Laboratory of Experimental and Applied Parasitologyhome » Department of Parasitology and Tropical Medicine
Head: Assoc. Prof. Iskra Rainova, MD, PhD,
e-mail: rainova@ncipd.org
Assist. Professor Ognyan Mikov, PhD, E-mail: mikov@ncipd.org
Eleonora Kaneva – biologist
E-mail: kaneva@ncipd.org
Stojanka Georgieva - chief medical technician
Ivanka Lazarova - medical technician
Activities of the staff of Laboratory of Experimental and Applied Parasitology areconnected to the maintenance of parasitic species, obtaining and characterization of parasite antigens, and preparation of diagnostic kits for some of the most common parasitic diseases in the country. Since 1970 bioproducts for immunological and nutrient media for cultural diagnosis are produced in the laboratory.
Production of the laboratory includes:
• ELISA test kits for detection of IgG antibodies in echinococcosis, trichinellosis toxoplasmosis
• Test kits for indirect haemagglutination (IHA)- toxoplasmosis, trichinellosis, fasciolosis.
• Test kits for immunofluorescence (IF) - echinococcosis, amebiasis, fasciolosis.
• nutrient media - TV4 (Trichomonas vaginalis), Pavlova’s media (Entamoeba histolytica)
• ELISA test kits for detection of IgG antibodies in echinococcosis, trichinellosis toxoplasmosis
• Test kits for indirect haemagglutination (IHA)- toxoplasmosis, trichinellosis, fasciolosis.
• Test kits for immunofluorescence (IF) - echinococcosis, amebiasis, fasciolosis.
• nutrient media - TV4 (Trichomonas vaginalis), Pavlova’s media (Entamoeba histolytica)
• sera - normal rabbit serum, polyvalent hydatid, toxoplasma and trichinella immunsera.
In 2004 the laboratory obtained a certificate as a manufacturer from the Bulgarian Drug Agency.
The staff is alsoinvolvedin obtaining and determination of parasite antigens basic characteristics (somatic extracts of T. gondii trophozoites, T. spiralis larvae and adult forms of F. hepatica; excretory-secretory antigens from larvae of T. spiralis, T. canis and E. granulosus), applicable for the diagnosis of current parasitic diseases in the country.
For the manufacturing, scientific and educational purposes unique country parasitic species are maintained in vivo and in vitro and for a longer-term storage cryopreservation bank is created.
The research activity of the laboratory staff relates to the development and implementation of new serological methods for diagnosis of parasitic diseases, as well as to participation in various projects and programs of national and international scale.
As regards the academic activities the laboratory staff is involved in conducting courses and tutoring postgraduate studies in immunodiagnostics of parasitic diseases. Participants learn the characteristics of immunity in parasitic diseases and acquire practically basic methods for serological diagnosis of these diseases