Analyzed are peculiarities of plague epizootiology and epidemiology in Madagascar in 1898-2010 with special consideration to pneumonic plague outbreak development in 2011. Summarized are literature data and authors own experimental research of characteristics of Yersinia pestis strains isolated in Madagascar in the XX century. Confirmed is the fact that there circulate Y. pestis strains representing the third branch of its orientalis biovariant (1.ORI3) irradiation. Possibility of emergence of new variants with altered properties, including multiple drug resistance, in Madagascar is substantiated.

Presented is the algorithm of assessment of the level of professional qualification of the personnel authorized for work with pathogenic biological agents of I-II groups, developed for the first time. Determined are the essence, requirements for organization and order of assessment of the indices that predict the presence of occupational knowledge and skills necessary for safe, high-quality and effective execution of professional duties.

Landscape-geographical and climatic peculiarities of the Stavropol Region, high abundance of mosquito and ticks, the diversity of wild mammal and bird species, developed agriculture and infrastructure create favorable conditions for circulation of arboviruses and hantaviruses, emergence of cases of viral infections, which sometimes cause serious epidemic complications. CHF natural focus actively functions in the territory of the Stavropol Region at present. Detected is presence of West Nile fever, tick-born encephalitis, Batai fever agents and specific antibodies, as well as hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome agent.

Using model of plague epizootic process in great gerbils (Rhombomys opimus) settlements, authors showed that plague epizooty could develop at low level of epizootic contact. In this case the size of epizootic site and the number of infected colonies were expected to be insufficient to detect epizooty by standard epizootiologic examination.

A set of risk assessment methods was used for substantiation of safe functioning of mobile laboratories (ML) of specialized anti-epidemic teams (SAET). The utilized methods were borrowed from diverse spheres of activity and recommended for evaluation of biological hazard and risk associated with work with pathogenic biological agents. The obtained data represent the basis for biorisk management in SAET` ML functioning.

High protective efficiency of filters (fine purification filter-element) used in microbiological laboratories ventilation systems contributes essentially to biological safety provision. Filters are to be tested at bench-top devices prior to application. The existing models of these devices allow to test no more than 8 filters per working day, and require considerable physical efforts. The proposed automated device allows to test 33 filters per working day and decreases considerably workload of the personnel.

Pigmentation was examined in 214 plague microbe strains and 68 pseudotuberculosis agent strains. Plague microbe strains of different subspecies and pseudotuberculosis microbe strains demonstrated different ability of hemin and acidic dyes sorption. Genes of hms operon in typical Y. pestis strains of five subspecies and in talassica group strains, as well as in Y. pseudotuberculosis O1 serotype strains, were sequenced and analyzed using PCR. Single nucleotide substitutions were detected in all genes of the operon in plague microbe strains as compared with the operon of pseudotuberculosis agent strains. Determined were single nucleotide substitutions promising for intraspecific differentiation of plague microbe strains.

Developed is the method of identification and intraspecific typing of plague microbe strains along with their potential virulence determination. Intraspecific differentiation and focal attribution of the examined plague microbe strains can be determined by monolocus VNTR-PCR, and main virulence determinants (chromosomal pigmentation region and calcium-dependence plasmid genes) - by multiplex PCR.

Different region analysis (DFR-typing) was used for characterization of 275 Y. pestis strains isolated mainly from the CIS natural plague foci. Genomovars (DFR-types) endemic for 27 natural foci were determined. In addition to 32 genomovars described previously 64 novel Y. pestis DFR-types were revealed. 56 genomovars were shown to circulate in CIS and Mongolia. All strains analyzed by DFR-typing, were clustered in accordance with the phylogenetic tree proposed on the basis of combined SNP- and IS100-typing data. The discriminatory ability of the method is high enough to distinguish between subspecies, populations and even strains circulating in certain natural plague focus.

PCR with primers specific to flanking sequences of gene cassette insertion region and 3'-conservative segment of integrons was used for class 1 integron detection in Burkholderia pseudomallei, B. mallei and B. thailandensis. The sequences of In1 3'-conservative segment were detected in the majority of investigated strains of B. pseudomallei. The length of integron cassette insertion region in B. pseudomallei was estimated as 2300 bp (1 strain), 500 and 900 bp (1 strain) and 120 bp (2 strains). The sequence analysis of 3'-segment amlicons showed the presence of qacEdelta1 and sul1 - the determinants of resistance to quaternary ammonium compounds and sulfonamides, respectively.

Presented is the review of literature data on the recently discovered system of Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR), which takes part in the defense against penetration of alien genetic information in prokaryotes. CRISPR structural peculiarities and functions, and putative mechanism of action are described. Also presented are data on the availability of this system in particularly dangerous infections agents and on the possibility of its application for molecular typing.

Worked out is the algorithm of cholera vaccines quality based on application of the methods of quantitative registration of formalized parameters which characterize pathologic and adaptive processes in the intestine of the immunized laboratory animals. The following parameters were selected as formalized ones: quantity of interepithelial lymphocytes, morpho-functional condition of apudocytes and scyphiform cells. Morphometric parameters are presented as associations of indicators in the form of indices and coefficients in order to carry out interrelated assessment of separate parts of homeostasis. It was determined that in case the assessed parameters were in the limits identified in corresponding controls, adaptation condition of the organism and alterations described in histological assay were considered as benign and characterized safety or efficiency of tested cholera vaccines.

Experimental preparations of the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) of Francisella tularensis of four subspecies (tularensis, holarctica, mediasiatica, novicida) were obtained using Tween extraction method. Physical and chemical characteristics of the obtained preparations are presented. Examined was the effect of tularemia agent of different subspecies upon the phagocytic part of the experimental animals` immunity in vitro. LPS biomolecules demonstrated weak stimulating effect upon oxygen- and nitroxide-dependent bactericidal systems and lacked cytopathogenicity for phagocytes apoptosis activation. The obtained results suggest that such inactivity of tularemia agent LPS is associated with its structural peculiarities.

Analysis of VNTRs was used for typing of V. cholerae strains deposited in microbial culture collection of 48 Central Research Institute. The most informative loci and flanking primers were chosen, VNTR profiles were compiled, and allele variability analysis of the strains was carried out. Laboratory series of test system were manufactured . The developed test system can be used for epidemiological monitoring and investigations, as well as for passportization of collection strains.

Previously developed selective differential medium for V. cholerae growth was modernized. The modernized medium called SDMV-M was shown to possess the required sensitivity and germination index. The growth of E. coli was entirely inhibited, that of P. vulgaris was inhibited considerably. The medium possessed good differentiating ability: orange V. cholerae colonies were clearly distinguished from concomitant microorganisms. In the laboratory trials SDMV-M demonstrated some advantages as regards V. cholerae isolation from contaminated faeces in comparison with the reference medium TCBS.

The review presents data on application of UV, IR and optical spectroscopy methods for non-specific indication of pathogenic biological agents, and IR Fourier spectroscopy, and Raman spectroscopy - for their identification. Considered are advantages, disadvantages and prospects of different spectroscopy methods application for monitoring of the environment for the presence of pathogenic biological agents.

This work continues serological surveys previously carried out in the territory of the Saratov Region in order to detect specific antibodies to arboviruses. Presented are the results of analysis of blood sera of humans and agricultural animals collected in different climatic zones of the Saratov Region. Sera were examined for the presence of IgG immunoglobulins specific to the viruses Tahyna, Batai, Sindbis, tick-born encephalitis, CCHV, and West Nile fever.

Presented are data on examination of physical, chemical and biological characteristics of lyophilized preparation of geterologous anti-rabies immunoglobulin. Dry and original liquid forms of immunoglobulin were comparatively analyzed. The lyophilized form was shown to preserve main properties during long-term storage.

New nutrient media based on baker yeast autolizate were used for the first time for manufacturing of diagnostic preparation of plague bacteriophage L-413C. Experimental media provide high concentration of phage particles at the stage of propagation, and good survivability in lyophilization. Media in which yeast autolizate was a nutrient protein basis appeared to be more effective than those in which it was a stimulating additive. Phage preparations preserved stability of properties during storage at 4-8 °С, and at a higher temperature in the test of accelerated aging. Introduction of yeast nutrient media in technology of plague diagnostic bacteriophage L-413C manufacturing opens good prospects for increasing of production efficiency and decreasing of cost value of the preparation

Demonstrated is possibility to apply cross-flow ultrafiltration method for O antigen of Vibrio cholerae M-41 Ogawa concentrating from germ-free centrifugate. Technological process of concentrating was optimized. Worked out were the regimes of conservation and cleaning of the ultrafiltration device. The prospects of cross-flow ultrafiltration method introduction in technology of cholera chemical bivalent vaccine production were determined.