Comparative Proteomic Studies of Yersinia pestis Strains Isolated from Natural Foci in the Republic of Georgia.

Yersinia pestis, the causative agent of plague, is a highly virulent bacterium responsible for millions of human deaths throughout history. In the last decade, two natural plague foci have been described in the Republic of Georgia from which dozens of Y. pestis strains have been isolated.

High degree of genetic diversity of non-polio enteroviruses identified in Georgia by environmental and clinical surveillance, 2002-2005.

Enterovirus surveillance data are useful for establishing temporal and geographical patterns of circulation and for virus characterization to determine phylogenetic relationships between strains. Almost no information is available on circulating enteroviruses in Georgia and the surrounding region. To describe enterovirus circulation in Georgia, determine relationships with previously characterized strains and assess the role of environmental and clinical enterovirus surveillance, this study analysed a total of 112 non-polio enterovirus isolates identified during 2002-2005 from sewage and human stool samples.

[Polyclonal immunoenzyme system for determining hantaviral antigens: assessment of specificity using monoclonal antibodies and the polymerase chain reaction].

Genus-specific monoclonal antibodies to nucleocapsid protein of Pumala virus and polymerase chain reaction were used to assess the specificity of a previously described polyclonal (based on human IgG to Pumala hantavirus) enzyme immunoassay (EIA) system for detecting hantavirus antigens. Parallel testing of crude lung suspensions from wild rodents trapped in different regions of Russia for hantavirus antigens and RNA showed 100% coincidence of the results of three tests. These data indicate a high specificity of polyclonal EIA system and its efficacy for screening of natural samples.

[Genetic differentiation of hantaviruses using the polymerase chain reaction and sequencing].

Thirty-two hantavirus strains and 8 samples of lung tissue from rodents collected in different regions of Russia have been examined by molecular biological methods. Two methodological approaches have been employed for the study of genetic relationships between the viruses: nested PCR assay and common RT-PCR with subsequent direct sequencing of 200 and 365 base pair of G2 protein encoding regions of M-segment, respectively, and the resultant sequences were compared with those of the prototype hantavirus. The study revealed a mosaic pattern of distribution of different hantavirus genotypes on the territory of Russia.

[Hybridomas producing monoclonal antibodies to Crimean hemorrhagic fever virus].

A series of hybridomas producing monoclonal antibodies to Crimean hemorrhagic fever virus was obtained and their cultural properties were characterized. HEMA-12 and HEMA-24 secreted monoclonal IgG2b antibodies, HEMA-101 secreted monoclonal IgG1 antibodies, HEMA-31, HEMA-9 and HEMA-11 secreted monoclonal IgG2 antibodies. According to the results of the indirect immunofluorescence test, the titer of specific immunoglobulins in the culture fluid was 1:16-1:32, but sometimes reached 1:64-1:128.