Buffalopox.

Buffalopox is a contagious viral disease affecting milch buffaloes (Bubalus Bubalis) and, rarely, cows. The disease has zoonotic implications, as outbreaks are frequently associated with human infections, particularly in the milkers. Buffalopox is associated with high morbidity (80%).

[Vaccine-like viruses: peculiarities of circulation in the South America].

The peculiarities of the spread of vaccine-like viruses first revealed more than 50 years ago in the area of the South America was discussed. These viruses cause infective episodes among milk cattle and caretaking personnel. Cancellation of the smallpox vaccination in 1980 resulted in a decrease in the community immunity and increased the risks of human infection.

[Evaluation of safety of prophylactic use of immunoglobulins against viral hemorrhagic fevers from horse blood sera].

Aim: Evaluate safety of prophylaxis of viral hemorrhagic fevers by specific heterologous immunoglobulins.

Materials And Methods: Clinical-laboratory examination of 24 individuals after intramuscular administration of heterologous Ebola immunoglobulin was carried out. Anaphylactogenicity of the immunoglobulins was studied by WD 42-28-8-89 in guinea pigs compared with commercial preparations.

[Cowpox: features of spread after cancellation of mandatory pox immunization].

Features of spread of cowpox in the contemporary conditions are examined. A decrease of population immunity to pox in the population of Russia caused by cancellation of pox immunization, hidden circulation of cowpox virus in various species of rodents, as well as lack of vigilance to pathogenic orthopoxviurses in healthcare workers were noted to create the real preconditions for the emergence of infection of humans caused by cowpox virus. Thereby presence of means of express laboratory diagnostics of cowpox and means of effective medical protection for the prevention of development of this disease in the population of Russia becomes an actual necessity.

[Monkeypox: features of spread after cancellation of mandatory pox immunization].

Features of spread of monkeypox after eradication of smallpox and cancellation of mandatory pox immunization are examined. In the condition of cancellation of mandatory pox immunization, a decrease of population immunity to pox in the population, a lack of vigilance in most of the medical specialists to diseases caused by other pathogenic for human orthopoxviruses was noted. This situation complicates the prognosis of the development of possible outbreaks of infection of humans by monkeypox.

[Production of 70 kDa recombinant human heat shock protein in baculovirus expression system and assessment of its antiviral activity].

Aim: To obtain human recombinant 70 kDa heat shock protein (Hsp70) in baculovirus expression system and to study its antiviral activity.

Materials And Methods: Baculovirus expression system was used to obtain recombinant HSP70. Plasmid pFastBacHTb-Hsp70 containing sequence coding HSP70 gene with insertion of 6 histidine residues in protein reading frame was constructed.

[Isolation and identification of the smallpox virus which caused iatrogenic vaccinia in children in the city of Vladivostok].

The comparative study of the specimens of the morphological elements of exanthema obtained from 8 children with the clinical diagnosis of secondary exogenic vaccinia, dried smallpox vaccine and the cultures of other orthopoxviruses (rabbit pox, monkey pox and buffalo pox viruses) was made. The isolation and identification of the causative agents from the specimens was carried out with the use of modern virological, electron microscopic and molecular methods. The study proved the fact that 8 children had orthopoxvirus infection with its causative agent identified as vaccinia virus.

[Transgenic plants in vaccinology].

The problem of transgenic plants application to production of antigens, antibodies, enzymes, and hormones is discussed. Transgenic plants are a highly effective system for production of bioactive molecules. Prospects for using transgenic plants expressing viral and bacterial antigens for mucosal immunization are discussed.

[Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever in Rostov Province: the epidemiological characteristics of an outbreak].

The results of the epidemiological analysis of the outbreak of hemorrhagic fever which was caused by Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus and occurred during the period of July 3-19, 1999, in the Oblivskaya district of Rostov Province are presented. The specific epidemiological features of the outbreak have been determined. The possible versions of the appearance of the focus of infection and the role of Ixodes ticks in the circulation of the infective agent are discussed.

[The laboratory diagnosis of an outbreak of hemorrhagic fever at Oblivskaya village, Rostov Province: proof of the etiological role of the Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus].

The results of the molecular biological detection of the etiologic agent of hemorrhagic fever in Rostov Province are presented. The role of the causative agents of Astrakhan rickettsial fever, hemorrhagic fever with the renal syndrome, Q fever, leptospirosis and listeriosis has been excluded by means of such immunochemical reactions as the direct and indirect immunofluorescent tests, the solid-phase immunoenzyme assay, the complement fixation test and the agglutination test. The relationship between the cases of hemorrhagic fever in the focus of the outbreak and Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus has been demonstrated due to the use of the polymerase chain reaction with preliminary reverse transcription.

[The laboratory diagnosis of rickettsioses].

Difficulties in the clinical diagnosis of rickettsiosis and related illnesses made it necessary to develop and improve its methods (immunoferment analysis, nondirect methods of fluorescent antibodies and polimerase chain reaction). Detailed recommendations for diagnosis of Q-fever by the level and growth of antibodies of IgG and IgA subclasses.

[Experimental study of residual virulence of viral vaccine strains].

Residual virulence of three vaccinia strains: Neurovaccine, L-IVP, and its recombinant Revacs-B expressing HBs and preS2 antigens of hepatitis B virus is compared. Insertion of HBs and preS2 antigens of hepatitis B virus in the genome of vaccinia virus strain L-IVP decreases its residual virulence and leads to a benign course of vaccinal reaction involving no deaths of rabbits, cotton rats, or guinea pigs. We may expect that recombinant vaccine Revacs B based on L-IVP strain will cause no postvaccinal complications under conditions of an appreciable decrease in population immunity to vaccinia virus.

[Rickettsioses: their chemoprophylaxis and chemotherapy].

As a result of long-standing screening of chemopreparations of anti-rickettsiosis action in-vitro and in-vivo experiments and their clinical evaluation in the treatment of R. of any etiology, it is established that the most effective ones are those of the 4 groups: tetracyclines (doxicycline, minocyclines), ansamicines (rifampicine), ftorchinolones (cyprofloxacine, ofloxacine, pefloxacine) and the new generation of macrolides (asitromicine, klaritromicine). Since all the studied preparations have only rickettsiosis-static effect, a promising way to finding a rickettsiocidic preparation capable of preventing a possible persistence of a relevant agent in a human body is a combined application of highly effective chemopreparations (doxicycline, in particular) or pefloxacine with lysosomal alkalinizing drugs (chlorochin, ammonium chloride or amantadine).

[Methodical principles for testing tableted viral preparations].

Presents the methods of oral and enteral administration of vaccines in tablets. Describes the method of oral administration with a sponge and the technique of administering large and small tablets in the intestinal tract. Describes the specific features of administering tablets to mice, guinea pigs, rabbits, and monkeys.

[Rickettsioses: the epidemiological assessment].

Microbe of taxonomical families Rickettsiaceae aceal and Bartonellaceae of Rickettsiales order have caused not less than 14 nosological forms of disease among people in different parts of the world. About 8 of them--in Russia and in the former Soviet Republics. These diseases are not unequivocal from epidemiological point of view.

[Collection of pathogenic viruses: state of the problem and prospects].

The organizational and methodological separateness in the collection of pathogenic viruses impedes the development of universal approaches to practical collection. The authors propose a universal research program for the creation of specialized National Museums of Pathogens as reference and methodological centers within the framework of the Russian State Collection of Microorganisms. Further improvement of methods for virus collection is desirable.

[Development of the immunoenzyme test-system for detection of Ebola virus antigen].

An enzyme immunoassay system has been developed for the detection of Ebola virus antigen. It permits a highly accurate and sensitive rapid detection of the antigen. Optimal dilutions of specific immunoglobulin (1:500, corresponding to protein concentration of 50 micrograms/ml) and conjugate were found.

[An experimental study of the immunogenic and protective properties of Coxiella burnetii strain M-44 and a live enteral vaccine against Q fever].

High effectiveness of C.burnetii strain M-44 was confirmed in experimental studies on subcutaneously immunized guinea pigs ¿correction of pig] after their intratracheal infection with the virulent culture of the infective agent. The study revealed that the dose necessary for the enteral immunization of guinea pigs and monkeys was 10(4.

[Peroral immunization--a method for enhancing the safety of the recombinant vector (the vaccinia virus)].

Oral and dermal administrations of vaccinia virus into rabbits, guinea pigs, and monkeys demonstrated a milder (without homeostasis disturbance) course of the vaccinal process with oral immunization, intensive immunity forming in minimal sensitization of the body was compared with dermal one. The results of revaccination in adults with oral smallpox vaccine and primary immunization in Ethiopia showed that oral immunization with vaccinia virus was safe, effective and lowly reactogenic. The comparative study of the preparation in remote revaccination (5 or more years later) proved its advantage over dermal vaccine.