[The characteristics of the spread of Coxiella burnetii in the Carpathian region].

The paper presents data of the long-term (1975-1994) study of Q fever in Carpathian region [correction of Forecarpathia] (Ivano-Frankivs'k and Chernivtsi provinces) and dynamics of epidemiologic manifestations of this disease during the recent years. It is shown that after Q fever outbreaks in 1975-1977, people sick for it have been recorded sporadically, and a considerable decrease of epidemiological manifestations of Coxiella burnetii circulation is observed in the late years. This is accompanied by the decrease of the immune stratum among the population from 10.

[Activation of endogenous nucleases as affected by sodium arsenate and cisplatin].

Screening of pharmaceutical agents releasing active nucleases from inactive complexes was performed. Cisplatin and sodium arsenate were shown in vitro to have such properties. Sodium arsenate which is more expedient for the treatment of human patients was studied in vivo.

[A fatal case of chronic Q fever with cardiovascular involvement].

A lethal case is reported of chronic Q-fever in a patient aged 34 who regarded himself as completely healthy six months before his death. The diagnosis was made on the basis of vital investigation of blood sera in a complement-fixation test and indirect fluorescent-antibody test (antibody titers 1 : 1280 against phase 1 and 1 : 320 against phase 2 Coxiella burnetii), differentiation of antibodies as distinct classes of immunoglobulins, results of pathoanatomical and microbiological investigations. Pathoanatomical features of the organs are fully detailed, especially those of the heart.

[Q fever in the western region of Ukraine].

Multiple natural and mixed foci of Q fever have been revealed at the territory of six administrative regions of the western part of the Ukraine. Coxiella burnetii strains have been isolated from small animals and ticks, the specific features of their ecology in Poles'e and forest-steppe zones have been determined. The necessity of the study of natural foci of Q fever at not yet surveyed territories for at least 3-4 years has been substantiated.

[The diagnosis of rickettsioses in patients under therapy].

A serological study of 92 patients with rickettsiosis, revealed in the blood serum of 19 patients antibodies to the pathogens of Q-fever or typhoid fever. In three patients the character of distribution of immunoglobulins of different classes corresponded to the chronic course of rickettsia infection. Patients of the therapeutic profile from infections foci should be examined for rickettsiosis.

[The biological properties of Rickettsia burnetii isolated in the northwestern Ukrainian SSR].

Biological properties of two strains of the Burnet rickettsia isolated in the natural foci of the Q fever in the northwest of the Ukrainian SSR are studied. Strain "Gishin" was characterized by high virulence for the laboratory animals and considerably exceeded the strain "Politsa" in the virulent properties. Antigen of phase I prepared from the strain "Politsa" was highly active in revealing the corresponding antibodies.