Analysis of rotaviral gastroenteritis in Tbilisi.

Electrophoretypes of 107 rotaviral isolates collected in Tbilisi for 18 months revealed seven patterns from which 4 were "long" and 3 "short". The "long" electrophoretypes represented 74.8% of total number of the isolates analysed. One of the "long" electrophoretypes dominated for the whole investigation period. Differences in the seasonal distribution of the isolates with various electrophoretypes were demonstrated and appearance of rotaviral isolates was registered with a "short" electrophoretype which had never been detected before.

[Radioimmunologic analysis for the rapid diagnosis of arbovirus infections]. / Radioimmunologicheskii analiz dlia ékspress-diagnostiki nekotorykh arbovirusnykh infektsii.

The employment of radioimmunoassay (RIA) allows arbovirus infections to be diagnosed at an early stage of the illness. In the present study the best variant of RIA was determined with regard to its practical use in rapid diagnosis of some arbovirus infections and its superiority over CFT, HI, IHA, IF. The method was shown to be highly specific and sensitive for qualitative studies of specimens from natural foci of arboviruses and for timely diagnosis of human illnesses.

[Cases of legionellosis infection in Tbilisi]. / Sluchai zabolevaniia legionellezom v Tbilisi.

The epidemic outbreak of Legionella infection at two industrial enterprises during the period of July-August 1988 is described. The results of the epidemiological study, the clinical course and the serological diagnosis of the outbreak are presented. For the first time in the USSR a new form of the disease has been described at the territory of Georgia. This form, named Legionella fever, is manifested mainly by skin eruptions.

[The frequency of detection of markers of hepatitis virus B infection among the inhabitants of Rustavi, the Georgian SSR]. / Chastota vyiavleniia markerov infitsirovaniia virusom gepatita B sredi zhitelei Rustavi Gruzinskoi SSR.

Blood serum samples from 1,087 patients with acute viral hepatitis were studied. HBsAg was detected in 36.6% of cases. The study of anti-HBc IgM made it possible to diagnose hepatitis B in 6.6% of cases. The study of blood serum samples from 362 donors, 2,356 pregnant women and 163 medical workers in Rustavi for the presence of the markers of hepatitis B infection revealed a wide spread of hepatitis B in Rustavi.

[Detection of natural foci of the hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome in the Georgian SSR]. / Obnaruzhenie prirodnykh ochagov gemorragicheskoi likhoradki s pochechnym sindromom v Gruzinskoi SSR.

The circulation of the causative agent of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) in Georgia was studied. Altogether, 7,938 small mammals of 16 species trapped in 23 administrative areas of the republic were examined, and the specific antigen of HFRS virus was detected in 308 (3.8%). In serological examinations of 10 patients, antibody to HFRS virus was found in 4. Analysis of the above results indicates the existence of natural foci of HFRS in the Georgian SSR.

[Etiological significance of rotaviruses in acute intestinal diseases in children]. / Izuchenie étiologicheskogo znacheniia rotavirusov pri ostrykh kishechnykh zabolevaniiakh detei.

The paper presents the results of virological, serological, and epidemiological examinations of patients with acute enteric infections of obscure etiology carried out for detection of rotavirus gastroenteritides. Rotaviruses have been found to play a certain role in generating acute gastroenteritides in infants under 3 years, mostly among infants, of 1-2 years, the least among those of 0-6 months of age. Adult family members were the source of infection for the children. The season of infection falls on October-December.

[Complex method for epizootiological and epidemiological surveillance]. / O kompleksnom metode épizootologicheskogo i épidemiologicheskogo nadzora.

A complex method for the epizootological and epidemiological surveillance of a number of bacterial and viral infections on the territories inside and outside their natural foci has been developed. The investigation techniques are described and the data on the isolation rate of each causative agent in different geographical zones are presented. In the natural foci of plague and tularemia, as well as on the territories outside such foci, the causative agents of intestinal yersiniosis, pseudotuberculosis, salmonellosis, erysipeloid, staphylococci and streptococci, arena- and arboviruses have been isolated from the rodents and ectoparasites under study. The results of this investigation suggest that the method may be recommended for use in medical institutions dealing with the problems of infections originating from natural foci.

[Detection of the tularemia zoonosis in the territory of the Kartlian Plain]. / Obnaruzhenie prirodnogo ochaga tularemii na territorii Kartliiskoi ravniny.

The natural focus of tularemia was found to cover the whole territory of the Kartlian plain. Epizooty occurred mainly among common voles with the involvement of insectivorous voles. Hard ticks, gamasids and fleas infected with Francisella tularensis were detected. Rodents highly sensitive to tularemia can be affected by this infection. Water rats were not involved into the enzootic process. Further studies are necessary for the final solution of this problem.