OBJECTIVES:This study was conducted in response to the increasing interest in understanding the effects of both modern and traditional complementary medicine on incisional wound healing. Herein, it was aimed to investigate the wound healing effects of medicinal leech therapy and leech saliva in an experimentally created incisional skin wound model. METHODS:Fifteen rats underwent full-thickness incisions on their dorsal regions and were randomly assigned to five equal groups, as the Leech Saliva (LS) group, where wounds were treated topically with leech saliva once daily; Leech Therapy-1 (LT-1) group, where leech therapy was administered once at the beginning of the experiment; Leech Therapy-2 (LT-2) group, where leech therapy was applied twice, on days 0 and 3; Positive Control (PC) group, where wounds were treated daily with Phyto cream containing Triticum vulgare; and Negative Control (NC) group, where no treatment was given. RESULTS:Wound healing was assessed daily, and the experiment continued until complete healing was observed. At the conclusion, the wound size, appearance, and histological features were analyzed to compare healing progress across the groups. CONCLUSIONS:Medicinal leech therapy was observed to have a positive wound healing effect in the rat model.

Amaç: Hirudoterapi veya tıbbi sülük kullanımı, tarihten bu yana dünyanın farklı kültürlerinde çeşitli hastalıkların tedavisinde kullanılmış iken, günümüzde özellikle mikro cerrahi ve plastik cerrahi uygulamalarında modern tedaviyi destekleyici bir yöntem olarak tercih edilmektedir. Bu çalışmada; Kırşehir Ahi Evran Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi’nde görevli ve çoğunluğu hekim olan öğretim elemanlarının hirudoterapiye bakış açılarını, bilgi ve farkındalık düzeylerini ortaya koymak ve hekimlerin hirudoterapi uygulamaları ile ilgili bilgi ve farkındalık düzeylerini arttırmak amaçlandı. Yöntem: Araştırma kesitsel tipte olup, 1-31 Temmuz 2023 tarihleri arasında Tıp Faküktesi’nde görevli 178 öğretim elemanının tamamına ulaşılması hedeflendi, ancak sadece 110’nuna (%61,9) ulaşılabildi. Veriler; yüz yüze veya telefon ile görüşme yapılarak ve anket formu kullanılarak toplandı. Bulgular: Öğretim elemanlarının 65’i (%59,1) erkek, 45’i (%40,9) ise kadındı. Katılımcıların 62’si (%56,4) dahili bilimler, 17’is (%15,5) cerrahi bilimler ve 31’i (%28,1) temel bilimlerde olup, 90’ı (%81,8) doktor öğretim üyesi (Dr. Öğr. Üyesi) veya araştırma görevlisi, 20’si (%18,2) ise profesör veya doçent idi. Katılımcıların 79’unu (%71,8) tıp fakültesi mezunu öğretim elemanları oluşturmaktaydı. Ek olarak, katılımcıların 21’i (%19,1) hayatında hiç sülük görmemiş, 15’i (%13,6) ise “Hirudoterapi” kelimesini hiç duymamışken, 48’i (%43,6) sülüklerden korkmakta veya tiksinmekteydi . Sonuç: Bu araştırma anketine katılan profesör, doçent, doktor öğretim üyesi ve araştırma görevlilerinin büyük çoğunluğunun hirudoterapinin ne olduğu, hangi hastalara uygulandığı ve/veya uygulanmadığı ile ilgili bilgi ve farkındalık düzeylerinin oldukça düşük olduğu, bu sebeple hirudoterapiye güvenmedikleri istatistiksel olarak tespit edildi. Hirudoterapi ile ilgili daha fazla bilimsel çalışmaların yapılması ve tıp eğitim müfretadına bu tedavi yönteminin dahil edilmesi hekimlerin farkındalık düzeylerini artıracaktır.

Cyclospora cayetanensis is a parasitic pathogen causing gastroenteritis, transmitted through contaminated food and water, and is prevalent in tropical and subtropical regions. Since C. cayetanensis requires different methods like acid-fast staining for detection, studies on its prevalence are insufficient. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of C. cayetanensis in Türkiye over the last two decades. A comprehensive literature search was conducted in databases Google Scholar, PubMed, Scopus, Mendeley, Web of Science, YOKtez, TR Dizin, and Türk MEDLINE Index for relevant English and Turkish publications from 2004 to 2023. Out of 184 identified articles, 47 met the inclusion criteria, of these, 41 were patient samples and 6 on water samples. C. cayetanensis prevalence averaged 32.7% in water samples and 2.71% in patient samples. Cyclospora was most frequently detected in the Aegean Region and Izmir province. The most frequent diagnostic method in the studies was the Kinyoun Acid-Fast Staining method (91.4%). Studies conducted in Türkiye have been limited to regions where expert parasitologists are available. High rates of positivity were detected in water samples. To accurately determine the prevalence in Türkiye, laboratory conditions must be provided to detect C. cayetanensis in every province.

Myiasis is a parasitic infestation of tissues and body cavities of vertebrates by Diptera larvae. Nasal myiasis is mostly caused by the Sarcophagidae and Calliphoridae families. Many predisposing factors play a role in the appearance of nasal myiasis. In the treatment of the disease, the use of antiseptics together with mechanical cleaning is recommended. In this report, a case of nasopharyngeal myiasis in a 75-year-old patient hospitalized in the intensive care unit is presented. Nine larvae were detected in the patient's nose. Larvae were removed from the area and were cleaned with iodine solution for three days. As a result of macroscopic and microscopic examination, the larvae were identified as the third stage of Sarcophaga sp. in order to prevent myiasis infestations, personnel working in places where the patient is unconscious, such as intensive care units, should daily check the patient's body cavities such as nose, mouth and ear cavities, and perform their care and cleaning. Keywords: Myiasis, Sarcophaga sp., nasopharyngeal myiasis, intensive care.

Myiasis is a parasitic infestation of tissues and body cavities of vertebrates by Diptera larvae. Nasal myiasis is mostly caused by the Sarcophagidae and Calliphoridae families. Many predisposing factors play a role in the appearance of nasal myiasis. In the treatment of the disease, the use of antiseptics together with mechanical cleaning is recommended. In this report, a case of nasopharyngeal myiasis in a 75-year-old patient hospitalized in the intensive care unit is presented. Nine larvae were detected in the patient's nose. Larvae were removed from the area and were cleaned with iodine solution for three days. As a result of macroscopic and microscopic examination, the larvae were identified as the third stage of Sarcophaga sp. in order to prevent myiasis infestations, personnel working in places where the patient is unconscious, such as intensive care units, should daily check the patient's body cavities such as nose, mouth and ear cavities, and perform their care and cleaning.Miyazis, Diptera sınıfı larvaların omurgalı doku ve vücut boşluklarını istila etmesi anlamına gelen bir terimdir. Nazal miyaz çoğunlukla Sarcophagidae ve Calliphoridae ailesi üyelerinin neden olduğu bir enfestasyondur. Bulaşında birçok predispozan faktörün rol aldığı hastalığın tedavisinde mekanik temizleme ile beraber antiseptiklerin kullanımı tavsiye edilmektedir. Bu olguda, 75 yaşında yoğun bakımda yatan bir hastada görülen nazofarengeal miyaz sunuldu. Hastanın burnunda dokuz adet larva tespit edilmiştir. Larvalar bölgeden uzaklaştırılarak üç gün boyunca bölge %5’lik iodin solüsyonuyla temizlendi. Makroskobik ve mikroskobik incelemeler sonunda etkenin Sarcophaga sp.’nin üçüncü evre larvaları olduğu belirlendi. Miyaz enfestasyonlarını engellemek için yoğun bakım ünitelerini gibi hastanın bilincinin kapalı olduğu yerlerde görev yapan personeller hastaların burun, ağız ve kulak boşluğu gibi vücut boşluklarını günlük olarak kontrol etmeli, bakım ve temizliğini en uygun şekilde yapmalıdır.

OBJECTIVE: Fasciola hepatica and Fasciola gigantica are liver trematodes that cause fascioliasis in humans and animals. In Turkey, the medical importance of fascioliasis has been increasing in humans, and it continues to cause great economic loss in the field of animal husbandry. Therefore, it is important to diagnose fascioliasis quickly and reliably. The aim of this study is to show that the ELISA test is a reliable and specific method for diagnosing fascioliasis both in the early stage and in the acute stage. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this study, 640 individuals aged 7-75 years who showed one or more symptoms of fascioliasis, such as abdominal pain, fever, weight loss, weakness, fatigue, headache, sweating, nausea, vomiting, allergic urticaria, liver mass, hypereosinophilia, or liver enzyme elevation, were recruited from the Dicle University Research and Application Hospital in southeastern Turkey. Serum and fecal samples were taken from them to investigate if the Fasciola hepatica IgG antibody was present in the serum and if eggs were present in the feces. To detect the IgG antibodies, an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit was used. The stool samples were analyzed for three consecutive days in mini Parasep fecal parasite concentrator tubes using the native-lugol and sedimentation methods. Abdominal ultrasonography and computed tomography were performed in all the patients. RESULTS: Among the subjects of this study, 90 (14%) were positive for fascioliasis, of whom 85 (94.4%) were adults and 5 (5.5%), children; 73 (81.1%) were women and 17 (18.8%), men; 57 (63.3%) lived in the rural areas and 33 (36.6%), in the city center; 90 (14%) were positive for Fasciola hepatica IgG antibodies; (20%) had helminth eggs in their stools; and 85 (94.4%) had a history of eating watercress. CONCLUSIONS: According to the epidemiological classification for fascioliasis by Mas-Coma, the Dicle Basin, which is the setting of this study, is indeed a hyperendemic region. Thus, ELISA is a reliable and specific method of diagnosing fascioliasis, both in the early phase and in the acute phase, when the eggs are no longer seen in the stool.

Objective:The aim of this study was to determine the levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), catalase (CAT), and malondialdehyde (MDA) in the patients infected with Fasciola hepatica and establish whether these parameters differ among the patients with fascioliasis. Methods:The patient group consisted of 140 individuals with F. hepatica seropositive; the control group consisted of 140 healthy individuals who tested negative for this parasite and had no other diseases. The patient group consisted of individuals with no chronic diseases other than fascioliasis; in both the patient and the control groups, the subjects had no unhealthy habits such as smoking and alcohol consumption, etc. The blood samples taken to diagnose fascioliasis were evaluated by the ELISA method. The samples were studied according to the kit procedures for SOD, CAT, GPx and MDA markers. Results:In this study, 43.6% of 140 individuals in the patient group infected with F. hepatica had CAT (p=0.001), 35% had GPx (p=0.001), 12.9% had SOD (p=0.002), 90.7% had MDA (p=0.001). There was found a statistically significant difference between the patient and the control group in terms of the positivity of these four parameters. Conclusion:As a result, a statistically significant relationship was found between the increase in the SOD, GPx, CAT, and MDA levels and fascioliasis. The high rate of MDA revealed that oxidative stress occurred in patients with fascioliasis, resulting in an increased activity of SOD, GPx, and CAT. Amaç:Bu çalışmanın amacı, Fasciola hepatica ile enfekte hastalarda süperoksit dismutaz (SOD), glutatyon peroksidaz (GPx), katalaz (CAT) ve malondialdehit (MDA) düzeylerini belirlemek ve fascioliasisli hastalarda bu parametrelerde farklılık meydana gelip gelmediğini ortaya koymaktır. Yöntemler:Hasta grubu, F. hepatica pozitif olan 140 hastadan; kontrol grubu ise bu parazit yönünden negatif bulunan ve başka herhangi bir hastalığı bulunmayan 140 sağlıklı kişiden oluşturuldu. Hasta grubuna fascioliasis dışında herhangi bir kronik hastalığı olmayan ve hem hasta hem de kontrol grubuna sigara, alkol kullanımı olmayan kişiler dahil edildi. Hastalarda fascioliasis pozitifliğini belirlemek için alınan kan örnekleri ELISA yöntemi ile çalışıldı. Serum SOD, CAT, GPx ve MDA düzeyleri ELISA yöntemi ile değerlendirildi. Bulgular:Bu çalışmada F. hepatica ile enfekte hasta grubundaki 140 kişinin %43,6’sında CAT (p=0,001), %35’inde GPx (p=0,001), %12,9’unda SOD (p=0,002) ve %90,7 MDA pozitifliği saptandı. Bu dört parametrenin pozitifliği açısından hasta ve kontrol grubu arasında istatistiksel olarak anlamlı fark bulundu (p=0,001). Sonuç:Sonuç olarak SOD, GPx, CAT ve MDA düzeyindeki artış ile fascioliasis arasında istatistik olarak anlamlı bir ilişki saptanmıştır. Çalışmamızda MDA’nın yüksek oranda saptanmış olması fascioliasisli hastalarda oksidatif stres oluştuğunu ve SOD, GPx ve CAT aktivitelerinde artış olduğunu ortaya koymuştur.

Objective:This study aimed to determine whether ocular Demodex colonization leads to changes in the conjunctival flora in healthy middle-aged individuals.Methods:This study included 70 patients who applied to an ophthalmology clinic with a complaints of presbyopia. Two eyelash specimens from the lower eyelids of both eyes were obtained from each individual. In eyelash specimens were examined for Demodex spp. by direct wet smearing under microscopy. Conjunctival culture samples were cultivated on blood agar, eosin methylene blue and chocolate agar.Results:In the 38.5% of the individuals, Demodex spp. mites were found in the eyelashes, out of which 11.4% were Demodex brevis and 27.1% Demodex folliculorum. Bacterial growth was observed in 82.9% of the samples examined. The most frequently detected bacterium was Staphylococcus epidermidis (57%).Conclusion:Although Demodex spp. infestation has been shown to be related to diseases on ocular surface of eyes such as pterygium, xerophthalmia and chalazion, we did not observe that it induces changes in ocular surface flora in healthy adults.

Background: Procalcitonin (PCT) and C-reactive protein (CRP) are acute phase reactants indicating inflammation, particularly in bacterial infections. High PCT or CRP levels were proposed in malaria, invasive amoebiasis, babesiosis and schistosomiasis. Since liver is the sole habitat, it was hypothesized that PCT and CRP may have a role in the diagnosis of fascioliasis. Objective: The study aimed to investigate whether PCT and CRP have a role in the diagnosis of fascioliasis. Subjects and Methods: Fifty fascioliasis patients and 50 healthy blood donors in the same age range, as the control group, were included in the study. Fascioliasis was diagnosed by anti-Fasciola IgG ELISA, in addition, direct stool examinations (fresh smear and after sedimentation) were performed in both groups. Serum PCT and CRP levels were determined by I-chroma kits on I- CHROMATM II device, and NFL BN-II immunonephelometry system, respectively. Results: There was no statistically significant difference of PCT and CRP values between the fascioliasis patient group and the control group (P> 0.05). Conclusion: It was concluded that PCT and CRP were not relevant parameters for diagnosis of fascioliasis.

Blastocystis sp. is a common intestinal parasite worldwide that can cause infection in humans and animals. Blastocystis sp. has a high genetic diversity with 17 different subtypes (ST) identified to date. Since nine of these subtypes are common in both humans and animals, it has been proposed that animals may have a role in the transmission of Blastocystis sp. to human. The aim of this study is to investigate the epidemiological effect of animals on the human transmission of Blastocystis species by molecular methods for in our country. A total of 420 faecal samples were collected from the cattle, sheep, dogs, horses and chickens. Samples were stained with trichrome staining and cultivated by Jones's medium culture method. Blastocystis was detected in 53(12.6%) of 420. The samples were examined by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) to identify nine common human subtypes. Subtypes were not detected in 33(62.3) of the 53 Blastocystis positive samples. Subtypes were detected in 20(37.7%) samples. The detected subtypes were as follows: ST5 in 4(7.5%) sheep, ST6 in 6(11.3%) chickens, ST7 in 11(20.7%) chickens, both ST6-ST7 were detected in one chicken). ST1, ST2, ST3 and ST4 - common subtypes in our country- were not detected in any animal. Sheep and chickens may be the source of human transmission of ST5, ST6 and ST7, the rare subtypes in our country. As a result, humans rather than animals, seem to be the source of the human transmission of Blastocystis sp. in our country.

Objective:The purpose of this study was to determine and evaluate retrospectively the distribution of intestinal parasites detected in patients who applied to Dicle University Medical Faculty Parasitology Laboratory between 2011-2020.Methods:Stool samples sent to the parasitology laboratory for parasite examination were examined by the native-Lugol method and the samples sent with cellophane tape were examined microscopically for parasite examination. In addition, modified acidfast and trichrome staining methods were used to identify protozoan.Results:Parasites were detected in 5.99% of 60.501 stool samples sent to the parasitology laboratory. Blastocystis spp. (57.62%) was detected with the highest rate among positive samples, followed by 31.93% Giardia intestinalis, 3.75% Entamoeba histolytica/dispar, 2.37% Hymenolepis nana, 1.57% Fasciola spp., 0.91% Taenia saginata, 0.72% Enterobius vermicularis, 0.52% Cryptosporidium spp., 0.42% Cyclospora cayetanensis, 0.19 Ascaris lumbricoides were detected.Conclusion:Although the incidence of intestinal parasite infections in our study decreased over a ten-year period, it continues to maintain its importance. Therefore, to reduce the prevalence of intestinal parasites; It is important to safeguarding clean water resources, solve infrastructure problems, and inform the public about sanitation rules.

Objective:To investigate intestinal and blood parasites in people who have a history of traveling abroad during the Coronavirus disease-2019 pandemic and returning to Turkey.Methods:In this study, 104 patients with gastrointestinal system and/or fever complaints who had traveled abroad during the pandemic period and returned to Turkey were included. Parasitic agents were investigated by taking blood and stool samples from the patients. Additionally, urine samples were obtained from patients with hematuria or dysuria with the suspicion of schistosomiasis. A direct microscopic examination, the Crypto-Giardia immunochromatographic test, and ELISA methods were used in the examination of the stool samples. In order to detect Plasmodium species, blood samples were examined by preparing both the rapid diagnostic test and thick drop and thin smear preparations.Results:One or more parasite species were detected in 38 (38.5%) of 104 patients included in the study. While intestinal parasites were detected in 16 (32%) of 50 patients who traveled to Iran and 16 (33.3%) of 48 patients who traveled to Northern Iraq, blood parasites were not found. Schistosoma mansoni was detected in all 5 of the patients with a history of traveling to Sudan. Plasmodium falciparum was detected in 1 patient who traveled to the African continent.Conclusion:It is vital to take precautions to prevent parasitic diseases, such as malaria and schistosomiasis, during travels to African countries. During travels to neighboring countries of Turkey, such as Northern Iraq and Iran, hygiene should be paid attention to, so as to prevent contracting intestinal parasitic diseases. In addition, it was concluded that people who plan to travel abroad should have information about the endemic parasitic diseases of the country that they are going to.

Uygulama ve beceri eğitimlerinin yoğun olması nedeniyle tıp eğitiminin tamamen uzaktan yapılması günümüze kadar hiç tartışma konusu yapılmadı. Modern tıp eğitimi böyle bir küresel salgınla ilk kez karşılaştı. Bu sebeple uzaktan tıp eğitimi yapmaya kimse hazırlıklı değildi. E-öğrenme uygulamaları tıp eğitimi içinde yaygınlığını giderek artıracağı görülmektedir. Örgün eğitim için geliştirilen ve öğrenme yönetim sistemi olarak tanımlanan yazılımlar, asenkron uzaktan eğitimlerin yapılabildiği ve senkron eğitim uygulamalarının entegre edilebildiği bir platform sağladığı için uzaktan eğitimde kullanıma uygundur. Böyle bir öğretim yönetim sistemini eğitim öğretim hayatımızın başından beri yaklaşık dört yıldır kullandığımız için bu süreçte tıp eğitimimizi kesintiye uğratmadan sürdürebildik. Ancak tıp eğitiminin temel hekimlik uygulama ve becerilerinin uzaktan eğitimle verilmeyeceği, elektronik ortamlarda yapılan sınavlarda güvenlik sorununun en önemli kısıtlılık olduğu yaşanarak görülmüştür.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE Cyclospora cayetanensis, a coccidian protozoan species, has been recently found to cause diarrhea in all age groups in immunocompetent and immunocompromised individuals in most regions of the world. This study aimed to conduct the molecular detection of C. cayetanensis and to determine the genetic diversity of the 18S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene sequence of C. cayetanensis isolated from individuals living in different provinces in Turkey by using PCR-single-strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP). MATERIAL AND METHODS A total of 22 subjects were included in the study. Fourteen of the subjects were female and eight were male, with ages ranging between 7-65 years. Stool specimens were examined using wet mount and modified acid-fast staining methods, which revealed the presence of oocysts in the samples. The 18S rRNA ITS-1 Ccits37f-GCTTGCTATGTTTTAGCATGTGG and Ccits501r-GCACAATGAATGCACACACA gene regions were used as primers. The PCR products were analyzed by agarose gel electrophoresis and visualized on a UV transilluminator. For the SSCP, the PCR products were denatured with formamide, run for 16 h in 6% (49:1) polyacrylamide gel, and then imaged with silver staining. RESULTS SSCP assay was performed given that the DNA strands demonstrated different folds; the DNA strands contain different nucleotides based on the PCR-SSCP results for the Cyclospora strains collected in 4 provinces. Moreover, 3 different band profiles were observed in the investigated samples. A slight mutation difference was observed among the strains collected. CONCLUSIONS Further comprehensive studies involving more C. cayetanensis-positive specimens and utilizing different mutation screening methods are warranted to demonstrate mutation differences in Cyclopora strains in Turkey.

Scabies is a cutaneous infectious disease caused by the ectoparasite Sarcoptes scabiei. The disease has gained attention due to its increasing incidence in recent years. Rare and atypical forms of scabies can imitate many other cutaneous conditions. Such unfamiliar presentations may lead to misdiagnosis and mistreatment. Localised scabies is extremely rare and only few cases have been reported in the relevant literature. Herein, we report the case of a 4-month-old girl presenting with localised scabies limited to the right plantar surface. To the best of our knowledge, scabies restricted to the plantar region has never been reported in the paediatric population. Furthermore, scabies restricted to a single foot has never been reported in any age group. Awareness about the atypical and extraordinary manifestations of scabies can lead to early diagnosis and treatment and, thus, decrease disease-related morbidity and risk of transmission.

Objective:The aim of present study was to retrospectively determine the prevalence of intestinal parasites in patients, who were referred to Parasitology Laboratory in Van Yüzüncü Yıl University, Faculty of Medicine during an 11-year period.Methods:Stool samples of 69633 individuals admitted to the outpatient clinics in the hospital were initially evaluated with native-Lugol, and then by flotation, sedimentation, trichrome staining, modified acid-fast staining and ELISA methods.Results:Twenty-four parasite species were identified in parasite-positive patients. At least one or more parasite species were found in 34.1% of all patients. The most commonly observed parasite was Blastocystis hominis (26.5%). Among pathogen parasites, Giardia intestinalis (G. intestinalis) was detected in 9.3%, Ascaris lumbricoides (A. lumbricoides) was detected in 2.5%, Entamoeba histolytica/Entamoeba dispar in 0.8%, Cystoisospora belli in 0.004%, Fasciola hepatica in 0.04%, Dicrocoelium dendriticum in 0.001%, Strongyloides stercoralis in 0.001% and hookworm in 0.001% of the patients.Conclusion:It was determined that, pathogen parasites such as G. intestinalis and A. lumbricoides were still observed at high rates in Van province, especially in children, and the problem of parasitosis is still continuing, although the prevalence of parasites has declined when compared to the previous years.

PurposeThe present study aimed to determine the frequency of subtypes of Blastocystis sp. in the immunosuppressed individuals, in patients with chronic urticaria, and in patients with GIS complaints to investigate the difference of Blastocystis sp. subtype distribution between patient and control groups.MethodsA total of 345 stool samples were collected from the patients and samples were studied by native-Lugol, trichrome staining, and Jones medium culture method. Positively detected samples were subjected to PCR to determine the subtypes. ResultsThis is the first study of nine subtypes of Blastocystis sp. investigated in our country and the most frequently found subtype was ST3, and then, the other subtypes were ST1, ST2, ST5, and ST6, respectively. Mix subtype was detected in the 11.6% and no subtype was detected in the 17.4% of the samples. The ST5 was detected first time in the control group and ST6, which is reported limitedly in our country, was found in patients with GIS complaints. ST1 and ST2 were found higher in the patient group.ConclusionThis study confirmed that the subtype (ST) differences are an important factor affecting the pathogenesis of Blastocystis sp.