Browsing by Author "Yalçin, M"

Now showing 1 - 2 of 2
  • No Thumbnail Available
    Item
    Comparison of 18F-FDG PET/CT findings with current clinical disease status in patients with Takayasu's arteritis
    Karapolat, I; Kalfa, M; Keser, G; Yalçin, M; Inal, V; Kumanlioglu, K; Pirildar, T; Aksu, K
    Objective. 18F-fluorodeoxyglucosepositron emission tomography/computed tomography (18F-FDG PET/CT) scanning has been proposed as a new tool to assess disease activity in Takayasu arteritis (TA). We investigated whether 18F-FDG PET/CT findings were consistent with current clinical disease status in patients with TA. Methods. In this cross sectional study, 22 patients with TA were enrolled. Clinical disease activity was assessed by the combination of National Institutes of Health (NIH) criteria, Disease Extent Index-Takayasu (DEI-Tak) score, physician global assessment and 18F-FDG PET/CT scans. Results. At the time 18F-FDG PET/CT scans were taken, the majority of the patients (17122) were using immunosuppressive (IS) drugs, and only four patients had clinically active disease. 18F-FDG PET/CT scans confirmed the presence of active vasculitic lesions in those four patients. In 16 out of 18 patients who were accepted to be in clinical remission, 18F-FDG PET/CT scans were also normal. There were only two patients with discordant results, i.e. active 18F-FDG PET/CT findings despite the lack of clinical activity. Interestingly, clinical exacerbation occurred four weeks later in one of them. Overall sensitivity and specificity of 18F-FDG PET/CT findings for clinical activity were 100% and 88.9%, respectively. Conclusion. We found that 18F-FDG PET/CT findings were generally consistent with clinical disease status in TA. Although use of IS drugs certainly impairs diagnostic accuracy of 18F-FDG PET/CT in TA, this imaging method may still have a potential for confirming remission or detecting disease activity in patients with TA receiving treatment.
  • No Thumbnail Available
    Item
    Investigation of the role of stray cats for transmission of toxoplasmosis to humans and animals living in Izmir, Turkey
    Karakavuk, M; Can, H; Selim, N; Yesilsiraz, B; Atli, E; Sahar, EA; Demir, F; Gül, A; Özdemir, HG; Alan, N; Yalçin, M; Özkurt, O; Aras, M; Çelik, T; Can, S; Döskaya, AD; Gürüz, AY; Döskaya, M
    Introduction: Toxoplasma gondii is a protozoan parasite that has a widespread distribution among mammalians and birds. One of the reasons for the high prevalence may be due to ingesting oocyst disseminated by stray cats' feces. In Turkey, most of the citizens are closely associated with stray cats and they love to pet and feed them on the streets. In this study, we aimed to determine the prevalence of T. gondii DNA in feces of stray cats living in Izmir, Turkey in order to identify the transmission potential to humans and other animals. Methodology: Feces and blood samples of 465 stray cats were investigated for the presence of T. gondii oocysts by microscopy and for the presence of T. gondii DNA by two real time PCR methods. Furthermore, serum samples were analyzed for anti-T. gondii IgG antibodies using an ELISA. Results: Oocysts were detected in 0.43% of the stray cats by microscopy. T. gondii DNA was detected in 14.37% of the stray cats' feces samples. The seroprevalence rate was 37.84%. In the feces and/or blood PCR positive group, 35.89% of them were seropositive. Among the 176 seropositive cats, T. gondii DNA was detected in feces of 27 cats (15.34%). Conclusions: This study first time showed the inter relation of T. gondii DNA in feces and blood samples and seropositivity. In sum, over 14% of the stray cats living outdoor may have an important role in transmission of toxoplasmosis to humans in Izmir as well as to other animals.