[The application of mass spectrometry technique MALDI-TOF for inter-specific differentiation of closely-related vibrio].

The study was targeted to apply mass spectrometry analysis for inter-specific differentiation of collection strains of representatives of genus vibrio and identification of comma bacilli extracted from samples of boat ballast waters. The samples consisted of 207 museum strains of cultures and 347 microorganisms from samples of boat ballast waters. The identification of microorganisms was implemented using MALDI-TOF mass spectrometers. The application of MALDI biotyping made it possible to detect inaccuracies in specific and generic characteristics of collection strains V. alginolyticus, V. parahaemolyticus, Shewanella, V. mimicus and to enhance characteristic and quality of collections of microorganisms. The effective application of MALDI to monitor boat ballast waters is demonstrated. This technique allows detecting of complete vibrio landscape of pathogenic and non pathogenic genus. The possibility to detect strains of comma bacillus and cholera agents is demonstrated. The mode of orientation on V. albensis at the stage of selection of suspicious colonies is proposed.

[Novel diagnostic kit on the basis of stained polymeric carriers for epidemiologic surveillance in natural foci of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever].

AIM: To study diagnostic value of developed antigenic polymeric diagnostic kit for epidemiologic surveillance in natural foci of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) in South federal district. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Novel antigenic diagnostic kit on the basis of polymeric microspheres for reaction of volume agglomeration was developed. The kit is designed for detection of virus-specific antibodies in human serum and in serum of agricultural animals. RESULTS: Laboratory and field trials of the kit showed its high diagnostic potency, it was included in methodical recommendations "Organization and accomplishment of measures against Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever on the territory of its natural foci in Russia". Use of antigenic polymeric kit for epidemiological surveillance allows for more complete and systemic understanding of CCHF epidemic process. CONCLUSION: At present, the diagnostic kit is successfully used, alongside with ELISA and PCR, on different levels of epidemiologic surveillance for CCHF in Rostov region.

[Cholera caused by Vibrio cholerae O1 ctxAB- tcpA+].

Results of analysis of cholera outbreak during which V. cholerae O1 biovar El-Tor ctxAB- tcpA+ was isolated from 2 patients and 30 carriers are presented. Epidemic was caused by contamination of water source and water route of transmission. Strains identical to ones detected in humans were isolated from water of surface well in zone of water intake. Genome and VNTR-analysis of ctxAB- tcpA+ vibrios that caused outbreak in Rostov region in 2005 showed that they differed from ctxAB- tcpA- and ctxAB- tcpA+ vibrios isolated previously during and beyond of outbreaks from patients, carriers and environment and formed separate group with certain genotype. These results confirms conclusions of epidemiological analysis about imported cause of recent outbreak.

[Crimean hemorrhagic fever in the Rostov region: epidemiological zoning and the activity of natural foci]. / Krymskaia gemorragicheskaia likhoradka v Rostovskoi oblasti: épidemiologicheskoe raionirovanie i aktivnost' prirodnogo ochaga.

The epidemiological zoning of the territory of the Rostov region has been made with the use of the epidemic process patterns and the data indicating the links between the landscape and the natural focus of infection. The spread of infected ticks has been established. The participation of several carrier species in the circulation of Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever virus has been confirmed. The mosaic character of their distribution and different levels of their contamination is of great prognostic importance. These data will be used for the improvement of epidemiological surveillance in working out the tactics of epizootological surveys and organization of prophylactic measures.