Rabies surveillance in the Russian Federation.

Rabies is endemic to the Russian Federation. The disease incidence ranges between 2,000 and 4,000 cases annually. Between two and six cases in humans are also reported each year. Wild animals are the basic reservoir and vector of the virus, and the incidence of rabies in foxes and raccoon dogs amounts to 50% of the total number of disease cases. When outbreaks occur, the disease is also reported in domestic animals. To prevent the further spread of rabies, vaccination of domestic animals and oral immunisation of wildlife are practised. Unfortunately, vaccine coverage and disease prevention measures have not been sufficient to achieve a notable improvement in the rabies situation in the country.

La rage est présente à l'état endémique dans la Fédération de Russie. Son incidence varie de 2 000 à 4 000 cas par an. Deux à six cas de rage humaine sont également enregistrés chaque année. Les animaux sauvages constituent le principal réservoir et vecteur du virus, l'incidence de la rage chez le renard et le chien viverrin représentant 50 % du nombre total de cas. En cas de foyer, la maladie affecte également les animaux domestiques. La vaccination des animaux domestiques et l'immunisation orale de la faune sauvage sont les deux mesures appliquées pour empêcher la rage de se propager davantage. Malheureusement, la couverture vaccinale obtenue et les mesures de prévention appliquées n'ont pas suffi à améliorer significativement la situation de la rage.

La rabia es endémica en la Federación de Rusia, con una incidencia que va de los 2 000 a los 4 000 casos anuales. Cada año se notifican entre dos y seis casos en el ser humano. Los animales silvestres son el principal reservorio y vector del virus: la incidencia de la rabia en zorros y mapaches supone el 50% de la totalidad de los casos. Cuando estallan brotes también se registran casos en animales domésticos. Para impedir que la enfermedad se siga propagando se procede a la vacunación de los animales domésticos y a la inmunización oral de la fauna silvestre. Lamentablemente, la cobertura de vacunación y las medidas de prevención no han bastado para lograr una mejora sustancial de la situación de la rabia.

[Genetic characterization of the rabies virus field isolates detected in Russian Federation within the period 2008-2011].

Sixty-three gene N fragments of rabies virus field isolates detected within the period 2008-2011 in different regions of Russian Federation were sequenced. The comparison with previously tested isolates and strains has shown that newly isolated isolates can be placed into five previously described phylogenetic groups: Arctic group, Central Russian group, Eurasian group, Northern European group, and Caucasian group. The Arctic group isolates detected in Komi republic were identical to previously described rabies virus strain from Yakutia. This is the first reliable case of detecting Arctic group rabies virus in European part of Russia.

[Use of PCR and nucleotide sequence analysis of the VP7 gene for detection of bovine rotaviruses and identification of their G serotypes]. / Ispol'zovatie PTSR i sravnitel'nogo analiza nukleotidnoi posledovatel'nosti gena VP7 dlia vyiavlenia rotavirusov krupnogo rogatogo skota i opredeleniia ikh G-serotipov.

A Vp7 gene fragment PCR protocol was developed to detect the bovine rotaviruses and to identify their G serotypes. The most widespread bovine rotaviruses of G serotypes (G6, G8 and G10) can be distinguished on the basis of the PCR fragment size, while other G serotypes can be differentiated through a comparative analysis of the VP7 gene fragment nuclcotide sequence. Twenty-four bovine rotavirus field isolates were detected, and their G stereotypes were determined by using the method in question. Fourteen isolates were shown to be of G6 serotype; four of them were of G8, five--of G10, and one isolate was of G11 serotype. A possibility of detecting more than one isolate by this method was shown. Finally, a feasibility of using the method for searching for rotaviruses of new bovine rotavirus G serotypes and for rotaviruses, which do not belong to a so far described G serotypes, is discussed.