NRL of Sexually transmitted infections

The scientific - research activity of the laboratory is related to the development of experimental methods for studying the features of mycotic infections, and the practical application of diagnostic methods. The correct diagnosis and the adequate treatment of these diseases are crucial for successful control of the disease process.

The main activity of the laboratory is aimed at introducing into laboratory - diagnostic practice of standardized methods for conducting and interpreting the tests for diagnosis and determining the sensitivity to antimycotics of medical significant yeasts and molds. One-of-a-kind serological tests for quantification of antibodies to Aspergillus, Cryptococcus and Candida by indirect immunofluorescence as well as Latex Pastorex for Cryptococcus antigen and Candida spp. A method was developed for the detection of Aspergillus galactomannan antigen and of Candida mannan antigen in human serum or plasma by immunoenzymatic method (ELISA).

Students, specialists and doctoral students are trained in the laboratory. Annually the quality of the laboratory's diagnostic work is controlled and certified by Institute for Standardization and Documentation of Medical Laboratories INSTAND, Dusseldorf, Germany.

Since 2002, the laboratory has organized the National External laboratory quality control for skin-mucous and systemic mycoses of laboratories in the issuing country of certificates. Since 2013 in the organized National External laboratory quality control included serological testing for syphilis.

The laboratory participates with annual reports in the European surveillance system ECDC (European Network for STIs Surveillance) sexually transmitted infections and ECDC European Gonococcal Antibiotic Resistance Surveillance Programme (Euro-GASP).

The laboratory actively participates in supporting the national system for epidemiological surveillance, monitoring and assessment of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in the country as part of the Component 2 "Strengthening the scientific foundations for targeted and effective national response to HIV/AIDS" of the program "Prevention and Control of HIV/AIDS".

Every year the laboratory organizes 2 post-graduate courses for a Microbiology specialty on the topic:

• "Modern etiological diagnostics and etiotropic therapy of mycoses"
• "Modern etiological diagnostics and etiotropic therapy of infections in immunocompromised patients”.

1. Philipova I, Levterova V, Simeonovski I, Kantardjiev T. Antimicrobial Resistance and Whole Genome Sequencing Analysis of Neisseria gonorrhoeae Isolates in Bulgaria, 2019. Comptes rendus l’Académie Bulg des Sci Sci mathématiques Nat. 2022;75(11):1579–87. IF 0.326
2. Philipova I, Levterova V, Simeonovski I, Kantardjiev T. Azithromycin treatment failure and macrolide resistance in Mycoplasma genitalium infections in Sofia, Bulgaria. Folia medica (Plovdiv). 2022;64(3):422–9. Q4
3. Philipova I, Levterova V, Simeonovski I, Kantardjiev T. High rate of fluoroquinolone resistant Neisseria gonorrhoeae detected by molecular surveillance of antimicrobial resistance determinants in Bulgaria. Biotechnol Biotechnol Equip. 2022;36(1):942–8. IF 1.762
4. Philipova I, Birindjieva E, Milanov A, Stoitsova S. Prevalence of pharyngeal and rectal Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae infections among MSM in Sofia, Bulgaria. Probl Infect Parasit Dis. 2022; Q4
5. Philipova I, Stoitsova S, Birindjieva E, Milanov A, Levterova V. First confirmed Lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) cases among MSM in Bulgaria, 2020–2021. World J Adv Res Rev. 2022;14(3):670–673.
6. Pakov I, Birindzhieva E, Philipova I, Terzieva K, Gancheva G. Pre-exposure prophylaxis (prep) of hiv infection – a crucial tool for reducing the burden upon the public health. J IMAB - Annu Proceeding (Scientific Pap. 2022;28(4):4688–90. Q3
7. L. Boyanova - Molecular and microbiological approaches for rapid etiological diagnosis of systemic mycoses. Problems of Inf. Diseases.-2022, N3, vol. 49, 35-42. 2022. Q4
8. Kohlenberg A, Monnet DL, Plachouras D. Increasing number of cases and outbreaks caused by Candida auris in the EU / EEA , 2020 to 2021. Eurosurveillance. 2022;27(46):1–6. IF 21.286
9. Brito AF, Semenova E, Dudas G, Hassler GW, Kalinich CC, Kraemer MUG, et al. Global disparities in SARS-CoV-2 genomic surveillance. Nat Commun. 2022;13(1):7003. IF 17.694
10. Alexiev I, Giovanetti M, Cella E, Ivanov I, Stoikov I, Donchev D, et al. Initial introduction and spread of the SARS‐CoV‐2 AY. 4.2. 1 Delta variant in Bulgaria, a genomic insight. J Med Virol. 2022;94(12):6060–4. IF 20.693
11. Levterova VS, Simeonovski IM, Brankova NB, Ivanova MV, Philipova IO, Malcheva MR. Carriage and distribution of serotypes Streptococcus pneumoniae in healthy vaccinated children for the year 2021 in Bulgaria. World J Adv Res Rev. 2022;14(3):511–6.
12. Alexiev I, Ivanov I, Philipova I, Korsun N, Stoikov I, Dimitrova R, Grigorova L, Gancheva A, Trifonova I, Dobrinov V, Grigorova I. Postvaccination SARS‐CoV‐2 Alpha (B. 1.1. 7) lineage infection among healthcare workers on the background of IgG antibodies. Journal of Medical Virology. 2022 Mar;94(3):836. IF 20.693
13. Philipova I, Levterova V, Simeonovski I, Ivanova Z, Boyanova L, Kantardjiev T. Prevalence of Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Mycoplasma genitalium in Bulgarian population of reproductive age from Sofia Municipality, 2018-2019. PROBLEMS of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases. 2021 Aug 27;49(2):20-6. Q4
14. Malcheva M, Philipova I, Simeonovski I, Levterova V, Brankova N, Kantardjiev T. Antimicrobial susceptibility of s. Pneumoniae strains isolated from children with nasopharyngeal carriage. PROBLEMS of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases. 2020 May 12;48(1):15-20. Q4
15. Plachouras D, Lötsch F, Kohlenberg A, Monnet DL, Candida auris Survey Collaborative Group. Candida auris: epidemiological situation, laboratory capacity and preparedness in the European Union and European Economic Area*, January 2018 to May 2019. Eurosurveillance. 2020 Mar 26;25(12):2000240. IF 6.307
16. Kohlenberg A, Struelens MJ, Monnet DL, Plachouras D, Candida Auris Survey Collaborative Group. Candida auris: epidemiological situation, laboratory capacity and preparedness in European Union and European Economic Area countries, 2013 to 2017. Eurosurveillance. 2018 Mar 29;23(13):18-00136. IF 7.421