Analysis of Morphological Changes in the CNS and Internal Organs of Macaca mulatta Monkeys after Intracerebral Injection of a Low-Attenuated Rubella Virus Strain.

We studied the localization and severity of morphological changes in CNS and internal organs of animals intacerebrally infected with a low-attenuated rubella virus strain "Orlov-14". The data obtained can be used as morphological criteria reflecting low level of attenuation of rubella virus strains to improve the control of the safety of attenuated strains of live rubella vaccines.

Physiological parameters of Macaca fascicularis immunized with anti-rubella vaccine with germanium-based adjuvants.

Clinical status, hematological and biochemical parameters, and allergenic activity of organogermanium compounds used as adjuvants in complex with preparation from Orlov rubella virus vaccine strain and reference commercial anti-rubella vaccine based on Wistar RA 27/3 strain were studied on Macaca fascilcularis of both genders. Physiological parameters of monkeys immunized with the Russian and foreign rubella virus vaccine strains with and without adjuvants did not differ. The adjuvants were inessential for the safety of vaccines (absence of toxicity, reactogenic activity, or allergenic activity) in preclinical studies on lower primates.

[Genotyping of parvovirus B19 isolates circulating in Northwestern Federal District of Russia].

AIM: Genotyping and phylogenetic analysis of parvovirus B19 isolates isolated on the territories of Northwestern Federal District (NWFD) of Russia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 61 blood sera and 30 oropharyngeal lavages obtained from patients with maculopapular rash from various territories of NWFD were studied for the presence of parvovirus B 19 DNA (PVB 19). DNA isolation and amplification was carried out by standard techniques. DNA segment including fragment of non-structural gene NS1 and region of structural gene VPI (NS1-VPlu, 994 nucleotides) was sequenced, original sequences ofoligonucleotide primers were selected for this purpose. Phylogenetic analysis was carried out online on the website http://www.phylogeny.fr. Data for tree construction was obtained from GenBank. RESULTS: PVB 19 DNAwas detected in 45% ofsamples. PVB19 genome segment was sequenced in 8 samples. All the PVB 19 isolates belong to a single cluster of 1A genotype. Isolate 57.12 from Komi Republic is similar to ISR-G strain isolated from Israel. CONCLUSION: Phylogenetic analysis showed a high degree of genetic similarity between PVB 19 isolates circulating on the territories of NWFD, their membership in the most widespread genotype in the world. Local and import cases ofparvovirus infection (PVI) were identified. The authors make a conclusion on the necessity to include PVI into the system of rubella and measles control.

[General condition evaluations by members of ISS missions 1 to 15].

Traditionally crew questioning about general wellbeing is a part of their psychic monitoring. Information provided during compasses at the Earth's request is included in the neuropsychic section of the weekly crew health report prepared by the medical support group at the Moscow Mission Control Center. Purpose of the work was to analyze the structure content of comments on well-being made by the members of ISS-1-15 crews as well as emotionality of these comments excited by heavy work-rest schedule and length of space duties. Most often well-being evaluations were positive varying within the range from non-committal "all right" and reserved "It's OK" to exaggerated "terrific" "great" "fine"and "perfect"which were more common to astronauts than cosmonauts. Cosmonauts' comments had the seal of personality It was recognized that the demanding work/rest schedule had little impact on the comments and that they did not change with time during 24-wk missions.

[Molecular and biologic characteristics of attenuated rubella viruses].

AIM: To study stability/variability of rubella virus vaccine strain "Orlov-B" during its adaptation to other tissue substrate. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Vaccine strains of rubella virus Wistar 27/3 and "Orlov-B" as well as wild type strains "Orlov-D" and "Lebedev" were used. Rhesus monkeys were used as laboratory animals. Standard virological, molecular and statistical methods were applied. RESULTS: Obtained as a result of adaptation to other tissue substrate - diploid human cell line M-22 - strain "Orlov-D" demonstrated stability on RCT40 sign in in vitro experiments. Comparative genotyping of "Orlov-B" and "Orlov-D" strains on gene E1 showed identity of nucleotide sequences of both variants. Genetic stability of virus on the gene coding the most immunogenic protein E1 was confirmed in vivo: the stable high immunogenic and protective activity of both "Orlov-B" and "Orlov- D" strains was demonstrated in experiments on rhesus macaques. CONCLUSION: New data on stability of attenuated rubella virus vaccine strains have practical significance for the development of new vaccines.

[Rubella in Russia: variability of the infectious agent during the period of vaccine prophylaxis].

AIM: To assess influence of vaccination against rubella on the genetic diversity of rubella virus. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Vaccine strains of rubella virus Wistar 27/3 and Orlov-B as well as sera from patients with rubella obtained in Perm region during 1999 - 2005 period and standard serologic, molecular, epidemiologic and statistical methods were used. The study was performed according to the WHO recommendations on the genotyping of wild rubellavirus strains. RESULTS: Strains of rubella virus isolated in Perm region, vaccine strain Orlov-B (Saint Petersburg), and 4 Russian strains isolated in 1967-1997 before vaccine introduction belong to the same genetic group with high degree of homology - genetic divergence do not exceed 0 - 1%. This group was identified as genotype 2c which, according to WHO's data, circulates only in Russia. Periods of epidemic peaks of rubella incidence and its falls as well as selective immunization of girls and women of childbearing age did not influence on the genetic stability of the virus (divergence did not exceed 0.6 - 2.0%). On the contrary, mass immunization of children aged 1 - 2 years during 4 years resulted in statistically significant changes of rubella virus subtype inside the genotype 2c. CONCLUSION: Ten-year experience of rubella vaccination in Perm region demonstrates necessity of inclusion of monitoring for rubella virus variability in the system of epidemiological surveillance and control for rubella infection during period of its prevention by vaccine.

[The prospects for using the genetically engineered surface antigen of the hepatitis B virus (HBsAg) expressed by recombinant poxvirus strains as the basis for vaccines against hepatitis B]. / Perspektivy ispol'zovaniia genno-inzhenernogo poverkhnostnogo antigena virusa gepatitia B (HBsAg), ekspressiruemogo rekombinantnymi shtammami poksvirusov, v kachestve osnovy vaktsin protiv gepatita B.

The use of a recombinant poxvirus (RPV) strain, expressing HBsAg in the process of reproduction in different bioreactor systems under stationary and bioreactor conditions of cultivation, made it possible to obtain highly purified HBsAg. The identity and purity of HBsAg was confirmed by the analysis of its amino acid composition, SDS electrophoresis in polyacrylamide gel, electron microscopy and high-performance liquid chromatography. Good prospects of the use of RPV-expressed gene engineering HBsAg as the basis vaccines against hepatitis B was demonstrated in 10 experimental batches of vaccine. All batches of the preparation had pronounced immunogenicity and were safe and nontoxic in animal experiments. The ID50 of experimental batches did not exceed 211 ng/ml, which, according to the data of comparative experiments, was lower than, or equal to, corresponding values of analogous foreign commercial preparations, based on plasma or yeast HBsAg.

[Heterogeneity of current epidemic influenza A viruses with respect to reproduction activity in a tissue culture]. / Geterogennost' sovremennykh épidemicheskikh virusov grippa A po priznaku reproduktsionnoi aktivnosti v tkanevoi kul'ture.

The reproduction activity in human embryo kidney cell culture (HEK) of epidemic influenza A viruses (H3N2 serosubtype) isolated in different years and with a certain level of virulence for man was studied. The cells were inoculated with the viruses at a multiplicity of infection of 0.001 EID50/cell, and the reproductive activity was judged by the levels of infectious and hemagglutinating activity during 96 hours of observation. There was a clear-cut correlation between the virus virulence level and the reproductive activity in HEK cell culture. Epidemic influenza A (H1N1) viruses of the A/Chile/1/83 variant were found to be heterogeneous by the marker of their reproductive activity in HEK cells. It is presumed that the observed differences in the infectious activity of the viruses of this group are also associated with different levels of their virulence for man.

[Use of the experimental-psychological methods for evaluation of psychomotor performance of the flying personnel with functional disorders and diseases of the central nervous system]. / Ispol'zovanie eksperimental'no-psikhologicheskikh metodov v ekspertize psikhicheskoi rabotosposobnosti letnogo sostava pri funktsional'nykh narusheniiakh i zabolevaniiakh tsentral'noi nervnoi sistemy.

The study of mental performance of the flying personnel during medical expertise with respect to complex sensory-motor and logical operations has shown that changes of psychic activity in subjects with early symptoms of cerebral atherosclerosis are more marked than those in subjects with CNS functional disorders. They involve difficulties in attention control, delay in motor responses, deterioration in associative processes. These subjects prove less suitable for flying work: 71% of the pilots examined were grounded by the medical expertise.