Vol 92, No 1 (2015)

Aim. Improvement of monitoring and prognosis of epidemic manifestations of natural foci of tularemia on the territory of Voronezh region using immune-serological and molecular-genetic study of main carriers of the disease. Materials and methods. 539 small mammals captured during summer period of 2011 in 4 districts ofNorth-Eastern part ofVoronezh region were studied. Animal organs were studied by serologic (search for Francisella tularensis antigens) and molecular-biologic (detection of F. tularensis DNA) methods. Tularemia antigen was detected using passive hemagglutination reaction (PHAR) with erythrocytic tularemia immunoglobulin diagnosticum. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was applied for detection of tularemia causative agent DNA. Results. Complex study revealed epizootic activity of natural foci of tularemia in the examined territory. F. tularensis antigen and/or DNA were detected in 82 objects (15.2%). Use of RT-PCR allowed to additionally detect samples with relatively low content of F. tularensis DNA substrate, when antigen was not detected in samples. High sensitivity and specificity of the RT-PCR was ensured by inclusion of specific probes (tul4-PR2 and ISFTu2P). Conclusion. The results obtained give evidence on functioning and epizootic activity of natural foci of tularemia in Voronezh region that requires constant monitoring of the territory and prophylaxis measures, first of all vaccination of risk groups by live tularemia vaccine.

Aim. Compare the content of bactericidal granules (BG) in blood phagocytes of animals, that differ by species sensitivity to plague infection, under the conditions of measuring, that ensure automatic differentiating by this parameter of monocytes and granulocytes of human blood. Materials and methods. Human whole blood leukocytes were studied, as well as from 7 animal species: mice, guinea pigs, golden hamsters, white rats, rabbits, dogs and horses. Acridine orange (AO) was used for supra-vital staining in primary (bactericidal) granule cells. Relative BG content was measured in separate cells in conventional units ofred fluorescence intensity by flow cytofluor-ometry. Results. Deficiency of AO molecules in BG, that correlates with deficiency of leukocyte elastase in cells, that is most pronounced in mice and lest pronounced in rabbits, was established to be characteristic for all the blood phagocytes of all the laboratory animal species sensitive to plague. Blood phagocytes of dogs and horses, that were non-sensitive to plague, differed by high heterogeneity by the studied parameter, and in horse blood innate immunity cells were detected, that contained 2.5 times higher amount of BG, than blood granulocytes of humans. Conclusion. Leukocyte BG, that have enzyme cationic proteins: elastase, cathepsin G, protease 3 and myeloperoxidase, play and important role in protection of organism from plague infection.

Aim. Study the effect of components of destroyed streptococci on human blood monocyte functions related to processes of trans-endothelial migration in vitro. Materials and methods. Mononuclear leukocytes, isolated from blood of healthy donors, endothelial cells of EA.hy 926 line and supernatant of ultrasound disintegrated Streptococcus pyogenes (DSS) were the objects of the study. Evaluation of adhesion and monocyte migration, level of expression of adhesion molecules and phosphokinases on monocytes was carried out by flow cytometry using monoclonal antibodies. Cytokine concentration was determined by using standard commercial test systems in enzyme immunoassay. Results. Under the effect of DSS, expression of adhesion molecules CD162 and CD11b, as well as phospho-p38 MAPK changed, IL-6 and IL-8 secretion induction took place. DSS caused enhancement of migration and adhesive activity of monocytes, however, inhibited intensity of trans-endothelial migration. Conclusion. Products of destroyed streptococci have a multi-directional effect on human blood monocytes, that could be explained by the presence of components with varying biological activity in DSS.

Aim. Determine content of protective transplacental IgG against measles virus in umbilical blood of neonates of various regions of Russian Federation. Materials and methods. Umbilical blood of 1147 neonates was studied, whose mothers had not previously had measles. 672 samples among those were from neonates of Moscow and Moscow Region, 475 - from Rostov-on-Don. IgG values were determined in EIA using a standard kit from «Victor Best» (VectoKor-IgG). A kit from Euroimmun - Avidity: Anti-Measles Virus ELISA (IgG) was used for determination of avidity of IgG against measles virus. Results. Protective (>0.18 IU/ml) IgG against measles were registered in 79.9% of children in Moscow, Moscow Region and in 81.3% of neonates in Rostov-on-Don. Mean level of IgG in umbilical blood sera of neonates from the studied regions was within protective values (1.74+0.13 IU/ml and 1.51+0.09 IU/ml, respectively). Predominance of low level antibodies was noted in the studied samples (<1.0 IU/ml), those are highly avid though (AI > 60%). In neonates from women aged 16 - 25 years in Moscow and Moscow Region protective antibodies were detected in 83.6%; 26 - 35 years - in 75%; women aged 36 - 43 years - in 88.2% of cases. Mean level of IgG in umbilical blood of neonates from mothers aged 36 - 43 years was 1.5 times higher than from mothers aged 16 - 25 years and 2 times higher than mothers 26 - 35 years of age. Conclusion. Neonates from Moscow, Moscow Region and Rostov-on-Don, similarly, in 79.9% and 81.3% of cases are protected from measles, respectively. Women aged 26 - 35 years in 25% of cases are a risk group for measles morbidity and require a closer attention during selection of vaccination tactics before conception, and their neonates - on reaching decree terms.

Aim. Study microflora of urine, ejaculate, urethra scrape in normal state and infertility. Materials and methods. 2 groups of men were examined: I (28) - control, conditionally healthy men (20 - 25 years of age), II (26) - infertile patients (25 - 35 years of age). Middle portion of morning urine, ejaculate, urethra scrape were studied in group I, in II - ejaculate. Bacteriologic study of urine and ejaculate was carried out in an extended kit of nutrient media (HiMedia) for facultative-anaerobic (FAB) and non-clostridia anaerobic bacteria (NAB). Urethra scrape and ejaculate were studied by PCR in group I. Results. In urethra scrape and ejaculate a wide spectrum of FAB and NAB was detected in group I. Corynebacterium spp. and coagulase-negative staphylococci (67.9% each) were the dominant cluster of FAB. Eubacterium spp. - in NAB. Bacteriologic study of ejaculate corresponded in PCR with similar results of dominating bacteria. Among FAB the same clusters dominated during bacteriologic study of ejaculate from group II patients, among NAB - Propionibacterium spp., Peptococcus spp. and Peptostreptococcus spp. Quantitative characteristics of ejaculate of group I and II differed insignificantly. Conclusion. The frequency of detection of certain genera of FAB and NAB was significantly higher in patients with infertility than in conditionally healthy men, however quantitative parameters of the isolated microorganisms practically did not differ between groups.

Aim. Analysis of intensity of non-specific (level of sera cytokines) and specific (titers of antibodies against Chlamydophila pneumoniae) factors of humoral immunity in patients with arterial hypertension and various forms of ischemic heart diseases. Materials and methods. 282 individuals were the object of examination - 157 (55.7%) males. 8 groups were formed, comparable by age: 1 - 32 individuals with exertional angina pectoris of the III functional class; 2 - 20 individuals with healing Q-positive myocardial infarction (MI); 3 - 15 individuals with Q-negative healing MI; 4 - 15 individuals with unstable angina pectoris; 5 - 40 individuals with persisting atrium fibrillation; 6 - 35 individuals with clinically significant chronic heart failure; 7 - 92 patients with hypertension of the II stage; 33 conditionally healthy composed the control group. Class A and G immunoglobulins against C. pneumoniae, IL-ф, -6, -17, TNFa content in blood were determined. Results. The proportion of seropositive individuals in groups with IgG and IgA titer characteristics was determined. Data on the level of cytokines, taking into the account seropositivity, and titer increase are presented. Correlations between hemostasis system were established, that demonstrate increase of thrombophilia in the presence of persistent infection, mediated via induction of cytokine production. Significant differences by instrumental parameters depending on seropositivity were not obtained. Conclusion. Contribution of microbial sensibilization and latent inflammation in the development and destabilization of atherogenesis-associated diseases seems evident.

The problem of tuberculosis prophylaxis remains actual for many countries of the world including Russia. The search of candidates for substitution of the only authorized BCG vaccine has been ongoing for some time, because it does not prevent reactivation of the causative agent in the latent stage and causes generalized BCG-infection in individuals with pronounced immune deficiency. In October 2013 in Lille at the European Congress «World Vaccine 2013» results of multiyear projects and trials of around 40 novel tuberculosis vaccine candidates were presented. The article contains a critical analysis of the materials presented at the congress. 12 vaccines have been developed or are being developed for priming. Among those a live VPM1002 vaccine based on a genetically modified BCG Mycobacterium bovis (HLY+rBCG) strain and an attenuated vaccine based on Mycobacterium tuberculosis (att. MTB-MTBVAC) have passed phase II clinical trials. 17 candidates are being examined as booster vaccines, among those 6 vaccines have passed phase II clinical trials, and are presented by both modified M. bovis strains and partial proteins of M. tuberculosis. Characteristics of the 3 most perspective vaccines have been presented at the congress: VPM1002, H1&H56 and MVA85A. VPM1002 is the vaccine closest to introduction. This is a live recombinant anti-tuberculosis vaccine based on the BCG strain, its DNA had genes partially deleted, that code synthesis of listeriolysin. The trials have shown that protective effectiveness of the vaccine is significantly higher than the parent BCG due to better induction of CD4+ and CD8+ cells, as well as IFN-y, IL-18, 12 and other cytokines responsible for cell immunity function against M. tuberculosis.

The article presents data on the implementation of a set of preventive activities to ensure sanitation and epidemiological welfare during the XXII Olympic Winter Games and XI Paralympic Winter Games 2014 in Sochi. The importance of monitoring and evaluation of epidemiological risk, as the basis of formation of preventive measures is noticed. The questions of specific, and nonspecific prevention of infectious diseases, especially the work done during the pre-Olympic period are considered. The importance of specifically developed regulatory basis, and health education are emphasized. The conclusion about the effectiveness of the measures taken, which led to a significant reduction of infectious diseases in the region is made.

To assess the epidemiological risk of introduction of serious infectious diseases in the pre-Olympic period defined list of dangerous and exotic infections and held assessment ofpotential danger threatening. Initial external information to assess the potential risk of skidding were reports, forecasts, posted on the official websites. The risk of skidding and epidemiological complications conditionally designated as high, moderate and minimal risk importation of measles virus-Rate was considered as high. In confirmation of the forecast for the period of the Olympic Games in Sochi have been registered about 100 cases of measles. Moderate risk of importation was determined for poliomyelitis due to wild poliovirus, Lassa fever, cholera, plague, and the minimal - for Dengue fever, yellow fever, the Middle East and respiratory syndrome, diseases caused by viruses Marburg and Ebola. Based on of analysis of previous Olympic Games and subsequent co-events related to the activity of the infectious diseases in the world, mate-cluded that even a slight risk of importation of infectious diseases requires maximum alertness and readiness to conduct adequate epidemiological issues incorporated.