Browsing by Author "Kilimcioglu, AA"
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Item Putative Bronchopulmonary Flagellated Protozoa in Immunosuppressed Patients(HINDAWI LTD) Kilimcioglu, AA; Havlucu, Y; Girginkardesler, N; Çelik, P; Yereli, K; Özbilgin, AFlagellated protozoa that cause bronchopulmonary symptoms in humans are commonly neglected. These protozoal forms which were presumed to be flagellated protozoa have been previously identified in immunosuppressed patients in a number of studies, but have not been certainly classified so far. Since no human cases of bronchopulmonary flagellated protozoa were reported from Turkey, we aimed to investigate these putative protozoa in immunosuppressed patients who are particularly at risk of infectious diseases. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid samples of 110 immunosuppressed adult patients who were admitted to the Department of Chest Diseases, Hafsa Sultan Hospital of Celal Bayar University, Manisa, Turkey, were examined in terms of parasites by light microscopy. Flagellated protozoal forms were detected in nine (8.2%) of 110 cases. Metronidazole (500 mg b.i.d. for 30 days) was given to all positive cases and a second bronchoscopy was performed at the end of the treatment, which revealed no parasites. In conclusion, immunosuppressed patients with bronchopulmonary symptoms should attentively be examined with regard to flagellated protozoa which can easily be misidentified as epithelial cells.Item A discrepancy between cystic echinococcosis confirmed by ultrasound and seropositivity in Turkish children(ELSEVIER) Özkol, M; Kilimcioglu, AA; Girginkardesler, N; Balcioglu, IC; Sakru, N; Korkmaz, M; Ok, ÜZIn three randomly selected villages of Manisa, Turkey, 630 primary school children were examined for cystic echinococcosis (CE) by a portable ultrasound scanner (US) and chest microfilm. Sera samples of 483 (76.7%) children were tested for anti-E. granulosus antibodies by ELISA and indirect hemagglutination (IHA) tests. Hepatic CE were detected in two cases (0.3%) by US, while 43 (8.9%) and 49 (10.1%) cases were found to be positive for CE by ELISA and IHA, respectively. The high seropositivity levels could have been attributed to extra-abdominal or abortive Echinococcus infections, but probably most of them were false-positives. Due to the discrepancy in results, US should be selected as the primary test in field studies and serologic tests should be performed in all cases with suspected lesions. We could not find any reported community based study on CE in Turkey, in which US was applied; but our results suggest that extensive epidemiological studies are required. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All fights reserved.Item Two novel serum-free media for the culture of Trichomonas vaginalis(SPRINGER) Limoncu, ME; Kilimcioglu, AA; Kurt, Ö; Östan, I; Özkütük, N; Özbilgin, ADefinitive 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.Item Health inequities(BMC) Östan, I; Kilimcioglu, AA; Girginkardesler, N; Özyurt, BC; Limoncu, ME; Ok, ÜZBackground: 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 (Ulkem Primary School-UPS, 116 children) and a community-based school (Sehzadeler Primary School-SPS, 236 children). Of these, stool samples could be obtained from a total of 294 students; 97 (83.6%) from UPS, and 197 (83.5%) from SPS. 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 SPS and UPS, 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.Item Design, synthesis, and in vitro biological evaluation of novel thiazolopyrimidine derivatives as antileishmanial compounds(WILEY-V C H VERLAG GMBH) Istanbullu, H; Bayraktar, G; Akbaba, H; Cavus, I; Coban, G; Butuner, BD; Kilimcioglu, AA; Ozbilgin, A; Alptuzun, V; Erciyas, EA series of thiazolopyrimidine derivatives was designed and synthesized as aLeishmania majorpteridine reductase 1 (LmPTR1) enzyme inhibitor. TheirLmPTR1 inhibitor activities were evaluated using the enzyme produced byEscherichia coliin a recombinant way. The antileishmanial activity of the selected compounds was tested in vitro againstLeishmaniasp. Additionally, the compounds were evaluated for cytotoxic activity against the murine macrophage cell line RAW 264.7. According to the results, four compounds displayed not only a potent in vitro antileishmanial activity against promastigote forms but also low cytotoxicity. Among them, compoundL16exhibited an antileishmanial activity for both the promastigote and amastigote forms ofL. tropica, with IC(50)values of 7.5 and 2.69 mu M, respectively. In addition, molecular docking studies and molecular dynamics simulations were also carried out in this study. In light of these findings, the compounds provide a new potential scaffold for antileishmanial drug discovery.Item In vitro Efficacy of Quercus infectoria Oliv. and Achillea millefolium L. Extracts Against Blastocystis spp. Isolates(KAFKAS UNIV, VETERINER FAKULTESI DERGISI) Özbilgin, A; Durmuskahya, C; Kilimcioglu, AA; Kayalar, H; Kurt, Ö; Ermis, VÖ; Tabak, T; Östan, IBlastocystis 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 (R) methods, respectively. The results showed that LC50 (500 mu g/ml) and EC50 (198.8 mu g/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 English(0001-706X) Kilimcioglu, AA; Girginkardesler, N; Korkmaz, M; Özkol, M; Düzgün, F; Östan, I; Pabuscu, Y; Dinç, G; Ok, ÜZELSEVIERItem Transmission of Dientamoeba fragilis(ELSEVIER IRELAND LTD) Girginkardesler, N; Kurt, O; Kilimcioglu, AA; Ok, UZThe role of Enterobius vermicularis in the transmission of Dientamoeba fragilis has been evaluated in two groups of patients admitted to the Parasitology Laboratory of Celal Bayar University: one group with E. vermicularis infection (n = 187, Pinworm Group), and the other with D. fragilis infection (n = 126, Dientamoeba Group). The presence of the other parasite, pinworm or Dientamoeba, was investigated with the microscopic examination of cellophane tape and stool samples for three consecutive days. In the Pinworm Group, 9.6% of the patients were found to be coinfected with D. fragilis, while 25.4% of the patients in the Dientamoeba Group were found to be coinfected with pinworms. The coincidence rates of D. fragilis and E. vermicularis, higher than the prevalence of each parasite in similar populations, suggest a common relation between these two parasites, possibly in entering the human body. E. vermicularis infection was found to be significantly more common in younger children (p < 0.001), indicating that younger children may also be at higher risk for D. fragilis infection. These findings also raise the question of whether the unrelated symptoms of the pinworm infected patients such as abdominal pain and diarrhea may actually be due to overlooked Dientamoeba infections. (C) 2007 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.Item Efficacy of azithromycin in a murine toxoplasmosis model, employing a Toxoplasma gondii strain from Turkey(ELSEVIER SCIENCE BV) Degerli, K; Kilimcioglu, AA; Kurt, Ö; Tamay, AT; Özbilgin, AA murine toxoplasmosis model with Balb/C mice was used to investigate the therapeutic and prophylactic efficacy of azithromycin in a native strain of Toxoplasma gondii. Initially, seven groups-four studies and three controls-were established and 10(3) tachyzoites of this native strain of T. gondii were injected intraperitoneally to the mice in groups 1, 2, 3, 4 and 7. Azithromycin was given to groups 1-4 at different times of infection orally between 100 and 300 mg/kg/day for 10 days. Azithromycin was found to be effective at 200 mg/kg/day and above in the prophylaxis, at 250 mg/kg/day and above in the treatment of toxoplasmosis. These results suggest that azithromycin is effective in the prophylaxis and early infection of a highly virulent strain of T. gondii, and it doubled the survival time in the late infection. Azithromycin could be an alternative treatment regimen for human toxoplasmosis, if supported by further clinical investigations. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.Item English(0001-706X) Ok, UZ; Özkol, M; Kilimcioglu, AA; Dinç, G; Bayindir, P; Östan, I; Pabusçu, Y; Özcan, C; Korkmaz, M; Coskun, S; Yüksel, H; Girginkardesler, NELSEVIER SCIENCE BVItem Comparison of culture media in the isolation and diagnosis of cutaneous leishmaniasis(ACADEMIC JOURNALS) Özbilgin, A; Zeyrek, F; Limoncu, ME; Östan, I; Tabak, T; Asar, K; Türkmen, H; Kilimcioglu, AALeishmaniasis is a common and significant parasitic disease among the Middle East and Mediterranean countries. Cutaneous and visceral forms of leishmaniasis are seen in Turkey. Direct microscopic examination of Giemsa-stained smears and inoculation into a culture medium are gold standards in diagnosis. In the present study, three diffferent culture media (pepton-yeast extract, brain heart and nutrient broth) were used in comparison with Novy-MacNeal-Nicolle and RPMI 1640 as control media to assess the effectiveness of new culture media both in diagnosis in patients and after isolation from the mice. In addition, smears prepared from the infectious material were stained with Giemsa and examined under a light microscope. Samples obtained from the lesions of cutaneous leishmaniasis produced on the sole of mice were inoculated into all culture media; growth were detected in pepton-yeast extract and nutrient broth media. Smears prepared from the lesions of these mice were stained with Giemsa and amastigotes were detected on them. Growth was also seen in control media. Five of 12 cultivations of the human samples suspected of having cutaneous leishmaniasis revealed growth in pepton-yeast extract medium and nutrient broth medium. Microscopic examination of these five patients showed the presence of amastigotes and growth in control media, while none was observed in the remaining seven cases. These results indicated that pepton-yeast extract and nutrient broth media could be preferred in both isolation of the parasites and diagnosis of cutaneous leishmaniasis.Item In vitro Susceptibility of Trichomonas vaginalis to Metronidazole, Ornidazole and Proton Pump Inhibitors Pantoprazole and Esomeprazole(ANKARA MICROBIOLOGY SOC) Aksoy Gökmen, A; Girginkardesler, N; Kilimcioglu, AA; Sirin, MC; Özbilgin, AThe current treatment of trichomoniasis is based on the use of 5-nitroimidazole derivatives. Although metronidazole is reliable, inexpensive and highly effective against anaerobic microorganisms and protozoa, the development of metronidazole-resistant T.vaginalis strains pose to an increasing problem. Nitroimidazoles are compounds having azomycin (2-nitroimidazole) chemical structure and are obtained from Streptomyces strains. Benzimidazole, which is found in the structure of proton pump inhibitors, is also present in the other components that have antiprotozoal activity. In this study, the in vitro susceptibility of T.vaginalis against metronidazole, ornidazole, and the proton pump inhibitors which are tested recently as antiprotozoal agents; pantoprazole and esomeprazole was investigated. For this purpose a clinical T.vaginalis strain which was formerly isolated and stored after cryopreservation process in our laboratory was used. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum lethal concentration (MLC) values of those agents against to this strain were determined in vitro by dilution method in 24-well cell culture plates. Trypticase yeast extract maltose medium, horse serum and antibiotic (penicillin + streptomycin) were distributed to each well of cell culture plates and after metronidazole, ornidazole, pantoprazole and esomeprazole solutions were added to two wells for each as 800, 400, 200, 100, 50 and 25 mu g/ml, followed by the addition of 1 ml 5x10(3) T.vaginalis trophozoites into each well. Plates were incubated at 37 degrees C, and viability and motility of the trophozoites were evaluated under light microscope at 24, 48 and 72 hours after incubation. MIC and MLC values of metronidazole/ornidazole in the 72th hour were found as 50 mu g/ml and 100 mu g/ml, respectively. MIC and MLC values for pantoprazole in the 72th hour were 200 mu g/ml and 400 mu g/ml, while the values for esomeprazole were 400 mu g/ml ve 800 mu g/ml, respectively. As a result, T.vaginalis strain used in the study was susceptible to metronidazole and ornidazole, besides, it was considered that pantoprazole and esomeprazole were also effective to the parasite and could be used as alternative drugs. However, further in vitro and clinical studies are clearly needed on the antiprotozoal effects of proton pump inhibitors. To our knowledge, this study was the first in literature, which esomeprazole's susceptibility on T.vaginalis was investigated in vitro.Item Effect of trimethoprim-sulfamethaxazole in Blastocystis hominis infection(NATURE PUBLISHING GROUP) Ok, ÜZ; Girginkardesler, N; Balcioglu, C; Ertan, P; Pirildar, T; Kilimcioglu, AAOBJECTIVE: Blastocystis hominis (B. hominis) is a common intestinal parasite that has long been considered nonpathogenic. Recently there have been many reports supporting a role for the organism as a potential pathogen. We performed a study to examine the pathogenicity of B. hominis and the effect of trimethoprim-sulfamethaxazole (TMP-SMX) on this organism. METHODS: Stool samples of patients, who came to the Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Celal Bayar University, were examined by direct wet-mount, trichrome staining, formalin-ethyl acetate concentration, and Kinyoun acid fast techniques for intestinal parasites, and bacteriological stool cultures were performed. Fifty-three symptomatic patients (38 children and 15 adults) with two consequent stool samples positive for abundant B, hominis (five or more organisms per x400 field! and negative for other parasitic and bacterial pathogens were treated with TMP-SMX for 7 days, children 6 mg/kg TMP, 30 mg/kg SMX, and adults 320 mg TMP, 1600 mg SMX, daily. On the seventh day, at the end of treatment, stool samples of all patients were examined by same methods, and clinical symptoms were again evaluated. RESULTS: B. hominis was eradicated in 36 of 38 (94.7%) children, and 14 of 15 (93.3%) adults. Clinical symptoms disappeared in 39 (73.6%), decreased in 10(18.9%), and no change was observed in one (1.9%) patient, whereas symptoms persisted in all three (5.7%) patients in whom B. hominis could not be eradicated. Mean number of stools per day was significantly decreased from 4.3 to 1.2 in the 33 children (p < 0.001), and decreased from 3.5 to 1.0 in the four adults (p = 0.06) With diarrhea. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggested that B. hominis may be pathogenic, especially when it is present in large numbers, and TMP-SMX is highly effective against this organism. Although there are some anecdotal reports, to our knowledge this is the first study examining the effect of TMP-SMX on B. hominis in humans. (C) 1999 by Am. Coil. of Gastroenterology.Item The value of ultrasonography alone in screening surveys of cystic echinococcosis in children in Turkey(ELSEVIER IRELAND LTD) Kilimcioglu, AA; Özkol, M; Bayindir, P; Girginkardesler, N; Östan, I; Ok, ÜZA 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. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.Item Cystic Echinococcosis in Humans in Turkey(ANKARA MICROBIOLOGY SOC) Ok, ÜZ; Kilimcioglu, AA; Özkol, MAlthough cystic echinococcosis (CE) is quite prevalent in Turkey, it is extremely neglected due to being usually asymptomatic for years and frequently not to be reported although it is obligatory. Most of the data on the prevalence of CE in humans in Turkey are based on hospital records, reported cases and the studies based on serological methods and they do not reflect the truth. The fact that detecting no cysts in most of the seropositive cases limits the value of researches based on serological tests. The most valuable epidemiologic data on CE are obtained by mass screening surveys with the use of portable ultrasonography (US) and it took the place of serological tests, especially in the last 20 years. Two of 190 cases older than 20 years were found to be positive for CE in a village of Konya city at the first study that US was performed in Turkey. At the first research performed on preliminary school children in Manisa Province; of the 630 students examined by US, serology and chest X-ray, 2 (0.3%) were diagnosed as CE by US. Only US was used at the second study, and hydatid cysts were observed in 3 (0.5%) of the 575 students in two villages; these data suggested that the use of US alone was more easy, fast and beneficial in the field studies. In the third research, 6093 students from 37 different schools of Manisa Province were selected as a representative sample, and 9 (0.2%) children (two previously operated) were found to be positive for CE by US. The only response to the invitation to use this model in different regions of Turkey was from Elazig Province and of the 2500 students selected, six cases (one previously operated) were detected, and the prevalence was found to be 0.2% in Elazig Province. During the same years, of the 102 cases sharing the same living space with 40 patients operated due to CE, 13 (12.7%) were radiologically diagnosed as CE in Van, while CE was diagnosed in 1 (0.5%) of the 209 cases in an area dealing with animal husbandry in Aydin. At the fourth research in Manisa, 4275 students from university were examined by US, while 2034 of these were also serologically tested by ELISA and Western Blot (WB). The efficacy of WB as a screening test in CE was investigated for the first time in the world; six new and three operated cases were detected, and the prevalence was 0.2%. During the research in the rural areas of Bulgaria, Romania and Turkey, of the 8618 cases living in six cities (Ankara, Aksaray, Balikesir, Bitlis, Edirne, Sanliurfa) of Turkey, 53 (0.6%) abdominal CE cases were detected by US and one of every 163 cases in Turkey was found to be infected with CE. This ratio shows that CE is one of the most important public health problems in Turkey. Control of CE is possible with One Health concept. An effective control program and changes in valid laws are needed in Turkey. In this review, the value of different diagnostic procedures have also been discussed.Item Rural life, lower socioeconomic status and parasitic infections(ELSEVIER IRELAND LTD) Balcioglu, IC; Kurt, Ö; Limoncu, ME; Dinç, G; Gümüs, M; Kilimcioglu, AA; Kayran, E; Özbilgin, AThis study was conducted both to assess the prevalence of parasitic infections in two neighboring villages of Manisa province in Turkey, with different socioeconomic levels and investigate the influences of some individual and environmental factors on these infections. A total of 100 school children were enrolled and their cellophane tape and stool samples were examined for parasites. Pediculus capitis infestation was diagnosed by visual inspection of the hair. Although the prevalences of both intestinal parasitosis and pediculosis were high in both villages, there was a statistically significant difference for pediculosis, but not for intestinal parasitosis. Lack of social security and father's regular job were found to be highly correlated with all parasitic infections. Pediculosis was more common in younger children, girls and those in crowded families. These results indicate not only the high prevalence of parasitic infections, but also the urgent need for the improvement of basic health services and infrastructure in the rural areas, crowded with poorer immigrant population. (c) 2007 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.