[Evaluation of modern epizootic activity of natural tularemia foci in Voronezh region using immune-serological and molecular-genetic study of main carriers of the disease].

AIM: Improvement of monitoring and prognosis of epidemic manifestations of natural foci of tularemia on the territory of Voronezh region using immune-serological and molecular-genetic study of main carriers of the disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 539 small mammals captured during summer period of 2011 in 4 districts of North-Eastern part of Voronezh region were studied. Animal organs were studied by serologic (search for Francisella tularensis antigens) and molecular-biologic (detection of F. tularensis DNA) methods. Tularemia antigen was detected using passive hemagglutination reaction (PHAR) with erythrocytic tularemia immunoglobulin diagnosticum. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was applied for detection of tularemia causative agent DNA. RESULTS: Complex study revealed epizootic activity of natural foci of tularemia in the examined territory. F. tularensis antigen and/or DNA were detected in 82 objects (15.2%). Use of RT-PCR allowed to additionally detect samples with relatively low content of F. tularensis DNA substrate, when antigen was not detected in samples. High sensitivity and specificity of the RT-PCR was ensured by inclusion of specific probes (tu14-PR2 and ISFTu2P). CONCLUSION: The results obtained give evidence on functioning and epizootic activity of natural foci of tularemia in Voronezh region that requires constant monitoring of the territory and prophylaxis measures, first of all vaccination of risk groups by live tularemia vaccine.

[Actual problems of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome].

From 2000 to 2011 85 600 cases of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) were registered in Russian Federation. Epidemically active foci of HFRS infection are located generally in temperate latitudes of the European part and the Far East. In the Far East regions whose fraction of all the HFRS disease cases in Russia is around 2%, the causative agents of the infection are Hantaan, Amur, Seoul hantaviruses, the natural reservoir for those are striped field mouse, Korean field mouse and brown rat. In the European part of Russia the causative agent of the infection are Puumala hantavirus as well as 2 genetic subtypes of Dobrava virus, the main reservoirs of those in the nature are bank vole, striped field mouse and Black Sea field mouse, respectively. 9 strain of Puumala and 10 strains of Dobrava virus were isolated. Based on sequencing of Dobrava virus strains significant differences were detected between Dobrava virus strains isolated from Black Sea field mouse from Sochi and striped field mouse from Lipetsk Region. Cultural inactivated vaccine against HFRS was developed and completed preclinical trials.

[Monitoring of arthropods of epidemiological and sanitary importance in the city of Voronezh].

The paper analyzes the results of monitoring the number and species composition of arthropods, which are of epidemiological and sanitary important, in the city of Voronezh in 1998 to 2007. Many years' periodical observations have revealed the main places of breeding for blood sucking insects and ticks, their ecological features, including these under antropogenic stress. There is evidence for the changes in the species composition and the influence of some species on the recent epidemiological situation, which permits the approaches to and tactics of preventive measures to be corrected at the present budgetary stage oriented to outcome, with emphasis on the most significant sections of work.

[Epizootology of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome in the Central Chernozem Region].

A total of 5149 small mammals belonging to 16 species were collected from the Lipetsk, Voronezh, and Belgorod regions (40 administrative districts) in 2003-2004 and examined by ELISA and IFA to detect hantavirus antigen and antibodies in the lung tissues. Hantavirus circulation was revealed in 13 species, the highest hantavirus activity being detected in field (Apodemus agrarius) and small wood (A. (S) uralensis) mice (Dobrava-Belgrad virus), bank (Clethrionomis glareolus) (Puumala virus) and common (Microtus arvalis) (Tula virus) voles. These species were frequently found to have their untypical hantaviruses, which was most commonly observed in small wood mice. It is suggested that the small wood mouse is likely to take a certain part in maintaining the circulation of Dobrava-Belgrad virus.