[GBV-C infection in HIV-infected patients in the Russian Federation].

The spread and genotypical variability of GBV-C virus were determined among the HIV-positive patients in the Russian Federation. More than a fourth (26.2%) of the HIV-infected patients were shown to have GBV-C coinfection; all virus isolates belonged to genotype 2 with a predominance of subtype 2a. Analysis of the impact of GBV-C coinfection on HIV burden and CD4 lymphocyte levels showed no significant impact on these basic characteristics of HIV infection. However, coinfection with GBV-C and HIV was associated with the higher frequency of undetectably low ( < 400 copies/ml) of HIV burden, which enables GBV-C infection to be regarded as a potentially favorable factor in HIV infection.

[Immunoprophylaxis of poliomyelitis in Ukraine with the use of inactivated vaccine].

In connection with the cessation of the circulation of "wild" poliovirus on the territory of the European region, including Ukraine, the strategy of the vaccinal prophylaxis of poliomyelitis is reviewed. Its main aims are the creation of a high level of the specific protection of the population, the prophylaxis of vaccine-associated paralytic poliomyelitis and a decrease in the intensity of the circulation vaccine polioviruses. These aims may be achieved only by the inclusion of vaccinations with inactivated poliomyelitis vaccine (IPV) into the immunization schedule. IPV "Imovax Polio" produced by the firm "Aventis Pasteur" (France) has been shown to have low reactogenicity and high effectiveness, especially with respect to type 3 poliovirus, under the conditions of Ukraine. On the basis of our studies all children, starting from the age of 3 months, are recommended to be vaccinated first with two injections of IPV, followed by further immunization with oral vaccine.

Ukraine, 1992: first assessment of diphtheria vaccine effectiveness during the recent resurgence of diphtheria in the Former Soviet Union.

A case-control study in Ukraine provided the first data on the field effectiveness of Russian-produced vaccine during the 1990 diphtheria resurgence in the former Soviet Union. For each of 262 diphtheria cases <15 years of age who were reported from January through October 1992, 2 controls, matched by age and clinic, were selected. The effectiveness of three doses of diphtheria vaccine was 98.2% (95% confidence interval: 90.3-99.9). Among controls, 84% had received three or more vaccinations by 2 years of age. These results suggest that the following five hypothesized causes of the outbreak appeared unlikely: appearance of a new "mutant" diphtheria strain, low potency of the Russian-produced diphtheria vaccine, inadequate cold chain, poor host immunogenicity due to radiation exposure from Chernobyl, and low routine childhood vaccination coverage. It is concluded that initial priority for scarce resources for controlling this outbreak should be placed on vaccination of persons susceptible to diphtheria (e.g., adults) rather than revaccination of children.

[Cholera in Ukraine and Moldova during the 7th pandemic]. / Kholera na Ukraine i v Moldove v period sed'moi pandemii.

The epidemic manifestations of cholera in the Ukraine and Moldova in 1970-1991 are analyzed. In the Ukraine the peak of cholera morbidity in 1970 was caused by infection brought to the ports of Odessa and Kerch with its subsequent spread to other territories. This infection was characterized by outbreaks transmitted through water, mainly sea water, with the isolation of Vibrio eltor toxigenic virulent strains and outbreaks of vibrio carriership of alimentary (dairy) origin with the isolation of avirulent strains. In Moldova local outbreaks of water origin were registered in 1970-1972. In both territories prolonged (up to 16 years and even longer) circulation of cholera vibrios, mainly nontoxigenic and avirulent, were registered. The retrospective epidemiological analysis and the epidemiological situation in some regions of the Ukraine in 1991 completely confirmed the prognostic importance of the division of territories into regions according to the type of epidemiological manifestations and the necessity of differentiating the measures to be taken in the system of epidemiological surveillance.