Nodular dermatitis, (dermatitis nodularis), is an exotic for the Russian Federation poxviral disease. Some epizootical characteristics of it, problems of laboratory diagnostics, and possible reasons of extension of agent spread areal are discussed in this review. Phylogenetic analysis of P32 gene nucleotide sequences of dermatitis nodularis virus has also been conducted. It is noted that taking into account the economic loss caused by the disease and possibility of its import into non-enzootic regions, it is necessary to use existing effective means of specific prophylacsis extensively. The swift outspread of the disease in the Russian Federation should be considered as the risk factor for biological safety of our country.

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.

Assessed has been epidemiological situation on hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) in the territory of the Russian Federation in 2013–2017. Forecast for 2018 has been substantiated. 39238 HFRS cases in 59 administrative territories of 8 Federal Districts were registered over the analyzed period. The highest morbidity rates were reported in the Privolzhsky Federal District, where 82.9 % of the total case number occurred. Given has been the forecast for the retention of adverse situation on HFRS in 2018 in the territory of Privolzhsky and Central Federal Districts. In order to reduce the HFRS incidence among the population it is necessary to increase the scale and scope of monitoring investigations and strengthen their epidemiological aspect, as well as substantiate, plan and carry out broad range of measures of non-specific prophylaxis.

168 cases of human infection with Francisella tularensis were registered in the Russian Federation in 2017. 80 % of the cases are accounted for by three Federal Districts: North-Western, North-Caucasian, and Siberian ones. Epizootic manifestations of the infection of varying intensity were reported in 61 constituent entities of the Russian Federation. High morbidity rates in 2017 were observed in the Stavropol Territory – 49 tularemia cases, in the Republic of Karelia – 40, Omsk Region – 20, and Saint Petersburg – 12. To assess epizootic and epidemic situation in each constituent entity of the Federation, the numbers of small mammals and their species composition, infection rates of rodents, ticks, mosquitoes, horseflies, hunting animals, nests, regurgitates of birds of prey and excrements of carnivores, surface water bodies, agent culture numbers, isolated from clinical samples, animals, ticks and water, as well as the data on incidence and vaccination of the population in the region were analyzed. The conclusion has been drawn in regard to the territories where epidemic complications are most likely to occur in 2018.

In 2016–2017, several outbreaks among wild and domestic birds caused by highly pathogenic influenza virus were recorded in the territory of the Russian Federation. After isolation of the highly pathogenic influenza A (H5N8) virus in the territory of the Republic of Tyva in May 2016, the virus was introduced into the west by wild birds, where it caused a massive epizootic. The death of agricultural poultry was noted in several regions of the European part of Russia and epizootics continued until the end of 2017. This paper presents the data on circulation of highly pathogenic influenza virus over the past two years. The current status regarding H5 influenza in the territory of the Russian Federation is also considered, where for the first time since 2005 a large-scale epizooty caused by the influenza virus subtype A (H5N8) was recorded. It is shown that the territory of Russia plays an important geographical role in the spread of influenza virus by wild birds from Southeast Asia to Europe and North America, and the research also suggests the possible continuation of circulation of highly pathogenic viruses in the territory of Russia.

The trend of morbidity reduction at an average annual rate of 1.113 % in 2017 (in comparison to 2008) continues. The tendency of intensive monthly cholera incidence growth around the world in 2017 in relation to 2015 and 2016 is established. 25 countries with 70 endemic areas and 11734 imported cases of cholera onto different continents with predominance of interstate carrying of infection in Asia were identified. In Russia in 2008, 2010, 2012 and 2014 cholera importations from India have been registered. V. cholerae O1 biovar El Tor ctxA–tcpA–, ctxA–tcpA+, V. cholerae O139 ctxA– and tcpA– and singular V. cholerae O1 biovar El tor ctxA+tcpA+ strains were isolated from surface water bodies. INDEL typing of 242 V. cholerae O1 strains, isolated from environmental objects (2014–2017), provided the data which confirmed their belonging to common cluster of V. cholerae O1 ctxA–tcpA+. Along with genetic diversity of V. cholerae O1 ctxA–tcpA–, several strains of the same or closely related genotypes in some regions were isolated every year. For the first time ever the algorithm for risk of epidemic process activation assessment in case of cholera in Russia, taking into account the various factors (conditions), their gradation and expert scores, has been developed for the prediction. The forecast for cholera at the global level and in Russia for 2018 is unfavorable.

The article presents the analysis of tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) epidemiological situation in the Federal Districts of Russia in 2017. Studied has been the effect of causative factors of epidemic process dynamics, such as: rate of people seeking medical help due to tick bites, contamination of ticks with the TBE virus revealed by immune-enzyme analysis and polymerase chain reaction, amount of people who were vaccinated, scope of emergency prophylaxis, the size of treated areas, and amount of funding for TBE-incidence decrease. Authors presented the incidence forecast for the endemic areas as regards TBE, as well as for the whole country for 2018, taking into account the presence or absence of change in its trends during 2008–2017. The values of the confidence interval are 95 % of the indicator fluctuations. Further gradual improvement of the epidemiological situation is expected.

Objective of the study was to assess the condition of parasitic systems and activity of natural plague foci of the Russian Federation in 2008–2017. Epizooties of varying intensity were registered in East-Caucasian high-mountain, Gorno-Altai high-mountain, Tuva mountain, and Precaspian sandy natural foci. In 2017, plague epizooties were detected in the territory of Kosh-Agach District of the Republic of Altai and Mongun-Taiginsk, Ovyursk and Tes-Khemsky Kozhuuns in the Republic of Tyva, covering the area of 1921 km². In order to decrease the risk of infection in the territory of Gorno-Altai high-mountain and Tuva mountain natural plague foci in 2017, a set of survey and preventive measures was carried out, providing for epidemiological welfare of the population. Substantiated has been epizootiological forecast for the retention of an adverse epidemiological situation in Gorno-Altai high-mountain and Tuva mountain plague foci in 2018. Increase in the likelihood of finding individually infected animals in Central-Caucasian high-mountain and Precaspian sandy natural plague foci is expected.

In Europe, in the epidemic season 2017, the incidence of West Nile fever did not exceed the index of the previous season. In the US and Canada, there was an increase in the incidence of cases. West Nile fever morbidity rates in the Russian Federation and in separate constituent entities were below the average long-term index and had the lowest value for the period since 2008. 41.6 % of WNF cases were imported to Russia from the distant countries. Analysis of the monitoring results indicated the circulation of WNF virus markers in carriers of the pathogen in 6 constituent entities of the Russian Federation, and the presence of IgG antibodies in healthy population cohorts in 24 RF entities. According to molecular-genetic typing of WNF virus samples from mosquito Culex modestus from the Volgograd Region, WNF virus genotype II was established. Forecasting of epidemiological situation development for the year 2018 does not rule out the possibility of local increase in WNF incidence in certain regions of Russia.

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.

The review presents an analysis of modern methods and instruments for performing nonspecific detection of pathogenic biological agents in environmental objects. Discussed are technological characteristics of application of these methods for the detection of biological substances of protein nature in samples. The spectrum of means for non-specific PBA detection includes home-produced and foreign field devices based on protein contamination indication using various colorimetry variants. Technologies for remote and direct monitoring of environment for the presence of aerosols of biological nature are represented by hybrid lidar systems (biolidars) and biodetectors. For PBA nucleic acids tracing, the complexes based on DNA molecule binding with fluorophore with further fluorescence detection are described. Given are the examples of chemiluminescent analysis application in the developed automatic impurity detectors, as well as systems using bioluminescence. Based on the literature data analysis, put forward is a possible algorithm for indication of pathogenic biological agents when carrying out monitoring of the environment in zones of possible emergency situation occurrence and mass events holding.

Objective was to ensure health and sanitary-epidemiological welfare of the population during XXXVIII World Winter Universiade in the territory of Almaty, within the period of January 30 – February 8, 2017. Materials and methods. Analyzed have been the results of measures, conducted by the specialists of M. Aikimbaev Kazakh Scientific Center of Quarantine and Zoonotic Infections (KSCQZI), in particular the rapid response team, during winter Universiade, 2017. Results and discussion. Due to preventive actions on the provision of sanitary-epidemiological welfare during the preparation and holding of the World Universiade, all the set tasks were accomplished, normative-methodological framework of KSCQZI – amended. Staffing of the rapid response team by the trained specialists and procuring with laboratory equipment facilitated avoidance of emergence and spread of infectious diseases among the guests and residents of Almaty city.

Objective of the study was to develop a solid medium on the basis of enzyme digest of corn-steep extract for manufacturing of live plague vaccine and storage of plague agent strains. Materials and methods. Vaccine strain and virulent strains of Yersinia pestis, nutrient media for accumulation and storage. Investigated parameters were assessed according to regulatory documentation. Results and conclusions. Developed has been nutrient medium based on enzyme digest of corn-steep extract with growth stimulation additives – Mohr’s salt and sodium sulphite. Studied have been its physical-chemical and biological properties. Approbation of the medium in manufacturing laboratory has revealed its high efficiency and possibility of usage in industrial production of live plague vaccine. Batches of preparation with optical concentration of 100 mlrd/ml and (68.2±0.9) % viability have been manufactured. Application of the stated medium allows for increase in biomass output and decrease in prime cost of final product. Confirmed has been the possibility to store the virulent plague agent strains on the medium at (4±2) °C for 18 months without reduction of the culture viability.

Objective – estimation of current epizootic condition of Mongolian part of transboundary Sailugem natural plague focus. Materials and methods. Epizootiological survey was performed for the area of 2335 km², 277 mammals and 516 ectoparasites were investigated for plague. Results and conclusions. Eight Yersinia pestis subsp. pestis strains were isolated, including 7 strains – from grey marmots (6 – from the remains of meals of predatory birds, 1 from a corpse) and 1 – from long-tailed souslik (corpse). Y. pestis DNA was detected in 52 objects. Serological samples showed 40 positive results. Epizootic manifestations, confirmed by isolation of Y. pestis cultures, detection of plague microbe DNA, and positive serological results, were observed across the area of 1611 km² covering 69 % of the inspected territory. Epizootic results indicated high infection rate of mass mammal species and first of all grey marmots. The data demonstrated that the extended plague epizooty caused by Y. pestis of the main subspecies occurred in the inspected territory in the carrier settlements. For the first time the circulation of Y. pestis subsp. pestis was registered in the Mongolian part of the transboundary Sailugem focus.

Objective of the study was to determine diversity of the morphotypes formed in vitro from the initial morphological variant of B. pseudomallei 110 under stressful conditions and to study some phenotypic characteristics of them. Materials and methods. Virulent strain Burkholderia pseudomallei 110 of Australian serotype was used. Burkholderia cultures were added to the axenic culture of Tetrahymena pyriformis in LB broth and sterile river water in the ratio of 100: 1 and incubated at 28 °C; the passage of monocultures and cultures in protozoa cells was repeated at intervals of 3–4 days. Morphotypes were identified on Ashdown’s medium after cultivation for 3–4 days at 32 °C, photographs were analyzed based on classification of Chantratita et al. In all morphotypes the activity of extracellular enzymes and virulence were determined on the model of golden hamsters. Results and conclusions. Seven B. pseudomallei 110 colony morphotypes were identified. Four of them with characteristics of I, III, IV and VII morphotypes, described by Chantratita et al., were named Chl (Chantratita like variant). The study of morphotypes in different samples revealed a variation in them, depending on the culture medium (LB broth or water), and their different ratios in individual samples. The greatest number of morphological variants (4 out of 7) was formed during the passage of the monocultures of B. pseudomallei 110 in LB broth; in water the initial culture was almost entirely (95 %) transformed into morphotype I Chl. Under other conditions of cultivation the dominant V morphotype was formed, and in the presence of protozoa it was combined predominantly with I Chl. Morphotypes differed in the production of extracellular enzymes, motility and reduced virulence.

Objective of this work was the cloning of Vibrio cholerae hlyA gene in a plasmid vector providing expression of foreign genes under the control of T5 promoter, and construction of E. coli strain – super-producer of Vibrio cholerae recombinant hemolysin. Materials and methods. V. cholerae о1 strain served as a DNA donor, pQE30 – as a vector plasmid. The gene was PCR-amplified, cloning was carried out by means of conventional methods, productivity of recombinants and localization of the required protein was determined based on the results of electrophoresis of cell lysates. Results and conclusions. A recombinant plasmid pHlyA, expressing the cloned hlyA gene of Vibrio cholerae El Tor under the control of T5 promoter after IPTG induction, has been constructed. Carrying this plasmid strain E. coli M15[pREP4]pHlyA is the super-producer of hemolysin: the content of the product in whole cell lysates is up to 13 %, and in inclusion bodies – up to 17 % of the total cell proteins. The product of the cloned gene, in spite of the absence of proteolytic processing and presence of the hexahistidine block (6His-tag) at its N-terminus, possesses hemolytic activity towards sheep erythrocytes. 6His-tag will provide for obtaining a purified preparation on specific sorbents with a view to create diagnosticums as well as to study the significance of hemolysin as a pathogenicity/persistence factor. The advantages of this producer are the high output of the required protein, inability of synthesis of any accessory biologically active substances, short-term period of biomass growing (4–6 h including induction) and possibility of culturing without sticking to the guidelines for work with the agents of particularly dangerous infections.

Siberian tick-borne typhus (STBT) is a disease caused by Rickettsia sibirica, characterized by high indicators and degree of localization of manifestations in separate territories. Between 2009–2016, the total of 10190 STBT human cases was registered in the Siberian Federal District; it makes 80.4 % of the case numbers across the country. Objective of the study was retrospective estimation of dynamics of epidemic STBT manifestations in Siberian Federal District in 2009–2016 for forecasting epidemiological situation development and working out proposals for its stabilization. Materials and methods. Analysis of epidemic status of all the entities of the Siberian Federal District was performed on the basis of the State Statistical Reporting form No 2. Results and conclusions. Through calculation of the confidence interval for long-term annual average STBT values the entities were united in three groups which differ in the morbidity rate level. In territories with high intensity of epidemic process the tendency to further deterioration of epidemic status was observed (Altai and Tuva Republics, Altai Territory) which will negatively affect the incidence rate indicators across the country. To stabilize the situation with STBT manifestation, wider use of nonspecific preventive methods is required, as well as organization of etiotropic antibiotic therapy for persons who had been exposed to tick bites, on the basis of introduction of the test-systems for rickettsia detection at the emergency aid stations. In Altai and Tuva Republics, Altai Territory it is necessary to analyze the tactics of acaricide measures (sites, periods, frequency rate of treatments, acaricide dosages) taking into account the leading role of Dermacentor and Haemaphysalis genera representatives in rickettsia transmission.

Objective of the study is to assess and analyze the long-term data on annual control of residual virulence of Francisella tularensis 15 NIIEG vaccine strain for clarifying the value of the parameter and amending the regulatory documentation. Materials and methods. Utilized were 8 vials containing lyophilized cultures of vaccine strain F. tularensis 15 NIIEG dated 1953, 1966, 1969, 1987, 1990, 2003, 2012, and 2013, manufactured at different industrial sites. To gather additional information on residual virulence of F. tularensis 15 NIIEG strain, evaluation of quality control files of 76 lyophilized cultures in vials was performed, out of which 48 strains manufactured at the premises of Odessa Bacterial Products Enterprise in 1980, 1987, and 1990, and 28 – at Joint Stock Company Scientific Production Association on Medical Immunobiological Preparations “Microgen”, Omsk Bacterial Products Enterprise, in 2003–2013. Results and discussion. Assessment of the parameter has revealed that out of 8 tested cultures of F. tularensis 15 NIIEG strain of various date of lyophilization 7 cultures have virulence rate ranging within 1·10² – 2.5·10² mc, LD₅₀ of the strain dated 1966 is 7.3·10⁵ mc (the standard range 1·10² – 2·10⁶ mc). Obtained in the course of analysis of quality control files on F. tularensis 15 NIIEG strain, stored in lyophilized form at (19±1) °C, data demonstrate that residual virulence stays within the specified limits. Amendments regarding the value of “Residual virulence” parameter have been introduced into the regulatory documentation, the level ranging within 1·10² – 5·10³ mc.