Emergence of Azithromycin-Resistant Isolates Belonging to the NG-MAST Genogroup 12302 in Russia.

The goal of this work was to determine the factors affecting the emergence of azithromycin-resistant isolates in Russia, where azithromycin was never recommended for the treatment of gonococcal infections. isolates collected in 2018-2021 (428 isolates) were analyzed. No azithromycin-resistant isolates were found in 2018-2019, but in 2020-2021, a significant increase in the ratio of azithromycin-resistant isolates was observed: 16.

Azithromycin Susceptibility Testing and Molecular Investigation of Isolates Collected in Russia, 2020-2021.

The aim of this work was to study the resistance to macrolides (azithromycin) in the modern Russian population of with the analysis of genetic resistance determinants. Azithromycin is not used to treat gonococcal infection in Russia. However, among 162 isolates collected in 2020-2021, 22 isolates (13.

Biochemical Atypia in Russian Clinical Isolates Belonging to the G807 NG-MAST Genogroup/ST1594 MLST.

Many current gonococcal clinical isolates in Russia show atypical taxonomically significant biochemical activity, which leads to species misidentification. Molecular typing of such cultures according multiantigen sequence typing (NG-MAST) and multilocus sequence typing (MLST) protocols assigned them to the G807 NG-MAST GENOGROUP/ST1594 MLST that has been predominant in Russia in recent years. The goal of the study was to analyze the molecular mechanisms of biochemical atypia in clinical isolates characterized as the members of G807 NG-MAST GENOGROUP/ST1594 MLST.

Susceptibility to β-Lactam Antibiotics and Viability of Strains Producing Plasmid-Mediated Broad- and Extended-Spectrum β-Lactamases.

plasmids can mediate high-level antimicrobial resistance. The emergence of clinical isolates producing plasmid β-lactamases that can hydrolyze cephalosporins, the mainstay treatment for gonorrhea, may be a serious threat. In this work, strains producing plasmid-mediated broad- and extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBLs) were obtained , and their viability and β-lactam antibiotic susceptibility were studied.

Comparative Whole-Genome Analysis of Isolates Revealed Changes in the Gonococcal Genetic Island and Specific Genes as a Link to Antimicrobial Resistance.

Comparative whole-genome analysis was performed for isolates belonging to the multiantigen sequence typing (NG-MAST) types predominant worldwide - 225, 1407, 2400, 2992, and 4186 - and to genogroup 807, the most common genogroup in the Russian Federation. Here, for the first time, the complete genomes of 25 isolates from genogroup 807 were obtained. For NG-MAST types 225, 1407, 2400, 2992, and 4186, genomes from the Pathogenwatch database were used.

Hydrogel Droplet Microarray for Genotyping Antimicrobial Resistance Determinants in Isolates.

A multiplex assay based on a low-density hydrogel microarray was developed to identify genomic substitutions in that determine resistance to the currently recommended treatment agents ceftriaxone and azithromycin and the previously used drugs penicillin, tetracycline, and ciprofloxacin. The microarray identifies 74 drug resistance determinants in the  , , , , , , , , , and 23S rRNA genes. The hydrogel elements were formed by automated dispensing of nanoliter-volume droplets followed by UV-induced copolymerization of NH-containing oligonucleotides with gel-forming monomers.

Prediction of ceftriaxone MIC in Neisseria gonorrhoeae using DNA microarray technology and regression analysis.

Background: Decreased susceptibility of Neisseria gonorrhoeae to extended-spectrum cephalosporins is a major concern. Elucidation of the phenotypic and genetic characteristics of such isolates is a priority task.

Methods: We developed a method for predicting the N.

Apremilast Pharmacogenomics in Russian Patients with Moderate-to-Severe and Severe Psoriasis.

One of the target drugs for plaque psoriasis treatment is apremilast, which is a selective phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4) inhibitor. In this study, 34 moderate-to-severe and severe plaque psoriasis patients from Russia were treated with apremilast for 26 weeks. This allowed us to observe the effectiveness of splitting patient cohorts based on clinical outcomes, which were assessed using the Psoriasis Area Severity Index (PASI).

Molecular Typing of Clinical Isolates in Russia, 2018-2019: A Link Between Alleles and NG-MAST Types.

This work aimed to study gene polymorphisms in clinical isolates of collected in Russia in 2018-2019 and the contribution of the allele type to susceptibility to β-lactam antibiotics. A total of 182 isolates were analyzed. allele types were determined by sequencing, and the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of benzylpenicillin and ceftriaxone were measured.

Experimental Modeling of Leprosy in BALB/c, BALB/c Nude, CBA, and C57BL/6ТNF Mice.

Leprosy was modeled in an experiment on BALB/c, BALB/cNude, CBA, and C57BL/6ТNF mice using three Mycobacterium leprae strains obtained from patients with a diagnosis of A30 according to ICD-10 from different regions of the Russian Federation. Proliferation of M. leprae of the used strains showed a temporal-quantitative dependence on the used mouse line.

Summary and Trends of the Russian Gonococcal Antimicrobial Surveillance Programme, 2005 to 2016.

The Russian Gonococcal Antimicrobial Surveillance Programme (RU-GASP) was established in 2004 and operated continuously during the years from 2005 to 2016. The aims of this study were to summarize the RU-GASP results over this 12-year period and evaluate the trends in antimicrobial resistance in Russia. In total, 5,038 verified isolates from 40 participating regions were tested for susceptibility to six antimicrobials via an agar dilution method.

Clinical significance of the determination of surfactant proteins A and D in assessing the activity of lung sarcoidosis.

Aim: To study the clinical significance of SP-A, SP-D in assessing the activity of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and sarcoidosis. We examined 81 patients with morphologically confirmed diagnoses of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (ILF) and sarcoidosis, a control group of 20 healthy individuals. The MSCT of the thoracic organs of the chest was performed, the diffusivity of the lungs was examined, oxygen saturation was determined.

[Drug resistance mutations and susceptibility phenotypes of Neisseria gonorrhoeae isolates in Russia].

Steady growth in the degree of antimicrobial resistance in Neisseria gonorrhoeae calls for the control of the spreading of resistance mutations. Here we present the data describing drug resistance mutations, the results of antimicrobial susceptibility tests, and molecular genotypes of 128 recent N. gonorrhoeae isolates collected across 9 regions of the Russian Federation.

Molecular epidemiology of drug-resistant Neisseria gonorrhoeae in Russia (Current Status, 2015).

Background: The widespread distribution of Neisseria gonorrhoeae strains that are resistant to previously used and clinically implemented antibiotics is a significant global public health problem. In line with WHO standards, the national Gonococcal Antimicrobial Surveillance Programme (RU-GASP) has been in existence in Russia since 2004; herein, the current status (2015) is described, including associations between N. gonorrhoeae antimicrobial susceptibility, primary genetic resistance determinants and specific strain sequence types.

[The role of some individual amino acid substitutions in penicillin-binding protein (PBP2) of Neisseria gonorrhoeae in the emergence of resistance to ceftriaxone].

The goal of the study was to identify amino acid replacements in the structure of penicillin-binding protein PBP2, which may influence on the development of resistance N. gonorhoeae to the III cephalosporins generation. The gene penA of 50 strains of N.

Russian gonococcal antimicrobial susceptibility programme (RU-GASP)--resistance in Neisseria gonorrhoeae during 2009-2012 and NG-MAST genotypes in 2011 and 2012.

Background: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in Neisseria gonorrhoeae is a major concern worldwide and gonococcal AMR surveillance globally is imperative for public health purposes. In Eastern Europe, gonococcal AMR surveillance is exceedingly rare. However, in 2004 the Russian gonococcal antimicrobial susceptibility programme (RU-GASP) was initiated.

The Russian gonococcal antimicrobial susceptibility programme (RU-GASP)--national resistance prevalence in 2007 and 2008, and trends during 2005-2008.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in Neisseria gonorrhoeae is a major problem worldwide. In the former Soviet countries including Russia, the knowledge regarding AMR has been highly limited. However, in 2004 the Russian gonococcal antimicrobial susceptibility programme (RU-GASP) was initiated.

National surveillance of antimicrobial susceptibility in Neisseria gonorrhoeae in 2005-2006 and recommendations of first-line antimicrobial drugs for gonorrhoea treatment in Russia.

Objectives: To investigate comprehensively the antimicrobial susceptibility and resistance of Neisseria gonorrhoeae during 2005-2006 in a national survey and to recommend effective antimicrobial drugs for the treatment of gonorrhoea in Russia.

Methods: The susceptibility of N gonorrhoeae isolates, cultured mainly from consecutive gonorrhoea patients (n = 1030) during the period January 2005 to December 2006 in Russia, to penicillin G, ceftriaxone, ciprofloxacin, tetracycline and spectinomycin was analysed using the agar dilution method. Nitrocefin discs were used for beta-lactamase detection.

Changes in expression of genes encoding antioxidant enzymes, heme oxygenase-1, Bcl-2, and Bcl-xl and in level of reactive oxygen species in tumor cells resistant to doxorubicin.

The relationship between expression of genes encoding key antioxidant enzymes, heme oxygenase-1, Bcl-2, and Bcl-xl and change in production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) resulting from development of resistance of cancer cells K562, MCF-7, and SKOV-3 to the prooxidant chemotherapeutic agent doxorubicin (DOX) has been studied. Significant increase in mRNA level and activity of Mn-superoxide dismutase (Mn-SOD), catalase, and selenium-dependent glutathione peroxidase-1 (GPx-1) and reduced ROS level was found in resistant K562/DOX and SKVLB cells. In contrast, no change in ROS level was observed in MCF-7/DOX cells in parallel with decrease in Mn-SOD and catalase mRNAs and corresponding activities concurrently with high increase in GPx-1 mRNA and activity.

[Changes in the free-radical state and level of free iron during the formation of drug resistance in tumor cells].

The development of resistance of K562 human erythroleukemia cells to doxorubicin, a widely used antitumor antibiotic with the prooxidant action, leads to changes in the free-radical state of cells. It has been found that the formation of superoxide anion in resistant cells decreases. The introduction of doxorubicin to the culture medium induced a considerably lesser increase in the formation of O2*- in resistant cells compared to sensitive cells.

[Role of the antioxidant system and redox-dependent regulation of transcription factors bcl-2 and p53 in forming resistance of human K562 erythroleukemia cells to doxorubicin].

Prooxidant effect of chemotherapeutic agents is of significant interest in connection with activation of oxidative stress in cancer cells. Role of development of adaptive antioxidant response to the rise of resistance to cytotoxical effect of doxorubicin (DOX) has been studied in human erythroleukemia K562 cells. Growth of resistance to DOX caused enhancement of antioxidant enzymes (Cu, Zn-SOD, Mn-SOD, catalase) elevation of Mn-SOD activity being predominant.

[An electrocardiographic electrode for the extremities].

A design of electrocardiographic electrode for extremities is described. It contains a double-sided grip (from the insulating material) in the form of a truncated ellipse with the ends smoothly diverged. The results of tests are adduced.