Introduction: This study investigated demographic characteristics and the prevalence of viremia among anti-HCV-positive patients. Methodology: Hospital records of adult patients with anti-HCV positivity between June 2016 and October 2018 were screened retrospectively. Demographic characteristics, genotype distribution, history of injection drug use (IDU), treatment data of HCV RNA-positive patients were investigated. Results: The rate of anti-HCV seropositivity was 1.7% and 54.5% of these were viremic. 69.5% of the 869 viremic patients were male. The mean age was 62 ± 15 (18–95) years for women and 42 ± 19 (18-90) years for men (p < 0.0001). 42.7% of these patients had IDU history. Regarding age, patients with IDU history accounted for 95% of the 18–29 age group. The most common genotype in patients younger than 40 was genotype 3, and genotype 1b in those older than 40. Only 52% of viremic patients had received DAA therapy. Also, 62.2% of patients aged < 40 and 36% of patients > 40 did not receive treatment (p < 0.0001). The SVR12 rate in patients receiving DAA treatment and follow-up was 100%; SVR24 was 99.5%. Conclusions: A shift in the demographic structure of HCV-infected patients due to the changing trends of the HCV transmission mode was observed in this study. On the other hand, the proportion of patients who received DAA therapy was low. A substantial proportion of untreated patients were young with a history of IDU. This indicates that without strategies targeting the patients, the patient load due to HCV-related cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma may persist in the future.

Candida krusei also known as Pichia kudriavzevii is a potentially multidrug-resistant yeast because it is intrinsically resistant to fluconazole and develops acquired resistance to echinocandins and polyenes. Here, we aim to provide a better understanding of the epidemiology and transmission modes of C. krusei infections by comparing invasive bloodstream (n = 35) and non-invasive vaginal (n = 20) C. krusei isolates. The genetic relatedness of the isolates was assessed using a newly described short tandem repeat (STR) analysis and their sensitivity to eight antifungal compounds was evaluated by antifungal susceptibility testing using the CLSI microbroth dilution method. All C. krusei isolates revealed unique STR genotypes, indicating the absence of clonal transmission in the study group. Furthermore, no drug-resistant or non-wild-type isolates were identified. Our findings demonstrated high resolution of STR genotyping for the detection and simultaneous genetic analysis of multiple C. krusei strains in clinical samples and excellent in vitro activity of common antifungal agents against invasive strains. To gain insight into the mode of transmission and resistance development of C. krusei, we compared invasive bloodstream C. krusei isolates with non-invasive vaginal isolates using genotyping and susceptibility testing. All isolates demonstrated unique genotypes and no antifungal resistance was found, indicating the absence of clonal transmission and a high susceptibility to antifungals.

Candidemia is a major global health challenge, with Candida albicans being the most common causative agent. Since antifungal drugs may promote resistance, regular epidemiological studies are required. Nonetheless, microbiological and clinical data on C. albicans in Türkiye are limited. Therefore, we assessed data from C. albicans cases in a tertiary care hospital in Türkiye. Among 171 enrolled patients, the overall mortality rate was 66.7%. Univariate analysis showed that age, intensive care unit (ICU) admission, central venous catheterization, mechanical ventilation, hemodialysis, diabetes mellitus, Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection, steroid use, and hyperalimentation were associated with mortality. Multivariate logistic regression showed that age, ICU admission, steroid use and hyperalimentation were independently associated with mortality. In Cox regression, age, ICU admission, prior antifungal use, and absence of antifungal treatment after candidemia were independently associated with decreased survival. Fluconazole (FLC) was the most frequently used antifungal, and patients treated with FLC + amphotericin B or FLC + echinocandin had the best survival rates. All 171 isolates were susceptible to all tested antifungals. Our findings show high mortality rates and reveal mortality-associated factors. Candida albicans remains susceptible to all antifungals; therefore, timely diagnosis and appropriate antifungal treatment can enhance survival and clinical outcomes.

Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is an important health problem common in our country. In this study, anti-Echinococcus granulosus IgG antibodies were investigated in the serum samples of 454 patients who attended the Ondokuz Mayıs University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Parasitology between 2005 and 2011. IHA (Fumouze, France) and ELISA (R-Biopharm, Germany) tests were performed at the same time. While serum samples from 328 patients (72%) were negative with both tests, 81 samples (18%) were found to be positive with both tests. Forty (49%) cases were female, 41 (51%) cases were male who were positive by both tests. 25 (31%) positive cases were between 31 and 50 years old. While IHA was negative for 33 patients (7%) ELISA was positive for the same samples. In 2 patients (0.4%), both tests revealed low-positivity. Using these two tests together for serologic detection of cystic echinococcosis could be recommended because of the high sensitivity and specificity ratios.