The article covers the issues related to the scientific substantiation and methodological support of immunological monitoring of persons vaccinated against plague upon epidemic indications. The problematic issues of the methodology for the assessment of immunological efficiency (efficacy) of plague live vaccine (PLV) are noted. The current tasks and possible prospects for the introduction of immunological monitoring of persons vaccinated against plague upon epidemic indications have been defined. The algorithm of efficacy estimation of plague live vaccine in vaccinated (revaccinated) persons has been tested under real conditions. Analysis of the results of efficacy evaluation of plague live vaccine among vaccinated (revaccinated) people against plague living in the territories of natural foci of this infection has been performed. Demonstrated is the possibility of using immunological monitoring results in creating an objective basis for improving the strategy of specific plague prevention in natural foci of this infection. The priority areas for further optimization of the specific plague prevention in the territories of natural foci of the infection, including those related to the formation of individual regimen revaccination tactics, taking into account the possibilities of creating modern and effective vaccines, are outlined.

Plague agent has a complex of adhesines providing for anchoring of the pathogen to target cells in a host organism and in many ways defining the onset, character, and development of the disease. The presence of adhesines ensures translocation of effector proteins into target cells of mammalians. The review covers the literature data, both on the most studied Yersinia pestis adhesines (Ail proteins and pH6 antigen), and on recently identified auto transporting proteins of various classes, involved in adhesion processes (YadBC, Yaps, IlpP). Their significance for plague pathogenesis, genetic determinacy, structure and localization in a cell are also described in the paper. It is noted that plague agent adhesines work at different phases of infection process, have multiple functions and take part not only in anchoring to host cells, but provide for resistance to influence of immune mechanisms of a host too.

Analysis of brucellosis morbidity rates in humans and animals across the Russian Federation in 2017 is presented. Epidemic situation on the infection is characterized as unstable, the incidence and number of people with brucellosis are reduced in reference to the average long-term indicators by more than 20 %, against the background of epizootic situation aggravation as regards brucellosis of farm animals. There are cases of group outbreaks of brucellosis in the Stavropol Territory, Lipetsk and Penza Regions. According to the Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance, analysis of the cumulative epizootic state of the population of epidemically significant species of cattle and small cattle in 2017 defines the risk of brucellosis in the Russian Federation as “high.” In 2018, the unstable epidemic situation on brucellosis will remain; there is high probability of outbreaks with cluster human incidence, including in the territory that is free from brucellosis. Predicted for 2018 morbidity rates on brucellosis in humans will be below the level of the average long-term morbidity and may be within the range of 330–360 cases.

Presently, the Arenavirus genus (Arenaviridae family) includes 26 individual species of viruses. It is divided into two main groups – Old World arenaviruses and New World arenaviruses. The New World arenaviruses comprise four clades: А, B, C, D; pathogenic for humans New World arenaviruses are attributed to clade B. Lassa, Lujo, Machupo, Junin, Guanarito and Sabia viruses are the agents of extremely hazardous hemorrhagic fevers (Lassa hemorrhagic fever, Lujo hemorrhagic fever, Bolivian hemorrhagic fever, Argentinean hemorrhagic fever, Venezuelan hemorrhagic fever, Brazilian hemorrhagic fever, accordingly). These arenaviruses pose a potential threat to national public health due to the possibility of their accidental importation into the territory of the Russian Federation. The vaccination of risk group is the most effective and money-saving means of protection against epidemic spread. Objective of this review is to analyze the specific preparations for arenaviral hemorrhagic fever prevention that are currently under development. Production of live vaccines based on attenuated strains of the agents, the DNA vaccines, vector recombinant vaccines and vaccines on the basis of RNA-replicons is viewed as the main trends in the area. Тhe most important results in the development of effective prophylactic means against arenaviral hemorrhagic fevers are discussed in this paper.

Two approaches to studying the origin and transmission mechanism of the flea-borne plague pathogen, Yersinia pestis: molecular-genetic and ecological ones – are considered in this review. The molecular genetic approach is based on saltation evolutionary ideology and relies upon the phenomenon of horizontal gene transfer of pla and ymt as critical evolutionary events. Further deletion of some structural and regulatory genes optimized “blockage” mechanism of transmission. The Ecological approach is based on the modern synthetic theory of evolution. It posits a gradual population-genetic transformation in the Marmot – Flea (Marmota sibirica – Oropsylla silantiewi) transitional (heterothermal, heteroimmune) host-parasite system in Late Pleistocene – Holocene epochs. The best prospects for disclosing the mechanisms of evolutionary formation of flea-borne Y. pestis transmission consist in the synthesis of molecular-genetic and ecological approaches.

Objective of the study is to characterize the mountain plague foci in Tien Shan and Pamir-Alai, to assess the results of the performed field disinsection activities, to describe the current epizootic condition of natural foci in Kyrgyz Republic and measures aimed at provision of epidemiological welfare as regards plague. Materials and methods. Archival epizootic and epidemiological data from the Republican Center of Quarantine and Particularly Dangerous Infections, Ministry of Health of Kyrgyz Republic, as well as copyright author’s materials were used for the analysis. Results and Conclusions. It is noted that following sanitation activities in 1971–1989, using deep disinsection of marmot burrows, epizootic activity of Tien Shan and Alai natural foci significantly decreased, up to long inter-epizootic periods. In the light of revitalization of high-mountain plague foci in Kyrgyz Republic, epizootiological monitoring of enzootic territories has been considerably strengthened, control over the state of populations of main agent carriers and vectors has been improved. In order to lower the risk of infection, 1750 km2 of the focal territories were treated twice, using deep disinsection of marmot burrows applying ecologically safe insecticides, in particular “Absolute-dust”.

Objective of this study was to investigate the areal of Yersinia pestis strains of antique biovar, main subspecies, phylogenetic line 4.ANT, as well as to establish the borders and spatial structure of mega-focus in the territory of Gorny Altai. Materials and methods. Complex comprehensive analysis of the properties in Yersinia pestis strains of the main subspecies, circulating in Gorny Altai has been conducted. 33 out of them, isolated predominantly in 2012–2017 have been sequenced. Whole genome SNP analysis and search of marker SNPs was performed using Wombac 2.0 software package. Tree diagram was built applying Maximum Likelihood algorithm, using PhyML 3.1 software on the basis of HKY85 model. Results and conclusions. Based on the results of whole genome SNPs analysis of 33 endemic strains and creation of the tree diagram of Y. pestis strains, the presence of natural mega-focus of Y. pestis belonging to the main subspecies, antique biovar, phylogenetic line 4.ANT has been substantiated. Epizootic manifestations on multiple local areas, characterized by persistent autonomous nature of plague manifestations, are registered on an annual basis. Within the boundaries of the areal of Yersinia pestis main subspecies, antique biovar, phylogenetic line 4.ANT, existence of joint natural foci of Yersinia pestis belonging to non-main subspecies ssp. altaica and ulegeica is established. Location of natural foci of the main and non-main subspecies of Yersinia pestis in different altitudinal belts of the Altai Mountains Range on the whole provides for observed multi-host and multi-vector feature of epizootic manifestations. For the first time ever, the data on the areal of the main subspecies of plague microbe are used for setting the boundaries of its natural focus.

Objective of this work is to analyze the spatial distribution of various species of small mammals, caught between 2015 and 2017, and to identify the dominant species in different landscape areas, as well as their role in functioning of natural foci of zoonotic infections (tularemia, leptospirosis, tick-borne encephalitis, Lyme disease, Crimean hemorrhagic fever, hantavirus infection) in the territory of Crimea. Materials and methods. Small mammals were caught during the period of 2015–2017 and investigated using polymerase chain reaction (PCR), enzyme immunoassay (ELISA) and direct hemagglutination reaction. Results and conclusions. The dominant species of small mammals, containing the causative agents of some or other natural-focal infection are ubiquitous species, i.e. disseminated across the territory of the whole peninsula. In the presence of concomitant favorable conditions, they may contribute to the expansion of the natural foci of these infections. Positive tests for Lyme disease detected not only in small mammals caught in mountain-forest areas, but in steppe zone too may testify to the fact that the border of the natural focus of this infection is expanded. To clarify the boundaries of the natural foci of infections circulating in the territory of Crimea, it is necessary to conduct comprehensive analysis of distribution of small mammals, blood-sucking ectoparasites, and also epidemic manifestations in different natural areas of Crimea.

Objective – to study the current epidemiological risks at plague enzootic frontier territory of the Bayan-Ulgy aimag of Mongolia. Materials and methods. Epidemiological analysis was performed according to the reporting documentation of the National Centre of Zoonotic Infections in Mongolia, results of anonymous questioning of 179 residents of the Bayan-Ulgy aimag of Mongolia, materials of the Department of Health of the Bayan-Ulgy aimag, the Aimag Centre of Zoonotic Infections and the Administration of the Aimag Governor. Results and discussion. Plague was first registered in the Bayan-Ulgy aimag in 1989. The total of 9 patients with plague and 4 lethal outcomes were revealed. In all cases marmots were an infection source, the infection occurred in the process of cutting the carcasses. The majority of the plague patients had bubonic form of plague. All patients were men aged 13 to 34 years. Public inquiry showed that 21,8 % of population considered meat of marmots as a delicacy, 54 % – hunted for the animals, 25,7 % – consumed uncooked organs of marmots as a folk remedy, 19,5 % – participated in cutting of marmot carcasses. Results of the inquiry indicated that a marmot was an object of active hunting for local population. Analysis of epizootic activity of the transboundary Sailugem natural plague focus, modern social and economic conditions in the Bayan-Ulgy aimag has showed that in this territory epidemic risks have shaped and act at present. They can be divided into two groups: epidemic risks capable to cause human sporadic plague cases and epidemic risks leading to anthropozoonotic plague dissemination among the population and exportation of Yersinia pestis beyond the limits of enzootic territories. Effective interaction of anti-epidemic Institutions of Mongolia and Russia and also the Agencies and Institutions of the executive power of all levels permits to counteract these risks. 

Objective of the study – to develop and test in operation of the Rospotrebnadzor Spesialized Anti-Epidemic Teams (SAET), deployed during the major mass events, the procedure for application of molecular-genetic methods for detection and identification of pathogenic biological agents. Materials and methods. Utilized are the reporting documentation drawn up by the results of work of the specialized anti-epidemic teams of the Rospotrebnadzor on the provision of sanitary epidemiological welfare during Olympic Games 2014 and other important mass events in Sochi in 2015–2017. Results and conclusions. Developed and tested in practice of the Rospotrebnadzor SAET during the major mass events has been procedure for application of molecular-genetic methods, based on structured approach (algorithm) of indication and genetic characterization of PBA. Equipping of the SAET with diagnostic preparations is carried out in accordance with the provision of preparedness for performing investigations by three-level algorithm of molecular-genetic characteristics of pathogens: level I – detection (indication) of a pathogen using PCR, level II – identification of the pathogen genome fragments using PCR, level III – genotyping. Developed procedure was used successfully by the SAET during the Olympic Games 2014 and other important mass events in Sochi in 2015–2017, which allows for recommending it for future use.

Objective of the study was to collate the lessons learned from application of differential approach to the areas with varying risk of infection while performing prophylactic measures in the territory of the Republic of Bashkortostan. Materials and methods. Archival epizootiological and epidemiological data of the Rospotrebnadzor Administration in the Republic of Bashkortostan, Republican Center of Disinfection, Center of Hygiene and Epidemiology in the Republic of Bashkortostan over the period of 2012–2017, as well as official statistics of the Rospotrebnadzor, including from Federal Center of Hygiene and Epidemiology and the data contained in the Form 1 of state statistics “Information on infection and parasitic diseases” were used for the analysis. Statistical processing of the data and results acquisition were carried out using standard software package of Microsoft Office and Statistica 8.0. Results and conclusions. It is established that in 2012–2017 due to selective concentration of preventive (anti-epidemic) activities in zones of high risk of HFRS contraction in Ufa city, significant decrement in HFRS morbidity rates was achieved. In order to deploy the stated tactics across the whole territory of the Republic of Bashkortostan, factors and areas of risk of infection have been identified. It is determined that the total land area with high risk of infection amounts to 14096 square kilometers; i.e. 9.8 % of the whole area of the Republic of Bashkortostan. At that, in 2012–2017 4946 cases of HFRS infection were registered here, which is 50.5 % of the total morbidity rate in the territory of the Republic of Bashkortostan. It is substantiated that to stabilize the level of HFRS incidence it is necessary to provide three-fold (spring, summer, and autumn) running of disinfection activities (barrier, community deratization (disinfection)) in the territories of high risk of infection. Prophylactic measures must be aimed at protection of specific contingents falling under the high risk of HFRS contraction and be preventive in nature; i.e. be carried out prior to the periods of contact intensity and population density increase in the areas characterized by high risk of infection.

Objective of the study was to investigate entomoparasitic nematodes from rodent fleas, collected in Gorno-Altai high-mountain natural plague focus in 2016–2017, with identification of their taxonomic status. Materials and methods. Given are the results of morphological and genetic analysis of entomoparasitic nematodes – parasites of fleas Amphipsylla primaris primaris living on flat-headed high-mountain voles Alticola strelzovi, fleas Rhadinopsylla li transbaicalica of Daurian pika Ochotona dauurica, fleas Rhadinopsylla dahurica, collected at the burrows of the rodents. Results and conclusions. Identified have been nucleotide sequences of ITS2 spacer region of ribosomal operon in entomoparasitic nematodes of three flea species: Amphipsylla primaris primaris, Rhadinopsylla li transbaicalica, and Rhadinopsylla dahurica. Based on comparative phylogenetic analysis and identified high percentage of homology of the stated nucleotide sequences (92–99 %), appurtenance to Rubzovinema spp. species and close relation to earlier proposed by us multi-host species Rubzovinema polyxenica from C. tesquorum, A. rossica, and C. secundus fleas from Volga-Ural steppe plague focus has been established. For the first time ever separate branch of evolution of entomoparasitic nematodes – flea parasites, represented by Rubzovinema ssp., has been identified. Determined has been wide spread of Rubzovinema ssp. nematodes in biocenoses of steppe zone of Russia across Precaspian territory and Altai Mountains. 

Objective of the work is to analyze the procedure of ship sanitary and quarantine control in the Rostov Region seaports in order to identify the risks for sanitary and epidemiological welfare of the population and to improve communication process between the authorized ports. Materials and methods. Ship sanitary and quarantine control data on 8314 ships that arrived at Rostov-on-Don, Azov and Taganrog sea border checkpoints were used, considering possible risks for the sanitary and epidemiological welfare of the population. Results and conclusions. The key risks for decision-making whether to perform ship sanitary and quarantine control at the sea border checkpoints are identified. At the stage of the implementation of IHR (2005) it is necessary to consider the ship sanitary and quarantine control at the sea border checkpoints as an unscheduled inspection; availability of preliminary information on the absence of valid sanitary certificates on ships arriving from abroad to be the ground for carrying out ship sanitary and quarantine control at the sea border checkpoints. In order to improve the communication process between authorized ports it is necessary to insert the results of the inspections into ship’s sanitary certificates with issuance of the revealed risks forms.

Objective of the study is to investigate the activity of potentially hazardous as regards anthrax areas in the territory of the Russian Federation in 2001–2016. Materials and methods. The data was represented by the information contained in official reporting forms of the Department for Veterinary of the Ministry of Agriculture, statistical information from the Rospotrebnadzor and Rosselkhoznadzor on anthrax morbidity rates among animals and humans in our country, information on foci investigation and surveillance, cadastre of potentially hazardous as regards anthrax areas of the Russian Federation with amendments and additions included, as well as materials from publications and results of personal researches. Results and conclusions. The data on the contemporary manifestations of activity of 135 stationary potentially hazardous as regards anthrax areas of the Russian federation have been systematized and summarized; given has been the characteristics of old, relapsing, and new stationary hazardous as regards anthrax areas, registered in the Russian Federation since the beginning of the XXI century.

Discussed are the problems of implementation of requirements for the provision of biological safety at a potentially hazardous biological facility by the example of Federal Budgetary Institution of Science “State Scientific Center of Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology” of the Rospotrebnadzor. Identified are the necessary and sufficient organizational-andpreventive and control measures and procedures on management of works with microorganisms of the I-IV groups of pathogenicity (hazard) in isolated labs of the Center. Issues associated with exploitation of biological safety engineering systems and assessment of their protective efficiency, problems of medical support of the activities and response to the emergency situations of biological character with the involvement of doctors from a specialized medical wing of the Federal Medical-Biological Agency of the Russian Federation, serving the facility on a constant basis, are analyzed. Determined have been approaches to and principles of establishing the requirements for the system of biological safety at a potentially hazardous biological facility taking into account all the range of biological risks when working with microorganisms. Complex approach and realization of appropriate necessary measures in the sphere of biological safety provision, creating an environment for the reduction of biological risks up to acceptable level while working with pathogenic microorganisms, can be an effective solution of the problem on the whole.

Objective of the study was to investigate the current borders of the invasive species Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus distribution in the south of the Krasnodar Region and climatic factors limiting their expansion. Material and methods. Mosquito larvae, pupa and imago were collected in 21 inhabited localities in August–September, 2017, using conventional entomological methods, and identified through standard morphological keys. Climatic data found on the website pogoda. ru were analyzed using SPSS program. Results and conclusions. Ae. albopictus is widely spread along the Black Sea coast, from Adler to Novorossiysk (Ozereyevka), as well as on the north slopes of Caucasus up to Maikop. Additional investigations are required to specify the northern border of species distribution and to evidence the existence of established populations here. Ae. aegypti were not found in the south of the Krasnodar Region. The obtained data suggest a possibility of much wider spreading of dengue, Chikungunya and Zika fevers in case of pathogen importation to the south of Krasnodar Region, than was assumed earlier.