New technologies in molecular allergodiagnostics.

The article presents the characteristics of the ALEX2 (MacroArrayDX, Wien, Austria). It is designed for simultaneous detection of IgE total and specific IgE-aB to 120 extracts and 180 molecules by solid-phase enzyme immunoassay. Extracts and allergen molecules combined with nano-particles are sorbed on a solid-phase substrate, forming a macroscopic multiplex matrix - the immune allergy chip. The Institute of Clinical and Laboratory Standards (CLSI) conducted research on the verification and validation of the ALEX2 in relation to the ImmunoCAP macroarray test system (ThermoFisher Scientific, Uppsala, Sweden), which is often used in allergodiagnostics. The results obtained on the two test systems were comparable. One of the most important features of the ALEX2 test system is that unique allergen molecules and allergenic extracts are included in its composition, and a method has been found to inhibit cross-reactive hydrocarbon determinants (CCDs), which cause frequent non-specific binding of IgE-aT. The use of this test system makes it possible to carry out component allergy diagnostics with the determine of the dominant sensitizing factor in cases of mono- and polyvalent sensitization. The test results affect the determination of indications and the effectiveness of ASIT, allow assessing the risk of anaphylaxis and predicting further treatment tactics for the patient.

[Morphometric features of the temporomandibular joints according to MR studies in adult patients with dislocations of the articular discs and malocclusion of the anterior teeth]. / Morfometricheskie osobennosti visochno-nizhnechelyustnykh sustavov po dannym magnitno-rezonansnykh issledovanii u vzroslykh patsientov s dislokatsiyami sustavnykh diskov i narusheniyami okklyuzii frontal'nykh zubov.

THE PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: To study the morphological features of the temporomandibular joints (TMJ) according to MR studies in adult patients with impaired occlusion of the anterior teeth and dislocations of the articular discs. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The clinical study included 51 patients aged 17 to 47 years (mean age 28.12±7.44 years): 14 men and 37 women. On the basis of a clinical examination and MR findings of TMJ in 30 patients (mean age 26.77±7.48 years; 8 men and 22 women), TMJ dysfunction in the form of dislocation of articular discs was confirmed. In 21 patients (mean age 30.05±7.12; 15 women, 6 men), TMJ dysfunction without dislocation of articular discs was confirmed. The patients measured the value of vertical incisive overlap (overbite). Analyzing data from MR studies of TMJ, we measured the following values of both TMJs of each patient: the depth and transverse size of the articular fossa, the height of the articular tubercles and the transverse size of the head of the lower jaw. RESULTS: The examined patients with joint dislocations of TMJ had morphological features: statistically significantly deeper and narrower articular fossae, higher articular tubercles and narrower in the sagittal plane of the head of the lower jaw compared to TMJ of patients with dysfunction without dislocation of articular disks. In addition, in patients with articular disk dislocations, a statistically significant (<0.05) increase in vertical incisal overlap was noted. CONCLUSION: .TMJ in patients with dysfunction in the form of dislocations of articular discs had morphological features that allowed them to be classified as type 3.

[THE SPECIES COMPOSITION OF AGENTS OF COMMUNITY-ACQUIRED INFECTIONS OF URINARY TRACTS AND SENSITIVITY OF MAIN UROPATHOGENS TO ANTIBACTERIAL PREPARATIONS IN MOSCOW IN 2013].

The article presents the results of analysis of spectrum of agents of community-acquired infections of urinary tracts in Moscow The prevalence of resistance these infections to antibiotics applied in treatment of the mentioned pathology are considered.

Discrimination between Streptococcus pneumoniae and Streptococcus mitis based on sorting of their MALDI mass spectra.

Accurate species-level identification of alpha-hemolytic (viridans) streptococci (VGS) is very important for understanding their pathogenicity and virulence. However, an extremely high level of similarity between VGS within the mitis group (S. pneumoniae, S. mitis, S. oralis and S. pseudopneumoniae) often results in misidentification of these organisms. Earlier, matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) has been suggested as a tool for the rapid identification of S. pneumoniae. However, by using Biotyper 3.0 (Bruker) or Vitek MS (bioMérieux) databases, Streptococcus mitis/oralis species can be erroneously identified as S. pneumoniae. ClinProTools 2.1 software was used for the discrimination of MALDI-TOF mass spectra of 25 S. pneumoniae isolates, 34 S. mitis and three S. oralis. Phenotypical tests and multilocus gene typing schemes for the S. pneumoniae (http://spneumoniae.mlst.net/) and viridans streptococci (http://viridans.emlsa.net/) were used for the identification of isolates included in the study. The classifying model was generated based on different algorithms (Genetic Algorithm, Supervised Neural Network and QuickClassifier). In all cases, values of sensitivity and specificity were found to be equal or close to 100%, allowing discrimination of mass spectra of different species. Three peaks (6949, 9876 and 9975 m/z) were determined conferring the maximal statistical weight onto each model built. We find this approach to be promising for viridans streptococci discrimination.

[MALDI-ToF mass-spectrometry in analysis of genetically determined resistance of Streptococcus pneumoniae to fluoroquinolones].

New fluoroquinolones with higher antipneumococcal activity are considered promising in the treatment of respiratory tract infections. Still, their wide use in clinical practice is connected with possible selection and rapid distribution of the resistance, requiring constant monitoring. Development of resistance to fluoroquinolones results from step-wise accumulation of mutations in the genes of DNA-gyrase and topoisomerase IV, the mutations of the first step being not always accompanied by a significant increase of the MIC of the new fluoroquinolones. Therefore, to detect the first signs of the resistance development, it is necessary not only to detect the susceptibility of the circulating Streptococcus pneumoniae strains phenotypically, but also to detect the genetic changes. In the present study the minisequent reaction followed by detection of the reaction products by MALD-ToF mass-spectrometry was used to reveal the mutations in the genes of the fluoroquinolone targets of 38 S. pneumoniae strains with different levels of the resistance to ciprofloxacin, ofloxacin, levofloxacin and moxifloxacin. In the strains with high resistance to all the three fluoroquinolones (MIC 4-16 mcg/ml) there were detected mutations in GyrA (Ser81Tyr or Glu85Zys) and as well in ParC (Ser79Phe or Ser79Tyr). In the strains resistant to ofloxacin and ciprofloxacin (MIC 4-8 mcg/ml) with preserved susceptibility to levofloxacin and moxifloxacin, the mutations were detected only in GyrA (Ser114Gly). In the moderately resistant strains (MICs 4 and 2-4 mcg/ml respectively for ofloxacin and ciprofloxacin) there were detected the known mutations in ParC (Ser79Tyr or Ser79Phe or Asp83Tyr) and in GyrB (Glu475Lys) as well as the earlier not described mutations in ParE (ins Asn381a) and in Gyr B (Thr329Ala or Va1355Ile). The described method can be used in mass screening of S. pneumoniae strains for the presence of mutations in the genes of the fluoroquinolone targets.

[Levofloxacin and macrolides in chronic bronchitis exacerbation: comparative analysis of the treatment efficacy and nonrelapsing periods].

Clinical and bacteriological efficacies of levofloxacin versus clarithromycin and azithromycin were evaluated in 41 patients with chronic bronchitis infectious exacerbation in the Respiratory-Recovery Centre of Polyclinic No. 7. The effect of the drugs on the nonrelapsing period was estimated as well. With the use of levofloxacin there was observed a more rapid elimination of the clinical signs of the exacerbation as compared to the use of the macrolides. Levofloxacin provided a more pronounced and stable eradication of the main pathogens of the exacerbation as compared to the macrolide antibiotic. Long-term monitoring for 12 months after discontinuation of the treatment showed that the nonrelapsing period in the patients treated with levofloxacin was higher and the frequency of the relapses and their intensity were lower in comparison to the group of the patients treated with the macrolides.

[Clinicomicrobiological monitoring of patients with exacerbation of chronic bronchitis treated with antibacterial drugs].

AIM: To compare clinical and microbiological efficacy of penicillines and macrolids in patients with exacerbation of chronic bronchitis (CB) basing on long-term follow-up after antibacterial treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty patients with exacerbated CB or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) received amoxicillin/clavulanic acid (augmentin) while 20 other patients were given macrolides (sumamed or clacide). Clinical efficacy was assessed by the rate of exacerbation regression and duration of recurrence-free period in the course of 12-month follow-up. Bacteriological examination was conducted 3-5 days, 1 month after the treatment and at recurrent exacerbation. RESULTS: Patients on augmentin showed faster regression of exacerbation, earlier remission and higher quality of remission than patients on macrolides. Eradication of etiologically significant pathogens on day 3-5 after therapy with augmentin and macrolides was achieved in 92 and 30% patients, respectively, persistence--in 8 and 70%, respectively. Mean duration of remission was 263 +/- 107.1 and 164.9 +/- 112,2 days, respectively. A correlation was found between duration of recurrence-free period and frequency of eradication and persistence of the agents after antibacterial therapy of CB and COPD. CONCLUSION: Augmentin promotes a significantly earlier regress of exacerbation symptoms and persistent remission. Eradication potential of augmentin in CB/COPD patients is higher than that of macrolides. Long-term post-exacerbation monitoring (12-month follow-up) discovered that recurrence-free period of augmentin-treated patients is much longer than in patients on macrolides.

[Haemophilus influenzae antibiotic resistant strains isolated in Moscow in 2002-2004]. / Antibiotikorezistentnost' shtammov Haemophilis influenzae, vydelennikh v Moskve s 2002 po 2004.

The results of 3-year observation on emergence of H. influenzae antibiotic resistant strains in Moscow are summarized. The study included 566 strains isolated from patients in 2002-2004. The susceptibility was determined by the 2-fold microdilution method on the Haemophilus test medium. The percentage of the resistant strains isolated in 2002, 2003 and 2004 was the following: ampicillin --4.9, 3.2 and 3.6%, tetracycline--3.3, 3.2 and 1.8% and co-trimoxazole--10.9, 20.9 and 20% respectively. The strains isolated in 2003 and 2004 were resistant to azithromycin in 0.6 and 1.8% of the isolates and to clarithromycin in 1.3 and 3.2% of the isolates respectively. Five isolates differed by the minimum resistance to ampicillin whereas producing no beta-lactamase (BLNAR strains). The drugs of choice for the treatment of respiratory tract infections mainly due to H. influenzae, i.e. acute otitis and sinusitis, chronic bronchitis exacerbation and sometimes pneumonia remain betalactam antibiotics. From the microbiological viewpoint the inhibitor-protected aminopenicillins, cefuroxime and cefotaxime have no significant advantages vs. amoxycillin. The use of cotrimoxazole and chloramphenicol should be considered inexpedient.