hould be conducted to determine their medicinal properties and potential toxicities. These results should be supported by further comprehensive studies and the efficacy against other viruses should also be investigated.It has been estimated that currently 350-400 million people have been chronically infected with the hepatitis B virus (HBV) worldwide and approximately one million people die each year due to HBV related diseases. It has been suggested that the viral and host factors, especially the host immune system, may play a role in the chronicity of the HBV infection. Stimulator of interferon genes (STING) is one of the members of the pattern recognition receptor (PRR) that detects the presence of DNA in a human cell, activate synthesis of various cytokines and this protein is thought to be an important member of the immune system against HBV infection. Based on the assumption that there may be a relationship between the differences of STING expression in individuals and HBV chronicity, the aim of this study was to investigate STING gene expression levels in individuals naturally immunized against HBV, in chronic hepatitis B infected patients and in normal individuals who have not been exposed to HBV. A total of 90 voluficant difference between the groups (p> 0.05). To our knowledge, this is the first study investigating the role of STING expression in the chronicity of HBV. Although there was no statistically significant difference between the groups, the data that showed STING expression levels in naturally immunized individuals were approximately 10% higher than those in chronic hepatitis B patients and was considered as an important finding.Legionella bacteria living in free form or in biofilm and free-living amoebae (FLA) can infect humans through swimming pools and can cause various diseases. FLA may also threaten the health of swimmers because they are capable of being hosts for Legionella and some other bacteria. The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of total aerobic heterotrophic bacteria (TAHB), FLA and Legionella bacteria in swimming pool waters and biofilm samples in Istanbul by using culture and FISH methods. Water plate count agar (wPCA), buffered charcoal yeast extract (BCYE) agar supplemented with glycinevancomycin-polymyxin-cycloheximide (GVPC) and Escherichia coli cultivated non-nutrient agar (NNA) were used for the culture of TAHB, Legionella and FLA. For the FISH method analysis , Leg 705 and Leg PNE1 probes labeled with fluorescent dye for Legionella and ACANTHA probe for Acanthamoeba genus FLA were used. Legionella pneumophila serogroup 1 ATCC 33152, L.pneumophila serogroup 3 ATCC 33155 and Acanthamoeba castellaod was found to be statistically significant (p≤ 0.05). In this study, it was found that the number of TAHB in the controlled swimming pools was within the limits determined by the Ministry of Health (≤ 200 cfu/ml). It will be appropriate to examine both water and biofilm samples for the investigation of TAHB, FLA and Legionella. It may be appropriate to use both culture and FISH methods to detect the presence of FLA in water and biofilm samples. This study is the first study to investigate the presence of Legionella and FLA in swimming pools in Istanbul, and further studies are needed to examine more pool water and biofilm samples. With the data obtained, the health principles and controls of swimming pools will be re-considered and will be contributed to public health.Acinetobacter baumannii is a multi-drug resistant (MDR) gram-negative pathogen leading to nosocomial infections. Hospital-acquired infections due to A.baumannii occur especially in patients hospitalized in intensive care units. Important infections related to this bacterium are pneumonia, bacteremia, endocarditis, skin and soft tissue, urinary tract infections and meningitis. Human transmission is usually through the hospital environment or through medical personnel. A.baumannii isolates increases their virulence not only being multiple resistance to antibiotics but as well as the ability to form biofilm. The biofilm formation of A.baumannii isolates were mostly related with genes encoding curli fiber (csgA), the chaperone-usher fimbria (csuE) and the outer membrane (ompA).  https://www.selleckchem.com/products/abraxane-nab-paclitaxel.html  The aim of this study was to demonstrate biofilm production and virulence genes in MDR invasive A.baumannii isolates. MDR and similarity status previously known invasive A.baumannii (n= 156) isolates were included in the study. Biofilm probe more abundant in isolates with strong and medium positive biofilm production. This has shown that excluding fimH gene, csgA, csuE and ompA genes have contributed to the biofilm formation in invasive A.baumannii isolates, respectively.Enterococci, which are commonly found in the environment, cause serious infections despite the absence of well-defined virulence factors and toxins. Knowing the virulence properties of enterococci is important to understand the complex pathogenic structures. In this study, we aimed to investigate the virulence factors (asa1, hyl, cylA, efa, ebp, ace, esp, gelE, sprE, fsrA, fsrB, fsrC genes, gelatinase activity, hemolysin, hydrogen peroxide and biofilm production) and antibiotic resistance of Enterococcus faecium and Enterococcus faecalis strains isolated from clinical specimens. A total of 110 enterococcus isolates which were accepted as infectious agents were included in the study. The polymerase chain reaction method was used to identify the isolates and to detect virulence genes. Characteristics of hemolysis, biofilm formation, hydrogen peroxide production and gelatinase activity were investigated by phenotypic methods. The antibiotic susceptibility test was performed with VITEK 2 automated system. E.faeca virulence factors except hyl gene and biofilm production were higher in E.faecalis isolates but E.faecium isolates were more resistant to antibiotics. In order to prevent infection of such virulent or resistant isolates in the hospital setting, infection control measures must be followed. In vivo studies are needed for the better understanding of the virulence of enterococci.