Buffalopox.

Buffalopox is a contagious viral disease affecting milch buffaloes (Bubalus Bubalis) and, rarely, cows. The disease has zoonotic implications, as outbreaks are frequently associated with human infections, particularly in the milkers. Buffalopox is associated with high morbidity (80%). The clinical symptoms of the disease are characterized by wartline lesions on the udder, teats, inguinal region, base of the ears, and over the parotid. In the severe form, generalized rash is observed. Although the disease does not lead to high mortality, it has an adverse effect on the productivity and working capacity of the animals resulting in large economic losses. The outbreaks of buffalopox occurred frequently in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Iran, Egypt, and Indonesia, where buffaloes are reared as milch animals. The buffalopox is closely related with other Orthopoxviruses. In particular, it is close to the vaccinia virus. There is a view that the buffalopox virus might be derived from the vaccinia virus. It is possible that it became pathogenic to humans and animals through adaptive evolution of the genome by obtaining the virulence genes. PCR is performed for the C18L gene for the purpose of specific detection and differentiation of the buffalopox virus from other orthopoxviruses. The C18L gene encodes the ankyrin repeat protein, which determines the virus host range. The open reading frame of this gene is only 150-nucleotide long as against 453 nucleotide in the vaccinia virus, 756 - in the camelpox virus, and 759 - in the cowpox virus. It can be concluded that a systematic study based on the epidemiology of the virus, existence of reservoirs, biological transmission, and the molecular organization of the buffalopox virus from buffalo, cow, and humans may pave the way to a better understanding of the circulating virus and contribute to the control of the disease using the suitable diagnostic and prophylactic measures.

[Vaccine-like viruses: peculiarities of circulation in the South America].

The peculiarities of the spread of vaccine-like viruses first revealed more than 50 years ago in the area of the South America was discussed. These viruses cause infective episodes among milk cattle and caretaking personnel. Cancellation of the smallpox vaccination in 1980 resulted in a decrease in the community immunity and increased the risks of human infection. This circumstance makes it necessary to activate monitoring of the properties of the vaccine-like viruses, the circle of hosts and possible changes in the pathogenicity for humans.

[Cowpox: features of spread after cancellation of mandatory pox immunization].

Features of spread of cowpox in the contemporary conditions are examined. A decrease of population immunity to pox in the population of Russia caused by cancellation of pox immunization, hidden circulation of cowpox virus in various species of rodents, as well as lack of vigilance to pathogenic orthopoxviurses in healthcare workers were noted to create the real preconditions for the emergence of infection of humans caused by cowpox virus. Thereby presence of means of express laboratory diagnostics of cowpox and means of effective medical protection for the prevention of development of this disease in the population of Russia becomes an actual necessity.

[Monkeypox: features of spread after cancellation of mandatory pox immunization].

Features of spread of monkeypox after eradication of smallpox and cancellation of mandatory pox immunization are examined. In the condition of cancellation of mandatory pox immunization, a decrease of population immunity to pox in the population, a lack of vigilance in most of the medical specialists to diseases caused by other pathogenic for human orthopoxviruses was noted. This situation complicates the prognosis of the development of possible outbreaks of infection of humans by monkeypox. In such situation only constant vigilance with respect to this zooanthroponosis, use of express diagnostics methods, as well as means of effective protection will allow to stop outbreaks of monkeypox at the early stages of the development.

[Evaluation of safety of prophylactic use of immunoglobulins against viral hemorrhagic fevers from horse blood sera].

AIM: Evaluate safety of prophylaxis of viral hemorrhagic fevers by specific heterologous immunoglobulins. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Clinical-laboratory examination of 24 individuals after intramuscular administration of heterologous Ebola immunoglobulin was carried out. Anaphylactogenicity of the immunoglobulins was studied by WD 42-28-8-89 in guinea pigs compared with commercial preparations. RESULTS: Immediate type reactions were not observed. In individuals with normal anamnesis the number of local reactions was 31%, general in the form of lung serum disease - 13%. In individuals with unfavorable anamnesis against the background of desensitization therapy there were almost no reactions; without it local reactions were present in 50%, mild severity serum lung disease - in 17%, medium - in 33%. Immunoglobulins against especially dangerous viral agents by anaphylactogenic properties did not differ from commercial heterologous preparations. CONCLUSION: Application of specific immunoglobulins from horse blood sera (the main means of protection from dangerous and especially dangerous exotic viral infections) with compliance by desensitization principles is relatively safe. Safe level of sensitization properties is characterized by anaphylaxis index up to 3.7 for guinea pigs.

[Production of 70 kDa recombinant human heat shock protein in baculovirus expression system and assessment of its antiviral activity].

AIM: To obtain human recombinant 70 kDa heat shock protein (Hsp70) in baculovirus expression system and to study its antiviral activity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Baculovirus expression system was used to obtain recombinant HSP70. Plasmid pFastBacHTb-Hsp70 containing sequence coding HSP70 gene with insertion of 6 histidine residues in protein reading frame was constructed. Competent cells MAX Efficiency DH 10 Bac were transfected with pFastBacHTb-Hsp70 plasmid with following extraction of recombinant bacmid Bac-Hsp70. In order to obtain baculovirus expressing HSP70, Sf-9 cells were transfected with Bac-Hsp70 bacmid. Hsp70 extraction and purification was performed with column metal-chelating affinity chromatography using Ni2+ ions. Protective efficacy of recombinant human HSP70 was estimated using model of Venezuelan equine encephalitis (VEE) in mice. RESULTS: Recombinant bacmid Bac-Hsp70 was constructed based on Bac-to-Bac expression system. Baculovirus expressing human HSP70 have been produced after transfection of Sf-9 cells with Bac-Hsp70 bacmid. Cultivation of recombinant baculovirus in Sf-9 cells and application of metal-chelating affinity chromatography allowed to extract purified fraction of HSP70. Experiments on mice infected with VEE virus demonstrated significant protection from death after administration of HSP70 in dose 15 mcg/mice. CONCLUSION: Application of baculovirus expression system and insect cell line for accumulation of recombinant baculoviruses in combination with Ni(2+)-mediated metal-chelating affinity chromatography allowed to obtain highly purified human recombinant HSP70 with marked antiviral activity.

[Isolation and identification of the smallpox virus which caused iatrogenic vaccinia in children in the city of Vladivostok]. / Vydelenie i identifikatsiia virusa ospovaktsiny, vyzvavshego iatrogennuiu vaktsiniiu u detei v g. Vladivostoke.

The comparative study of the specimens of the morphological elements of exanthema obtained from 8 children with the clinical diagnosis of secondary exogenic vaccinia, dried smallpox vaccine and the cultures of other orthopoxviruses (rabbit pox, monkey pox and buffalo pox viruses) was made. The isolation and identification of the causative agents from the specimens was carried out with the use of modern virological, electron microscopic and molecular methods. The study proved the fact that 8 children had orthopoxvirus infection with its causative agent identified as vaccinia virus.

[Transgenic plants in vaccinology]. / Transgennye rasteniia v vaktsinologii.

The problem of transgenic plants application to production of antigens, antibodies, enzymes, and hormones is discussed. Transgenic plants are a highly effective system for production of bioactive molecules. Prospects for using transgenic plants expressing viral and bacterial antigens for mucosal immunization are discussed.

[The laboratory diagnosis of an outbreak of hemorrhagic fever at Oblivskaya village, Rostov Province: proof of the etiological role of the Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus]. / Laboratornaia diagnostike vspyshki gemorragicheskoi likhoradki v stanitse Oblivskoi Rostovskoi oblasti: dokazatel'stva étiologicheskoi roli virusa krymskoi-kongo gemorragicheskoi likhoradki.

The results of the molecular biological detection of the etiologic agent of hemorrhagic fever in Rostov Province are presented. The role of the causative agents of Astrakhan rickettsial fever, hemorrhagic fever with the renal syndrome, Q fever, leptospirosis and listeriosis has been excluded by means of such immunochemical reactions as the direct and indirect immunofluorescent tests, the solid-phase immunoenzyme assay, the complement fixation test and the agglutination test. The relationship between the cases of hemorrhagic fever in the focus of the outbreak and Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus has been demonstrated due to the use of the polymerase chain reaction with preliminary reverse transcription.

[Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever in Rostov Province: the epidemiological characteristics of an outbreak]. / Krymskaia-Kongo gemorragicheskaia likhoradka v Rostovskoi oblasti: épidemiologicheskie osobennosti vspyshki.

The results of the epidemiological analysis of the outbreak of hemorrhagic fever which was caused by Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus and occurred during the period of July 3-19, 1999, in the Oblivskaya district of Rostov Province are presented. The specific epidemiological features of the outbreak have been determined. The possible versions of the appearance of the focus of infection and the role of Ixodes ticks in the circulation of the infective agent are discussed.

[The laboratory diagnosis of rickettsioses]. / Laboratornaia diagnostika rikketsiozov.

Difficulties in the clinical diagnosis of rickettsiosis and related illnesses made it necessary to develop and improve its methods (immunoferment analysis, nondirect methods of fluorescent antibodies and polimerase chain reaction). Detailed recommendations for diagnosis of Q-fever by the level and growth of antibodies of IgG and IgA subclasses.

[Experimental study of residual virulence of viral vaccine strains]. / Eksperimental'noe izuchenie ostatochnoi virulentnosti shtammov virusa vaktsiny.

Residual virulence of three vaccinia strains: Neurovaccine, L-IVP, and its recombinant Revacs-B expressing HBs and preS2 antigens of hepatitis B virus is compared. Insertion of HBs and preS2 antigens of hepatitis B virus in the genome of vaccinia virus strain L-IVP decreases its residual virulence and leads to a benign course of vaccinal reaction involving no deaths of rabbits, cotton rats, or guinea pigs. We may expect that recombinant vaccine Revacs B based on L-IVP strain will cause no postvaccinal complications under conditions of an appreciable decrease in population immunity to vaccinia virus.

[Rickettsioses: their chemoprophylaxis and chemotherapy]. / Rikketsiozy: khimioprofilaktika i khimioterapiia.

As a result of long-standing screening of chemopreparations of anti-rickettsiosis action in-vitro and in-vivo experiments and their clinical evaluation in the treatment of R. of any etiology, it is established that the most effective ones are those of the 4 groups: tetracyclines (doxicycline, minocyclines), ansamicines (rifampicine), ftorchinolones (cyprofloxacine, ofloxacine, pefloxacine) and the new generation of macrolides (asitromicine, klaritromicine). Since all the studied preparations have only rickettsiosis-static effect, a promising way to finding a rickettsiocidic preparation capable of preventing a possible persistence of a relevant agent in a human body is a combined application of highly effective chemopreparations (doxicycline, in particular) or pefloxacine with lysosomal alkalinizing drugs (chlorochin, ammonium chloride or amantadine). Antibiotics of prolonged anti-rickettsiosis action give a real chance for prevention even with a one-time dose.

[Rickettsioses: the epidemiological assessment]. / Rikketsiozy: éøidemiologicheskaia otsenka.

Microbe of taxonomical families Rickettsiaceae aceal and Bartonellaceae of Rickettsiales order have caused not less than 14 nosological forms of disease among people in different parts of the world. About 8 of them--in Russia and in the former Soviet Republics. These diseases are not unequivocal from epidemiological point of view. Trench, Marseilles and other forms of fever, murine typhus, vesicules rickettsia, etc. have been liquidated and never recurred for 30-40 years. Prowazek's [correction of Provachek's] rickettsia in its two forms has lost its epidemiological meaning in Russia and is next to full disappearance. However, some types of fever still represent a definite threat to public health. Some diseases, like ehrlichiosis, Bartonella, tsutsugamushi fever have not yet been studied to the end in Russia.

[Methodical principles for testing tableted viral preparations]. / Metodicheskie printsipy ispytaniia tabletirovannykh virusnykh preparatov.

Presents the methods of oral and enteral administration of vaccines in tablets. Describes the method of oral administration with a sponge and the technique of administering large and small tablets in the intestinal tract. Describes the specific features of administering tablets to mice, guinea pigs, rabbits, and monkeys.

[Collection of pathogenic viruses: state of the problem and prospects]. / Kollektsionirovanie patogennykh virusov: sostoianie i perspektivy problemy.

The organizational and methodological separateness in the collection of pathogenic viruses impedes the development of universal approaches to practical collection. The authors propose a universal research program for the creation of specialized National Museums of Pathogens as reference and methodological centers within the framework of the Russian State Collection of Microorganisms. Further improvement of methods for virus collection is desirable.