Miroslava Benkova-Petrova

Dr. Miroslava Benkova-Petrova


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

4Years (2023-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

View All Publications
9 February 2025 in Reports
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
Dinnar YahyaDinnar Yahya
Dinnar Yahya
MBMiroslava Benkova-Petrova
Miroslava Benkova-Petrova
APAleksandar Aleksandrov Petrov
Aleksandar Aleksandrov Petrov
Mari Ara HachmeriyanMari Ara Hachmeriyan
Mari Ara Hachmeriyan
Background and Clinical Significance: Ciliopathies are a heterogeneous group of diseases caused by damage to the primary cilium. Disorders of ciliary motility can lead to a wide range of clinical manifestations, including infertility, lateralization defects, lung infections, and more. Some ciliopathies associated with kidney disease include nephronophthisis, polycystic disease, and renal cell carcinoma. Since they are clinically and genetically diverse, their diagnosis may require a longer time and one or more genetic assays. Case presentation: We present the case of a 43-year-old man with a wide anamnesis, including unexplained nephrolithiasis, bronchiectasis, recurrent otitis media since infancy, appendicular lithiasis, and infertility. After a long history of various clinical examinations and consultations with diverse specialists, he was referred to genetic counseling. Whole exome sequencing (WES) revealed a homozygous pathogenic variant in the RSPH3 gene—NM_031924.8:c.205-2A>G—which was later confirmed through Sanger sequencing. It is classified as pathogenic in widely used databases and is associated with primary ciliary dyskinesia. This condition can present nontypically, and the patients might suffer from an extensive diagnostic odyssey. Being mindful of its clinical and genetic heterogeneity can shorten the period until diagnosis. Conclusions: It is essential to have this condition included in differential diagnosis and involve specialists from the medical/clinical genetic department in a multidisciplinary team. Genetic confirmation through WES or another molecular genetic method is crucial for the therapeutic approach and to adequately perform genetic counseling for patients and their families.

14 January 2026 in Reports
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
SKSilvia Kutsarova
Silvia Kutsarova
TGTsvetoslav Georgiev
Tsvetoslav Georgiev
MBMiroslava Benkova-Petrova
Miroslava Benkova-Petrova
APAleksandar Aleksandrov Petrov
Aleksandar Aleksandrov Petrov
HPHristo Popov
Hristo Popov
Background and Clinical Significance: Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) is an ANCA-associated vasculitis that often affects the respiratory tract and kidneys, while ocular involvement is less common and may delay diagnosis. Bilateral dacryoadenitis as an initial manifestation is particularly uncommon and can obscure early recognition. Case Presentation: A 24-year-old woman presented with recurrent epistaxis, headaches, and progressive bilateral eyelid swelling. MRI showed enlarged lacrimal glands consistent with granulomatous dacryoadenitis. Over the following weeks, she developed systemic symptoms and rapidly progressive renal impairment. Serology revealed positive c-ANCA and anti-PR3 antibodies, and HRCT demonstrated pulmonary nodules and ground-glass opacities. Renal biopsy confirmed necrotizing pauci-immune crescentic glomerulonephritis. Despite treatment with glucocorticoids, cyclophosphamide, and rituximab, renal recovery was incomplete, necessitating hemodialysis. Conclusions: This case illustrates bilateral dacryoadenitis as an early sign of GPA and emphasizes the need for prompt ANCA testing and renal evaluation. Early recognition is crucial to prevent irreversible kidney damage.

5 January 2026 in Research Square
Verified
Preprint
Open access
PDF file
MBMiroslava Benkova-Petrova
Miroslava Benkova-Petrova
APA. Petrov¹
A. Petrov¹
SMSimeon Marinov
Simeon Marinov
LSL. Stoev
L. Stoev
MHM. Hachmerian
M. Hachmerian
Background: Ewing sarcoma is a rare but aggressive malignant tumor that primarily affects adolescents and young adults. Although it typically arises in bone, in rare cases it may originate in parenchymal organs such as the kidney. Case Presentation: We present a 45-year-old woman with a history of breast carcinoma and a right renal mass. Imaging revealed a multicystic lesion with septations and nodular thickening. Histology and immunohistochemistry were consistent with extraskeletal Ewing sarcoma; FISH confirmed the characteristic rearrangement (t(11;22)(q24;q12)/EWSR1-ETS). The patient underwent nephrectomy followed by VDC/IE chemotherapy. Given her oncologic history and age, Li-Fraumeni syndrome was considered. Conclusions: This case highlights a rare primary renal localization of Ewing sarcoma and underscores the value of a multidisciplinary approach with molecular confirmation to secure diagnosis and guide therapy.

28 August 2023 in Actual Nephrology
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
MBMiroslava Benkova-Petrova
Miroslava Benkova-Petrova
SSSvetla Staykova
Svetla Staykova
Assessment of the Clinical Progression of Diabetic Kidney Disease