Foodborne Botulism in Ukraine from 1955 to 2018.

We aim to identify possible biological, social, and economic factors that could influence the prevalence of foodborne botulism (FB). The objective of this article is to assess epidemiological peculiarities of FB in Ukraine from 1955 to 2018 using national epidemiological surveillance data. This article presents an epidemiological descriptive population-based study of the epidemiology of FB using correlation analysis. From 1955 to 2018, 8614 cases of botulism were recorded in Ukraine causing 659 deaths. The distribution of types of botulism toxins is represented by type A (7.97%), B (59.64%), suspected as C (0.56%), E (25.47%), others (5.33%), and unidentified (1.04%). From 1990 to 2015, the rate correlation between Human Development Index (HDI) and incidence of botulism was -0.75 ± 0.20. Homemade canned meat and fish continue to be the leading causes of botulism in Ukraine. Cases related to commercial food were rare or absent, but in recent years (2017-2018), their percentage has increased to 32.56%. The HDI and botulism have an inverse mathematical correlation and predictable logical relationship: with an HDI increase, the incidence of FB decreased. In general, food botulism in Ukraine is related to traditional socioeconomic factors related to cultural food habits. In the face of declining living standards and uncertainty that food products will be physically or economically available, homemade preservation increases. Home food preservation is a major cause of botulism in Ukraine. The elimination of FB is possible in Ukraine only with the complete cessation of home canning and state control over the manufacture and sale of commercial canned products.

Pharmacoeconomic and epidemiological bases of optimal rotavirus vaccine supply for Ukrainian population.

OBJECTIVE: Introduction: Several studies has shown that rotaviruses play a leading role in the structure of acute intestinal infections (AII) of viral etiology in children. In the National vaccination calendar of Ukraine, vaccination against rotavirus infection (RVI) is classified as recommended, with the expected goal of reducing the number of severe RVI cases among under five-year-old children. Nevertheless, despite the positive epidemiological and clinical effects of vaccination against RVI, it remains unclear how appropriate the introduction of rotavirus vaccines is in terms of potential costs and benefits, as well as determining the optimal level of subsidy required to cover part of the costs of voluntary vaccination of the population. The aim: Study of optimal subsidy level of rotavirus vaccine in Ukraine using epidemiological and pharmacoeconomic modeling. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Materials and methods: The retrospective epidemiological data of the monthly RVI incidence in Ukraine as well as the population number from 2010 to 2016 formed the information basis for determining the transmission parameter of the viral agent. The scenario of RVI epidemic process as an acute intestinal infection from the point of view of mathematical epidemiology is best described by developed mathematical model. Cost-benefit of rotavirus vaccination was studied with the use of developed pharmacoeconomic criteria. RESULTS: Results and conclusions: Prediction of possible implications of RVI vaccination and finding optimal level of vaccine supply involves a comprehensive study of the epidemic process peculiarities of this infection with development of an adequate epidemiological model. We have proposed a model of RVI epidemiological process in Ukraine, determining its main parameters with the use of available retrospective data of anual number of RVI cases for the period from 2010 to 2016. The developed model was used as an analytical tool for analyzing influence of different levels of vaccine supply on vaccination cost-benefit. The results of research showed that the use of epidemiological modeling in pharmacoeconomic analysis of rotavirus vaccination made it possible to determine analytically optimal level of vaccination subsidy level.

Leptospirosis in Zakarpattia Oblast (2005-2015).

Background: Leptospirosis occurs sporadically and as outbreaks throughout Ukraine and is a nationally reportable disease. Zakarpattia oblast, in the southwestern region of the country, is endemic for disease. This study examines changes in epidemic patterns from 2005 to 2015. Materials and Methods: Suspected cases from health care services were identified based on clinical presentation and serological samples were collected. Patient sera were tested by microscopic agglutination test (MAT) against serovars of Leptospira spp. belonging to 13 serogroups. Small mammals were also collected, sampled, and tested near locations of suspected exposures. Changes in leptospirosis incidence in Zakarpattia oblast were characterized over an 11-year period. Results: A total of 420/2079 possible human cases were identified as having leptospirosis and 401/420 were confirmed by MAT. There was no annual trend in prevalence. Incidence increased from 2005 to 2009, peaked in 2010 (6.24 cases/100,000), and by 2015, there were only sporadic cases (0.88/100,000). The predominant serogroups were Icterohaemorrhagiae, Hebdomadis, and Grippotyphosa of Leptospira spp. The dominant serogroups shifted during the study from predominantly Icterohaemorrhagiae to Grippotyphosa in later years. A total of 2820 small mammals were assayed for Leptospira spp. Apodemus agrarius, Rattus norvegicus, and Mus musculus were the most common species sampled (76.1% of all captures). Among small mammals, antibodies were found mostly for Icterohaemorrhagiae, Pomona, and Grippotyphosa serogroups, and were detected in 276 samples (9.79% ± 0.56%). The dominant serogroups of Leptospira spp. isolated from mammals and patients changed cyclically, but the common human serogroups tended to differ from that seen in the concurrent mammal populations. Conclusions: Patients with leptospirosis in this endemic region decreased more than fivefold during the past decade. Leptospira infections in small mammals remained common across multiple species ranging from 5% to 14%.

Non-enzymatic activation of prothrombin induced by interaction with fibrin ß26-42 region.

We have discovered that addition of monomeric desAB fibrin to prothrombin leads to appearance of the thrombin-like activity of prothrombin towards S2238 chromogenic substrate. DesA and desABß(15-42)2 fibrin forms did not cause any activation of prothrombin. From this observation we could suggested that amino acid residues of the 15-42 fragment of BßN-domain presented in desAB fibrin, cleaved in desABß(15-42)2 fibrin and protected in desA fibrin, play a crucial role in the non-enzymatic activation of prothrombin. To identify the Bß amino acid residues involved in the fibrin-prothrombin binding we used monoclonal antibodies 1-5G and 2d2a with epitopes in Bß26-42 and Bß12-26 fibrin fragments respectively. The thrombin-like activity in the mixture of prothrombin and desAB fibrin was monitored in the presence of each of these monoclonal antibodies. It was found that anti-Bß12-26 antibody does not exhibit any inhibitory effect on the thombin-like activity of the mixture. In contrast, adding of Bß26-42 antibody into the mixture of desAB fibrin with prothrombin diminished the thrombin-like activity by 70%. Recombinant dimeric peptides Bß(15-44)2 and Bß(15-66)2 that mimic amino acid residues in fibrin were also tested for their ability to activate prothrombin. It was found that both peptides were able to induce non-enzymatic activation of prothrombin. The activation was more evident in the case of Bß(15-44)2 peptide. From the data obtained we can conclude that desAB fibrin binds to prothrombin through the Bß26-42 amino acid residues and the formation of such a complex caused a non-enzymatic activation of prothrombin.