Echinococcus granulosus strain typing in Bulgaria: the G1 genotype is predominant in intermediate and definitive wild hosts

Addressing the genetic variability in Echinococcus granulosus is epidemiologically important, as strain characteristics may influence the local transmission patterns of zoonotic cystic echinococcosis. To classify the genotype(s) present in intermediate (pig, cattle and sheep) and definitive (jackal and wolf) hosts in Bulgaria, a DNA-based approach was used to assess parasite protoscoleces or strobiles. Genes corresponding to coding and non-coding regions of the nuclear and mitochondrial genome (ND-1, HBX, Act II, AgB-1) were amplified by PCR and subsequently sequenced. The sequences resolved were all found to be identical to those published for the common sheep strain of E. granulosus, indicating that the G1 genotype is predominant in Bulgaria. One microvariant for ND-1 was found in the pig isolates; however no epidemiological significance was attributed to this findin

Occurrence and Relative Prevalence of Fungal Pathogens on Durum Wheat

An assessment of six Bulgarian and six foreign varieties of durum wheat was carried out for the occurrence of foliar diseases caused by fungal pathogens on a natural background. Field experiments were performed at two locations (Chirpan and Sofia) situated in different climatic zones of Bulgaria for six successive growing seasons (2012 ndash%253B 2017) with exception of 2015 in Chirpan. The results of this research showed that the population of foliar pathogens of durum wheat was heterogeneous and included 13 fungal species. Some differences in symptom severity and relative proportion of the pathogens among varieties and years and between locations were found. Of the leaf spotting fungi, the causal agent of tan spot (Pyrenophora tritici-repentis) was the most prevalent in both prospected areas. The fungi belonging to Septoria leaf blotch complex (Parastagonospora avenae f. sp. triticea, Pa. nodorum and Zymoseptoria tritici) and newly found species Phaeophleospora sp. were more frequently isolated from leaf samples taken in Sofia location. Monographella nivalis and Cladosporium herbarum had contribution to the leaf spotting in both surveyed locations in some of the studied years. Cochliobolus sativus occurred only occasionally. Of the three rust fungi, Puccinia striiformis f. sp. striiformis was the predominant species. The first record of yellow rust was made in 2013. It was the most common disease in both localities in 2014 and 2016 due to warmer winters, which favored the survival of YR. The race analysis performed in Global Rust Reference Center revealed the appearance and distribution of a new race (Warrior) in Bulgaria. The weather conditions were exceptionally favourable for the development of certain diseases in some years. In this relation the influence of some elements of the climate on the pathogen prevalence was discussed. Except the weather other factors like cultivar characteristics, inoculum level, soil type, and predecessor played a role in changing spectrum of phytopathogenic fungi. In common the level of fungal diseases in Sofia region was higher compared to Chirpan. The studied varieties differed in their susceptibility to fungal diseases

Increased blood pressure in adult offspring of families with Balkan Endemic Nephropathy: a prospective study

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have linked smaller kidney dimensions to increased blood pressure. However, patients with Balkan Endemic Nephropathy (BEN), whose kidneys shrink during the course of the disease, do not manifest increased blood pressure. The authors evaluated the relationship between kidney cortex width, kidney length, and blood pressure in the offspring of BEN patients and controls. METHODS: 102 offspring of BEN patients and 99 control offspring of non-BEN hospital patients in the Vratza District, Bulgaria, were enrolled in a prospective study and examined twice (2003/04 and 2004/05). Kidney dimensions were determined using ultrasound, blood pressure was measured, and medical information was collected. The parental disease of BEN was categorized into three groups: mother, father, or both parents. Repeated measurements were analyzed with mixed regression models. RESULTS: In all participants, a decrease in minimal kidney cortex width of 1 mm was related to an increase in systolic blood pressure of 1.4 mm Hg (p = 0.005). There was no association between kidney length and blood pressure. A maternal history of BEN was associated with an increase in systolic blood pressure of 6.7 mm Hg (p = 0.03); paternal BEN, +3.2 mm Hg (p = 0.35); or both parents affected, +9.9 mm Hg (p = 0.002). There was a similar relation of kidney cortex width and parental history of BEN with pulse pressure; however, no association with diastolic blood pressure was found. CONCLUSION: In BEN and control offspring, a smaller kidney cortex width predisposed to higher blood pressure. Unexpectedly, a maternal history of BEN was associated with average increased systolic blood pressure in offspring

Metals and kidney markers in adult offspring of endemic nephropathy patients and controls: a two-year follow-up study

Abstract Background The etiology of Balkan Endemic Nephropathy, (BEN), a tubulointerstitial kidney disease, is unknown. Although this disease is endemic in rural areas of Bosnia, Bulgaria, Croatia, Romania, and Serbia, similar manifestations are reported to occur in other regions, for instance Tunisia and Sri Lanka. A number of explanations have been stated including lignites, aristolochic acid, ochratoxin A, metals, and metalloids. Etiologic claims are often based on one or a few studies without sound scientific evidence. In this systematic study, we tested whether exposures to metals (cadmium and lead) and metalloids (arsenic and selenium) are related to Balkan Endemic Nephropathy. Methods In 2003/04 we recruited 102 adults whose parents had BEN and who resided in one of three communities (Vratza, Bistretz, or Beli Izvor, Bulgaria). A control group comprised of 99 adults having non-BEN hospitalized parents was enrolled in the study during the same time. We conducted face-to-face interviews, ultrasound kidney measurements, and determined kidney function in two consecutive investigations (2003/04 and 2004/05). Metals and metalloids were measured in urine and blood samples. To assess the agreement between these consecutive measurements, we calculated intraclass correlation coefficients. Repeated measurement data were analyzed using mixed models. Results We found that cadmium and arsenic were associated with neither kidney size nor function. Lead had a significant but negligible effect on creatinine clearance. Selenium showed a weak but significant negative association with two of the four kidney parameters, namely creatinine clearance and β2-microglobulin. It was positively related to kidney length. These associations were not restricted to the offspring of BEN patients. Adding credence to these findings are reports showing comparable kidney effects in animals exposed to selenium. Conclusion The findings of this 2-year follow-up study indicate that metals and metalloids do not play a role in the etiology of Balkan Endemic Nephropathy. Against the assumption in the literature, selenium was not protective but a risk factor. Since comparable associations were observed in animals, future studies are needed to explore whether selenium may have adverse renal effects in humans.</p

Phompsis Capsici and Colletotrichum Coccoides Infecting Pepper in Macedonia

Phomopsis capsici and Colletotrichum coccodes were found on pepper fruits during a joint expedition carried out in Macedonia. The lesions caused by P. capsici often occurred together and resembled slightly those incited by C. coccodes. Phomopsis lesions could be differentiated on the basis of pliable leathery condition of the affected tissue and of pycnidium presence while C.coccodes produced lesions with regular round shape and abundant acervuli, setae and microsclerotia in colonized fruit tissue. On some fruits P. capsici caused single infection but mixed infections of Phomopsis and Colletotrichum were observed, as well, C. coccodes is a soil-borne pathogen that produces long-lasting structures (microsclerotia) in the plant debris. The development of this pathogen on pepper might contribute to the building up of inoculum in the soil which could serve as reservoir for other Solanaceae. To our knowledge, this is the first report of P. capsici and C. coccodes on pepper in Macedonia