Due to uncontrolled urbanization and rapid population growth, earthquakes can have major effects on human life, society and economic systems. Infectious diseases can be seen depending on the factors that facilitate the development of infection in the long term after earthquakes. Lack of clean water, food and hygiene are important causes of infection for individuals. Problems in the city's mains systems such as water and electricity are also among the reasons that increase the possibility of infection. Lack of adequate medication may cause delays in treatment. For this reason, the surveillance of infectious diseases, which increased after the earthquake, has an important place in the fight against infectious diseases and epidemics. Latent infections such as skin and soft tissue infections, gastroenteritis due to contaminated food and water, respiratory system infections transmitted by droplets, rash diseases and meningitis, tuberculosis due to migrations and limited treatments increase after earthquakes.

Background: Microplastics are increasingly prevalent in daily life. While their adverse effects on health are well-known, their specific role in rhinitis has not been fully established. Objective: It is known that microplastics suspended in the air have toxic effects on cells through inhalation. The primary aim of this study was to investigate the presence of microplastics in nasal lavage samples from patients in both allergic rhinitis (AR) and nonallergic rhinitis (NAR) groups. Methods: Demographic data, allergy test results, respiratory function tests, mini-Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire and Total Nasal Symptom Score of patients aged 18 to 65 years who applied to the allergy clinic were recorded. Nasal lavage fluid (NLF) samples were collected with physiological serum and placed in glass tubes for all cases. After the filtration process of the samples, microplastic counting was performed under a Stereomicroscope. Results: A total of 90 subjects (AR: 30, NAR: 30, controls: 30), 64.4% females, within the mean age of 30.27 ± 10.53 years were investigated. Microplastic density in NLF was higher in all rhinitis patients ( n : 60) with no difference between AR and NAR than controls (all rhinitis = 3.10 ± 1.00 particles/mL, AR = 3.23 ± 1.29 particles/mL, NAR = 2.97 ± 0.57 particles/mL, controls = 1.18 ± 0.52 particles/mL, P < .001). Microplastic density was higher in young subjects than in older ones (values are “years; particles/mL”; 18-30; 2.79 ± 1.22, 31-45; 2.18 ± 1.13, 46-60; 1.5 ± 1.09, P < .05). In logistic procedures, microplastic density of NLF (OR = 2.20, 95% CI [1.02 to 4.75], P = .04) determine the likelihood of sneezing. Conclusions: In this study, regardless of allergy or nonallergy, higher microplastic density was found in NLF of rhinitis patients than healthy individuals. We also found quantifiable and noteworthy concentrations of microplastics in the nasal lavage of control group. These results support the idea that microplastics cause inflammation in the upper airways.

Increasing plastic consumption has made microplastics a persistent environmental pollutant present in the atmosphere and other ecosystems. These particles can enter biological tissues via ingestion, skin contact, or inhalation and potentially cause rhinitis and other respiratory diseases through inflammatory and cytotoxic effects. This study evaluated the association between nasal inhalation of microplastics, a contributor to air pollution, and rhinitis symptoms, as well as their role in the etiology of acute and chronic rhinitis. Sixty patients were equally divided into two groups: acute rhinitis (30 patients) and chronic rhinitis (30 patients). Demographic data, including age and gender, and total nasal symptom scores were recorded. Nasal lavage samples were collected and the number of microplastics in these samples was analyzed. Groups were compared based on microplastic counts. The acute rhinitis group had significantly higher microplastic levels than the chronic rhinitis group. Microplastics were detected in at least one sample from each participant, regardless of gender, age, or symptom score. The higher concentration of microplastics in acute rhinitis highlights their potential role in exacerbations and underscores the need for preventive strategies and further research on their long-term health effects.

Poxviridae ailesine ait zoonotik bir hastalık olan maymun çiçeği 1958 yılında maymunlardan izole edilmiştir. İnsanlarda çiçek hastalığına benzer bir klinik oluşturur. Enfekte hayvan ısırığı, vücut sıvıları ile temas ve damlacık yoluyla bulaş tipiktir. 2003 ve sonrasında özellikle ithalat ve turizm nedenli seyahat ile birçok ülkede salgınlara neden olmuştur. 2022 yılında görülen salgında ise bulaşın cinsel aktivite ile ilişkili olduğu düşünülmektedir. Çiçek aşısı ile bağışıklanmamış bireyler hastalık açısından risk grubunu oluşturmaktadır. İnkübasyon süresinin ortalama 6-13 gün olduğu kabul edilir. Ateş, lenfadenopati ve miyalji varlığı diğer döküntülü hastalıklardan ayırt edicidir. Ayırıcı tanıda numunelerin referans laboratuvara gönderilerek doğrulamasının yapılması şarttır. Şüphelenilen vakalar hakkında yerel halk sağlığı yetkililerine bilgi verilmesi gerekir. Destek tedavisi esastır. Özel hasta grupları için tekovirimat, brinsidofovir veya sidofovir gibi antiviral tedaviler halk sağlığı yetkilileri onayı ile başlanabilir. Ayırıcı tanı olarak düşünüldüğü her durumda tanı dışlanana kadar temas, damlacık ve solunum izolasyon önlemleri de uygulanmalıdır. Temas öncesi veya temas sonrası profilaksi için yine yerel halk sağlığı yetkilileri onayı ile çiçek aşısı uygulanabilir.