[The first break-through of the genotype 2.3.2 of high-virulence influenza A virus A/HSN1, which is new for Russia, in the Far East].

The epizootic etiologically associated with highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 genotype 2.3.2 that is new for Russia among wild and domestic birds in the south of the Primorye Territory during spring migration in April 2008 has been decoded. About 25% of the wild birds of a water complex, which include European teals (Anas crecca), mallard ducks (Anas platyrhynchos), great-crested grebes (Podiceps cristatus), are involved in viral circulation in the area of the Suifun-Khankai plain. Chicken embryos and the cell lines MDCK, SPEV, BHK-21, SW-13 were used to isolate 3 strains from recently deceased hens (A/chicken/Primorje/1/08, A/chicken/Primorje/11/08, and A/chicken/Primorje/12/08) and one strain from a European teal (A/Anas crecca/Primorje/8/08). The strains were deposited in the State Collection of Viruses of the Russian Federation, D. I. Ivanovsky Research Institute of Virology, Russian Academy of Medical Sciences. The nucleotide sequences of the full-sized genomes of A/chicken/Primorje/1/08 and A/Anas crecca/Primorje/8/08 were sent to the International databank GenBank. The strains from domestic and wild birds were shown to be identical. The isolated strains are most close to the strains Alchicken/Viet Nam/10/05, A/chicken/Guangdong/178/04, and A/duck/Viet Nam/12/05. Molecular genetic analysis has indicated that the strains isolated are susceptible to rimantadine and ozeltamivir and less adapted to mammalian cells (particularly, they contain E627 in RV2, which agrees with the biological properties of these strains in vitro). Penetration of the newly isolated virus into the Far East ecosystem provides in the foreseeable future a way for infecting the birds wintering in America and Australia in the nesting places, with further carriage of viral populations there in the period of autumn migrations.

[Molecular genetic characteristics of the strain A/chicken/Moscow/2/2007 (H5N1) strain from a epizootic focus of highly pathogenic influenza A among agricultural birds in the neear-Moscow region (February 2007)].

Among agricultural birds in the near-Moscow Region (February 2007), local epizootics caused by the highly pathogenic avian influenza A/H5N1 virus seem to be of unintended manual origin. Such a situation may be considered to be model when the source of inoculation is elucidated in cases of potentially possible acts of bioterrorism. Molecular genetic analysis of isolated A/chicken/Moscow/2/2007 strain established its genetic similarity with the highly pathogenic strains detected in the Black-and-Caspian Sea region in 2006. At the same time, comparison of nucleotide sequences of the strain A/chicken/Moscow/2/2007 with the strains of Qinghai-Siberian genotype (CSG) for which the sequences of full-sized genomes are known in the international databases revealed a significant distinction of the near-Moscow strain from the earlier known analogues. The uniqueness of the primary structure of the PB1 gene is shown. The paper discusses the functional value of amino acid substitutions in the proteins of the strain A/chicken/Moscow/2/2007 and in other variants of CSG of the subtype H5N1.

[West Nile virus infection of agricultural animals in the Astrakhan region, as evidenced by the 2001-2004 serological surveys].

Sera sampled from 2,884 farming animals in the Astrakhan region in 2001 to 2004 were investigated by the hemagglutination inhibition test (HIT) in order to indicate specific antibodies to West Nile virus (WNV). HIT-positive samples were investigated by the neutralization test (NT). WNV antibodies were detected in all the examined species of animals: horses (the proportion of positive tests throughout the observation averaged 9.8%; the agreement with NT results was 94.1%), cattle (6,4 and 72.%), camels (5.2 and 41.7%), pigs (3.1 and 75%), and sheep (2.2 and 57.1). Relationships between the environmental features of WNV in different natural zones, the infection rate, and the conditions of keeping farming animals in the Astrakhan region are analyzed.

[HIV-1 serotyping of V3-mimicking peptides circulating in the Republic of Tajikistan among intravenous drug users]. / Serotipirovanie na osnove V3-imitiruiushchikh peptidov variantov VICH-1, tsirkuliruiushchikh v Respublike Tadzhikistan sredi lits, upotrebliaiushchikh narkotiki vnutrivenno.

The paper summarizes the results of HIV-1 serotyping by using 56 positive sera collected in the territory of the Republic of Tajikistan (RT) from intravenous drug users (IVDU). It was made by solid-phase ELISA based on synthetic peptides, mimicking different variants of the apical epitope of the HIV-1 gp120 V3-loop. Two types of conjugates, those specific to human IgG and IgA, were used to detect the immune complexes. Serotypes, as determined according to IgG and IgA-based ELISA, coincided, however, the latter were proven to be more suitable for serotyping. There is a high level of HIV-1 serotype heterogeneity among IVDU in RT; altogether, 4 serotypes were identified, i.e. B (10%), B+A/C (18%), A/C (20%) and A/C+B (52%). The modern serotype HIV-1 diversity in RT resembles the epidemiologic situation in the territory of the former USSR as observed in the late 80-ies-early 90-ies of the last century.

Basic properties of populations generated in the frame of one-parameter discrete model of genetic diversity.

Previously, when discussing the properties of one parameter discrete model of genetic diversity (M.Yu. Shchelkanov et al, J. Biomol. Struct. Dyn. 15, 887-894 (1998)), we took into account Hamming distance distribution only between precursor and arbitrary descendant sequences. However, really there are sets of sequence populations produced during amplification process. In the presented work we have investigated Hamming distance distributions between sequences from different descendant sets produced in the frame of one parameter discrete model. Two basic descendant generation operators (so called amplifiers) are introduced: 1) the last generation amplifier, L, which produces descendants with precursor elimination; 2) all generations amplifier, G, which produces descendants without precursor elimination. Generalization of one-parameter discrete model for the case when precursor sequences do not coincide are carried out. Using this generalization we investigate the distribution of Hamming distances between L- and G-generated sequences. Basic properties of L and G operators, L/G-choice alternative problem have been discussed. Obtained results have common theoretical significance, but they are more suitable for high level genetic diversity process (for example, HIV diversity).

Stochastic properties of one-parameter discrete model of genetic diversity in the unique random parameter case.

Stochastic properties of previously introduced one parameter discrete model of genetic diversity (M. Yu. Shchelkanov et al, J. Biomol. Struct. Dyn. 15, 887-894 (1998)) are investigated. Two approaches are compared: (A) when the on-step substitution number and/or the number of substitution steps are random variables; (B) referred parameters are replaced by mathematical expectations of the respective variables. It has been demonstrated, that estimations of sequence measure based on the number of replication steps are more under the assumption of case (A) as compared with (B). Thus, real biological situation relating to the case (A) could additionally promote the increasing of distinctions between different taxons (e.g. HIV, etc.). Peculiarities of one-parameter discrete model of genetic diversity during calculation of the distinctions between symbol (e.g. nucleotide) sequence sets are also discussed.