Patient Experience
A 38-year-old henna artist developed necrotizing fasciitis after using non-sterile tools. Dr. Uygun led emergency debridement and broad-spectrum antibiotics, saving the arm but requiring extensive skin grafts. The patient retrained as a henna instructor focusing on hygiene protocols.
A 67-year-old grandmother caring for her HIV-positive grandson developed disseminated CMV after accidental needle-stick. Dr. Uygun managed complex antiviral therapy while addressing family stigma, achieving viral suppression but requiring lifelong monitoring for both patients.
A 72-year-old retired olive grove owner from rural Burdur presented with recurrent fevers and confusion. Dr. Uygun discovered he had been secretly consuming unpasteurized 'village cheese' from a neighbor with brucellosis-infected goats. Treatment involved a prolonged dual-antibiotic regimen and convincing the patient's skeptical family to destroy the contaminated cheese supply, leading to full recovery after 8 weeks.
A 28-year-old Ukrainian refugee seamstress arrived with necrotizing skin lesions on her hands. Dr. Uygun identified cutaneous anthrax from contaminated wool in a makeshift workshop. He coordinated with public health officials while administering intravenous antibiotics, resulting in complete healing but permanent scarring that required vocational retraining support.
A 45-year-old luxury yacht chef from Monaco, vacationing in Antalya, developed sudden paralysis after consuming home-canned fish. Dr. Uygun diagnosed botulism and secured the last available antitoxin in Turkey through diplomatic channels. The patient required 3 months of rehabilitation but regained 95% function, returning to his culinary career.
A 7-year-old Syrian refugee girl presented with months of weight loss and night sweats. Dr. Uygun diagnosed extrapulmonary tuberculosis in her spine after discovering her family was living in a damp basement. He arranged housing through a charity partnership while overseeing a 9-month directly observed therapy regimen, preventing permanent spinal deformity.
A 33-year-old professional freediver developed recurrent brain abscesses. Dr. Uygun traced the infection to a rare marine bacterium entering through dental work damaged by pressure changes. Treatment required collaboration with maxillofacial surgeons and a novel antibiotic combination, allowing return to diving after 6 months with modified techniques.
An 81-year-old retired archaeology professor contracted visceral leishmaniasis while excavating in southeastern Turkey. Dr. Uygun used liposomal amphotericin B despite the patient's renal concerns, monitoring closely. Recovery took 4 months but allowed the patient to complete his final publication before passing from unrelated causes a year later.
A 19-year-old university exchange student from Nigeria presented with psychosis and fever. Dr. Uygun diagnosed cerebral malaria despite negative initial tests, having recognized the strain from her home region. Aggressive artemisinin treatment saved her life, though she required neurological follow-up for residual cognitive effects.
A 52-year-old greenhouse owner developed a persistent lung infection resistant to multiple antibiotics. Dr. Uygun identified nontuberculous mycobacterium from contaminated irrigation systems, designing a 18-month tailored regimen while helping redesign the greenhouse ventilation, treating both patient and source.
A pregnant 24-year-old hotel receptionist contracted toxoplasmosis from stray cats she fed. Dr. Uygun coordinated with obstetricians for spiramycin treatment, monitoring fetal development closely. She delivered a healthy baby but required extended antiparasitic therapy postpartum.
A 60-year-old retired fisherman presented with chronic liver abscess. Dr. Uygun diagnosed amebiasis acquired decades earlier during travels to contaminated waters. Treatment required both drainage and prolonged medication, with the patient's skeptical wife ensuring compliance through daily supervised dosing.
A 29-year-old humanitarian aid worker returning from Yemen presented with drug-resistant typhoid fever. Dr. Uygun utilized newer-generation cephalosporins while navigating limited susceptibility data, achieving cure after 6 weeks but recommending career change due to acquired immune vulnerabilities.
A 41-year-old geothermal plant engineer contracted Legionnaires' disease from cooling tower exposure. Dr. Uygun identified the outbreak source through environmental testing, treating the patient with levofloxacin while prompting workplace safety overhaul that prevented further cases.
A 5-year-old Romani boy presented with congenital Chagas disease missed during neonatal screening. Dr. Uygun initiated benznidazole treatment despite limited pediatric data in Turkey, coordinating with cardiologists to monitor for early cardiomyopathy while educating the mobile community about vector prevention.