Purpose
Wound swab cultures are frequently requested from patients suspected of having a wound infection. The quality of the sample should also be evaluated by performing a Gram-stained microscopic ...examination. “Q-scoring system” is not widely used and the literature on the subject is limited.
Methods
A total of 4648 wound swab samples were evaluated. Samples with a Q-score of “0” were considered as “poor quality samples”, and those with a score of “ ≥ 1” were classified as “good quality samples”. Microorganisms grown in the culture of samples that scored above one were identified by mass spectrometry, and antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed.
Results
Gram stain results were found to be consistent with the culture result in 57.10% (n = 1078) of and inconsistent with the culture result in 42.90% (n = 813) of the samples. The number of samples with Q-scores one, two, and three among the 813 samples was 62, 29, and 722, respectively. The value observed in Q3 was found to be statistically significantly higher than the values observed in Q1 and Q2 (
p
< 0.05). Samples sent from surgical departments (61.92%) with a Q-score of ≥ 1, were statistically significant compared to internal medicine departments (
p
< 0.0001). There was no significant difference between samples sent from intensive care units and those sent from other inpatient services. For both groups with Q-scores ≥ 1 and “0” similar microorganisms were identified.
Conclusion
As a conclusion, the Q-scoring system will provide a common language between the laboratory and the clinic, especially by standardizing the evaluation of wound swab samples.
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EMUNI, FIS, FZAB, GEOZS, GIS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, MFDPS, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, SBMB, SBNM, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK, VKSCE, ZAGLJ
Comparative validation and clinical performance data are essential for the reliable interpretation of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) antibody test results. This study ...aimed to assess the performance of six SARS-CoV-2 IgG immunoassays in the context of different disease severities. Four automated chemiluminescence immunoassays (Access Beckman Coulter, Architect Abbott, Atellica-IM Siemens, and Elecsys Roche) as well as two ELISA assays (SARS-CoV-2 IgG-S1-based and NCP IgG Euroimmun) were evaluated using samples from 143 patients as well as 50 pre-pandemic control serum samples. Accuracy and precision tests were performed for validation purposes. Overall sensitivity ranged between 73.38–88.65% and was higher in spike protein-based assays, while the specificity was ≥98% in all immunoassays. The clinical performance of the immunoassays differed depending on disease severity and target antigen. For instance, the IgG response was lower for samples taken <20 days post-symptom onset (87.30%) compared with those taken ≥20 days post-symptom onset (94.80%). Moreover, moderate disease levels led to the highest levels of IgG. Higher levels of antibodies were detected in the clinically moderate disease group. In asymptomatic and mild groups, more antibody positivity was detected with spike protein-based assays. All the assays tested could be used to detect SARS-CoV-2 IgG. However, spike-based assays revealed relatively higher sensitivity rates than nucleoprotein-based assays, particularly in cases of asymptomatic and mild disease.
Invasive aspergillosis (IA) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to present our 10-year IA experience at a single center. Fifty-nine pediatric patients with IA were included ...in this study. The male-to-female ratio was 42/17. The median age was 8.75 years. Hematologic malignancy was present in the majority of the patients (40/59, 68%). The mean neutropenia duration was 18.5 days. Cytosine arabinoside was the most common immunosuppressive therapy directed at T cells during IA diagnosis. IA cases were categorized as proven (27%), probable (51%), or possible (22%) according to the 2008 European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer/Invasive Fungal Infections Cooperative Group and the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Mycoses Study Group (EORTC/MSG) criteria. The lungs (78%) were the most common site of IA, and nodules were the most frequent radiological findings (75.5%). In 38 patients (64.4%) receiving antifungal prophylaxis, prophylactic agents included fluconazole (30.5%), liposomal amphotericin B (23.7%), posaconazole (8.5%), and voriconazole (1.7%). Initial treatment was most commonly administered as monotherapy (69.5%). The median antifungal treatment duration was 67 days. Eleven deaths (18.6%) were due to aspergillosis. With the increased use of corticosteroids, biological agents, and intensive immunosuppressive chemotherapy, IA will most likely continue to occur frequently in pediatric patients.
The inferior hemocompatibility or antibacterial properties of blood‐contacting materials and devices are restraining factors that hinder their successful clinical utilization. To highlight these, a ...plasma‐enhanced modification strategy is favored for surface tailoring of an extensively used biomaterial, polypropylene (PP). The surface activation of the PPs is achieved by oxygen plasma etching and subsequent surface functionalization through amine‐rich precursor mediated coating by plasma glow discharge. After optimum plasma processing parameters are decided, heparin (anticoagulant and antithrombic drug) is either attached or covalently conjugated on the PPs’ surfaces. The aminated films produced at 75 W plasma power with 15 min exposure time are highly hydrophilic (34.72 ± 5.92°) and surface active (65.91 mJ m−2), facilitating high capacity heparin immobilization (≈440 µg cm−2) by covalent linkage. The kinetic‐blood coagulation rate and protein adhesion amount on the plasma‐mediated heparinized PPs are decreased about tenfold and 15‐fold, and platelet adhesion is markedly lowered. In addition, heparinized‐PP surfaces comprise superior antibacterial activity against gram‐positive/‐negative bacteria conveyed particularly by contact‐killing (99%). The heparin‐coating did not cause cytotoxicity on fibroblast cells, instead enhanced their proliferation, as shown by the (3‐(4,5‐Dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐Diphenyltetrazolium Bromide) assay. Overall, this simple methodology is highly proficient in becoming a universal strategy for developing dual‐functionalized blood‐contacting materials.
The host immune system generates an immune response against an implanted material with insufficient hemocompatibility and antibacterial properties. To avoid this, the authors present a single‐step plasma‐mediated heparinization scheme. The proposed strategy successfully enhances the deficient features of conventional polypropylene. Consequently, this modification strategy has shown promise to become a universal method that facilitates the clinical translation of blood‐contacting materials.
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BFBNIB, FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SAZU, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
Abstract
Objectives
Sterile body fluids (BFs) include key information for the diagnosis and monitoring of a variety of diseases. A cornerstone test is the total white blood cell (WBC) count, which ...comprises the differential of WBC of body fluid analysis. It is important to test automated hematology analyzers that should be verified using patient samples. The aim of this study is to compare both the performance of the Sysmex XN-1000 system’s body fluid module for cell counting and differentiation to the results of a cell counting chamber.
Methods
This study was performed on 200 routinely laboratory sent BFs. Cell counts and differentiation were determined with both bright-lined Neubauer Cell Counting Chamber and Sysmex XN-1000 system body fluid mode.
Results
The correlation coefficients of WBC count by two methods indicated very strong correlation (r≥0.90, p<0.0001) for any specimen except pleural fluid. According to Passing-Bablok regression analysis, Sysmex XN-1000 showed acceptable performance according to bias of the slope criteria (<±20%).
Conclusions
The XN-1000 hematological analyzer’s body fluid mode can rapidly count and identify cells, and it can be used as a simple and rapid screening method for laboratory testing of sterile body fluids, particularly in laboratories with a massive quantity of biological fluids.
Background: Counting of cells in sterile body fluids other than blood and
urine provides important diagnostic information. The aim of the study is to
evaluate the performance of the body fluid module ...of Sysmex UF-1000i
system in comparison with cell counting chamber results.
Methods: 71 routinely collected sterile body fluid samples were evaluated.
The samples were cerebrospinal fluid, peritoneal fluid, pleural fluid, synovial
fluid, drain fluid and bile. Cell counts were simultaneously determined with
both bright lined Neubauer Cell Counting Chamber® (Marienfeld, Germany)
and Sysmex UF-1000i BF (Sysmex, Japan) according to the manufacturers’
recommendations. The results were evaluated statistically with interclass
correlation coefficient (ICC) and related p- values were calculated.
Results: There were seven purulent samples. Outliers were seen between
microscopic examination and Sysmex UF-1000i results with purulent
samples. The difference between the cell counts of the two methods was
1979 cells (cells/ml) with outliers, and 69 cells (cells/ml) without outliers. The
ICC with and without outliers were 0.128 and 0.963, respectively. With
outliers, correlation between the two methods was not statistically
significant (p=0.139). Without outliers, correlation between two methods
was statistically significant (p<0.001) and good agreement was observed.
Conclusions: our results showed that especially for macroscopically purulent
samples, counting chambers would still be the best choice for WBC counting,
however for macroscopically non-purulent samples Sysmex UF1000i is a
good alternative instrument for rapid workflow especially in routine
microbiology laboratory in sterile body fluids other than blood and urine.
Children and nutrition Altıncı, Evren Ebru
International journal of human sciences,
07/2017, Volume:
14, Issue:
3
Journal Article
It is possible to raise healthy generations by improving the awareness levels of the role models (parents, teachers etc.) who will shape the perspectives of future parents towards nutrition and ...physical activity. That children receive adequate levels of nutrition from proper sources, which is vital for children’s growth and development, is considerably under the control of external factors (e.g. family and friends’ eating habits, third person’s care/knowledge and experiences such as teachers/trainers etc.). Considering nutrition and the intense physical activity of preschoolers, which is an inherent characteristic of that development stage, and especially the children who are guided to do more intense physical activity, the case becomes more complex. Thus, with the aim to address children’s energy depletion from intense physical activity, it is suggested to provide children with attractive alternatives. Including some of these alternatives, this study aims to reveal the significance of an adequate and balanced diet as well as proper planning of physical activity and periodic assessments at the appropriate time and conditions so that the children who start regular physical activity display optimal performance.
Invasive aspergillosis (IA) is an important cause of morbidity and mortality. In this study, we aimed to present our 10-year IA experience in a single center. Fifty-nine pediatric patients diagnosed ...with IA were included in the study. The male/female ratio of these patients was 42/17. The median age was 8.75 years. Hematologic malignancy was present in the majority of the patients (40/59, 68%). The mean duration of neutropenia was 18.5 days. Cytosine arabinoside was the most common immunosuppressive therapy directed at T-cells at the time of IA diagnosis. IA cases were categorized as proven (27%), probable (51%) and possible (22%) according to the 2008 EORTC/MSG criteria. The most common site of invasive aspergillosis was the lungs (78%) and nodules were the most frequent radiological finding (75.5%). In 38 (64.4%) patients receiving antifungal prophylaxis, prophylactic agents included fluconazole (30.5%), liposomal amphotericin B (23.7%), posaconazole (8.5%) and voriconazole (1.7%) Initial treatment was most commonly administered as monotherapy (69.5%). The median duration of antifungal treatment was 67 days. A total of 11 (18.6%) deaths occurred due to aspergillosis. We will probably continue to see IA frequently in pediatric patients with increased use of corticosteroids, biological agents, and intensive immunosuppressive chemotherapies.
Between 2015 and 2018, a clear increase was noticed in the cases of onychomycosis in which species of Aspergillus were cited as the cause while stimulating studies have been conducted. With this ...case, we call attention to the increasing frequency of Aspergillus niger onychomycosis in recent years and highlight the options for diagnosis and treatment as well as the risk factors and clinical and pathological properties of the disease.
To evaluate the demographic characteristics, clinical presentation, microbiologic profile, and treatment results of patients with primary canaliculitis.
Patients diagnosed and treated for primary ...canaliculitis between May 2014 and May 2021 were analyzed retrospectively.
There were 26 patients with primary canaliculitis, including 17 females (65.4%) and 9 males (34.6%) with a mean age of 50.6±16.4 years (range: 9-80 years). Canaliculitis affected the right eye in 11 patients, the left eye in 13 patients, and bilateral involvement was seen in 2 patients. Inferior canaliculus involvement was more frequent (73%). The most common complaint was epiphora (46.1%). Five patients (19.2%) were wrongly diagnosed as chronic conjunctivitis. The time interval between the beginning of symptoms and canaliculitis diagnosis was 18.2±14.3 months (range: 1-60 months). Canaliculotomy and curettage of canalicular content with dacryolith removal were performed in 23 patients. After surgery, antibiotic irrigation of the canaliculus was added to the treatment regimen in 12 of these 23 patients. Intracanalicular antibiotic therapy was administered to the remaining 3 patients. The most cultured organism was Actinomyces (6 patients).
(1 patient),
(1 patient),
(1 patient),
(1 patient) were also grown in culture. The follow-up time of patients was 26.2±23.7 months (range: 6-83 months). All symptoms and findings resolved in all patients in one month. In two patients, recurrence occurred at 4 and 16 months after surgical treatment. With appropriate treatment, no further recurrence was seen in either patient over 24-month follow-up. One patient presented with iatrogenic canaliculus blockage during follow-up.
Primary canaliculitis is often overlooked and can be misdiagnosed. The most common symptom was epiphora. All patients with epiphora and chronic conjunctivitis should be examined carefully for canaliculitis.
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IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UL, UM, UPUK
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