Development of Biotechnology for Anthrax Bacteriophages Reproduction, and Comparative Analysis of Their Properties Stability and Diagnostic Value

Carried out has been complex comparative analysis of the production and diagnostic properties of such anthrax bacteriophages as Gamma A-26, Fah-RRIVV&M (Russian Research Institute of Veterinary Virology and Microbiology), R/D-Ph-6, BA-9, K RRIEV (Russian Research Institute of Experimental Veterinary), Saratov, and 186. It is revealed that all of the bacteriophages have the properties necessary for using them for preparation manufacturing purposes: they readily proliferate in liquid cultures of avirulent Bacillus anthracis strain - STI, and retain sufficient specific activity if stored at the optimum temperatures or, when exposed to short-term temperature excursions, within a period of two years. Most clearly expressed are the differences in diagnostic properties of the bacteriophages - specific activity and specificity. Put forward are the groups of bacteriophages that are the most relevant for identification or phage-typing of B. anthracis strains

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 %

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

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

Analysis of the Situation on Anthrax in the World in 2022, the Forecast for the Russian Federation for 2023

The paper provides the results of analysis of the epizootiological and epidemiological situation on anthrax in the world in 2022, also, the forecast of incidence rates for the Russian Federation in 2023 is presented. In 2022, two cases of anthrax in farm animals and two cases of cutaneous form of infection in humans were registered in Russia, in the constituent entities of the North Caucasian Federal District: the Republic of Dagestan and the Stavropol Territory. The tense situation on anthrax was reported in the neighboring countries: Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Ukraine. Epizootics of infection with the highest number of affected farm and wild animals were recorded in the countries of Africa, Asia, North America and Europe. The incidence of anthrax among people in the far abroad (mainly in Africa and Asia) was mostly associated with consuming the meat of sick and fallen farm animals, contact with infected animals, animal products. The incidence of anthrax in animals and humans in the Russian Federation in 2023 will largely depend on the scale of coverage with specific immunization of susceptible animals and persons at risk of infection and, given the strict implementation of comprehensive surveillance measures, will be limited to the registration of potentially possible single cases of infection

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

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