MICROBIOLOGY AND IMMUNOLOGY, MODERN CHALLENGES

Microbiology and immunology, modern challenge

Editorial

Обращение Главного Редактор

VIRAL HEPATITIS C: EVOLUTION OF THE EPIDEMIOLOGIC PROCESS, EVOLUTION OF THE VIRUS

Periodization of the evolution of epidemic process of hepatitis C is given based on the results of phylodynamic, phylogeographic, historic and demographic studies: invasion of the virus into European and North American population in 1700 - 1850; primary activation of the epidemic process in the years of the World War 1; expansive growth of prevalence in 40 - 60s of the 20th century due to mass parenteral interventions; new rise due to heroine drug abuse in 60 - 80s of the 20th century; manifold reduction of incidence of acute hepatitis C in industrial countries for the last 10 - 15 years as a result of general medical measures of prevention of hemocontact infections. A problem of possibility of hepatitis C management and necessity of evaluation of effectiveness of existing prophylaxis measures involving quantitative analytical methods of epidemiology is discussed. Data from phylogenetic studies on stages of hepatitis C virus evolution (HCV) are provided: division of its root genetic lineage with homologous hepaciviruses of animals 985 - 2013 years ago; division ofHCV into genotypes 500 - 2000 years ago; division ofgenotypes into subtypes 70 - 300 years ago. Contribution of mutations and genetic recombinations into HCV evolution is discussed. Genotyping is stated as an inefficient approach for determination of pathogenicity determinants, immune evasion, non-responsiveness to therapy, as well as search for predictors of infection outcome. A necessity of genomic approach for these aims is justified, as well as for risk monitoring, ensuing from continuing evolution and biodiversity of HCV and other hepaciviruses

STUDY OF THE DYNAMIC OF HELICOBACTER PYLORI INFECTION PREVALENCE IN DIFFERENT AGE GROUPS OF ST. PETERSBURG POPULATION IN 2007-2011

Abstract. Presence of specific antibodies to H. pylori and to its Cag A toxin was studied in 1917 persons, including 860 children and 1057 adults, in Pasteur Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology, St. Petersburg, Russia. The studied group was presented by the subjectively healthy individuals and blood donors living in St. Petersburg. The growth and stabilization of serological positive rates to H. pilory at high level, as well as increasing the proportion of CagA-positive infection among children and adults in St. Petersburg in 2007–2011 have been established. There are 3 age risk groups of H. pylori infection among children population: 4–5 years, 7–8 years and 14–15 years. The shift of the maximum H. pylori seropositivity rates from age group of 30–39 years in 2007 to age group 40–49 years in 2011 was detected

THE PREVALENCE OF CHLAMYDIA TRACHOMATIS INFECTION IN SAINT-PETERSBURG

Abstract. Chlamydia trachomatis causes various diseases of reproductive organs. Only limited data on the incidence of urogenital chlamydia infection in the Russian Federation are available. The main goal of this study was to detect the prevalence of infection associated with Chlamydia trachomatis in citizens of St.Petersburg. Overall 3833 individuals including 2190 children and adolescents aged from 0 to 18 years old and 1643 adults aged 19–70 years old were tested in 2008–2010. This group included patients with acute and chronic pelvic inflammatory disease, infertility as well as patients without clinical symptoms of Chlamydia infection. The high level of Chlamydia trachomatis infection among newborns and dramatic increase of the infection among adolescents were determined. These results support urgent needs to develop adequate preventive measures to control Chlamydia trachomatis infection in the population. The effectiveness of different laboratory tests to detect Chlamydia trachomatis infection depends on the causative agent localization in the macroorganism, on acuity of infection process and on immune response. The combined using of different laboratory tests give the possibility to obtain objective results about Chlamydia etiology role in inflammatory disease of urogenital tract as well as about prevalence of infection in regions of the country

ЦИРКУЛИРУЮЩАЯ РЕКОМБИНАНТНАЯ ФОРМА ВИРУСА ГЕПАТИТА С RF2k/1b: ПРОБЛЕМЫ ДИАГНОСТИКИ И ТЕРАПИИ

Study objective: To find out the causes of nonstandard results of hepatitis C virus genotyping using the test system Abbott RealTime HCV Genotype II. Materials and methods: 19 plasma samples from HCV/HIV patients showing nonstandard genotyping results were studied by sequencing the NS5B and 5’UTR/core regions of viral genomes. Genotyping kits manufactured by Vector-Best and Interlabservice were additionally used. Results: Patients were found to be infected with RF2k/1b HCV. RF2k/1b HCV was found in 6% of the co-infected HCV/HIV patients. Conclusion: The routinely used test systems targeted to only one fragment of HCV genome, i.e. to 5’UTR/core, erroneously identify the RF2k/1b recombinant as genotype 2. Data on antiviral therapy for RF2k/1b HCV suggest that therapeutic regimens recommended for genotype 2 HCV are inadequate for RF2k/1b cases.Цель исследования: установить причину «нестандартных» результатов при генотипировании вируса гепатита С (ВГС) с применением тест-системы «Abbott RealTime HCV Genotype II». Материалы и методы исследования: 19 образцов плазмы крови коинфицированных ВГС/ВИЧ пациентов с «нестандартными» результатами генотипирования ВГС были исследованы путем секвенирования областей генома ВГС NS5B и 5’UTR/core, а также с применением генотипирующих наборов производства «Вектор-Бест» и «Интерлабсервис». Результаты: установлено, что обследованные пациенты инфицированы RF2k/1b ВГС. Среди коинфицированных ВИЧ/ВГС доля инфицированных RF2k/1b составляет 6%. Заключение: широко применяемые в рутинной практике тест-системы, мишенью которых является только один фрагмент генома вируса 5’UTR/core, ошибочно идентифицируют рекомбинант ВГС RF2k/1b как генотип 2. Данные о результатах противовирусной терапии у пациентов, инфицированных RF2k/1b, говорят о недостаточной эффективности схем, рекомендованных для лечения вируса генотипа 2

The European Virus Archive: a new resource for virology research

The European Virus Archive (EVA) was conceived as a direct response to the need for a coordinated and readily accessible collection of viruses that could be made available to academia, public health organisations and industry, initially within Europe, but ultimately throughout the world. Although scientists worldwide have accumulated virus collections since the early twentieth century, the quality of the collections and the viruses collected may vary according to the personal interests and agenda of the scientists. Moreover, when laboratories are re-organised or closed, collections are no longer maintained and gradually cease to exist. The tragedy of 9/11 and other disruptive activities have also meant that some previously available biological reagents are no longer openly exchanged between countries. In 2008, funding under the FP7-EU infrastructure programme enabled the initiation of the EVA. Within three years, it has developed from a consortium of nine European laboratories to encompass associated partners in Africa, Russia, China, Turkey, Germany and Italy. There is every reason to believe that EVA will continue to expand and ultimately exist as a globally networked, quality-controlled non-profit archive for the benefit of science. Organizations or individuals who would like to be considered as contributors are invited to contact the EVA coordinator, Jean-Louis Romette, at [email protected]