No abstract

Introduction: Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted infection agent worldwide and, with high-risk (HR) HPV genotypes, is the main factor for development of cervical cancer. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of HPV and distribution of HR-HPV genotypes in cervical swab samples and compare them with demographic and clinical data. Methodology: Cervical swab samples of 2,285 women between the age of 17 and 76 were assessed between January 2018 and October 2020 in order to obtain the data of Turkey. Fifteen different HR-HPV genotypes were determined using multiplex real-time polymerase chain reaction test. Results: HPV was positive in 36.3% (829/2,285) of DNA samples. Prevalence of multiple HR-HPV infection was 40.7%. Of the women, 30.9% (256/829) were infected with HPV16, 14.6% (121/829) with HPV39, and 14.2% (118/829) with HPV51. The most frequently detected genotypes with HPV16 were HPV31, HPV39 and HPV52, respectively. In women with cervical dysplasia, HPV16, 31, and 39 were the most common, and in women with genital warts, HPV16, 59 and 66 were most common, respectively. The highest HR-HPV prevalence was detected in the 17-34 age group (44.1%) (p < 0.001). Conclusions: The prevalence of HR-HPV was 36.3% in this study. High prevalence (44.1%) especially in young women was consistent with findings in literature. The most common HR-HPV genotypes were HPV16, 39 and 51, respectively. Determining the prevalence and genotypes of HR-HPV playing role in the etiology of cervical cancer will be guiding for measures on prevention of cervical cancer and research on preventive vaccines.

Background: The most common sexually transmitted infection in the world is human papillomavirus (HPV). HPV types 16 and 18 are responsible for 60–80% of cervical cancers and precancerous cervical lesions worldwide. Aim: In this study, it was aimed to evaluate the correlation of HPV genotype distribution with cervical cytology results in cervical smear samples and to contribute to HPV epidemiology. Materials and Methods: This study included 72 female patients. For detection of the HPV genotypes, a multiplex real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method that could detect more than 25 different HPV types was used. The cervical cytology and histopathology results of the patients were also evaluated simultaneously. Results: The frequency of high-risk HPV was 35% (25/72). The most common types were HPV51 (10%), HPV16 (8%), and HPV66 (8%), respectively. The most common type HPV51 and multiple HPV types were seen in 21–34 age groups. HPV DNA was detected in 21 of 43 samples that had cervical smear diagnosis grouping. Twelve samples (26%) had normal cytology. Low grade squamous intraepithelial lesions were the most common cytological diagnosis in HPV DNA positive samples. The most common HPV types in the patients diagnosed low grade squamous intraepithelial lesions and high grade squamous intraepithelial lesions were HPV16 and HPV52. Conclusions: In this study, the frequency of high-risk HPV genotypes was 35% as similar to reports of the other studies conducted in our country. The most common types were HPV51, HPV16, and HPV66, respectively. The follow-up of patients with HPV51 infection in our area could help to improve the natural course of the disease and effective prevention programs.

This study aimed to evaluate the performance characteristics of a rapid antigen test developed to detect SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19), influenza A virus (IAV), and influenza B virus (IBV) (flu) compared with those of the real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR) method. One hundred SARS-CoV-2, one hundred IAV, and twenty-four IBV patients whose diagnoses were confirmed by clinical and laboratory methods were included in the patient group. Seventy-six patients, who were negative for all respiratory tract viruses, were included as the control group. The Panbio™ COVID-19/Flu A&B Rapid Panel test kit was used in the assays. The sensitivity values of the kit were 97.5%, 97.9%, and 33.33% for SARS-CoV-2, IAV, and IBV, respectively, in samples with a viral load below 20 Ct values. The sensitivity values of the kit were 16.7%, 36.5%, and 11.11% for SARS-CoV-2, IAV, and IBV, respectively, in samples with a viral load above 20 Ct. The kit’s specificity was 100%. In conclusion, this kit demonstrated high sensitivity to SARS-CoV-2 and IAV for viral loads below 20 Ct values, but the sensitivity values were not compatible with PCR positivity for lower viral loads over 20 Ct values. Rapid antigen tests may be preferred as a routine screening tool in communal environments, especially in symptomatic individuals, when diagnosing SARS-CoV-2, IAV, and IBV with high caution.

Amaç: Dünya genelinde hepatit delta virüsünün (HDV) yaygınlığı coğrafi farklılıklar göstermektedir. Her ne kadar Türkiye'de hepatit B yüzey antijeni (HBsAg) pozitif olan hastalarda anti-HDV seroprevalans oranları konusunda birçok çalışma olmasına rağmen, bu hasta popülasyonunda HDV-RNA prevalansı ile ilgili çalışmalar sınırlıdır. Bu çalışmada HBsAg pozitif olan hastalarda anti-HDV antikorları ve HDV-RNA sıklığının saptanması amaçlandı. Gereç ve Yöntemler: Bu retrospektif çalışma, Nisan 2015 ve Mart 2017 tarihleri arasında HBsAg-pozitif hastalarda anti-HDV testi çalışılan 2089 hastayı kapsadı. HBsAg-pozitif hastalardan alınan serum örneklerinde anti-HDV testi, enzim bağlı immünosorbent metod kullanılarak yapıldı. Anti-HDV-pozitif hastalarda, HDV-RNA, gerçek zamanlı polimeraz zincir reaksiyonu ile serum örneklerinde analiz edildi. Bulgular: Anti-HDV seroprevalansı %4,1 (85/2089) iken HDV-RNA oranı %2,4 (51/2089) idi. HDV-RNA, anti-HDV pozitif olan hastaların %60'ında (51/85) tespit edildi. Anti-HDV ve HDV-RNA sıklığı 50-59 yaş grubunda en yüksekti. Sonuç: Bu çalışmada HDV sıklığı bölgesel verilerle tutarlı bulundu. HDV viremisi, anti-HDV pozitif olan hastaların sadece %60'ında (51/85) tespit edildi. Anti-HDV antikorları iyileşmeden sonra da pozitif kalabileceğinden dolayı, HDV'nin gerçek prevalansını belirlemek için HDV-RNA'nın araştırılması önemlidir. Anahtar Kelimeler: Hepatit delta virüs, anti-HDV, HDV-RNA, HBV Objectives: The prevalence of hepatitis delta virus (HDV) worldwide shows geographical differences. Although there are several studies on anti-HDV seroprevalence rates in hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)-positive patients in Turkey, studies on HDV-RNA prevalence in this patient population are limited. It was aimed to detect the frequency of anti-HDV antibodies and HDV-RNA in HBsAg-positive patients in this study. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study included 2089 HBsAg-positive patients in whom anti-HDV was analyzed between April 2015 and March 2017. Anti-HDV test was performed in serum samples obtained from HBsAg-positive patients by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. In anti-HDV-positive patients, HDV-RNA was analyzed in serum samples by real-time polymerase chain reaction. Results: The seroprevalence of anti-HDV was 4.1% (85/2089), while the rate of HDV-RNA positivity was 2.4% (51/2089). HDV-RNA was detected in 60% (51/85) of anti-HDV-positive patients. The frequency of anti-HDV and HDV-RNA was highest in the 50-59 age group. Conclusion: The frequency of HDV in this study was found to be consistent with regional data. HDV viremia was detected in only 60% (51/85) of the anti-HDV-positive patients. Since anti-HDV antibodies may remain after recovery, it is important to investigate HDV-RNA to determine the true prevalence of HDV.