NRL of Influenza and Acute Respiratory Diseases

NRL of Influenza and Acute Respiratory Diseases

Head:

Prof. Neli Korsun, MD, DSc

Contacts:
Sofia 1233, 44A Stoletov Blvd, Tel. +35929318132

e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Working hours - 7:30 AM - 2:30 PM

 Staff:

  • Ivelina Trifonova, PhD, Assist. Prof.
  • Iveta Madzharova – biologist
  • Iliyana Grigorova - biologist
  • Lushka Georgieva - biologist
  • Iva Boncheva – lab. worker

The National Reference Laboratory "Influenza and ARD" has a leading role in tracking the circulation of influenza viruses and deciphering the etiology of influenza epidemics in the country. In the laboratory, an effective influenza research scheme has been implemented, including a WHO-recommended complex of classical and modern methods, which is applicable both during seasonal influenza epidemics and when a new pandemic influenza virus appears. In addition to traditional virus isolation and typing methods, modern laboratory techniques are applied, directly detecting viral nucleic acids (PCR) and specific antibodies (ELISA). A leading diagnostic method for detecting, typing, and subtyping influenza viruses is real-time RT-PCR, performed according to a WHO-recommended protocol, with primers and probes obtained from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) in Atlanta, USA. Other respiratory viruses - respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), metapneumovirus, parainfluenza, adenoviruses, rhinoviruses, bocaviruses, and coronaviruses, including the Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV), are also detected using the real-time PCR. Since February 2020, the laboratory has performed SARS-CoV-2 diagnostics using the real-time RT-PCR method. As part of the WHO system since 1960, of the European Scientific Scheme (EISS) - since 2007, and of the European Center for Disease Control (ECDC) - since 2009, the laboratory has been included in the European and global exchange network of data regarding influenza, SARS-CoV-2, and other respiratory infections. The laboratory is recognized by the WHO as a National Influenza Center. The employees of the laboratory conduct various forms of postgraduate training for specialists from the country; and prepare methodological guidelines for the diagnosis of influenza and acute respiratory infections. The quality of laboratory diagnostics is proven annually through participation in several international external assessment programs organized by WHO, INSTAND-Germany, and ECDC.

 

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