The Role of Cytomegalovirus in Congenital and Early Postnatal Infections in Northeastern Bulgaria.

BACKGROUND: Human cytomegalovirus is a ubiquitous, large enveloped DNA ß-herpesvirus that, like other herpesviruses, establishes lifelong latency following primary infection. It is the most frequent cause of congenital, neonatal and early postnatal infections with long lasting sequelae. AIM: The aim of the present study was to assess the prevalence of cytomegalovirus among a cohort of newborns and 1-3-month-old children with neurological symptoms, physical retardation, prolonged jaundice, thrombocytopenic purpura and other disabilities. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was a retrospective cross-sectional analysis of serological screening data for detection of specific anti-cytomegalovirus IgM and IgG in children from Northeastern Bulgaria. RESULTS: Between 2003 and 2015, average prevalences of 18.8% (95% CI: 15.4 to 22.2) for anti-CMV IgM antibodies (suggesting acute infection) and 84.7% (95% CI: 81.6 to 87.8) for anti-CMV IgG antibodies were measured in a total number of 517 samples. The prevalence rate of anti-CMV IgM in 1-3-month-old children was 4-fold higher than that in newborns [25.8% (95% CI: 21.1 to 30.5) and 6.4% (95% CI: 2.9 to 9.9, respectively]. In contrast, no significant difference was found for anti- CMV IgG positivity between newborns and 1-3-month-old infants (84% and 85%, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The data obtained strongly encourage screening of pregnant women for anti-CMV IgG and IgM to avoid transmission of the infection and severe complications of congenital infection.

Seroprevalence of Syphilis among Pregnant Women in the Varna Region (Bulgaria).

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease with continuously rising rates among European countries. The vertical (mother to child) transmission is an important way of dissemination, often leading to stillbirth and permanent impairment of the newborn. We present a retrospective cross-sectional analysis of 2702 pregnant women tested for syphilis seropositivity. During the study period (2009-2013) non-specific and specific treponemal antibodies were detected in 15 pregnant women (0.56% of sample size with 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.28-0.84). Our results showed a lack of correlation between syphilis seropositivity and age, ethnic origin, or pregnancy trimester of the mother. The only factor found to influence syphilis seropositivity was the mother's place of residence - rural inhabitants had significantly higher risk for syphilis infection when compared to urban inhabitants, with a seropositive proportion of 1.08% versus 0.36%, respectively.

Rheological properties of blood and parameters of platelets aggregation in arterial hypertension.

The results of some researches specify the important role of blood rheological properties changes in arterial hypertension (AH) pathogenesis. The goal of our study is to investigate the parameters of hemorheology and platelet aggregation in patients with various grade of AH. The study was carried out on 27 patients with grade 1 AH (group 1), 24 patients with grade 2 AH (group 2) and 29 healthy subjects (group 3). In patients of these groups, we evaluated erythrocytes deformability, red blood cells and platelets aggregation, blood and plasma viscosity. Using intra-vital computer-associated microscopic system we investigated microcirculation of bulbar conjunctiva. We observed that the rate of ADP-induced platelets aggregation is higher in group 1 as compared to groups 2 and 3. In groups 1 and 3, red blood cells rigidity index is significantly lower as compared to group 2. Erythrocyte aggregability is higher in group 2 in comparison with groups 1 and 3. The results obtained demonstrate that mild hypertension is associated with the rise of platelets aggregability, moderate hypertension is accompanied by the reduction of red blood cells deformability and increase of erythrocyte aggregability. These data may reflect differences in conditions for the formation of microcirculation disorders in AH of various grade.

Plasma lipid levels, blood rheology, platelet aggregation, microcirculation state and oxygen transfer to tissues in young and middle-aged healthy people.

It has been reported that dyslipidemia is associated with rheological and microcirculatory abnormalities in patients with ischaemic heart disease. However, it is not known how this system changes in men and women with ageing. In healthy young and middle-aged subjects the following parameters were evaluated: total plasma cholesterol, triglycerides and HDL-cholesterol levels, deformability of erythrocytes, red blood cell and platelet aggregations, blood and plasma viscosity, neutrophils' cytosolic [Ca2+]i and microviscosity of the bilayer's total lipid phase and the annular near-protein zone of the membranes. Using intravital computer-associated microscopic system we investigated the microcirculation of bulbar conjunctiva. Oxygen transfer characteristics were measured with a Radiometer TCM2 monitor. It is evident from the data obtained that in men of middle age the total plasma cholesterol and triglyceride levels are higher in comparison with other groups. The rheological behavior of red blood cell and platelet aggregations in men differ from that in women. Neutrophils activation in healthy subjects was not recorded. Our results show that changes of the blood rheological properties of men 35-50 years old can lead to disturbances of the microcirculation.