Quantitative detection of human immunodeficiency virus-type 1 (HIV-1) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA plays a crucial role in the diagnosis, monitoring of the therapy and evaluation of the treatment response. The ELITe BeGenius® platform (ELITechGroup, Turin, Italy) is a fully automated sample-toresult molecular system integrating extraction, amplification and detection within a single workflow. The HIV-1 ELITe MGB® and HCV ELITe MGB® assays are real-time polymerase chain reaction tests designed for plasma viral-load quantification. This study aimed to verify their analytical performance under routine clinical laboratory conditions. Verification included assessments of accuracy, intra- and inter-assay precision, linearity and method correlation. A total of 70 plasma samples for HIV-1 RNA and 52 for HCV RNA were analyzed using previously tested and stored patient specimens, reference materials, and external quality controls. Results were compared with established reference assays used in accredited laboratories. Statistical analyses included positive, negative, and overall percent agreement (PPA, NPA, OPA), coefficients of variation (CV%), correlation and regression analyses and Bland-Altman bias estimation. For HIV-1 RNA, 19 of 20 positive and all 20 negative plasma samples were correctly identified by the ELITe MGB® assay, yielding a PPA of 95.0%, NPA of 100.0% and OPA of 97.5% (κ= 0.95). Intra-assay precision showed strong repeatability, with CVs of <1-3.9% for low-positive, 0.4-6.4% for medium-positive and <2% for high-positive specimens. Inter-assay reproducibility was consistent with CVs of 12.8% at low, 2.4% at medium, and 1.4% at high viral loads. Correlation analysis showed excellent concordance with the reference assay (p= 0.975, p< 0.001; R²= 0.95) and a mean bias of -0.40 log10 copies/mL in Bland-Altman analysis. Linearity was strong (R²= 0.97), confirming accurate quantification across the dynamic range with minor underestimation at higher dilutions. For HCV RNA, all 14 positive and 14 negative samples were correctly classified (PPA, NPA, and OPA= 100%; κ= 1.00). Intra-assay precision was excellent, with CVs around 2% for both low- and medium-positive samples, confirming consistent repeatability within a single run. Inter-assay reproducibility was equally robust, with CVs of 0.4-3.3% for low positives, 1.0-2.5% for medium and <1.1% for high-titer specimens. Correlation with the comparator method was strong (r= 0.956, p< 0.001; R²= 0.91) with a mean bias of -0.38 log10 IU/mL. Linearity analysis confirmed high proportionality between expected and measured concentrations (R²= 0.96). Deviations were negligible at low titers and slightly elevated at high loads but remained within acceptable limits. The HIV-1 and HCV ELITe MGB® assays on the BeGenius® platform demonstrated high accuracy, reproducibility and linearity, showing excellent correlation with reference methods. These results confirm that the ELITe BeGenius® system provides reliable and clinically valid viral-load measurements suitable for routine diagnostic use. Comprehensive laboratory verification of molecular assays under real-world conditions is crucial to ensure consistent performance, cross-platform comparability and reliable viral-load monitoring.

Background: Septic arthritis (SA) and prosthetic joint infection (PJI) are severe musculoskeletal emergencies associated with rapid joint destruction, functional disability, and high mortality. Accurate microbiological diagnosis remains challenging, particularly in PJIs where biofilm formation reduces culture sensitivity. Local epidemiological data are essential to optimize empirical therapy and stewardship strategies. This study aimed to determine the distribution of microorganisms isolated from synovial fluid cultures and to evaluate antimicrobial resistance trends, with a direct comparison between native SA and PJI over a 5-year period. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 3171 synovial fluid specimens collected between January 2020 and December 2024 at a tertiary referral hospital. Microorganisms were identified by MALDI-TOF MS, and antimicrobial susceptibility was tested with VITEK-2 according to EUCAST criteria. Resistance trends were assessed for major pathogens. Results: Overall, 651 samples (20.5 %) yielded growth, with significantly higher positivity in blood culture bottles than sterile containers (29.6 % vs. 16.1 %, p < 0.001 ). PJIs accounted for 47.8 % of positive cultures. The most frequent pathogens were Staphylococcus aureus (33.6 %), coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS) (24.9 %), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (8.6 %). CoNS ( p = 0.017 ) and E. faecalis ( p = 0.009 ) were significantly more common in PJIs. Methicillin resistance increased among S. aureus (20.0 % → 30.8 %) and remained high among CoNS (51 %-85 %). Extended-spectrum β -lactamase (ESBL) prevalence rose in K. pneumoniae (14.3 % → 42.1 %) and remained high in E. coli (57 %-80 %). All staphylococcal isolates remained susceptible to glycopeptides, linezolid, and daptomycin. Conclusions: Staphylococci remain the dominant pathogens in joint infections, with CoNS and E. faecalis strongly associated with PJIs. Rising methicillin resistance and ESBL-producing Enterobacterales highlight the need for careful empirical coverage, while preserved activity of last-line agents is reassuring. Routine inoculation into blood culture bottles significantly improves diagnostic yield.

BACKGROUND:The AC-18 cytoplasmic discrete dots pattern, associated with anti-GW body autoantibodies, is traditionally linked to systemic autoimmunity, but its relationship with CNS involvement remains under-explored. We aimed to characterize the AC-18 pattern as a non-specific serological correlate of central nervous system (CNS) involvement in a case-control cohort. METHODS:Out of 52,196 ANA tests screened, the AC-18 pattern was identified in 397 tests, corresponding to a test-level frequency of 0.76%. After applying exclusion criteria and removing duplicate records, 300 unique patients with isolated AC-18 positivity were included in the final cohort. This group was compared with 300 seronegative controls. Multivariate models evaluated whether AC-18 was independently associated with CNS disorders (including primary headaches, cerebrovascular events, demyelinating and neurodegenerative conditions), adjusting for age, sex, and autoimmunity. RESULTS:Overall neurological disorders were significantly more frequent in AC-18-positive patients than controls (17.7% vs. 6.7%, p < 0.001). CNS disorders were also more frequent in AC-18-positive patients (12.7% vs. 4.0%, p < 0.001). Following adjustment for age, sex, and autoimmunity, AC-18 positivity remained associated with CNS disorders (adjusted OR 3.50, 95% CI 1.78-6.87, p < 0.001). ROC analysis of the multivariable models showed moderate discriminatory performance for overall neurological disorders (AUC 0.72) and CNS-related outcomes (AUC 0.71). CONCLUSIONS:AC-18 positivity was associated with CNS involvement in this retrospective case-control cohort. Given the heterogeneous nature of CNS diagnoses and the moderate discriminatory performance of the multivariable models, AC-18 should be interpreted as an exploratory, non-specific serological correlate rather than a diagnostic or pathogenic biomarker.

Objective: Invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) is a rare but serious cause of neonatal sepsis associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Despite widespread pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) use in infants, neonates remain vulnerable due to lack of direct vaccination and potential vertical or horizontal transmission. This study aimed to characterize the clinical, laboratory, and microbiological features of neonatal IPD and to evaluate associated outcomes in this high-risk population. Material and Methods: We conducted a retrospective cross-sectional study of neonates (0–30 days old) diagnosed with IPD between September 2019 and April 2025. Diagnosis was confirmed by isolation of Streptococcus pneumoniae from sterile body fluids or PCR detection. Demographic, clinical, microbiological, and outcome data were analyzed. Results: Among 68 IPD cases, 12 neonates with pneumococcal bacteremia were identified; no meningitis or focal infections were observed. The cohort had equal sex distribution, mean gestational age of 35±3.8 weeks, and 33.3% had comorbidities. Early-onset sepsis (≤72 hours) accounted for 25% of cases, with the remainder presenting as late-onset sepsis (>72 hours). One neonate had concurrent SARS-CoV-2 infection. All patients survived; one preterm infant developed neurological sequelae attributable to pre-existing conditions. Antibiotic susceptibility testing showed reduced sensitivity to penicillin (20%) and ceftriaxone (16.7%), while vancomycin and linezolid remained highly effective. Conclusion: Neonatal invasive pneumococcal bacteremia, although uncommon, continues to pose clinical challenges, particularly due to evolving antimicrobial resistance. Our findings emphasize the importance of vigilant clinical monitoring and tailored antimicrobial therapy in this vulnerable population. Continued surveillance and prospective studies are warranted to assess the impact of maternal and early infant vaccination strategies on neonatal IPD prevention.

In recent years, evolving patterns in candidemia epidemiology, including increasing proportions of non-albicans Candida (NAC) species and the emergence of Candida auris, have been reported. We aimed to characterize contemporary candidemia epidemiology in Turkey and to assess the association between guideline adherence and 30-day mortality. In this nationwide retrospective multicenter cohort study, adult patients with blood culture-confirmed candidemia diagnosed between January 2022 and December 2023 in 20 hospitals were included. Species identification was standardized and confirmed using MALDI-TOF MS. A total of 398 candidemia episodes were analyzed. Although Candida albicans remained the single most common species (34.7%), NAC species predominated overall (65.3%), mainly driven by Candida parapsilosis (26.6%), while C. auris accounted for 6.5% of cases and was detected across multiple centers. Crude mortality was 68.3% and 30-day mortality was 56.3%. Failure to remove central venous catheters (CVC) was independently associated with higher 30-day mortality. Kaplan-Meier analysis demonstrated significant differences in 30-day survival across EQUAL Candida score categories in the overall candidemia cohort (log-rank p = 0.02) and among patients with CVC-related candidemia cohort (log-rank p = 0.008). Collectively, our findings provide a contemporary nationwide overview of candidemia in Turkey, highlighting the predominance of NAC species, the multicenter detection of C. auris, and the clinical importance of early source control.

Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) infection is highly prevalent worldwide, and its seroepidemiology varies according to age and sociodemographic factors. Recent observations suggest potential shifts in exposure dynamics following the COVID-19 pandemic and ongoing challenges in interpreting atypical antibody profiles. This retrospective study evaluated EBV serological patterns in 11,503 patients tested VCA IgM, VCA IgG, EA IgG, and EBNA IgG between January 2023 and August 2025 at a tertiary-care hospital. Patterns were classified as seronegative, primary infection, past infection, reactivation pattern, or atypical. Age- and sex-related distributions were analyzed using logistic regression. Past infection was the most frequent profile (64.0

OBJECTIVES:Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is an increasingly recognized cause of serious respiratory illness in adults, yet data from middle-income countries remain scarce. This study aimed to compare clinical outcomes of RSV and influenza virus infections in hospitalized and outpatient adults in Türkiye. METHODS:This retrospective multicenter study included 3,299 adult patients (≥18 years) with PCR-confirmed RSV (n=628) or influenza (n=2,671) from 21 centers across Türkiye between January 2022 and March 2024. The primary outcome was viral infection-related hospitalization. The secondary composite outcome was ICU admission and/or 30-day mortality among hospitalized patients. Propensity score-based overlap weighting was used to adjust for baseline differences including age, risk group, clinical severity, co-infection status, and study center. RESULTS:After overlap weighting, RSV infection was not significantly associated with increased hospitalization risk compared to influenza (OR: 0.96, 95% CI: 0.77-1.20, p=0.705). Similarly, no significant difference was observed in the composite outcome of ICU admission or 30-day mortality (OR: 1.40, 95% CI: 0.95-2.05, p=0.088). Age ≥60 years, high-risk comorbidities, and severe acute respiratory infection (SARI) presentation were the primary independent predictors of both hospitalization and worse outcomes. Bacterial or fungal co-infections and secondary infections were observed in 12.9% and 7.3% of hospitalized patients, respectively, with no significant difference between RSV and influenza groups. CONCLUSIONS:After adjustment for baseline characteristics, RSV and influenza were associated with comparable risks of hospitalization and severe clinical outcomes in adults. Host-related factors, particularly older age and underlying comorbidities, were the dominant determinants of adverse outcomes. These findings from a largely unvaccinated, middle-income country cohort highlight the need to expand RSV and influenza vaccination programs targeting high-risk adult populations.

In recent years, Streptococcus pyogenes infections have maintained their clinical and epidemiological significance in parallel with the reported increase in invasive group A streptococcal (iGAS) disease and scarlet fever cases. This study aimed to evaluate the coverage of emm typing using a real-time polymerase chain reaction (Rt-PCR) based method which can be used as an alternative to sequencing due to its rapid and cost-effective approach in a potential S.pyogenes outbreak. In addition, determination of emm type distribution was performed to provide updated local epidemiological data and to assess vaccine coverage of the study period. Between February 2024 and May 2024, 106 S.pyogenes isolates obtained from various clinical samples were subjected to emm typing using a quadriplex Rt-PCR kit designed according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention protocol and the presence of 20 commonly observed emm types was investigated. To validate the emm types identified by Rt-PCR, one isolate from each emm type and 31 isolates that could not be typed by Rt-PCR were subjected to sequence analysis. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed using the disk diffusion method. While 81.1% of the patients belonged to the pediatric age group, 64.8% of iGAS infections were detected in adult patients. emm types were successfully identified by Rt-PCR in 70.8% of the S.pyogenes isolates. Sequencing results obtained for representative isolates were concordant with the corresponding Rt-PCR findings. With the inclusion of sequencing data, a total of 12 different emm types were identified, with emm3 being the predominant type, followed by emm2, emm6 and emm89. Among isolates with determined emm types, the coverage of the 30-valent vaccine was calculated as 100%. All isolates were susceptible to penicillin, whereas resistance rates of 12.3% to tetracycline, 2.8% to erythromycin and 1.9% to clindamycin were observed. In conclusion, Rt-PCR-based emm typing represents a reliable, rapid and feasible alternative for S.pyogenes in centers lacking sequencing facilities. It is anticipated that optimizing primer and probe designs to adequately cover S.pyogenes isolates circulating in the country may further improve the typing performance of Rt-PCR assays. Moreover, the development of a laboratory-based active surveillance system is essential to ensure the continuity of local epidemiological data.

Background/aim:The aim of this study was to evaluate the incidence of transient bacteremia after coblation-assisted intracapsular partial tonsillectomy (tonsillotomy) in children. Materials and methods:This prospective study included 42 children with grade 3-4 tonsillar hypertrophy who underwent coblation-assisted tonsillotomy for obstructive sleep apnea syndrome. Aerobic and anaerobic blood cultures were obtained preoperatively and immediately after tonsillotomy. Intraoperative throat cultures were also obtained before mucosal manipulation. Results:All preoperative blood cultures were negative. Postoperative blood cultures were positive in two patients (4.8%; 95% CI, 0.6%-16.2%). Streptococcus pyogenes and Actinomyces spp. were isolated. The patient with S. pyogenes bacteremia also had S. pyogenes in the corresponding throat culture. No clinical complications related to transient bacteremia were observed. Conclusion:This is the first study on evaluation of transient bacteremia after coblation-assisted tonsillotomy. Although the technique is minimally invasive, transient bacteremia occurred in 4.8% of the children. Antibiotic prophylaxis should be considered individually in patients at high risk for bacteremia-related complications, in accordance with current recommendations.

Febrile neutropenia (FN) is a frequent and potentially life-threatening complication in patients with hematologic malignancies. Prompt and accurate identification of bloodstream pathogens is essential to optimize antimicrobial therapy and improve outcomes. Although conventional blood culture (BC) remains the diagnostic gold standard, its limitations have led to increased interest in rapid molecular diagnostics such as real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic performance of the Sepsis qPCR MX-30® panel in comparison to conventional blood culture in detecting causative pathogens during febrile neutropenia episodes in immunocompromised pediatric patients. A retrospective analysis was conducted on 251 febrile neutropenia episodes in 80 children with hematologic disorders between February 2023 and November 2024. Blood samples for both BC and the Sepsis qPCR MX-30® panel were collected concurrently. The performance metrics of the qPCR panel were assessed by calculating sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV), with BC as the reference. Of the 251 episodes, the qPCR panel detected pathogens in 54 episodes (21.5

Although splenic abscess is rare in children, it carries a significant risk of morbidity and mortality. When combined with appropriate antimicrobial therapy, percutaneous aspiration may be preferred as an alternative to splenectomy. This case presents a splenic abscess caused by Salmonella enterica in a immunocompetent pediatric patient, along with concurrent Brugada syndrome. We report the case of a 14-year-old immunocompetent patient who developed a splenic abscess caused by S. enterica concurrently with Brugada syndrome. The patient presented with complaints of palpitations and seizures. On examination, fever, tachycardia, and splenomegaly were noted. Laboratory tests revealed thrombocytopenia, lymphopenia, as well as increased C-reactive protein, and N-terminus pro-B-type natriuretic peptide. While echocardiogram was normal, but the electrocardiogram revealed a Brugada pattern. Imaging studies performed to investigate the etiology of fever revealed an abscess in the spleen.The abscess was drained percutaneously, and S. enterica was identified as the causative agent. Ciprofloxacin treatment was given for ten weeks. The abscess completely resolved on follow-up ultrasonography. This case demonstrates that a rare Salmonella-induced splenic abscess in an immunocompetent pediatric patient can be successfully treated with percutaneous drainage and antibiotic therapy.

INTRODUCTION:The interaction between nasopharyngeal pneumococcal carriage (NPC) and respiratory viral infections (RVI) is poorly understood. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and epidemiology of NPC, and its correlation with RVI. METHODOLOGY:This retrospective study included patients aged < 18 years who presented with RVI symptoms between 1 February and 30 June 2023. Naso-oropharyngeal swabs were tested using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for Streptococcus pneumoniae and respiratory viruses. Patients were grouped by NPC status and compared for viral detection, and clinical and demographic characteristics. RESULTS:NPC was detected in 15.7% (n = 1,185) of the 7,522 samples analyzed. The mean age was 56.5 ± 49.3 months, being significantly lower in NPC-positive patients (p < 0.001). Most (82%) were fully vaccinated against pneumococcus; 16% had underlying conditions. The most frequent viruses were adenovirus (17.2%), influenza B (9.0%), severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (5.3%), respiratory syncytial virus (4.9%), and influenza A (2.8%). Adenovirus (19.7%) and influenza B (11.0%) were significantly more frequent in NPC-positive patients than in NPC-negative patients (p < 0.001 for both). Overall, 20.5% were hospitalized, and 2.4% required intensive care. Intensive care admission was higher among NPC-positive patients, whereas mortality did not differ. CONCLUSIONS:NPC was epidemiologically associated with the detection of certain respiratory viruses, particularly adenovirus and influenza B. Given the retrospective design and lack of pneumococcal serotype data, these findings should be interpreted as associations rather than evidence of causality. Further prospective studies are warranted to clarify the bacterial-viral interactions and their clinical relevance.

Introduction: Candida (Candidozyma) auris is a fungal pathogen that has drawn attention due to its high antifungal resistance rates, ability to persist on abiotic surfaces, and potential to cause healthcare-associated outbreaks. In addition to clade I, II, III, and IV reported from South Asia, East Asia, Africa, and South America, respectively, clade V has been confirmed in patients in Iran and clade VI in Singapore. The variabilities in antifungal efficacy and clinical presentation across different clades of C. auris underscore the importance of clade identification. Whole genome sequencing (WGS) is the gold standard for determining which clade C. auris isolates belong to. However, WGS is expensive and requires bioinformatics expertise. Cost-effective clade identification may be performed using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based clade identification (ClaID) method. The aim of this study is to determine the clade of the clinical C. auris strains isolated at our center using the ClaID method and to determine the in vitro antifungal susceptibility profiles of the isolates. Materials and Methods: In this study, the ClaID method was applied to detect the clades of 28 C. auris isolates which were collected at Ankara Bilkent City Hospital between October 2021 and March 2023. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC, mg/L) values of the isolates for fluconazole, amphotericin B, anidulafungin, micafungin, itraconazole, voriconazole, posaconazole, and flucytosine were determined using the European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (EUCAST) microdilution method. The MIC values obtained were interpreted according to the breakpoints and epidemiological cut off values documented by EUCAST or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention tentative breakpoints. Results: The ClaID method identified all isolates as belonging to clade I. All isolates were resistant to fluconazole and susceptible-increased exposure to amphotericin B. One isolate was assessed as resistant to echinocandins (anidulafungin and micafungin). Conclusion: The C. auris isolates in this study were determined to belong to Clade I and our susceptibility results were consistent with the expected high fluconazole resistance for this clade. In one C. auris isolate, echinocandin resistance confirmed with a reference method was detected for the first time in our country. The results obtained in this study regarding clade analysis and in vitro antifungal susceptibility profiles are of particular significance as a remarkable contribution to the limited reported data in T & uuml;rkiye.

BACKGROUND:Co-infections with hepatitis B (HBV), hepatitis C (HCV) and syphilis complicate the clinical management of people living with HIV by influencing disease progression, treatment response, and transmission risk. Despite the growing HIV burden in Türkiye, data on the impact of these coinfections remain limited. OBJECTIVES:To determine the prevalence of HBV, HCV, and syphilis coinfections in adults with HIV-1 and to examine their associations with demographics and HIV-1 viral load. DESIGN:Retrospective cross-sectional study. SETTING:Single center, tertiary care hospital in Türkiye. PATIENTS AND METHODS:Adults diagnosed with HIV-1 between March 2019 and June 2024 at Ankara Bilkent City Hospital were included. Demographic information, HIV viral load measurements, and serological and molecular test results for HBV, HCV, and syphilis were retrieved from the institutional laboratory database. Coinfection status was assessed relative to age, gender, and HIV viral load. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:Prevalence and distribution of HBV, HCV, and syphilis coinfections and their associations with demographic variables and HIV viral load. SAMPLE SIZE:724 patients. RESULTS:The study population was predominantly male (86%), with a median age of 40 years. Syphilis was the most common coinfection (25.6%), followed by HBV at 4.1% and HCV at 1.8%. Syphilis was significantly more prevalent among men (P=.001), and HBV coinfection was associated with older age (P=.005). No significant associations were observed between HIV viral load and any co-infection. Notably, a substantial proportion of patients, especially those newly diagnosed after 2019, had high HIV RNA levels, suggesting delayed diagnosis and treatment initiation. Triple coinfections were rare but remain clinically relevant. CONCLUSIONS:The high prevalence of syphilis and delayed HIV diagnoses highlight the urgent need for improved screening protocols, timely initiation of antiretroviral therapy, and broader implementation of HBV vaccination programs. An integrated multisectoral approach is critical to address the overlapping clinical and public health burdens posed by these co-infections. Healthcare strategies must consider the impact of COVID-19-related service disruptions, which likely contributed to delays in diagnosis and treatment. LIMITATIONS:Lack of data on patients' behavioral risk factors and no follow-up on treatment outcomes for syphilis.

Diagnosis of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection is primarily based on the detection of specific antibodies against EBV antigens associated with different stages of infection. This study compared enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and immunoblot (IB) with the reference method, immunofluorescence assay (IFA), to evaluate their performance in defining EBV infection stages and atypical antibody profiles. Sera from symptomatic and asymptomatic pediatric patients were analyzed for EBV VCA (viral capsid antigen) IgM/IgG, EA (early antigen), and EBNA (Epstein-Barr nuclear antigen) IgG to determine EBV infection stages. Avidity ELISA for VCA IgG was performed to assess its utility for disease staging and in clarifying atypical antibody profiles. EBV DNA analysis was performed to investigate its complementary role alongside EBV serology. Almost perfect agreement was observed between ELISA and IFA (κ = 0.81) and between IB and IFA (κ = 0.82) for EBV staging, which further increased with the addition of VCA IgG avidity ELISA (κ = 0.97). During early primary EBV infection, PCR showed a sensitivity of 60% and may support diagnosis when combined with serological staging. In conclusion, the high concordance between IFA and ELISA including avidity suggests its suitability for routine diagnostics, particularly when IFA is impractical due to its technical complexity and cost.

PURPOSE:Central nervous system infections are a significant global health concern that results in morbidity and mortality. In case of these infections, empirical antibiotic treatment should be initiated according to the microbiological findings of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), and the treatment should be rearranged according to the antibiogram results.The study aimed to determine the distribution of meningitis agents and antimicrobial resistance patterns in our hospital. METHODS:A total of 17,594 CSF culture samples collected from January 2020 to December 2024 were analyzed retrospectively. The study assessed demographic data, causative microorganisms, and antimicrobial resistance rates. RESULTS:Positive results were found in 7.3% of CSF culture samples, with 69.1% being gram-positive bacteria and 30.9% gram-negative bacteria. The highest positivity rate was detected in the palliative inpatient clinic (14.8%) despite most cultures being from the neonatal intensive care unit (23.5%). The most common microorganisms were coagulase-negative staphylococci(CoNS) (47.9%) and Klebsiella pneumoniae (K.pneumoniae) (9.1%). Methicillin resistance was present in 89.7% of CoNS, and the rate of extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing strains in K.pneumoniae was 32.4%. CONCLUSION:Analysis of five-year data revealed the types of microorganisms and their antimicrobial resistance in positive CSF cultures. These findings will guide clinicians in promptly choosing the most effective empirical treatment.