[Genetic variants of the Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus circulating in endemic areas of the southern Tajikistan in 2009].

506 Hyalomma anatolicum ticks were collected and assayed in two Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) endemic regions of Tajikistan. Antigen and RNA of CCHF virus were detected in 3.4% of tick pools from Rudaki district using ELISA and RT-PCR tests. As of Tursunzade district, viral antigen was identified in 9.0% of samples and viral RNA was identified in 8.1% of samples. The multiple alignment of the obtained nucleotide sequences of CCHF virus genome S-segment 287-nt region (996-1282) and multiple alignment of deduced amino acid sequences of the samples, carried out to compare with CCHF virus strains from the GenBank database, as well as phylogenetic analysis, enabled us to conclude that Asia 1 and Asia 2 genotypes of CCHF virus are circulating in Tajikistan. It is important to note that the genotype Asia 1 virus was detected for the first time in Tajikistan.

[Genetic monitoring of the Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever virus in Kazakhstan and Tajikistan in 2001-2003].

Blood specimens obtained from 32 CCHF patients were tested for the presence of CCHF virus markers. In addition, 3210 ticks of the genera Hyalomma asiaticum, Hyalomma anatolicum, and Dermacentor niveus were examined to identify the CCHF virus antigen and RNA. This material was obtained during the 2001-2003 local outbreaks of CCHF in Kazakhstan and Tajikistan. The nucleotide sequence in the region 983-1282 of S segment of the CCHF virus for 12 wild type strains was determined. The phylogenetic relationships among the established biovariants of CCHF virus, and also between these biovariants and those from other regions of the world were identified. We were the first to demonstrate the presence of an African-like genotype of CCHF virus in the territory of Kazakhstan. The conclusion was made that two genotypes of CCHF virus were in circulation in Kazakhstan. It was also demonstrated that CCHF virus, circulating in the territories of Kazakhstan and Tajikistan, was genetically heterogeneous.

[ELISA and RT-PCR-based research of viruses in the ticks collected in the foci of Crimean-Congo fever in Kazakhstan and Tajikistan in 2001-2002].

Different species of ticks were found, in the territories of Kazakhstan and Tajikistan, to be infected with the virus of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CKHF). The virologic evaluation included determination of antigen and RNA of the CKHF virus by ELISA and RT-PCR, respectively. The below tick species were found to be involved in the epidemic process: Hyalomma asiaticum, Dermacentor niveus (Kazakhastan) and Hyalomma anatolicum (Tajikistan). The results testify to the fact that Hyalomma ticks are the main carrier of the above virus in the Middle Asia. At the same time, Dermacentor niveus ticks are infection carriers in Kazakhstan.

[Study of virus contamination of Ixodes ticks in the foci of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever in Kazakhstan and Tajikistan].

The data on the contamination of different of ticks with Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) virus on the territory of Kazakhstan and Tajikistan were obtained. The methods of the evaluation of the virus contamination of ticks included the determination of the antigen and CCHF virus RNA by the methods of the enzyme immunoassay and the reverse transcription PCR respectively. Different tick species were found to be involved in the epidemic process: Hyalomma asiaticum, Dermatocentor niveus (Kazakhstan) and Hyalomma anatolicum (Tajikistan). The results obtained in this study confirmed that the main vector of CCHF virus in Central Asia were ticks of the genus Hyalomma, and in Kazakhstan the vectors of this virus also included ticks Dermatocentor niveus.

[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.