THE CURRENT SITUATION ON ANTHRAX IN RUSSIA AND IN THE WORLD. MAIN TRENDS AND FEATURES

The current situation on anthrax is characterized as unstable. Instability is associated with recurring epizootic outbreaks complicated by human anthrax cases, as people contract infection mainly through contact with sick animals, their carcasses or animal products. Mentioned are new aerosol and parenteral ways of anthrax contracting. Parenteral use of contaminated heroin led to emergence of new clinical form of anthrax – injectional. Conception on anthrax agent evolution is replenished by data on pathogenic bacilli strains, that occupy an intermediate position between B. anthracis and B. cereus. Ecology of anthrax microbe is considered in view of its interaction with bacteriophages, rhizosphere and soil microflora. Research related to the environmental characteristics of habitat niches and genotypes of B. anthracis, explaining the geographical distribution of areas with a high risk of disease, may allow to optimize the program of animals immunization, which is the most effective measure for the prevention of anthrax

Comparative Study of Lytic Activity and Specificity of Anthrax Bacteriophages Gamma A-26, K VIEV, VA-9 and Fah-VNIIVV&M Batches

Studied are diagnostic properties of four anthrax bacteriophages. Indicated are various spectra of specific lytic activity and specificity of bacteriophages Gamma A-26, K VIEV, VA-9 and Fah-VNIIVV&M. K VIEV, VA-9 bacteriophages with wide spectrum of specific activity possess relatively low specificity. On the contrary, Fah-VNIIVV&M bacteriophage with high specificity exhibited narrow spectrum of specific lytic activity. Gamma A-26 bacteriophage is proposed for application as a diagnostic one, as it lyzes B. anthracis strains of all types, its specificity being equal to 90 %

SOURCES OF HIGH PROTEIN CONTENT IN COMMON BEAN SEEDS (PHASEOLUS VULGARIS) FROM THE VIR COLLECTION

Background. An important trend in modern breeding of common beans is to improve the quality of grain. High protein content in seeds is one of the most important indicators of the nutritional value of beans. Searching for high-protein accessions, identifying sources of high protein content, and using them in the breeding process, while developing new cultivars, still remain relevant. The aims of our research included the identification of variability patterns for protein content in accessions of different origin, characterization of cultivars, and description of their morphological and economic traits.Materials and methods. Presented here are the results of biochemical screening of 166 common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) accessions of various ecogeographic origin, added to the VIR collection in 2005–2016. Field study of economically valuable traits was carried out according to VIR’s techniques. The protein content in seeds was measured in the Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department at VIR using Kjeldahl method. Mathematical data processing (correlation analysis and single-factor analysis of variance) was performed using Statistica 7.0 software (StatSoft, Inc., USA).Results and conclusions. As a result of the assessment, 12 sources of high protein content in seeds (> 28% annually) were identified and described. The average value of the trait differed depending on the country of origin, genotype and year of study. The correlation analysis failed to find general regularities (strong stable interrelations) between the protein content in seeds and morphological, economically valuable traits. The values of correlation coefficients were unstable over the years of study. Weak links between the protein content and the genotype (r = 0.25) or the year of reproduction (r = 0.24) were identified. Significant relationships between protein content, morphological and economically valuable traits were not found. Seed protein content, according to the results of the single-factor analysis of variance, largely depended on the genetic properties of plants (effect size is 70.1%), and, to a smaller extent, on the year of reproduction (14.5%) and origin (17.5%)

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

Epidemiological and Epizootiological Situation on Anthrax in 2014, and Prognosis for 2015

Presented are the results of analysis of epidemiological and epizootiological situation on anthrax across the Russian Federation and around the world in 2014. Anthrax morbidity rates in Russia have increased as compared to the previous year, but have not exceeded the range of annual variations within the past decade. Three foci of animal infection have been detected here. Unfavorable, as regards anthrax, situation has developed in the CIS countries and the territories beyond. In Europe the cases of deliveries of meat and meat products contaminated with anthrax agent to retail store network have taken place. 1 to 20 cases of anthrax among the population are forecasted in Russia for 2015

Anthrax: Epidemiological and Epizootiological Situation in 2015, Prognosis for 2016

Outlined are the results of assessment of epidemiological and epizootiological situation on anthrax across the globe in 2015. Three human cases of cutaneous anthrax were registered in the Russian Federation. Detected were two epizootic foci with three cases of live-stock animal disease. 1-20 cases of anthrax in humans are forecasted in the Russian Federation in 2016. Adverse as regards anthrax situation is created in a number of near and far abroad counties. The highest morbidity rates among animals and humans are reported from Asian and African countries. Discussed are the results of investigation into the blunder of the US Department of Defense laboratory system, resulted in distribution of ineffectively decontaminated samples of anthrax agent to the US laboratories, as well as of other states within the past twenty years

Use of Geographic Information Systems for Creation of Electronic Database of Anthrax Burial sites in the Stavropol Territory

Objective of the study was to use geographic information systems to create an electronic database of anthrax burials and electronic cadastres in the Stavropol Territory. Materials and methods. ESRI - ArcGIS10 software was used as a GIS platform. Results and discussion. A retrospective analysis of the epizootiologic and epidemiological situation on anthrax in the Stavropol Territory was carried out. It was revealed that 352 anthrax stationary potentially hazardous sites were located in the territory of all 26 districts, in 16 of which 52 were abandoned anthrax burials. The greatest epidemiological risk is posed by 22 cattle burial grounds, in which animal corpses were buried (42.3 %). 30 cattle burial grounds with ash burials (57.7 %) pose a lower potential danger. The arrangement of anthrax burial sites in the Stavropol Territory has a number of disadvantages, only 23 cattle burial grounds (44.2 %) have a satisfactory veterinary and sanitary state. Based on the information obtained, an electronic geographic information database of anthrax cattle burial grounds was created for each district of the Stavropol Territory. The structure of the database is presented in the form of a table, which contains all the basic information about the burial, including geographical coordinates. The information was then entered into the ArcGIS10 program, using the geographical method. Each point, plotted on the map, contains the description of the animal burial ground, presented in the table. Thus, the main layer of the geographic information system is created. It can be overlaid with other layers that carry information about the location of the anthrax stationary potentially hazardous sites, the nature of the soil, objects located in the territory. In addition, electronic cadastral atlases of the location of anthrax cattle burials in each district of the Stavropol territory have been created. Electronic cadastral atlases are easier to use, do not require specialized personnel and applicable computer GIS system, but at the same time can give the necessary information about a particular burial in the Stavropol Territory

Analysis of the Anthrax Morbidity Rate in the Russian Federation in 2011, and Prognosis for 2012

Carried out is the analysis of epidemiological situation on anthrax in 2011, both in the Russian Federation and around the world. The results of the analysis bear evidence of the fact that in the constituent units of the federal districts of Southern Russia and Siberia anthrax morbidity in humans will be retained at the annual average level (characteristic of the recent decade) - ranging from 1 to 20 cases of the disease

SPECIES DIVERSITY OF THE VIR COLLECTION OF GRAIN LEGUME GENETIC RESOURCES AND ITS USE IN DOMESTIC BREEDING

The world’s genebanks hold 7.5 million germplasm accessions of plant genetic resources (PGR). One of the qualitative characteristics of the PGR collections is the species diversity, in particular, the presence of crop wild relatives (CWR), which makes it possible to widen the use of gene pools in the breeding process. The collection of the Vavilov Institute (VIR) is one of the most diverse holdings in the number of plant species. A survey is provided here of the species diversity in VIR’s grain legume collection, and its use in domestic breeding practice is analyzed. Comparison of this diversity with the state of PGR exploitation in the world makes it possible to assess the prospects of more efficient utilization of gene pool potential, especially for species that are unjustifiably cultivated on a too small scale or even neglected as crops in this country. The VIR collection of grain legumes incorporates 196 species from 9 genera of the family Fabaceae. This number includes cultigens and CWR. The cultivars of 21 species of grain legumes listed in the State Register of Breeding Achievements (2018) are adapted to the soil and climate conditions of this country. However, the species diversity of the collection could be used more efficiently in domestic plant breeding and crop production. This concerns both underutilized crops in Russia (broad beans, lima beans and grass pea) and those whose adaptive potential is adjusted only to certain and limited areas of the Russian Federation (Tepary beans and Vigna spp.). It is also necessary to exploit more efficiently species of the wild flora, both for direct utilization as pastures, green manure or phytoremediation crops and for introgressive breeding and domestication (Vicia benghalensis L., V. narbonensis L., Lathyrus sylvestris L., Lupinus hartwegii Lindl., etc.). Incorporation of crop wild relatives into the breeding process is promising for crop improvement in a number of aspects: for example, to increase resistance to diseases, pests, abiotic stressors, etc