Genetic Profiling of the Causative Agents of Natural-Focal infections, Circulating in the Stavropol Territory

Objective of the study was genetic typing of the strains and nucleic acid isolates of causative agents of natural focal infections, both bacterial and viral etiology, accumulation of data on genetic features of regional strains cir­culating in the Stavropol Territory. Material and methods. To study the genetic spectrum of causative agents of natural- focal infections, analysis of the strains and nucleic acids isolates detected in the samples of field and clinical material was carried out. Indication of causative agents of natural focal infections in the samples was carried out by PCR. For genetic typing of the strains and DNA/RNA isolates of natural focal infections agents, MLVA and sequencing of genome regions with subsequent phylogenetic analysis were used. The analysis of territorial distribution of the causative agent genetic variants and mapping was performed in ArcGIS 10.1. Results and conclusions. MLVA-25 typing of 20 strains of Francisella. tularensis, MLVA-10 typing of 4 Coxiella burnetii isolates, species identification of 20 isolates of Rickettsia sp., sub-species genetic typing of 40 RNA isolates of CCHF virus and 8 RNA isolates of hantaviruses circulating in the Stavropol Territory in 2016-2017 were performed. The studied strains of F. tularensis belong to eight MLVA genotypes. They are mainly confined to specific areas. The isolates of C. burnetii have the same MLVA type. Rickettsia, belonging to 5 species: R. massiliae R. raoultii, R. sibirica, R. aeschlimannii, R. slovaca, RNA-isolates of hantavirus of the «Tula» genotype and variants of the CCHF virus of the Europe-1 and Europe-3 genotypes were identified. The obtained data can be used in the epidemiological investigation of possible cases of infectious diseases to determine the source and pathways of infection

Immuno-Chromatographic Test System Application for Rapid Detection of <I>Francisella tularensis</I> Lipopolysaccharide in Monitoring of Natural Foci

Immuno-chromatographic test systems are shown to be applicable for rapid detection of tularemia microbe lipopolysaccharide for identification of Francisella tularensis strains isolated in natural foci, and in epizootiologic survey – for the analysis of suspensions of ixodic ticks and internal organs of dead animals

Algorithm of Laboratory Diagnostics Applied for Examination of Ixodic Ticks for Tularemia

Put forward is the algorithm of laboratory diagnostics applied for examination of Ixodic ticks (IT) for tularemia. It involves carrying out primary screening of tick suspensions for the presence of species-specific fragments of DNA and antigen. It is recommended that laboratory analysis starts with PCR, taking into account its high sensitivity and diagnostic value. Pools with positive PCR tests are subjected to verification by means of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and immune-chromatographic tests. In case of tularemia antigen detection, these pools of IT are examined with the help of biological or bacteriological techniques to isolate the agent

Assessment of the Application of Erythrocytal Diagnosticum (Lyophilizate) in Detecting Tularemia Agent in Natural Foci

Tularemia is a zoonotic disease with a wide geographical dissemination, and its causative agent Francisella tularensis can be used as a bioterrorism agent. The aim of the study was to evaluate the use of a set of reagents “Erythrocytic immunoglobulin dry tularemia diagnosticum” (“DET-Ig”) with the help of control test strains and field material from natural tularemia foci. Materials and methods. Using the introduced erythrocyte diagnosticum, we studied the decontaminated cultures of test strains (F. tularensis Miura, F. tularensis 55, F. tularensis Schu, F. tularensis 15 NIIEG, Brucella abortus 544, B. melitensis 16-M, B. suis 1330, and Yersinia enterocolitica 64, Y. enterocolitica 178, Y. enterocolitica 383) and environmental samples suspected of containing F. tularensis. Results and discussion. It has been proven that the developed diagnosticum is specific, sensitive, and easy to use for routine diagnostics of tularemia. In the course of laboratory tests of the experimental series of the DET-Ig reagent kit, the possibility of qualitative determination of the tularemia agent in bacterial cultures, biological material and environmental samples in the reaction of indirect hemagglutination was demonstrated. Comparison of the results of use of erythrocyte diagnosticum in liquid and lyophilized forms showed the advantages of drugs after lyophilization: the possibility of transportation and long-term storage at any temperature conditions in various climatic conditions; the setting of the reaction is possible without the use of special diluents. The guaranteed storage term is set for two years (observation period). The results obtained indicate the prospects of introducing the developed drug into healthcare practice

Description of the Scenario Machine

We present here an updated description of the "Scenario Machine" code. This tool is used to carry out a population synthesis of binary stars. Previous version of the description can be found at http://xray.sai.msu.ru/~mystery//articles/review/contents.htmlComment: 32 pages, 3 figures. Corrected typo

Results of Epizootiological Monitoring of Natural Foci for Bacterial Vector-Borne Infections in Caucasian Mineral Waters Region of the Stavropol Territory in 2018–2020

The aim of the study was to assess the epizootiological situation on bacterial vector-borne infections in Caucasian Mineral Waters area of the Stavropol Territory over the period of 2018–2020.Materials and methods. 3494 specimens of ticks (473 pools), 257 specimens of small mammals, 9 regurgitates of birds of prey and mammals, 7 excreta samples of small mammals, and 2 water samples were tested. Laboratory research of the field material was carried out using molecular-genetic, serological, biological methods. Statistical analysis of laboratory results was conducted using Microsoft Excel 2010. The data were mapped using QGIS 2.18 software.Results and discussion. The study revealed that the 44.8 % of collected ticks were positive for tick-borne borreliosis, 21.5 % – for tick-borne rickettsiosis, 10.3% – for human granulocytic anaplasmosis, 2.7 % – for Q fever, 0.84 % – for tularemia. There has been an increase in the percentage of positives for tick-borne borreliosis agent samples (more than three times) and a decrease in this indicator for human granulocytic anaplasmosis (1.5 times) as compared with 2010–2012. Investigation of tick infection with the agents of Q fever and tick-borne rickettsioses has not been previously conducted in the region. During the period under review, 19 pools of ticks had mixed infection, which indicates that there are combined foci of bacterial natural-focal infections with vector-borne transmission in the recreation zone of the Stavropol Territory. This necessitates preventive measures and systematical epizootiological surveys in the Caucasian Mineral Waters region

Mobile Complexes of the Specialized Anti-Epidemic Teams (SAET) of the Rospotrebnadzor as an Effective Tool in the Implementation of Measures to Counter New Coronavirus Infection COVID-19

The mobile complexes of the specialized anti-epidemic teams (SAET) of the Rospotrebnadzor (mounted on the platform of auto chassis) have been actively involved in implementation of operational measures to counter COVID‑19 in the Russian Federation, aimed at management and conducting of diagnostic studies. Analysis of the activities of mobile SAET in Moscow and Makhachkala made it possible to formulate the basic principles of organizing their work in the most difficult period of negative development of the situation, increasing incidence and insufficient readiness of laboratory bases for mass research: tactics of advance actions, flexibility in using the potential of SAET mobile complexes, monitoring over the implementation of anti-contamination measures at all stages of PCR analysis and the development of a consultative and methodological (training) aspects of activities of the team specialists. The use of mobile SAETs of the Rospotrebnadzor once again demonstrated their significance as a universal tool to counter epidemics of infectious diseases