Browsing by Author "Yurekturk, S."

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Evaluation of Amoebiosis, Giardiosis, and Blastocystosis Infections in Patients Over 18 Years of Age Followed-Up With a Diagnosis of Gastroenteritis
(Yuzuncu Yil Universitesi Tip Fakultesi, 2023) Gurbuz, E.; Yurekturk, S.; Aydemir, S.; Ekici, A.
This study was conducted to evaluate amoebiosis, giardiosis, and blastocystosis infections in patients over 18 years of age followed-up with the diagnosis of gastroenteritis. The study included 3848 patients with a diagnosis of gastroenteritis who were admitted to the SBU Van Training and Research Hospital with the complaint of diarrhea between 2016 and 2019 and were hospitalized. Of the 3848 patients included in the study, Entamoeba histolytica was found in 6.8% (3848/262), Giardia intestinalis was found in 3.6% (3848/137), and Blastocystis spp. was found in 3% (3848/117). When the incidence of parasites according to the age groups of the patients was examined, it was determined that Giardia intestinalis and Entamoeba histolytica were mostly seen in the age range of 50–65 years, and the difference in the incidence of Entamoeba histolytica was statistically significant (p = 0.026). It was determined that the incidence of Blastocystis spp. increased with age (p = 0.001). A statistically significant correlation was found between Entamoeba histolytica and the presence of leukocytes and erythrocytes in the stool. It was concluded that Giardia intestinalis and Entamoeba histolytica are the leading parasitic infections that are still important and need to be combated in the Van region, and that the increase in the frequency of Blastocystis spp. over the years should not be ignored. © 2023, Yuzuncu Yil Universitesi Tip Fakultesi. All rights reserved.
Role of Chronic Toxoplasmosis in Substance Abuse in Humans and Its Effect on Dopamine Levels
(Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications, 2025) Gurbuz, E.; Kara, A.; Yurekturk, S.; Saygin, M.; Aydemir, S.; Ekici, A.
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.