[RETROSPECTIVE ANALYSIS OF BIOLOGICAL AND MOLECULAR-GENETIC PROPERTIES OF STRAINS - CAUSATIVE AGENTS OF CHOLERA - ISOLATED IN UKRAINE IN 1994 - 2011].

AIM: Retrospective analysis of biological and molecular-genetic properties of strains - cau- sative agents of cholera - isolated in the period of epidemics in Ukraine in 1994 - 2011. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Phenotypic and molecular-genetic properties of 5 strains of cholera vibrios, biovar El Tor isolated from cholera patients and 4 strains from the environmental samples were studied using traditional bacteriological and genetic methods. Detection of DNA for toxigenicity genes and genes characteristic for El Tor and classic biovar were carried out by PCR method using rea- gent kits <> and <> an experimental test system). Sequencing of genomes of 4 strains of causative agents of cholera was carried out in genetic analyzer Ion Torrent Personal Genome Machine. RESULTS: Strains of cholera vibrios identified in Ukraine in 1994 and 2011 such as a typical toxigenic biovar El Tor (V cholerae Ο1, El Tor, Ogawa, Hly-, ctxA+, tcpA+) contain genes ofthe classic cholera vibrio in their genome and are genetically altered (hybrid) variants of cholera vibrio biovar El Tor producing enterotoxin CTI and having increased virulence, that was clinically manifested in predominance of severe forms of cholera in Mariupol of Donetsk region in 2011. Genome sequences ofthe 4 studied strains were deposited into the international database DDBJ/EMBL/GenBank. CONCLUSION: The studied isolates were established to belong to a clade of strains associated with cholera outbreaks in Haiti and Asian continent, from where genetically altered strains of cholera vibrios biovar El Tor were introduced to Haiti in 2010, based on results of comparison of genomic sequences of the studied strains with genomes of V cholera strains from the international database GenBank.

A NEW GENETIC VARIANT OF THE CRIMEAN-CONGO HEMORRHAGIC FEVER VIRUS ISOLATED IN CRIMEA.

This work represents the results of the genetic identification of the Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus (CCHF virus) strains isolated in the Crimean Federal District in conducting the epidemiological survey of the imported case of CCHF from Crimea in 2015. One sample of the serum from a patient and 61 pools (506 specimens) of ticks collected during the epizootiological survey of 6 administrative districts of the Crimean Federal District were tested using PCR for the presence of the CCHF virus RNA. RNA of the CCHF virus was detected in serum from a patient and 10 samples of ticks. The genetic identification of the CCHF virus was performed by sequencing the virus genome S-, M-, and L-segments. The result of the molecular-genetic analysis revealed a high degree of identity between the samples of the CCHF virus in human serum and three samples of ticks and their belonging to a new genetic Crimea subclade (Vd) of the genotype Europe 1. Whole genome sequencing of two samples of CCHF virus belonging to the Crimea subgroup (Vd) was performed. CCHF virus variants of the Crimea subclade (Vd) of the Europe- lgenotype were described for the first time. These variants were endemic to the territory of the Crimean peninsula.

[New single nucleotide polymorphisms of androgen receptor gene (AR) in the Russian breed of Dzhalginsky Merino sheep].

This paper investigates the structure of androgen receptor gene (AR) in the Russian breed of Dzhalginsky Merino sheep. Polymorphisms of the gene were detected using NimbleGen sequencing technology (Roche, United States). Eight single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and two insertions were detected. Five of these SNPs (c.335T>G, c.339G>A, c.342T>C, c.2491-327T>A, and c.2491-325A>T) and both insertions were identified for the first time. Three SNPs and the insertions are located in the coding part of exon. Insertion c.336_337 is found in most of the animals of this breed and can be used as a genomic marker of the breed. Animals with mutant variant of SNP c.1496+15T>C have significantly lower live weight and body size compared with the wild type genotype. This SNP can be used as a genetic marker of meat production in marker-assisted selection.

[Comparative study of pharmacokinetics of ofloxacin in a free and niosomal forms in experiments on white mice when administered per os].

AIM: To study features of pharmacokinetics of ofloxacin as a part of anion PEGylated niosomes on a basis of sorbitan monostearate (Span 60) to experimental white mice per os. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ofloxacin was entrapped in niosomes consisting of Span 60, cholesterol, PEG 4000 and dicetylphosphate. Sizes of niosomes estimated by means of probe microscopy. Efficiency of inclusion of an antibiotic in niosomes defined after removal of free drug by a centrifugation. The analysis of the quantitative contents of ofloxacin in samples carried out a method of a high performance liquid chromatography. RESULTS: We studied the main pharmacokinetic parameters of ofloxacin when used free and niosomal forms of antibiotic to experimental white mice per os. It is shown that use of oral niosomal forms leads to decrease of maximal concentration in serum and increase of ofloxacin half-life by 7,4 times in average compared to the free form. It is determined that bioavailability of ofloxacin in the niosomal form is 154% relative to the free form of the antibiotic. CONCLUSIONS: Niosomal microcontainers are perspective technology of encapsulation and the directe transport of antibacterial preparations through biological barriers. Using of niosomal formulation of ofloxacin is able to afford to increase considerably efficiency of treatment in comparison with a free form and significantly decrease negative effects of antibiotic therapy.

[Current characteristics of advanced and rapidly progressive forms of pulmonary tuberculosis]. / Sovremennaia kharakteristika rasprostranennykh i ostroprogressiruiushchikh form tuberkuleza legkikh.

Tuberculosis morbidity and mortality in the Moldova Republic has deteriorated since 1991. The percentage of advanced and rapidly progressive forms of the disease rose 2-3-fold. Most of the patients are 21-50-year-old unemployed men living in poor financial and social conditions. Advanced and rapidly progressive tuberculosis forms present clinically with multiple symptoms and destructions, high incidence of generalized dissemination and involvement of the brain. Treatment effectiveness depends on feasibility of combined therapy incorporating 4-5 antituberculous drugs. After the treatment, 84.1% of the patients stopped bacterial discharge, closure of the caverns was achieved in 55.3% of the patients.