Immunogenicity and efficacy of non-adjuvant tissue culture-based rabies vaccine produced in Ethiopia

Rabies is 100% fatal, but it is preventable. More than 95% of human rabies cases occur in improperly treated individuals. This is partly due to the fact that modern post-exposure rabies prophylaxis is expensive and therefore not readily available in many endemic regions. Nervous tissue vaccine has been in use for more than 100yrs. These vaccines have now been superseded in purity, potency, immunogenicity and safety. The efficacy and immunogenicity of inactivated tissue culture rabies vaccine, produced in Ethiopia was evaluated. Twelve experimental dogs from local breed were duly conditioned during a quarantine period and assigned to two groups randomly. Animals in group I (cases) were vaccinated subcutaneously with 1 ml of our experimental vaccine. Dogs in group II served as non-vaccinated controls. The immune response of each dog was monitored for 90 days. On the day 90 after final sampling, all dogs were challenged in the masseter muscle with a rabies street virus of canine origin. To evaluate the titer of the rabies virus neutralizing antibodies (VNA), sera were analyzed by Fluorescent Antibody Virus Neutralization (FAVN) Test. Geometric Mean Titers (GMT) to rabies virus was determined at days 7, 15, 21, 30, 60 and 90. Geometric mean titers were equal to 1.59, 1.73, 2.19, 3.58, 3.17 and 3.35 IU/ml respectively. All dogs showed VNA titers higher than the 0.5 IU/ml mandated WHO recommended threshold. All vaccinated dogs, survived the challenge. In contrast, 83.3% of dogs in the control (non-vaccinated group), developed rabies and died. This study indicated that cell culture-based anti-rabies developed inhouse, with no adjuvant is efficacious and immunogenic

Rabies re-emergence after long-term disease freedom (Amur Oblast, Russia)

Retrospective descriptive epizootological study was conducted in the Amur Oblast (Russian Far East), where a rabies outbreak was reported in 2018. The aim of the study was to analyze probable routes of rabies introduction and features of its spatial and temporal spread in the territory that remained free from this infection from 1972 to 2018. In 2018–2021, altogether 1,416 animals were examined for the infection with the rabies virus. Forty-seven animal rabies cases were confirmed; the proportion of wild animals (Vulpes vulpes, Nyctereutes procyonoides, Canis lupus) amounted to 66%. The first cases were detected within 30 km from the state border with China. Nucleotide sequences of the nucleoprotein gene of three rabies virus isolates were determined and their belonging to the Arctic-like-2 genetic lineage was established. Genetically closest rabies virus isolates have been found in Heilongjiang Province (China, 2011, 2018) and Jewish Autonomous Oblast (Russia, 1980). GIS and open Earth remote sensing data were used to map the rabies cases. After 2018, the epizootic spread within the forest-steppe landscapes of the Zeya-Bureya Plain, where human and animal rabies cases had been earlier reported (until 1972). The front of the epizootic spread in a north-eastern direction at an average speed of 59 (16–302) km during one epizootic cycle. The introduction of the rabies virus was most likely along the Amur River valley from downstream regions of Russia and China that are rabies infected

RETROSPECTIVE ANALYSIS OF RABIES EPIZOOTIC SITUATION IN MOSCOW REGION IN 2010-2016

Rabies is a viral disease of animals and humans that is characterized by signs of polioencephalomyelitis and is in most cases lethal. This is one of the oldest and most dangerous infectious diseases. As estimated by the WHO this disease is in the top five zoonoses that cause major economic losses; it poses a constant threat to animal and human health and is included in the OIE list of notifiable diseases. Rabies in animals (especially wild carnivores) is one of the most important international criteria (WHO, FAO, OIE) for assessing the biological and environmental safety of human habitat. The Moscow Oblast' is a unique region in Russia, which is an urbanized megalopolis where rabies is reported in animals. Occupying a large territory, it borders on seven Subjects of the Russian Federation with the unfavourable epidemic situation with regard to rabies. This paper presents statistical data on the epizootic situation in the Moscow Oblast, Moscow and neighboring regions in 2010-2016. The dynamics of the epizootic process over the years and the need for its continuous monitoring are shown. In the territory of the Moscow Oblast and neighbouring regions, oral vaccination is one of the main ways to control rabies in animals in the wild. In order to prevent introduction, as well as to ensure prevention and eradication of this transboundary disease, a deeper scientific rationale is required for carrying out a complex of veterinary activities taking into account epizootic processes occurring in the border areas of neighbouring territories

Spread Dynamics of Leucosis in Cattle in Livestock Farms of the Russian Federation for 2000–2018

Leucosis occupies a leading position in the modern nosological structure of cattle infectious diseases. This is due to the high infection of livestock and large economic damage in affected farms [1–3]. Leucosis is a chronic tumor disease caused by an RNA-containing virus of the Retroviridae family. The disease is characterized by uncontrolled reproduction of immature hematopoietic cells [4, 5]. The objective is to assess in dynamics the indicators of cattle infection with the leucosis virus and the incidence of leucosis in farms of all categories of the Russian Federation in the period of 2000–2018. The data of the analysis of the epizootic situation for leucosis in cattle in farms of all categories of the Russian Federation for 2000-2018 are presented. Over this period of time, the number of diagnostic serological studies in the immunodiffusion reaction increased 1.88 times in all subjects. According to the results of epizootological monitoring in farms of all categories of the Russian Federation, the rates of infection of the bovine leucosis virus decreased 1.89 times, the incidence rates decreased 2.02 times. At present, the epizootic situation has improved markedly, but so far there are problems with incomplete release of farms from leucosis in cattle. It is necessary to continue work on the elimination of this dangerous chronic disease in farms of all categories in the territory of the Russian Federation

SARS-CоV-2 spread in humans and animals

Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses and they are wide spread in animals and humans. They can cause respiratory tract illnesses of various severity. The latest recently discovered coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) is an agent ofCOVID-19. The first human cases were reported in Wuhan (People’s Republic of China) in December2019. Since then, the disease infected over 153 million people and became the cause of more than 3 million deaths all over the world. Among the leaders in the confirmed cases are the USA, India, Brazil, France, Turkey and Russia. In February 2020, it was determined that some animal species, including domestic cats and dogs, can be infected with SARS-CоV-2. Reports of animal infection in zoos were submitted from the USA, Argentina, Czech Republic, Sweden, Spain, Estonia, RSA and India. Cases of SARS-CoV-2 infection in fur-farmed minks were reported by 13countries. The most large-scale COVID-19 outbreak in minks that involved about 300 mink farms was reported in Denmark. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the agent’s transmission from humans to canines (Canidae), felines (Felidae), mustelids (Mustelidae) and hominids (Hominidae) was confirmed. As of early May2021, the disease cases in animals were reported by 33countries. Due to COVID-19 epidemic spread and detection of animal infection cases, diagnosis tools and methods were developed in the Russian Federation, and screening tests were performed in susceptible animal populations in different regions of the country. COVID-19 monitoring results demonstrated the virus in two cats (in Moscow and Tyumen)