The review summarizes the main results of a five-year cooperation activities of the specialists from the Russian Federation and the Republic of Guinea in the fight against dangerous infectious diseases. From the very beginning of the Ebola virus disease epidemic in West Africa, Russia has been actively involved in international efforts to control it. The scientific and technical interaction of the Russian Federation and the Republic of Guinea, the main components of which are strengthening of the laboratory and hospital facilities, training of specialists, can be divided into two stages. The first one (during the period of the epidemic) is sending to Guinea a group of Russian specialists and mobile laboratories from the mobile complex of the specialized anti-epidemic team of the Rospotrebnadzor and opening of the first in the Republic of Guinea inpatient infectious disease hospital for Ebola patients. The second one (after the end of the epidemic) is the creation of a high-tech Center, which allows performing both diagnostic and scientific researches of a wide range. In the course of implementation of the programs on assistance to the Republic of Guinea on combating infectious diseases, public-private partnership mechanisms with UC RUSAL were involved, which made it possible for Russia to participate in the eradication of the Ebola epidemic and the subsequent strengthening of Guinea’s national potential in combating biological threats as efficiently as possible. The five-year interaction between the Russian Federation and the Republic of Guinea resulted in the build-up of Guinea’s national potential to counter biological threats, the creation of laboratory and hospital resources that meet the needs for the elimination of epidemiological threats caused by particularly dangerous infectious diseases, not only in the Republic of Guinea, but also in neighboring countries of West Africa, development of scientific and technical cooperation aimed at improving the system of epidemiological surveillance of communicable diseases in the Republic of Guinea.

Histoplasmosis is a systemic fungal disease that occurs worldwide. The highest incidence of the disease is reported on the American continent. It also occurs in China, India, South-Eastern Asia, Africa, Australia and Europe. Clinical syndromes of histoplasmosis are not specific and in most cases immunocompetent individuals are asymptomatic or present mild influenza-like disease. Immunocompromised patients especially individuals with AIDS, can develop a severe and fatal disease due to fungal dissemination to many organs. Etiological agent of histoplasmosis is the dimorphic fungus Histoplasma capsulatum, which inhabits the soils contaminated with bird or bat droppings. Three biological varieties are considered for this fungus: H. capsulatum var. capsulatum, H. capsulatum var. duboissii and H. capsulatum var. farciminosum. Genetic differences are observed among H. capsulatum strains from diverse regions of the world. The main molecular methodologies for genetic typing of fungi are based on DNA fingerprinting. They have been an important instrument to identify possible sources of infection in outbreaks of histoplasmosis. Genetic profiles of H. capsulatum, isolated from bats and humans, helped to understand the distribution of the disease in certain endemic regions. The con-ventional diagnosis of histoplasmosis is performed by means of cultural and microscopic examination of samples from the respiratory tract and biologic fluids. However, these techniques yield positive results in only 50 % of cases. In the last two decades, approaches for the detecting of H. capsulatum in clinical samples, using different molecular targets, based on PCR assay have been developed. Their use can shorten the time span of analysis for diagnosis confirmation. Molecular methods have high specificity and sensitivity and reduce the risk of infection for the laboratory personnel. In this study we reviewed the recently published data on the use of main molecular methods for diagnosis of histoplasmosis.

Currently it is a common knowledge that the ability of cholera agent to form biofilm increases the survival rate and persistence both in external environment and macroorganism. V. cholerae cells in associated state are better protected from the effect of a range of factors, more effectively consume nutrient substances and exchange genetic information. The process of biofilm formation by cholera vibrio is investigated in sufficient detail. However, taking into consideration the significant role of this structure in the life cycle of V. cholerae, researchers obtain new data and clarify earlier gathered information on the molecular mechanisms that lie at the bottom of this process, using advanced analytical methods. Herewith, close attention is paid to studies of regulatory mechanisms of biofilm formation, as well as external environment signals that trigger it. This review presents previously obtained data and new information on V cholerae regulatory network, controlling the process of biofilm formation, including transcriptional activators, repressors, alternative sigma-factors, regulatory RNA, and a range of signal molecules. The role of regulatory mechanisms in biofilm formation inside a macroorganism is also considered in the paper. Given are the data on external environment signals (availability of nutrient substances (carbohydrates), bile, non-organic substances; change in osmolarity of the media), stimulating/suppressing its formation. Taking into account the critical role of exopolysaccharide in mature biofilm formation, as well as significant role of signal molecules of Quorum Sensing system and 3'-5'-cyclic diguanylate monophosphate in the process, a particular attention is drawn to mechanisms of exopolysaccharide biosynthesis and effect of the mentioned molecules.

Chikungunya virus belongs to Alphavirus genus of the Togaviridae family. It is a member of Semliki Forest virus antigenic complex that includes antigenic related Semliki Forest, Chikungunya, O’ Nyong-nyong, Ross River viruses. Chikungunya virus is the causative agent of acute febrile illness with myalgia and arthralgia in humans. Since its discovery in 1952, Chikungunya virus caused sporadic and infrequent outbreaks. Since 2004, global Chikungunya outbreaks have occurred. Now Chikungunya is viewed as a global public health issue in many countries, where Aedes mosquito vectors are widespread. Currently, four genotypes of Chikungunya virus (West African, South African, Asian and Indian Ocean) are distinguished. Appearance of different genotypes is associated with adaptive mutations in peplomers of E1 and E2 glycoproteins. It is shown, that a single mutation in E1 glycoprotein (alanin for valin substitution in 226 position) leads to increasing virus virulence (50-100 times). This mutation is instrumental for epidemic potential increase. For virus variants with this mutation, secondary substitutions enhancing viral virulence are described too. Аedes aegypti mosquitoes are common vector for all genotypes of Chikungunya virus, Аedes albopictus mosquitoes are vector, mainly, for South African and Asian genotypes. They play the leading role in epidemic potential increase over the last decade. The effectiveness of Chikungunya virus transmission by Аedes аegypti mosquitoes is 83.3 %, by Аedes albopictus mosquitoes - 96.7 %. The Аedes albopictus are more widely disseminated than Аedes аegypti (about 40 percent of all land territory). Demonstrated is the possibility of transcontinental spread of Аedes albopictus mosquitoes by aviation and naval transport. This review highlights the most recent advances in our knowledge of the ecology, epidemiology and molecular biology of Chikungunya virus. These data play an important role in the development of preventive, treatment and vaccination strategies of Chikungunya fever.

Objective: investigation of phylogenetic origin and affinity of Yersinia pestis strains isolated from field material collected during the epizootiologic survey of the Mongolian part of trans-boundary Sailyugem natural plague focus. Materials and methods: MLVA25-typing of 81 Y. pestis strains, including 55 isolates from the Mongolian part of transboundary Sailyugem natural plague focus, collected in 2017-2018 was carried out. The plague agent strains isolated in different years in the natural foci of Northwest Mongolia and Southern Siberia were used as comparison group. Whole genome sequencing was performed for 21 Y. pestis strains subspecies pestis isolated in Mongolia in 2018 and 1988-1990 and in Gorny Altai of the Russian Federation in 2012-2016. SNP-typing was conducted on the basis of whole genomes of Y. pestis strains identified in the current research and also genomes from GenBank international database. Search of single nucleotide polymorphisms in Y. pestis genomes was carried out in two ways: by means of snippy v. 4.3.5 software and using mummer v. 3.1 package and a set of the author’s scripts. Phylogenetic reconstruction was conducted with the help of RAxML method. Results and discussion: Results of MLVA25 typing of Y. pestis subsp. pestis demonstrated that the strains isolated in Mongolian and Russian parts of the Sailyugem and Khuukh-Serkh-Munkh-Khairkhan natural foci belong to one common cluster. SNP-typing placed the studied isolates from the Mongolian and Russian territories into 4. ANT phylogenetic line with high level of reliability which testifies to the genetic similarity of the specified pathogen groups. The data of MLVA- and SNP-typing showed insignificant variability of the plague agent in the territory of the Mongolian part of trans-boundary Sailyugem natural plague focus. On the basis of the conducted research and results of epizootiological monitoring of Russia and Mongolia border territories it is possible to draw a conclusion on gradual wide penetration of Y. pestis subsp. pestis mainly into grey marmot settlements in Southeast Altai from Northwest Mongolia.

Objective: Identification of new markers for the molecular typing of Bacillus anthracis. Materials and methods. The genomes of 16 B. anthracis strains from the collection of the Stavropol Research Anti-Plague Institute, 11 B. anthracis strains and 5 strains of Bacillus cereus from GenBank were investigated. The methods of in vitro and in silico analysis of canonical and whole-genome single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP), genome regions with variable number of tandem repeats (VNTR) were used for the analysis. Results and discussion. It has been established that there are deletions and (or) SNPs in some of B. anthracis strains of the main genetic lineage B, within the homologous genes of the tri-cistronic operon gerH, which encodes spore germination proteins. gerA genes contain the Bams34 VNTR locus, the sizes of genes in different strains vary due to the different number of tandem repeats and the presence of indels, which suggests the variability of GerA spore germination proteins. In the area of reverse primer annealing, some of them have several SNPs or deletions, which makes impossible PCR amplification of the Bams34 locus. Previously not described VNTR locus, SNPs and indels in sequences of plasmids pXO1 and pXO2, as well as SNP in chromosomal gene of glycerol-3-phosphate transporter were identified. Two pairs of PCR primers for the variable regions of the plasmids were designed. VNTR-locus, SNP and indels in sequences of plasmids pXO1 and pXO2 are suitable genetic markers for the differentiation of typical virulent diplasmid strains belonging to the main genetic lineages of B. anthracis A, B and C. The allele T of SNP within chromosomal glpT gene is specific for one of two strains isolated during the outbreak of anthrax and distinguishes it from all other strains of B. anthracis.

Aim. The present paper provides a comparative analysis of the phylogenetic relationship between Yersinia pestis strains isolated in the Volga-Ural sandy natural focus during the periods of 1912-1945 and 1963-2003, which were characterised by different levels of epidemic activity, in order to identify the spatiotemporal patterns in the circulation of the plague pathogen in the North Caspian region. Materials and methods. We studied the properties and performed whole-genome sequencing of 18 Y. pestis strains from the Volga-Ural sandy focus, along with 12 strains from other foci in the North Caspian and North Aral regions, isolated from 1912 to 2003. The phylogenetic analysis was performed drawing on the whole-genome SNP analysis, which was conducted on the basis of 2188 SNPs identified in the core genome using the Wombac 2.0 program. Maximum Likelihood Dendrogram (GTR model) was used for the analysis of phylogenetic relationships between strains. Results and discussion. All studied strains from the foci of the North Caspian region belong to the main subspecies (biovar medievalis) of the plague pathogen. These are highly virulent and epidemiologically dangerous strains. The whole-genome sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of 30 strains from the Volga-Ural sandy focus, as well as adjacent plague foci, reveal that the strains (biovar medievalis) of two phylogenetic branches - 2.MED4 and 2.MED1 - were spread across the focus under study in the early 20th century. It is confirmed that 2.MED1 strains were the etiological agents of plague outbreaks in the Volga-Ural sandy focus during this period. The study revealed the presence of parallel evolutionary lines in 2.MED1 associated with plague outbreaks in the first half of the last century. In the second half of the 20th and early 21st centuries, the modern evolutionary line of 2.MED1 became widespread in the Volga-Ural sandy focus. The strains of this line are closely grouped, which indicates their close genetic relationship. Only sporadic cases of plague were recorded during this period. Modern strains from the Volga-Ural sandy focus (1963-2003), as well as the strains previously isolated there (1912-1945), do not originate from each other. These strains represent closely related, independent evolutionary branches, extending from the common trunk of 2.MED1. Modern strains originating from those of the North Aral desert focus (1945) form a separate cluster in the dendrogram. This suggests that, following a break in the 1950s, the Volga-Ural sandy focus was recolonised by closely related strains from the North Aral region.

The aim is to analyze the current epidemiological and epizootiological situation on ixodic tick-bome borreliosis in the South of the European part of Russia. Materials and methods. The research materials were the epidemiological and epizootiological data for 2014-2018 provided by the Rospotrebnadzor Departments, the Hygiene and Epidemiology Centers of the North Caucasian and Southern Federal Districts, and regional anti-plague institutions: Stavropol, Volgograd and Rostov-on-Don research anti-plague institutes, Astrakhan, Dagestan, Kabardino-Balkar, Black Sea, North Caucasus, Elista plague control stations, as well as the plague control station of the Republic of Crimea. The data of scientific publications on epizooitological monitoring, the species composition of vectors and agents of tick-borne borreliosis involved in the epizootic and epidemic process in the region were studied. In the study descriptive, analytical epidemiological methods, retrospective epidemiological and cartographic analyzes were used. Results and discussion. It has been noted that in 1999, the incidence of tick-borne borreliosis in the South of the European part of Russia, has occurred in 11 of the 15 administrative regions. The incidence of tick-borne borreliosis in the Republic of Kalmykia, has not been recorded since 2007, in the Chechen Republic - since 2014. To clarify the sources of tick-borne borreliosis infection in the territory of the Krasnodar and Stavropol Territories, the Volgograd and Rostov Regions, the Republic of Dagestan and the Karachay-Cherkess Republic, and also, to determine the boundaries of natural and natural-anthropurgic foci of ixodic tick-borne borreliosis constant epizootiological monitoring is required. In addition, it is necessary to create a unified algorithm for monitoring natural foci, to analyze data using modern geographic information and statistical tools.

Objective. To identify the drift variability of influenza viruses during the period of epidemic rise in the incidence of acute respiratory viral infections in the period 2018-2019. The biological and molecular-genetic properties of epidemic strains isolated in certain territories of the Russian Federation were studied and compared with data from the countries of the Northern Hemisphere. Materials and methods. A range of laboratory diagnostic methods has been applied, including immune fluorescence, RT-PCR, sequencing, methods for determining sensitivity to influenza drugs and receptor specificity. Results and discussion. The proportion of influenza viruses was as follows: A (H1N1) pdm09 - 53 %, A (H3N2) - 46 %, B - about 1 %. Cases of severe acute respiratory infections have most often been associated with influenza A(H1N1) pdm09 virus. According to antigenic properties, isolated strains corresponded to the properties of vaccine viruses (A/Michigan/45/2015 - by 99.6 % and A/Singapore INFIMH-16-0019/2016 - by 86 %). The heterogeneity of influenza A virus strains population was revealed as regards individual mutations in hemaglutinin. The influenza B virus population was equally represented by both evolutionary lines (B/Victoria and B/Yamagata-like). Receptor specificity was favorable for the course and outcome of the disease. Among 70 studied epidemic strains, no strains resistant to anti-neuraminidase drugs, oseltamivir and zanamivir, were detected. The article presents WHO recommendations on the composition of influenza vaccines for the countries of the Northern Hemisphere for 2019-2020, provides data on cases of human infection with avian influenza viruses A(H5N1), A(H5N6), A(H7N9) and A(H9N2).

Aim. In this study, we set out to identify the homologues of genes from the msh-cluster in the genomes of non-toxigenic V cholerae, to perform the bioinformatics analysis of their products, as well as to study the adhesive properties of strains containing altered genes. Materials and methods. We analysed 17 clinical strains of non-O1/non-O139 V cholerae and 2 strains of the O1 serogroup isolated from water bodies. Genes belonging to the msh-cluster were identified in the whole genomes using the BLASTN 2.2.29 and BioEdit 7.2.5 programs. Gene translation, comparative analysis of their nucleotide sequences and the amino acid sequences of deduced products were performed using the Vector NTI Advance 11 (Invitrogen). Results and discusssion. In 18 out of the 19 studied genomes we identified gene clusters responsible for production of adhesion pili (mshH-Q) represented by diverse alleles, the majority of which differed from the prototype genes of the msh-cluster in nucleotide composition but had the same localization and arrangement. Only one strain had a cluster that was close to that of the prototype. A bioinformatics analysis of their deduced products indicated that the amino acid sequence of the major MshA pilus subunit is homologous to the prototype only in a short N-terminal region (1-41) while sharing no similarities with the rest of the sequence. Nevertheless, this protein, similar to VcfA described by Kuroki H. et al. (2001) and designated by us as MshA-like, retained a putative pilus domain. A similar pattern was observed in the minor subunits designated as MshC-like. Other minor subunits also retained their characteristic domains. All of the strains agglutinated human erythrocytes (group O) and chicken erythrocytes, and in isolates harboring modified mshA-like and mshC-like genes the reaction was not inhibited by mannose. Since most of the studied strains were isolated from hospitalized patients, it is possible that in non-toxigenic V. cholerae lacking the pathogenicity island VPI, MSHA-like pili may serve as a colonization factor of the human intestine, in contrast to VPI-positive strains. The obtained information provides a basis for experimental verification of this assumption.

The aim. Development of diagnostic kit for identifying markers of dengue fever at all stages of the disease. Materials and methods. In blood serum from patients with suspected dengue fever, NS1 antigen and specific IgM and IgG were detected by immune chromatography, dot immunoassay, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, using commercial test systems, as well as the “Dengue Spectrum” experimental kit. Results and discussion. A diagnostic kit has been developed for the detection of dengue fever markers, based on the mechanism of simultaneous differential detection of the agent NS1 protein and IgM and IgG class antibodies with the formation of specific complexes between markers from the test sample and known capture immune reagents, in a certain order, discretely fixed on a dense substrate. It was found that the effective detection of specific IgG and IgM to dengue virus can be carried out according to the scheme in which IgG is captured on the total antigen of the virus with detection using labeled anti-human IgG antibodies, and IgM is detected by capture on anti-human IgM antibodies with detection using total viral antigen. Detection of dengue virus NS1 protein can be performed using a substrate with immobilized monoclonal antibodies to NS1 and a gold immune sol bound to antibodies against NS1. This protocol of the dot analysis provides the limit for determining the recombinant analogue of the NS1 protein equal to 100 ng/ml. Comparative testing of the kit against the panel of clinical samples showed a good agreement between the results and the data obtained using imported commercial tests. The developed kit can be used for screening clinical samples, both in laboratory and in the field.

Objective of the study - analysis of standard indicators and methods, utilized for determination of presence of contaminating microorganisms in live bacterial vaccines. Materials and methods. We used the data from the State Pharmacopeia of the USSR, 9th-11th editions; State Pharmacopeia of the Russian Federation, 12th-14th editions; as well as regulatory documentation/manufacturer’s pharmacopoeial monographs for 9 items of live vaccines. Results and discussion. Taking into account the specificity of live vaccines, the process of their manufacturing and quality control must target elimination of the possibility of contamination with microorganisms that differ from production strains. It is established that currently there is no unified terminology for determining the indicator in the Russian Federation, as well as clear-cut criteria for interpretation of test results for quality assessment of live bacterial vaccines when testing sterility/contamination with foreign bacteria and fungi. In compliance with the requirements of the current RF Pharmacopeia editions, detection of contamination in live vaccines for parenteral administration should be carried out using various methods and assessment criteria (General Pharmacopeia Monograph (GPM) “Sterility” and GPM “Microbiological purity”). Performed investigations have revealed the necessity to enhance the regulatory framework in regard to detection of contamination with foreign bacteria and fungi. It is advised to use unified nomination of the indicator, specifically, “Absence of foreign bacteria and fungi” in the normative documents. Given are the recommendations on improvement of methods and requirements to the assessment of live bacterial vaccine contamination. Developed proposals on harmonization of the quality assessment requirements of vaccines containing other live microorganisms can be used for drawing up corresponding normative-regulatory documents (GPM, Pharmacopeia monograph, regulatory documentation et al.).

Objective of the work was the production of recombinant vaccine «RevaxVZT» in tablet dosage form against hepatitis B and pathogenic for humans orthopoxviruses for further clinical trials. Materials and methods. Recombinant strain b7.5S2-S of vaccinia virus carrying a DNA fragment of hepatitis B virus inserted into thymidinekinase gene was used as an active component of the vaccine. Microbiological, virological, physical, physical and chemical, and biotechnological methods were used for studying the quality of the drug and technological processes. Results and discussion. Results of technological control for semi-finished products and final products of the vaccine “Revax VZT” showed the possibility of using certified hardware-processing line of “TEOVac” for its manufacturing. Same technology can be potentially used with other live tableted embryo smallpox vaccines too. For the development of the vaccine “Revax VZT” with the specific activity of not less than 1.0·10⁷ PFu/tablet, it is necessary to use a dry virus-containing material with activity not less than 2.0·10⁸ PFU/g which is produced by freeze-drying of liquid virus-containing preparation with the activity of not less than 1.0·10⁸ PFU/g, preferentially propagated from chorionic allantoic membranes of chicken embryos as a substrate for viral biomass accumulation.

For a reliable assessment of the presense of the immune layer to cholera agent, it is necessary to determine the level of specific antibodies in human blood serum. To detect specific anticholera antibodies serological methods are used, aimed to identify agglutinating, vibriocidal and toxin neutralizing antibodies. At the same time, the stated methods have several drawbacks which can be eliminated when using biological microarrays to detect specific antibodies. Object of work. Assessment of the level of the immune layer to cholera agent in individuals residing in the territory of the Republic of Guinea, using a biological microchip. Materials and methods. 190 blood serum samples of people living on the territory of three provinces of the Republic of Guinea, collected over the period of May-October 2016 were studied. The detection of specific antibodies to antigens of V. cholerae was performed using the immunochip for serodiagnosis in the indirect analysis. V. cholerae O-antigens and cholera toxin were used as specific antigens for sensibilization of the immunochip surface. Results and discussion. As a result of the analysis, using immunochip, specific antibodies to O1 and O139-antigens of V. cholerae at the titer of 1:100 were not detected in any of the cases. At the same time, antibodies to cholera toxin were found in 66 samples (34.7 %); titers varied from 1:100 to 1:1600, being 1:100 in 59 samples, 1:400 - in 1 sample, 1:800 - in 2 samples, 1:1600 - in 4 samples. The absence of statistically significant differences depending on the gender of the examined people and the territory of their residence was noted. The obtained results can be explained by the fact that antibodies to cholera toxin are more resistant and circulate longer in human serum than antibodies to O-antigens. Studies have demonstrated the presence of IgG antibodies complementary to cholera toxin in sera, which may indicate both the contact of the population with the cholera pathogen and the formation of post-vaccinal immunity.

The aim. Development of a drug for the identification of Burkholderia pseudomallei and Burkholderia mallei grown in solid nutrient medium at the stage of rapid diagnosis of pathogenic bulkholderia. Materials and methods. Latex agglutination method, in which suspensions of polymers are used as a carrier of agglutinins. The agent recognizing the antigen of the target cells is a monoclonal antibody directed to the epitopes of the glycoprotein capsule of melioidosis causative agent. A liquid latex diagnosticum was prepared from a suspension of polymer polystyrene with a microsphere diameter of 0.8-1.1 pm, the surface of which was loaded with a pre-selected concentration of antibodies. We used typical strains of melioidosis and glanders agents with a full antigenic structure, as well as closely related and heterologous microorganisms. Suspensions with a concentration of 1.0·10⁹ m.c./ml were prepared from bacterial cultures. The reaction was carried out on glass Petri dishes heated to 37 °C with visual recording of the results using four cross system. Results and discussion. The latex agglutination reaction is based on agglutination of microbial cells (B. pseudomallei and B. mallei) with monoclonal antibodies that recognize the epitopes of the glycoprotein capsule of pathogenic burkholderia. 14 monoclonal antibodies of different class and epitope orientation were checked. The determining factors for antibody selection was their specificity in agglutination reaction with strains of melioidosis and glanders agents, as well as preservation of agglutinating activity after immobilization on a polymer carrier. As a result, monoclonal antibodies of class G immunoglobulin to capsule glycoprotein epitopes (AG 8) of the melioidosis agent were selected as an agent recognizing the target cell antigen. As a result, after mixing the samples with the diagnosticum, in samples containing B. pseudomallei and B. mallei bacteria, visible agglutinate generates in 10-15 min. Samples with closely related and heterologous microorganisms lacked agglutinate and were registered as negative. The obtained diagnosticum is characterized by high specificity.

Objective - analysis of the epizootic-epidemiological situation on natural-focal infections in the resort city of Sochi. Materials and methods. We used the reports on and results of annual epizootiological monitoring of the territory of Sochi, presented by the Rospotrebnadzor Administration in the Krasnodar Territory, Center of Hygiene and Epidemiology in the Krasnodar Territory, Black Sea Plague Control Station, Sochi Anti-Plague Department of the Black Sea Plague Control Station, Stavropol Research Anti-Plague Institute. Results and discussion. The paper provides the analysis of the incidence among population, the results of epizootiological monitoring and molecular-genetic studies of isolates collected in the territory of the resort city of Sochi during 2014-2018. The most significant natural-focal infections in this region are: hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome, Lyme disease, intestinal yersiniosis, leptospirosis. It was established that the natural foci of the infections studied in the territory of the resort city of Sochi are combined ones, which increases their epidemic importance and imposes requirements for a more in-depth survey of the territories. Thus, the current epizootiological-epidemiological situation on natural-focal infections in the region of the resort city of Sochi is characterized by the preservation of the activity of natural foci and indicates the need for their continuous monitoring, as well as implementation of a set of regulated preventive measures.

Aim. Molecular genetic characterization of hepatitis B virus and human immunodeficiency virus in patients with HIV / HBV co-infection living in the Republic of Guinea. Materials and methods. 2168 blood serum samples obtained from the Republic of Guinea residents – blood donors and conditionally healthy people, without suspicion of Ebola virus disease, UK RUSAL employees and their families, as part of their routine medical examination. The presence of serological and molecular biological markers of HIV and HBV was examined. When HIV/HBV co-infection was detected, the nucleotide sequences of the complete HBV genomes and the HIV pol gene fragment were sequenced. Results and discussion. HIVserological markers were detected in 239 people (11.02 %). HIV RNA was detected in 31 people, which accounted for 12.9 % of patients in the seropositive group (1.43 % of the total group). HBV serological markers among HIV RNAs-positive individuals were detected in 29.03 % of patients, including 16.12 % HBsAg and 12.9 % anti-HBcore IgG. HBV DNA was detected in all HBsAg-positive and in two anti-HBcore IgG-positive patients, as well as in 12 people negative for all HBV serological markers analyzed in the work. Thus, HBV DNA was found in 61.29 % of HIV RNA-positive individuals. Based on the pol gene fragment nucleotide sequences analysis of 19 HIV samples, it was shown that the HIV circulating recombinant form CRF02_AG  prevails in the examined group (52.63 %) compared with HIV A1 (42.1 %), one sample was an independent recombinant of genotypes A1 and G. HBV phylogenetic analysis of the studied samples showed that genotype E prevails – 47.36 %, compared with HBV D1 – 21.05 %, D2 – 15.78 %, D3 – 10.52 % and A2 – 5.26 %. HIV and HBV samples have been detected that carry drug resistance mutations despite the antiretroviral therapy absence. HIV and HBV drug resistance mutations identification in ART-naive patients emphasizes the need for HIV surveillance programs as well as routine testing for HBV and HIV and HBV drug resistance before starting antiretroviral therapy in the clinical management of patients in the country.

On 27 September 2019, Lidiya Stepanovana Pronina, former Head of the Editorial and Publishing Department at the RusRAPI “Microbe”, turned eighty.

The eighteenth of August 2019, marked the 60th anniversary of Ivan Alekseevich Dyatlov, Doctor of Medical Sciences, professor, academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Director of the FBSI ”State Scientific Center of Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology”.

On 20 July 2019, Anisimov Pavel Ivanovich, a prominent scholar, Doctor of Medical Sciences, professor, Honored Worker of Science, passed away in his 91st year.