An Investigation of Severe Influenza Cases in Russia during the 2022-2023 Epidemic Season and an Analysis of HA-D222G/N Polymorphism in Newly Emerged and Dominant Clade 6B.1A.5a.2a A(H1N1)pdm09 Viruses.

In Russia, during the COVID-19 pandemic, a decrease in influenza circulation was initially observed. Influenza circulation re-emerged with the dominance of new clades of A(H3N2) viruses in 2021-2022 and A(H1N1)pdm09 viruses in 2022-2023. In this study, we aimed to characterize influenza viruses during the 2022-2023 season in Russia, as well as investigate A(H1N1)pdm09 HA-D222G/N polymorphism associated with increased disease severity.

Quantitative measurement of influenza virus transmission in animal model: an overview of current state.

Influenza virus transmission is a crucial factor in understanding the spread of the virus within populations and developing effective control strategies. Studying the transmission patterns of influenza virus allows for better risk assessment and prediction of disease outbreaks. By monitoring the spread of the virus and identifying high-risk populations and geographic areas, it is possible to allocate resources more effectively, implement timely interventions, and provide targeted healthcare interventions to diminish the burden of influenza virus on vulnerable populations.

SARS-CoV-2 proteins structural studies using synchrotron radiation.

In the process of the development of structural biology, both the size and the complexity of the determined macromolecular structures have grown significantly. As a result, the range of application areas for the results of structural studies of biological macromolecules has expanded. Significant progress in the development of structural biology methods has been largely achieved through the use of synchrotron radiation.

Assessment of Safety and Prophylactic Efficacy of the EpiVacCorona Peptide Vaccine for COVID-19 Prevention (Phase III).

The State Research Center of Virology and Biotechnology "VECTOR" of the Federal Service for the Oversight of Consumer Protection and Welfare (Rospotrebnadzor) has developed the peptide-based EpiVacCorona vaccine, which is the first synthetic peptide-based antiviral vaccine for mass immunization in international vaccinology. An early clinical trial (Phase I-II) demonstrated that the EpiVacCorona vaccine is a safe product. The "Multicenter double-blind, placebo-controlled, comparative, randomized trial to assess the tolerability, safety, immunogenicity and prophylactic efficacy of the EpiVacCorona COVID-19 vaccine based on peptide antigens in 3000 volunteers aged 18 years and older" was performed regarding vaccine safety.

Diversity of gammacoronaviruses and deltacoronaviruses in wild birds and poultry in Russia.

Coronaviruses of the genera Gammacoronavirus and Deltacoronavirus are globally widespread and circulate primarily in wild and domestic birds. Prior studies have established frequently occurring crossover events from avian to mammalian reservoirs. However, there is limited understanding of the diversity and geographical distribution of coronaviruses among birds.

An influenza A(H5N8) virus isolated during an outbreak at a poultry farm in Russia in 2017 has an N294S substitution in the neuraminidase and shows reduced susceptibility to oseltamivir.

This study aimed to assess the antiviral susceptibility of influenza A(H5N8) viruses isolated in Russia in 2014-2018. Genetic analysis of 57 Russian isolates with full genome sequences did not find any markers of reduced susceptibility to baloxavir. Only one strain bore an amino acid substitution associated with adamantane resistance (M2-S31N).

Recombinant SARS-CoV-2 S Protein Binds to Glycans of the Lactosamine Family in vitro.

Many viruses, beside binding to their main cell target, interact with other molecules that promote virus adhesion to the cell; often, these additional targets are glycans. The main receptor for SARS-CoV-2 is a peptide motif in the ACE2 protein. We studied interaction of the recombinant SARS-CoV-2 spike (S) protein with an array of glycoconjugates, including various sialylated, sulfated, and other glycans, and found that the S protein binds some (but not all) glycans of the lactosamine family.

Genetic Characterization of Avian Influenza A(H5N6) Virus Clade 2.3.4.4, Russia, 2018.

Timely identification of pandemic influenza threats depends on monitoring for highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses. We isolated highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N6) virus clade 2.3.