First VIM-producing representative of group from the largest Bulgarian hospital.

Here we describe the first detected VIM-2-producing representative of Pseudomonasputida group - Pseudomonaskurunegalensis from the largest Bulgarian hospital - St George University Hospital in Plovdiv.

Genomic Epidemiology and Lineage Dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 in Bulgaria: Insights from a Three-Year Pandemic Analysis.

The COVID-19 pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has brought about significant challenges worldwide. In this study, we present a comprehensive analysis of the genomic epidemiology and lineage dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 in Bulgaria over a three-year period. Through extensive genomic sequencing and data analysis, we investigated the evolution of the virus, the emergence of variants of concern (VOCs), and their impact on the country's pandemic trajectory.

Early Detection of the Recombinant SARS-CoV-2 XAN Variant in Bulgaria: Initial Genomic Insights into Yet Another Piece of the Growing Puzzle of Recombinant Clades.

The first recombinant SARS-CoV-2 variants were identified in 2022, causing public health concerns. The importance of recombinant variants has increased especially since the WHO designated the recombinant variant XBB and its lineages as subvariants that require monitoring on 20 November 2022. In this study, we provide the first insights into the new SARS-CoV-2 variant named XAN, a recombinant composed of Omicron sub-lineages BA.

Detection of measles virus in Bulgaria from 2012 to 2018.

Aim: To determine the circulation patterns of measles virus in Bulgaria from 2012 to 2018 after a large measles outbreak in the country (2009-2011).

Methods: Three types of clinical material were collected: serum samples, urine samples, and nasal swabs. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect specific viral immunoglobulin (Ig) M/IgG antibodies.

Initial introduction and spread of the SARS-CoV-2 AY.4.2.1 Delta variant in Bulgaria, a genomic insight.

The evolution of the emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants carrying mutations in the spike protein raises concerns about the possibility of accelerated transmission in the ever-evolving COVID-19 pandemic worldwide. AY.4.

Azithromycin treatment failure and macrolide resistance in infections in Sofia, Bulgaria.

Mycoplasmagenitalium is an established cause of sexually transmitted infections in men and women. Current guidelines recommend azithromycin and moxifloxacin as first- and second-line treatment, respectively. However, azithromycin treatment failure has been increasingly reported.

SPR-Based Kinetic Analysis of the Early Stages of Infection in Cells Infected with Human Coronavirus and Treated with Hydroxychloroquine.

Cell-based assays are a valuable tool for examination of virus-host cell interactions and drug discovery processes, allowing for a more physiological setting compared to biochemical assays. Despite the fact that cell-based SPR assays are label-free and thus provide all the associated benefits, they have never been used to study viral growth kinetics and to predict drug antiviral response in cells. In this study, we prove the concept that the cell-based SPR assay can be applied in the kinetic analysis of the early stages of viral infection of cells and the antiviral drug activity in the infected cells.

Complete Genome Sequence of Mycobacterium bovis BCG SL222 Sofia, the First WHO Reference Reagent for the M. bovis BCG Vaccine of the Russian BCG-I Substrain.

BCG SL222 Sofia is a substrain descending from the Russian BCG-I vaccine strain. Here, we report the complete genome sequence of BCG SL222 Sofia, which will facilitate identity assurance and will contribute to more consistent manufacturing, standardization, and differentiation of substrains used in vaccine production.

Q fever in Bulgaria: Laboratory and epidemiological findings on human cases and outbreaks, 2011 to 2017.

BackgroundQ fever is a zoonosis, included in category B of particularly dangerous infectious agents and as such merits careful surveillance and regular updating of the information about its distribution.AimThis observational retrospective study aimed to provide an overview of Q fever incidence in Bulgaria in the period 2011 to 2017.MethodsAggregated surveillance data from Bulgaria's mandatory surveillance system, laboratory data on individual samples received at the National Reference Laboratory Rickettsiae and Cell Cultures and outbreak reports sent by the regional health authorities to the National Centre of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, were used in this analysis.

Investigation of Salmonella enteritidis outbreak in four kindergartens.

In June 2018, in the city of Sofia, Bulgaria, 40 children from four different kindergartens suffered from salmonellosis caused by S. enteritidis. They were reported to have consumed food prepared and delivered by a private catering service.

Optimization of Eva Green real-time mPCR for differentiating C. jejuni/coli directly from feces.

Objective: To develop and optimize a rapid molecular method for diagnosing campylobacteriosis directly from a clinical fecal sample and at the same time for determining the most common causing agents - C. jejuni/coli.

Materials And Methods: 38 clinical fecal samples from hospitalized patients with diarrheal syndrome were tested using a rapid immunochromatographic test.

Preliminary findings indicate nosocomial transmission and Roma population as most affected group in ongoing measles B3 genotype outbreak in Bulgaria, March to August 2017.

From March to August 2017, 165 measles cases were reported from three regions in Bulgaria. The age range was 0-55 years and 66% of the cases were under 9 years. The Roma population was disproportionally affected (89% of cases), 41% cases were unvaccinated and in 24 cases there was nosocomial transmission mostly in paediatric departments.

Use of multiple-locus variable-number of tandem repeats analysis (MLVA) to investigate genetic diversity of Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Typhimurium isolates from human, food, and veterinary sources.

Salmonella enterica subspecies enterica serovar Typhimurium is the most common zoonotic pathogen in Bulgaria. To allow efficient outbreak investigations and surveillance in the food chain, accurate and discriminatory methods for typing are needed. This study evaluated the use of multiple-locus variable-number of tandem repeats analysis (MLVA) and compared results with antimicrobial resistance (AMR) determinations for 100 S.

Multiplex PCR Assay for Identifi cation and Differentiation of Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli Isolates.

Introduction: Campylobacter spp. are important causative agents of gastrointestinal infections in humans. The most frequently isolated strains of this bacterial genus are Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli.

First clinical cases of NDM-1-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae from two hospitals in Bulgaria.

We report the first confirmed cases of NDM-1-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae infections in two hospitals in Bulgaria. The isolates were diverse in terms of plasmid and co-resistance gene content. K.

Experimental treatment of recurrent otitis externa.

The aim of this research is to determine the effect of the hybrid material based on polyvinyl alcohol and silver nanoparticles (PVA/AgNps) in the treatment of the otitis externa as an additional component in the commercial product "Betazon Trio". It was established that the experimental creamy formula with silver concentration 600 mg/L is suitable for recovery of the microbial homeostasis when it is administrated once daily in dose 1 ml over a period of 14 days.

A new outbreak of brucellosis in Bulgaria detected in July 2015--preliminary report.

During July 2015 a brucellosis outbreak was detected in Kyustendil district, west Bulgaria. As of 15 August, 31 patients have been diagnosed all with an epidemiological connection to Rila town. Patients have not travelled/worked abroad.

Two-Year Monitoring of Water Samples from Dam of Iskar and the Black Sea, Bulgaria, by Molecular Analysis: Focus on Mycobacterium spp.

The coast of the Bulgarian Black Sea is a popular summer holiday destination. The Dam of Iskar is the largest artificial dam in Bulgaria, with a capacity of 675 million m3. It is the main source of tap water for the capital Sofia and for irrigating the surrounding valley.

Detection and characterization of OXA-48-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae originated in Bulgaria.

We report the identification of OXA-48-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae, causing peritonitis in a cancer patient admitted to the Oncology Hospital in Sofia. The isolate had reduced susceptibility to carbapenems but remained susceptible to extended-spectrum cephalosporins. PCR and sequencing confirmed the presence of blaOXA-48 gene flanked by two intact copies of IS1999 on truncated ΔTn1999.

Cystic echinococcosis in Bulgaria 1996-2013, with emphasis on childhood infections.

The objective of this study was to determine some features of cystic echinococcosis among children and adolescents, such as epidemiology, diagnosis, organ localization, treatment, and social and environmental factors favoring transmission of the disease. The 18-year study period (1996-2013) includes officially registered primary cases treated surgically, and/or with drug therapy, and/or with the puncture, aspiration, injection, reaspiration technique. Organ localization of the cysts and the most common diagnostic procedures were studied from the patients' medical records.

Beijing lineage of MDR Mycobacterium tuberculosis in Bulgaria, 2007-2011.

To assess the spread of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis Beijing genotype among patients with multidrug-resistant and extensively resistant tuberculosis in Bulgaria, we genotyped 188 (72%) of 261 microbiologically confirmed resistant isolates obtained during 2007-2011. The estimated prevalence of the Beijing genotype among these patients was 3.2%.

First detection of OXA-24 carbapenemase-producing Acinetobacter baumannii isolates in Bulgaria.

This report describes the first identification of OXA-24 carbapenemase-producing Acinetobacter baumannii isolates from Bulgaria. According to national surveillance data A. baumannii along with Pseudomonas aeruginosa are the most troublesome microorganisms in hospital environment with high rates of acquired carbapenem resistance.

Tick-borne encephalitis in Bulgaria, 2009 to 2012.

For the last 60 years, only a few cases of tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) have been detected in Bulgaria. Considering the remarkable increase in TBE morbidity in Europe over the past two decades, we conducted a study of TBE among patients with acute viral meningitis who were hospitalised in Bulgaria during 2009 to 2012. A total of 86 patients with viral meningitis of unknown aetiology during this period were tested.