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In this study, we examined the P15(INK4B) gene promoter methylation in patients with myelodysplastic syndrome and acute leukemia and its possible relationship with parvovirus B19 and Epstein-Barr virus infections. P15(INK4B) methylation frequency was significantly higher in acute leukemia patients than in that of non-malignant patients (P < 0.05). When the patients with myelodysplastic syndrome were included, no significant difference was found between these groups regarding the methylation status. The possible correlation between P15(INK4B) promoter methylation and parvovirus B19 infection was observed in adult acute leukemia patients (P < 0.05). However, no similar relationship in EBV-infected patients was observed. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report showing the possible association between P15(INK4B) promoter methylation and parvovirus B19 infection in acute leukemia.

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We determined the seroprevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) among health care workers (HCWs) at Gülhane Military Medical Academy, Haydarpasa Training Hospital in Istanbul, Turkey. Between April 1998 and September 2000, 702 HCWs were included in the study. The blood samples were tested for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), hepatitis B surface antibody (anti-HBs) and HCV antibody (anti-HCV) using third-generation tests, with confirmation by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. Seroprevalence rates were compared with those detected in 5670 blood donors during the same period. HBsAg, anti-HBs and anti-HCV were detected in 21 (3.0%), in 480 (68.4%) and in 2 (0.3%) of 702 HCWs respectively. HBsAg and anti-HCV rates were 2.1 and 0.4% in blood donors, respectively. These data show that the prevalence rates of HBV and HCV were similar with prevalence rates detected in randomized blood donors showing that universal infection-control precautions and encouraging HBV vaccination reduces HCW infection with hepatotropic viruses.

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In this study, medical records of all casualties admitted to our hospital following the Marmara earthquake, which struck northwest Turkey and resulted in the destruction of several towns in the Marmara region, were evaluated retrospectively. The time buried under the rubble, demographic data, type of medical and surgical therapies performed, type of injury and data on infection were analysed. Between 17 August and 25 September 1999, 630 trauma victims were received at our hospital and 532 (84%) of them were hospitalized. The mean age of hospitalized patients (312 males, 220 females) was 32 years (2-90 years). Two hundred and twenty patients were hospitalized for more than 48 h. Forty-one of them (18.6%) had 43 hospital-acquired infection (HAI) episodes, which were mostly wound infections (46.5%). A total of 143 culture specimens was collected and 48 yielded the following potential pathogens: 15 Acinetobacter baumanii (31.2%), nine Staphylococcus aureus (18.7%), seven Pseudomonas aeruginosa (14.6%), six Escherichia coli (12.5%), six Klebsiella pneumoniae (12.5%), two Stenotrophomonas maltophilia (4.2%) and three various Pseudomonas spp. (6.3%). All S. aureus strains were found to be resistant to methicillin in vitro. Two strains of A. baumannii and one P. aeruginosa were found to be resistant to all antimicrobials including carbapenems. Fifty-three victims died (10%) and 36 of those died during the first 48 h because of severe injuries and multi-organ failure. After 48 h of hospitalization, the mortality rate was significantly higher in those patients with HAI (14/41) than those without (3/179) (34.1% vs. 1.7%, P<0.05). In conclusion, trauma is the significant factor associated with HAI and a high incidence of Acinetobacter strains was responsible for HAI in trauma patients.

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BACKGROUND: Increased prevalence of CagA in gastric cancer has been reported; yet, other reports suggest that the cagA gene is not associated with gastric cancer. GOALS: To evaluate the frequency of CagA seropositivity in Turkish patients with gastric cancer. STUDY: Thirty-two patients with gastric adenocarcinoma and 46 patients with nonulcer dyspepsia were examined for Helicobacter pylori status and for antibodies against CagA. RESULTS: H. pylori was positive in 56.3% of patients and in 71.7% of controls. CagA was positive in all patients in the study group, regardless of H. pylori positivity, and in 56.5% of the control group. CagA positivity in H. pylori -positive patients was significantly more frequent in patients with gastric cancer than in those with nonulcer dyspepsia ( p < 0.001). As for H. pylori -negative patients in both groups, CagA positivity was also more frequent in gastric cancer patients ( p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Testing for H. pylori antibodies without testing for antibodies against CagA will miss patients with either recent or previous infection, which may be a cause of missing the relationship between H. pylori and gastric cancer. The authors think that testing for CagA in patients with dyspepsia can reveal which patients should be followed up for the risk of developing gastric cancer.

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UNLABELLED: The frequency of resistance to erythromycin of group A beta-haemolytic streptococci in the last 7 years was determined in three medical centres in Ankara. While all group A beta-haemolytic streptococci strains were susceptible to penicillin, a gradual increase in resistance to erythromycin until 1992 was observed. However, a substantial increase in erythromycin resistance occurred in 1993 when newer macrolides became available and were widely used in the latter part of 1992. CONCLUSION: The data show that frequent testing for resistance to erythromycin of group A beta-haemolytic streptococci is required for the use of this antibiotic in our country.

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In order to detect if the presence of interrelationship between Coxsackie B Viruses (CBV) and etiology of type 1 diabetes mellitus, antibodies to CBV by microneutralization test serotypes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 were investigated in 37 sera obtained from patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus and 100 sera from healthy individuals as control group. No significant difference could found that neutralizing antibody levels to CBV serotypes between in sera obtained from patient with type 1 diabetes mellitus and sera obtained from control group. As a result, interrelationship was not detected between CBV infection and having type 1 diabetes mellitus.

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Cell culture antigens were prepared from Vero, BHK-21 and Hep-2 cells which were propagated on slide, for detection antinuclear antibody (ANA) in sera with indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT). ANA were investigated in 55 sera which were positive at 1/20 titer with KB IFAT ANA test kits (Virgo), by using these cell culture antigens. 50 sera (91%) with Vero antigens, 46 sera (83%) with BHK-21 antigens and 44 sera (80%) with Hep-2 antigens were found positive at 1/20 titer. As conclusion Vero cell culture which is propagated on slide can be used as antigen for detection of ANA with IFAT.

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The presence of antibodies and their titers against Coxsackie B virus type 2 and type 3 (CBV-2 and CBV-3) have been investigated in 208 blood donor's sera obtained from blood Bank of Gülhane Military Medical Academy. The seropositivity against Coxsackie B virus type 2 and type 3 have been determined 59.1% (123/208) and 7.2% (15/208) respectively. These findings suggest that Coxsackie B virus type 2 infections may be present more widely than Coxsackie B virus type 3 infections in our country.

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In this study antibody levels to Respiratory Syncytial virus were investigated in 181 serum samples obtained from healthy individuals by using microneutralization test. 25 out of 181 sera (13.8%) were found positive at 1/5 dilution. Serum neutralization50 (SN50) value of these sera were detected at different titers which varied from 1/7.08 to 1/79.5.

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In this study Rubella virus antibody levels were investigated by using ELISA and IFAT in 94 sera obtained from girl students in Gülhane Military Medical Academy nursing college. We have propagated Rubella virus in BHK-21 cell line for production Rubella virus antigen in order to use IFAT. 81 sera IgG (86.2%) and 29 sera IgM (30.9%) were found positive in ELISA. However 76 sera (80.9%) IgG and 27 sera (28.7%) were positive in IFAT. On the other hand we have obtained suspected results in 8 sera (8.5%) with 1/10 dilution in IgG ELISA and in 3 sera (3.2%) with the same dilution in IgM ELISA. One of 29 sera which are ELISA IgM positive have established 80 IU/ml RF. We can say that ELISA is more reliable sensitive and practical than IFAT. It may be considered 29 student who have Rubella IgM antibody may be infected or reinfected by Rubella virus with in the last six months. On the other hand they may also infected with Parvovirus or some other viruses. We believe that the causes of false positive Rubella IgM antibody results should be investigated well enough.

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