Publications by authors named "Y Atanasova"
We investigated the rise of nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) infections in Bulgaria, focusing on species identification and distribution from 2018 to 2022. Utilizing advanced diagnostic tools, including the Hain Mycobacterium CM/AS method, Myco-biochip assay, and whole-genome sequencing, the study identifies and characterizes a diverse range of species from clinical samples. While , , , and were dominating, a number of rare species were also found.
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- The study focuses on the issue of drug-resistant tuberculosis in Bulgaria, specifically investigating the transmission of rifampicin-resistant strains from 2017 to 2019 using whole genome sequencing (WGS).
- The results showed that a majority of the isolates were from the Euro-American lineage, with over 18% resistant to fluoroquinolones, but no resistance mutations were found for bedaquiline or linezolid.
- The findings emphasize the effectiveness of WGS for monitoring and understanding recent tuberculosis transmission and predicting resistance to various antituberculosis drugs.
Introduction: Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are representatives of the genus Mycobacterium with a worldwide distribution, associated mainly with water, soil, and biofilms. Some of NTMs, such as Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC), are etiological agents of human diseases - disseminated or with different localization, most often pulmonary.
Aim: In the present study, we analyzed Mycobacterium intracellulare isolates recovered from clinical specimens of tuberculosis (TB) suspected patients in Bulgaria, 2018-2020.
Article Synopsis
- This study reports the first two confirmed cases of Mycobacterium marinum infection in Bulgaria, a type of non-tuberculous mycobacteria.
- The infections were identified using specialized media, cultivation techniques, and PCR-based Line Probe Assay at a national laboratory.
- Both patients worked with fish and water, exhibiting similar symptoms known as "swimming pool" or "fish tank" granuloma, and faced challenges with prolonged treatment involving rifampicin and ethambutol.