Identification and characterization of bluetongue virus in Culicoides spp. and clinically healthy livestock in southeastern Kazakhstan.

OBJECTIVE: Bluetongue is an arthropod-borne disease of ruminants. Here, we investigated the seroprevalence of bluetongue virus (BTV) in livestock and performed the first genetic characterization of BTV isolated from sheep and Culicoides midges in the southeastern region of Kazakhstan. METHODS: Blood samples were collected from 1241 asymptomatic livestock. In addition, 497 Culicoides midges were collected. Samples were analyzed for specific anti-BTV antibodies and BTV RNA by ELISA and conventional RT-PCR, respectively. RESULTS: The overall seroprevalence of BTV antibodies was shown to be 4.3 % (46/1079) in small ruminant and 1 % (1/82) in cattle. Anti-BTV antibodies were not detected in camels (0/80). The minimum infection rate of BTV in Culicoides was shown to be 0.24 %. Seg-2 and Seg-10 sequence analysis demonstrated that all isolates belonged to the 'western' topotype of the BTV-9 strain. CONCLUSION: The present data confirm circulation of BTV in southeastern Kazakhstan.

Epizootic situation of Aujeszky's disease within the territory of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

Background: The relevance of the study is determined by the danger that this disease poses to all types of domestic animals in the Republic of Kazakhstan, as well as the significant damage caused by this situation to the entire agriculture of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Timely and competent analysis of the epizootic situation for this disease in the country will reliably determine the development tendencies of this condition and predetermine a set of measures that should be taken to combat this animal disease in agricultural regions of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Aim: This study examines the development of the epizootic situation of Aujeszky's disease within the territory of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Methods: To achieve the set research goal, a combination of quantitative and qualitative research methods are used. Results: The results of this research article can be of significant importance for livestock breeders in the Republic of Kazakhstan, who are working on raising the number of pigs and other types of domestic animals and are interested in a further increase in the number. Conclusion: From a practical standpoint, the significance of this study is conditioned by the possibility of searching and determining the main directions of the spread of the disease under consideration in agricultural lands and regions of the Republic of Kazakhstan, as well as taking a set of measures to eradicate such a disease and prevent its future occurrence in the country.

Impact of geographical factors on the spread of animal brucellosis in the Republic of Kazakhstan.

In Latin and Central America and in most Asian countries, brucellosis remains an insufficiently studied disease. This study aims to determine the national and regional incidence of brucellosis among cattle (cows) and small ruminants (sheep, goats) in the Republic of Kazakhstan, as well as to identify the effect of climatic and geographical factors on the incidence rates. Thematic maps were created in an open geographic information system QGIS version 2.8. in order to identify the natural and socio-economic factors that influence the spread of the disease overlay method was used. Local cluster analysis was used in order to identify additional causes of the disease. Findings show the following values of Pearson correlation between the overall population and the number of animals infected: 0.68 for cows, p ≤ 0.005, and 0.56 for sheep and goats, p ≤ 0.03. Thus, the larger the heard in a given area, the greater likelihood of having brucellosis. Data processing reveals that Kazakhstan has almost twice as many regions good for cattle breeding as regions that are good for the small ruminants farming. The correlation variables for cattle and small ruminants are approximately the same. On the basis of the performed research the author proposes to amend the accepted methodology of epidemiology surveillance by the methods based on spatial (geographical) analysis. It is also proposed to adjust the process of breeding cattle and small ruminants considering the additional health recommendations that take into account the geographical aspects of the spread of the disease.

Reasons behind the epidemiological situation of brucellosis in the Republic of Kazakhstan.

Brucellosis is endemic in the Republic of Kazakhstan, particularly in agro-pastoral areas. The purpose of this research is to study the epidemiological situation of brucellosis in livestock recorded in the Republic of Kazakhstan, and to identify the reasons why anti-brucellosis measures were not effective. The research was performed on statistical data provided by the Republican Veterinary Laboratory (RVL), the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The analysis touched upon the prevalence of Brucellosis in cattle and small ruminants (sheep and goats) in 13 regions of the Republic of Kazakhstan in 2012-2016. Aside from that, Research Institute for Biological Safety Problems conducted screening assays that involved 11,889 samples of blood and tissues from said animals. The risks of developing Brucellosis were assessed for each particular region. The comparison of studies conducted in 2012-2016 reveals an increase in the prevalence of Brucellosis in cattle in the following regions: West Kazakhstan, Karaganda Region and Pavlodar Region. For small ruminants, growing prevalence was observed in the Kostanay Region, Jambyl Region and Almaty Region. Between 2014 and 2016, the incidence rate had a growing trend, with a high in 2014 and 2015. The lowest prevalence rate during the following years (2012-2016) was in the Mangystau Region. The Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISE) test applied in the research among other tests provided the best results. The main risk factors involve epidemiology and sanitary measures, which are undertaken in the Republic of Kazakhstan, geography of the region with focuses of infection, and randomness of spread.

Beta-propiolactone inactivated bivalent bluetongue virus vaccine containing Montanide ISA-71VG adjuvant induces long-term immune response in sheep against serotypes 4 and 16 even after 3 years of controlled vaccine storage.

In this study, we developed and evaluated the beta-propiolactone inactivated bivalent bluetongue virus (BTV) serotypes 4 and 16 vaccine delivered with Montanide™ ISA-71VG adjuvant. The safety, stability and immunological profile of the fresh and after three years of long-term storage of the vaccine formulation was analyzed. We observed after long-term storage that the vaccine emulsion was stable as indicated by unchanged pH and viscosity. The stored vaccine formulation induced virus neutralizing antibodies (VNA) in sheep against both the bluetongue virus serotypes at 7-10 day post-vaccination (dpv). VNA titers reached the peak by 60 dpv and detectable during the entire study period. Antibodies against bluetongue virus structural protein VP7 were detected by ELISA in all BTV vaccinated experimental animal groups. Partial clinical protection was observed in vaccinates against challenge virulent BTV-4 and BTV-16 serotypes by 10 dpv, while complete protection was observed at 14 dpv. The levels of viremia was decreased in challenged sheep by 10 dpv while the viremia was undetectable by 14 dpv. In summary, our newly formulated bivalent BTV (BTV-4 and BTV-16) vaccine delivered with Montanide™ ISA-71VG adjuvant was found safe and stable for over three years and induced protective response in sheep.

Safety and immunogenicity of the novel seasonal preservative- and adjuvant-free influenza vaccine: Blind, randomized, and placebo-controlled trial.

The producers of influenza vaccines are not capable today to meet the global demand for an influenza vaccine in case of pandemic, so the World Health Organization recommends to develop the own influenza vaccine production in each country. A domestic preservative- and adjuvant-free trivalent split vaccine against seasonal influenza was developed at the Research Institute for Biological Safety Problems. The paper presents the results of assessing safety and immunogenicity of the influenza split vaccine after single immunization of healthy volunteers aged 18-50 years in the course of Phase I Clinical Trials. This study was randomized, blind, and placebo-controlled. The volunteers were intramuscularly vaccinated with a dose of split vaccine or placebo. The study has shown that all local and systemic reactions had low degree of manifestation and short-term character, so there was no need in medication. Serious side effects were not observed. On day 21 post vaccination the portion of vaccinated persons with fourfold seroconversions to influenza А/H1N1pdm09 virus was 100.0%, to influenza А/H3N2 virus-95.5%, to influenza B virus-81.8%, and in placebo group this index was 0%. Seroprotection rates against influenza А/H1N1pdm09, А/H3N2 and B viruses were 95.5, 86.3, and 72.7%, respectively. Geometric mean titers (GMT) of antibodies by day 21 post vaccination reached 175.7 for influenza А/H1N1pdm09 virus, 64.2 for influenza А/H3N2 virus, and 37.6 for influenza B virus; in placebo group GMT growth was not observed. So, the seasonal influenza split vaccine is well tolerated and fits all immunogenicity criteria for human influenza vaccines.