Karakeçili, Faruk; Barkay, Orçun

Introduction: Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) is a severe zoonotic disease characterized by a spectrum of clinical manifestations, including fever and organ bleeding. Specific endemic regions, such as Türkiye's Kelkit Valley, have established prognostic classification systems that notably exclude considerations of blood groups. This study aims to contribute to this evolving field by assessing whether blood groups play a significant role in the course of CCHF. Methods: The study involves 368 patients who were followed up at our clinic between 2011-2023. Statistical analyses were conducted to evaluate the relationships between demographic characteristics, blood groups, severe case presentations, and mortality rates. The relationships between blood group, gender, age, severe case status, and death status were assessed. Results: Our findings indicate that individuals with blood group A (+) exhibited a significantly higher rate of severe CCHF cases. However, blood group did not significantly affect mortality rates. Notably, advancing age was identified as a risk factor for mortality. Discussion and Conclusion: This study contributes valuable insights into the interplay between blood groups and CCHF outcomes, suggesting that blood group A (+) may be associated with an elevated risk of severe disease. Understanding the role of blood groups in CCHF may inform risk assessment and potential personalized therapeutic interventions in the future.

Akyol, Fethi; Karaca, Nurcan Kutluer

Introduction: Retrolaminar block (RLB) is a novel thoracic truncal block for analgesia for the thoracic and abdominal walls. However, the analgesic efficacy of RLB in patients undergoing selective lumbar herniectomy is not well known. The aim of this study is to determine the analgesic efficacy of RLB by measuring the pain intensity of patients with the Numeric Pain Rating Scale and evaluating the non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs and opioid consumption after the surgery. Methods: Thirty patients with the American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status 1, 2, and 3 undergoing lumbar herniectomy of less than three levels between June 2019 and December 2019 were included in the study. The patients were evaluated in two groups: the RLB group (group R, n=15) and the intravenous (IV) analgesics group (group C, n=15). 10 mL 0.25% bupivacaine was applied bilaterally at the RLB. Tenoxicam, tramadol, and aldolan were administered as post-operative IV analgesic treatment. Numeric Rating Scale scores were evaluated at 2, 8, 12, 24, and 48 h after the surgery. Ketorolac and opioid consumption were evaluated at 24th and 48th h. Results: Compared with group C, group R exhibited lower pain scores at 2, 8, 12, and 24 h postoperatively (p<0.05 for each). Tenoxicam and tramadol doses at 24 and 48 h were lower in group R than the group C (p<0.05 for each). Discussion and Conclusion: The retrolaminar block is an effective technique for post-operative analgesia in patients under going selective lumbar herniectomy within the first 24 h without significant complication.

Erol, Serpil; Senbayrak, Seniha; Barkay, Orçun; Ceran, Nurgül; Inan, Asuman

Introduction: Tuberculosis (TB) is a prevalent opportunistic infection among individuals afflicted with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). HIV infection significantly heightens the risk of TB development, whereas TB, in turn, accelerates the progression of HIV. Among individuals living with HIV, TB remains the most frequently observed disease. Our study’s aim is the evaluation of TB tests among HIV/ acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) cases. Methods: This study encompassed HIV/AIDS patients aged over 18 years. Tuberculin skin test (TST) and interferon-gamma release assay test (IGRA) results of the patients were evaluated retrospectively. Microsoft Excel and Chi-square test were used to analyze the data and the relationship between assessments. Results: 109 patients underwent TST, with twenty of them displaying reactions of ≥5 mm. Ten patients received IGRA testing and two of them tested positive. Two patients who were confirmed to have active TB during the study exhibited negative TST results, with IGRA not being evaluated in these cases. Among the 22 patients found to be TST positive, TB prophylaxis was initiated. The mean CD4+ T lymphocyte count in patients with TST positivity was 500.4/mm3, whereas in patients with IGRA positivity, it was 497/mm3. Moreover, the mean CD4 + T lymphocyte count in patients with negative TST results was 444.1/mm3, and it was 392.2/mm3 in patients with negative IGRA results. No statistically significant correlation was observed between TST results and patients’ CD4 + T lymphocyte counts and serum HIV-RNA levels. Discussion and Conclusion: The evaluation of TST and IGRA data within the context of HIV-infected cases presents a crucial perspective on the management of TB in this population. Our findings, alongside relevant literature, contribute to a deeper understanding of TB diagnostics and co-infection dynamics among individuals living with HIV. TB remains the leading cause of HIV-related morbidity and mortality. Screening for TB is essential in newly diagnosed HIV-infected cases.

Davarcı, Pınar Zehra; Türkmen, Funda Müşerref; Kilicoglu, Zeynep Gamze; Baş, Süleyman

Nutcracker syndrome (NCS) was first described by Grand in 1944 as compression of the left renal vein with the superior artery (SMA)between the abdominal aorta. Although there are a limited number of clinical studies on NCS, the most common symptoms andsigns are left side pain, hematuria and proteinuria due to venous hypertension of the left kidney. Dyspareunia, dysuria, dysmenorrhea, scrotal and varicose vein formation in the lower extremity, abdominal pain are other rare symptoms and signs. Rarely, NCS hasbeen reported to cause arterial hypertension. We found NCS in two young patients who were investigated for secondary reasons ofarterial hypertension, and we decided to present them in this study.