Immunohistochemical Studies of S-100 Protein During Postnatal Ontogenesis of the Brain of Two Strains of Rats

We have studied the dynamics of the appearance of cells reacting positively with anti-S-100 protein antiserum, during postnatal neurocytogenesis in the brain of rats of two strains differing in their susceptibility to sound stimuli. The postnatal time of appearance of cells reacting positively with anti-S-100 protein antiserum was somewhat later in rats susceptible to sound-induced seizures than in sound-resistant rats. These differences concerned mainly the cerebral cortex of 12-day-old rats. By day 21 of postnatal life these differences had disappeared. In subcortical structures of the brain, S-100 protein was first found on the 4th to the 5th day of life and the rate of appearance of cells containing this protein was similar in the two strains

COVID-19 as a zoonotic infection

Here we discuss the issues for attributing the new coronavirus infection COVID-19 to zoonoses based on the data on probable origin of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, the possible formation of its reservoir in animals (bats) as well as human susceptibility. Today, the dominant point of view is that the outbreak of COVID-19 arose as a result of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus overcoming the interspecies barrier, acquiring ability to infect and spread in human population. Comparative phylogenetic analysis at the molecular level showed that SARS-CoV-2 is genetically closest to bat coronaviruses, particularly to the RmYN02 and RaTG13 strains isolated from the horseshoe bat, a species considered to be the main host of SARSCoV and MERS-CoV coronaviruses. The ability of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus to infect various wild animal has been revealed. SARS-CoV-2 has been found in minks on farms in the Netherlands with mortality rates ranging from 1.2 to 2.4%. While infecting rhesus monkeys with the SARS-CoV-2, it resulted in productive infection and detected viremia. Cats have been found to be susceptible hosts for the human SARS-CoV-2 virus. A likely explanation for this lies in the high similarity between the human and feline counterpart of the ACE2 receptor. It has been shown that dogs can become infected but transmit no virus to other animals. To date, over the entire period of the pandemic the World Organization for Animal Health provides no information about cases of human infection transmitted from pets. Thus, there is no evidence that animals play a role in the spread of SARS-CoV-2 among people during the current period of the pandemic. Human outbreaks are caused by human-to-human virus transmission, and based on the currently available information, the risk of spreading COVID-19 from animals is considered low. More research is needed to understand how COVID-19 can affect animals of a wide variety of species and how big might be the risks of infection transmission from them to humans

EPIDEMIOLOGICAL SITUATION ON CRIMEAN HEMORRHAGIC FEVER IN THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION IN 2016, AND PROGNOSIS FOR 2017

Abstract. This paper presents analysis of epidemiological situation on Crimean hemorrhagic fever (CHF) in Russia in 2016. Summarized are the results of epizootiological survey of the territory of the natural CHF focus in the south of the European part of Russia, discussed are the results of genetic typing of CCHFV RNA isolates. In 2016, the Russian Federation reported 162 cases of CHF. Increase in the incidence of CHF occurred in the Astrakhan, Volgograd Regions, Republic of Kalmykia, and Stavropol Territory. For the first time CHF case was identified in Kabardino-Balkar Republic. In 2016 in stationary points for the long-term observation of the natural CHF focus, high abundance rates of larvae and nymphs of H. marginatum remain. In case of successful Ixodidae ticks wintering and late onset of the hot and dry season in the summer, 2017, there is probability that high numbers of H. marginatum will be retained and the period of the imago activity is prolonged, which may in its turn  contribute to the increase in CHF morbidity rates

Epidemiological Situation on Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever in the Russian Federation in 2012 and Prognosis for 2013

Represented is epidemiological evaluation of the morbidity rate as regards Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) in Russia in 2012. Summarized are the results of epizootiological surveillance over the territory of CHF natural focus in the South of European part of Russia. Forecast of CCHF epidemiological situation development for 2013 is made based on the epizootiological monitoring data

Analysis of Crimean Hemorrhagic Fever Morbidity Rates in the Russian Federation in 2017 and Prognosis for 2018

This paper presents the analysis of Crimean hemorrhagic fever (CHF) morbidity rates in Russia in 2017; summarized are the results of epidemiological survey of the territory of the natural CHF focus in the south of the European part of Russia, discussed are the results of genetic typing of CCHF virus isolates. In 2017, the Russian Federation reported 78 cases of CHF. Decrease in the incidence of CHF occurred in the Volgograd Region, Stavropol Territory, Astrakhan Region, Republic of Kalmykia, and Rostov Region. For the first time since 1967, CHF case has been identified in Crimea Republic. It is expected that the level of epizootic activity of CHF natural focus in Russia in 2018 will be at least equal to 2017. In case of favorable for Ixodidae ticks weather and climate conditions of the winter 2017–2018, as well as untimely acaricidal treatments, the number of Ixodidae ticks may increase, which along with the high scale of CCHF virus infection in ticks, will contribute to the increase in CHF incidence

Analysis of Epidemiological Situation on Crimean Hemorrhagic Fever in the Russian Federation in 2013 and Prognosis for 2014

Crimean hemorrhagic fever remains one of the priority infections in the South of Russia. Within the past five years morbidity rates are retained consistently high in a number of regions; mortality rates are on average 4.4 %. In 2013 registered were 79 cases of CHF in the Southern and North-Caucasian Federal Districts. Therewith performed has been analysis of epidemiological situation on CHF in the Russian Federation for 2013, summarized have been the results of epizootiological surveillance of the natural CHF focus area in the South of European Russia, discussed are the results of genetic CCHF virus typing, identified in 2011-2013 in the South of Russia. Based on epizootiological surveillance data made has been the forecast of epidemiological situation development as regards CHF for 2014

Peculiarities of Epidemiological Situation on Crimean Hemorrhagic Fever in the Russian Federation at the Current stage

Objective. The analysis of epidemiological situation on Crimean hemorrhagic fever (CHF) in the Russian Federation at the current stage, identification of ways to improve the epidemiological surveillance and prophylaxis of the disease. Materials and methods. Data from statistical documentation and results of annual epizootiological monitoring of the CHF natural focus provided by the Administrations of the Rospotrebnadzor, Centers of Hygiene and Epidemiology in entities of the Southern and the North-Caucasian Federal Districts, Reference Centre for CHF monitoring, Research Anti-Plague Institutions and Plague Control stations were used for work. Results and conclusions. The CHF epidemio­logical situation remains unstable, the cases of the disease (including fatal) are registered every year. High activity of the CHF natural focus persists. The northward expansion of CHF natural focus boundaries is observed. The main causes of the unfavorable CHF epidemiological situation are associated with increase in the numbers and period of activity of ticks Hyalomma marginatum due to favorable climatic conditions. The list of priority measures to stabilize the CHF epidemiological situation developed by the Rospotrebnadzor has resulted in decrease in CHF cases by 51.9 % in 2017 compared to 2016 across all the territory of the south of the Russian Federation. The CHF morbidity in 2018 was 1.5 times lower than the average multi-year values (72 CHF patients). The number of CHF cases in comparison to 2017 has decreased by 1.3 times in the Stavropol Territory and by 1.4 times in the Rostov Region. The CHF morbidity has increased in the Astrakhan Region (by 3 times) and Volgograd Region (by 2.3 times). Nosocomial CCHF virus infections cases associated with non-compliance to anti-epidemic regime in hospitals while providing treatment of CHF patients were registered in 2011 (in the Rostov Region) and in 2016 (in the Stavropol Territory). This highlights the need to improve the training of health-care staff for admission of patients with this particularly dangerous infection

Natural Focal Viral Fevers in the South of the European Part of Russia. Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal syndrome

Objective of the study was to determine the modem epizootic and epidemic peculiarities of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome in the south of the European part of Russia. Materials and methods. Data of statistical documentation (epidemiological survey of the infectious disease focus, annual summary reports dated 2009-2018) and epizootic monitoring data submitted by the Rospotrebnadzor Administrations and the Centers of Hygiene and Epidemiology in the constituent entities of the Southern and the North Caucasian Federal Districts were used. Descriptive, analytical methods and retrospective epidemiological analysis were applied. Results and discussion. The circulation of hantavirus in the Volgograd and Astrakhan Regions, Stavropol and Krasnodar Territories, Republics of Adygeya, Kalmykia and Crimea was confirmed. However, two geographically and genetically isolated groups of hantaviruses circulating in the Volgograd Region and in the mountain-foothill zone of the Krasnodar Territory and the Republic of Adygeya were the most epidemiologically significant. Over the period of 2009-2018, 152 HFRS cases with annual fluctuations from 4 to 25 cases were registered. Almost all patients lived in the Volgograd Region (44 cases), where the incidence is caused by the HFRS-Puumala virus, or in the Krasnodar Territory (98 cases), where the HFRS Hantavirus Dobrava-Ap circulates. In HFRS patients with the HFRS-Dobrava-Ap virus severe clinical forms were noted at twice the rate, a fatal outcome in one patient with HFRS-Puumala was recorded. The correct preliminary diagnosis was made for 56.3 per cent of patients in the Volgograd Region and only for 31.7 per cent of patients in the Krasnodar Territory and in the Republic of Adygeya. There are different types of natural HFRS foci in the European south of Russia, they vary by the type of hosts and hantaviruses circulating in them - Puumala, Dobrava, Tula, and Dobrava-Ap. Natural foci where of HFRS-PUU and HFRS-DOB-Ap viruses circulate have high epidemic potential. Severe forms of the HFRS are more often observed in patients with the HFRS-DOB-Ap virus

The Current State of the Vertebrate Animals Populations and their Role in the Persistence of Natural Zoonoses Foci in the Stavropol Territory

The aim of this study was to investigate the current state of vertebrates populations and to determine their role in maintaining natural foci of zoonoses in the Stavropol Territory in 2015–2019. Material and methods. Organ suspensions and blood samples from small mammals and birds were studied using certified diagnostic test-systems for the markers of Crimean hemorrhagic fever, West Nile fever, hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome, tularemia, and leptospirosis pathogens. The data were statistically processed using Wilson’s method. Results and discussion. Identified have been the main reservoirs of natural-focal infections in the Stavropol Territory at the present stage: birds – for the West Nile fever virus, mammals and birds inhabiting the areas of semi-desert landscape-geographical zone – for Crimean hemorrhagic fever agent. The main natural reservoir of orthohantaviruses in the Stavropol Territory is the common vole Microtus arvalis, which lives in all landscape-geographical zones. The circulation of tularemia and leptospirosis pathogens has been established throughout the whole territory of the region, the small wood mouse Sylvaemus uralensis is of the greatest epizootic significance. Findings indicate the need for further epizootiologic monitoring of Stavropol Territory in order to identify the biocenotic patterns of the pathogens’ existence and the reasons that determine the dynamics of the epizootic process and epidemic manifestations of natural foci. It is advisable to determine the sites of long-term monitoring over the number of carriers and vectors of natural-focal infections and strengthen the epizootiological control over the territory, especially during periods of seasonal activity in carriers and vectors of natural focal infections

Epidemiological Situation on Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever in the Russian Federation in 2019 and Forecast for 2020

The review presents an analysis of epidemic and epizootic situation of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever in the Russian Federation in 2010–2019, summarizes the results of epizootiological monitoring of the CCHF natural focus territory in the south of European part of Russia. An unfavorable epidemiological situation regarding CCHF is maintained in the Russian Federation. In 2010–2019, 999 CCHF cases were registered in nine regions of Southern and North-Caucasian Federal Districts. In 2019, an increase in the CCHF incidence level in the entities of the SFD and NCFD was observed as compared to 2017–2018. The expansion of the territory with registered epidemic manifestations of CCHF continues. In 2010–2019, the number of imago and pre-imaginal phases of Hyalomma marginatum – the main vector of the CCHF virus in Russia, remained consistently high. High numbers of H. marginatum ticks and their CCHFV infection rates can contribute to the development of an unfavorable epidemiological situation in the south of the Russian Federation with a possible increase in the CCHF incidence in 2020