LABORATORY ECOLOGY OF PATHOGENIC BACTERIA

Head: Assist. Prof. Zvezdimira Tsvetanova, PhD
Tel.: +359 879 499 172
E-mail: tsvetanovazv@dir.bg, zvezdimira@yahoo.com
Author ID Scopus (ScienceDirect): 35758139800 -  SCOPUS 
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Chemist, technician Vanya Slaveva
Tel.: +359 879 499 172

• Water microbiology

• Infectious microbiology Research in the field of water microbiology is aimed at studying biofilms in technical water systems with different purposes and water quality and in drinking-domestic water supply systems. The dynamics of the biofilm formation process, its composition and impact on the microbiological quality of drinking water in real water supply systems and their physical models were studied. The effectiveness of drinking water disinfection for biofilm control and biofilm behavior in simulating accidental fecal contamination were investigated. The processes of integration and survival of pathogenic bacteria (Yersinia, Salmonella, E. coli O157, etc.) in the biofilm were investigated, including interspecies interactions with the aquatic microbiota. A major aspect of the research activity is the study of the antimicrobial resistance of the microbiota in drinking, natural and waste water. The spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and resistance genes – pollutants important to human health and the ecological well-being of aquatic ecosystems – is being investigated. At NIL, studies of drinking and surface water are carried out using standardized methods for microbiological analysis, and of the potential for enhancing microbial growth of polymeric pipe products intended for contact with drinking water.

1. Z. Tsvetanova “Quantification of the bacterial community of drinking water associated biofilms under different flow velocities and changing chlorination regimes”, Applied Water Science, 10(1), 3, 2020. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13201-019-1086-6
2. Z. Tsvetanova, H. Najdenski “Biofilm formation potential of enteropathogenic bacteria and their survival in drinking water-associated biofilms”, Acta Microbiologica Bulgarica, 34(3), 153-159, 2018.
3. Z. Tsvetanova, H. Najdenski “Influence of bacterial diversity and interspecies interactions on the drinking water-associated biofilms of Yersinia enterocolitica”, Ecological Engineering and Environment Protection, 2, 47-53, 2018. ISSN 1311-8668
4. Z. Tsvetanova, H. Najdenski “Pathogenic bacteria in water and drinking water-associated biofilms. Review” Ecological Engineering and Environment Protection, 1, 50-61, 2017. ISSN 1311-8668
5. Z. Tsvetanova, M. Korsachka, J. Marinski “Water quality assessment of the Bourgas port waters”, Sustainable Development of Sea-Corridors and Coastal Waters, S. Chrysostomos, T. Floqi, J. Marinski, L. Damiani (Eds.), Springer, Switzerland, 57-66, 2015.
6. Z. G. Tsvetanova, D. N. Dimitrov “Biofilms and bacteriological water quality in a model of domestic installation simulating daily drinking water consumption”, Water Science & Technology: Water Supply, 12(6), 720-726, 2012. IF: 0.60; Q3
7. Z. G. Tsvetanova, E. J. Hoekstra “Assessment of microbial growth potential of PVC flexible tubing in contact with drinking water”, Water Science & Technology: Water Supply, 12(4), 489-495, 2012. IF: 0.60; Q3
8. Z. G. Tsvetanova, E. J. Hoekstra “A study on assessment of biomass production potential of pipe materials in contact with drinking water”, Water Science & Technology: Water Supply, 9(4), 423–429, 2009. IF: 0.49; Q3
9. Z. G. Tsvetanova, E. J. Hoekstra “A study on the effect of the surface-to-volume contact ratio on the biomass production potential of the pipe products in contact with drinking water”, Water Science & Technology: Water Supply, 10(1), 105–112, 2009. IF: 0.49; Q3
10. Z. Tsvetanova “Study of the biofilm formation on different pipe materials in a drinking water distribution system and its impact on drinking water quality”, NATO Security through Science Series, L.Simeonov and E.Chirila (Eds.), Springer, 463-468, 2006.

• Scientific expertise on: features and impact of biofilms in technical and water supply water systems; entrapment and survival of pathogenic bacteria in biofilms in drinking water; interspecies interactions in the biofilm; antimicrobial resistance of the microbiome in drinking and natural waters.

• Ecological expertise for: microbiological pollution of natural waters; spread of antimicrobial resistance among aquatic microbiota; assessment of the microbial growth potential of materials in contact with drinking water.

• Analytical expertise for: verification of microbiological methods for analysis; microbiological analysis of water with standardized methods.