[Optimization of microbial synthesis of recombinant analogs of Treponema pallidum membrane proteins (Tpp17 and Tpp47) and estimation of their immunochemical properties].

Two strains which produce recombinant proteins--analogs of membrane immunodominant epitopes with molecular weights 17 and 47 kDa of Treponema pallidum were constructed on the basis of E. coli recipient BL21 (DE3)-Gold with phage T7RNA-polymerase expression system. The method of mathematical modeling of growth curve was used to determine kinetic parameters which characterized physiological state of the culture producer in the process of fermentation. Results of immunoenzymatic analysis of blood serum samples from patients with syphilis and healthy donors are presented.

[Expression of recombinant N-terminal fragment of lacZ gene in Escherichia coli].

Recombinant plasmid pMP1 was used in this investigation. In this plasmid the coding sequence of N-terminal lacZ gene fragment (Mw 43 kD) is cloned under the control of the lamda phage promoter Pr. Depending of recipient strain genotype, inducible or constitutive expression system for recombinant protein can be created on the base of pMP1 plasmid. A comparative analysis of inducible and constitutive overproducing strains has not revealed serious differences in productivity between them, while the use of the constitutive strain at industrial scale can prove more technologically effective.

Characterization of the third generation enzyme immunoassay IEA-HIV1/2-III for the detection of anti-HIV specific antibodies in human sera.

The sensitivity and specificity of the developed anti-HIV1/2 third generation enzyme immunoassay, the IEA-HIV1/2-III, was examined. The test system for the detection of anti-HIV antibodies included peroxidase-conjugated HIV-specific recombinant Gag protein fragments (epitopes of p24 and p17 proteins), Env-1 (epitopes of p41 and p120 proteins), and Env-2 (p36 epitopes). Sensitivity was evaluated with 346 sera from HIV1-seropositive subjects, Anti-HIV1 Low Titer panels no. 10 and PRB-106 and seropositive panel PRB-931 in comparison with other third- and second-generation assays. The IEA-HIV1/2-III assays are characterized with high sensitivity comparable to the other third generation assays and the better sensitivity with respect to the second generation test-kit to determine HIV-specific antibodies in human sera. The specificity was determined using three hundred sixty-seven potentially cross-reactive samples (but negative for anti-HIV1/2). Only one specimen among them was reactive by IEA-HIV1/2-III.

[Rise in the epizootic activity of a natural focus of steppe-type tularemia in Stavropol Territory and its epidemic consequences]. / Pod"em épizooticheskoi aktivnosti prirodnogo ochaga tuliaremii stepnogo tipa v Stavropol'skom krae i ego épidemicheskie posledstviia.

One of recurrent autumn and winter rises in the epizootic activity of the steppe-type focus of tularemia in the Stavropol Territory is described. During the tularemia epizooty of 1981-1982 the population of common voles (Microtus arvalis) was very numerous, while the population of house mice (Mus musculus) was comparatively scarce. Francisella tularensis strains were isolated from different species of rodents (Microtus arvalis, Mus musculus, Apodemus sylvanicus, Rattus norvegicus, Lepus, etc.), from fleas and ticks, as well as from environmental objects (well-water, hay). 38 cases of the disease among nonvaccinated persons, mainly in rural areas, were registered. Anginous-bubonic tularemia was the dominant form of the disease. A complex of measures aimed at the detection of tularemia and its liquidation among the population was carried out.

[Physicochemical characteristics of cyanophages and their components]. / Fiziko-khimicheskie kharakteristiki tsianofagov i ikh komponentov.

The paper presents the results of the study on the physicochemical properties of DNA, polypeptide composition of proteins, as well as features of quaternary structure of virions of cyanophages LPP-IA, LPP-3, LPP-3A, A-1, A-2, and N-2 lysing filamentous and heterocyst cyanobacteria. Such characteristics may be used as hierarchially important signs in compiling the classificational scheme of cyanophages.

[Culture properties of the causative agent of tularemia isolated in natural foci in Stavropol Territory, the Kalmyk ASSR and the Armenian SSR]. / Svoistva kul'tur vozbuditelia tuliaremii, vydelennykh v prirodnykh ochagakh Stavropol'skogo kraia, Kalmytskoi ASSR i Armianskoi SSR.

The strains isolated in natural foci of the Stavropol Territory and the Armenian SSR have been found to belong to the holarctic race of Francisella tularensis, biovar II. In natural foci of the Kalmyk ASSR the strains belonging to biovars I and II have been isolated. The study of the tularecinogenicity of the cultures has revealed the existence of strains which are not sensitive to their own tularecins. The phenomenon of tularecinogenicity in F. novocida has been established. Avirulent strain 319/38 belonging to the non-arctic race is recommended as an indicator strain for the determination of tularecinogenicity.

[Cytochemical changes in the peripheral blood leukocytes of guinea pigs inoculated against plague, tularemia and anthrax]. / Tsitokhimicheskie izmeneniia v leikotsitakh perifericheskoi krovi u morskikh svinok, privitykh protiv chumy, tuliaremii i sibirskoi iazvy.

The immunization of guinea pigs with trivaccine and monovaccines against plaque, tularemia and anthrax induces a decrease in the activity of acidic phosphatase in lymphocytes, as well as a decrease in the number of lymphocytes containing this enzyme. A decrease in the activity of alkaline phosphatase and peroxidase had been found to occur in neutrophil leukocytes. Besides, neutrophil leukocytes have shown an increase in the activity of acidic phosphatase and nonspecific esterases. The study based on the evaluation of the activity of the above-mentioned enzymes in lymphocytes and neutrophils has not revealed the predominant influence exercised by any of the antigens, different in their nature and used separately or in the form of a combined preparation, on immunogenesis.