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Karakavuk M, Can H, Çeltik A, Karakavuk T, Gül C, Erdem HA, Pullukçu H, Taşbakan M, Taşbakan MS, Gürüz AY, Döşkaya M, Değirmenci Döşkaya A. Genetic characterization of Toxoplasma gondii strains isolated from humans living in İzmir, Türkiye. Indian J Med Microbiol 2024; 49:100571. [PMID: 38554777 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijmmb.2024.100571] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2023] [Revised: 02/22/2024] [Accepted: 03/24/2024] [Indexed: 04/02/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular zoonotic parasite that can infect all warm-blooded animals, including humans. Currently, clinical findings of toxoplasmosis are being related to T. gondii strains such as Type I genotype may cause high pathogenicity and Type II genotype causes a milder clinical presentation. We have showed in our previous that Type II genotype is the most frequent strain detected in stray cats and wild birds living in natural life of İzmir. The aim of this study was to assess toxoplasmosis seroprevalence in immunocompromised patients, investigate the presence of T. gondii DNA in their blood samples, and genotype the PCR positive ones. METHODS The 42 buffy-coat and serum samples were collected from immunocompromised patients who were from various clinics. Thereafter, Real-Time PCR targeting RE gene of T. gondii was performed with DNA samples obtained from buffy-coat samples. Genotyping was performed by sequencing of GRA6 and GRA7 gene regions of positive DNA samples obtained from tissues of bioassay and PCR positive samples. RESULTS According to Real-Time PCR results, T. gondii DNA was detected in 23.8% (10/42) samples. Among these 10 samples, two samples were determined as T. gondii Type II genotype. Anti-Toxoplasma IgG antibodies were detected in 28.57% (12/42) samples. CONCLUSIONS Overall, the detection of Type II genotype in humans in İzmir province suggested that T. gondii infection in humans, stray cats, and wild animals may be associated to each other in terms of transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammet Karakavuk
- Ege University, Odemis Vocational School, Ödemiş, İzmir, Türkiye; Ege University, Vaccine Development Application and Research Center, Bornova, İzmir, Türkiye
| | - Hüseyin Can
- Ege University, Vaccine Development Application and Research Center, Bornova, İzmir, Türkiye; Ege University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biology, Molecular Biology Section, Bornova, İzmir, Türkiye
| | - Aygül Çeltik
- Ege University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Nephrology, Bornova, İzmir, Türkiye
| | - Tuğba Karakavuk
- Ege University, Vaccine Development Application and Research Center, Bornova, İzmir, Türkiye
| | - Ceren Gül
- Ege University, Vaccine Development Application and Research Center, Bornova, İzmir, Türkiye
| | - Hüseyin Aytaç Erdem
- Ege University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Infectious Diseases, Bornova, İzmir, Türkiye
| | - Hüsnü Pullukçu
- Ege University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Infectious Diseases, Bornova, İzmir, Türkiye
| | - Meltem Taşbakan
- Ege University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Infectious Diseases, Bornova, İzmir, Türkiye
| | - Mehmet Sezai Taşbakan
- Ege University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Chest Diseases, Bornova, İzmir, Türkiye
| | - Adnan Yüksel Gürüz
- Ege University, Vaccine Development Application and Research Center, Bornova, İzmir, Türkiye; Ege University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Parasitology, Bornova, İzmir, Türkiye
| | - Mert Döşkaya
- Ege University, Vaccine Development Application and Research Center, Bornova, İzmir, Türkiye; Ege University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Parasitology, Bornova, İzmir, Türkiye
| | - Aysu Değirmenci Döşkaya
- Ege University, Vaccine Development Application and Research Center, Bornova, İzmir, Türkiye; Ege University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Parasitology, Bornova, İzmir, Türkiye.
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Kenanoğlu OB, Gül A, Can H, Karakavuk M, Erkunt Alak S, Korukluoğlu G, Altaş AB, Pullukçu H, Değirmenci Döşkaya A, Karakavuk T, Gül C, Çiçek C, Taşbakan MS, Çinkooğlu A, Ün C, Gürüz AY, Avcı M, Karasulu E, Tekin Ş, Döşkaya M, Işıkgöz Taşbakan M. Importance of screening severe COVID-19 patients for IFN-λ1, IL-6 and anti-S1 IgG levels. Cytokine 2023; 171:156357. [PMID: 37690425 DOI: 10.1016/j.cyto.2023.156357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2023] [Revised: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 09/01/2023] [Indexed: 09/12/2023]
Abstract
Cytokine storm is an important cause of death in COVID-19 patients. A recent clinical study showed that administration of recombinant interferon lambda 1 (IFN-λ1 or IL-29) may prevent severe COVID-19. On the other hand, IL-6 has been associated as a prognostic marker of worsening for COVID-19 patients. The objective of this study is to screen IFN-λ1, IL-6 and antibody levels in consecutive serum sample sets of COVID-19 patients. A total of 365 serum samples collected from 208 hospitalized COVID-19 patients were analyzed for IFN-λ1 and IL-6 levels as well as SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibodies and anti-S1 IgG antibodies. Analyses of serum samples for cytokine levels showed that IFN-λ1 (>8 pg/mL) and IL-6 (>2 pg/mL) were detected in approximately 64% and 21% patients, respectively. A decrement in IFN-λ1 levels and IL-6 levels above 35 pg/mL can be sign of clinical severity and upcoming dead. An increment in IL-6 levels wasn't detected in every COVID-19 patient but a decrement in IL-6 levels was related to clinical improvement. Importantly, the detection of IFN-λ1 level together with an increase in anti-S1 IgG antibody response were observed in clinically improved patients. Screening severe COVID-19 patients for IFN-λ1, IL-6, and anti-S1 IgG antibody levels during their hospital stay especially in intensive care units may be beneficial to monitor the clinical status and management of treatment strategies. Importantly, detection of IFN-λ1 together with protective IgG antibody response can be an indication of clinical improvement in severe COVID-19 patients and these patients may be discharged from the hospital soon.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olcay Buse Kenanoğlu
- Ege University Faculty of Medicine Department of Infectious Diseases, Bornova, İzmir, Türkiye
| | - Aytül Gül
- Ege University Faculty of Engineering Department of Bioengineering, Bornova, İzmir, Türkiye; Ege University Graduate School of Natural and Applied Sciences Department of Bioengineering, Bornova, İzmir, Türkiye; Ege University Vaccine Development Application and Research Center, Bornova, İzmir, Türkiye
| | - Hüseyin Can
- Ege University Vaccine Development Application and Research Center, Bornova, İzmir, Türkiye; Ege University Faculty of Science Department of Biology Molecular Biology Section, Bornova, İzmir, Türkiye
| | - Muhammet Karakavuk
- Ege University Vaccine Development Application and Research Center, Bornova, İzmir, Türkiye; Ege University Institute of Health Sciences Department of Vaccine Studies, Bornova, İzmir, Türkiye; Ege University Ödemiş Vocational School, İzmir, Türkiye
| | - Sedef Erkunt Alak
- Ege University Vaccine Development Application and Research Center, Bornova, İzmir, Türkiye; Ege University Institute of Health Sciences Department of Vaccine Studies, Bornova, İzmir, Türkiye
| | - Gülay Korukluoğlu
- Ministry of Health, General Directorate of Public Health, National Virology Reference Central Laboratory, Ankara, Türkiye
| | - Ayşe Başak Altaş
- Ministry of Health, General Directorate of Public Health, National Virology Reference Central Laboratory, Ankara, Türkiye
| | - Hüsnü Pullukçu
- Ege University Faculty of Medicine Department of Infectious Diseases, Bornova, İzmir, Türkiye
| | - Aysu Değirmenci Döşkaya
- Ege University Vaccine Development Application and Research Center, Bornova, İzmir, Türkiye; Ege University Institute of Health Sciences Department of Vaccine Studies, Bornova, İzmir, Türkiye; Ege University Faculty of Medicine Department of Parasitology, Bornova, İzmir, Türkiye
| | - Tuğba Karakavuk
- Ege University Graduate School of Natural and Applied Science Department of Biotechnology, Bornova, İzmir, Türkiye
| | - Ceren Gül
- Ege University Graduate School of Natural and Applied Science Department of Biotechnology, Bornova, İzmir, Türkiye
| | - Candan Çiçek
- Ege University Faculty of Medicine Department of Microbiology, Bornova, İzmir, Türkiye
| | - Mehmet Sezai Taşbakan
- Ege University Faculty of Medicine Department of Chest Diseases, Bornova, İzmir, Türkiye
| | - Akın Çinkooğlu
- Ege University Faculty of Medicine Department of Radiology, Bornova, İzmir, Türkiye
| | - Cemal Ün
- Ege University Vaccine Development Application and Research Center, Bornova, İzmir, Türkiye; Ege University Faculty of Science Department of Biology Molecular Biology Section, Bornova, İzmir, Türkiye
| | - Adnan Yüksel Gürüz
- Ege University Vaccine Development Application and Research Center, Bornova, İzmir, Türkiye; Ege University Institute of Health Sciences Department of Vaccine Studies, Bornova, İzmir, Türkiye; Ege University Faculty of Medicine Department of Parasitology, Bornova, İzmir, Türkiye
| | - Mahmut Avcı
- Ministry of Health, General Directorate of Public Health, National Virology Reference Central Laboratory, Ankara, Türkiye
| | - Ercüment Karasulu
- Ege University Research and Application Center of Drug Development and Pharmocokinetics, Bornova, İzmir, Türkiye
| | - Şaban Tekin
- University of Heatlh Sciences Faculty of Medicine Department of Basic Sciences, Üsküdar, İstanbul, Türkiye; TÜBİTAK Marmara Research Center, Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Kocaeli, Türkiye
| | - Mert Döşkaya
- Ege University Vaccine Development Application and Research Center, Bornova, İzmir, Türkiye; Ege University Institute of Health Sciences Department of Vaccine Studies, Bornova, İzmir, Türkiye; Ege University Faculty of Medicine Department of Parasitology, Bornova, İzmir, Türkiye.
| | - Meltem Işıkgöz Taşbakan
- Ege University Faculty of Medicine Department of Infectious Diseases, Bornova, İzmir, Türkiye
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Değirmenci Döşkaya A, Can H, Gül A, Karakavuk T, Güvendi M, Karakavuk M, Gül C, Erkunt Alak S, Ün C, Gürüz AY, Döşkaya M. A preliminary study to develop a lateral flow assay using recombinant GRA1 protein for the diagnosis of toxoplasmosis in stray cats. Comp Immunol Microbiol Infect Dis 2023; 101:102057. [PMID: 37647822 DOI: 10.1016/j.cimid.2023.102057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2023] [Revised: 08/19/2023] [Accepted: 08/26/2023] [Indexed: 09/01/2023]
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is a protozoan parasite that may infect many mammals including humans. Cats are one of the main sources of infection for humans. Therefore, routine screening of cats with tests that are inexpensive, rapid, and do not require sophisticated laboratory equipment is important. In this study, a lateral flow assay (LFA) was designed to rapidly diagnose toxoplasmosis in cats. For this purpose, we selected GRA1 protein of T. gondii due to its high antigenicity in diagnostic and vaccine studies. We further analyzed the immunological properties of GRA1 protein using in silico tools. Then, we expressed and purified recombinant GRA1 (rGRA1) protein and used it during the development of LFA to detect toxoplasmosis in serum samples (n = 40) of cats. According to the results, rGRA1 protein has negative GRAVY value, high aliphatic index, alpha helix, random coil and 12 B cell epitopes. The in silico data supported the high antigenic properties of rGRA1 protein and showed that it can be a good antigen candidate for LFA. Among 30 cat positive serum samples, 27 were found positive by the LFA while seronegative sera (n = 10) were negative by the LFA. The preliminary data showed that the LFA has high sensitivity (90 %) and specificity (100 %). When we used high responsive cat sera (i.e. sera that have optical density > 0.5 with ELISA) the sensitivity value reached 100 %. These results showed that rGRA1 protein is a good candidate to develop a LFA for rapid diagnosis of toxoplasmosis in cats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aysu Değirmenci Döşkaya
- Ege University Faculty of Medicine Department of Parasitology, İzmir, Turkey; Ege University Vaccine Development Application and Research Center, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Hüseyin Can
- Ege University Vaccine Development Application and Research Center, İzmir, Turkey; Ege University Faculty of Science Department of Biology Molecular Biology Section, İzmir, Turkey.
| | - Aytül Gül
- Ege University Graduate School of Natural and Applied Sciences, Department of Bioengineering, İzmir, Turkey; Ege University Faculty of Engineering Department of Bioengineering, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Tuğba Karakavuk
- Ege University Graduate Faculty of Natural and Applied Science Biotechnology Program, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Mervenur Güvendi
- Ege University Faculty of Science Department of Biology Molecular Biology Section, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Muhammet Karakavuk
- Ege University Vaccine Development Application and Research Center, İzmir, Turkey; Ege University Ödemiş Vocational School, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Ceren Gül
- Ege University Graduate Faculty of Natural and Applied Science Biotechnology Program, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Sedef Erkunt Alak
- Ege University Vaccine Development Application and Research Center, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Cemal Ün
- Ege University Vaccine Development Application and Research Center, İzmir, Turkey; Ege University Faculty of Science Department of Biology Molecular Biology Section, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Adnan Yüksel Gürüz
- Ege University Faculty of Medicine Department of Parasitology, İzmir, Turkey; Ege University Vaccine Development Application and Research Center, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Mert Döşkaya
- Ege University Faculty of Medicine Department of Parasitology, İzmir, Turkey; Ege University Vaccine Development Application and Research Center, İzmir, Turkey
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Karakavuk T, Gül C, Karakavuk M, Gül A, Erkunt Alak S, Can H, Ün C, Döşkaya M, Gürüz AY, Değirmenci Döşkaya A. Biotechnological Based Recombinant Protein Vaccines Developed Against Toxoplasmosis. Turkiye Parazitol Derg 2022; 46:342-357. [DOI: 10.4274/tpd.galenos.2022.41636] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Parmaksız S, Gül A, Erkunt Alak S, Karakavuk M, Can H, Gül C, Karakavuk T, López-Macías C, Puralı N, Döşkaya M, Şenel S. Development of multistage recombinant protein vaccine formulations against toxoplasmosis using a new chitosan and porin based adjuvant system. Int J Pharm 2022; 626:122199. [PMID: 36115468 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2022.122199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2022] [Revised: 09/07/2022] [Accepted: 09/09/2022] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
Abstract
Toxoplasmosis is a global health problem affecting both human and animal populations. The lack of effective treatment makes the development of a vaccine against toxoplasmosis one of the main goals in the management of this disease. In our study, vaccine formulations containing the multistage recombinant antigens, rBAG1 + rGRA1 were developed with a combined adjuvant system consisting of chitosan and Salmonella Typhi porins in micro (MicroAS) and nanoparticulate (NanoAS) forms. BALB/c mice were immunized intraperitoneally with vaccine formulations two times at three-week intervals. Three weeks after the second vaccination, mice were challenged with 7-8 live tissue cysts of the virulent T. gondii PRU strain by oral gavage. Higher cellular uptake by macrophages and enhanced cellular (IFN-γ and I-4 in stimulated spleen cells) and humoral (IgG, IgG1, IgG2a) responses were obtained with the adjuvanted formulation, higher with microsystem when compared to that of nanosystem. Microsystem was found to stimulate Th1-polarized immune responses, whereasnon-adjuvanted antigens stimulated Th2-polarized immune response. The highest survival rate and reduction in cysts numbers and T. gondii DNA were obtained with the adjuvanted antigens.Our study showed that adjuvanted multistage recombinant vaccine systems increase theimmune response with strong protection againstT. gondii, more profoundly in microparticulate form.
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Affiliation(s)
- Selin Parmaksız
- Hacettepe University, Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Ankara 06100, Turkey
| | - Aytül Gül
- Ege University, Faculty of Engineering, Department of Bioengineering, Bornova, Izmir 35040, Turkey; Ege University Vaccine Development, Application and Research Center, Izmir 35100, Turkey
| | - Sedef Erkunt Alak
- Ege University Vaccine Development, Application and Research Center, Izmir 35100, Turkey; Ege University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biology, Molecular Biology Section, Bornova, Izmir 35040, Turkey
| | - Muhammet Karakavuk
- Ege University Vaccine Development, Application and Research Center, Izmir 35100, Turkey; Ege University, Vocational School, Odemis, Izmir 35750, Turkey
| | - Hüseyin Can
- Ege University Vaccine Development, Application and Research Center, Izmir 35100, Turkey; Ege University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biology, Molecular Biology Section, Bornova, Izmir 35040, Turkey
| | - Ceren Gül
- Ege University Vaccine Development, Application and Research Center, Izmir 35100, Turkey; Ege University Institute of Science, Department of Biotechnology, Bornova, Izmir 35040, Turkey
| | - Tuğba Karakavuk
- Ege University Vaccine Development, Application and Research Center, Izmir 35100, Turkey; Ege University Institute of Science, Department of Biotechnology, Bornova, Izmir 35040, Turkey
| | - Constantino López-Macías
- Medical Research Unit on Immunochemistry, Specialties Hospital of the National Medical Centre ''Siglo XXI'', Mexican Institute for Social Security, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Nuhan Puralı
- Hacettepe University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Biophysics,06100 Ankara, Turkey
| | - Mert Döşkaya
- Ege University Vaccine Development, Application and Research Center, Izmir 35100, Turkey; Ege University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Parasitology, Bornova, Izmir 35100, Turkey
| | - Sevda Şenel
- Hacettepe University, Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Ankara 06100, Turkey.
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Gül C, Karakavuk T, Karakavuk M, Can H, Değirmenci Döşkaya A, Gül A, Erkunt Alak S, Gürüz AY, Ün C, Döşkaya M. An Overview of DNA Vaccines Development Studies Against Toxoplasma gondii. Turkiye Parazitol Derg 2022; 46:253-270. [PMID: 36094131 DOI: 10.4274/tpd.galenos.2022.02486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) is an obligate intracellular parasite that can infect almost all warm-blooded animals, including humans, and one-third of the global population is thought to be infected with this parasite. Infection can occur through consumption of contaminated food, contact with an infected host, or congenital transmission. While toxoplasmosis is asemptomatic in people with a healthy immune system, it can cause severe infections in people with a suppressed immune system or with immunodeficiency. In addition to causing diseases in humans, it also causes infections in livestock and may result in stillbirth and abortion in sheep and goats. There is no 100% effective medicine or vaccination against the parasite that causes major clinical symptoms and financial losses. There is a need for an effective, safe, and durable vaccine that can provide protective immunity for use in humans and animals. Vaccination studies against toxoplasmosis have gathered speed since the 1990s. Today, studies can be carried out to develop effective and safe vaccines depending on the developments in molecular biology, biotechnology, and immunology. DNA vaccines are a promising vaccine platform against toxoplasmosis because they are easy to produce, they are safe, they do not need a cold chain, and they can stimulate both humoral and cellular immune responses. This review provides an overview of the complex life cycle, pathogenesis, and epidemiology of the parasite; the immune response that develops in the host against the infection it causes; and the DNA vaccines developed against toxoplasmosis and these vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ceren Gül
- Ege Üniversitesi Fen Fakültesi, Biyoteknoloji Anabilim Dalı, İzmir, Türkiye
| | - Tuğba Karakavuk
- Ege Üniversitesi Fen Fakültesi, Biyoteknoloji Anabilim Dalı, İzmir, Türkiye
| | | | - Hüseyin Can
- Ege Üniversitesi Fen Fakültesi, Biyoloji Bölümü, Moleküler Biyoloji Anabilim Dalı, İzmir, Türkiye
| | | | - Aytül Gül
- Ege Üniversitesi Mühendislik Fakültesi, Biyomühendislik Anabilim Dalı, İzmir, Türkiye
| | - Sedef Erkunt Alak
- Ege Üniversitesi Fen Fakültesi, Biyoloji Bölümü, Moleküler Biyoloji Anabilim Dalı, İzmir, Türkiye
| | - Adnan Yüksel Gürüz
- Ege Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi, Parazitoloji Anabilim Dalı, İzmir, Türkiye
| | - Cemal Ün
- Ege Üniversitesi Fen Fakültesi, Biyoloji Bölümü, Moleküler Biyoloji Anabilim Dalı, İzmir, Türkiye
| | - Mert Döşkaya
- Ege Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi, Parazitoloji Anabilim Dalı, İzmir, Türkiye
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Gül C, Kilic S, Şehitoğlu MH. The importance of ADAM10 and ADAM17 metalloproteinases in the pathogenesis of psoriasis. Clin Exp Dermatol 2022; 47:1673-1678. [PMID: 35474465 DOI: 10.1111/ced.15239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disorder characterized by inflammation, hyperproliferation, andneoangiogenesis. The disease pathogenesis has not been fully elucidated. ADAM17 and ADAM10 are important proteases serving as regulators of inflammation. OBJECTIVES This study aimed to determine the role of ADAM17 and ADAM10 in the pathogenesis of Psoriasis through the comparison of serum ADAM17 and ADAM10 levels between Psoriasis patients and healthy controls. METHODS A total of 179 subjects, including 90 psoriasis patients and 89 healthy controls, were included in the study. Serum ADAM17 and serum ADAM10 levels were measured by the ELISA method for each participant from the patient and control groups. The statistical data analysis was performed using the SPSS 19.0 program. P-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS The mean values for serum ADAM10 and ADAM17 were respectively 3.1±2.2 and 76.5±31.1 in the patient group, whereas 8.6±3.7 and 29.5±22.4 in the control group. A statistically significant difference was detected between the patient and control groups regarding ADAM10 and ADAM17 levels (p=0.0001). CONCLUSIONS Considering the high levels of ADAM17 in Psoriasis patient group, ADAM17 protease might have a crucial role in the pathogenesis of psoriasis, while the low levels of ADAM10 might be attributed to its regulatory effect on keratinocyte differentiation and proliferation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ceren Gül
- Departments of Dermatology, Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University, Çanakkale, Turkey
| | - Sevilay Kilic
- Departments of Dermatology, Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University, Çanakkale, Turkey
| | - Müşerref H Şehitoğlu
- Departments of Medical Biochemistry, Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University, Çanakkale, Turkey
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Can H, Aksoy Gökmen A, Döşkaya M, Erkunt Alak S, Değirmenci Döşkaya A, Karakavuk M, Köseoğlu AE, Karakavuk T, Gül C, Güvendi M, Gül A, Gürüz AY, Kaya S, Mercier A, Ün C. Development of a new serotyping ELISA for Toxoplasma gondii type II, type III and Africa 1 lineages using in silico peptide discovery methods, well categorized feline and human outbreak serum samples. BMC Infect Dis 2022; 22:110. [PMID: 35100997 PMCID: PMC8802539 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-022-07088-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2021] [Accepted: 01/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Discovery of new Toxoplasma gondii serotyping epitopes is important due to reports showing the influence of genotype on the severity of toxoplasmosis. In Turkey, genotypes belonging to type II, type III and Africa 1 lineages were mainly detected. The present study focused on to find out epitopes with high discriminative capacity to serotype these genotypes using well characterized strains isolated from Turkey. METHODS To meet this objective, GRA6 and GRA7 genes were sequenced from strains belonging to the type II, III and Africa 1 lineages, and B cell epitopes inside these sequences were predicted by Bcepred and additional docking analysis was performed with B cell receptor. Based on these analyses, 22 peptides harboring lineage specific epitopes were synthesized. Then, the serotyping potency of these peptides was tested using peptide ELISA and well categorized serum samples collected from stray cats infected with genotypes of the different lineages type II (n:9), III (n:1) and Africa 1 (n:1). As a result of peptide-ELISA, a serotyping schema was constructed with peptides that show high discriminative capacity and this assay was validated by sera collected from humans after an outbreak (n:30) and mother/newborn pair sera (n:3). Later, the validated serotyping schema was used to serotype a larger group of human (n:38) and cat (n:24) sera. RESULTS Among 22 peptides, GRA6II/c, GRA7III/d, and GRA6 Africa 1/b epitopes have shown discriminative capacity. During the validation of peptide-ELISA, the serotype of toxoplasmosis outbreak and mother/newborn cases were detected to be serotype II. Moreover, the analyses in a larger group showed that serotype II was prevalent in humans and stray cats. CONCLUSIONS Overall, the results showed that the serotyping schema could be successfully used to serotype T. gondii infections caused by type II, III and Africa 1 genotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hüseyin Can
- Molecular Biology Section, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Ege University, İzmir, Turkey.
- Vaccine Development, Application and Research Center, Ege University, İzmir, Turkey.
| | - Ayşegül Aksoy Gökmen
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, İzmir Katip Çelebi University, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Mert Döşkaya
- Vaccine Development, Application and Research Center, Ege University, İzmir, Turkey
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Ege University, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Sedef Erkunt Alak
- Molecular Biology Section, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Ege University, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Aysu Değirmenci Döşkaya
- Vaccine Development, Application and Research Center, Ege University, İzmir, Turkey
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Ege University, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Muhammet Karakavuk
- Vaccine Development, Application and Research Center, Ege University, İzmir, Turkey
- Ege University Ödemiş Technical Training College, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Ahmet Efe Köseoğlu
- Molecular Biology Section, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Ege University, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Tuğba Karakavuk
- Graduate Faculty of Natural and Applied Science Biotechnology Program, Ege University, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Ceren Gül
- Graduate Faculty of Natural and Applied Science Biotechnology Program, Ege University, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Mervenur Güvendi
- Molecular Biology Section, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Ege University, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Aytül Gül
- Department of Bioengineering, Faculty of Engineering, Ege University, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Adnan Yüksel Gürüz
- Vaccine Development, Application and Research Center, Ege University, İzmir, Turkey
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Ege University, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Selçuk Kaya
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, İzmir Katip Çelebi University, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Aurélien Mercier
- Centre National de Référence (CNR) Toxoplasmose/Toxoplasma Biological Resource Center (BRC), Centre Hospitalier-Universitaire Dupuytren, Limoges, France
- INSERM, Université Limoges, CHU Limoges, IRD, U1094 Neuroépidémiologie Tropicale, Institut d'Epidémiologie et de Neurologie Tropicale, GEIST, Limoges, France
| | - Cemal Ün
- Molecular Biology Section, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Ege University, İzmir, Turkey
- Vaccine Development, Application and Research Center, Ege University, İzmir, Turkey
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9
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Abstract
Right ventricular (RV) involvement commonly occurs in patients with acute inferior myocardial infarction and is associated with high mortality and morbidity. RV dysfunction and dilatation commonly recover in survivors; chronic RV dyskinesia and failure are rare complications. This case report presents a patient in whom an isolated RV aneurysm complicates a RV involvement of acute inferior-posterior myocardial infarction.
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Affiliation(s)
- O Akdemir
- Trakya University, School of Medicine, Cardiology Department, Edirne, Turkey.
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10
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Gür G, Boyacioglu S, Gül C, Turan M, Gürsoy M, Baysal C, Ozdemir N. Impact of Helicobacter pylori infection on serum gastrin in haemodialysis patients. Nephrol Dial Transplant 1999; 14:2688-91. [PMID: 10534513 DOI: 10.1093/ndt/14.11.2688] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Helicobacter pylori infection is associated with increased gastrin release in patients with normal renal function. Hypergastrinaemia is a common finding in haemodialysis patients and, in many cases, may be linked to H. pylori infection. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of H. pylori infection, and its eradication, on elevated gastrin levels in haemodialysis patients. METHODS Eighty-nine dyspeptic patients were included in the study. While 44 patients had normal renal function, the remaining 45 were end-stage renal failure patients. Patients were assigned to one of four groups according to their H. pylori and renal function status. Infected patients were re-evaluated after 2 months following eradication treatment. Serum gastrin levels were measured in these groups both before and after eradication treatment. RESULTS Haemodialysis patients with H. pylori infection had higher serum gastrin levels than did H. pylori negative haemodialysis patients (321+/-131 pg/ml vs 154+/-25 pg/ml) (P<0.05). Mean serum gastrin concentration was 152+/-21 pg/ml in the non-uraemic H. pylori-positive group. This value was 58+/-17 pg/ml in the non-uraemic H. pylori-negative group (P<0.05). There were significant decreases in serum gastrin levels from pre- to post-eradication of H. pylori in the infected haemodialysis and non-uraemic patient groups (312+/-131 pg/ml to 179+/-85 pg/ml and 152+/-21 pg/ml to 72+/-2.4 pg/ml respectively, P<0.05). Four patients in group Ib and 5 patients in group IIb who had persistent infection did not have a decrease in serum gastrin level. All patients with successful eradication had a decrease in serum gastrin concentration. CONCLUSION Our findings suggest that H. pylori infection contributes to hypergastrinaemia in haemodialysis patients. More research is needed regarding the clinical consequences of hypergastrinaemia in these individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Gür
- Gastroenterology Department, Biochemistry Division and Nephrology Department, Baskent University, Ankara, Turkey
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11
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Eyigün CP, Yilmaz S, Gül C, Sengül A, Hacibektasoglu A, Van Thiel DH. A comparative trial of two surface subunit recombinant hepatitis B vaccines vs a surface and PreS subunit vaccine for immunization of healthy adults. J Viral Hepat 1998; 5:265-9. [PMID: 9751013 DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-2893.1998.00106.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is the leading cause of chronic hepatitis and cirrhosis in Turkey. The prevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) positivity in Turkey is 5 to 10%. HBV is almost completely preventable with the use of hepatitis B vaccines. The most commonly used vaccine is that which contains the predominant viral surface (S) polypeptide. It elicits protective antibodies in greater than 90% of healthy subjects. A vaccine containing the PreS1 and PreS2 antigenic domains has recently been reported as being more efficient in achieving successful immunization in individuals who have not previously responded to the isolated S-antigen vaccine. In this study, the efficacy of a S and PreS-containing vaccine was compared with that of two different standard isolated S-antigen-containing vaccines in terms of the immunization protection produced against HBV in normal healthy adults who had not previously been immunized. Seventy-six young adults (aged 17-22) were randomly assigned to receive 1 ml (20 micrograms) of either one of two standard S-subunit recombinant hepatitis B vaccines (Engerix B. or Hepavax) or the combined S and PreS subunit vaccine (Gen Hevac B) intramuscularly in the deltoid muscle at 0, 1 and 2 months. Hepatitis B surface antigen antibody titres were measured at 1, 2 and 12 months. A titre > or = 10 IU ml-1 was considered to be protective. All subjects receiving the two standard isolated S-antigen-containing vaccines responded to the vaccination with reasonable antibody titres. One-half to two-thirds of those vaccinated developed high antibody titres (> 100 IU ml-1). In contrast, 9% of those receiving the combined PreS1 and PreS2 plus S antigens failed to respond, as demonstrated by antibody titres below the level considered to be protective. The mean titres at 12 months were 107 +/- 12 IU ml-1 (Engerix B), 102 +/- 12 IU ml-1 (Gen Hevac B) and 117 +/- 12 IU ml-1 (Hepavax Gene). Hence, no important difference in term of response to vaccination was found between the two different types of vaccines. As recombinant S-subunit vaccines are less expensive than those that combine S and PreS antigens, it is suggested that, when immunizing normal healthy adults, a standard isolated S-antigen-containing vaccine should be used.
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Affiliation(s)
- C P Eyigün
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Gülhane Military Medical Academy, Ankara, Turkey
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12
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Abstract
A case of chronic brucella endocarditis of a prosthetic valve is reported. The diagnosis of this infection was established by positive blood cultures and high brucella agglutination titre. The patient was successfully managed by combination of medical therapy (consisting of streptomycin, trimethoprim-sulphamethoxazole, rifampin and tetracycline) and surgery.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Arslan
- Başkent University School of Medicine, Internal Medicine Department, Ankara, Turkey
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