Objective: Brucellosis is one of the most prevalent zoonoses worldwide and is endemic in Türkiye. It is a multisystemic infection that can affect various organ systems. Epididymo-orchitis is the most common form of genitourinary involvement. This study aimed to evaluate the incidence, clinical characteristics, laboratory values, and treatment outcomes of brucellar epididymo-orchitis (BEO) in the East Anatolian region, where brucellosis is hyperendemic. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted between January 1, 2018, and April 30, 2019. All male patients diagnosed with brucellosis at the infectious disease clinic were evaluated for epididymo-orchitis according to clinical findings (testicular pain, swelling, erythema). In addition, to identify BEO patients, all epididymo-orchitis cases admitted to the urology outpatient clinic according to the study protocol were referred to the infectious diseases clinic for Brucella infection. Patients were enrolled prospectively, and data were analyzed retrospectively. Results: Brucella infection was diagnosed in 326 patients during the study period, of whom 208 (63.8%) were male. Brucellar epididymo-orchitis was diagnosed in 18 patients at the end of sixteen months. The incidence of epididymo-orchitis in patients with Brucella infection was 8.7%. The mean age of the patients was 36.9±11.5 years. The majority of patients had occupational animal contact (83.3%) and consumption of fresh cheese made from raw milk (55.5%). Acute brucellosis was diagnosed in 17 (94.4%) patients; all patients presented with scrotal pain and swelling. Unilateral epididymo-orchitis was observed in 16 (88.8%) patients. Most patients (88.3%) applied to outpatient clinics other than infectious diseases, especially the urology clinic (77.7%). Double or triple combined treatments with aminoglycoside/doxycycline/rifampicin were given to the patients. Hydrocelectomy was performed in three patients, orchiectomy in one patient, and relapse was seen in one patient. Conclusion: Brucella infection should be considered in patients presenting with epididymo-orchitis in endemic regions. Awareness of brucellosis by urologists will ensure that the disease is diagnosed without complications. Keywords: Brucellosis, epididymo-orchitis, epidemiology

Background: In the post-pandemic era, respiratory viruses continue to cause substantial morbidity and mortality among hospitalized adults. SARS-CoV-2 and influenza remain the most common pathogens, while RSV and rhinovirus have re-emerged as relevant causes of severe illness. This study compared the characteristics and outcomes of virus-specific infections detected by multiplex real-time PCR over two consecutive seasons. Methods: This retrospective cohort study was conducted at a 1010-bed tertiary-care hospital in Türkiye between June 2022 and June 2024. Adults hospitalized with at least one respiratory virus detected by MRT-PCR were included. Demographic, clinical, and laboratory data were analyzed. Pathogen-specific comparisons were limited to monoinfections, and predictors of in-hospital mortality were identified using multivariable logistic regression. Results: Among 518 admissions, influenza (33.6%) and SARS-CoV-2 (29.3%) were the predominant pathogens, followed by rhinovirus (11.2%), RSV (6.6%), and other respiratory viruses (19.6%). Overall in-hospital mortality was 26.6%. Mortality differed across virus groups in unadjusted analyses, being highest in SARS-CoV-2 and RSV and lowest in rhinovirus. Non-survivors were older, more comorbid, more often immunosuppressed, and more likely to require oxygen therapy or ICU care at sampling. In multivariable analysis, independent predictors of mortality were ICU location at sampling (aOR 5.52), oxygen requirement (aOR 3.39), immunosuppression (aOR 3.67), older age (per 10-year increase: aOR 1.25), and secondary bacterial infection (aOR 7.00). Viral etiology, including SARS-CoV-2, was not independently associated with mortality after adjustment. Conclusions: Among hospitalized adults, mortality was driven primarily by host-related factors and secondary bacterial infection rather than by viral etiology. These findings highlight the need for strengthened adult immunization programs, reliable respiratory virus surveillance, the prevention of bacterial superinfection, and the development of and equitable access to effective vaccines and antiviral therapies to reduce severe outcomes in high-risk adults.

Introduction: This study aimed to investigate the seroprevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections among health care workers in Zonguldak Gynecology and Pediatrics Hospital. Methodology: The records of healthcare personnel working in the hospital between 2023 and 2024 were retrospectively analyzed through the hospital information management system (HIMS) and periodic examination forms. Age, gender, job, and test results for Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), Hepatitis C antibody (anti-HCV), Hepatitis B surface antibody (anti-HBs), and HIV antibodies (anti-HIV/1-2) were all recorded. Results: A total of 364 healthcare personnel, including 25 doctors, 135 nurses, 14 technicians, 39 cleaning staff, and 151 other personnel, were included in the study. The staff comprised 266 (73%) female and 98 (27%) male workers, and the mean age was 37.69 ± 9.95 years. The HBsAg positivity rate was found to be 0.8%, and the anti-HBs positivity rate was noted to be 82.9%. Significant differences were determined for age, gender, and anti-HBs among occupational groups (p < 0.001). The prevalence of anti-HBs was markedly elevated in the group of doctors (p < 0.001). The anti-HBs value was statistically significantly different between occupational groups (p < 0.001). No staff members tested positive for anti-HCV or anti-HIV. Conclusions: Differences in infection rates and immunological responses were seen among various occupational groups, emphasizing the necessity for targeted medical attention within this population. Healthcare personnel should have screening for HBV, HCV, and HIV, and individuals susceptible to HBV should receive vaccination.