significance was observed between the pre-treatment (13.8 ± 13.4 ng/ml) and post-treatment (12.4 ± 13.1 ng/ml) MBL levels of the patient group and MBL levels of the control group (16.5 ± 14.8 ng/ml) (p> 0.05). Moreover, the mean SuPAR levels measured in pre-treatment and post-treatment plasma samples of the brucellosis patients was 5.1 ± 1.9 ng/ml and 2.9 ± 1.3 ng/ml, respectively, while the mean SuPAR level was 1.8 ± 0.5 ng/ml in the control group. The difference between mean SuPAR levels of patients in pre- and post-treatment samples was found statistically significant (p< 0.001). In addition SuPAR levels were significantly higher in patients before and after treatment than the control group (p> 0.001). In conclusion, plasma SuPAR level would be a useful marker for the diagnosis and treatment follow up of the patients with brucellosis.

[Evaluation of antibiotic susceptibilities and VISA-VRSA rates among MRSA strains isolated from hospitalized patients in intensive care units of hospitals in seven provinces of Turkey]

The aim of this study was to determine whether vancomycin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (VRSA) and vancomycin intermediate susceptible S.aureus (VISA) strains were present among methicillin-resistant S.aureus (MRSA) strains isolated from patients hospitalised at intensive care units (ICU) of hospitals located at different regions of Turkey and to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values of teicoplanin, linezolid, tigecycline, quinupristin-dalfopristin and daptomycin, which are alternative drugs for the treatment of MRSA infections. A total of 260 MRSA clinical strains (isolated from 113 lower respiratory tract, 90 blood, 24 wound, 17 catheter, 13 nasal swabs, two urine and one CSF sample) were collected from nine health-care centers in eight provinces [Ankara (n= 52), Konya (n= 49), Antalya (n= 40), Istanbul (n= 7), Izmir (37), Diyarbakir (n= 15), Van (n= 12), Trabzon (n= 48)] selected as representatives of the seven different geographical regions of Turkey. Methicillin resistance was determined by cefoxitin disk diffusion in the hospitals where the strains were isolated and confirmed by oxacillin salt agar screening at the Refik Saydam National Public Health Agency. Screening for VISA and VRSA was conducted using the agar screening test and E-test. Susceptibility of the MRSA strains to other antibiotics was also determined by E-test method. None of the 260 MRSA strains were determined to be VRSA or VISA. All were susceptible to teicoplanin and linezolid, and susceptibility rates to daptomycin, tigecycline and quinupristin-dalfopristin were 99.6%, 96.9%, and 95%, respectively. Absence of VISA and VRSA among the MRSA strains surveyed currently seemed hopeful, however, continuous surveillance is necessary. In order to prevent the development of VISA and VRSA strains the use of linezolid, tigecycline, quinupristin-dalfopristin and daptomycin should be encouraged as alternative agents of treatment of MRSA infections.

[The effectiveness of hand hygiene products on MRSA colonization of health care workers by using CHROMagar MRSA]

The aims of this study were; to investigate the hand hygiene compliance of the health care workers (HCWs) during their routine patient care, to determine the methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) hand colonization of the HCWs, to investigate the effect of different hand hygiene products on MRSA colonization and to evaluate the effectiveness of chromogenic agar for detecting MRSA. HCWs were investigated during their routine patient care and hand cultures were taken before and after hand wash/hygiene. Two different techniques were used to obtain the hand cultures: fingertip method (CHROMagar MRSA containing HygiSlide); and direct swab method and then inoculation to CHROMagar MRSA media. MRSA strains grown on those cultures were confirmed with conventional methods. A total of 100 HCWs (of them 61 were female; mean age: 32.7 ± 5.2 years; age range: 25-51 years) involving physicians (n= 33), nurses (n= 38) and health care assistants (n= 29), were included in the study. MRSA was detected in 39% and 11% before hand hygiene and in 13% and 6% after hand hygiene, with HygiSlide CHROMagar media and with CHROMagar in plate media, respectively. No difference were found regarding clinics, occupations, or the type of patient handling in those HCWs who were positive (n= 13) for MRSA colonization following hand hygiene, and those who were negative (n= 26). However, the type of the hand hygiene product used exhibited a statistical difference. None of the seven HCWs who used alcohol based hand rub revealed growth in the second culture while 10 of 19 (53%) HCWs who used soap and three of 13 (23%) HCWs who used chlorhexidine were still colonized with MRSA. In terms of reduction in the MRSA counts, the most effective one was the alcohol based hand rub while the soap was the least, since seven of 19 (37%) HCWs who used soap showed no reduction at all in the MRSA counts. A high ratio of hand colonization with MRSA was detected in our hospital staff (39%). It was shown that the colonization could be reduced significantly (with a rate of 66%) with hand hygiene. Alcohol based hand rub was found to be the most effective method in hand hygiene. The fingertip technique was found to be superior to inoculation to plate media for obtaining hand cultures and CHROMagar MRSA media was found to be rapid, effective and practical for detecting the MRSA hand colonization.

[Evaluation of vancomycin, teicoplanin, linezolide and tigecycline susceptibilities of nosocomial methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus strains by E-test]

The aim of this study was to determine the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) values of vancomycin, teicoplanin, tigecycline and linezolid in 100 methicillin-resistant staphylococci [21 methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and 79 methicillin-resistant coagulase negative staphylococcus (MR-CNS)] isolated as agents of nosocomial infection from patients at Ankara Training and Research Hospital between June 2005-March 2007. The MIC values for vancomycin, teicoplanin, linezolid and tigecycline were tested by E-test method (AB Biodisk, Sweden). For 21 MRSA strains MIC50 and MIC90 values were as follows: vancomycin 0.125 µg/ml and 1 µg/ml; teicoplanin 0.5 µg/ml and 3 µg/ml, linezolid 0.047 µg/ml and 0.19 µg/ml; tigecycline 0.094 µg/ml and 0.5 µg/ml, respectively. For 79 MR-CNS strains MIC50 and MIC90 values were as follows: vancomycin 0.5 µg/ml and 2 µg/ml; teicoplanin 2 µg/ml and 4 µg/ml; linezolid 0.125 µg/ml and 0.25 µg/ml; tigecycline 0.38 µg/ml and 0.5 µg/ml, respectively. No resistance to vancomycin, teicoplanin, tigecycline and linezolid were determined in methicillin-resistant staphylococcus strains isolated from the inpatients in our hospital. Among glycopeptides, MIC50 and MIC90 values of vancomycin were found to be lower than that of teicoplanin.

[Protozoal antigen positivity in diarrheal patients admitted to emergency service: a point prevalence study]

Intestinal parasites are the important etiological agents of water and food related diarrhea cases which are frequently seen during summer/early autumn seasons in developing countries. This point prevalence study was aimed to determine the protozoal antigen positivity rate in diarrhea cases admitted to the emergency service in one single day. A total of 198 diarrheal patients (90 male, 108 female; age range: 1-82 years, mean age: 29 years) who were admitted to the emergency service of Ankara Training and Research Hospital were included in the study. Macroscopic and direct microscopic examinations were performed for the stool samples of patients, and the samples which yielded pathological microscopic findings (e.g. presence of leukocytes, erythrocytes, and trophozoits) were investigated in terms of Entamoeba histolytica adhesin antigen, Giardia intestinalis cyst antigen and Cryptosporidium oocyst antigen by commercial ELISA kits (Techlab, USA). Macroscopic examination of the stool samples revealed that 60 (30%) of them had blood and mucous, 137 (69%) were watery and one sample had normal appearance. Pathologic results were obtained for 96 (48.5%) of the samples by microscopic examination: 36 (37.5%) revealed erythrocytes, 90 (93.7%) had leukocytes and 3 (1.5%) had G.intestinalis trophozoites. Since Shigella spp. were cultured in two of these 96 samples, these two cases were omitted from the study and 94 samples were investigated by ELISA assays. G.intestinalis was detected in 13 (13.8%) and E.histolytica in 2 (2.1%) samples while Cryptosporidium antigen was not detected in any of the samples by the ELISA assays. It was concluded that ELISA antigen assays were rapid and cost-effective methods for the determination of the causative agent in cases of diarrhea.

[Assessment of diagnostic methods for the catheter-related bloodstream infections in intensive care units]

The majority of catheter-related bloodstream infections (CR-BSI) are associated with central venous catheters (CVCs) and most of them develop in patients staying at intensive care units (ICUs). The aim of this study was to assess the performance of different methods for the diagnosis of CR-BSI in neurology and neurosurgery ICUs of our hospital. This prospective study was carried out between January 2007 and January 2008 and all of the patients were followed daily for CR-BSI after the insertion of CVCs. Blood cultures were taken simultaneously from the catheter lumen and from at least one peripheral vein when there was a suspicion of CR-BSI. Additionally, from patients whose CVCs were removed, catheter tip cultures were taken and from patients with exit site infection, cultures of the skin surrounding the catheter entrance were taken. Catheter tip cultures were done by using quantitative and semiquantitative culture methods. Blood cultures taken from the catheter lumen and peripheral vein were incubated in the BACTEC 9050 (Becton Dickinson, USA) automated blood culture system. Gram and acridine orange (AO) staining were used for the smears prepared from the catheter tips and blood cultures. To evaluate the value of culture and staining methods in the diagnosis of CR-BSI; sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values (PPV and NPV, respectively) of each method were determined. A total of 148 patients (66 male, 82 female; age range: 1-94 years, mean age: 58.7 ± 21.8 years) were included in the study, of whom 67 (45.3%) were from neurology and 81 (54.7%) were from neurosurgery ICUs. One hundred ninety-nine CVC application performed in 148 patients were evaluated. Mean duration of catheterization was 8.5 ± 5.2 days. Thirty-two episodes of CR-BSI among 199 catheterizations (16%) in 29 patients among a total of 148 patients (19.6%) were determined. The most frequently isolated microorganisms were methicillin-resistant coagulase-negative staphylococci (8/32; 25%), penicillin-resistant Enterococcus spp. (8/32; 25%) and Candida albicans (4/32; 12.5%). Sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPVs of the quantitative and semiquantitative culture methods of the catheter tip and the differential time to positivity (positive result obtained at least two hours earlier in blood cultures drawn through the catheter than the peripheral blood cultures which were taken simultaneously) between blood cultures drawn through the catheter and those drawn from the peripheral vein were 100% for the diagnosis of CR-BSI. Sensitivity and NPV of the isolation method of the same microorganism from blood culture drawn through the catheter and drawn from the peripheral vein were 100%, specificity was 85% and PPV was 88% for the diagnosis of CR-BSI. Sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPVs of Gram and drawn simultaneously from the peripheral vein and quantitative and semiquantitative cultures of the catheter tip in patients with removed catheter, were important factors in terms of diagnosis of CR-BSI. It was also concluded that AO staining could provide additional benefit in the diagnosis of CR-BSI since it has higher sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPVs for peripheral blood cultures and catheter tip cultures compared to Gram staining.

[Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus carriage rates in a neonatal intensive care unit]

This study was aimed to determine the rates of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE) carriage in a neonatal intensive care unit in a Training and Research Hospital in Ankara, Turkey. A total of 135 newborns were included in the study. Following 5 days stay in intensive care unit, samples were taken from nose and umbilicus for the detection of MRSA and cultivated in mannitol-salt agar and oxacillin-resistance screening agar (ORSAB), respectively. The samples taken from rectum to screen VRE, were placed onto Enterococcosel agar which contained vancomycin and ceftazidime. The confirmation of methicillin resistance in MRSA suspected isolates was performed by oxacillin and cefoxitin disk diffusion tests according to Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) guidelines. Twenty eight (20.7%) of 135 newborns had nasal MRSA carriage, 30 (22.2%) of 135 had umbilical and 10 (7.4%) had both nasal and umbilical MRSA carriage. No rectal VRE carriage was found among the newborns. As a result, we suggest that periodical MRSA and VRE carriage investigation in the patients hospitalized in neonatal intensive care units is of outmost help to control and prevent nosocomial infections.

[Evaluation of oxacillin resistance screening agar and chromogenic MRSA agar media for the detection of methicillin resistance in Staphylococcus aureus clinical isolates]

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strains which are the most frequent causes of hospital acquired infections, are also currently encountered with increasing frequency in community acquired infections. Therefore rapid and accurate identification of MRSA strains is essential in both implementation of infection control measures and prevention of the nosocomial spread of this microorganism. The aim of this study was to determine the specifisity, sensitivity, positive and negative predictive values of two commercial media, one was Oxacillin Resistance Screening Agar Base (ORSAB; Oxoid, England) and the other was chromogenic MRSA agar (BBL CHROMagar MRSA; BD, Paris, France), for the identification of MRSA strains. A total of 175 clinical S. aureus isolates, of which 45 were MRSA, and 130 were methicillin-susceptible S. aureus (MSSA), whose susceptibility to methicillin were determined by disk diffusion method using oxacillin and cefoxitin disks in Mueller-Hinton agar medium, were included in the study. When oxacillin disk diffusion test was accepted as the reference method, the specificity, sensitivity, positive and negative predictive values of ORSAB were found as 97.7%, 40%, 36.5% and 98.1%, respectively; while these values were detected as 95.5%, 37.6%, 35.7% and 96.1% for CHROMagar MRSA, respectively. These results indicated that both media may be used in laboratories where work load is high and the number of personnel is inadequate especially in screening studies together or in addition to another medium (mannitol-salt agar). However, since these methods exhibit low specifity (high false positive results), positive results should be confirmed using other methods such as disk diffusion, E-test or microdilution susceptibility testing.

[Two Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever cases without history of tick contact from Ankara region]

Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is a tick-borne viral disease presenting with flu-like symptoms, fever, hemorrhage and petechia. The virus (CCHFV) is a member of the Nairovirus genera of Bunyaviridae family and can be transmitted to humans by Hyalomma tick-bite, by exposure to infected blood and fomites of patient with CCHF or contact with animal tissue in viremic phase. In this study we present two cases with CCHF but without history of tick bite or exposure to infected fomites, even not coming from endemic areas. The first case was a 67 years old male patient presented with fever, fatique and shortness of breath. Physical examination revealed rales in right lower segments of lung. Laboratory findings showed elevation of liver enzymes with thrombocytopenia and prolonged prothrombin time. Serological markers for viral hepatitis, cytomegalovirus (CMV) and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) were negative. The patient was found to be IgM and RNA positive for CCHFV by ELISA and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) methods, respectively. His history indicated a contact with livestock. The second patient was a 60 years old male dealing with husbandry. He had fever, fatique and myalgia. Physical examination revealed petechial rash on legs. Laboratory findings showed elevated liver enzymes, prolonged phrothrombin time and thrombocytopenia. Viral hepatitis markers, CMV-IgM and EBV-IgM were found negative. He was also found to be IgM and RNA positive for CCHFV in the reference laboratory. In conclusion, CCHF should be considered in the differential diagnosis of patients who contact with livestock and present with fever, fatigue, rash, elevated liver enzymes, thrombocytopenia and prolonged prothrombin time eventhough they do not reside in endemic areas for CCHF.

[Prognostic value of serum TNF-alpha, IL-10, leptin and CRP levels in newborns with septicemia]

This study was aimed to investigate the prognostic value of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin-10 (IL-10), leptin and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels in newborn sepsis. A total of 57 newborns with nosocomial sepsis and 30 healthy newborns were included to the study. Serum TNF-alpha, IL-10, leptin (Biosource, Belgium) and CRP (Dade Behring, Germany) levels were investigated by ELISA methodology before the initiation of the therapy (day 0) and on the third and fifth days of therapy. Initial leptin levels were found to be high in the control group (p = 0.00) and CRP levels were found to be high in the patient group (p = 0.00). No significant difference was detected for IL-10 and TNF-alpha levels (p > 0.05). CRP levels were significantly higher in the patient group than the controls on the third day of the therapy (p = 0.001), however, no significant difference was detected for the other parameters (p > 0.05). On the fifth day of the therapy CRP (p = 0.023) and leptin (p = 0.00) levels were significantly high in the patient group and TNF-alpha in the control group (p = 0.00) while no significant difference was observed for IL-10 levels (p > 0.05). Mortality rate was 24.5%. When the mean TNF-alpha, IL-10, leptin and CRP levels on the 0th, 3rd and 5th days were analysed for alive (n = 43) and dead (n = 14) newborns with sepsis, it was observed that TNF-alpha, IL-10 and CRP levels were related with poor prognosis (p < 0.05). The ROC analysis performed for the determination of the prognostic performance of TNF-alpha and IL-10 revealed that these parameters had predictive value about mortality when their levels were above certain cut-off values (on the 5th day of therapy for IL-10 > 1.8 ng/ml and for TNF-alpha > 21.1 ng/ml). It can be concluded that besides routine laboratory parameters, serum TNF-alpha and IL-10 levels at the initiation of therapy and afterwards may help to predict prognosis and guide treatment in newborns with sepsis.

[An overlooked disease of tick bites: Lyme disease]

The exact prevalence of Lyme disease caused by Borrelia burgdorferi is unknown in Turkey. However, B. burgdorferi seropositivity ranges between 6-44% among high risk groups. B. burgdorferi is transmitted to humans by the bite of infected ticks belonging to the genus Ixodes, which may be seen throughout our country. Since the Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) is attracting attentions to tick bites more than ever in Turkey, the patients with tick bites are followed up more cautiously and have been referred to central hospitals. In this study 4 patients who were referred to our center with prediagnosis of CCHF but later appeared to be Lyme cases, were presented. All of the cases were women, age ranging between 25-67 years old. The patients were from areas where there is high risk of CCHF. CCHF were ruled out in these patients by agent specific polymerase chain reaction and IgM results. All of the patients were clinically diagnosed as Lyme disease since they had lesions compatible with erythema migrans. B. burgdorferi total antibodies investigated by ELISA (Zeus Scientific Inc., USA) were found positive in all patients. Since Western blot method could not be performed, positive serologic results have not be confirmed. However, the diagnosis of Lyme disease was done according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) criteria and all of the cases have recovered following treatment with antibiotics (cefuroxime axetil or sulbactam ampicillin or amoxicillin clavulanic acid). When the increase in the incidence of arthropod-borne infections in our country is considered, it should be noted that tick-bite cases should also be evaluated in terms of Lyme disease besides CCHF. Differential diagnosis of these infections is of critical value since early appropriate therapy is important to prevent the development of serious complications in both of the disease settings.

[Peritonitis due to Kocuria rosea in a continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis case]

Micrococcus strains which are the normal flora members of skin, mucosa and oropharynx, may lead to infections associated with intravenous catheter, chronic ambulatory peritoneal dialysis, venticular shunt and prosthetic valve. In this paper, a case of peritonitis due to Kocuria rosea of Micrococcea family, in a patient undergoing continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD), was presented. Fiftysix years old female patient was admitted to the hospital by complaints of abdominal pain, nausea and fever. The patient was undergoing CAPD due to chronic renal failure for one and a half year and turbidity was detected in the peritoneal fluid during dialysis. Examination of the peritoneal fluid revealed 1800 cells/mm3, with no evidence of bacteria in Gram and Ziehl-Neelsen stained smears. No bacterial growth was detected in conventional culture media, however, bacteria was isolated from the peritoneal fluid culture on second day by Bactec (Becton Dickinson, USA) automated blood culture system. By means of API identification system (bioMerieux, USA), the causative agent was identified as Kocuria rosea. The patient was successfully treated with intraperitoneal teicoplanin (4 x 40 mg) for 14 days. In conclusion, in patients undergoing CAPD, rare pathogens should be considered in case of peritonitis and peritoneal fluid samples should be inoculated into automated culture systems.

[A case of vancomycin resistant Leuconostoc meningitis]

Although Leuconostoc species are rarely pathogenic for humans, they may sometimes give rise to serious infections. In this report, a case of meningitis caused by vancomycin resistant Leuconostoc spp. was reported. Fifty-seven years old female patient was admitted to the hospital with the complaints of headache and sudden onset of unconsciousness and hospitalized in the neurosurgery department because of subarachnoidal hemorrhage. Patient was followed up with dexamethasone treatment and daily lumbar puncture without any surgical intervention. The findings of hemorrhage were receded in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and the consciousness of the patient improved gradually. However, on the ninth day of the hospitalization, the patient became febrile and confused; white blood cell count was 7920/mm3, protein level was 1952 mg/l in the CSF examination. Nosocomial meningitis was diagnosed and empirical treatment with ceftazidime (3 x 2 g/day) and vancomycin (4 x 500 mg/day) was started. CSF culture revealed growth of gram-positive cocci which were identified as Leuconostoc spp. by VITEK 2 Compact (Biomerieux, France) and Phoenix Instrument (Becton-Dickinson, USA) systems. Since the isolate was found susceptible to penicillin, ampicillin, cefotaxime, cefepime, chloramphenicol, clindamycin, erythromycin and linezolid, and resistant to vancomycin by disk diffusion and miniAPI ATB STREP 5 (Biomerieux, France) methods, the treatment was switched to linezolid (2 x 600 mg/day). Vancomycin and teicoplanin resistance was confirmed by E-test. The treatment was continued with linezolid and the patient's clinical condition improved after 14 days of treatment. The possible way of Leuconostoc transmission in this case was thought to be the lumbar punctures performed during the follow-up of subarachnoid hemorrhage. This presentation which demonstrated that Leuconostoc spp. might rarely lead to meningitis, also pointed out that when a vancomycin resistant gram-positive coccus was identified, Leuconostoc spp. should always be kept in mind.

[A meningitis case of Brucella and tuberculosis co-infection]

Turkey is located at an endemic area for brusellosis and tuberculosis which are both important public health problems. Meningitis caused by Brucella and Mycobacterium spp. may be confused since the clinical and laboratory findings are similar. In this report, a meningitis case with Brucella and tuberculosis co-infection has been presented. A 19-years-old woman was admitted to our clinic with severe headache, fever, vomiting, meningeal irritation symptoms, confusion and diplopia. The patient was initially diagnosed as Brucella meningitis based on her history (stockbreeding, consuming raw milk products, clinical symptoms concordant to brucellosis lasting for 4-5 months), physical examination and laboratory findings of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Standard tube agglutination test for brucellosis was positive at 1/80 titer in CSF and at 1/640 titer in serum, whereas no growth of Brucella spp. was detected in CSF and blood cultures. Antibiotic therapy with ceftriaxone, rifampicin and doxycyclin was started, however, there was no clinical improvement and agitation and confusion of the patient continued by the end of second day of treatment. Repeated CSF examination yielded acid-fast bacteria. The patient was then diagnosed as meningitis with double etiology and the therapy was changed to ceftriaxone, streptomycin, morphozinamide, rifampicin and isoniazid for thirty days. Tuberculosis meningitis was confirmed with the growth of Mycobacterium tuberculosis on the 14th day of cultivation (BACTEC, Becton Dickinson, USA) of the CSF sample. On the 30th day of treatment she was discharged on anti-tuberculous treatment with isoniazid and rifampicin for 12 months. The follow-up of the patient on the first and third months of treatment revealed clinical and laboratory improvement. Since this was a rare case of Brucella and tuberculosis co-infection, this report emphasizes that such co-infections should be kept in mind especially in the endemic areas for tuberculosis and brucellosis.

[Evaluation of the epidemiological, clinical and laboratory findings in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis related peritonitis attacks]

The aims of this study were to assess epidemiological features, clinical outcomes, laboratory findings, causative organisms and treatment approach for continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) -related peritonitis cases. A total of 50 patients (35 male, 15 female; age range: 18-83 years, mean age: 49 +/-17 years) with CAPD related peritonitis treated in Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology Department of Ankara Training and Research Hospital between February-July 2006 were enrolled into this study. Demographic characteristics, symptoms, physical examination findings and laboratory parameters of patients were recorded and evaluated at the baseline, 48 hours and at the end of treatment. Fifty six peritonitis episodes occurred during the study period, and overall incidence of peritonitis was calculated as 1.6 episodes/patient-year. The most common presenting symptoms were cloudiness of the peritoneal dialysis fluid (100%), abdominal pain (98%), nausea (74%) and vomiting (54%). Abdominal tenderness and rebaund (100%) were the most common physical examination findings. Increased levels of C-reactive protein, erythrocyte sedimentation rate and procalcitonin were detected in 88%, 94% and 42% of the patients, respectively. The mean white blood cell count of peritoneal dialysate fluids was 905/mm3 (170-17900/mm3) in 56 episodes. In direct microscopic examination of peritoneal fluid samples with Gram stain, positivity was detected in 10 (18%) of the attacks, in which eight yielded gram-positive cocci and two gram-negative bacilli. The rate of culture positivity was 74% in the peritonitis episodes, and no microorganism was isolated from the cultures of 26% of the episodes. The most frequently isolated microorganisms were coagulase-positive staphylococci, followed by Staphylococcus aureus (n:4) and E. coli (n:4) with the rates of 7% of each, Enterococcus spp. (n:3), Klebsiella spp. (n:3) and Pseudomonas spp. (n:3) with the rates of 5% of each, and Streptococcus spp. (n:1), diphtheroid bacillus (n:1) and Candida albicans (n:1) with the rates of 2% of each. Eightyfour percent of patients were successfully treated with intraperitoneal cefazolin and gentamicin empirically. Three of the patient's CAPD therapy was converted to hemodialysis, while two patients have died. As a result, since peritonitis is still the major complication of CAPD despite the technological developments, the informations about causative microorganisms and their antimicrobial susceptibilities would be helpful for the early and accurate treatment of peritonitis.

[Comparison of the diagnostic value of blood and bone marrow cultures in brucellosis]

The aim of this study was to compare the rates of brucellosis revealed by blood and bone marrow (BM) cultures obtained from patients followed up in our hospital, between 2002-2004 period. A total of 102 patients (62 male, 40 female; mean age: 39 +/- 5 years) were included to the study and 61 of them were in acute, 29 were in subacute, and 12 were in chronic stages of brucellosis. Blood and BM samples collected from all of the hospitalized patients were cultured by using the BACTEC 9050 system. The mean isolation period for BM cultures was 4.2 days, whereas it was 5.8 days for blood cultures. Overall the rate of positive blood cultures in brucellosis cases was found as 48% (n: 49), while the rate was was 34% (n: 35) for BM cultures, and the difference was statistically significant (p<0.05). Blood and BM culture positive results were detected in 40 (66%) and 28 (46%) of acute brucellosis cases, respectively. BM culture positive 23 samples yielded positive blood culture, while five were negative. These rates were found as 31% (n: 9), and 21% (n: 6) for subacute acute brucellosis cases, respectively. On the other hand Brucella spp. could not be isolated from blood cultures of 12 chronic cases, however, one (8%) was positive for BM culture. The patients were grouped according to their standard tube agglutination (STA) test results (group 1: 1/160-1/640, group 2: 1/1280-1/2560 STA titers), and when comparing these groups for their positive blood and BM culture results, the high rate in group 2 was found statistically significant (p<0.05). Nineteen (70%) of 27 patients who had previously received specific brucellosis therapy were positive for blood and/or BM cultures, indicating insufficient use of antibiotics, or the use of inappropriate antibiotic combinations. It was concluded that, since the rate of positive blood cultures were low in especially chronic brucellosis cases, bone marrow cultures should be obtained for the definite evaluation of these patients.

The Effect of Levamisole Combined with the Classical Treatment in Chronic Brucellosis

Levamisole is an immunopotenciator drug which is used as an antihelmintic drug as well as very effective remedy on cellular immunity compared with humoral immunity. A total 71 patients (37 men, 34 women) who referred to our department between March 1997 and December 2001, with a history of the disease for about 1 year, were diagnosed as having chronic brucellosis through those tests brucella serum agglutination test (SAT), SAT with Coombs and SAT with 2-mercaptoethanol. The patients were randomly divided into levamisole group (36 patients) and control group (35 patients). All patients were given rifampicin 600 mg/day + doxycycline 200 mg/day for 6 weeks as a standard classical combined therapy for brucellosis. In the levamisole group, oral levamisole 80 mg every other day for 6 weeks was added to the treatment. There was a statistically significant difference between two groups, in complaints of arthralgia, fatigue and sweats before and 6 months after treatment, as well as in erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein elevations and lymphomonocytosis finding. While it was provided both clinical and serological improvement in all patients in the levamisole group; 11 patients in the control group did not improve both clinically and in view of specific and nonspecific laboratory findings and a recurrence occurred in one case, in this group. In conclusion, levamisole added to classical antibiotic therapy in treatment of chronic brucellosis was found quite efficient in all patients in providing adequate clinical and laboratory response in comparison to classical antibiotic therapy alone.

Central nervous system brucellosis: presentation, diagnosis and treatment

Although neurological symptoms in brucellosis are frequent, central nervous system (CNS) involvement is uncommon. Five patients with neurobrucellosis are presented. Three patients presented with meningoencephalitis, one with polyradiculoneuritis and one with myelitis and an eighth nerve palsy. All patients had lymphocytic pleocytosis, low glucose and elevated levels of protein in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Gamma-globulin and IgG values in the CSF were also increased. Results of agglutination tests for Brucella in serum and CSF were positive for all patients, although titres were less in the CSF. Brucella melitensis was cultured from two patients. Treatment included concurrent administration of three of the following drugs: doxycycline, rifampicin, streptomycin, co-trimoxazole, ceftriaxone or ciprofloxacin. The three patients with meningoencephalitis fully recovered; the other two patients were left with minor disability.

Hematological manifestations in brucellosis cases in Turkey

The hematological findings of 233 patients with brucellosis are presented and the possible pathologies discussed. Anemia was present in 128 patients (55%), leukopenia in 49 (21%) and thrombocytopenia in 59 (26%). Bone marrow aspirates of 18 patients (8%) with pancytopenia were examined. The bone marrow was hypercellular in 15 and normocellular in 3 patients. Granulomatous lesions were detected in 12 cases (67%), and slight to moderate cytophagocytosis of erythrocytes, granulocytes and platelets existed in all patients. Blood cell counts reverted to normal within 2-3 weeks of initiating chemotherapy with recovery from the disease.