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The purpose of the present study is to determine the prevalence of genital mycoplasmas (M. genitalium, M. hominis, U. parvum, U. urealyticum) in pregnant women by molecular biological methods. Material/Methods: A prospective epidemiological study of 107 pregnant women hospitalized in the Clinic of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital-Pleven, Bulgaria, was conducted. Vaginal secretion samples were taken from all 107 pregnant women. A Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay was used to detect the genomic DNA of the bacteria in pregnant women. Results: The highest is the relative share of women in the age group from 20 to 35 years - 66 (64.68%), followed by women under 20 years - 27 (25.23%) and women over 35 years - 14 (13.08%). Detection of bacterial DNA was found in 85 (79.44%) of the cases, with present Ureaplasma spp. Colonization in 42 women (39.25%). Although no statistical dependence was found on open bacteria and age groups (p-value = 0.4688), it is noteworthy that the prevalence of Mycoplasma spp. and Ureaplasma spp. as a whole in the age group from 20 to 35 years, which has the highest birth rate, is more than twice higher than the group of up to 20 years and more than five times higher compared to the group over 35 years. Conclusions: Studies on the incidence of Mycoplasma spp. and Ureaplasma spp. in pregnant women is important for controlling the pregnancy, predicting the risk of developing maternal-fetal infection and discussing the options for timely treatment.

The purpose of this study was to assess the immunity against Varicella Zoster Virus (VZV) among pregnant women in the Pleven Region, Bulgaria. Material/Methods Cross-sectional study was carried out. After informed consent, 251 women were hospitalized in a Clinic of obstetrics and gynaecology at the University hospital in Pleven, Bulgaria. From every participant 5 ml blood was obtained, and all serum samples were tested by Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). NovaLisa Varicella-Zoster Virus (VZV), ELISA Kit (NovaTec Immunodiagnostica GmsH) for detection of VZV Immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibody and UVmax kinetic microplate reader were used. Demographic characteristics of participants were collected by interview. Data were managed in Microsoft Excel 2007 and analyzed using Statgraphics software. Results VZV IgG antibodies positive were detected in 178/251 (70.92%) of the women. Forty-four (17.53%) of all women were VZV IgG antibodies negative, and 29/251 (11.55%) were considered as equivocal. In women up to 20 years of age (n=33), 19(57.57%) samples were positive. In women aged between 20 and 30 years of age (n=138), 99 (71.74%) positive samples were found. In women aged more than over 30 years (n=80), 59 (73.75%) were positive. In all three age groups, seronegative women were found, but the highest relative share was in the age group up to 20 years - 21.21% Conclusions Seroprevalence of VZV serum IgG antibodies is comparatively high among pregnant women. Established seronegative women have a potential risk of natural infection and its transmission to the fetus.

The aim of this study was to assess the risk of infection by the detection of Cytomegalovirus (CMV) DNA in abortive samples in women with pregnancy loss. Material/Methods: Cross sectional study was designed to examine women with miscarriage. For six months, an abortive sample of 40 women hospitalized in Clinic of obstetrics and gynecology, University hospital-Pleven, Bulgaria were examined. By DNA-sorb-AM-AmpliSens DNA extraction was performed. The detection of cytomegalovirus DNA was performed by AmpliSens CMV – Eph PCR kit. The demographic data of the patients were collected by a questionnaire. The study protocol was approved by ethics committee of the Medical University - Pleven. Results: CMV DNA was detected in 16/40 (40%) of the women. In women up to 20 years of age (n=12), two positive samples were found. In women aged between 21 and 30 years of age, (n=12), six positive samples were found. The highest number of positive samples – 8 was found in women over 30 years of age (n=16). In the surveyed group, 18 (45%) were from minority groups, 32 (80%) were pregnant, low social status was found in about 80% of women. Conclusions: Our results indicate that there is a high frequency of CMV DNA in abortive samples from women who lost their pregnancy. Routine serologic screening for CMV of pregnant women will be advance in the understanding of CMV infection among pregnant women and its prevention.