Exclusive for the Department

Services provided in the Department of Microbiology

Central Microbiology Diagnostic Laboratory 

Routine clinical microbiology laboratory services are provided under the responsibility of Prof.Dr.Nedim Sultan and Asst. Prof. Kayhan Çağlar in D Block fourth floor of our hospital. Microbiological diagnostics studies are carried out in conventional methods on clinical samples sent from our hospital’s polyclinics and clinics. Culture, colored and uncolored direct microbiological analysis and serological studies are performed in our laboratory. The results of the microscopic analysis are entered in the result section of the computer network. Culture results except throat culture are given in two days. Blood culture is followed hourly in the automatic blood culture device and passage and antibiogram processes are executed if a positive signal is received. ASO, CRP and RF tests are studied  nephelometrically and international quality controls are performed each year for the nephelometric system. Other serological processes are studied manually. These tests are resulted on the same day and entered into the system as soon as they are obtained. Gruber-widal and Brucella agglutination tests are firstly put through screen tests and if negative, entered into the system; if positive, are transferred to tube agglutination and resukted the next day.

Central microbiological laboratory serves 24 hours including weekends and official holidays and accepts samples 24/7. In the night shifts, at weekends and on official holidays all culture tests except tuberculosis culture are studied and emergency CRP demands are served via nephelometric methods. At weekends and on official holidays microbiological research assistants are on watch between 08:30-17:30 and perform cultures and emergency microscopic analysis.

Immunology Diagnostic Laboratory

Immunology laboratory is under the responsibility of Prof. Dr. Turgut İmir. The Laboratory is situated in C Blok fourth floor of our hospital. Routine immunological tests required in our hospital are performed in our laboratory. These tests are nephelometric serum proteins measurement (15 parameters, 20500 tests annually), şnfective diseases group (36 parameters, 275000 tests annually) and auto-immunity group (18 parameters, 3000 tests annually) for a total of 69 parameters, 325500 tests annually.

Molecular Virology Diagnostic Laboratory

In our departments Virology unit, in the lead of Prof. Dr. Seyyal Rota, Asst. Prof. Gülendam Bozdayı and Asst. Prof. Işıl Fidan carry out their duties. In our unit, molecular virology diagnostic laboratory serves under the resposability of Prof.Dr. Seyyal Rota. Laboratory serves in the Dean’s Building 2^nd floor. 11000 clinical samples are studied each year in our diagnostic laboratory. Some of the molecular methods for the detection of viral nucleic acids such as  Polymerase Chain Reaction and  hybridization are used for the rapid and reliable diagnostics of viral infection agents. For this purpose, automated and standardized test systems are used. All kits are CE documented. Real-time PCR is used as the viral nucleic multiplication method and thus viral nucleic acids can be detected qualitatively and quantitively.

In our laboratory, nucleic acids belonging to viral agents are isolated from clinical samples such as serum, plasma, tissue, urine and BOS via fully automated extraction systems for the purpose of minimizing contamination, and later multiplied in automated amplification devices. Since the systems that are used are closed systems, the possible contamination is minimized. With the 2 fully automated extraction devices, the loss of viral nucleic acid is prevented, the highest possible levels of nucleic acid is obtained, and appropriate and dependable nucleic acid isolation is provided standardized protocols. With these isolation systems multiple clinical samples can be studies simultaneously. In our laboratory thermo-optic analysis devices which provide the rapid diagnostic and the dependable and quantitative monitoring of viral infection agents are used for real-time analysis. 

In the routine molecular virology diagnostic laboratory, staff are subjects of continuous in service training and thus dependable results are provided. The latest technological developments are followed in terms of devices used in our laboratory and their continuous service and calibration is ensured.

To test the accuracy of our laboratory’s results, various quality control methods are used. For this purpose, internal quality controls are performed for each study in our laboratory. At the same time, international external quality control programs are implemented in our laboratory and for this purpose, samples sent from abroad via Quality Control for Molecular Diagnostics (QCMD) are studied. As a result, dependable patient results in standards accepted by international quality control institutions are obtained. 

In our laboratory, as well as Real-Time PCR method used for the diagnosis of the viral disease agents, Real-time PCRs are studied for the diagnosis of human Polyomaviral infections JC and BK viruses which have important infection agents in especially bone marrow transplant recipients.

In the routine molecular virology laboratory, Real-time PCR methods are applied for the following viral agents;

*Hepatitis B virus
*Hepatitis C virus
*Herpes simplex virus 1
* Herpes simplex virus 2
*Herpes simplex virus 6
*Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)
*Cytomegalovirus (CMV)
*Adenovirus
*RSV
*BK virus
*JC virus
*Human papilloma virus (HPV)
*Parvovirus

The diagnosis of Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infections which constitute an important risk factor for transplantation patients are rapidly performed and the results of these patients are given as quickly as in a day. At the same time, with the help of our quantitative results, the patients’ treatments in the clinics can be monitored. As well as studies for the diagnosis of viral infection agents, the detection of genotypes in viral agents and studies of medicine resistance are also performed in our laboratory.

As well as routine studies, project studies in cooperation with many faculties and clinics are also carried out in our virology unit. International projects and projects studies supported by institutions such as BAP and TUBITAK are also available.

Parasitology Diagnosis Laboratory

Parasitology laboratory serves under the responsibility of  Prof.Dr. Semra Kuştimur and Asst. Prof. Funda Doğruman Al. The laboratory is situated in the Dean’s Building 2^nd floor. In the Parasitology laboratory which serves under our department, routine services consist of the microscopic analysis of stools samples sent from Gazi Hospital polyclinics and clinics, trichrome coloring and acid fast coloring for the detection of trophozoite cists and eggs of parasites. Antigens of Entamoeba histolytica, Giardia intestinalis and Cryptosporidium parvum protozoons are searched in stools by the ELISA method. In addition, Antigens of Giardia intestinalis and Cryptosporidium parvum are detected in stools under the fluorescent microscope via the fluorescent antibody method. Antibodies for the Echinococcus granulosus which is a hydatic cist agent are detected in patient serums via the ELISA method. The protozoon’s DNA for toxoplasmosis gondii is detected in bodily fluids (BOS, amnion, plevral effusion etc.), blood and tissue via the real-time polymerase chain reaction method. Apart from the routine tests, studies are continued in cooperation with Blastocystis Research Foundation (USA) for the etiopathogenesis of the Blastocystis spp. Protozoon in gastrointestinal diseases. At the same time, studies are continued in the subject of Blastocystis spp. of within the cooperation of Japanese researcher and academic member Dr. Hisao Yoshikawa (Nara Women’s University Faculty of Science Deparment of Biological Science, Kiatuoya-Nara Japan). Researches on  etiopathogenesis and diagnosis on the animal malaria model formed with Plasmodium berghei and animal toxoplasmosis models formed by toxoplasma gondii continue.

Mycology Diagnosis Laboratory

Mycology laboratory services are performed by Prof. Dr. Semra Kuştimur and Asst. Prof. Ayşe Kalkancı. In this unit, as well as direct microscopic, culture and serological methods for fungal infection diagnosis, molecular methods which were implemented into routine diagnosis by ourselves for the first time in Turkey are performed. For the year 2008 the mycology laboratory sample count was 3500 and this number increases each year. Apart from routine patient services, many researches are continued with molecular methods added. For the first time in the world, a fungus isolated from humans was published by us. Apart from this, we have many articles where we present rare aspects. Apart from the diagnosis of fungus infections, virulence factors, in vitro studies performed for antifungal sensitivity tests, experimental models are also our research subjects. In these fields many BAP and TUBITAK projects have been and are being performed. This year a it was a first for Gazi University: “Call identifier: “FP7-KBBE-2008-2B” Proposal No 227258” coded “BIOHYPO: Confronting the clinical relevance of biocide induced antibiotic resistance” project which is supported under the “Program “FP7 Cooperation Work Program: Food, Agriculture and Fisheries, and Biotechnologies” title will have our department as the responsible party for mycology.

Molecular Bacteriology Diagnosis Laboratory

Molecular Bacteriology Diagnosis Laboratory serves under the responsibility of Asst. Prof. Meltem Yaınay Çırak. The laboratory is situated in the Dean’s building 2md floor. Via the molecular diagnosis tests, the detection of various bacteria, their genetic analysis and the molecular detection of their antimicrobial resistance are performed. For the purpose of molecular diagnosis PCR, real time-PCR, hybridization systems (Line probe assay) and DNA serial analysis are used. 

Molecular diagnosis methods are used to diagnose difficultly multiplying microorganisms such as Helicobacter pylori and clarithromycin resistance, Mycobacterium tuberculosis and other mycobacterium types, Mycobacterium tuberculosis rifampin and izoniyazid molecular resistance detection, sexually transmitted bacterial agents such as Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhae, atypical pneumonia agents and pneumonia agents transmitted from society such as Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Chlamydia pneumoniae and other bacteria such as Brucella types, Legionella pneumoniae, Ureaplasma urealyticum, Mycoplasma genitalium’s diagnosis and the molecular detection of methicillin resistance.

DNA serial analysis proves useful in not only conventional diagnosis tests but also in the diagnosis of indefinable microorganism’s 16S rRNA area’s via sequence analysis method and the diagnosis of challenging indefinable infective diseases.

Proteomics chip technology systems which are studied within the project are available in the laboratory. Breast, prostate and ovary cancer early stage determinant diagnosis is studied in the multidisciplinary project.