Monitoring of influenza A viruses in wild bird populations in Kazakhstan in 2002-2009.

A comprehensive influenza virus monitoring study of wild birds was carried out at important flyway resting places and wintering sites in Kazakhstan over eight years. More than 3200 birds belonging to 155 species were sampled. Nearly three-fourths of the birds belonged to the orders Anseriformes and Charadriiformes. In total, 118 hemagglutinating agents were isolated, and 95 of them were identified as influenza A viruses. The influenza viruses comprised eight different subtypes with a high prevalence of H13 and H3 viruses and also included low-pathogenic H5 viruses. The vast majority of the H13 viruses were isolated from members of the family Laridae, whereas the H3 viruses mostly originated from members of the family Anatidae, both in concordance with other monitoring studies. All virus isolates were recovered from cloacal swabs or fecal samples only. The influenza viruses were identified mainly in wetlands north of the Caspian Sea. These findings should be integrated in the design of further wild-bird-monitoring activities.

Complete Genome Sequence of a Novel Avian Paramyxovirus (APMV-13) Isolated from a Wild Bird in Kazakhstan.

A novel avian paramyxovirus was identified during annual viral surveillance of wild bird populations in Kazakhstan in 2013. The virus was isolated from a white fronted goose (Anser albifrons) in northern Kazakhstan. Here, we report the complete genome sequence of the isolate, which we suggest should constitute a novel serotype.

Continuing evolution of equine influenza virus in Central Asia, 2007-2012.

Equine influenza (EI) continues to be an important respiratory pathogen of horses worldwide. Since 2007 several outbreaks of EI have occurred in Central Asian countries, including Kazakhstan, western Mongolia, India and western China. Phylogenetic analysis showed that two H3N8 equine influenza virus (EIV) isolates from Kazakhstan, A/equine/Almaty/26/2007 and A/equine/South Kazakhstan/236/12, were related to Florida sublineage 2, with high similarity to EIVs circulating in the same period in neighbouring countries. New outbreaks of EI during 2011 and 2012 in Kazakhstan and other Central Asian countries were caused by viruses of the same lineage. Genetic characterization of the viruses showed formation of a small EIV cluster with specific genetic signatures and continued evolution of this lineage in Central Asia between 2007 and 2012. The main genetic changes were observed in hemagglutinin gene without any antigenic drift. Although no vaccination policy was carried out in Kazakhstan, application of Florida clade 2-based vaccines is recommended.

[A method of preparing antibody erythrocytic diagnostic means for detecting viruses]. / Sposob prigotovleniia antitel'nykh éritrotsitarnykh diagnostikumov dlia indikatsii virusov.

It was found possible to use method for preparation of antibody erythrocytic diagnosticums for detection of agents of influenza and arboviral infections. Test systems prepared by the developed method were superior in sensitivity to immunoreagents prepared with previously proposed amidol. Testing of 1387 tick samples collected in various climatic geographical zones of the Republic of Kazakhstan detected arboviral antigens in 4.61% of cases. The highest share of positive results was observed with diagnostic agents for detection of Syrdarya valley fever and Sindbis viruses (37:5 and 32.81%, respectively).

[Yucaipa-like viruses isolated in Kazakhstan in 1987-1989]. / Izuchenie iukeipapodobnykh virusov, vydelennykh v Kazakhstane v 1987--1989 gg.

From domestic birds 13 strains of avian paramyxoviruses, serotype 1, and 14 strains of serotype 2 were isolated. Avian paramyxoviruses, serotype 2, differ antigenically and biologically from each other and from the prototype variant chicken/Yucaipa/California/56. The virus was also detected experimentally in birds having contact with the infected specimens. Examinations of avian blood sera revealed wide dissemination of viruses related to the chicken/Yucaipa/56 strain in domestic bird breeding farms (43.6% to 50.0% of positive birds). The detected variability of the antigenic structure of the isolates attests to the potential emergence of a pathogenic variant.

[Immunogenicity of the antigenic determinants of influenza virus type B hemagglutinin]. / Immunogennost' antigennykh determinant gemaggliutinina virusov grippa tipa B.

The immunogenic activity of antigenic determinants of influenza type B viruses in primary and booster immunizations was studied. In primary immunization, the highest immunogenicity was found with the type- and strain-specific antigenic determinants whereas the antigenic determinants of group specificity were less immunogenic. After booster immunizations the animal sera had antibody to all 3 antigenic determinants.

[Antigenic determinant composition of the hemagglutinins of influenza type B viruses isolated in 1940-1975]. / Sostav antigennykh determinant gemaggliutinov virusov grippa tipa B, vydelennykh v 1940-1975 gg.

Three antigenic determinants in influenza type B viruses hemagglutinin characterising similarities and differences between these viruses were found using monoreceptor sera. The viruses contained the following antigenic determinants: B/Lee/40 B1, B2, B3; B/Cri/49 B1, B2, B4; BM8/52 B1, B5, B6; B/60, 59 B1, B5, B7; B/Victoria/70 B1, B5, B8, and B/Hong Kong/7/75 B1, B3, B8.

[Antigenic determinants of the hemagglutinin of influenza virus type B]. / Antigennye determinanty gemaggliutinina virusov grippa tipa B.

A comparative immunological analysis of 3 influenza type B virus strains, B/Lee/40, B/M/8/52, and B/Victoria/70 was made. The presence of at least 3 antigenic determinants in hemagglutinins of the viruses under study was established by the method of selective adsorption. One of the determinants was type-specific and was shared by all the three strains, the other two determined the group- and strain-specificity of the viruses studied.