Browsing by Author "Limoncu M.E."
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Item A new experimental in vitro culture medium for cultivation of Leishmania species(American Society for Microbiology, 1997) Limoncu M.E.; Balcioglu I.C.; Yereli K.; Ozbel Y.; Ozbilgin A.A new liquid culture medium prepared with chemicals that can be obtained economically and commercially was tested in in vitro cultivation of Leishmania promastigotes to obtain a large number of organisms to use in serological studies. The number of Leishmania infantum and Leishmania tropica promastigotes taken from Novy-MacNeal-Nicolle (NNN) medium reached 1 x 107/ml at the end of the 8th day in our new medium, though in NNN medium the number of organisms reached only 5 x 106/ml. After 10 subsequent passages, the culture medium prepared was evaluated as being quite inexpensive, simple, and successful compared with other commercially available liquid culture media.Item Is there an association between clinical symptoms and intestinal parasitic infections?(2005) Limoncu M.E.; Kurt Ö.; Gümüş M.; Kayran E.; Balcioǧlu I.C.; Dinç G.; Özbilgin A.Intestinal parasitic infections are major causes of childhood diseases in rural regions. The significant causes of this problem are the insufficient resources to improve the infrastructure in these regions and inadequate health services in both the diagnosis and treatment of diseases. The aim of this study was to assess the association between intestinal parasitic infections and clinical symptoms of infected children. Cellophane tape and stool samples of 100 children, aged between 7-10 years, from two villages of Manisa city, were examined for intestinal parasites and their symptoms were recorded. Although some symptoms, such as abdominal pain, anorexia and fatigue were found to be common in infected children, no significant relationship was found between symptoms and intestinal parasitic infections. © 2005 Bioscience Ediprint Inc.Item Evaluation of malaria cases in Manisa from 2002 to 2004; [Manisa ilinde 2002-2004 yillari arasinda saptanan sitma olgularinin deǧerlendirilmesi.](2006) Ostan I.; Limoncu M.E.; Tüysüz M.A.; Köroǧlu G.; Ozbilgin A.The province of Manisa is a relatively well developed agricultural and industrial center in western Turkey. There is a regular and extensive influx of workers from malaria-endemic regions of Anatolia to the province of Manisa during certain periods of the year, leading to contact between the local people and incoming workers. Major seasonal elevations can be detected in the prevalence of malaria in the province of Manisa and therefore an active fight against malaria is still carried out. In the present study, malaria cases detected and reported by the Malaria Control Dispensary of the Manisa City Health Centre during the last 3 years in Manisa have been evaluated. Comparison of present and prior data of malaria prevalence in Manisa has shown a remarkable decrease in recent years. A total of 14, 5 and 5 cases were reported in 2002, 2003 and 2004, respectively. Classification of the cases according to their origin (local or immigrant), age and the time diagnosis was also presented.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 Rural life, lower socioeconomic status and parasitic infections(2007) Balcioglu I.C.; Kurt Ö.; Limoncu M.E.; Dinç G.; Gümüş M.; Kilimcioglu A.A.; Kayran E.; Özbilgin A.This 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. © 2007 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. 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 Isosporiasis in an immunocompetent child: case report; [Baǧişiklik sistemi saǧlam bir çocukta isosporiasis: Olgu Sunumu.](2007) Balcioǧlu I.C.; Köse S.; Kayran E.; Limoncu M.E.; Kurt O.; Ozbilgin A.A 12-year old boy was presented as a case report. He had been diagnosed with isosporiasis during a field study, conducted in a village of Manisa province, during an investigation of the incidence of intestinal parasites.Item Plastic detection comb better than visual screening for diagnosis of head louse infestation(2008) Balcioglu C.; Burgess I.F.; Limoncu M.E.; Şahin M.T.; Ozbel Y.; Bilaç C.; Kurt O.; Larsen K.S.Finding lice can be difficult in head louse infestation. We compared a new louse detection comb with visual inspection. All children in two rural Turkish schools were screened by the two methods. Those with lice were offered treatment and the results monitored by detection combing. Children with nits only were re-screened to identify latent infestations. Using visual inspection we found 214/461 children (46%) with nits but only 30 (6·5%) with live lice. In contrast detection combing found 96 (21%) with live lice, of whom 20 had no nits. Detection combing was 3·84 times more effective than visual inspection for finding live lice. Only 10/138 (7·2%) children with nits and no lice were found to have active infestation by day 16. We found that the detection comb is significantly (P < 0·001) more effective than visual screening for diagnosis; that nits are not a good indicator of active infestation; and that treatment with 1% permethrin was 89̇6% effective. © 2008 Copyright © 2008 Cambridge University Press.Item The prevalence of intestinal parasites and nasal S. aureus carriage among food handlers(2008) Gündüz T.; Limoncu M.E.; Çümen S.; Ari A.; Etiz S.; Tay Z.Food handlers play a major role in the transmission of food-borne diseases. Nasal Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) carriage and intestinal parasitism are important risk factors in contamination. The purpose of the authors' study was to determine the prevalence of intestinal parasites and nasal S. aureus carriage among food handlers in Manisa, Turkey. The authors investigated 8,895 people for nasal S. aureus carriage and intestinal parasites. Nasal swab materials and stool samples were examined, and anal cellophane band method was performed. The authors found that S. aureus was isolated in 69 (0.77%) samples. All S. aureus strains were oxacilline sensitive. Intestinal parasites were found in 784 (8.8%) samples. The most common parasites were Entamoeba histolytica (69.9%) and Giardia intestinalis (24.6%). The authors conclude that food handlers should be screened and treated from time to time and that a periodic program of health education on food safety and hygiene should be given.Item Treatment of head lice with dimeticone 4% lotion: Comparison of two formulations in a randomised controlled trial in rural Turkey(2009) Kurt Ö.; Balcioǧlu I.C.; Burgess I.F.; Limoncu M.E.; Girginkardeşler N.; Tabak T.; Muslu H.; Ermiş Z.; Sahin M.T.; Bilac C.; Kavur H.; Özbel Y.Background. Dimeticone 4% lotion was shown to be an effective treatment for head louse infestation in two randomised controlled trials in England. It is not affected by insecticide resistance but efficacy obtained (70-75%) was lower than expected. This study was designed to evaluate efficacy of dimeticone 4% lotion in a geographically, socially, and culturally different setting, in rural Turkey and, in order to achieve blinding, it was compared with a potential alternative formulation. Methods. Children from two village schools were screened for head lice by detection combing. All infested students and family members could participate, giving access to treatment for the whole community. Two investigator applied treatments were given 7 days apart. Outcome was assessed by detection combing three times between treatments and twice the week following second treatment. Results. In the intention to treat group 35/36 treated using dimeticone 4% had no lice after the second treatment but there were two protocol violators giving 91.7% treatment success. The alternative product gave 30/36 (83.3%) treatment success, a difference of 8.4% (95% CI -9.8% to 26.2%). The cure rates per-protocol were 33/34 (97.1%) and 30/35 (85.7%) respectively. We were unable to find any newly emerged louse nymphs on 77.8% of dimeticone 4% treated participants or on 66.7% of those treated with the alternative formulation. No adverse events were identified. Conclusion. Our results confirm the efficacy of dimeticone 4% lotion against lice and eggs and we found no detectable difference between this product and dimeticone 4% lotion with nerolidol 2% added. We believe that the high cure rate was related to the lower intensity of infestation in Turkey, together with the level of community engagement, compared with previous studies in the UK. Trial Registration. Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN10431107.Item Are regular controls conducted in schools adequate in lowering the incidence of head lice (Pediculus capitis) infestation?; [Okullarda düzenli aralıklarla gerçekleştirilen kontroller saç biti (Pediculus capitis) insidansını düşürmekte yeterli olabilir mi?](Veteriner Fakultesi Dergisi, 2012) Balcioğlu İ.C.; Kurt Ö.; Limoncu M.E.; Ermiş V.Ö.; Tabak T.; Oyur T.; Muslu H.; Kavur H.; Görgün S.; Girginkardeşler N.; Yereli K.; Bilaç C.; Özbel Y.In the present study, school children of similar age-groups from two villages of Manisa province, namely Osmancalı and Maldan, were examined in regular time periods to monitorize the changes in the incidence of head lice (Pediculus capitis). A total of 2091 children (1565 in Osmancalı and 526 in Maldan) were combed with a newly-designed lice comb (PDC®, KSL Consulting, Helsinge, Denmark) four times in May and November in 2008 and 2009. The assessment of the results was conducted with SPSS® v.15 program using CHAID and logistic regression analysis. The results of the periodic examinations of the children showed that the infestation rate of girls were found to be higher significantly compared to boys (P<0.001), and the incidence of head lice infestation in boys from Osmancalı was found three times higher than the incidence in boys in Maldan (P=0.002). In addition, regular dry combing and treatment lowered the infestation rates among girls significantly (P=0.001). According to the results of the study, regular dry combing of school children with specially-designed lice combs may be essential for the control of this common infestation, especially in rural areas. © 2012, Veteriner Fakultesi Dergisi. All rights reserved.Item Investigation of in vitro antileishmanial activity of moxifloxacin, linezolid and caspofungin on Leishmania tropica promastigotes.(2013) Limoncu M.E.; Eraç B.; Gürpinar T.; Özbilgin A.; Balcioǧlu I.C.; Hoşgör-Limoncu M.This study aimed to evaluate the potential in vitro anti-leishmanial activities of moxifloxacin, linezolid and caspofungin against Leishmania tropica. In vitro effects of all agents were studied by using the microdilution method. For this purpose, serial dilutions of the aforementioned agents were prepared in concentrations between 4096 μg/mL-0.008 μg/mL. Afterwards, promastigotes incubated in suitable medium were counted with the hemocytometer and adjusted as having a last concentration of 2.5 x 10(6) cells/mL in wells containing medium+antibiotic or antifungal. After incubation live promastigotes were counted with the hemocytometer and inhibitor concentrations (IC(50)) were determined by comparing with the control that contained no antibiotics or antifungal. IC(50) values of moxiloxacin, linezolid and caspofungin were found as 194.7 μg/mL, 896 μg/mL and 235.7 μg/mL, respectively. As a result, moxifloxacin was found to be effective in lower concentrations than the other studied agents against L. tropica promastigotes.Item Synthesis and antileishmanial activity of novel pyridinium-hydrazone derivatives(2013) Alptuzun V.; Cakiroglu G.; Limoncu M.E.; Erac B.; Hosgor-Limoncu M.; Erciyas E.A series of substituted phenylethylidenehydrazinylpyridinium derivatives bearing methyl, ethyl, propyl, and propylphenyl groups on the pyridinium nitrogen were synthesized and evaluated for in vitro antileishmanial activity against Leishmania tropica by using the microdilution method. Among the tested compounds, 3d, 5c, 3b, and 3c were found to be the most active derivatives against the promastigotes of L. tropica (IC50 values are 6.90, 9.92, 11.69 and 12.03 μM, respectively) and to be more active than reference drug meglumine antimonaite (glucantime) (IC50 value: 20.49 μM). The derivatives investigated in this study may have the potential to be lead compound against leishmanial infection. © 2013 Informa UK, Ltd.Item Epidemiological profile of onychomycosis in the elderly living in the nursing homes(Elsevier Masson SAS, 2014) Gunduz T.; Gunduz K.; Degerli K.; Limoncu M.E.Introduction Few data is available about the prevalence and the causative microorganisms of onychomycosis in the elderly. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and types of onychomycosis in the elderly people living in the nursing homes and to determine the responsible fungal agents. Methods Elderly people living in nursing homes were examined for onychomycosis. Nails with color and structure changes were suspected of onychomycosis. Scraping materials were evaluated by direct KOH examination and fungal cultures were performed. Results Totally, 214 elderly persons (59 female, 155 male) from nursing homes were studied. Onychomycosis was suspected clinically in 102 cases and scraping materials were obtained from 122 nails. Clinical types of onyhomycosis were distal subungual in 87, proximal subungual in 21 and white superficial in 14 cases. Fungal spores were seen in 81 (37.8%) samples (3 hand nails, 78 toenails) with direct KOH examination and fungal culture was positive in 54 (25.2%) (3 hand nails, 51 toenails) of them. Trichophyton rubrum was the most frequently isolated fungus (75.9%) followed by Candida glabrata (12.9%). Conclusions In the elderly, onychomycosis is more common than the general population. However causative fungi are similar; dermatophytes are the most common causative organisms followed by yeasts. © 2013 Elsevier Masson SAS and European Union Geriatric Medicine Society.Item Seroepidemiological and entomological survey in a new focus of zoonotic visceral leishmaniasis in Kars province, Northeastern Turkey(Elsevier B.V., 2015) Sari B.; Limoncu M.E.; Balcioglu I.C.; Aldemir A.; Tasci G.T.; Kiliç Y.; Toz S.; Demirci B.; Demir S.; Kasap O.E.; Olgen M.K.; Ozbel Y.Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) has now been recorded from 38 provinces of Turkey. Twenty-one VL cases were reported within six years from settlements located in most northeastern Turkey and we therefore aimed to carry out an entomological and seroepidemiological survey in this new focus for clarifying risk factors. Blood samples from 290 children and 165 dogs were collected. Sera samples were investigated for anti- Leishmania antibodies using indirect fluorescent antibody test. Sand fly collection for determining the fauna and seasonal activity was performed in all settlements by CDC light traps between June and September 2006. Although no seropositive child was detected during the survey the overall seroprevalence rate of canine leishmaniasis was found as 7.2%. A total of 4154 sand flies were collected and 10 species of genus Phlebotomus were identified belonging to A. dlerius, Larroussius, Paraphlebotomus and Phlebotomus subgenera. Among them Phlebotomus kandelakii s.l. (55.44%), Phlebotomus balcanicus (12.62%) and Phlebotomus neglectus (4.40%) was detected as probable vector species for this new focus. The poor sanitation, very high population size of sand flies, probably because of very short season, no control measures for sand flies as well as dogs, and presence of microclimate suitable for sand flies were considered as main risk factors in the area. © 2015 Elsevier B.V.Item Treatment of head lice (Pediculus humanus capitis) infestation: Is regular combing alone with a special detection comb effective at all levels?(Springer Verlag, 2015) Kurt Ö.; Balcıoğlu I.C.; Limoncu M.E.; Girginkardeşler N.; Arserim S.K.; Görgün S.; Oyur T.; Karakuş M.; Düzyol D.; Gökmen A.A.; Kitapçıoğlu G.; Özbel Y.Head lice infestation (HLI) caused by Pediculus humanus capitis has been a public health problem worldwide. Specially designed combs are used to identify head lice, while anti-lice products are applied on the scalp for treatment. In the present study, we aimed to test whether combing only by precision detection comb (PDC) or metal pin comb (MPC) could be effective alternatives to the use of anti-lice products in children. A total of 560 children from two rural schools in Turkey were screened. In the PDC trial, children were combed every second day for 14 days, while in the MPC trial, combing was performed once in every four days for 15 days. Children were divided into two groups (dry combing and wet combing) for both trials and results were compared. The results showed no significant differences between dry and wet combing strategies for both combs for the removal of head lice (p > 0.05). The number of adult head lice declined significantly on each subsequent combing day in both approaches, except on day 15 in the MPC trial. In the end, no louse was found in 54.1 and 48.9 % of children in the PDC and MPC trials, respectively. Since family members of infested children were not available, they were not checked for HLI. Four times combing within 2 weeks with MPC combs was found effective for both treatment of low HLI and prevention of heavy HLI. In conclusion, regular combing by special combs decreases HLI level in children and is safely applicable as long-term treatment. © 2015, Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.Item Comparing the Efficacy of Commercially Available Insecticide and Dimeticone based Solutions on Head Lice, Pediculus capitis: in vitro Trials(2015) Balcıoğlu I.C.; Karakuş M.; Arserim S.K.; Limoncu M.E.; Töz S.; Baştemur S.; Öncel K.; Özbel Y.OBJECTIVE: Head lice infestation is a public health and social problem for almost all countries worldwide. For its treatment, insecticide and dimeticone-based solutions are currently available in the markets in many countries. We aimed to compare the efficacy of commercially available anti-head lice shampoos containing insecticide and physically effective products with different percentages of dimeticone using an in vitro technique.; METHODS: Head lice specimens were collected from primary school children using special plastic and metal combs. Anti-head lice products were commercially purchased and used directly. The specimens were placed one by one in 5-cm Petri dishes containing a slightly wet filter paper and were kept in a plastic cage at 28±2°C and 50%±20% relative humidity. A standardized protocol was used for testing all the products, and mortality data were obtained after 24 h. Two control tests were performed with each batch of trials. For each product and control, 10-20 head lice specimens were used, and the results were statistically analyzed.; RESULTS: Our study demonstrated that among all the tested products, two products containing mineral oils [5.5% dimeticone & silicone (patented product) and dimeticone (no percentage mentioned in the prospectus) & cyclopentasiloxane] were found to be more effective for killing head lice in vitro.; CONCLUSION: Physically effective products can be repetitively used because they are non-toxic and resistance to them is not expected. To control the infestation at a public level, the use of these products needs to be encouraged with respect to their cost price.Item In vitro Investigation of the Pediculicidal Activities of the Volatile Oil Components of Some Medical Plants Raised in Turkey(2017) Limoncu M.E.; Balcıoğlu C.; Oyur T.; Zeybek G.; Zeybek U.OBJECTIVE: The human head louse Pediculus capitis has recently acquired resistance to commercially available insecticides, which has expanded the search concerning the pediculicidal activities of some herbal products. The present study aimed to assess the in vitro pediculicidal activities of volatile oils extracted from 10 medical plants raised in Turkey: Rosa damascena (red provins rose), Pelargonium graveolens (geranium), Lavandula angustifolia (lavender), Salvia triloba (salvia), Rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary; two different chemotypes), Citrus bergamia (citrus tree), Cymbopogon nardus (citronella), Citrus limonum (lemon), and Cymbopogon flexuosus (lemongrass).; METHODS: Head lice obtained from school children in Manisa Province were initially grouped as adults and nymphs and were then kept under optimal conditions (temperature of 27°C and humidity of 50%). A pinch of hair and filter paper were placed in Petri dishes and seven adults and seven nymphs were separately put in Petri dishes. The extracts obtained from each volatile oil were dropped on the lice specimens.; RESULTS: The active movement of the external (antenna and legs) and internal (midgut and intestine) organs of the lice was monitored and recorded starting from 5th min for 24 hours by 10 to 30 minutes intervals. The time of death was defined as the loss of active movement and cessation of intestinal activities of lice. The results were analyzed using Statistical Packages for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 15.; CONCLUSION: The results showed that the volatile oil of Rosmarinus officinalis (two different chemotypes) was more effective than the other oils.Item Investigation of hand hygiene knowledge level of physiotherapy and rehabilitation students(A. CARBONE Editore, 2018) Ilgin D.; Karaali H.K.; Ozcan O.; Arslan S.; Arslan T.; Gunduz T.; Limoncu M.E.Introduction: Increasing health care students' awareness about the hand hygiene (HH) during the pre-graduation period becomes an important requirement for providing both patient's safety and the healthcare student's safety by preventing healthcare associated infections (HCAIs). Although it has been emphasized that rehabilitation clinics are important places to be taken into consideration in the transmission of HCAIs, the number of studies about the students from department of physiotherapy and rehabilitation (DPR) are limited. Thus, our research was done to examine the HH knowledge level of students of DPR. Materials and methods: This cross-sectional study was done by 191 volunteers from a total of 209 first and second-year students. We recorded the sociodemographic characteristics. Based on the suggestions commented in the Center for Disease Control and Prevention Guideline for HH in Health Care Settings, HH knowledge levels were assessed using face to face interview technique. Results: The average correct answer rate to the questions about the HH knowledge level was 69.49%. The level of knowledge about the importance of HH was good, but the correct response rates for terminology and alcohol-based handrub were less than 50%. Conclusions: Since DPR students form an important ring in the therapy chain, so in the development of educational programs for the students of DPR, it is very important to improve their knowledge level especially about terminology and alcohol-based handrub techniques. © 2018 A. CARBONE Editore.