Introduction: Respiratory viruses are the leading cause of acute respiratory tract infections in both children and adults, with significant morbidity and healthcare burden. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, these pathogens typically exhibited predictable seasonal circulation patterns. However, the pandemic markedly disrupted this seasonality, leading to reduced viral detection during lockdowns and unusual peaks in subsequent periods.Objective: This study aimed to identify respiratory pathogens in LRTI patients using multiplex PCR and to assess changes in virus distribution during and after the COVID-19 pandemic across age groups.Methods: A total of 748 nasopharyngeal swab samples (one per patient) collected between March 2020 and November 2024 were retrospectively analyzed using the QIAstat-Dx Respiratory Panel, a multiplex PCR assay de tecting 19 respiratory viruses including SARS-CoV-2, influenza viruses, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and Rhinovirus/Enterovirus. Statistical analyses, including multivariate logistic regression, assessed viral positivity predictors. Additionally, the Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average (ARIMA) time-series model was used to evaluate trends and predict respiratory virus activity through 2027.Results: The cohort comprised 60.4% males and 39.6% females, with 14.4% pediatric (0–18 years) and 85.6% adult patients. Respiratory viruses were detected in 43.6% of samples, with significantly higher positivity in children (71.5%) compared to adults (40%) (p < 0.01). SARS-CoV-2 dominated during the pandemic (65.5% of positive cases), whereas post-pandemic viral circulation shifted toward other pathogens, notably Rhinovirus/Enterovirus (71.5%). Co-infections occurred more frequently in children (14.1%) than adults (2.7%) (p < 0.001). RSV re-emerged in late 2022 but was undetected in 2024, while influenza activity increased notably in early 2024. Multivariate analysis identified pediatric age as a strong independent predictor of viral positivity (OR: 3.68; 95% CI: 2.25–6.03).Discussion: Following the relaxation of public health measures, there was a marked resurgence of non- SARS-CoV-2 respiratory viruses, particularly in children, indicating a possible shift in viral epidemiology. These findings emphasize the critical need for ongoing surveillance and targeted interventions, especially in pediatric populations, to mitigate future respiratory viral disease burdens.

The aim of the study was to measure the degree of dentine surface roughness caused by five distinct lasers used to treat dentine hypersensitivity, as well as to evaluate the subsequent bacterial colonization on these irradiated surfaces. Sixty human maxillary premolar teeth without caries or restoration which were extracted for periodontal reasons were used in this study. Five different types of lasers were applied to the root dentin surface. Tested samples were divided into six groups of 10 samples each; control, diode (810 nm), diode (980 nm), Nd: YAG, Er: YAG, and Er, Cr: YSGG laser groups. The arithmetic mean of the surface roughness values (Ra) and the average roughness over a measurement area (Sa) were measured pre- and post-application using any of the laser types. Swab samples were then collected from the dentin surface. Following a 24-hour incubation period at 37 °C, the colony forming units were counted using a stereoscope. The results demonstrated a statistically significant difference in the surface roughness values pre- and post-application (Ra and Sa, respectively) in the Er, Cr: YSGG laser group (p = 0.037,p = 0.007). No significant difference was observed in the other groups (p > 0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in the number of bacterial colonies observed between the test and control groups. Diode and Nd: YAG lasers showed either a decrease or no change in surface roughness; however, the hard tissue lasers (Er: YAG, Er, Cr: YSGG) showed an increase. The Er: YAG and Nd: YAG laser groups exhibited decreased bacterial adhesion compared to the other groups.

Objectives Aerosols formed during dental treatments have a huge risk for the spread of bacteria and viruses. This study is aimed at determining which part of the working area and at what size aerosol is formed and ensuring more effective use of HEPA-filtered devices. Materials and methods Anterior tooth preparation was performed by one dentist with one patient. Particle measurements were made using an airborne particle counter and were taken at four different locations: the chest of the patient, the chest of the dentist, the center of the room, and near the window. Three groups were determined for this study: group 1: measurement in a 24-h ventilated room (before the tooth preparation, empty room), group 2: measurement with the use of saliva ejector (SE), and group 3: measurement with the use of saliva ejector and HEPA-filtered extra-oral suction (HEOS) unit. Results The particles generated during tooth preparation were separated according to their sizes; the concentration in different locations of the room and the efficiency of the HEOS unit were examined. Conclusions The present study showed that as the particle size increases, the rate of spread away from the dentist’s working area decreases. The HEPA-filtered extra-oral suction unit is more effective on particles smaller than 0.5 microns. Therefore, infection control methods should be arranged according to these results. Clinical relevance The effective and accurate use of HEPA-filtered devices in clinics significantly reduces the spread of bacterial and viral infections and cross-infection.

Background: Carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (CRKp) is an urgent global health threat due to its rapid spread and limited treatment options. Ceftazidime–avibactam exhibits broad efficacy against gram-negative bacteria, including CRKp; however, emerging resistance to this agent is increasingly reported. Understanding the prevalence of ceftazidime–avibactam resistance and the underlying carbapenemase genes is critical for optimizing antimicrobial stewardship and guiding clinical management. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of ceftazidime avibactam resistance among CRKp isolates collected from various clinical specimens, and to analyze their associated carbapenemase genes and antibiotic resistance profiles. Methods: This cross-sectional study analyzed 312 K pneumoniae isolates obtained from various clinical specimens of hospitalized patients at a tertiary care hospital in Turkey. Antibiotic susceptibility testing was performed using the disk diffusion method for ceftazidime–avibactam and broth microdilution for both colistin and ceftazidime–avibactam. Molecular detection of carbapenemase genes was carried out using polymerase chain reaction. Results: Ceftazidime–avibactam resistance was identified in 21.5% (67/312) of CRKp isolates. Among these isolates, 37.3% harbored both OXA-48 and NDM genes, 13.4% carried NDM alone, 10.4% carried OXA-48 alone, and 38.8% lacked these genes. The majority of resistant isolates originated from urine (31.3%), followed by tracheal aspirate (29.9%), and blood (22.4%) specimens. The prevalence of colistin susceptibility among ceftazidime–avibactam-resistant CRKp isolates was 56.7%. Conclusions: The coexistence of NDM and OXA-48 genes is a major contributor to ceftazidime–avibactam resistance in CRKp isolates, particularly in urinary and respiratory tract infections. These findings underscore the need for ongoing surveillance and tailored antibiotic stewardship programs to control the spread of resistance in hospital settings.