Application of RT-PCR for diagnosis of respiratory syncytial virus and human metapneumovirus infections in Bulgaria, 2006-7 and 2007-8.

We describe here the results of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) detection by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) during two consecutive seasons, from December 2006 to February 2007 and from October 2007 to March 2008, performed in the National Laboratory of Influenza and Acute Respiratory Diseases, Bulgaria. A total number of 278 nasopharyngeal samples obtained from hospitalised children up to the age of five years were investigated for these two seasons. During the first season, the aetiological role of RSV was confirmed in 56 of 148 samples (37.

Laboratory investigation of the first suspected human cases of infection with avian influenza A(H5N1) virus in Bulgaria.

Reports of human cases of infection with avian influenza A(H5N1) virus have received increased public attention because of the potential for the emergence of a pandemic strain. In the end of 2005 and the beginning of 2006, avian influenza A(H5N1) virus caused outbreaks among domestic poultry and was isolated from wild swans in many European countries, including Bulgaria. Between January and March 2006, samples were collected from 26 patients who had been in close contact with ill or dead birds and developed a subsequent respiratory illness.

[The laboratory epidemiological study of the joint circulation of the influenza virus A subtypes A/H1N1/ and A/H3N2/ in Bulgaria].

The National Influenza Center of Bulgaria made the epidemiological analysis of the spread of influenza virus, type A, for the period of 11 years on the basis of mass laboratory investigations. Subtype A (H1N1) was found to be the main factor of epidemics in 1978 and 1982, while the epidemics of 1980, 1983, 1985, 1986, 1987 and 1988 were mainly caused by subtype A (H3N2). The data of laboratory and epidemiological studies indicated that after 20-year absence influenza virus A, subtype A (H1N1), was found again to circulate among the population of Bulgaria, and in 1978-1988 circulated simultaneously with the previous subtype A (H3N2).

[Interepidemic influenza in Bulgaria based on laboratory research data].

During the interepidemic periods of 34 years (1955-1988) the National Influenza Centre of Bulgaria with the aid of 11 supporting stations investigated a total of 27240 nasopharyngeal washings and 42530 paired sera of patients with acute respiratory diseases. Eighty strains of subtype A (H1N1) influenza virus, 60 strains of subtype a (H2N2), 148 strains of subtype A (H3N2), 3 strains of subtype A (Heg2, Neg2), 2 strains of subtype A (Hsw1N1), 14 strains of type B, and 6 strains of type C were isolated. Serologically positive results for influenza were observed in 12.