Soylu, Murat; Ekici, Abdurrahman; Aydemir, Selahattin; Yürektürk, Şehriban; Akkaş, Önder

Objective: To determine the prevalence of amoebiasis, which has been neglected in recent years according to the World Health Organization, in ulcerative colitis patients and investigate the relationship between amoebiasis and ulcerative colitis. Methods: The study included 150 individuals, including 100 ulcerative colitis patients and 50 healthy individuals without gastrointestinal complaints. The samples collected were first analyzed macroscopically and then using native-Lugol, trichrome staining, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results: In the microscopic examination, Entamoeba spp. cysts were found in 22% of the ulcerative colitis patients and 2% of those in the control group. Entamoeba histolytica (E. histolytica) adhesin antigen was detected by ELISA in 31% of the ulcerative colitis patients and 4% of those in the control group. A significant correlation was found between the incidence of E. histolytica and ulcerative colitis in the statistical evaluation. Conclusion: E. histolytica should not be neglected in ulcerative colitis patients and should be investigated in the presence of diarrhea, bloody diarrhea, and abdominal pain.

Akkaş, Önder; Gürbüz, Esra; Aydemir, Selahattin; Şahin, Maksut; Ekici, Abdurrahman

Objective: In this study, it was aimed to investigate the physical and chemical properties of different spring waters and parasitic factors with different methods. Methods: This study was carried out on 69 water samples collected from different spring waters in and around Iğdır Province in April and June 2021. The samples were analyzed by native-Lugol, modified acid-fast staining, and nested polymerase chain reaction (nPCR). In addition, altitude (meter) and pressure (mmHg) measurements were made at the point where the water samples were taken. Results: One or more parasites were detected in 27.5% of the 69 water samples examined. Only C. cayetanensis was found in 13% of the samples, only Cryptosporidium spp. in 10.1%, only Giardia spp. in 1.4%, only C. cayetanensis and Giardia spp. in 1.4%, only C. cayetanensis, Cryptosporidium spp., and Giardia spp. in 1.4%. Only Giardia spp. cyst (4.3%) was detected by the direct examination method. While C. cayetanensis and Cryptosporidium spp. oocysts were detected in 8.7% and 7.2% of the samples by the modified acid-fast staining method, C. cayetanensis was detected in 15.9% and Cryptosporidium spp. was detected in 11.6% of the samples by nPCR. When the C. cayetanensis and Cryptosporidium spp. positivity rates were compared according to the characteristics of the water, there was no statistical difference between the altitude, salinity, pH, mmHg, and temperature (kelvin) values, but a significant correlation was found between the amount of dissolved oxygen and Cryptosporidium spp. positivity (p=0.047). Conclusion: Cryptosporidium spp., C. cayetanensis, and G. intestinalis are important waterborne pathogens that can cause epidemics. It is our belief that in order to reduce the risk of contamination of these parasitic factors with spring waters, public awareness should be raised, infrastructures should be improved, and new water treatment techniques, such as ultraviolet, ozonation and monitoring systems, should be used.

Gezici, Anıl; Cengiz, Zeynep Taş; Yılmaz, Hasan; Aydemir, Selahattin

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of opportunistic parasites and Blastocystis spp. in patients with gastric cancer (CA) and to determine the significance of these parasite. Methods: The patient group and the control group were composed of 100 people each. The stool samples were examined under the microscope for intestinal parasites with the native-Lugol method. Then, samples were multiplied by formol-ethyl acetate method and stained with modified acid-fast method. Results: Intestinal parasite positivity was indicated in 14% of the gastric CA, and 2% of the healthy individuals (p=0.001). Blastocystis spp. (p=0.009) was identified in 11%, Cryptosporidium spp. was identified in 4%, G. intestinalis was identified in 2%, and C. cayetanensis was identified in 1% of the patient group. There were significant differences between the intestinal parasite positivity (p=0.012), abundant Blastocystis spp. positivity (p=0.041) and all Blastocystis spp. positivity (p=0.037) in patient and control groups. Most of the patients who were positive for parasites had diarrhea. Conclusion: Based findings, it was concluded that it would be beneficial to evaluate gastric CA patients, especially those with diarrhea, for intestinal parasites.

Karakus, Mehmet; Kenan Arserim, Suha; Pekağırbaş, Metin; Eren, Hasan; Doğan, Salih; Töz, Seray; Ozbel, Yusuf

Amaç: Çalışmada, Aydın ilinde doğadan toplanan Phlebotomus papatasi kum sineği örneklerinde saptanan parazitik Eustigmaeus johnstoniZhang ve Gerson akarının varlığının bildirilmesi amaçlanmıştır.Yöntemler: Aydın ili, Nazilli ilçesinde CDC ışıklı tuzaklar yardımıyla doğadan toplanan kum sinekleri lokalitelerine göre ayrılmıştır. Baş ve ge-nital kısımları diseke edilerek stereo ve ışık mikroskobu altında incelenmiş, ayrıca mide içerikleri de olası parazitlerin varlığı yönünden kontroledilmiştir. Kum sinekleri üzerinde karşılaşılan akarların literatüre dayalı şekilde tür teşhisleri yapılmıştır.Bulgular: Çalışmada 360 adet dişi, 378 adet erkek kum sineği örneği doğadan yakalanmış ve diseke edilmiştir. Diseksiyon ve preparasyonlarsırasında bir Phlebotomus papatasi (P. papatasi) örneğinin abdominal plevra bölgesinde Eustigmaeus johnstoni Zhang ve Gerson (E. johns-toni) türüne ait iki adet dişi parazitik akar bireyi tespit edilmiştir.Sonuç: Türkiye’de P. papatasi üzerinde E. johnstoni türü parazitik akarın varlığını gösteren ilk bulgudur. Parazitik akarlar ve kum sinekleriarasındaki ilişkiyi gösteren çalışmalar bu ilişkinin rastlantısal olmadığını göstermektedir. İlişkinin daha detaylı bilinmesi ve kum sinekleri üze-rindeki etkilerinin kapsamlı bir şekilde gösterilmesi için konu hakkında daha fazla çalışmaya ihtiyaç duyulmaktadır.

Doğan, Salih; Tilki, Engin; Zeytun, Erhan

Objective: This study aimed to determine the prevalence and density of Demodex folliculorum and D. brevis in Erzincan Province and the association between Demodex spp. and skin moisture, pH, and temperature. Methods: The study included total 300 healthy participants without dermatological ailments and residing in Erzincan Province. Moisture, pH, and temperature of the cheek were measured, and the presence of mite was determined in samples from the cheek, nasolabial, and chin region using the standard superficial skin biopsy technique. Results: The prevalence and density of D. folliculorum and D. brevis were found to be 61.3% (mean 14.3/cm 2 ) and 23.3% (mean 3.2/cm 2 ), respectively, in healthy participants. Infestation by Demodex spp. was greater in the cheek (mean 10.4/cm 2 ), followed by the nasolabial region (mean 7.2/cm 2 ) and chin (mean 6.6/cm 2 ), respectively (p<0.001). The prevalence and density of Demodex spp. were greater in those with dry skin (mean 11.6/cm 2 ), pH of 5.5-7.0 (mean 11.2/cm 2 ), and temperature of 20-23°C (mean 13.1/cm 2 ). Males, with aged >60 years, with lower educational status, and who were single were significantly more infested with Demodex spp. Conclusion: Demodex mites are very prevalent in healthy individuals with different skin moisture, skin pH, skin temperature, and demograph- ic characteristics. This may be taken into consideration when epidemiological and clinical studies are conducted on patients having different dermatological ailments.

Doğan, Salih; Özçiçek, Fatih; Ünver, Edhem; Zeytun, Erhan

Amaç: Alerjik astımlı (AA) hastaların ev tozu akarlarına (ETA) karşı olan duyarlılığını deri testi ile değerlendirmek, hastaların Dermatophago- ides pteronyssinus ve Dermatophagoides farinae’ye karşı spesifik IgE ve total IgE antikorlarını ölçmek ve hasta evlerindeki toz akar faunası araştırmak amaçlandı. Yöntemler: Çalışmaya Der p ve Der f akar alerjenleri ile deri testi yapılan AA’lı 25 hasta ve 31 sağlıklı kontrol alındı ve kan serumunda alerjene özgü IgE ve total IgE seviyeleri ölçüldü. Tüm katılımcıların evlerinden toz örnekleri toplanarak gram tozdaki akar sayısı ve türleri bakımından incelendi. Bulgular: Deri testinde pozitif Der p reaksiyonu görülen hastaların %94,7’sinin evinde Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (p<0,001), pozitif Der f reaksiyonu görülen hastaların %22,2’sinin evinde Dermatophagoides farinae tespit edildi. Spesifik IgE sonuçlarına göre Der p duyarlılığı saptanan hastaların %75’inin evinde D. pteronyssinus, Der f duyarlılığı saptanan hastaların ise %16,6’sının evinde D. farinae tespit edildi. Sonuç: Erzincan’daki AA’lı hastaların bir kısmının ev tozu akar alerjenlerine karşı duyarlı oldukları ve hasta evlerinin alerjik duyarlanmaya yol açan akarları yüksek oranda barındırdığı görüldü.

Zeytun, Erhan; Doğan, Salih; Özçiçek, Fatih; Ünver, Edhem

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the sensitivity of allergic asthma (AA) patients to house dust mites (HDM) by conducting skin tests, measuring total and specific IgE antibodies to Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus and D. farinae mites, and examining HDM fauna in patients' homes.; METHODS: The study included 25 patients with AA and 31 healthy controls, who were challenged with Der p and Der f allergens; serum levels of allergen-specific lgE and total IgE were measured. Dust samples were collected from the homes of all participants, and mite species and the number of mites per gram of dust were investigated.; RESULTS: D. pteronyssinus was found in the homes of 94.7% patients with positive Der p reactions in the skin test (p<0.001). D. farinae was found in the homes of 22.2% patients with positive Der f reactions in the skin test (p>0.05). D. pteronyssinus-specific IgE was detected in 75% patients in whose homes D. pteronyssinus was also found, while D. farinae-specific IgE was detected in 16.6% patients in whose homes D. farinae was also found.; CONCLUSION: A part of AA patients residing in Erzincan are sensitive to HDM allergens, and high numbers of mites leading to allergic sensitization are found in their homes.

Doğan, Salih; Özçiçek, Fatih; Özçiçek, Adalet; Ünver, Edhem; Aykut, Medeni; Zeytun, Erhan

Objective: We aimed to determine the species of the house dust mites seen in Erzincan, the number of mites per gram of dust in the houses, and the relationship between temperature and the number of mite specimens.Methods: For this purpose, 54 dust samples collected from 18 houses located in different districts of Erzincan province between November 2013 and January 2014. These samples were examined by a lactic acid precipitation method.Results: Of the houses in which the dust samples were collected, 94.44% were found to be positive in terms of mites. A total of 844 mite specimens were isolated from the dust samples, and the mean number of mites per gram of dust was found to be 18.34. The most common species was found to be Acarus siro (55.55%) and was followed by Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (50.00%), Tyrophagus putrescentiae (22.22%), Histiostoma sp. (22.22%), Lepidoglyphus destructor (16.66%), T. perniciosus (11.11%), Euroglyphus maynei (11.11%), Glycyphagus privatus (11.11%), Cheyletus sp. (11.11%), Tarsonemus sp. (11.11%), and Tetranychus sp. (11.11%).Conclusion: Mite-holding rate of the houses in Erzincan province was found to be 94.44%. The mean number of mites per gram of dust was found to be 18.34. The most common mite species was A. siro, which was followed by D. pteronyssinus

Zeytun, Erhan; Doğan, Salih; Aykut, Medeni; Özçiçek, Fatih; Ünver, Edhem; Özçiçek, Adalet

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to determine the species of the house dust mites seen in Erzincan, the number of mites per gram of dust in the houses, and the relationship between temperature and the number of mite specimens.; METHODS: For this purpose, 54 dust samples collected from 18 houses located in different districts of Erzincan province between November 2013 and January 2014. These samples were examined by a lactic acid precipitation method.; RESULTS: Of the houses in which the dust samples were collected, 94.44% were found to be positive in terms of mites. A total of 844 mite specimens were isolated from the dust samples, and the mean number of mites per gram of dust was found to be 18.34. The most common species was found to be Acarus siro (55.55%) and was followed by Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (50.00%), Tyrophagus putrescentiae (22.22%), Histiostoma sp. (22.22%), Lepidoglyphus destructor (16.66%), T. perniciosus(11.11%), Euroglyphus maynei (11.11%), Glycyphagus privatus (11.11%), Cheyletus sp. (11.11%), Tarsonemus sp. (11.11%), and Tetranychus sp. (11.11%).; CONCLUSION: Mite-holding rate of the houses in Erzincan province was found to be 94.44%. The mean number of mites per gram of dust was found to be 18.34. The most common mite species was A. siro, which was followed by D. pteronyssinus.

Erman, Ömer Köksal; Doğan, Salih; Aykut, Medeni

Objective: This study was conducted to determine the dust mite fauna of houses in Bitlis and Muş provinces, the monthly value of mite numbers/g dust, as well as the impact of temperature, humidity and altitude on their numbers. Methods: Dust samples were collected monthly from May 2010 to April 2011 from six houses belonging to three settlements; two of the houses were located in Bitlis, while another four were in Muş province. Results: All 72 examined dust samples were found to be positive with regard to mites. The number of mites found in 1 g dust varied from 25 to 2,740. Overall, 1,167 house dust mites belonging to the orders Astigmata, Mesostigmata and Prostigmata were isolated. Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus was the predominant mite (83.2%), followed by Lepidoglyphus destructor (6.3%), Acarus siro (2.7%) and Tyrophagus putrescentiae (1.9%). The mite numbers were higher in the warmer months of the year. Conclusion: The dominant mite in the Bitlis and Muş provinces is Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, and the highest mite numbers were found in months in which the outside humidity was low.