Hepatitis a virus genotypes and strains from an endemic area of Europe, Bulgaria 2012-2014.

Background: Hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection is endemic in Eastern European and Balkan region countries. In 2012, Bulgaria showed the highest rate (67.13 cases per 100,000) in Europe.

Detection of Serum Antibodies to Hepatitis E Virus Based on HEV Genotype 3 ORF2 Capsid Protein Expressed in Nicotiana benthamiana.

Background: Hepatitis E virus (HEV) causes epidemics in developing countries and is primarily transmitted through the fecal-oral route. There have been recent reports on the zoonotic spread of the virus, and several animal species, primarily pigs, have been recognized as reservoirs of HEV. Because of its possible spread, there is an urgent need of a method for the cost-effective production of HEV proteins that can be used as diagnostic antigens for the serological detection of anti-HEV antibodies.

High Rate of Hepatitis B and C Coinfections Among People Living with HIV-1 in Bulgaria: 2010-2014.

In a representative nationwide study, we have determined the prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) coinfections among HIV-positive patients diagnosed during the period 2010-2014 in Bulgaria. Despite a relatively low rate of new HIV diagnoses, the rates of hepatitis B and C coinfections among these patients fell within the upper range reported in Europe. HBsAg and HCV antibodies (Ab) were found in 10.

Origin and spread of HIV-1 in persons who inject drugs in Bulgaria.

Increased HIV transmission in persons who inject drugs (PWIDs) has led to subepidemics and outbreaks in several countries in Europe, including Bulgaria. In this study in Bulgaria, we investigate the origin and spatiotemporal evolutionary history of HIV-1 infections in PWIDs and the distribution of antiretroviral resistance mutations and hepatitis co-infections in these populations. We analyzed HIV-1 polymerase sequences available from 117 of 359 PWIDs diagnosed with HIV/AIDS from 1999 to 2011.

Prevalence of HBV and HCV among outpatients in the Plovdiv region of Bulgaria, 2010-2011.

Viral hepatitis, particularly hepatitis B and C, are diseases with worldwide distribution that present a significant public health problem. Seroprevalence studies allow assessment of the extent of the disease burden, the identification of populations at risk and the monitoring trends over time. A multi-center seroprevalence study, carried out in Bulgaria (covering the five largest cities - Sofia, Plovdiv, Varna, Pleven, and Stara Zagora) in 1999-2000 estimated a crude seroprevalence rate of 3.