Genetic diversity of hepatitis C virus in Nanaian region, Khabarovsk territory

Examining hepatitis C virus (HCV) genetic diversity is of great practical value in molecular-epidemiological research, development of specific prevention tools and outlining therapeutic strategy.Aim of study is to conduct analysis assessing HCV genetic diversity circulating in the Nanaisky Region population of the Khabarovsk Krai.Materials and methods. Molecular and genetic analysis of 124 blood plasma samples collected from patients with chronic hepatitis C and residing in the Nanaisky Region was conducted.Results. HCV RNA was detected in 84 (67.7±4.2%) plasma samples. HCV genotyping was performed by using AmpliSens — 1/2/3 kit (Central Research Institute of Epidemiology, Moscow, Russian Federation) showing that genotype 3 dominated reaching up to 47.6±5.4% (n = 40). Genotype 1 was detected in 30 patients (35.7±5.2%). In thirteen cases (15.5±3.9%) genotype 2 was identified, whereas in one case (1.2±1.2%) virus genotype was unidentified. Phylogenetic analysis of the nucleotide sequences in HCV NS5B region was performed for 60 HCV RNA-positive samples showing subtype ratio as follows: 1a — 2 (3.3±2.3%), 1b — 23 (38.3±6.3%), 2а — 6 (10.0±3.9%), 2с — 2 (3.3±2.3%), 3а — 27 (45.0±6.4%). Three samples of RF2k/1b recombinant virus were found. A full NS2 gene nucleotide sequence was cloned in order to confirm the recombination event. The results of the study evidence about a need to conduct multi-layered examination of patients with chronic hepatitis C by using current molecular and biologic methods for assigning proper therapy coupled to characteristics of the isolated strains. The data regarding hepatitis C virus molecular and genetic parameters circulating in the Far Eastern Federal District, Russia, are rather limited. Hence, our study would contribute to current understanding of HCV genovariants circulating in territories of the Russian Federation

Prophylaxis of Acute Enteric Infections and Viral Hepatitis A under Emergency Situation in the Territory of the Amur Region

Hydrological natural disasters and post-flooding epidemiological situation are often attended by epidemic emergencies creating a threat to life-comforts sustaining and sanitary-epidemiologic welfare of a significant number of citizens. To evaluate the efficiency of preventive and anti-epidemic measures the analysis of acute enteric infection incidence rate in the Amur Region for the past decade, during the high water and in the post-flooding period in 2013 has been carried out. Displayed are the data concerning the prophylaxis of acute enteric infections and viral hepatitis A under the conditions of the emergency situation caused by natural calamities notably by flood in the Amur Region. Adequate planning and operative implementation of organizational, preventive and anti-epidemic measures have made it possible to control acute enteric and viral hepatitis A infection at the sporadic level

Management of Activities of the Rospotrebnadzor Institutions in the Khabarovsk Territory with the View to Sanitary-Epidemiological Welfare Provision for the Population in the Period of High Water

In order to enhance the surveillance over sanitary-epidemiological situation in the period of flood, 2013 Rospotrebnadzor institutions in the Khabarovsk Territory took anti-epidemic team augmentation, affiliated to Irkutsk Research Anti-Plague Institute. Moreover, forged have been 30 mobile units for investigation of sanitary conditions in the residential areas of the region, water supply and water-consuming facilities, quality of nutrition among the population, living and sanitary conditions in the temporal accommodation sites; 11 mobile groups for sample collecting from ambient environment objects. Carried out has been operational deployment of two laboratory sub-units with the following membership: 5 microbiological, 5 sanitary-chemical, 2 radiological and 1 virusological facilities. By efforts of Rospotrebnadzor institutions performed has been a complex of key sanitary-hygienic, anti-epidemic and prophylactic measures aimed at prevention and control over distribution of mass infectious diseases, at the provision of sanitary-epidemiological welfare of the population in the Khabarovsk Territory, and the relief of social tension during the period of rainfall floods in August-September, 2013

Assessing natural herd immunity to tick-borne encephalitis in Republic Sakha (Yakutia)

Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) is a natural focal viral neuroinfection vastly spread in the mid-latitude climate zone of theEurasia. Lethal cases and disability related to TBE determine its high epidemiological significance as well as underlie undiminished attention to prevent it in endemic territories. At the same time, TBE epidemiologic features significantly differ in various geographic areas. Importantly, Republic Sakha (Yakutia) is not among TBE endemic areas in theRussian Federation. However, in the last decade an increased incidence of ixodic tick bites was registered in the Republic Sakha. A pattern of pathogen-specific population immunity is one of the most valuable criteria for assessing magnitude of epidemic process in TBE foci. Hence, our study was aimed at assessing natural herd immunity TBEV in Republic Sakha associated with elevated incidence of tick bite visits. Here, we analyzed the data regarding the rate of tick attacks in the period of 2001–2007 in Republic Sakha. Residents and individuals unvaccinated against TBEV in the city ofYakutskas well as various administrative regions were examined to record the peak incidence of tick attacks. It was found that a range of the administrative regions recording with registered of ixodic tick attacks and elevated incidence of tick bites was expanded. Moreover, the top incidence of tick bites was annually recorded in the south regions of the republic Aldanian, Neryungri, Olyekminsk, Leninsk, Khangalassky districts, city ofYakutskand its suburbs. Furthermore, TBEV-specific immunoglobulins were detected in 5.7±0.68% of the residents examined suggesting about contacts with the pathogen. In addition, the peak count of seropositive people (8.9±1.85%) was identified in Namsky district located in the central part of the republic. Overall, detection rate of TBEV-specific antibodies among general adult population (6.9±0.95%) was significantly higher compared to those observed in children (3.9±0.89%, р < 0.05). no significant differences in urban (5.8±1.12%) vs. rural population (5.63±0.84%) was found

Retrospective Analysis of Enterovirus Infection Morbidity Rate in the Territory of the Amur Region and Peculiarities of Epidemic Process in the Period of Large-Scale Flood

There has been observed a tendency to increment of enterovirus morbidity rate over the past seven years. Foci of this infection have been formed in the area from time to time, with minor forms of the disease being predominant in clinical findings. Genetically enteroviruses circulating in the Amur Region have been characterized as homogenous; however there is a genetic relation among them with and, consequently, epidemiologic connection to enteroviruses originated from China. However, since May, 2013 there has been detected a boost activation of epidemic process as regards enteroviral infection, followed by the formation of two major foci with clustered infection, due to importation from Thailand as well. Emergency situation under conditions of flood (August-September, 2013) has contributed to aggravation of epidemiological situation on enteroviral infection. It has led to the increase in numbers of the exposed up to the maximum level for the past few years. In the territory of the temporal accommodation sites, where affected by high water and exposed to the infection population was placed, registered have been the cases of clustered enterovirus infection

RANGING THE KHABAROVSK KRAY TERRITORIES BY THE LEVELS OF DYSENTERY EPIDEMIC MANIFESTATIONS

Aim: to reveal the Khabarovsk region territories that are under high risk of spread of dysentery in the period of large-scale flood fallout liquidation. Materials and methods. There was the analysis conducted of dysentery incidence during the period of 2003-2012 including distribution of annual and long-term annual average indicators per 100 000 inhabitants throughout administrative entities of Khabarovsk territory. We used methods that reveal tendencies and evaluated dynamic rates of dysentery epidemic process in time. Results and discussion. Khabarovsk region shows uneven levels of manifestations of epidemic process of dysentery not only during evaluation of annual incidence but also among certain administrative territories. During ten years preceding the flood in the Amur River region, long-term annual average level of incidence equaled to 42.7 ± 1.740/0000 The epidemic process was most intense in the Nanayi region, in other six administrative regions long-term annual average levels of incidence were exceeding similar averaged levels in Khabarovsk region. An intense epidemiologic situation on dysentery in several territories of the region was associated with registration of foci of clustered incidence caused by dysentery Sonne of alimentary and water-borne origin including atypical variants of Shigella Sonne. Conclusion. A year before the flood the elevation of dysentery incidence was registered in most of the territories of Khabarovsk Kray, and there was the evidence of outlined tendency of activation of epidemic process. This served as a basis for required adequate emergency measures for prophylaxis of dysentery

Comparative Analysis of the Pathogen Structure in Patients with Community-Acquired and Nosocomial Pneumonia in Medical Organizations of the Rostov, Tyumen Regions and Khabarovsk Territory at the Current Stage of a New Coronavirus Infection Pandemic

The aim of the study was to conduct a comparative analysis of the spectrum and antibiotic resistance of secondary pneumonia pathogens isolated in the territories of the Rostov, Tyumen Regions and Khabarovsk Territory against the background of a new coronavirus infection pandemic.Materials and methods. We investigated sputum samples from coronavirus-positive and coronavirus-negative patients with community-acquired pneumonia from medical organizations using bacteriological method, PCR mass spectrometry.Results and discussion. The study of the etiological structure of secondary pneumonia agents isolated from patients in medical organizations of the Southern, Ural and Far Eastern Federal Districts has revealed that the dominant cultures in SARS‑CoV‑2 “+” and SARS‑CoV‑2 “–” patients were yeast and yeast-like fungi. It has been found that under diversity of isolated fungi, Candida albicans species prevailed. The bacterial microflora is represented by a variety of gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, of which Staphylococcus aureus and Klebsiella pneumoniaе were most often present in sputum. It has also been established that even before hospitalization of patients, community-acquired pneumonia could be caused by microorganisms of the ESKAPE group (Enterococcus faecium, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniaе, Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enterobacter spp.), which are usually considered as polyantibiotic-resistant pathogens of nosocomial infections. Moreover, in coronavirus-positive patients with secondary community-acquired pneumonia, those pathogens were isolated 2–3 times more frequently than in coronavirus-negative ones. Assessment of sensitivity/resistance of isolated strains to antibacterial drugs has revealed a general trend: the majority of the strains, regardless of the type, were characterized by a narrow spectrum of sensitivity, having 3 or more markers of antibiotic resistance. This confirms the necessity and expediency of microbiological support of the patient during the entire infectious process. The most adequate drugs of choice, providing activity against 60–70 % of strains of the Enterobacteriaceae family, are amikacin and cefoperazone/sulbactam

Results of Immunological Screening for Natural-Focal and «Exotic» Infectious Diseases among Certain Population Groups of the Khabarovsk Territory, the Amur Region and the Jewish Autonomous Region

Displayed are the results of examination of immuno-competent local population of the Khabarovsk Territory, the Jewish Autonomous Region, the Amur Region, as well as foreign residents living and temporarily working in the areas, on a wide range of natural-focal bacterial and viral infectious diseases including the causative agents of some “exotic” infections too. Investigations have been carried out with the participation of experts from the specialized anti-epidemic team No. 1 (Irkutsk Research Anti-Plague Institute), who worked in the Amur Region, and a group of laboratory-epidemiological specialists from the team No. 2 - deployed in the Khabarovsk Territory and the Jewish Autonomous Region during the flooding in August-September 2013. The total of 1335 blood sera samples has been tested using serological methods. The findings have revealed the presence of immuno-competent population in the three regions of the Far Eastern Federal district in reference to the agents of natural-focal infectious diseases: tularemia, leptospirosis, yersinioses, hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome, human granulocytic anaplasmosis, tick-borne borrelioses, tick-borne viral encephalitis, Californian encephalitis serogroup, Sindbis, West Nile and Dengue fevers. Circulation of Batai and Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever viruses has not been revealed based on serological assays

Epidemiological Features of Enterovirus Infection during Flood on the Territory of Jewish Autonomous Region

Long-term manifestations of epidemiological process of enterovirus infection in the Jewish Autonomous Region were similar to those in the Khabarovsk Territory, though with a lower intensity. After establishment of emergency situation regime, in view of the rainfall flooding in 2013, enterovirus morbidity rate had been increasing within three weeks duration, then started to fall rapidly. Clustered cases of enterovirus infection were not registered. Viral serous meningitis ratio was insignificant as minor forms of the disease prevailed; coxsackie virus A-9 and echovirus-6 dominated. During the flood period isolated from samples of patients with minor forms of enteroviral disease were three enterovirus strains, type 71, sub-genotype C4a, possessing a high degree of genetic similarity to the Chinese ones, 2010-2011. All in all impact of the natural disaster on the epidemiological situation on enteroviral infection in the Jewish Autonomous Region turned to be insignificant