Genomic Insights into Vietnamese Extended-Spectrum β-Lactamase-9-Producing Extensively Drug-Resistant Isolates Belonging to the High-Risk Clone ST357 Obtained from Bulgarian Intensive Care Unit Patients.

Extensively drug-resistant (XDR-PA) has been highlighted as a serious public health threat. The present study aimed to explore the genomic characteristics of two Vietnamese extended-spectrum β-lactamase-9 (VEB-9)-producing XDR-PA isolates from Bulgaria in comparison to all -positive strains with available genomes. The isolates designated Pae51 and Pae52 were obtained from tracheobronchial aspirates of intensive care unit (ICU) patients.

Genomic characterization of an uncommon Delftia acidovorans isolate obtained from a Bulgarian immunocompetent outpatient diagnosed with bronchitis.

Delftia acidovorans is an aerobic, non-fermenting Gram-negative bacterium (NFGNB), found in soil, water and hospital environments. It is rarely clinically significant, most commonly affecting hospitalized or immunocompromised patients. The present study aimed to explore the genomic characteristics of a Bulgarian clinical D.

Genomic insights into NDM-1-producing Pseudomonas aeruginosa: Current status in a Bulgarian tertiary hospital and on the Balkans.

The present study aimed to explore the genomic characteristics of eight New Delhi metallo-β-lactamase-1 (NDM-1)-producing carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa (CRPA) isolates from a Bulgarian tertiary hospital (2021-2023) in comparison to blaNDM-1-positive strains originating from the Balkans. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing, phenotypic assays for carbapenemase activity, PCR screening, whole-genome sequencing (WGS), and phylogenomic analysis were performed. Seven of the CRPA isolates investigated (Minimum inhibitory concentration values of imipenem and meropenem >32 mg L-1) were also resistant to piperacillin-tazobactam, ceftazidime, ceftazidime-avibactam, cefepime, ceftolozane-tazobactam, amikacin, tobramycin, ciprofloxacin, and levofloxacin, but were susceptible to colistin (0.

First detection of a cefiderocol-resistant and extensively drug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii clinical isolate in Bulgaria.

Cefiderocol (CFDC) is a first-in-class siderophore cephalosporin with potent activity against multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria including carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii. The present study aimed to explore the CFDC resistance mechanisms of an extensively drug-resistant A. baumannii isolate from Bulgaria.

Risk factors for gut colonization with vancomycin-resistant enterococci among Bulgarian critically ill patients.

Vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRЕ) are recognized as important hospital pathogens which have become common in patients admitted to the intensive care units (ICUs). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the incidence of and the risk factors for colonization with VRE among ICU patients. A total of 91 patients who had duration of hospitalization more than 48 h and without infection caused by VRE or/and other microorganisms in the ICU at University Hospital, Pleven were screened for colonization with VRE.

Genotypic and phenotypic insights into virulence factors of nosocomial Stenotrophomonas maltophilia isolates collected in Bulgaria (2011-2022).

The present study aimed to explore the virulence characteristics in 221 Bulgarian nosocomial Stenotrophomonas maltophilia isolates (2011-2022) via screening for the presence of virulence genes, their mutational variability, and the corresponding enzyme activity. PCR amplification, enzymatic assays, whole-genome sequencing (WGS), and biofilm quantification on a polystyrene plate were performed. The incidence of virulence determinants was as follows: stmPr1 (encoding for the major extracellular protease StmPr1) 87.

Molecular Epidemiology of Bulgarian Clinically Significant Isolates.

Severe infections due to highly virulent and resistant pose a serious health threat in Bulgaria and worldwide. The purpose of this study was to explore the clonal spread of recent clinically significant methicillin-susceptible (MSSA) isolates from inpatients and outpatients treated in three university hospitals in Sofia, Bulgaria, during the period 2016-2020 and evaluate the relationship between their molecular epidemiology, virulence profiling, and antimicrobial resistance. A total of 85 isolates (invasive and noninvasive) were studied using RAPD analysis.

Phenotypic and Molecular Characteristics of Carbapenem-Resistant Isolates from Bulgarian Intensive Care Unit Patients.

Carbapenem-resistant (CRAB) is designated as an urgent public health threat, both due to its remarkable multidrug resistance and propensity for clonal spread. This study aimed to explore the phenotypic and molecular characteristics of antimicrobial resistance in CRAB isolates ( = 73) from intensive care unit (ICU) patients in two university hospitals in Bulgaria (2018-2019). The methodology included antimicrobial susceptibility testing, PCR, whole-genome sequencing (WGS), and phylogenomic analysis.

Whole-Genome Sequencing-Based Resistome Analysis of Nosocomial Multidrug-Resistant Non-Fermenting Gram-Negative Pathogens from the Balkans.

Non-fermenting Gram-negative bacilli (NFGNB), such as and , are among the major opportunistic pathogens involved in the global antibiotic resistance epidemic. They are designated as urgent/serious threats by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and are part of the World Health Organization's list of critical priority pathogens. Also, is increasingly recognized as an emerging cause for healthcare-associated infections in intensive care units, life-threatening diseases in immunocompromised patients, and severe pulmonary infections in cystic fibrosis and COVID-19 individuals.

Human ELISA Detects anti-SARS-CoV-2 Antibodies in Cats: Seroprevalence and Risk Factors for Virus Spread in Domestic and Stray Cats in Bulgaria.

The aim of this study was to verify whether the human DR-ELISA for the detection of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies can be applied in cats, and to assess the risk factors that determine the spread of the virus among the cat population in Bulgaria. The study included 92 serum samples collected from 68 domestic and 24 stray cats aged from 3 months to 20 years of age in the period of January-June 2021. The samples originated from three regions in Bulgaria and from three places of inhabitance.

Analysis of biofilm formation in nosocomial Stenotrophomonas maltophilia isolates collected in Bulgaria: An 11-year study (2011-2022).

The present study aimed to explore the genotypic and phenotypic characteristics of biofilm formation in Bulgarian nosocomial Stenotrophomonas maltophilia isolates (n = 221) during the period 2011-2022, by screening for the presence of biofilm-associated genes (BAG) (spgM, rmlA and rpfF), their mutational variability, and assessment of the adherent growth on a polystyrene surface. The methodology included: PCR amplification, whole-genome sequencing (WGS) and crystal violet microtiter plate assay for biofilm quantification. The overall incidence of BAG was: spgM 98.

First detection of a colistin-resistant Klebsiella aerogenes isolate from a critically ill patient with septic shock in Bulgaria.

Colistin is considered as the last-line antibiotic for the treatment of infections caused by extensively drug-resistant Gram-negative pathogens belonging to the ESKAPE (Enterococcus faecium, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Enterobacter species) group. The present study aimed to explore the colistin resistance mechanisms of a Klebsiella aerogenes (formerly Enterobacter aerogenes) isolate (Kae1177-1bg) obtained from a Bulgarian critically ill patient with septic shock in 2020. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing and whole-genome sequencing using DNA nanoball technology were performed.

Molecular epidemiology, virulence and antimicrobial resistance of Bulgarian methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus isolates.

Background: Severe infections of virulent methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) are a serious health problem. The present study aimed to investigate clonal spread, virulence and antimicrobial resistance rates of Bulgarian MRSA isolates in 2016-2020.

Methods: Molecular identification and mecA gene detection were performed with PCR.

WGS-based characterization of the potentially beneficial Enterococcus faecium EFD from a beehive.

Nowadays, due to their potential application as probiotics for humans or animals, many beneficial lactic acid bacteria have been isolated from different natural environments. These include members of the genus Enterococcus - quite specific due to their ambiguous nature, varying from pathogens to probiotics. In our work we present a whole-genome sequencing (WGS)-based approach for assessing the potential of bacteriocin-producing Enterococcus isolates from beehives to serve as natural preserving agents against bacterial infections associated with honeybees.

Stenotrophomonas maltophilia - a low-grade pathogen with numerous virulence factors.

Stenotrophomonas maltophilia is an increasingly prevalent opportunistic pathogen responsible for a wide range of nosocomial infections in intensive care unit patients, life-threatening diseases in immunocompromised haematology-oncology patients and chronic pulmonary infections in individuals with cystic fibrosis. Therapy of these infections is problematic due to the remarkable intrinsic antimicrobial resistance of the species and to acquired resistance to multiple antimicrobial agents. As this organism is a low-grade pathogen, the pathogenesis of S.

Carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii: Current status of the problem in four Bulgarian university hospitals (2014-2016).

Objectives: A total of 226 carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB) isolates was collected during 2014-2016 from inpatients (age range 5-88 years) in four Bulgarian university hospitals (H1-H4) to assess their antimicrobial susceptibility and to explore carbapenem resistance mechanisms as well as the molecular epidemiology of the isolates.

Methods: Antimicrobial susceptibility testing, multiplex PCR, DNA sequencing and electrotransformation experiments were performed. Epidemiological typing by random amplification of polymorphic DNA (RAPD)-PCR was also performed.

Multiplex PCR detection of problematic pathogens of clinically heterogeneous bacterial vaginosis in Bulgarian women.

Background/aim: This study aimed to investigate the correlation between the prevalence of problematic pathogens and the clinical status of women with bacterial vaginosis (BV). Materials and methods: Gardnerella vaginalis, Atopobium vaginae, and Mobiluncus spp. were detected using a multiplex PCR assay, and their role in the infection of Bulgarian women with clinically heterogeneous BV was evaluated.