OBJECTIVE: In the beginning of 2007–2008 Northern Hemisphere influenza season, the frequency of influenza A (H1N1) viruses bearing a previously defined oseltamivir resistance conferring amino acid change from histidine to tyrosine at position 274 (H274Y) in neuraminidase (NA) gene increased dramatically. The overall frequency of oseltamivir resistance in influenza A (H1N1) strains from Europe was 25%, although it varied between countries, with Norway detecting the highest proportion (67%), and others, including Spain, as low as 2%. In this study, it is aimed to evaluate the oseltamivir resistance in influenza A H1N1 isolates in Turkey during 2007-2008 influenza season.
METHODS: During November 2007 –2008 May, 20 samples selected randomly between 73 influenza A (H1N1) positive samples detected with real-time RT-PCR in Refik Saydam National Public Health Agency (RSNPHA) National Influenza Center (NIC). To detect such resistant viruses in Turkey, an RT-PCR assay was performed targeting amino acid position 274 in NA gene of H1N1 influenza strain to investigate the presence or absence of histidine to tyrosine mutation. The NA genes of influenza viruses were sequenced and resistance was inferred by comparison with published sequences and known resistant mutations.
RESULTS: In this study, it is evaluated that 2 (10%) of the total 20 influenza A (H1N1) strains had histidine (H) to tyrosine (Y) substitution at position 274 (275 in N1 numbering) of the NA gene which indicates resistance to oseltamivir. The partial sequence analysis results of NA segments were submitted to National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) GenBank with accession numbers GQ369800, GQ369799, GQ369798.
CONCLUSION: By NA gene sequencing, we monitor the presence of H274Y oseltamivir-resistant influenza A (H1N1) viruses in Central and Eastern parts of Turkey. Our results indicate that resistance to neuraminidase inhibitors (NAIs) has begun to be detected in A/H1N1 isolates in Turkey in 2008.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the microbial contamination, bacterial endotoxin test results and to in relation these tests with each other of dialysis water samples coming for control to water and food microbiology laboratory of Adana Hygiene Institute Refik Saydam Hygiene Center Presidency in 2009, and in 2010.
METHODS: In this study, 245 dialysis water samples were studied coming for control to our laboratory in between January 2009 and December 2010. While microbial contamination were studied all of these samples, bacterial endotoxin were only studied in 198 samples. Microbial contamination were studied with pour-plate method in Plate Count Agar (PCA) according to European Pharmacopoeia. Limulus amoebocyte lysate (LAL) assay were used for bacterial endotoxin. Microbial contamination and bacterial endotoxin results evaluated according to criterion of “Directive on the Water Purification the System and European Pharmacopoeia)’’. Chi-square test was used for statistical analysis of results for the change according to years and P< 0,05 was considered statistically significant.
RESULTS: As a result of microbial contamination and bacterial endotoxin tests have higher than 100 CFU/ml of dilaysis waters that microbial contamination with total aerobic microorganism count (TAMC) according to datas for in 2009 was found than 11,7 % in 2009 but, it was fallen down to 4,8 % in 2010 (P> 0,05). While level of bacterial endotoxin have higher than 0,25 IU/ml were found than 26,7 % in 2009, but it was fallen down to 16,5 % in 2010 (P> 0,05). 245 microbial contamination were studied and in 20 (8,2 %) samples of TAMC were found as higher than 100 CFU/ml between 2009 and 2010. In total of 198 samples were studied bacterial endotoxin and level of it was found in 43 (21,7 %) as higher than 0,25 IU/ml in these years.
As for compare with both of two methods according to result of bacterial endotoxin test higher than 0,25 IU/ml in 20 (46,5 %) of these 43 samples were found TAMC as result of microbial contamination test were found at higher than 100 CFU/ml, but in other 23 (53,5 %) samples were found lower than 100 CFU/ml.
There were no statistically significant differences between positivity found according to the years (P> 0,05).
CONCLUSION: The findings of our study demonstrate that detected of the level of endotoxin is a complementary feature to microbial contamination for in the bacteriological monitoring of dialysis waters. We recommended that the levels of endotoxin should be studied in with the bacterial count. They are very important that periodic control of dialysis waters would be orderly done, to be right on time, true, reliable, and full laboratory tests of dialysis waters.

OBJECTIVE: Candidiasis, Candida species around the world are found in humans as a result of parasitism. Our study was conducted in 1998 at Istanbul the prevelance of candidiasis was found to be 0.3% in outpatients and 11.4% in prostitutes. Determining the change in the rate of candidiasis in prostitutes and outpatients during the period of ten years.
METHODS: Vaginal discharge of suspected tricomoniazis vaginitis samples were taken from 93 prostitutes that admitted to Hospital of Skin and Venereal Diseases and from 114 outpatients that admitted to Istanbul Medical Faculty, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology outpatient clinic. 207 patients sample were examined. Smears were prepared from samples and examined under a microscope by Gram staining, additionally Candida culture was performed by inseminating 1 unit of fluid, 1 unit of solid Sabouraud to their media.
RESULTS: Candida was found in 31 (14.9%) of 207 samples of vaginal discharge, and yeast cells were seen in 25 (80.7%) of them by Gram staining. 21 (67.7%) of Candidas were formed by Candida albicans species. Candida was reported in 10 (10.8%) of 93 prostitutes, and in 21 (18.4%) of outpatients.
CONCLUSION: Even though a reduction in the prevalance of candidiasis in outpatients was seen compared to ten years ago, a reduction in the prevalance of candidiasis in prostitutes was not observed. In conclusion our epidemiological study is important for determining social development level in terms of infection.

OBJECTIVE: The cytotoxic effects of natural rubber gloves and urinary catheters on different cells have been earlier reported. In order to reduce these effects, various coating techniques such as silver or polymer (hydrogel, silicone, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)) coatings have been developed. However, during manufacturing process of silicone-coated rubber catheters -similar to latex catheters-, zinc compounds which have cytotoxic effects are added to the natural rubber base. The aim of this study was to compare the in vitro cytotoxic effects of rubber catheters with the silicone-coated rubber and to investigate the causes of the toxic effect.
METHODS: The cytotoxic effects of total 48 urinary catheters in three different structure (natural rubber, silicone, silicone-coated rubber) and 8 different brands were analysed in mouse connective tissue fibroblast cell culture (L-929) by qualitative (imaging and scoring) and quantitative (MTT) methods. The levels of the elements in catheter extracts were examined in an Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS).
RESULTS: Compared with standard polyethylene used as a negative control, the extracts from 100% silicone did not change vitality (95.43% ± 5.39) while the natural rubber (8.57% ± 0.54) and silicone-coated rubber (21.0% ± 2.52) decreased significantly ((mean ± St. error, p <0.01). In elemental analysis of the catheter extracts by AAS method, the zinc levels of rubber and silicon-coated catheter extracts were 4.78 ± 0.66 mg / L and 2.78 ± 0.33 mg / L respectively and correlated with the observed toxic effects. Between the investigated levels of other elements (Cr, Ag, Cu, Bi, Pb, Fe, Co, Cd), a statistically significant difference could not been found. The addition of the chelating agent -ethylenediaminetetracetic acid (EDTA)- which is in non-toxic leves (5μM) for the cells reversed the latex cytotoxicity totally.
CONCLUSION: Our study demonstrated that both the rubber and the silicone-coated rubber catheters have cytotoxic effects. Zinc compounds added to rubber in the production stage with a variety of purposes have proven to be responsible from this toxicity. The significant difference between the cytotoxic effects of silicone-coated catheters suggests that an production technology is an important factor for the quality. Different coating methods investigations or the products proved to be non-toxic should be used instead of the rubber the catheters, in order to reduce urinary catheterization complications in clinical practice.

OBJECTIVE: Objective: Listeriosis causes abortion, septicemia and meningoencephalitis in human and animals. The infected dogs have important role for public health due to they can spread Listeria monocytogenes (L. monocytogenes) strains by their faces or urines. The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of listeriosis in dogs in Konya Province.
METHODS: Methods: A number of 135 blood serum samples were collected from dogs from city pound of Konya (n = 106) or from the clinics (n = 9) and dog research unit (n = 20) of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Selcuk University. Samples were examined by Micro Standard Tube Agglutination Test (mSAT) and ELISA. The statistical differences between groups were determined by the x2 test and fisher exact x2 tests.
RESULTS: Results: Of the 135 serum samples tested, 31 (23%) and 21 (15.5%) were found to be positive for listeriosis by mSAT and ELISA, respectively (Table 1). Fourteen serum samples which were positive by mSAT were negative with ELISA. The 114 of 135 (84.5%) samples were found negative by ELISA. The frequency of listeriosis in the city pound of Konya, the clinics, and dog research unit of the Veterinary Faculty, Selcuk University was found 24.5%, 11.1% and 20% by mSAT and 19.8%, 0% and 0% by ELISA, respectively (Table 1). According to ELISA result, the listeriosis frequency was found higher in dogs of city pound than in animals from the clinics and dog research unit of the Veterinary Faculty.
CONCLUSION: Conclusions: The seropositivity of L. monocytogenes was found in a high rate for the first time in stray dogs in Konya Province by this study. This high sero-positivity is concern of Veterinary and human public health.

Brucellosis is a zoonotic disease caused by Brucella species that is a gram negative coccobacilli and that may present itself with symptoms such as fever, diaphoresis, arthalgia, and myalgia. Although humans become infected by coming in contact with animals or consuming dairy products that are contaminated with brucella, cases where humans are infected by vaccination are rarely mentioned in the literature. Here, we present a case where a veterinarian was diagnosed with brucellosis upon being exposed to Brucella abortus S19 during vaccination of young cattle. A 24-year old male veterinarian accidentally inoculated Brucella abortus S19 vaccine to the thumb of his left hand during vaccination of cattle. He was admitted to the hospital 36 hours after the inoculation and he was presented with edema and sensitivity on the innoculation site. Other physical examination findings revealed normal. Firstly, serological tests (rose bengal and standard tube agglutination test) turned out to be negative. Routin biochemical results were within normal range. In addition, wound culture that was extracted from the inoculation site didn’t show any bacterial growth. Despite chemoprophylactic treatment with doxycycline, the patient developed fever, diaphoresis, and testicular pain 21 days after the contact. His body temperature was 38.3 °C during his second visit. The patient complained about pain and edema during flexition at the inoculation site. Laboratory tests showed aspartat aminotransferaz (AST) 32 U/L, alanin aminotransferaz (ALT) 25 U/L, and CRP 8.94 mg/dL. The serological tests found positive for rose bengal and showed standard serum agglutination at 1/320. Blood culture was negative. Based on clinical and serological findings, the patient was diagnosed with brucellosis and treated successfully by doxycycline (200mg/day) and rifampicin (600mg/day) combination for six weeks. He was then followed up. The following examinations didn’t show any symptoms and no relapse was noted. Veterinarians are under risk due to vaccination. Those who have been infected by vaccination should receive prophylactic treatment. However, post exposure prophylactic treatment won't always prevent progress of the disease and patients need to be followed up closely.

Aflatoxins are mycotoxins that are widely found in feeds and many food such as cereals, oil seeds, spices, meat, milk and milk products. Foods and animal feeds may be contaminated with aflatoxins during the product processing, storage and sale. Levels of aflatoxin contamination also may vary according to the climate, regional characteristics or type of food. Aflatoxins in foods and feeds generally are stable and resistant to heat. The contamination rate may increase when necessary conditions continue for the formation of these toxins. It seems not possible to purify contaminated food from aflatoxins completely. The contamination must be kept under control because of insufficient detoxification of aflatoxin. For prevention of aflatoxin occurence, contamination of mold and growing molds with several ways should be prevented with developing technologies and best practices. The toxins also can reach human through contaminated food and products obtained from animals fed contaminated feed. As a result, aflatoxins can cause acute or chronic toxicitiy. Aflatoxin exposure level, age, sex, diet and some health factors affect the degree of toxicity of aflatoxins. Aflatoxins have an important place amongs mycotoxins. Because they are the most toxic mycotoxins. In previous studies aflatoxins are dangerous for human life due to toxic, carcinogenic, teratogenic hepatoxic and mutagenic characteristic. Therefore, aflatoxins remain of importance in terms of food safety. Long-term consumption of foods containing high amounts of aflatoxin may result in problems in terms of public health, as well as adversely affecting the exports of the country could cause economic losses. Turkey as in several other countries for many food Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), Total Aflatoxin-TAF (B1, B2, G1 and G2) and Aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) are related to the legal limits. In this review, the evaluation of emerging role of aflatoxin in the context of carcinogenic, teratogenic hepatoxic and mutagenic presence in foods in recent years is aimed.