Browsing by Author "Aydemi̇r, Selahattin"

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Fate of Blastocystis in Homemade Koruk (Unripe Grape) Juice and on Juice-Treated Green Leafy Vegetables
(John Wiley and Sons Inc, 2025) Aydemi̇r, Selahattin; Aydemir, Mehmet Emin; Barlık, Fethi; Ekici, Abdurrahman; Necip, Adem
This study aimed to evaluate the viability of Blastocystis in naturally produced koruk juice and on leafy salad greens treated with the juice. Additionally, the antiparasitic effect of koruk juice is to be evaluated by molecular docking analysis. Koruk juice was produced from unripe grapes. Blastocystis isolates were inoculated with koruk juice at different concentration levels. The isolates were also inoculated onto different salad greens, and the greens were dressed with koruk juice. Molecular docking was used to investigate the interactions between the organic acids found in koruk juice and the 6NO0 protein, which plays a critical role in Blastocystis physiology. In the control group, Blastocystis maintained viability for 60 min. However, treatment with 50% koruk juice reduced the number of viable Blastocystis cells by 100% within 30 min in culture. The number of live Blastocystis decreased from 73.25 (curly lettuce) to 97.65 (parsley), depending on the type of greenery, after 5 min in green salads dressed with 50% concentration of koruk juice. Molecular docking analysis revealed that the organic acids found in koruk juice exhibit a high binding affinity for the active site of the Blastocystis target protein. Citric acid showed the highest interaction score (−6.486 kcal/mol), whereas the control drug metronidazole had the weakest (−4.065 kcal/mol). The fact that all the organic acids exhibit a higher affinity than metronidazole confirms the antiparasitic effect of koruk juice at a molecular level. In conclusion, koruk juice has an anti-Blastocystis effect and can be used as a salad dressing on greens to improve and eliminate the risk of Blastocystis. Practical Applications: This study shows that homemade koruk (unripe grape) juice can effectively reduce Blastocystis contamination on leafy salad greens. Using 50% koruk juice as a natural salad dressing may help improve the microbial safety of fresh salads in home kitchens, restaurants, or food service settings. 50% koruk juice eliminated Blastocystis in culture within 30 min. Koruk juice was the most effective on Blastocystis viability on parsley. Molecular docking showed strong binding of organic acids to Blastocystis protein. © 2025 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.
Molecular Detection of Intestinal Protozoa and Microsporidia in HIV/AIDS Patients
(Elsevier Inc., 2026) Yürektürk, Şehriban; Damar-Cakirca, Tuba; Gürbüz, Esra; Aydemi̇r, Selahattin; Ekici, Abdurrahman
Introduction: This study investigate opportunistic pathogens Cryptosporidium spp, Giardia intestinalis, Blastocystis, and microsporidia species in patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection using molecular methods, and to identify associated risk factors. Methods: The study included 100 randomly selected HIV-seropositive patients, along with 50 healthy individuals as the control group. Participants who reported receiving antiparasitic treatment during the study period were excluded. Conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to detect Blastocystis and microsporidia, while nested PCR was employed to identify Cryptosporidium spp. and G. intestinalis. Results: Blastocystis was found in 22% of the of HIV/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) patients, as was microsporidia in 17%, Cryptosporidium spp. in 12%, and G. intestinalis in 11%. In the control group, Blastocystis was detected in 8%, microsporidia in 6% and Cryptosporidium spp. in 2%, while G. intestinalis was not detected. The differences in the prevalence of G. intestinalis (p = 0.001), Cryptosporidium spp. (p = 0.009), microsporidia (p = 0.013), and Blastocystis (p = 0.029) between the patient and control groups were statistically significant. Multiple parasitic infections were identified in 12% of HIV/AIDS patients, whereas no cases of multiple parasitism were observed in the control group. Conclusion: HIV/AIDS patients were found to be at increased risk for G. intestinalis, Cryptosporidium spp., microsporidia, and Blastocystis. Given the presence of multiple parasitism, stool samples from HIV/AIDS patients should be routinely screened using comprehensive diagnostic methods targeting all major intestinal parasites. © 2025 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.
Role of Chronic Toxoplasmosis in Substance Abuse in Humans and Its Effect on Dopamine Levels
(Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications, 2025) Gürbüz, Esra; Kara, Aysu; Yürektürk, Şehriban; Saygin, Murat; Aydemi̇r, Selahattin; Ekici, Abdurrahman
Background: Toxoplasma gondii is a common parasitic infection agent that, in its chronic phase, forms persistent tissue cysts in neuronal cells, potentially leading to neurological and behavioral alterations. Aim: To investigate the role of chronic toxoplasmosis in human substance abuse and investigate its effect on dopamine levels, which is associated with substance abuse. Materials and Methods: The study was designed with a substance abuse group comprising 90 patients with substance addiction and a control group consisting of 75 individuals without substance addiction. The substance abuse group consisted of patients who were addicted to alcohol, cannabis, cocaine, heroin, or amphetamines. Anti-Toxoplasma gondii IgG and dopamine levels in the blood sera and anti-T. gondii immunoglobulin G (IgG) levels in the blood samples taken from the participants were analyzed via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: T. gondii IgG was detected in 52 (57.8%) of 90 patients in the substance abuse group and 22 (29.3%) of 75 patients in the control group. There was a statistically significant relationship between T. gondii positivity and substance addiction (P = 0.001). However, no correlation was found between T. gondii positivity and the subgroups for the addiction type, criminal offense, imprisonment, or suicide attempt. Dopamine levels were statistically different between the groups. In the pairwise comparison of the groups, the dopamine levels in the T. gondii-positive substance abuse group were lower than in the other three groups, and this was statistically significant. Conclusion: In conclusion, the prevalence of T. gondii was higher in those with substance addiction than in those without. The fact that T. gondii alters dopamine levels was among the results. Since T. gondii can affect some behaviors of the host through changes in neurotransmitter levels, it was concluded that there is a significant relationship between T. gondii infection and substance abuse. © 2025 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.