[The production of high-yielding strain of rubella virus from wild type virus extracted from a patient in the Western Siberia in 2006].

The study was targeted to investigate the propagation of rubella virus in the cell cultures of various origins and with different cultivation methods. The high-yielding strain of rubella virus was produced. The "spinner-culture" cultivation method was applied and the strain's RNA was detected in 10-8 dilution in real time mode. This strain is supposed to be used in preparation of the standard antigen to implement in the development of immune enzyme test system targeted to the rubella virus specific antibodies.

[Differentiation of genetic variants of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus].

The paper describes a simple, rapid screening of samples potentially containing Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) virus strains, by applying the restriction analysis of amplicones, for the differentiation of CCHF virus genotypes that are characteristic of Europe from virus biovariants uncharacteristic of this area, this technique requiring no sequence at the first stage. For this screening, the authors propose to use the PCR fragment of CCHF L segment that comprises a variable region, as well as Alul and Haelll restriction endonucleases. The screening scheme proposed for samples potentially containing CCHF virus may aid investigators to monitor in order to detect uncharacteristic genotypic virus variants in the Russian Federation and other European countries.

[Analysis of genomes of two rubella virus strains from the 2004-2005 outbreaks in West Siberia].

Two outbreaks of rubella infections notified in the Tomsk and Kemerovo Regions were investigated. Two rubella virus strains from one patient in each outbreak were isolated and genetically characterized. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction was used to reveal partial E1 gene sequence at a length of 915 nucleotides. Analysis indicated that the rubella virus strains circulating in the West-Siberian region belonged to international genetic 1g group, which had been first detected in Russia.

[Clinical and immunological characteristics of rubella in western Siberia].

Evaluations of immune system of 155 patients with rubella and 90 contacts with patients were examined. Detection of viral genetic material in blood, urine, and nasopharyngeal swabs has been performed using RT-PCR method. Clinical diagnosis has been confirmed by RT-PCR in 114 (73.5%) patients. Changes of laboratory tests for rubella without clinical signs of the infection were observed in 20% of contacts. Complex ELISA- and PCR-assisted examination of patients can help to determine the stage of disease and characteristics of immune response. For differential diagnostic of rubella and other infectious diseases with exanthema it is rational to perform complex examination of patients using immunologic and molecular biologic methods.

[Genotyping of rubella virus circulating in Western Siberia of Russia during 2004-2006 epidemic period].

Twenty one strains of rubella virus were isolated in the Western Siberia during 2004-2006 epidemic period. Genotyping of isolated strains was performed by partial sequencing of glycoprotein E1 gene. Phylogenetic analysis showed that 20 out of 21 isolated in the Western Siberia strains of rubella virus belonged to genotype 1g, and 1 strain (isolated in Altai region in 2006)--to genotype 1E.

[Genomic S segment of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus circulating in Russia and Bulgaria].

S-segment nucleotide sequences for two Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) virus strains isolated in the Rostov Region of Russia and in Bulgaria have been determined. Analysis of complete S-segment nucleotide sequences in the viral strains from different regions of the world has established that the CCHF virus strains isolated from ticks and human beings in different southern Russian regions in 1967 and 2000 are very closely genetically and they form an individual subgroup in the basic European genetic group. By the S-segment structure, the CCHF virus strain isolated in Bulgaria in 1978 belongs to the same genetic group as a representative of its second subgroup. Analysis of the S-segment 3'-noncoding region suggests that the CCHF virus circulating in Europe, Central Asia, and China may have originated from one global focus of infection, including several CCHF virus genovariants. During evolution, fragmental exchange apparently occurred in the S-segment 3'-noncoding region as a result of homological recombination.

[Genetic monitoring of the Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever virus in Kazakhstan and Tajikistan in 2001-2003].

Blood specimens obtained from 32 CCHF patients were tested for the presence of CCHF virus markers. In addition, 3210 ticks of the genera Hyalomma asiaticum, Hyalomma anatolicum, and Dermacentor niveus were examined to identify the CCHF virus antigen and RNA. This material was obtained during the 2001-2003 local outbreaks of CCHF in Kazakhstan and Tajikistan. The nucleotide sequence in the region 983-1282 of S segment of the CCHF virus for 12 wild type strains was determined. The phylogenetic relationships among the established biovariants of CCHF virus, and also between these biovariants and those from other regions of the world were identified. We were the first to demonstrate the presence of an African-like genotype of CCHF virus in the territory of Kazakhstan. The conclusion was made that two genotypes of CCHF virus were in circulation in Kazakhstan. It was also demonstrated that CCHF virus, circulating in the territories of Kazakhstan and Tajikistan, was genetically heterogeneous.

[Study of virus contamination of Ixodes ticks in the foci of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever in Kazakhstan and Tajikistan].

The data on the contamination of different of ticks with Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) virus on the territory of Kazakhstan and Tajikistan were obtained. The methods of the evaluation of the virus contamination of ticks included the determination of the antigen and CCHF virus RNA by the methods of the enzyme immunoassay and the reverse transcription PCR respectively. Different tick species were found to be involved in the epidemic process: Hyalomma asiaticum, Dermatocentor niveus (Kazakhstan) and Hyalomma anatolicum (Tajikistan). The results obtained in this study confirmed that the main vector of CCHF virus in Central Asia were ticks of the genus Hyalomma, and in Kazakhstan the vectors of this virus also included ticks Dermatocentor niveus.

[ELISA and RT-PCR-based research of viruses in the ticks collected in the foci of Crimean-Congo fever in Kazakhstan and Tajikistan in 2001-2002].

Different species of ticks were found, in the territories of Kazakhstan and Tajikistan, to be infected with the virus of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CKHF). The virologic evaluation included determination of antigen and RNA of the CKHF virus by ELISA and RT-PCR, respectively. The below tick species were found to be involved in the epidemic process: Hyalomma asiaticum, Dermacentor niveus (Kazakhastan) and Hyalomma anatolicum (Tajikistan). The results testify to the fact that Hyalomma ticks are the main carrier of the above virus in the Middle Asia. At the same time, Dermacentor niveus ticks are infection carriers in Kazakhstan.

[Characteristics of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus circulating in Russia and Central Asia]. / Kharakteristika virusa Krymskoi-Kongo gemorragicheskoi likhoradki, tsirkuliruiushchego v Rossii i respublikakh Srednei Azii.

Five antigen-positive samples isolated from patients with Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) and from Hyalomma marginatum ticks collected in the European part of Russia and three laboratory strains of CCHF isolated in Russia, Uzbekistan, and Tadjikistan were analyzed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and sequencing. Comparison of nucleotide sequences of fragments of CCHF virus genome S segment and phylogenetic analysis of Russian strains showed that all CCHF strains isolated from humans and H. marginatum circulating in Russia were closely related and differed essentially from CCHF variants from other regions. Strains isolated in Uzbekistan and Tadjikistan were most closely related to CCHF strains from China.

[Effects of hyaluronic acid preparation on the development of herpetic infection in cell culture]. / Vliianie preparata gialuronovoi kisloty na rasvitie gerpeticheskoi infektsii v kul'ture kletok.

Cell culture experiments demonstrated antiviral activity of a new hyaluronic acid preparation towards HSV-2. The active concentration of hyaluronic acid is at least 5%.

[Genetic identification of the Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus during epidemic outbreak in Kazakhstan in 2000]. / Geneticheskaia identifikatsiia virusa Krymskoi-Kongo gemorragicheskoi likhoradki vo vremia épidemicheskoi vspyshki v Kazakhstane v 2000 g.

Sera samples from patients suspected of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) taken during epidemic outbreak at the territory of Sarysusky and Moiynkumsky districts of the Zhambyl region in Kazakhstan, in 2000, were analysed by means of reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and sequencing of virus genome fragments. Genome RNA of CCHF virus was found in 2 assays. Analysis of nucleotide sequences of fragments of S-segment of viral genome revealed in the Sarysusky districts circulation of CCHF virus, genetically resembled to close phylogenetically to CCHF virus strains from China.

[Monoclonal antibodies in human hepatitis A virus immunoenzyme diagnosis]. / Monoklonal'nye antitela v immunofermentnoi diagnostike virusa hepatita A cheloveka.

Antigen and antibody detection in EIA is a good tool in diagnosing HAV infections, especially in their differentiation from other hepatitides. Commercial kits containing polyclonal antibodies and murine MAbs to identify HAV are now available. Rat MAbs have not been assayed so far. Peroxidase-labelled rat MAbs and purified rat MAbs as antigen capture were used to modify commercial "VectoHep A-IgM" and "VectorHep A-Ag" kits. The results obtained with modified "VectoHep A-IgM" and "VectorHep A-Ag" kits with labelled rat MAbs suggest that labelled rat MAbs can increase the sensitivity and specificity of EIA. MAbs used as antigen capture and labelled antibodies permit at least an 8-fold increase in sensitivity as compared to polyclonal antibodies. The modified "VectorHep A-Ag" kit with labelled rat MAbs provided 100% sensitivity and specificity in EIA. The modified "VectorHep A-Ag" kit also allowed the authors to determine viral antigens in the cell lysate, homogenates of the infected monkey liver, stools from patients, and sewage water samples. The rat MAbs modified kits can be recommended for using in epidemiological and clinical studies of HAV infections.

[Methods for controlling colonization of air and laboratory surfaces by pathogens of certain especially dangerous viral infections]. / Metody kontrolia obsemenennosti vozdukha i poverkhnostei pomeshchenii vozbuditeliami nekotorykh osobo opasnykh virusnykh infektsii.

Regular check-ups of the laboratory environment (air and working surfaces) for contamination with the objects of investigations are obligatory for laboratories working with viruses causing grave diseases, such as Ebola, Marburg, and Machupo fevers and Venezuelan equine encephalomyelitis. Methods for indication and identification of these agents have been developed and experimentally tried.

[Isolation and characteristics of regional cytomegalovirus strains]. / Vydelenie i kharakteristika regional'nykh shtammov tsitomegalovirusa.

Two strains of cytomegalovirus were isolated from seropositive patients. The strains were identified and characterized by virological and immunological methods and may be used for research and practical studies.

[Effect of inactivated Ebola virus on colony forming activity of human hematopoietic stem cells]. / Vliianie inaktivirovannogo virusa Ebola na kolonieobrazuiushchuiu aktivnost' gemopoéticheskikh predshestvennikov u cheloveka.

The effect of Ebola virus antigen on the growth of hemopoietic precursors was studied. Incubation of mononuclear cells with the viral antigen led to a dose-dependent decrease of erythroid colony formation but did not alter the growth of the granulocyto-macrophagal precursors. Hence, Ebola virus antigen is capable of directly affecting the hemopoietic activity of precursors in man by inhibiting the growth of erythroid colonies.

[The isolation and study of the characteristics of a cytopathic strain of the hepatitis A virus]. / Vydelenie i izuchenie kharakteristik tsitopaticheskogo shtamma virusa gepatita A.

A fast-growing cytopathic isolate of human hepatitis A virus (strain MB-7) was derived from fecal samples of infected patients and adapted to growth in FRhK-4 cell culture. A positive serum standard against HAV and electron microscopy were used to demonstrate that MB-7 belonged to human hepatitis A virus. The strain MB-7 induced plaque formation in FRhK-4 under agar overlay after 10-12 days of incubation. The PCR products of gene VP1 were cloned in E. coli and its primary structure was determined. MB-7 was shown to have more homology with HAV strains isolated in the USA and China.

[Characteristics of rat kidney cell lines transformed by the DNA of human adenovirus type 6]. / Kharakteristika linii kletok pochek krys, transformirovannykh DNA adenovirusa cheloveka tipa 6.

The data on the transforming activity of intact DNA of human adenovirus type 6 and that fragmented by restrictases Bam H I (31.3% of the genome), Bgl 2 (9.3% of the genome), and Hind 3 (7.6% of the genome) in a primary culture of rat kidney cells are presented. The activity of the specimens varied within 1.1-2.1 foci per 1 microgram of DNA. From the transformation foci 5 cell lines were derived and their properties (T-antigen production, integration of adenovirus genome, phenotypic features) were studied.

Analysis of sequences of simian adenovirus SA7 (C8) DNA in transformed rat cells and hamster tumour cells.

Different methods of molecular hybridization were used to study DNA sequences of the highly oncogenic simian adenovirus SA7 (C8) present in the genomes of two transformed rat cell lines and in cells from three hamster tumours induced by adenovirus SA7. The entire DNA or the left-hand terminal SalI C fragment (19.5% of the genome) were employed. All cell lines retained an intact left-hand region of the SA7 genome (0 to 12.4 map units). The blot hybridization technique failed to detect any site specificity of integration of SA7 DNA into the cell genome. In all cell lines the expression of the Bg/II D fragment (1.8 to 10 map units) of SA7 DNA was observed. As judged by the patterns of integration of virus sequences into the cell genome, the highly oncogenic simian adenovirus SA7 (C8) is similar to the non-oncogenic human adenoviruses of group C, and is different from the highly oncogenic human adenovirus type 12.