Browsing by Author "Östan I."
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Item The value of ultrasonography alone in screening surveys of cystic echinococcosis in children in Turkey(2006) Kilimcioǧlu A.A.; Özkol M.; Bayindir P.; Girginkardeşler N.; Östan I.; Ok Ü.Z.A total of 1205 primary school children were examined for cystic echinococcosis in five villages of Manisa, Turkey, to evaluate the efficacy of diagnostic methods of this infection in community-based screening surveys. Six hundred and thirty children from three villages, examined by a portable ultrasound scanner, chest microfilm and serological methods (ELISA, indirect hemagglutination) in our previous study, were designated as Study Group 1; and 575 children, from two adjacent villages, examined by ultrasonography alone in the present study, were designated as Study Group 2. In Study Group 1, hepatic cystic echinococcosis was detected in two cases (0.3%) by ultrasonography, while 43 (8.9%) and 49 (10.1%) cases were found to be positive for cystic echinococcosis by ELISA and indirect hemagglutination, respectively. Three of 575 children (0.5%) were diagnosed with cystic echinococcosis (two hepatic and one renal involvement) by ultrasonography alone in Study Group 2; and lung lesions were later detected in both cases with liver involvement by chest radiography. Our results suggested that serological tests may be beneficial in suspected cases for confirmation and differential diagnosis, but have some drawbacks, such as discrepancy in results and high false seropositivity rates. Chest microfilm is not easy in field studies and exposure to X-ray is undesirable. As a reliable, simple, inexpensive and rapid technique, ultrasonography alone is recommended to be used in community-based screening surveys for cystic echinococcosis with confirmatory tests for suspected cases found during the screening program. © 2006 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.Item Health inequities: Lower socio-economic conditions and higher incidences of intestinal parasites(2007) Östan I.; Kilimcioǧlu A.A.; Girginkardeşler N.; Özyurt B.C.; Limoncu M.E.; Ok Ü.Z.Background. Intestinal parasitic infections affect child health and development and slow down growth, while reducing adults' productivity and work capacity. The aim of the present study was to determine and compare the incidences of intestinal parasitic infections and the socio-economic status of two near primary school children in Manisa, a western city of Turkey. Methods. A total of 352 children were involved a questionnaire study from a private school (Ülkem Primary School - ÜPS, 116 children) and a community-based school (Şehzadeler Primary School - ŞPS, 236 children). Of these, stool samples could be obtained from a total of 294 students; 97 (83.6%) from ÜPS, and 197 (83.5%) from ŞPS. The wet mount preparations of the stool samples were examined; samples were also fixed in polyvinyl alcohol and examined with modified formalin ethyl acetate sedimentation and trichrome staining techniques. Data were analyzed using SPSS for Windows version 10.0. The chi-squared test was used for the analytic assessment. Results. The percentages of the students found to be infected with intestinal parasites, were 78 (39.6%) and 13 (13.4%) in ŞPS and ÜPS, respectively. Totally 91 (31.0%) of the students from both schools were found to be infected with at least one intestinal parasite. Giardia lamblia was found to be the most common pathogenic intestinal parasite and Blastocystis hominis was prevalent independently from the hygienic conditions. The factors which significantly (p < 0.05) increase the incidence of intestinal parasites were uneducated and unemployed mother, lower social status of father, living in crowded houses with insufficient indoor spaces, using the tap water as drinking water, and living at shanty areas. Conclusion. Intestinal parasitic infections in school children were found to be a public health problem that increased due to lower socio-economic conditions. We conclude that organization of education seminars including the topics such as prevention of the infectious diseases, improving general hygienic conditions, and application of supportive programs for the parents may be suggested not only to reduce intestinal parasitic infections, but also to elevate the socio-cultural levels. © 2007 Östan et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.Item In vitro and in vivo activities of Haplophyllum myrtifolium against Leishmania tropica(2007) Östan I.; Saǧlam H.; Limoncu M.E.; Ertabaklar H.; Toz S.Ö.; Özbel Y.; Özbilgin A.This study aimed to evaluate the in vitro and in vivo leishmanicidal activity of an endemic Turkish plant and compare its efficacy with a reference drug. In addition to the in vitro activities of the ethanol, acidified and alkaloid extracts and furoquinoline alkaloids skimmianine and γ-fagarine, in vivo antileishmanial activitiy of the acidified extract of HaplophyUum myrtifolium Boiss. (Rutaceae) were investigated against Leishmania tropica (L. tropica), a causative agent of cutaneous leishmaniasis. All the extracts and pure compounds showed in vitro inhibitory activity against the promastigotes of. L tropica. The in vitro 50% inhibitory concentrations of γ-fagarine, acidified extract, ethanol extract, skimmianine and alkaloid extract against promastigotes were determined as 8.7,9.4,10.9,25.7 and 25.8 μ/ml respectively. In vivo results of HaplophyUum myrtifolium acidified extract showed that this plant has a limited effect on decreasing the lesion size of experimental mice infected with Leishmania tropica. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time both the in vitro and in vivo antileishmanial activity of HaplophyUum mrytifolium have been reported in the same research.Item A province-based study using sampling method to investigate the prevalence of cystic echinococcosis among primary school children in Manisa, Turkey(2007) Ok U.Z.; Özkol M.; Kilimcioǧlu A.A.; Dinç G.; Bayindir P.; Östan I.; Pabuşçu Y.; Özcan C.; Korkmaz M.; Coşkun S.; Yüksel H.; Girginkardeşler N.A province-based field study using a portable ultrasound scanner (US) was performed for the first time using sampling method to investigate the prevalence of cystic echinococcosis (CE) in primary school children in Manisa, Turkey. A total of 6093 children from 37 primary schools was selected as the representative sample of the total number of 166,766 primary school children, and examined by the US. Prevalence was found to be 0.15%, as nine children were diagnosed with CE, seven new and two previously operated. A questionnaire applied to the children revealed no significant relationship between the risk factors and the infection (P > 0.05). In conclusion, it would be advisable to repeat the study at the same schools in eight years' time, in order to evaluate the efficacy of the control programs, since nearly all students involved in this study will have graduated by then. Besides, it is recommended to choose a sampling group to find the prevalence of an infection in a defined region. © 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.Item Two novel serum-free media for the culture of Trichomonas vaginalis(2007) Limoncu M.E.; Kilimcioǧlu A.A.; Kurt Ö.; Östan I.; Özkütük N.; Özbilgin A.Definitive diagnosis of Trichomonas vaginalis, one of the common causes of sexually transmitted diseases in Turkey, relies on the microscopic examination of both fresh preparations and culture material of genital secretions and urine. The aim of this study was to compare the diagnostic efficacies of two culture media, serum-free TB1 and TB2, including iron and vitamin B12, respectively, with the well-known medium, TYM. Growth rate reached peak levels 48 h in TYM and 72 h in both TB1 and TB2 after inoculation. The highest amount of viable trophozoites has been obtained from TB1, almost equal to TYM but significantly higher than TB2. Fresh preparations obtained from the vaginal secretions of 119 patients have been examined and vaginal samples have been inoculated in TB1, TB2, and TYM. Viable T. vaginalis trophozoites have been detected in ten (8.4%) of fresh preparations and 11 (9.9%) of each medium. It is concluded that serum-free TB1 medium could be used effectively in both the isolation and maintenance of T. vaginalis culture in vitro. © 2006 Springer-Verlag.Item The prevalence of intestinal parasites in the province of Izmir, Turkey(2008) Dagci H.; Kurt Ö.; Demirel M.; Östan I.; Azizi N.R.; Mandiracioglu A.; Yurdagül C.; Tanyüksel M.; Eroglu E.; Ak M.Stool samples of a total of 2,047 people in Izmir province were examined by wet mount, formalin ethyl acetate concentration, and trichrome staining methods with an aim to reveal the prevalence of intestinal parasites in Izmir together with related personal and environmental risk factors. Geographical mapping showing the density and variation of the species of intestinal parasites in Izmir was done after all maps were scaled, and the coordinates were determined with GeoMedia5.0®. The prevalence of the intestinal parasites was found to be 25.6 % in Izmir, with a variation between the districts. Blastocystis hominis was the leading parasite, and the prevalence of parasites was higher in children compared to adults; however, the difference was statistically insignificant. There was also no significant difference between the parasite prevalence and sex, marital status, education, income, frequent eating outside, and habitual raw meat eating. Significant differences were found between the parasite prevalence and crowded families, early immigrants, individuals with no social security, and people living in close contact with their livestock. The parasites were found to be less common among individuals who had been drinking bottled water and living in a house with a sewage system. The results demonstrated a correlation between the intestinal parasites and environmental conditions in our study group. We further plan to expand the study group to cover all regions of Turkey. © 2008 Springer-Verlag.Item [Cryopreservation of plasmodia with malaria models and establishment of a cryobank].; [Sitma modeli etkenleri ile kriyoprezervasyon çalişmalari ve kriyobanka oluşturulmasi.](2010) Özbilgin A.; Östan I.; Tabak T.; Aşar K.Cryopreservation is simply a method of keeping living cells frozen with the chance of regaining cellular viability, functions and antigenic structures whenever required, after heating. In the present study, dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO) was mixed with the red blood cells having 20% of parasitemia obtained from the mice infected with Plasmodium yoelii and Plasmodium berghei at a final concentration of 15%. For cryopreservation: both test tubes containing each Plasmodium species were kept 10 minutes at room temperature, 30 minutes at +4°C, 90 minutes at -20°C and finally at -80°C. Some were left at this temperature, while some were transferred into the liquid nitrogen tank at -196°C after being left at -80°C for three hours. Our observations and assessments demonstrated that both P. yoelii and P. berghei might keep their viability and virulence at -80°C and -196°C between the first and the sixth months of cryopreservation. It can be concluded that the cryopreservation of P. yoelii and P. berghei at -80°C and -196°C are successful, indicating the advantage of the establishment of parasite cryobanks in research laboratories.Item In vitro efficacy of quercus infectoria Oliv. and achillea millefolium l. extracts against blastocystis spp. isolates; [Quercus infectoria oliv. ve achillea millefolium l. ekstrelerinin blastocystis spp. i̇zolatlarına in vitro etkileri](Veteriner Fakultesi Dergisi, 2013) ÖzbIlgIn A.; Durmuşkahya C.; KIlImcIoǧlu A.A.; Kayalar H.; Kurt Ö.; ErmIş V.Ö.; Tabak T.; Östan I.Blastocystis is a common intestinal parasite that can inhabit the intestinal tract of humans and many animals. Despite it was firstly described almost 100 years ago; many subjects are still under debate about Blastocystis, including its life-cycle, pathogenic potential and treatment of infected individuals. Historically, local plant species have been used for therapeutic purposes by the local people of Anatolia. Here, hexane and methanol extracts of two local plants, Quercus infectoria (Fagaceae) and Achillea millefolium, which have been used against diarrhea in Anatolia, were examined for their in vitro efficacies against Blastocystis. LC50 and EC50 values of the plant extracts were determined by Brine Shrimp and Graphpad Prism 5® methods, respectively. The results showed that LC50 (500 μg/ml) and EC50 (198.8 μg/ml) concentrations of the methanol extract of A. millefolium were lowest compared to other extracts, its anti-Blastocystis activity was found to be comparable to metronidazole and it showed no cytotoxic activity. These initial results suggest that the methanol extract of A. millefolium may be a novel option for the treatment of Blastocystis infections in humans in future, if confirmed by further, larger-scale studies.Item Leishmaniasis in Turkey: Determination of Leishmania species by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS)(Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS), 2014) Culha G.; Akyar I.; Yildiz Zeyrek F.; Kurt Ö.; Gündüz C.; Özensoy Töz S.; Östan I.; Cavus I.; Gülkan B.; Kocagöz T.; Özbel Y.; Özbilgin A.Background: Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is endemic in Southeastern Anatolia, mainly in Sanliurfa and Hatay provinces, and the causative agents are mostly Leishmania tropica and less frequently L. infantum. Here, we report the first MALDI-TOF analyses of Leishmania promastigotes obtained from the cultures of two CL cases from Osmaniye and Hatay provinces who were initially diagnosed by microscopy, culture and identified as L. infantum with Real-Time PCR (RT-PCR). Methods: Samples obtained from the skin lesions of patients were initially stained with Giemsa and cultivated in NNN medium. Examination of the smears and cultures revealed Leishmania amastigotes and promastigotes, respectively. The promastigotes (MHOM/TR/2012/CBU15 and MHOM/TR/2012/MK05) obtained from the cultures of both patients were used for RT-PCR targeting the ITS-1 region in the SSU of rRNA. The reference strains of four Leishmania species (L. infantum, L. donovani, L. tropica and L. major) were initially assessed with MALDI-TOF and their data were added to MALDI-TOF Biotyper Library. Results: Both RT-PCR and MALDI-TOF analyses indicated that the causative agent in both patient samples was L. infantum. Conclusion: Despite disadvantages such as requirement of culture fluid with nothing but promastigotes and high cost, MALDI-TOF analysis may be a fast, sensitive and specific diagnostic tool in especially large-scale research studies, where the cost declines, relatively.Item Leishmaniasis in Turkey: First clinical isolation of Leishmania major from 18 autochthonous cases of cutaneous leishmaniasis in four geographical regions(Blackwell Publishing Ltd, 2016) Özbilgin A.; Çulha G.; Uzun S.; Harman M.; Topal S.G.; Okudan F.; Zeyrek F.; Gündüz C.; Östan I.; Karakuş M.; Töz S.; Kurt Ö.; Akyar I.; Erat A.; Güngör D.; Kayabaşi Ç.; Çavuş I.; Bastien P.; Pratlong F.; Kocagöz T.; Özbel Y.Objective: To report isolation of Leishmania major strains obtained from 18 Turkish autochthonous cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) patients infected with L. major between 2011 and 2014. Methods: Initial diagnosis relied on microscopy and culture in enriched medium, prepared by adding specific amounts of liver extract, protein and lipid sources to NNN medium. Promastigotes were then transferred to RPMI medium including 10% of foetal calf serum for mass culture. Species-specific real-time PCR targeting ITS1 region of Leishmania spp. was performed using both lesion aspiration samples and cultured promastigotes. Two of 18 isolates were identified by isoenzyme analysis in the Leishmaniasis Reference Center in Montpellier, France. Each isolate was inoculated into the footpads of six mice to observe the pathogenicity of L. major. Developing lesions were observed, and the thickening of footpads was measured weekly. Results: Melting curve analyses of 18 isolates showed a peak concordant with L. major, and two of them were confirmed by isoenzyme analyses as L. major zymodeme MON103. In the mouse model, acute lesions seen on day 21 were accepted as an indication of heavy infection. Severe impairments were observed on all mouse footpads over 3 weeks, which even progressed to extremity amputation. Conclusion: Cutaneous leishmaniasis-causing L. major was recently identified in Adana province in southern Turkey, with PCR. Our study shows that such CL cases are not limited to Adana but currently present from western to Southeastern Anatolia, and along the Mediterranean coast. The role of small mammals, the main reservoirs of L. major in Anatolia, needs to be elucidated, as do the underlying factors that cause severe clinical manifestations in L. major infections in Turkey, contrary to the infections in neighbouring countries. © 2016 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.