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In recent years, hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection has been found to be widespread among different animal species worldwide. In Bulgaria, high HEV seropositivity was found among pigs (60.3%), wild boars (40.8%), and East Balkan swine (82.5%). The aim of the present study was to establish the seroprevalence of HEV among dogs, cats, horses, cattle, sheep, and goats in Bulgaria. In total, 720 serum samples from six animal species were randomly collected: dogs—90 samples; cats—90; horses—180; cattle—180; sheep—90; and goats—90. The serum samples were collected from seven districts of the country: Burgas, Kardzhali, Pazardzhik, Plovdiv, Sliven, Smolyan, and Stara Zagora. The animal serum samples were tested for HEV antibodies using the commercial Wantai HEV-Ab ELISA kit (Beijing, China). The overall HEV seroprevalence among different animal species from Bulgaria was as follows: dogs—21.1%; cats—17.7%; horses—8.3%; cattle—7.7%; sheep—32.2%; and goats—24.4%. We found the lowest overall HEV seropositivity in Plovdiv district (6.2%; 4/64; p = 0.203) and Smolyan district (8.8%; 4/45; p = 0.129), vs. the highest in Pazardzhik district (21.6%; 29/134; p = 0.024) and Burgas district (28.8%; 26/90; p = 0.062). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first serological evidence of HEV infection in dogs, cats, horses, cattle, sheep, and goats from Bulgaria. We found high HEV seropositivity in small ruminants (sheep and goats), moderate seropositivity in pets (dogs and cats), and a low level of seropositivity in large animals (horses and cattle). Previous Bulgarian studies and the results of this research show that HEV infection is widespread among animals in our country. In this regard, the Bulgarian health authorities must carry out increased surveillance and control of HEV infection among animals in Bulgaria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), there are an estimated 20 million hepatitis E virus (HEV) infections worldwide every year, leading to an estimated 3.3 million symptomatic cases of hepatitis E [[1]]. The I Rocahepevirus i genus (rat HEV/ferret HEV/vole HEV) was found in rodents, shrews, and carnivores [[3]]. Usually, the viral load remains low, and viral shedding is shorter (acute HEV infection) or longer (chronic HEV infection) [[36]]. [Extracted from the article]

In this study, we investigated the potential association between the severity of COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) and nasopharyngeal viral loads or serum antibody levels and evaluate the temporal dynamics of antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2). Using ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay), we determined the presence of IgA, IgM and IgG antibodies in 450 serum samples from 122 patients for a period of 9 months after disease onset. Viral burden was quantified by RT-PCR (reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction) in 270 nasopharyngeal swab samples from 122 patients for a period of 4 weeks after the onset of the symptoms. Higher antibody values were generally seen in patients with moderate and severe disease compared to patients with mild COVID-19. Significant differences were established in IgA and IgG antibody levels at weeks 3–4 and 5–13 after the disease onset. In all severity groups, seroconversion rates were high and a similar pattern was observed with IgM antibodies quickly decreasing after reaching peak levels and IgA and IgG antibodies persisting at high values up to 9 months. The mean viral loads were higher in the mild group during the first 2 weeks and in the moderate and severe groups later on. However, the differences were not statistically significant. The IgA and IgG antibody response was significantly stronger in patients with moderate/severe disease around the time of peak antibody production as well as in vaccinated patients. No definitive association between viral load levels and the severity of COVID-19 was observed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), a pneumonia with extremely heterogeneous clinical presentation, ranging from asymptomatic to severely ill patients. Previous studies have reported links between the presence of host genetic variants and the outcome of the COVID-19 infection. In our study, we used whole exome sequencing in a cohort of 444 SARS-CoV-2 patients, admitted to hospital in the period October-2020-April-2022, to search for associations between rare pathogenic/potentially pathogenic variants and COVID-19 progression. We used gene prioritization-based analysis in genes that have been reported by host genetic studies. Although we did not identify correlation between the presence of rare pathogenic variants and COVID-19 outcome, in critically ill patients we detected known mutations in a number of genes associated with severe disease related to cardiovascular disease, primary ciliary dyskinesia, cystic fibrosis, DNA damage repair response, coagulation, primary immune disorder, hemoglobin subunit β, and others. Additionally, we report 93 novel pathogenic variants found in severely infected patients who required intubation or died. A network analysis showed main component, consisting of 13 highly interconnected genes related to epithelial cilium. In conclusion, we have detected rare pathogenic host variants that may have influenced the COVID-19 outcome in Bulgarian patients., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Background: The aim of this research was to perform a seroepidemiological survey of hepatitis E virus (HEV) by an alternative method-serological establishment of the virus from pig liver transudate. This is the first such research in Bulgaria. Moreover, no studies have been conducted on HEV in pig liver in our country. Materials and Methods: A total of 90 liver samples from healthy pigs were collected from slaughterhouses in three parts of the country (Sofia, Lovech, and Stara Zagora districts). An equal number of samples ( n  = 30) were obtained from each district. Results: The overall HEV seropositivity was 67.7% of all 90 tested pig liver transudate samples; in Sofia district 20.0%, in Lovech district 90.0%, and in Stara Zagora district 93.3%. Conclusion: These data are similar to our previous serological studies for HEV in serum samples from industrial pigs, wild boars, and East Balkan swine. In this regard, testing the liver transudate could be a fine alternative method for seroepidemiological survey on HEV in swine.