Virological Surveillance of Influenza in Four Recent Post-Pandemic Seasons (2010/11 to 2013/14) in Bulgaria.

Aim: Influenza virological surveillance is an essential tool for studying the evolution of influenza viruses as well as for annual updating of the vaccine composition. The aim of the present study is to analyse the circulation of the influenza viruses in Bulgaria during the four recent post-pandemic seasons.

Methods: A total of 3,681 respiratory samples from patients with influenza like illness (ILI) or acute respiratory illness (ARI) were tested for influenza viruses using Real Time RT-PCR.

Etiological role of ortho- and paramyxoviruses in acute respiratory tract infections among children aged < 4 years in Bulgaria.

Background: Influenza viruses (family Orthomyxoviridae); respiratory-syncytial virus (RSV), human metapneumovirus (hMPV), and parainfluenza viruses (hPIV) type 1, 2 and 3 (family Paramyxoviridae) are among the most common causes of acute respiratory tract infections (ARTI) in infants and young children. The aim of this study was to determine the contribution of these viruses in cases of ARTI requiring medical attention among children aged < 4 years during the 2012/13 and 2013/14 winter seasons in Bulgaria.

Methods: A total of 416 nasopharyngeal swabs of children aged < 4 years presenting ARTI from different regions of country were tested for influenza A/B viruses by real-time RT-PCR.

Effect of a plant polyphenol-rich extract on the lung protease activities of influenza-virus-infected mice.

Influenza infection was induced in white mice by intranasal inoculation of the virus A/Aichi/2/68 (H3N2). The lung protease and the protease-inhibitory activities were followed for 9 days after infection. The intranasal application of a polyphenol-rich extract (PC) isolated from Geranium sanguineum L.