Antibiotic resistance in Vibrio cholerae El Tor strains isolated during cholera complications in Siberia and the Far East of Russia.

Currently, the spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global trend and poses a severe threat to public health. The causative agent of cholera, a severe infectious disease with pandemic expansion, becomes more and more resistant to a wider range of drugs with every coming year. The Vibrio cholerae genome is highly flexible and adaptive; the acquisition of the SXT mobile element with a cluster of antibiotic resistance genes on it has marked a new stage in the adaptive evolution of the pathogen. The territory of Siberia and the Russian Far East is free of cholera; however, in the 1970s and 1990s a number of infection importation cases and acute outbreaks associated with the cholera importation were reported. The aim of this study was to describe the phenotypic characteristics and genetic determinants of AMR in V. cholerae strains isolated during epidemic complications in Siberia and the Far East of Russia, as well as to clarify the origin of the strains. The present research comprises analysis of nine V. cholerae El Tor strains isolated from patients and water sources during epidemic complications in Siberia and the Russian Far East in the 1990s. Here, we compared the phenotypic manifestations of antibiotic resistance among strains, harbored the resistance patterns in genomes; we also determined the structure, the type of SXT elements, and the mobilome profile based on the accepted classification. We identified that strains that caused outbreaks in Vladivostok and Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk in 1999 had ICEVchCHN4210 type SXT element with deletion of some loci. The research shows that the integration of the genome, SNP and the mobilome, associated with antibiotic resistance, analyses is necessary to understand the cholera epidemiology, it also helps to establish the origin of strains. The study of resistance determinants features allowed to make a conclusion about the heterogeneity of V. cholerae strains that were isolated during outbreaks in Vladivostok and Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk in 1999.

The study of acute and chronic toxicity of the sodium-, calcium-, iron-polygalacturonate pharmacological substance in rabbits.

The purpose of this study is the assessment of the acute and chronic toxicity of pharmacological substance sodium, calcium, iron-polygalacturonate (PG Na,Ca,Fe) in rabbits as one of the stages of preclinical studies. We studied an acute and chronic oral toxicity of PG Na,Ca,Fe, which stimulates the process of hemopoiesis, in male and female rabbits of the "Chinchilla". According to the results of the study of acute toxicity of PG Na,Ca,Fe, treating with it the rabbits of both sexes in doses of 0.5-5 g/kg has no toxic effect (LD50 greater than 5 g/kg). The histostructure of studied organs of animals, treated with preparations in a dose of 5 g/kg, did not differ from that of the animals of the control group. This study allow to classify PG Na,Ca,Fe as a preparation of the 6th class with respect to harmless drugs. An estimate of the chronic toxicity of PG Na,Ca,Fe at administration of preparation in the form of boluses to rabbits in doses 0.025, 0.262 and 0.5 g/kg of the body weight demonstrated that the general condition and behavior of animals did not differ from the norm. The data of hematological and biochemical studies of blood serum and urine, electrocardiographic studies, the study of the mass coefficients of the internal organs of the experimental rabbits, treated with PG Na,Ca,Fe in the mentioned doses for 60 days, compared to those obtained in the 30-day post-observation period, did not show significant changes with respect to the control and intact group of rabbits.

[The application of MALDI-ToF mini-sequencing for detecting genetically altered versions of cholera agent].

The genetically altered modifications of V.cholerae eltor are characterized by occurrence of single-nucleotide polymorphisms in gene ctxB. To detect these modifications the technique is proposed based on mini-sequencing with MALDI-ToF by of products of reaction with selected probes adjacent to 115 and 203 positions of gene mentioned previously. The mass-spectrometry analysis of the results of reaction of mini-sequencing of strains of V.cholerae eltor isolated during epidemic complications at the territory of the Siberia and the Far East revealed mass-specters corresponding to values of molecular masses of probes (ctxB115, ctxB203) and those complementary completed to points of corresponding replacements (T/C) of didesoxinucleotides (ddTTP, ddCTP). For analyzed strains of V.cholerae eltor isolated in the 1970s, elongation is establishedfor both probes by didesoxinucleotide that testifies presence in their genome ctxB3 allele with thymine in 115 and 203 positions, distinctive for typical representatives of V.cholerae eltor. For V.cholerae eltor, isolated in 1990s, hybridization to points of replacement of didesoxicytosine and presence of ctxB1 allele with cytosine at analyzed positions, distinctive to vibrio of classic biovars. This allele is detected in genome of one of modifications of atypical genetically altered clones ofV.cholerae eltor. This technique, by its sensitivity and specificity, matches direct sequencing of gene ctxB of strains of V.cholerae eltor and proves promising for analysis of other valuable single-nucleotide polymorphisms.

[The loop mediated isothermal amplification of DNA: principle of method and perspectives of application in molecular diagnostic of cholera: publications review].

The article considers characteristics of technology of reaction of loop mediated isothermal amplification of DNA (LAMP), issues of optimization of reaction and perspectives of its application as a quick highly-specific test in molecular diagnostics of infectious diseases and monitoring of contamination of environment objects with pathogens. The analysis of publications data concerning application of LAMP in diagnostics of cholera testifies high diagnostic value. The LAMP supports possibility of direct rapid detection of toxin-producing strains of Vibrio cholerae in clinical samples. This technique also provides identification of determinants of cholera vibrio in pure culture, samples from environment objects and food products. The research studies established exceeding of parameters of sensitivity and specificity of LAMP as compared with polymerase chain reaction that permits considering LAMP as a perspective technique for express-analysis of clinical material from patients with suspicion on cholera. The LAMP technique can be also used in screening studies of environment objects. The development of test-systems based on application of this technology is required.

[APPLICATION OF PULSED FIELD GEL ELECTROPHORESIS FOR MOLECULAR TYPING OF CAUSATIVE AGENTS OF ESPECIALLY DANGEROUS INFECTIONS].

The macro-restriction analysis of the microorganism DNA with the use of gel electrophoresis in pulsed field (PFGE typing, pulse electrophoresis) is applied in molecular biology to study the clonal structure and typing of causative agents of infectious diseases. Determining the degree of the relationship and definition of epidemiological interrelations of studied isolates, as well as studying the evolutionary history of pathogens, is performed by comparing DNA restriction patterns. This review presents an analysis of the use of the pulse electrophoresis in molecular-epidemiological research and the study of phylogeny of especially dangerous infections, cholera, and plague. The possibility of genetic heterogeneity of the Vibrio cholerae and Yersinia pestis populations is demonstrated; territorial and epidemiological characteristics of the spread of different isolate pulso-types, problems and prospects of the PFGE typing method in the system of epidemiological surveillance of cholera and plague in Russia are discussed.

Complexation of pectin with macro- and microelements. Antianemic activity of Na, Fe and Na, Ca, Fe complexes.

New water-soluble pectin complexes with Ca(2+), Mg(2+), Co(2+), Cu(2+), Fe(2+), Mn(2+), Zn(2+) on the basis of pectin biopolymer have been synthesized and successfully tested on white rats. For a starting, we have obtained a sodium pectate to enhance solubility of target complexes as a whole. Shortly afterwards, running the reaction of ligand exchange of Nа(+) ions with corresponding s-, d- metal cations we were able to synthesize new pectin complexes. The ranges of s-, d-metals salts concentrations were detected experimentally, in which the selective formation of water-soluble complexes occurred. Antianemic effect of new pectin complexes with Na, Fe and Na, Ca, Fe was investigated on white rats with posthemorrhagic anemia. Under the effect of complexes, the improvement of animals and prevention of erythropoiesis disorders were observed. Antianemic effect of the complexes manifested itself in the doses equivalent to 25% or 50% of the iron daily rate, recommended in the treatment of iron-deficiency anemia with the drugs based on iron sulphate.

[Maldi-tof ms analysis for yersinia pestis, vibrio cholera, and francisella tularensis identification].

Numerous studies showed that a new technology for the clinical microbiology laboratories, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization--Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry (MALDI-ToF MS), allows fast, accurate, and effective identification of most clinically relevant microorganisms to be implemented. In the present review, we discuss applications of this approach for identification and typing of extremely dangerous pathogens--Yersinia pestis, Vibrio cholera, and Francisella tularensis, including the advantages and disadvantages of the method, sample preparation and biosafety problems.

[Multilocus sequence-typing of vibrio cholerae strains with various epidemic importance].

The allele polymorphism of the housekeeping genes (dnaE, lap, recA, pgm, gyrB, cat, chi, gmd) from the Vibrio cholerae strains with different epidemic importance (n = 41) isolated in Siberia and at the Far East during the cholera pandemic VII was tested. All toxigenic strains isolated at the period of epidemic complications irrespective of time and source of isolation were characterized by the identical allele profile and belonged to the same sequence-type. Nine sequence types were detected in non-epidemic isolates. The dendrogram clustering was associated with the serogroup and in some cases with the territory and time of isolation. The structure heterogeneity of the non-toxigenic V. cholerae housekeeping genes was in most cases caused by the synonymous nucleotide replacements (Dn/Ds < 1) indicating the prevalence of the negative V. cholerae at the analyzed genome sites. The revealed distinctions in the structure of housekeeping genes of the V. cholerae with different epidemic importance can be regarded as evidence of various evolutional directions in these strain groups.

[Cholera Vibrio biofilm: production, characterization and role in reservation of causative agent in water environment].

AIM: Experimental production, characterization and evaluation of the role of cholera vibrio biofilm. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 33 strains of Vibrio cholerae eltor O1 and V. cholerae O139 of various epidemic significance and origin were studied in a series of experiments by bacteriologic, microscopic (light-optic, luminescent, scanning electron microscopy), molecular genetics, spectrophotometric and statistical methods. RESULTS: Formation of a biofilm involving inter-cellular bonds, pili and extracellular material and variability of the microorganism (RO-phenotype and transition into uncultivable forms) was shown at various temperature and substrate conditions. A more pronounced ability to form biofilms was detected for strains isolated from environmental samples compared with isolated from clinical material regardless of their epidemic significance. Toxigenic strains of eltor biovar (from surface reservoirs during cholera outbreaks) have demonstrated the highest parameters of optical density compared with toxigenic clinical isolates and non-toxigenic O1 and O139 serogroup cultures. The presence of mbaA1 and mbaA2, vpsR, toxR, hapA genes is common for strains that form a biofilm. CONCLUSION: The data obtained confirm the role of biofilm in reservation of cholera vibrio strains of various epidemic significance in saprophytic phase of microorganism existence.

Whole-Genome Sequencing of a Vibrio cholerae El Tor Strain Isolated in the Imported Cholera Focus in Siberia.

The draft genome sequence of Vibrio cholerae O1 strain I-1263, isolated from a patient in the imported focus in Siberia, was determined. The established structural features of the mobile genetic elements indicate stage-by-stage formation of a highly pathogenic V. cholerae clone and promote understanding of the mechanisms of evolutionary pathogen transformations.

[MALDI-TOF mass-spectrometric analysis in the accelerated identification of the Vibrio genus microorganisms].

The goal of this work was to develop methodological approaches to identification of the Vibrio genus representatives using the MALDI-TOF mass-spectrometric analysis technologies. The aspects of the biological safety in sample preparations for mass-spectrometric analysis were studied, reference spectra of six typical V. cholerae strains were developed. Identification of 55 strains, representatives of the Vibrio genus, including 45 V. cholerae strains with different epidemic importance, was performed using the MALDI Biotyper 3.0 basis comprising V. cholerae reference spectra. The possibility of reliable definition of the tested strain taxonomic belonging to the species level was demonstrated. Thus, the results completely corresponded to the data of classical microbiological identification. Stability and reproducibility of the offered research method was experimentally shown. The results allow identification of the Vibrio genus representatives to be implemented with the use of the mass-spectrometric analysis as an effective method that defines a species belonging of the basic Vibrio genus representatives in the shortest-terms.

[SFP1 controls translation termination in Saccharomyces cerevisiae via regulation of the Sup35p (eRF3) level].

Translation termination in yeast performed by Sup45 (eRF1) and Sup35 (eRF3) proteins is a subject to complicated genetic control. Among the potential candidate genes that participate in regulation of translation termination is SFP1 encoding the global transcription factor Sfp1p. The data obtained earlier in our work indicate that SFP1 deletion causes a weak nonsense suppression mediated by a decrease in Sup35p amount. In this work, we performed a further study of mechanism by which SFP1 regulates translation termination efficiency. To this aim, effects of SFP1 overexpression on manifestation of SUP45 mutations, disturbing termination and causing nonsense suppression, and on Sup35p and Sup45p production were studied. It was shown that SFP1 overexpression causes a specific phenotypic change in mutants and increases the termination efficiency. Notably, the Sup45p amount in strains overexpressing SFP1 is not altered, while sup35p amount increases. Thus, we may state that SFP1 participates in the control of translation termination by means of regulation of Sup35p level.

[Membrane-bound proteases of ompT+ and ompT- Vibrio cholerae strains].

AIM: Detection ofproteases in outer membranes (OM) of ompT+ and ompT- Vibrio cholerae strains of O1 and O139 serogroups. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Specific sterile preparations of OM were obtained by lysis of live V. cholerae cells by 4.5 M urea solution with subsequent differential centrifugation and treatment by nucleases. Extraction of OM proteins previously treated by sodium sarcosinate was carried out by Triton X-100 in the presence of EDTA. Protease and polypeptide spectra were studied in substrate and SDS electrophoresis. Sensitivity of proteases to inhibitors was determined in diffusion test in agarose gel containing substrate by using soy trypsin inhibitor (STI) and phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride (PMSF). The presence of ompT was determined in PCR by using specific primers. RESULTS: According to PCR data 13 Vibrio cholerae O1 strains and 3 V. cholerae O139 strains isolated from clinical material as well as 22 V. cholerae O1 strains isolated from environmental objects contained ompT gene. 2 V. cholerae O1 human isolated strains, 9 V. cholerae O1 strains and 2 V. cholerae O139 strains isolated from the environment did not have ompT gene. By using SDS- and enzyme-electrophoresis in polyacrylamide gel quantitative and qualitative differences in composition of polypeptides and proteases of OM ompT+ and ompT- V. cholerae strains that hydrolyze gelatin, casein and protamine sulfate were detected. Inhibition of OM by STI and PMSF resulted in a decrease of their proteolytic activity. CONCLUSION: In preparations and extracts of ompT+ and ompT- V. cholerae OM up to 3 proteases some of which may be related to ompT-like were detected.

[Molecular-genetic analysis of the epidemical strains of the Vibrio cholerae El Tor isolated from the Siberian and maritime regions of Russia].

The detection of the biotype-specificity, pathogenicity determinants, and sequencing of the ctxB gene and the ctxAB promoter was carried out for analysis of the Vibrio cholerae El Tor strains genome structure. The strains (n = 90) were isolated during cholera epidemic outbreaks in Siberia and the Far East. All toxigenic Vibrio cholerae El Tor strains were divided into two groups: the first group included strains isolated during 1970s: they had the genotype ctxB3+rstREl+rstRCl-rstC+TLC+tbr4. All epidemic dangerous El Tor biotype strains isolated in 1990s belonged to the second group. The strains were characterized as atypical variants because of classical genotype (ctxB1) ctxB gene harboring. The second group fell into three genotypes according to the set of genetic markers (ctxB, rstR, rstC, TLC, tbr). It was suggested that the set of genetic determinants could be used as a marker for epidemiological analysis of spreading of atypical ET strains. The comparative analysis of genome structure enables to suggest possible ways of pathogen evolution.

[Detection of "hybrid" Vibrio cholerae eltor strains during epidemic complications in Syberia and Far East].

AIM: Biotyping of Vibrio cholerae eltor isolated during epidemic complications of cholera in Syberia and Far East by phenotypic and genotypic properties complex. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 45 strains of V. cholerae were studied. Phenotypic analysis was performed by using a complex ofbiovar determining tests. Genotyping was performed by detecting ctxAB, tcpA, toxR, rstRgenes, and ctxB gene structure analysis. RESULTS: All the V. cholerae during epidemiologic complications in Syberia in the 1970s belong to eltor biovar by phenotypic properties and have eltor specific alleles of tcpA and rstR genes, and ctxB of the third genotype in the genome. In the 1990s the strains were phenotypically matching eltor biovar, but had genetical determinants of both eltor(tcpAE1, rstRE1) and classical (ctxB1, rstR(Cl) biovar. CONCLUSION: The cause of epidemic complications of cholera in Syberia in the 1970s was V. cholerae eltor with typical eltor biovarphenotypical and genotypical properties. In the 1990s cases of introduction into the region of "hybrid: V. cholerae eltor strain were ascertained, developing into acute cholera outbreaks in several cases.

[M-29 human diploid cells line--a substrate for the production of antiviral vaccines].

AIM: Study of morphologic and karyologic characteristics of 5 russian human diploid cell lines (HDC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: 5 HDC lines and HDC strain MRC-5 were studied; RK-13 and Vero continuous cell lines were used; viruses: rubella (RA27/3), measles (L-16), epidemic parotitis (L-3). Cytogenetic analysis of HDC was performed by using DAPI differential staining method. RESULTS: M-29 line has characteristics that are similar to those of MRC-5 diploid cell strain. M-29 cell culture is not contaminated with foreign viruses, mycoplasmata, does not have oncogenic potency. CONCLUSION: M-29 line has high virus-productive properties for accumulation of measles, rubella and epidemic parotitis vaccine viruses and may be recommended as a substrate for the production of antiviral vaccines.

[Genetic characteristics of the causative agent of tick-borne encephalitis in Mongolia].

A patient with diagnosed meningoencephalitis and a history of tick bite died in Mongolia in 2008. The purpose of this paper is to characterize the virus causing the ill person's death. The virus was identified using the phylogenetic analysis of the 520-bp fragment of the tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) genome, which codes the fragment of TBEV protein E between 52-223 amino acids. TBEV RNA was detected in the samples of medulla oblongata, cerebral cortex, and pia mater of brain, but not in the cerebellar tissue. The study virus fragment was genetically closest to the representatives of the Far East subtype. Its closest relative was virus 740-84 (GenBank EU878282) isolated from large-toothed redback voles (Clethrionomys glareolus) in Buryatia and greatly differed from the Far East virus Soffin. Two amino acid substitutions (H86R and VI7A) were detected within the study protein E fragment. The paper is the first to describe the causative agent of tick-borne encephalitis on the territory of Mongolia and to discuss the evolution and pathogenicity of TBEV.

[The protein complex Ppz1p/Hal3p and nonsense suppression efficiency in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae].

It is known that nonsense suppression efficiency in yeast is controlled both genetically and epigenetically. As many components of translation machinery are represented by phosphoproteins, it depends, in particular, on the activity of kinases and phosphatases. The Ppz1p/Hal3p complex is among them. In this complex, the Ppz1p phosphatase is a catalytic subunit and Hal3p negatively regulates its function. The aim of this work was to study mechanisms which relate the activity of Ppz1p/Hal3p complex to nonsense suppression efficiency. In this study we used a genetic approach consisting of the analysis of nonsense suppression phenotype of strains over-expressing HAL3 or PPZ1 genes and also bearing deletions or mutant alleles of genes which presumably could participate in the manifestation of these over-expressions. We have shown that Hal3p inhibits not only Ppz1p, but also the homologous phosphatase Ppz2p. Our data indicate that Ppz2p is also involved in the control of nonsense suppression efficiency. In the course of search for Ppz1p target protein, it was shown that Ppz1p dephosphorylates at least two proteins participating in translation. Moreover, Ppz1p affects nonsense suppression efficiency not only due to its phosphatase activity but also due to another mechanism triggered by its interaction with Hsp70 chaperones.

[Search for the genes critical for propagation of the prion-like antisuppressor determinant [ISP+] in yeast using insertion library].

The prion-like determinant [ISP+] manifests itself as antisuppressor of certain sup35 mutations. To establish that [ISP+] actually represents a new yeast prion, it is necessary to identify the gene encoding protein corresponding in its prion form to [ISP+]. Analysis of transformants obtained by transformation of [ISP+] strain with insertion gene library revealed three genes controlling the [ISP+] maintenance. These genes are UPF1, UPF2 and SFP1. The SFP1 encodes potenlially prionogenic protein, as it is enriched with asparagine and glutamine residues. Therefore it is the most likely candidate to the role of [ISP+] structural gene. The UPF1 and UPF2 products are components of nonsense-mediated mRNA decay. It was shown that [ISP+] elimination caused by UPF1 and UPF2 inactivation is reversible. It was shown also that Upf1 and Upf2 proteins are not related functionally to Ppzlp phosphatase, influencing [ISP+] manifestation. Possible mechanisms of UPF1 and UPF2 influence on [ISP+] maintenance are discussed.