Circulation of Highly Pathogenic Avian Flu Virus in the Russian Federation in 2014-2015

Given are the data on the circulation of highly pathogenic flu virus, A/H5, within the last two years. Discussed is the current state of the situation on H5 flu in the territory of the Russian Federation, where during 2014-2015, for the first time since 2010, registered has been the isolation of highly pathogenic flu virus, H5N1 and H5N8 subtypes. It is demonstrated that the territory of Russia plays a significant role in trans-continental transfer of flu viruses by wild birds from South-Eastern Asia into Europe and North America. Moreover, an assumption is made that a continued circulation of highly pathogenic viruses in the territory of the country is quiet possible

Development and laboratory production of virus-like immune-stimulating complexes based on saponins and evaluation of their adjuvant potential using mice immunisation with influenza antigens

The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the public’s need for effective vaccines. Consequently, significant financial support has been provided to developers of a number of innovative vaccines, including the vaccines with saponin-based adjuvants. In 2021, the World Health Organisation recommended Mosquirix, the first malaria vaccine, which contains a saponin adjuvant. An anti-covid vaccine by Novavax is in the approval phase. A promising approach to vaccine development is presented by the use of virus-like immune-stimulating complexes (ISCOMs) containing saponins and by the creation of combinations of ISCOMs with antigens. The aim of the study was to develop, produce and characterise virus-like immune-stimulating complexes based on saponins of Quillaja saponaria, as well as similar saponins of Russian-sourced Polemonium caeruleum. Materials and methods: The ISCOM adjuvants, Matrix-BQ and Matrix-BP, were produced using liquid chromatography and examined using electron microscopy. Balb/c mice were immunised intraperitoneally and intramuscularly with ISCOM-antigen preparations. Afterwards, the immunised animals were challenged with the influenza virus strain, A/California/4/2009(H1N1)pdm09, adapted and lethal to mice. The serum samples were examined using haemagglutination inhibition (HI) tests. Results: The authors produced the ISCOMs containing saponins of Quillaja saponaria and Polemonium caeruleum. After one intramuscular injection of either of the ISCOM-antigen preparations with 1 µg of each of A/Brisbane/02/2018 (H1N1) pdm09, A/Kansas/14/2017 (H3N2), and B/Phuket/3073/2013 haemagglutinin antigens (HAs), HI tests detected serum antibody titres to the corresponding antigens of ≥1:40. Two intramuscular injections of the ISCOM-antigen preparation containing 50 ng of each of the HAs and Matrix-BQ resulted in a protective response. In some animals, two intraperitoneal injections of ISCOM-antigen preparations resulted in the maximum antibody titre to the A/Kansas/14/2017 (H3N2) vaccine strain of 1:20,480. Two intramuscular injections of a test preparation containing 5 µg, 1 µg, 200 ng, or 50 ng of each of the HAs and Matrix-BQ or a control preparation containing 5 µg, 1 µg, or 200 ng of each of the HAs (commercially available vaccines) to the mice that were afterwards infected with the lethal influenza strain protected the experimental animals from death. Conclusions: The ISCOM-based preparations had high immunostimulatory activity in the mouse-model study. The presented results indicate the potential of further studies of ISCOM-based preparations in terms of both vaccine and immunotherapeutic development

Highly Pathogenic Avian Flu A(H5N1): State of Affairs in 2009–2012 and Forecast of Its Pandemic Potential

Avian flu is an infectious viral disease in birds that still retains its positions in some parts of Asia and Africa. This review contains summarization and analysis of facts regarding the current situation on highly pathogenic avian flu A-type subtype H5N1 among people and animals for the period of the past four years. Excess incidence rate in 2009 in Egypt, as well as cluster cases of the disease in humans, closely related in time and space, virus mutations as it spreads all over the world and diversification of the host specter, testify of the fact that this agent possesses significant pandemic potential and requires continuous close attention to provide for the well-timed detection of the occurring epidemiological, clinical and virological changes

Overview of the Situation on Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Virus H5 in Russia in 2016–2017

In 2016–2017, several outbreaks among wild and domestic birds caused by highly pathogenic influenza virus were recorded in the territory of the Russian Federation. After isolation of the highly pathogenic influenza A (H5N8) virus in the territory of the Republic of Tyva in May 2016, the virus was introduced into the west by wild birds, where it caused a massive epizootic. The death of agricultural poultry was noted in several regions of the European part of Russia and epizootics continued until the end of 2017. This paper presents the data on circulation of highly pathogenic influenza virus over the past two years. The current status regarding H5 influenza in the territory of the Russian Federation is also considered, where for the first time since 2005 a large-scale epizooty caused by the influenza virus subtype A (H5N8) was recorded. It is shown that the territory of Russia plays an important geographical role in the spread of influenza virus by wild birds from Southeast Asia to Europe and North America, and the research also suggests the possible continuation of circulation of highly pathogenic viruses in the territory of Russia

Overview of the Epidemiological Situation on Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Virus in Russia in 2018

Analyzed was modern epidemiological situation on highly pathogenic avian flu in 2018. Prognosis for possible further distribution of viruses in the territory of Russia was made. In 2018, the situation on highly pathogenic avian flu in Russia was challenging. This was due to the spread of the viruses clade 2.3.4.4, which caused multiple outbreaks among wild birds and poultry in European part of Russia. In addition, A/H5N6 avian influenza virus circulation was for the first time detected in the Saratov Region during routine avian influenza virus surveillance. In May, 2018 two different lineages of avian influenza A/H9N2 were isolated during the outbreaks that occurred at several poultry plants in Primorsk Territory and Amur Region of Russia. Subsequently, that virus subtype continued spreading in Russia, which was recorded by detection of the A/H9N2 influenza virus in wild birds in the Khabarovsk and Tomsk Regions of Russia. Thus, it is shown yet again that the territory of Russia plays an  important geographical role in the spread of avian influenza viruses

Review on the Epizootiological Situation on Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza around the World and in Russia in 2022

This paper describes the current situation on highly pathogenic avian influenza virus in 2022 and provides forecast of the possible further spread of avian influenza in Russia. In 2022, the circulation of a wide variety of highly pathogenic avian influenza virus subtypes, which have epizootiological and epidemiological significance, was recorded in the world. Outbreaks caused by highly pathogenic avian influenza virus were reported in over 60 countries. In addition, human infections with influenza viruses of the A(H5Nx) and A(H9N2) subtypes were registered. There was a large-scale epizootic which affected more than 10 regions of the European part of Russia and the Russian Far East in 2022. Outbreaks among wild birds and poultry were caused by the highly pathogenic influenza virus A(H5N1) of the clade 2.3.4.4b, at the same time genetic and antigenic diversity was observed among viruses circulating in Russia. Thus, an essential geographical role of the territory of Russia in the global spread of avian influenza virus has been shown once again, which highlights the importance of continuous avian influenza virus surveillance in the country

Humoral immunity to influenza and severe influenza cases in Russia in 2018-2019

The aim of our work was to investigate the herd immunity to influenza viruses among population of Russia during autumn 2918; evaluation of severe cases of the infection over the season of2018-2019 epidemics, and confirmed cases of influenza in vaccinated persons. A total of 1835 samples of blood serum were studied. Neither sample did react in hemagglutination inhibition test with highly pathogenic A(H5N8) and A(H7N9) viral strains. 41 to 58% of samples, dependent on sampling region, showed significant antibody titers (> 40) against против вакцинного штамма the vaccinal A/Michigan/45/2015 strain (H1N1pdm09). 40 to 63% of the same sera were positive for epidemic A/Lipetsk/1V/2018 strain (H1N1pdm09), isolated at the start of epidemic season (26.11.2018). From 26 to 46% of the samples were seropositive towards vaccinal strain A/Singapore/ INFIMH-16-0019/2016 (H3N2), and 10 to 23% towards Yamagata influenza B genetic strain. Severe influenza cases during the 2018-2019 epidemic season were caused, mainly, by influenza A virus, with predominance of A/H1N1pdm09 (52.5%), with only 3% of cases caused by influenza A viruses. 217 cases of influenza with lethal outcome were confirmed, of them about a half of these cases (44.7%) affected older persons (> 60 years old), 29% were diagnosed in the group of 46-59 years old. Eight lethal cases of influenza infection (3.7%) were documented in the persons vaccinated before the vaccination season. Over 75% of patients with lethal influenza cases had concomitant diseases, with cardiovascular disorders, obesity, diabetes, urogenital diseases, infectious diseases (HIV, hepatitis) being most often. Hence, vaccination against influenza remains the most effective protective tool, especially in the risk groups. The study was performed in the frames of the state task contract (ГЗ-1/16 and ГЗ-2/18)

Feasibility studies of time-like proton electromagnetic form factors at PANDA at FAIR

Simulation results for future measurements of electromagnetic proton form factors at \PANDA (FAIR) within the PandaRoot software framework are reported. The statistical precision with which the proton form factors can be determined is estimated. The signal channel $\bar p p \to e^+ e^-$ is studied on the basis of two different but consistent procedures. The suppression of the main background channel, $\textit{i.e.}$ $\bar p p \to \pi^+ \pi^-$, is studied. Furthermore, the background versus signal efficiency, statistical and systematical uncertainties on the extracted proton form factors are evaluated using two different procedures. The results are consistent with those of a previous simulation study using an older, simplified framework. However, a slightly better precision is achieved in the PandaRoot study in a large range of momentum transfer, assuming the nominal beam conditions and detector performance