Development and evaluation of a RT-qPCR assay for fast and sensitive rabies diagnosis.

Rabies virus is endemic to Russia, among other countries. It is therefore critical to develop a high-quality and high-precision diagnostic procedure for the control and prevention of infection. The main objective of the research presented here was to develop a reliable RT-qPCR assay for rabies diagnostics. For this purpose, a RABV strains from various biological and geographical origins were used. In addition, rabies-positive and rabies-negative samples, as well as nucleic acids from other viruses and DNA extracted from the brain tissues of mice, dogs, cats, bats and humans, were studied using the developed assay. The analytical sensitivity of the assay, as assessed using armored recombinant positive control dilutions, was 103 copies/ml, and the sensitivity measured using characterized strains was between 0.1 LD50/ml and 1.0 LD50/ml. A broad range of RNA from RABV strains circulating in different regions of Russia, as well as RNA from RABV-positive primary brain samples from 81 animals and two humans, was detected using the developed assay. No false-positive or false-negative results were obtained. Given that high analytical and diagnostic sensitivities and a high specificity were verified for this assay, it has high potential as a screening test that may be suitable for the epizootiological monitoring of animals and for the fast postmortem diagnosis of rabies.

The burden of tick-borne diseases in the Altai region of Russia.

This article presents the results of a comprehensive survey of the burden of tick-borne infectious diseases (TBIDs) in the Altai region of Russia. Official data for TBID incidence were analyzed and 201 samples from patients with suspected TBID were studied. Furthermore, questing ticks and ticks recovered from humans were examined to estimate prevalence of TBID-causative agents. The Altai region was determined to have a heightened risk for TBIDs in Russia. The most epidemiologically significant tick-borne illness in this area is spotted fever group rickettsiosis, while nationally in Russia, the leading TBID is Lyme borreliosis. The prevalence of mixed infection was 12.4% among the studied cases. Additionally, the prevalence of poorly studied pathogens - Kemerovo virus (KEMV) and Rickettsia tarasevichiae - in ticks from the Altai region was determined.

[Scientific substantiation of sizes of sanitary protection zones of anthrax burial sites based on the comprehensive evaluation of risk factors].

In the Russian Federation anthrax epizootics are still being registered among animals as well as epidemic foci of the population. This situation is linked to natural reservoirs of the pathogen - numerous anthrax burial sites which belong to class I of dangerous objects. In this connection, a one-kilometer sanitary protective zone is required according to current Russian Federation legislation. As a result, a significant land of the country is unsuitable for any agricultural use. Meanwhile, epizootologo-epidemiological observations indicate to that different anthrax burial sites differ in their characteristics and represent varying degrees of the risk. In connection with the development of the agricultural sector, intensive construction and the development of new and abandoned areas there is a need of creating unified approaches to assess the risk of anthrax burial sites, as well as to determine the size of sanitary protection zones based on the risk assessment. This article represents an original methodology to assess the actual danger of anthrax burial sites. It is based on a comprehensive multi-factor quantity-related risk assessment, described by a model that accounting the importance of each study for natural, social and biological factors. Undertaking this methodology allowed to reveal a degree of danger of anthrax burial sites located in different territories of the Russian Federation, and helped to substantiate the dimensions of their sanitary protection zones.

[CONTEMPORARY EPIZOOTOLOGICAL AND EPIDEMIOLOGICAL FEATURES OF BRUCELLOSIS IN THE REPUBLIC OF TAJIKISTAN].

AIM: Study epizootological and epidemiological features of brucellosis on the territory of the Republic of Tajikistan under the conditions of social-economic transformation with evaluation of width and scale of its spread, as well as reasons of the present situation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Official statistics data, results of expert evaluations, reports, analytical material of national and international organizations, results of clinical and epidemiological analysis were used. Descriptive- evaluative epidemiologic methods, serologic studies of samples obtained from humans, animals, environmental objects between 2000 and 2013; mapping using GIS-technology, as well as statisti- cal analysis were used. Techniques of calculation of DALY-index and population infection risk parameter were used. RESULTS: Features of situation by brucellosis were detected, that lay in its wide spread among humans and agricultural animals, changes in morbidity structure, as well as char- acter of its seasonal and territorial spread, connected with predominant effect of social risk factors. CONCLUSION: Contemporary situation for brucellosis in the Republic of Tajikistan is characterized by a pronounced non-welfare and determined by acting social-economic conditions. The main factors are changes in the conditions of conducting agricultural activity against the background of high level of unemployment and external work migration.

[Anthrax cattle burial grounds in Russia and their biosafety].

AIM: To develop standard operating procedure for assessment level of biohazard for population living near existing cattle burial grounds. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Development of standard operating procedure for assessment of biosafety of cattle burial grounds was performed on the basis of regulatory documents and regional field practical experience. Assessment of biohazard level of anthrax cattle burial grounds was performed in 5 regions choosen on the basis of certain criteria. Total number of samples taken was 762. RESULTS: Rating of federal districts according to number of permanently problematic on anthrax places was composed. It was determined that maximal number of permanently problematic on anthrax places was active during time period until 1950. Agent of anthrax was not detected in studied samples either as spores or vegetative forms and soil was categorized as "clean" on all indicators. CONCLUSION: It was determined that conditions of burial of cattle fallen due to anthrax and their maintenance rules are followed in 5 places. All cattle burial grounds are located inside towns' borders or adjoin to areas of existing or planned apartment blocks.