MLVA and SNP analysis identified a unique genetic cluster in Bulgarian Bacillus anthracis strains.

A collection of 40 Bacillus anthracis strains mostly isolated from soil in Bulgaria between 1960 and 1980 were investigated. All strains were proven to be B. anthracis by culture and amplification of a B. anthracis-specific chromosomal marker. PCR demonstrated that in nine strains both virulence plasmids (pX01+/pX02+) and in four strains only one plasmid (pX02+) were present, whereas the majority of strains (n = 27) lacked both plasmids (pX01-/pX02-). Multi-locus-variable number of tandem repeat-analysis (MLVA) using 15 markers differentiated three genotypes. Comparison with typing data of more than 1,000 different B. anthracis strains revealed that Bulgarian genotypes affiliated with the A1.a cluster and form their own unique cluster different from clusters containing strains isolated in geographical proximity, e.g., Turkey, Georgia, Hungary, Albania or Italy. In addition, a new allele of one marker (vrrC2) was identified. Canonical single nucleotide polymorphisms analysis allocated 31 Bulgarian strains into the A.Br.008/009 and nine strains into the A.Br.WNA group, which is the first description of B. anthracis strains of the A.Br.WNA group on the Eurasian continent.

Genotypic diversity and antibiotic susceptibility of Acinetobacter baumannii isolates in a Bulgarian hospital.

A set of 18 Acinetobacter baumannii isolates, collected prospectively in a Bulgarian hospital during episodes of increased A. baumannii occurrence during 2000-2002, was investigated for genotypic diversity and antibiotic susceptibility. Four genotypes were identified by amplified fragment length polymorphism genomic fingerprinting, one of which (type 1) accounted for 13 isolates, indicating that a specific strain was predominant. The single isolate allocated to type 2 was identified to European clone I. All isolates were resistant to multiple antibiotics, but most retained susceptibility to tobramycin and colistin, and all except one were susceptible to imipenem.

In vitro investigation of the susceptibility of Acinetobacter baumannii strains isolated from clinical specimens to ampicillin/sulbactam alone and in combination with amikacin.

The sensitivity of 52 strains of Acinetobacter baumannii was determined to 13 antimicrobial drugs. All strains tested were multiresistant. Compared with MICs of amikacin and ampicillin/sulbactam alone, there was a significant decrease in MICs for both drugs when the combination was used. The results of the in vitro study of this combination showed a synergistic or partial synergistic effect in 98% of the strains.

[Clinical studies of patients with spinal cord metastases]. / Klinichni prouchvaniia pri bolni s grubnachnomozuchni metastazi.

Eighty-one patients with spinal-cord tumors are hospitalized in the Clinic of Emergency Neurology and Neurosurgery over the period 1988 through 1997. Of the total number, 74 patients of which 25 presenting metastases from neoplasms with primary location out of the central nervous system, are subjected to operation. There are 4 tumors involving the cervical segment, 1--cervicothoracic, 17--thoracic, 1--thoracolumbar, and 2--lumbar segment. Histological verification is done in all patients operated on. The indications for undertaking surgery in this particular contingent of patients are discussed.

Typing of Staphylococcus aureus isolated from nasal carriers.

Eighteen Staphylococcus aureus strains (9 pairs) were isolated from 9 apparently healthy persons (including 5 persons from medical staff) regarded as persistent nasal carriers in a 5-7-day or 3-5-month period, respectively. The 18 S. aureus strains were characterized phenotypically and by genotypic methods. Biochemical properties determined with a commercial identification system, production of haemolysins as well as most of the antibiotic resistance date revealed an identity between both strains of each pair. This putative identity was confirmed for most of the paired strains by phage typing and plasmid profiling for all 9 pairs by determination of the number of repeats in the X region of the spa gene and by macrorestriction analysis of the chromosomal DNA of the isolates. The present results indicate that a single clone of S. aureus might colonize continuously persistent nasal carriers over a 5-7 day period, even for a period of 3-5 months.

Synthesis, gastroprotective, antisecretory and anti-Helicobacter effect of N-[3-(3-(1-piperidinylmethyl) phenoxy)propyl]-hydroxyacetamide 2-hydroxypropane-1,2,3-tricarboxylate bismuth (3+) complex (MX1)-MX1.

MX1 (N-[3-(3-(1-piperidinylmethyl)phenoxy)propyl]-hydroxyacetamide+ ++ 2-hydroxypropane-1,2,3-tricarboxylate bismuth (3+) complex) is a novel salt of the active metabolite of H2-antagonist roxatidine with a complex of bismuth with citric acid. In a model of ethanol-induced ulcers in male Wistar rats, both roxatidine and the bismuth salt reduced the number and the total length of lesions. Comparison of roxatidine and MX1 at equimolar doses of 160 mumol kg-1 showed a more potent cytoprotective effect of MX1. The potency of anti-secretory and antiacidic effects of MX1 was more than twice that of roxatidine on histamine-stimulated secretion in female Wistar pylorus-ligated rats. Microbiological tests with the reference bismuth preparation De-Nol showed prominent anti-Helicobacter properties of MX1 in-vitro. Both test compounds had similar range of MICs to Helicobacter pylori, from 4 to 64 microgram bismuth mL-1. The cytoprotective, antisecretory, anti-acidic and anti-Helicobacter properties of the new agent MX1 warrant further more extensive pharmacological and clinical trials.

[The clinical and microbiological study of the preparation perfloxacin in treating urologic infections]. / Klinichno i mikrobiologichno prouchvane na preparata pefloksatsin pri lechenie na uroinfektsiite.

Experience with Pefloxacin treatment of thirty-nine patients presenting urinary tract infection, over the period 1992-1993, is shared. The drug is administered per os at dosage--800 mg, divided in two doses given at 12-hour intervals. As shown by the results of assaying the clinical symptoms, laboratory indicators and microbiological findings in the urine, the therapeutic effect is very good. A clinical cure is recorded in 76 cases (92 per cent), and healing of the bacteriological agent--in 92.31 per cent. Side effects are rarely observed and mildly manifested. The results of Pefloxacin treatment warrant the assumption that the drug synthesized is encouraging, suitable for both out- and inpatient treatment of urinary tract infections, and therefore it should be introduced in the daily routine practice.