Department of Parasitology and Tropical Medicine
Head: Assoc. Prof Rossitza Kurdova-Mintcheva, MD, PhD
National MH Consultant of Parasitology
E-mail: kurdova@ncipd.org
phone: +35929446999/ 311
+359 2 843 80 02
In 1958 activities and opportunities of NCIPD significantly enriched with the formation of the Parasitology Department at the Centre, on the basis of the existing Republican Institute of Malaria and Medical Parasitology. Department of Parasitology has made significant contributions in the surveillance and control of parasitic and tropical diseases. It`s staff is composed of perfectly trained professionals who develop policy and practical approaches in this important field for the country.
The main activities of the staff of the Department of Parasitology and Tropical Medicine are focused in several directions:
1. SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH. The epidemiology, immunology, pathogenesis, clinic, diagnosis, treatment and prophylaxis of indigenous and imported tropical parasitic diseases are studied.
*The efforts are mainly dedicated to the widely spread indigenous parasitoses such as trichinellosis, echinococcosis, toxoplasmosis, ascaridosis, toxocarosis, enterobiosis, hymenolepidosis, trichomonasis and giardiasis.
*Opportunistic parasitoses (toxoplasmosis, cryptosporidiosis, blastocystosis, pneumocystosis) in immunocompromised patients are diagnosed by morphological, serological and biomolecular methods. Ethiological structure, clinical peculiarities and epidemiology of these infections are investigated. The natural distribution of visceral leishmaniasis is under study.
*The imported parasitic diseases – malaria, amoebiasis, filariases, ancylostomidoses, leishmaniases, etc. are mainly studied in order to restrict the consequenses of their import, to prevent their indigenous transmission and epidemic and endemic distribution in the country.
The development and implementation of control measures programs concerning parasitic diseases are also on agenda. Between 2004 and 2008 under the leadership of the MH the National Programme for Control of echinococcosis in humans and animals was carried out.
*The problems of ecoparasitology are the topic of a research work, too. Naegleria and Acanthamoeba spp. are studied. An entomology unit is operating at the department, dealing with the blood-sucking insects of actual or potential importance as vectors of parasitic diseases.
Scientific projects, elaborated at the Department of Parasitology and Tropical Medicine, funded by the National Science Fund
1. Project ДTK02/79. Immunological, biomolecular and seroepidemiological studies on echinococcosis and toxocariasis – parasitozoonoses of important medical and social significance Development and evaluation of contemporary immunological and biomolecular methods for diagnosis of both parasitic zoonoses and conducting of seroepidemiological study of toxocarosis distribution and echinococcosis distribution by biomolecular methods.
2. Project TK01/0535 “Alien terrestrial arthropods and their impact on biodiversity in Bulgaria”. The work is focused on detection of the occurrence of invasive alien mosquito species in Bulgaria and their potential role as vectors of parasitic diseases on humans.
2. TRAINING ACTIVITIES. As a part of NCIPD the department is accredited by the Ministry of Education and Research as a National Postgraduate Training Centre in the basic medical specialty – medical parasitology for continuous education and PhD programme. There is an annual programme of short- and long-term postgraduated training courses, individual training, etc.
Long- and short- term international courses, inc. WHO trainings on malaria and tropical parasitic diseases have been conducted by the Department. The trainers of the Department participate as lecturers in WHO courses in WHO-EURO countries, as well as in the training in parasitology of students from the Medical Schools and Biological Faculty of Sofia University in Bulgaria.
3. DIAGNOSTIC AND THERAPEUTIC ACTIVITY. Routine and reference diagnosis of indigenous and imported parasitic diseases is carried out by modern laboratory methods - morphological, immunological and molecular – biological. Medical consideration of patients, incl. travelers is conducted.
4. ADVISING AND CONSULTING ACTIVITIES. The staff is engaged in epidemiological surveillance of parasitic diseases in the country, in the development of annual analysis of the parasitological situation, in elaborating standard documents and national programs for the control and prevention of parasitic diseases in the country in assistance to the Ministry of Health. Technical assistance to the specialized parasitological network, to the clinicians of other specialties and to the general practitioners in all aspects of parasitology – epidemiology, diagnosis, treatment, prophylaxis, control is carried out as well.
The Department includes the following main units: National Reference Laboratory for the Diagnosis of Parasitic Diseases (NRLDPD), Laboratory of Experimental and Applied Parasitology (LEPP) and National Outpatient Unit for Consulting Assistance in Parasitic and Tropical Diseases.
Publications in journals from the last four years.
2008
Angelov, Iv., Tz. Lukanov, N. Tsvetkova, V. Petkova, G. Nicoloff. Clinical, immunological and parasitological parallels in patients with Blastocystosis. // Journal of IMAB - Annual Proceeding (Scientific Papers), 2008, 1, 55-58.
Darakchieva M., R. Kurdova. Status of human cystic echinococcosis in Smolian Region. // Infectology, XLVII, 2010, 1, 40-43. (in Bulgarian)
Kaftandjiev, I., R. Harizanov, D. Vuchev, G. Filipov, I. Bikov, I. Marinova. Conterporary features of the patient monitoring, treatment and relapse preventing chemoprophylaxis of the human echinococcosis in Bulgaria— In: Proceedings of 6th National Congress of Clinical Microbiology and Infectology with International Participation, Plovdiv, 3-6 April, 2008, 143-145. (in Bulgarian)
Karaslavova P., R. Kurdova. Development and introduction of Western blot for specific IgM antibodies detection in the diagnosis of toxoplasmosis. — In: Proceedings of 6th National Congress of Clinical Microbiology and Infectology with International Participation, Plovdiv, 3-6 April, 2008, 140-141 (in Bulgarian)
Kurdova R., P. Petrov, D. Jordanova, I. Rainova R. Harizanov, I. Marinova, I. Bikov, I. Kaftandjiev. Parasitic morbidity in Bulgaria in 2007-2008. Current status and prognosis. // Informational Journal NCIPD, 2010, 5, 5-30. (in Bulgarian)
Kurdova-Mintcheva, R., P. Karaslavova, I. Rainova. Western Blot for Detecting Specific IgG and IgM Antibodies in Human Toxoplasmosis. X European Multicolloquium of Parasitology – EMOP. Free papers. Paris (France), August 24-29, 2008, MEDIMOND International Proceedings, 55-59.
M. Ejov, R. Kurdova-Mintcheva. Progress with Malaria Elimination in the WHO European Region. X European Multicolloquium of Parasitology – EMOP. Free papers. Paris (France), August 24-29, 2008, MEDIMOND International Proceedings, 13-17.
Marinova, I., G. Nikolov, A. Michova, R. Kurdova. Study on serum specific IgE in patients with cystic echinococcosis. // Comptes rendus de l`Academie bulgare des Sciences, 63, 2010, 2, 303-310.
Marinova, I., R. Kurdova. Analysis of specific IgG antibodies by Western blot and ELISA in patients with liver and lung echinococcosis. — In: Proceedings of 6th National Congress of Clinical Microbiology and Infectology with International Participation, Plovdiv, 3-6 April, 2008, 149-150 (in Bulgarian)
Marinova, I., R. Kurdova–Mintcheva. Western Blot Analysis in Human Cystic Echinococcosis. X European Multicolloquium of Parasitology – EMOP. Free papers. Paris (France), August 24-29, 2008, MEDIMOND International Proceedings, 133-137.
Mikov, O. Composition and cycle of the anopheline mosquito population by stages of blood digestion in eustatic resting places in Bulgaria. X European Multicolloquium of Parasitology – EMOP. Free papers. Paris (France), August 24-29, 2008, MEDIMOND International Proceedings, 255-259.
Mikov, O. Determination of the season of possible malaria transmission by anopheline mosquitoes in South-Western Bulgaria. // Meditsinskaya parazitologiya i parazitarnye bolezni, 2008, 1, 31-33. (in Russian)
Rainova, I, M. Ivanova, R. Kurdova. Analyzing and evaluation of various antigens from Trichinella spiralis larvae using Western blot. // Problems of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, 36, 2008, 1, 32-34.
Raynova, I. Study of Toxocara antibody bearing among healthy people in Bulgaria. X European Multicolloquium of Parasitology – EMOP. Free papers. Paris (France), August 24-29, 2008, MEDIMOND International Proceedings, 115-118.
Tsvetkova N., S. Nikolaeva, R. Kurdova-Mintcheva. An Environmental Survey for Free-Living Hartmannella Amoebae with Pathogenic Potential. X European Multicolloquium of Parasitology – EMOP. Free papers. Paris (France), August 24-29, 2008, MEDIMOND International Proceedings, 93-96.
Vutchev, D., I. Marinova, R. Harisanov, V. Blagoeva, A. Massarlieva, K. Anichina, A. Mavrova. Combined Treatment of Human Hydatidosis with Albendazole-Isoprinosine. X European Multicolloquium of Parasitology – EMOP. Free papers. Paris (France), August 24-29, 2008, MEDIMOND International Proceedings, 163-166.
Manuals, textbooks
Kurdova, R. (ed.) Parasitic zoonoses. NCIPD, Sofia, 2008, 198. (in Bulgarian)
Orizov А., S. Alieva, M. Aksakova, S. Alieva, S. Nurieva, A. Miratdurdieva, K. Roziev, M. Ejov, A. Zvantsov, R. Кurdova-Mintcheva. National strategic plan for malaria elimination in Turkmenistan (2008-2010). — In: Collection of documents on malaria prophylaxis, Аşghabat, 2008, 326-359. (in Russian)
Rainova, I. Toxocarosis. Pensoft, Sofia, 2008, 78 (in Bulgarian)
2009
Angelov, I., I. Rainova. Lamblia (Giardia) intestinalis specific GSA 65 antigen in fecal samples from children with asymptomatic lambliosis and it’s diagnostic value. // Problems of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, 37, 2009, 1, 34-36.
Harisanov, R., R. Kurdova, I. Rainova, D. Jordanova. Intestinal parasitic diseases in social care hoses in Bulgaria (2003-2007). // Infectology, XLVI, 2009, 4, 28-31. (in Bulgarian)
Jordanova, D., R. Kurdova. Study on the distribution of echinococcosis among children in Bulgaria (1987-2006). // Pediatria, 49, 2009, 1, 26-31. (in Bulgarian)
Kurdova, R., P. Karaslavova. Development and evaluation of IgG avidity in toxoplasmosis. // Problems of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, 37, 2009, 2, 31-33.
Kurdova, R., T. Marinova, S. Petrov, N. Tsvetkova Introduction of PCR and RFLP for characterisation of local strains of Toxoplasma gondii and with diagnostic purposes. // Infectology, XLVI, 2009, 4, 23-27. (in Bulgarian)
Petrov, P., R. Kurdova, O. Mikov, I. Rainova. Malaria vulnerability and receptivity on the territory of Bulgaria – risk and prognosis. // Infectology, XLVI, 2009, 4, 17-19. (in Bulgarian)
Rainova, I., E. Kaneva. Cryopreservation of parasite protozoa species Toxoplasma gondii and Trypanosoma equiperdum at (-) 70ºC. // Proceedings of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, 2009, 4, 473-478.
Tsvetkova, N., P. Karaslavova, G. Pehlivanov, M. Ivanova, R. Kurdova. Introduction of PCR in the diagnosis of urogenital trichomoniasis. // Infectology, XLVI, 2009, 4, 20-22. (in Bulgarian)
Кurdova-Mintcheva, R., D. Jordanova, M. Ivanova. Human trichinellosis in Bulgaria – Epidemiological situation and trends. // Veterinary Parasitology, 2009, 159, 316-319.
Manuals, textbooks
Davidianz, V., M.Ejov, R. Кurdova-Mintcheva, A.Zvantsov. Clinical protocol of malaria treatment. Protocol for epidemiological surveillance of malaria. Republical Informational-analytical Centre of public health, Armenia, 2009, 3-42 (in Russian)
Kurdova, R. (ed.) Laboratory diagnosis of human parasitic diseases. ARSO, Sofia, 2009, 254 pp. (in Bulgarian)
2010
Darakchieva, M., R. Kurdova. Status of human cystic echinococcosis in Smolian Region // Infectology, LXVII, 2010, 1, 40-43. (in Bulgarian)
Kaftandjiev, I. New protozoan diseases. // Infectology, LXVII, 2010, 2-4 (in Bulgarian)
Kurdova, R., P. Petrov, D. Jordanova, I. Rainova R. Harizanov, I. Marinova, I. Bikov, I. Kaftandjiev. Parasitic morbidity in Bulgaria in 2007-2008. Current status and prognosis. // Informational Journal NCIPD, 2010, 5, 5-30. (in Bulgarian)
Marinova, I., G. Nikolov, A. Michova, R. Kurdova. Study on serum specific IgE in patients with cystic echinococcosis. // Comptes rendus de l`Academie bulgare des Sciences, 63, 2010, 2, 303-310.
Raynova, I., V. Kaleva. Report on clinical manifestations and treatment difficulties of toxocara infection in six children in Bulgaria. // JPID, 5, 2010, 1, 111-113.
Tchernov, A., I. Rainova, J. Genova. Antibodies against Toxoplasma gondiiI in human immunoglogulin preparations. // Infectology, LXVII, 2010, 1, 33-35.
Manuals, textbooks
Angelov A., R. Kurdova. Blastocystosis. — In: Georgiev, P. (ed.). Chronic infectious diseases. Medizina i fizkultura, Sofia, 2010, 286-288. (in Bulgarian)
Harizanov, R., R. Kurdova. Visceral leishmaniasis. — In: Georgiev, P. (ed.). Chronic infectious diseases. Medizina i fizkultura, Sofia, 2010,, 276-280.
Kurdova, R., P. Petrov. Toxoplasmosis. — In: Georgiev, P. (ed.). Chronic infectious diseases. Medizina i fizkultura, Sofia, 2010, 265-271. (in Bulgarian)
Petrov P., R. Kurdova. Echinococcosis. — In: Georgiev, P. (ed.). Chronic infectious diseases. Medizina i fizkultura, Sofia, 2010, 271-277. (in Bulgarian)
Petrov, P. Parasitic diseases. Common biological and pathogenetical features of the chronic course. — In: Georgiev, P. (ed.). Chronic infectious diseases. Medizina i fizkultura, Sofia, 2010,, 252-257.
Petrov, P., R.Kurdova, I.Rainova. Malaria. — In: Georgiev, P. (ed.). Chronic infectious diseases. Medizina i fizkultura, Sofia, 2010, 256-265. (in Bulgarian)
Rainova, I., P. Petrov., R. Kurdova,. Toxocarosis. — In: Georgiev, P. (ed.). Chronic infectious diseases. Medizina i fizkultura, Sofia, 2010, 282-286. (in Bulgarian)
Usenbaev, N. T., K. Sh. Almerekov, Z. Sh. Nurmatov, A. M. Baranova, A. B. Zvantsov, R. Kurdova-Mintcheva. Guidelines on monitoring of epidemiological situation and evaluation of efficiency of antimalaria activities in Kyrgyz Republic. Bishkek, 2010, 183 pp. (in Russian)
2011
Manuals, textbooks
Kurdova, R., I. Rainova, D. Jordanova, R. Harizanov, I. Marinova, I. Bikov, I. Kaftandjiev. Status of indigenous and imported parasitoses in Bulgaria in 2009 // Informational Journal NCIPD, 2011, 1, 4-32. (in Bulgarian)
Kurdova, R., I. Rainova, D. Jordanova, R. Harizanov, I. Marinova, I. Bikov, I. Kaftandjiev, N. Tsvetkova. Characterization of parasitic incidence in Bulgaria in 2010// Informational Journal NCIPD, 2011, 2, 4-32. (in Bulgarian)
Mikov, О., D. Vutchev, N. Lalkovski. Distribution of mosquito species, potential vectors for dirofilarioses in humans and animals in Bulgaria. Jubilee scientific session "NDSRVMI 110 years." Proceedings and posters. Sofia, 2011, 152-156. (in Bulgarian)