[EXTERNAL QUALITY ASSESSMENT FOR THE LABORATORY IDENTIFICATION OF THE PATHOGENS OF PARASITIC DISEASES AS AN ELEMENT FOR IMPROVING THE POSTGRADUATE TRAINING OF SPECIALISTS].

Within the framework of the Federal External Quality Assessment (EQA) System and in the context of postgraduate training improvement for health workers in 2010-2014, specialists from the laboratories of the therapeutic-prophylactic organizations and institutions of the Russian Federal Service for Supervision of Consumer Rights Protection and Human Welfare were examined for their professional competence in microscopically identifying the pathogens of parasitic diseases in feces. The virtual remote educational computer technology tools that included different combinations of 16 helminthic species, 5 intestinal protozoan species, and a number of artefacts, were used. The specialists from 984 laboratories of multidisciplinary therapeutic-prophylactic organizations and hygiene and epidemiology centers in all Federal Districts of the Russian Federation were covered. A total of 8245 replies were analyzed. The detection rate for helminths was 64.0%, including those by a taxonomic group (nematodes, 65.0%; cestodes, 72.0%; trematodes, 55.1%). There was a dynamic decrease in the above indicators. There were low detection rates for trematodes parasitizing the small intestine (Metagonimus, 10.2%; Nanophyetus, 26.2%) and hepatobiliary organs (Fasciola, 59.6%; Clonorchis, 34.9%). The similar trend was seen in the detection rates for the pathogens of geohelminthisms (ascariasis, trichocephaliasis, etc.) and contagious helminthisms (enterobiasis, hymenolepiasis). The level of competence in detecting and identifying intestinal protozoa was much lower than the similar rates for helminthism pathogens. EQA for the laboratory diagnosis of the pathogens of parasitic diseases, by using the virtual tools is a leading element of the postgraduate training system for laboratory specialists. The results of EQA for the laboratory diagnosis of the pathogens of parasitic diseases are a basic material for the development, and improvement of training modernization programs, by applying a modular approach.

[ANTHELMINTIC SUBSTANCES: MAIN CLASSES, PROBLEMS, TRENDS IN DEVELOPMENT AND PROSPECTS].

The review chronologically considers the main classes of the currently available anthelminthic substances: early anthelmintic compounds, benzimidazoles, imidazolthiazoles, tetrahydropyrimidines, avermectins and milbemycins, and salicylanilides. Great attention is paid to novel substances (emodepside, monepantel, derquantel, tribendimidine) and promising developments. Some aspects of the molecular mechanisms of action of anthelmintics, their resistance, and alternative dehelmintization methods are discussed.

[THE DEVELOPMENT AND SURVIVAL OF TOXOCARA CANIS EGGS IN THE NATURAL CLIMATIC CONDITIONS OF GORNO-ALTAISK].

The time of development and survival of Toxocara canis eggs in the soil of Gorno-Altaisk was experimen- tally investigated in 2011-2014. In July 2011, T.canis eggs matured at 3-5-cm soil depths from the stage of 1-2 blastomeres to invading larva within 12 days at a daily average temperature of +23°C and at a relative humidity of 82%. At 3-5-cm soil depths, more than 70% of invaded T. canis eggs preserved their viability through- out the experimental period (4 years). The paper gives evidence for the seasonal survival of invaded T. canis eggs in relation of the length of soil stay.

[THE EPIDEMIOLOGICAL AND EPIZOOTIOLOGICAL COMPONENT OF TOXOCARIASIS FOCI AS AN ELEMENT OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (IN CASE OF THE REPUBLIC OF ALTAI)].

The epidemiological and epizootiological features of toxocariasis foci were investigated in the Republic of Altai. The results of coproovoscopic examinations of dogs, those of serological screening for toxocariasis among different age and occupational groups and coniingents at risk for HIV infection, hepatitis B and C, patients with allergic and bronchopulmonary diseases, toxocariasis mortality rates in the Republic of Altai, and the materials of sanitary and parasitological studies of soil and other environmental constituents for Toxocara canis eggs provide support for the poor situation of toxocariasis in the region. Relying on the current standards and the findings of this study, the Republic of Altai may be referred to as a moderately dangerous area at medium risk for contamination in terms of epidemic, epizootic, and environmental hazards. The results of assessing the quality of laboratory diagnosis of zoonotic helminthisms call for further improvement of the professional knowledge, abilities, and skills of the employees from health care and veterinary facilities, as well as economic objects within production laboratory control, basing on the principles and requirements of the environmental management system and the food quality and safety management system.

[A PROJECT TARGETED APPROACH TO IMPROVING THE ENVIRONMENTAL TRAINING OF PARASITOLOGISTS].

A project targeted approach is the methodological basis for organizing professional education, which deals with learning objectives, content, and technologies as a professional activity design where all components-of a teaching process are constructed on an integrative basis. The project targeted approach is the basis for a project method. The latter ensures that the learning objectives are achieved through the creation of a professionally significant problem, which should yield a real, tangible practical result. At the same time, the organization of a specialist's training and professional activities undergoes a complete cycle: from revelation of a problem to implementation of a project, its assessment and reflection (a comparative analysis of the organization and quality of practical activity). The high effectiveness of the project method contributes to the better environmental training of parasitologists and to the improvement of their professional readiness to solve specific parasitogenic problems.

[Toxocariasis in children and adolescents with allergic and bronchopulmonary diseases, HIV infection, hepatitis B and C risk groups: results of serological screening].

Enzyme immunoassay was used to determine the presence of immunoglobulins class G to Toxocara canis antigens in the sera of children and adolescents (hereinafter referred to as children) with allergic and bronchopulmonary diseases from HIV infection and hepatitis B and C risk groups. A total of 422 dwellers of the Republic of Altai, including 144 subjects aged 1 to 17 years, were examined. Toxocara antibodies were found in 18.8 +/- 3.3% of the children and in 21.9 +/- 2.5% of the adults. The infection rate in children with bronchopulmonary and allergic diseases was 27.1 +/- 5.8 and 14.3 +/- 5.0%, respectively; that in the hepatitis B and C risk groups was 13.1 +/- 6.2%. The children (n = 6) from the HIV infection risk group were seronegative. The infection rate in the adults from the HIV infection and hepatitis risk group was 19.2 +/- 3.5 and 24.3 +/- 3.5%, respectively. Diagnostic antibody titers in the children and adults were determined in 9.0 +/- 2.3 and 8.3 +/- 1.6%, respectively. Immunological assays should be used to rule out toxocariasis in the examinees. If there are seropositive results, specific antiparasitic threatment should be performed.

[Disinvasive activity of Briz 25% e.c. against Toxocara canis eggs (experimental studies)].

The insectoacaricid Briz 25% e.c. was tested for its effects on Toxocara canis eggs in pure culture. In the solar-illuminated laboratory at 22-23°C, T. canis eggs of pure culture were destroyed on days 17-18 when in 1.25% aqueous emulsion of the insectoacaricid Briz 25% e.c. (0.313% with reference to the active ingredient cypermethrin). Within the egg, the parasite failed to die not only in the stage of protoblast (5-6 days), but also in the stages of semiformed (4 days) and mobile larva (7-8 days), i.e. for 16-17 days of the experiment. After eggshell destruction, T. canis larvae actively entered the working aqueous emulsion of Briz 25% e.c. and died within the first hours in the test agent. The working aqueous emulsion of Briz 25% e.c. (1.25% with reference to the agent or 0.313% to the active ingredient cypermethrin) exerted ovicidal and larvicidal activities against the pathogen of T. canis in the pure culture on days 17-18 at 22-23°C.

[Effects of disinfectants on Toxocara canis eggs (results of experimental studies)].

The authors investigated the effects of disinfectants, such as desavid (brand name Desavid), delegol, DP-2T, sulfochloranthione, and hydrogen peroxide on Toxocara canis eggs in the pure culture, Desavid BAS on them in the household-fecal sludge, and sodium hypochlorite in the soil cover. Only desavid (brand name Desavid), delegol, and sodium hypochlorite have a marked ovicidal effect.

[Effects of household chemicals on infested Toxocara canis eggs].

Six household chemicals were tested for effects on cultured Toxocara canis eggs in the mobile larval stage. The cleansing gel Comet (Double Effect) and its 10%, 25%, and 50% aqueous solutions have the most pronounced ovicidal and larvicidal effects under laboratory conditions (+19-22 degrees C). Domestos and Belizna (Bleach) are also effective. These agents are recommended for the disinvasion and washing of premises for canids: aviaries of dog-breeding centers; farms for silver and polar foxes; shelters for stray dogs; rooms in veterinary clinics; and apartments where domestic animals (dogs) are present.

[Role of biological training in the formation of professional capacities in parasitologists].

A competence approach is the methodological basis for a new educational system. Fundamental training in the formation of physicians' professional capacities plays a crucial and more increasing role in the structure of medical education. Biology as a fundamental natural science discloses the regularities of emergence and development, as well as essential conditions for life maintenance. The investigation has determined the didactic bases (goals and content) of a system for biological training of parasitologists in continuing medical education, which ensure the formation of their professional capacities. A set of methodical conditions for implementing the system of the physicians' biological training in postgraduate and advanced medical education as a tool to upgrade the quality of parasitologists' professional training has been determined.

[Toxocariasis in the Republic of Altai. Geoinformation mapping simulation].

Toxocariasis is one of the most important zooanthroponotic natural-focal parasitic diseases in the Republic of Altai. The prevalence of their invasion among the inhabitants of the Republic has increased by more than 7 times. The data of the authors' observations ofToxocara infection in animals (cats, dogs), soil contamination with helminth eggs, and prevalence of human toxocariasis in the Republic of Altai, by considering the results of tests for antibodies against its pathogen in the inhabitants of the region, were automatically processed using geoinformation mapping simulation, which yielded a mapping model to rank the region's area by morbidity rates. The use of up-to-date computers and geo information systems makes it possible to systematize information on this invasion and to see major foci of the disease to reveal the reasons for their assignment to the specific type of the region's landscape.