Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids: the Role in Prevention of Atrial Fibrillation in Patients with Coronary Artery Disease after Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery

Aim. To estimate the role of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) administration in atrial fibrillation (AF) prevention after planned coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery.Material and Methods. Studied were 306 patients divided into two groups: patients of group I didn’t receive PUFAs (158 patients, 82.7% males) and patients of group II received PUFAs (148 patients, 89.3% males). PUFAs were prescribed in daily dose 2000 mg 5 days before surgery and in daily dose 1000 mg in postoperative period during 21 days.Results. Postoperative AF (POAF) occurred in 29.7% patients in group I and in 16.9% patients in group II (р=0.009). We found that after CABG in patients of the I group median IL-6 level was 39.3% higher (p=0.001), interleukin-10 – 20.2% higher (p=0.01), superoxide dismutase – 78.9% higher (р<0.001), malondialdehyde – 33.8% higher (p=0.03), docosahexaenoic acid – 31.8% lower (p=0.01) and omega-3 index – 43.4%    lower (p=0.04) than in patients of the II group.According to multivariate regression analysis we found significant association between the factors of inflammation, oxidative stress and the risk POAF development.Conclusions. In patients who took PUFAs, we found less activation of inflammation, oxidative stress, the increasing of docosahexaenoic acid and omega-3 index accompanied by the decreasing of POAF development rates up to 12.8%

Application of Basophil Activation Test with Anthraxin for Laboratory ( <I>in vitro</I>) Diagnostics of Anthrax

Demonstrated is the possibility to use in vitro basophil activation test with anthraxin, with registration of the results by means of flow cytometry, for anthrax diagnostics. This approach seems promising as it provides quantitative assessment of sensitization of the organism and does not cause its additional allergization. The duration of the analysis is 1h. The test is suggested for application, as an express one, for early and retrospective laboratory diagnostics of anthrax, estimation of post-vaccinal immunity

Assessment of the Effectiveness of Using Magnoimmunosorbents for the Selective Concentration of Anthrax Agent Spores

The aim of the study was to assess the effectiveness of the developed anthrax magnoimmunosorbents (MIS) for the selective concentration of Bacillus anthracis spores and to increase the sensitivity of anthrax agent detection techniques, including when testing soil samples.Materials and methods. We used 10 vaccine strains of B. anthracis and 30 strains of closely related bacilli of the genus Bacillus (B. cereus – 15, B. thuringiensis – 10, B. megaterium – 5) with typical species properties. The work was performed on three experimental batches of magnoimmunosorbents. DNA extraction and PCR setting was carried out in compliance with the instructions for reagent panel for B. anthracis DNA detection “ApliSens Bacillus anthracis-FRT”.Results and discussion. It is shown that when using MIS, the sensitivity of the cultural method is increased by at least 7 times (taking into account the possibility of sorption of 1–10 or more spores on a sorbent particle). The sensitivity of the PCR method is improved by 10 times and amounts to 50 B. anthracis spores per 1 ml for the samples concentrated with the help of MIS. The sensitivity of the bacteriological method using MIS increases by a factor of 7.5 when testing the artificially contaminated with B. anthracis soil samples. Hence, application of the developed MIS makes it possible to significantly enhance the sensitivity of anthrax agent detection methods and can be considered as an effective means of sample preparation for the investigation of environmental objects (soil)

ORGANIZATION OF ANTI-EPIDEMIC MEASURES DURING THE ANTHRAX OUTBREAK IN THE YAMALO-NENETS AUTONOMOUS DISTRICT IN 2016

The organizational peculiarities of anti-epidemic measures during the anthrax outbreak in the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous District in 2016 are presented. Complex of these measures provided for anthrax patients active identification and hospitalization, preventive immunization and emergency antibiotic prophylaxis of risk groups, vaccination of reindeer, utilization of fallen animals. Disinfection, deratization and desinsection measures were performed. Native residents were evacuated from infection focus and sensitization campaign among the population was carried out. Organized were sanitary inspection stations and temporary accommodation points. Due to operational implementation of anti-epidemic measures in the interagency format the anthrax focus was localized within one incubation period

EVALUATION OF EPIDEMIOLOGICAL AND EPIZOOTIOLOGICAL SITUATION ON ANTHRAX IN 2016, THE FORECAST FOR 2017

The results of analysis of epidemiological and epizootiological situation on anthrax in the world in 2016 are presented. In the Russian Federation 36 human cases of anthrax are registered. Epizooties are noted in 3 federal districts. Anthrax in humans was detected in neighboring countries of Central Asia, in a number of Asian and African countries. Epizootic foci are identified throughout with prevalence in the countries of Africa and Asia, where anthrax cases among wild animals were also revealed. The unstable situation on anthrax is forecasted in 2017 in the Russian Federation and neighboring countries

Epidemiological and Epizootiological Situation on Anthrax in 2017, Forecast for 2018

The situation on anthrax in the Russian Federation is characterized as unstable. This is due to a large number of soil foci, incomplete registration and coverage of farm animals that undergo vaccination against anthrax, reduction in the scope of the planned specific immunization of contingents under occupational risk of infection in a number of the country’s regions. Cases of anthrax among animals and humans were not registered in the Russian Federation in 2017. Adverse situation on anthrax was reported in 4 neighboring countries. High incidence rates of antrax in animals and humans was noted in African and Asian countries. Infection of people occurred as a result of contact with sick and dead animals in the process of slaughter and cutting carcasses, eating contaminated meat. Anthrax morbidity rates of animals and humans in the Russian Federation in 2018 will be determined by the extent to which complex of preventive measures is completed; and if implemented to the maximum scale, will be limited to single cases

Outbreak of Anthrax in the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous District in 2016, Epidemiological Peculiarities

In 2016, in the territory of Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous District an outbreak of anthrax took place, 2650 reindeers were infected. As a consequence of contacts with affected and fallen animals, 36 cases of human infection occurred, of which one was fatal. Performed full-extent complex of anti-epidemic, anti-epizootic, and preventive measures, prompt organization of operations at the regional level allowed for localization of large-scale anthrax focus within the minimum possible time. Based on the lessons learned, identified were the ways to further enhancement of epidemiological surveillance and prophylaxis of anthrax under current conditions

Using CAST-test to investigate human specific hypersensitivity to the anthrax pathogen

We present the results of applying functional cytometric test of antigen-stimulated activation basophils to assess specific immunological reactivity in the people with anthrax, and immunized with anthrax vaccine. As a criterion for antigen-specific basophil activation, we measured expression of the CD63 membrane receptor, which reflects the process of anaphylactic basophil degranulation. To determine spontaneous and antigen-induced activation of basophils (CCR3+CD63+), a FlowCAST reagent kit (Buhlmann laboratories AG, Switzerland) was used. Anthraxin, an experimental anthrax allergen (a hydrolysate the Bacillus anthracis STI-1 strain), manufactured by the Stavropol Anti-Plague Institute, was used as a specific antigen. As based on clinical and experimental data, a threshold value of &gt; 10% of anthraxin-activated (CCR3+CD63+) basophils was accepted for the in vitro immunodiagnostic CAST test, as a laboratory criterion for the subjects exhibiting specific immune response, i.e., IgE-mediated sensitization. It was shown that, in anthrax patients within one week after onset of the disease (3-7 days), a positive CAST result was obtained in 92.3% cases; the levels of specific basophil activation with anthraxin averaged 37.9% (12.01 ÷ 78.9%). Immunological examination of individuals three weeks (21 days) after vaccination against anthrax revealed CAST-positivity in all the vaccinated persons. Intensity of anthraxin-induced basophil activation the vaccinated subjects was ranged from 10.87 to 30.03%, averaging 17.86%. The overall values of spontaneous and specific activation ranged within 12.39 ÷ 41.46%. The study opens prospectives for implementation of basophil antigenic activation test in the Flow CAST format in diagnostics of anthrax and to identify specific immune rearrangements after vaccination in humans, as an index of actual vaccination rates. Usage of CAST test with anthraxin makes it possible to identify anthrax patients at the early stages (2-4 days after onset of the disease) including, among patients with an increased CCR3+CD63+ background values, evaluation of immunological efficiency in the cohorts at risk for vaccination. At the same time, it was found that a significant decrease in diagnostic sensitivity of CAST test could be observed in the patients immune to anthrax pathogen who received intensive antibacterial and pathogenetic therapy at the early stages of infection, including glucocorticosteroids (anti-inflammatory drugs) and desensitizing agents that inhibit the degree of hypersensitivity development and its expression

The Review of Anthrax Situation 2013, the Forecast for 2014

The analysis of epidemiological and epizootiological situation on anthrax in the Russian Federation and in the world in 2013 is carried out. The forecast of disease for 2014 is presented. Anthrax morbidity in humans in Russia is shown to decrease in 2013 in comparison with that in 2012 (2 cases versus 12). Three anthrax cases are registered in cattle

Application of Geoinformation Technologies for Assessment of the Epizootiological and Epidemiological Situation on Anthrax in the Volgograd Region

Objective of the study was to assess the epizootiological and epidemiological situation on anthrax in the Volgograd Region in the period of 1920–2019, to zone the territory according to the degree of disadvantage as regards anthrax using geographic information technologies. Materials and methods. The reporting data of the Rospotrebnadzor Administration, Veterinary Committee in the Volgograd Region, and literature sources were studied. ESRI-ArcGIS 10 software was used as a GIS-platform. Epizootic index was applied in the zoning according to the degree of disadvantage regarding anthrax in the territories of the region. Results and discussion. Currently, 529 stationary potentially hazardous as regards anthrax areas have been registered in 33 districts of the Volgograd Region, 53 anthrax burial sites are accounted for in 20 districts. During the period of 1970–2019, 226 cases of infection of farm animals and 37 cases of anthrax among humans were detected. Most of the stationary potentially hazardous as regards anthrax areas (347 sites, 66 %) were formed in 1930–1949. Maximum activity was observed in 1930–1959. The zoning of the territory of the Volgograd Region was carried out using ESRI-ArcGIS 10 software, as a result of which the municipal districts were divided into four groups according to the degree of disadvantage regarding anthrax. The potential of different soil and landscape zones in the persistence of the anthrax microbe was studied. It has been found that chernozem, chestnut, dark-chestnut soil types, which occupying more than 50 % of the total region area and predominate in the zones of moderately arid and dry steppes, alongside alluvial meadow soils of river valleys, floodplains of rivers are very favorable for the persistence of the anthrax pathogen. The territory of the Volgograd Region is endemic for this infection and epizootiological and epidemiological well-being in the region largely depends on the completeness and timelines of preventive measures. The use of geographic information technologies provides a comprehensive analysis of the infection activity manifestations with reliable improvement of the anti-anthrax surveillance system and control in making differentiated managerial decisions