GIS TECHNOLOGIES IN THE STUDY OF NATURAL RESULTS ESPECIALLY DANGEROUS DISEASES IN KAZAKHSTAN.

This study explores the application of GIS technologies in analyzing and visualizing spatial structures of especially dangerous infections (EPI) in Kazakhstan. International collaborations have facilitated projects studying the focal patterns of diseases, improving data analysis and visualization. Extensive electronic databases resulting from field research on EPI foci have elevated the study's depth. The dynamics of natural foci, influenced by intraspecific structures of infection carriers, are impacted by industrial and agricultural developments, urban expansions, and climate change. The study notes changes in the enzootic territory, affecting mammal migration and consequently altering natural focus boundaries. Industrial activities, rotational methods, and habitat changes contribute to the increased epidemic potential in enzootic areas. Despite anthropogenic and climatic influences, the prevalence of plague remains high in Kazakhstan, with a trend towards expanding enzootic territories. Unified electronic databases on plague, tularemia, anthrax, and other zoonoses, developed for GIS analysis, enable mapping and visualization of natural foci. Electronic maps aid in determining enzootic territory boundaries, assessing infectious disease activity, and planning preventive measures based on risk assessment. ESRI's ArcGIS Desktop 10.8 with Arc Toolbox modules facilitated data processing in the geoinformation environment. Data includes epidemiological examination results, species composition of carriers, and laboratory test outcomes, enhancing comprehensive analysis and decision-making for anti-epidemic measures. The study in Kazakhstan identifies and details six natural and twenty autonomous plague foci, categorizing them by main carriers and observing an expansion of natural hotspots. The enzootic territory is classified into four geographic zones, further divided into 105 landscape-epidemiological regions. Laboratory studies inform electronic maps for analyzing plague's dynamic situation. Anthrax prevalence, primarily in chernozem and chestnut soils, is assessed, revealing 1,778 unaffected settlements and spatially clustered points. An epidemiological index aids in zoning for anthrax trouble. Tularemia's landscape occurrence is classified into four types, with spatial analysis revealing clusters and potential epidemic danger in specific regions. Geographic information technologies highlight high-risk areas, justifying preventive measures for dangerous infections. The results obtained serve as a scientific justification for the priority of preventive measures within the boundaries of administrative territories characterized by a high degree of potential epidemic danger and objectively indicate the prospects for the introduction of GIS technologies into the practice of epidemiological surveillance of particularly dangerous infections.

Universal indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for monitoring of human and animal brucellosis in Kazakhstan.

Combinations of conventional serological methods and new ELISA procedures were evaluated to develop the most efficient and effective diagnostics for the detection of brucellosis in humans and animals. Sera from humans (n=249) and animals (n=99) were collected from brucellosis endemic areas (Zhambyl district and Enbekshi-Kazakh district of Almaty region in Kazakhstan) for serologic analysis. Sera from the humans reacted positively in the RBT (38.5%), SAT (43.3%), iELISA (42.5%) while sera from the animals reacted positively in RBT (79.8%), SAT (89.9%), CF (87.8%), iELISA (100%). Greater seropositivity was detected in animals as compared to human samples. All positive sera were also evaluated on an indirect ELISA (iELISA). Bacterial isolation was attempted on seropositive human sera. Our data indicate that the combination of conventional serological tests (SAT and CF), combined with the iELISA is optimal for the processing of large numbers of samples and the most efficient detection of human and animal brucellosis.