[Comparative analysis of informative-diagnostic properties of mucosa immune-reactivity parameters].

AIM: Study the features of immune-reactivity expression in mucosa depending on their topicity and etiopathogenesis of the pathological process. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data from 30 clinically healthy children and 77 children with acute and recurrent diseases of respiratory tract: 51--with acute and 15--with chronic bronchitis; as well as 132 women: 41--with active stage of acute urogenital chlamydia infection, 29--with recurrent chronic process, 30--with non-recurrent form and 32 clinically healthy women were analyzed. Saline and urogenital tract mucosa discharge was analyzed for IgG, sIgA and secretory component, IL-1beta, 4, 6, 8, 9, 10, 12, IFNgamma, TNFalpha and GM-CSF, TLR-2, TLR-3, TLR-4, TLR-8 gene expression levels as well as content of lysozyme, total protein and leucocytes. RESULTS: Solidity, universality and practically single-stage triggering of mucosa immune reaction mechanisms to intervention by foreign agents regardless of their localization was confirmed. A dependence of immune-reactivity expression on the form of pathologic process, its localization and qualitative and quantitative characteristics of the infectious agents was clearly seen. The highest level of clinical-laboratory and immunological parameters is inherent for patients with acute processes in urogenital tract (cervical canal and urethra), especially cause by mixed infections. CONCLUSION: Immune diagnostic parameters of mucosa among which TLR system is especially notable have high information properties allowing not only diagnostics of inflammatory process but also differentiating its form and character our course.

[Molecular-genetic and phylogenetic characteristic of Streptococcus pneumoniae strains isolated from patients with meningitis and carriers].

AIM: Analyze genetic and phylogenetic interrelations between S. pneumoniae strains isolated from meningitis patients and carriers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 23 S. pneumoniae isolates (9 from bacterial meningitis patients, 9 from nasopharynx of bacterial carriers, 5 strains from museum collection of Gabrichevsky Moscow Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology) were studied. S. pneumoniae ATCC 49619, S. mitis ATCC 49456 served as control strains. S. pneumoniae serotype determination was carried out in latex-agglutination reaction and quelling reaction. Multiplex PCR according to WHO protocols was used for molecular-genetic study and pneumolysin (ply), autolysin (lytA), surface cellular adhesin A (psaA) and capsule polysaccharide (cpsA) gene determination. Multilocus sequence-typing was carried out according to WHO scheme for 7 "housekeeping" segments--aroE, gdh, gki, recP, spi, xpt and ddl. Computer programs from available internet resources were used for data processing and dendrogram building. RESULTS; The S. pneumoniae isolates analyzed were established to belong to 19 sequence types that may be combined into 4 subclusters. Results of molecular-genetic and serologic typing were completely comparable. CONCLUSION: Attribution of isolates from the same serotype and serogroup to different sequence-types gives evidence on the ongoing changes within serotype and as a result changes in allele profile of circulating S. pneumoniae isolates. Membership of isolates in separate subclusters gives evidence on close evolution relationship between isolates obtained from patients with bacterial meningitis and carriers. Certain isolates had not previously been registered in Russia and were probably imported from the territories of other countries.

[Changes in the cytokine profile in residents with chronic obstructive lung disease exposed to urban air pollutants].

The complex of urban air pollutants was established to affect the cytokine profile in Moscow residents with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)), as it causes a significant reduction of L-6 and TNF-alpha in their blood samples. The identified changes indicate to inhibition of the functional activity of cells of the reticuloendothelial system, which can lead to the persistence of seasonal bacterial-viral infections and more rapid chronization of the basic disease.

[The phylogenetic position of Chlamydia strains isolated from monkeys and humans with Chlamydial pathology in the family Chiamydiaceae. Genotypic and phenotypic properties of this pathogen].

Based on the results of the comparative analysis concerning relatedness and evolutional difference of the 16S - 23S nucleotide sequences of the middle ribosomal cluster and 23S rRNA I domain, and based on identification of phylogenetic position for Chlamydophila pneumoniae and Chlamydia trichomatis strains released from monkeys, relatedness of the above stated isolates with similar strains released from humans and with strains having nucleotide sequences presented in the GenBank electronic database has been detected for the first time ever. Position of these isolates in the Chlamydiaceae family phylogenetic tree has been identified. The evolutional position of the investigated original Chlamydia and Chlamydophila strains close to analogous strains from the GenBank electronic database has been demonstrated. Differences in the 16S - 23S nucleotide sequence of the middle ribosomal cluster and 23S rRNA I domain of plasmid and non-plasmid Chlamydia trachomatis strains released from humans and monkeys relative to different genotype groups (group B- B, Ba, D, Da, E, L1, L2, L2a; intermediate group - F, G, Ga) have been revealed for the first time ever. Abnormality in incA chromosomal gene expression resulting in Chlamydia life and development cycle disorder and decrease of Chlamydia virulence can be related to probable changes in the nucleotide sequence of the gene under consideration.

[Colonization resistance and immunological reactivity of children's oropharyngeal mucosa in health and bronchopulmonary pathology].

The study group was comprised of 27 practically healthy children, 51 patients with acute bronchitis, 15 with chronic bronchitis and 11 with pneumonia. It was shown that changes of microbiocoenosis in back of the throat (BOT) were related to increased mucosal contamination with normal microflora and opportunistic microorganisms. The highest degree of contamination was observed in children with acute bronchitis. Normocoenosis was detected only in 13 practically healthy children. The disorders of microbiocoenosis took the form of disbiosis and acute inflammatory processes in patients with acute and chronic bronchitis and pneumonia. However, the large amount of normal flora together with the high Ig level ensured marked colonization resistance as evidenced by the values of natural colonization coefficient of nasopharyngeal epithelium (NCCNE) and balance coefficient (BC). These data suggested development of compensated secondary immunodeficiencies. In patients with acute bronchitis and pneumonia, local synthesis of Ig prevailed. It is shown that BC can be used to screen children for disorders of mucosal immunity. The presence of increased saliva IgE levels in patients with acute and chronic bronchitis supports the generally accepted concept of bronchi as a "shock organ" in allergic condition. It was demonstrated that IgE levels in saliva increase earlier than in serum and may be used as a prognostic criterion in patients with bronchopulmonary pathology.

[Validation of the modified algorithm for predicting host susceptibility to viruses taking into account susceptibility parameters of primary target cell cultures and natural immunity factors].

The paper presents results of testing a modified algorithm for predicting virus ID50 values in a host of interest by extrapolation from a model host taking into account immune neutralizing factors and thermal inactivation of the virus. The method was tested for A/Aichi/2/68 influenza virus in SPF Wistar rats, SPF CD-1 mice and conventional ICR mice. Each species was used as a host of interest while the other two served as model hosts. Primary lung and trachea cells and secretory factors of the rats' airway epithelium were used to measure parameters needed for the purpose of prediction. Predicted ID50 values were not significantly different (p = 0.05) from those experimentally measured in vivo. The study was supported by ISTC/DARPA Agreement 450p.

[Clinico-laboratory associations of candidial infection persistence in diabetes mellitus].

Population heterogeneity of Candida spp. in feces of patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) demonstrated in our earlier studies prompted to focus on the persistence of candidial infection depending on demographic characteristics of the patients and clinical features of DM. We examined 64 patients with DM and 40 practically healthy subjects aged 20-60 yr. The seeding rate (%) of short-lived (emerged on day 0 or 1) and long-lived (emerged on both days 0 and 1) of Candida spp. cultures was determined. The short-lived fraction of microorganisms most frequently occurred in patients below 50 yr without clinico-laboratory signs of DM and the history of candidiasis (coincidence rate 75.0%, p < 0.001). The long-lived fraction was characteristic of patients with the history of candidiasis having DM of less than 5 yr in duration and glycated hemoglobin over 7.8 mmol/l without complications taking oral hypoglycemic agents (80%, p < 0.001). Candida spp. were totally absent in patients with late diabetic complications, duration of disease over 5 yr, glycated hemoglobin level below 7.8%, and candidiasis-free history. It is concluded that clinico-laboratory characteristics and demographic factors determine persistence of Candida spp. in feces of DM patients.

[The role of lectins from probiotic microorganisms in sustaining the macroorganism].

The notion of lectins has been expanded with special reference to lectins of probiotic microorganisms (LPM). New data on LPM and their properties are considered in the context of a new concept of systemic organization of LPM being developed. Conditions for complete separation of poly (N-acetylgalactosamine-?)-binding lectins and polyMan-?/oligomannoside/mannan-binding lectins are developed on the assumption that they contain a single carbohydrate-binding site in their structure. It is shown that strain typing of probiotic microorganisms is possible based not only on protein but also on LPM composition. The observed peculiarities of LPM functioning substantially extend the concept of informational superiority of integral interatomic networks over their isolated components. This approach makes it possible to set functioning of LPM systems against that of lectin systems of other components of human microbiota as prevailing in the support of the normal status of the macrorganism. The results demonsatrate the unique character of LPM systems and suggest good prospects for their application in medicine, biotechnology and nanotechnology.

[Candida and Saccharomyces spp. fungal associations in fecal microbiocenosis of diabetes patients and healthy subjects].

The article is devoted to analysis of pathogenic and diagnostic significance of Candida and Saccharomyces co-existence in diabetic patients. These transient fungi are known to be present in fecal microbiocenosis of both healthy subjects and patients with diabetes mellitus. However, their overall occurrence is significantly increased in the disease and the structure of the biocenosis undergoes alteration. These data confirm the role of yeast-like fungi in pathogenesis of diabetes. The diagnostic value of detection of monospecific and mixed populations of Candida and Saccharomyces spp. is not very high, but their presence in feces, especially in women, may be regarded as a sign of disturbed carbohydrate metabolism.

[Medico-Prophylactic Faculty of I. M. Sechenov Moscow Medical Academy and its achievements].

Major achievements of Medico-Prophylactic Faculty, I.M. Sechenov Moscow Medical Academy, for the period of 2000-2010 are reported.

[Management as a key professional competence of preventive medicine specialists].

The paper deals with the strategy of training specialists in preventive medicine and improvement of their professional skills for the management of activities aimed at the maintenance of adequate population health status and prevention of adverse effects of environmental factors. Integration of managerial issues into curricula and teaching courses for preventive medicine specialists may be instrumental in upgrading their professional level.

[Architectonics of gastrointestinal microbial community].

Architectonics of gastrointestinal microbial community in colonic mucosa and feces was studied in patients with different gastrointestinal pathologies and without them. The study model was comprised of Bifidobacteria, Lactobacteria, E.coli, Enterococci, Staphylococci, and Candida. Communities of mucosal and fecal microbes appear to be organized in a definite manner, with most microorganisms forming either indigenous or indigenous-transient associations. Multicomponent indigenous-transient associations prevail in fecal communities, few-component indigenous one or individual microbes in parietal colonic mucin. The structure of community from colonic mucosa overlying a tumour proved identical with that from the apparently normal tissue whereas the community from an inflammed site was structurally closer to the fecal one.

[Quantitative assessment of in vitro neutralizing activity of secretory factors from rat lungs against influenza virus].

Secretory factors were isolated by lung wash followed by centrifugation to remove cells, dialysis of supernatant to remove NaCl salt, lyophilization of the lavage fluid and resuspention of the lyophilization product in an isotonic NaCl solution. It was shown that biological activity of influenza virus /Aichi/2/68 (3N2) significantly decreased (p = 0,01) from 8,17 +/- 0,10 to 7,14 +/- 0,20 IgEID50/ml during its incubation with secretory factors at 37 degrees C for 1 hr and to 7,92 +/- 0,17 IgEID50/ml in isotonic NaCl solution in the absence of these factors. Their concentration in the incubation medium was estimated to be 9.1 +/- 0.7% of their level in the lungs.

[Colonization of the rat gastrointestinal tract by Staphylococcus aureus biotopes].

Six groups of Wistar rats were fed different diets. Intestinal mural and fecal microflora was analysed. Four types of colonization of trointestinal tract were distinguished after intragastric administration of Staphylococcus aureus depending on a variety of factors affecting composition of microbial communities. Mechanisms of colonization ensuring circulation of S. aureus in the gastrointestinal tract are discussed.

[Molecular mechanisms of induction of innate immunity].

Cellular and molecular mechanisms of congenital immunity at different levels are discussed including single cell expression patterns and intracellular localization of individual TLR, the use of adapter molecules for generation of activation signals in response to microbial and non-microbial pathogens, soluble trap receptors, and intracellular negative regulators.

[Antimicrobial efficacy of semi-conductor laser with the wave length of 970 nm].

The 970 nm diode laser and 3% sodium hypochlorite antiseptic properties comparative estimation has been investigated. The investigated methods antimicrobial efficiency estimation has been made by means of microbiological study and by means of fluorescent laser analysis. It has been proved that laser radiation using allows the medicament treatment efficiency but doesn't assure provide total root canals sterility.

[Classification of lectins as universal regulator molecules of biological systems].

Modern concepts of lectin classification reflecting tendencies in the development of functional classification of lectins (Ln) and Ln-like proteins are presented. Classification of bacterial Ln is proposed. Classification of Ln and Ln-like proteins of plants, animals, and bacteria is based on 8 major elements of protein secondary structure that allows for the evaluation of topographic diversity of their surfaces, potential compatibility of bacterial, vegetable, and mammalian Ln molecules and possible variants of their co-functioning.

[Influence of various levels of vitamin D and calcium in the diet on variability of microbes association of rats].

It is established, that the microecological system of intestines microbes association structurally reacts to the maintenance of vitamin D and calcium in food. Thus change of frequency of occurrence, the specific maintenance and a dispersion of separate components of system is observed. Besides character and force of correlation communications between concentration of microbes varies. The revealed principles of formation and change of microbic community of intestines enable to define mechanisms of selective management of microbic components microbes association.

[Modern methods of laboratory diagnostics of Chlamydia infections].

Need for further improvement of methods for verification of etiological agent of urogenital and respiratory chlamydiosis on the basis of increased biotechnological requirements to antigens for serological reactions, primers for PCR assay (refinement of connection of primers with microorganism's zones of genome most significant for its life activity or formation of most diagnostically significant complexes of primers), and selection of cultivating conditions considering the predicted features of clinical strains of the agent was substantiated.

[Opportunistic pathogenic microflora in intestine microbiocenosis of medical staff of multisectoral hospitals].

Microflora of colon in 81 medical staff was researched. Microecological disturbances mostly were represented by dysbacteriosis of second degree. The composition of intestinal microorganisms correlated with duration of the work in hospital. The study revealed decrease in medical staff with five years old work in hospital the detection rate of indigenous microflora and colonization of fecal microbiocenosis with Klebsiella, lactosonegative Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans. The biotype of medical staff working 6-10 years in hospital had mostly haemolytic microorganisms: E. coli, Staphylococci and Enterococci. Changes in intestinal microbiocenosis of medical staff are periodically repeated.