Improvement of the Procedure for Sanitary and Quarantine Control of Ships in the Seaports

Objective of the work is to analyze the procedure of ship sanitary and quarantine control in the Rostov Region seaports in order to identify the risks for sanitary and epidemiological welfare of the population and to improve communication process between the authorized ports. Materials and methods. Ship sanitary and quarantine control data on 8314 ships that arrived at Rostov-on-Don, Azov and Taganrog sea border checkpoints were used, considering possible risks for the sanitary and epidemiological welfare of the population. Results and conclusions. The key risks for decision-making whether to perform ship sanitary and quarantine control at the sea border checkpoints are identified. At the stage of the implementation of IHR (2005) it is necessary to consider the ship sanitary and quarantine control at the sea border checkpoints as an unscheduled inspection; availability of preliminary information on the absence of valid sanitary certificates on ships arriving from abroad to be the ground for carrying out ship sanitary and quarantine control at the sea border checkpoints. In order to improve the communication process between authorized ports it is necessary to insert the results of the inspections into ship’s sanitary certificates with issuance of the revealed risks forms

Molecular Genetic Analysis of the Complete Genome of Tick-Borne Encephalitis Virus (Siberia Subtype): Modern Kolarovo-2008 Isolate

Determined is the complete genome sequence of Kolarovo-2008 strain (Siberia subtype) of Tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV), isolated from a tick in the suburbs of the Tomsk city. Nucleotide sequence analysis testifies of the fact that the level of genetic differences within the Siberian subtype of TBEV amounts to 10 % of the nucleotide sequence and to 7 % of amino-acid sequence for certain virus genes. 3'-HTO of the genome of Siberian subtype has the highest rate of variability and the homology level ranging from 65 to 97 %. Kolarovo-2008 and Vasilchenko (isolated in Novosibirsk in 1969) strains have the highest level of genome homology. The level of dissimilarity between the two Tomsk strains is substantially higher: the total number of amino-acid substitutions in Tomsk Zausaev and Kolarovo-2008 strains equals to 124, and 3'HTO level of homology is 79 %. Identified genetic variability of the Siberian subtype of TBEV is of a great importance for further development and enhancement of tick-borne encephalitis virus diagnostics

PCR Results of Vector and Carrier Investigations for the Presence of Tick-Borne Borreliosis, Human Monocytic Ehrlichiosis, and Human Granulocytic Anaplasmosis Agents in Natural Foci of the Rostov Region

Objective of the study is to detect the circulation of the agents of ixodic tick-borne borreliosis (ITB), human monocytic ehrlichiosis (HME), and human granulocytic anaplasmosis (HGA) in samples collected from carriers and vectors of transmissible tick-borne infections using PCR-assay. Materials and methods. Field material was studied in PCR for evaluating the rate of infection by causative agents of tick-borne infections (tick-borne borrelioses, ehrlichioses, anaplasmosis) in combined natural foci on the territory of the Rostov Region. Results and conclusions. The data obtained during epizootiological investigations carried out in 21 administrative districts and 10 cities of the Rostov Region between 2014 and 2016 were used in the study. The results were indicative of spontaneous infection in ixodic ticks by ITB causative agent on the territory of the Rostov Region, as well as of presence of corresponding natural focus. Since 2013 the activity of different components of ITB natural focus was confirmed by the detection and official registration of patients. Moreover, in the Rostov Region for the first time ever the circulation of HME and HGA causative agents was recorded and territorially combined foci of HME and HGA with ITB were identified. The results obtained allow assuming the genesis of a focus of ixodic tick-borne borreliosis and monocytic and granulocytic ehrlichioses owing to annual expansion of the areal of ticks, infected by these pathogens, and animals on which the ticks are feeding. PCR-analysis is of significant value for assessment of spread of causative agents of the “tick-borne” infections in the Rostov Region, forecasting of epidemiological situation, as well as implementation of preventive measures in the region

Cholera Forecast for the Year 2019 Based on Assessment of Epidemiological Situation Around the World, Across CIS and Russia in 2009–2018

Analysis of cholera incidence for the period of 2009–2018 was performed. The upward tendency in the morbidity rate dynamics around the world (compared to 2009) with an average annual growth rate of 5,352 % was revealed. For the first time during the 7th pandemic caused by V. cholerae O1 El Tor, WHO reported 1227391 cases of cholera world-wide in 2017, out of which 1032481 (84.1%) were registered in Yemen, where the war continues and one of the largest epidemics in the world. There have been cross-border epidemiological complications in several African countries. Endemic foci continue to exist and spread in Asia, Africa and the Caribbean. Under the epidemiological surveillance in Russia, 744 strains of V. cholerae El Tor – ctxA– tcpA–, ctxA– tcpA+ and V. cholerae О139 ctxA– and tcpA– were isolated from the surface water bodies, as well as single strains of El Tor ctxA+ tcpA+. As a result of INDEL- and  PCR-genotyping, the isolation of strains with identical genotypes and new ones was established. To make the prognosis for 2019, the risk of activation (continuation) of the cholera epidemic process in the world was assessed, taking into account emergencies of different origin and risk factors. The cholera forecast at the global level and in  Russia for 2019 is unfavorable

ТЕХНОЛОГИЧЕСКИЕ ОСНОВЫ СОЗДАНИЯ ИМПЛАНТАТОВ С ФАРМАЦЕВТИЧЕСКОЙ КОМПОЗИЦИЕЙ ЦИПРОФЛОКСАЦИНА И ИХ АНТИМИКРОБНАЯ АКТИВНОСТЬ В ЭКСПЕРИМЕНТАХ IN VITRO

The article is devoted to the investigation of the possibility of immobilized on the surface of the titanium implantable devices (model plates, “U-shaped” brackets) antimicrobial substances.Material and methods. The object of research were modeling titanium plates and titanium “U-shaped” brackets for implantation. Ciprofloxacin, hydroxypropylmethylcellulose and methylcellulose has been proposed as materials for the creation of antimicrobial pharmaceutical composition to immobilization. The antimicrobial properties of titanium implantable “U-shaped” brackets with ciprofloxacin was evaluated for potential antimicrobial activity against medically important bacterial (S. aureus, P. aeruginosa, E. coli, E. faecalis and S. pyogenes) using method of diffusion in agar. Results. The results showed the possibility of putting and holding а ciprofloxacin in grooves on the modified surface of titanium implants. In the course of the study was developed a pharmaceutical composition, comprising ciprofloxacin and hydroxypropylmethylcellulose. The results showed high antimicrobial activity of pharmaceutical composition with ciprofloxacin against the test organisms (S. aureus, P. aeruginosa, E. coli, E. faecalis and S. pyogenes).С целью снижения риска развития инфекционных осложнений в постимплантационный период и повышения эффективности хирургического лечения изучали возможность иммобилизации на поверхность титановых имплантируемых устройств (модельные пластинки, «п-образные» скобки) лекарственного вещества антимикробного действия. Материал и методы. Объектом исследований являлись модельные титановые пластинки и титановые «п-образные» скобки для инструмента сшивающего «ГЕРА-10» (ООО «НПО ТМИ», Томск) с модифицированной методом лазерной абляции поверхностью. В качестве действующего вещества разрабатываемой фармацевтической композиции использован ципрофлоксацин, в качестве вспомогательных компонентов – растворы метилцеллюлозы и гидроксипропилметилцеллюлозы. Антимикробную активность имплантируемых объектов с фармацевтической композицией определяли методом диффузии в агар на плотной питательной среде путем изучения размеров зон угнетения роста тест-штаммов микроорганизмов (S. aureus, P. аeruginosa, E. coli , E. faecalis и S. pyogenes). Результаты. В результате исследований показана возможность нанесения и удержания лекарственного вещества в пазах на модифицированной поверхности титановых имплантатов. Предложены фармацевтические композиции ципрофлоксацина с использованием в качестве связывающего и матрицеобразующего компонента гидроксипропилметилцеллюлозы. Установлено отсутствие зависимости между структурой поверхности рабочих элементов модельных пластинок со способностью связывания и удержания фармацевтической композиции на имплантатах. Выявлено, что кратность нанесения фармацевтической композиции непосредственно влияет на количественное содержание лекарственного вещества, а также на закрепление композиции на поверхности имплантата. Наиболее оптимально одноили двукратное нанесение в зависимости от требуемой дозы лекарственного вещества. В экспериментах in vitro выявлена выраженная антимикробная активность «п-образных» скобок с ципрофлоксацином в отношении S. aureus, P. аeruginosa, E. coli, E. faecalis и S. pyogenes, что свидетельствует о целесообразности использования скобок с иммобилизованным на их поверхности антимикробным веществом с целью снижения вероятности развития имплантат-ассоциированной инфекции в постоперационный период.

West Nile Fever in the Rostov Region: Ecological and Epidemiological Peculiarities of the Outbreak in 2010

This paper describes the outbreak of West Nile fever in the Rostov Region in 2010 and evaluates its ecological and epidemiological peculiarities. From 15th of July till 22nd of September 2010, detected were the 64 cases (1, 4800/0000) of the disease, which were characterized by vector-born mechanism of transmission. Peak of morbidity coincided with mass breeding of Culicidae, increase in the number of Culex mosquitoes, and reoccurring growth of Aedes mosquito population. Diffuse type of the epidemiological process, higher rates of the cases among urbanites, infected in the country-side area, were the characteristic features of that outbreak. West Nile virus antigen was detected by means of IFA in samples taken from An. maculipennis and Cx. pipiens mosquitoes, wild and synanthropic birds, Rh. rossicus ticks, house and wood mice, which facilitates identification of the core factors for the agent circulation and West Nile fever natural focus formation

Cholera: Trends in the Development of the Epidemic Process in 2021, Forecast for 2022

The aim of the work was to summarize the results of cholera monitoring in 2021, to assess current trends in the development of the epidemic process, and to predict the epidemiological situation in the Russian Federation for 2022. It was established that within the period of 2012–2021, 4117264 cases of cholera with the spread of infection across 83 countries on all continents were registered in the world and there was a downward trend in the incidence in Asia and Africa. The dynamics of monthly morbidity in 2021 was associated with emergencies as factors of epidemiological risk. Epidemics and outbreaks of cholera were documented against the background of COVID-19 pandemic and laid a double burden on healthcare systems. At the same time, based on the overview of the results of cholera monitoring in the constituent entities of the Russian Federation, it was shown that the forecast of epidemic well-being given for 2021 was fully justified. It has been determined that the increase in the number of non-toxigenic strains of Vibrio cholerae O1 (67) isolated from water bodies compared to 2020 (25) is mainly due to the appurtenance of a number of isolates to clonal complexes. The study of phylogenetic relation has demonstrated that the detection of strains with genotypes which were previously identified in the isolates evidences the persistence potential. The identification of strains with new genotypes, which were earlier established in the strains circulating in other territories, pointed at the possibility of the occasional importations. The forecast of the epidemiological situation on cholera in Russia for 2022 is associated with the continuous existence of risks of introduction. If these epidemiological risks are not realized, a favorable epidemiological situation is predicted regarding this infection in the country. It is expected that the detection of epidemiologically insignificant strains of V. cholerae O1 in environmental water bodies, along with their clones and/or clonal complexes, will remain, including strains that may be an etiological factor in sporadic cases or outbreaks of disease

Обнаружение и генотипирование Anaplasma phagocytophilum в клещах I. persulcatus и D. reticulatus , собранных в г. Томске в 2015–2016 гг.

Introduction. The detection of the first cases of tick-borne human granulocytic anaplasmosis in Russia, discovery of genetic markers for Anaplasma spp. in ixodid ticks and reporting of a significant number of cases of tick-borne infections in the southern part of Western Siberia give reason to suppose that causative agents of tick-borne anaplasmosis may be transmitted in Tomsk and its suburbs. Objective. To study the distribution and species biodiversity of A. phagocytophilum in ixodid ticks in Tomsk Region. Materials and methods. The analysis of 690 individual ixodid ticks (larvae and adults) was carried out for Ixodes persulcatus (n = 530) and Dermacentor reticulatus (n = 160) ticks collected in 2015–2016 on the territory of urban and suburban biotopes of Tomsk. Primary screening of ticks for the presence of genetic material of A. phagocytophilum was conducted using two-round PCR with species-specific primers for the 16S rRNA gene. The amplification (1,220 kB) of the groESL fragment of the heat shock protein operon was performed for positive isolates with subsequent determination of the nucleotide sequence in the gene fragment for phylogenetic analysis. Results. The number of A. phagocytophilum positive samples for I. persulcatus (larvae) was 1.2 ± 0.6%, I. persulcatus (adult) was 1.8 ± 0.7%; and D. reticulatus (adult) was 0.6 ± 0.3%. Analysis of the nucleotide sequence of the gene fragments in groESL operon for nine isolates confirmed that the genetic material of the granulocytic anaplasmosis was detected. Phylogenetic analysis showed that all the isolates belonged to the first group of the “new cluster” of A. phagocytophilum. Conclusion. The causative agent of human granulocytic anaplasmosis has been newly detected in I. persulcatus ticks collected in urban and suburban biotopes of Tomsk and in D. reticulatus from urban foci.Введение. Выявление первых случаев заболевания клещевым гранулоцитарным анаплазмозом человека в Российской Федерации, обнаружение генетических маркеров анаплазмозов в иксодовых клещах, регистрация значительного количества случаев различных клещевых инфекций на юге Западной Сибири ставят вопрос о возможной циркуляции возбудителя анаплазмоза в г. Томске и его пригородах. Цель исследования. Изучение распространения и видового разнообразия A. phagocytophilum в иксодовых клещах на территории Томской области. Материалы и методы. Проведен анализ 690 индивидуальных образцов личинок и имаго иксодовых клещей видов Ixodes persulcatus (n = 530) и Dermacentor reticulatus (n = 160), собранных в 2015–2016 гг. на территории городских и пригородных биотопов г. Томска. Первичный скрининг клещей на наличие генетического материала A. phagocytophilum проводили с помощью двухраундовой полимеразной цепной реакции в присутствии родоспецифичных праймеров из области гена 16S рРНК. Для положительных изолятов осуществлялось амплифицирование фрагмента (1 220 пар нуклеотидов) groESL-оперона белков теплового шока с последующим определением нуклеотидной последовательности фрагмента гена и проведением филогенетического анализа. Результаты. Уровень инфицированности A. phagocytophilum у личинок I. persulcatus составил (1,2 ± 0,6)%; у половозрелых особей I. persulcatus – (1,8 ± 0,7)%; у половозрелых особей D. reticulatus–(0,6 ± 0,3)%. Анализ нуклеотидной последовательности фрагмента groESL-оперона для девяти изолятов подтвердил обнаружение генетического материала возбудителя гранулоцитарного анаплазмоза. Филогенетический анализ показал, что все изоляты относятся к первой группе «нового» кластера A. phagocytophilum. Вывод. Возбудитель гранулоцитарного анаплазмоза человека впервые обнаружен в клещах I. рersulcatus, собранных в городских и пригородных биотопах г. Томска, и D. reticulatus из городского биотопа

Studies of new Higgs boson interactions through nonresonant HH production in the b¯bγγ fnal state in pp collisions at √s = 13 TeV with the ATLAS detector

A search for nonresonant Higgs boson pair production in the b ¯bγγ fnal state is performed using 140 fb−1 of proton-proton collisions at a centre-of-mass energy of 13 TeV recorded by the ATLAS detector at the CERN Large Hadron Collider. This analysis supersedes and expands upon the previous nonresonant ATLAS results in this fnal state based on the same data sample. The analysis strategy is optimised to probe anomalous values not only of the Higgs (H) boson self-coupling modifer κλ but also of the quartic HHV V (V = W, Z) coupling modifer κ2V . No signifcant excess above the expected background from Standard Model processes is observed. An observed upper limit µHH < 4.0 is set at 95% confdence level on the Higgs boson pair production cross-section normalised to its Standard Model prediction. The 95% confdence intervals for the coupling modifers are −1.4 < κλ < 6.9 and −0.5 < κ2V < 2.7, assuming all other Higgs boson couplings except the one under study are fxed to the Standard Model predictions. The results are interpreted in the Standard Model efective feld theory and Higgs efective feld theory frameworks in terms of constraints on the couplings of anomalous Higgs boson (self-)interactions