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Physico-chemical parameters and features of macromolecular orgnization of FI-5 phage were studied. This virus was shown to contain a molecule of double-strander DNA with the standard set of nitrous bases (37.8 mol% GC). The molecule of this DNA in situ is characterized by partial disorder of the second structure. Phage virions contain about 47% of DNA and 53% of protein. The genome of the phage is represented by a DNA molecule with molecular weight 65X10(6) daltons and is capable of coding for a least 15 different proteins.

The virologists' attention to bats (Сhiroptera) changed in the late 20th century as the concept of emerging infections grew in popularity. Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of publications on bat viruses has increased profoundly.History of the problem; biodiversity of Chiroptera and related viruses; medical and veterinary significance of some viral genera and subgenera (Lyssavirus, Henipavirus, Marburgvirus, Ebolavirus, Sarbecovirus, Merbecovirus), as well as problems of bat protection, are addressed in a concise form. Literature search was carried out in electronic databases, mainly for the period of 2000-2021. Publications in Russian that are poorly represented in English-language reviews are also included. The purpose of the review is to substantiate the importance of an interdisciplinary approach in the context of increased interest in the study of viral infections in bats. This review was written for researchers who have not previously dealt with this problem.Since the beginning of this century, the number of known virus species associated with bats has increased by an order of magnitude (>200). The families Rhabdoviridae, Coronaviridae, Paramyxoviridae are in the first ranks according to the number of findings, and the highest diversity of viruses has been established for the families Vespertilionidae, Pteropodidae, Molossidae. Interdisciplinary cooperation positively influences the efficiency, biological safety and practical significance of the ongoing research. The best results were achieved by multidisciplinary teams with good cross-training in several specialties. Many papers emphasize the need to balance health and conservation interests.The analysis of scientific publications indicates a change in research approaches in this area: from collecting individual facts within the framework of narrow specialties to a comprehensive assessment of new knowledge from ecological, evolutionary and socio-economic positions. Results of the research emphasize the need to maintain complex approaches addressing public health needs and environmental protection. The importance of bat-borne viral infections determines the necessity for correction and interdepartmental coordination of scientific research and surveillance of wildlife zoonoses in the Russian Federation.

Due to the new coronavirus infection pandemic, the global scientific community has been forced to change the direction of the most research, focusing on vaccine development as well as the search for new antiviral drugs to treat COVID-19. The choice of experimental models, timeframe and approaches for evaluating drugs and vaccines under development is crucial for the development of effective measures to prevent and control this disease.The purpose of this review was to summarize the relevant data concerning the susceptibility of laboratory animals to SARS-CoV-2. This paper describes the most virus-susceptible animal species that can be used to reproduce coronavirus infection, stressing the main advantages and disadvantages of each of them.According to the latest data, small rodents (Rodentia) and non-human primates (Strepsirrhini) are commonly used in the scientific community to model coronavirus infection. The viral load in the upper and lower parts of the respiratory system, clinical symptoms of infection (weight loss, body temperature and general health status), pathomorphological picture in target organs and the production of antibodies after infection are considered to the main markers of pathology. Despite the vast amount of data, none of the described models of SARS-CoV-2 infection may be considered a gold standard, since they do not reproduce all spectrum of morphological and pathogenetic mechanisms of infection, and do not fully reflect the clinical picture observed in patients in human population.Based on the analyzed literature data, we suppose that Syrian hamster (Mesocricetus auratus) and mice (Muridae) expressing the angiotensin converting enzyme receptor 2 (ACE2) are the most suitable animal species for their use in experiments with SARS-CoV-2 infection. The development of neutralizing antibodies makes it possible to evaluate the efficacy of vaccines, while the course and severity of symptoms infection makes the use of mice and hamsters especially popular for screening pharmacological substances with antiviral mechanism of action, when their administration can prevent or slow the disease progression.

Introduction: Currently, new directions in cancer therapy are actively developing, one of which is oncolytic immunotherapy. This approach would be to use of viruses as cancer specific cytolytic agents capable of stimulating both the tumor-specific and non-specific immune response. The objective paper was obtain a recombinant vaccinia virus containing genes encoding immunostimulating molecules and study oncolytic and immunostimulating properties of recombinant virus., Material and Methods: MTT test, ELISA, methods of transient dominant selection., Results: The recombinant vaccinia virus (L-IVP_oncoB) were obtained with deletion of the gene encoding thymidine kinase and had an integrated gene encoding GM-CSF. Also the virus have deletion of the gene encoding viral growth factor and integrated genes encoding synthetic tumor-specific polyepitopic immunogens. It was shown that the modifications made to the viral genome did not affect the growth characteristics of the virus when cultured on CV-1 and 4647 cell cultures, and the cytopathogenic efficacy of the virus was determined in relation to cancer cultures of cells of various genesis. In in vivo experiment, it was revealed that the polyepitopic construct in the genome L-IVP_oncoB is able to initiate a change in the profile of cytokines., Discussion: The obtained data characterized L-IVP_oncoB as a promising cytopathogenic and immunostimulating agent and showed the need for further study of its properties as means of oncolytic immunotherapy., Conclusion: The basic experiments on the evaluation of the biological properties of the obtained L-IVP_oncoB, which are necessary for the characterization of the oncolytic virus, have been carried out., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Lujo hemorrhagic fever (LHF) is a viral disease accompanied with fever, headache, vomiting, diarrhea, arthralgia, myalgia and numerous signs of hemorrhagic syndrome. LHF causes a clinical syndrome remarkably similar to Lassa hemorrhagic fever. The first case of LHF occurred in Johannesburg, South Africa, in 2008. There was a secondary transmission from the index patient to four healthcare workers. Four of the five patients died. The etiologic agent of LHF is Lujo virus (LUJV) belonging to Arenavirus genus of the Arenaviridae Family. Virus Lujo is the second pathogenic arenavirus, after Lassa virus, to be recognized in Africa during the last 40 years. Data about epidemiology, clinical characteristics and diagnostics of LHF, properties of Lujo virus (according to phylogenetic analysis), and recommended precautions for preventing secondary transmission are considered in this paper., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest.

The Gissar virus (GSRV) was originally isolated from the ticks Argas reflexus, Fabricius, 1794 collected in a dovecote of Gissar village in Tajikistan (38 degrees 40' N, 68 degrees 40' E). Using electron microscopy, GSRV was classified to Bunyaviridae without referring to genus due to the absence of the antigenic relation with known bunyaviruses. In the present paper genome of GSRV was sequenced (MiSeq, Illumina). Molecular genetics and phylogenetic analysis showed. GSRV has a high level of homology with the Grand Arbaud Virus (GAV) (94% for nucleocapsid protein, 87.5% for RdRp, and 82% for the envelope proteins GnGc) isolated from the ticks A. Reflexus in a dovecote in France. GSRV and GAV have a narrow ecological niche associated with the icks A. Reflexus and birds (predominantly Columbidae). According to the conducted study, GSRV is classified as the topotypic for Central Asia variant of GAV, Uukuniemi group, genuses of the Phlebovirus (Bunyaviridae) (ID GenBank KJ425423, KJ425424, KJ425425).

The Syr-Darya valley fever virus (SDVFV) was originally isolated from the blood of the patient with fever in the Kyzylorda province, Kazakhstan, in July 1973 and was classified to the Cardiovirus genus (fam. Picornaviridae). Later, SDVFV was isolated from the ticks Hyalomma as. asiaticum Schulze et Schlottke, 1929 (Hyalomminae) (1 strain) and Dermacentor daghestanicus Olenev, 1929 (Rhipicephalinae) (7 strains), collected in the floodplains of the Syr-Darya river and the Ili river. In this paper, complet genome of the SDVFV (strain LEIV-Tur2833) was sequenced using the next-generation sequencing approach (GenBank ID: KJ191558). It was demonstrated that, phylogenetically, the SDVFV is closely related closest to the Theiler's murine encephalomyelitis virus (TMEV) and Vilyuisk human encephalomyelitis virus (VMEV). The similarity of the SDVFV with VHEV and TMEV based on P1 region of the polyprotein-precursor (structural proteins VP1-VP4), reaches 75% and 91% for nucleotide sequences and 80% and 93% for putative amino acid sequences, respectively. For nonstructural proteins regions P2 (2A-2C) and P3 (3A-3D) similarity of SDVFV with TMEV and VHEV is 96%-98%.

The paper describes a new principle of the selection of the rabies virus vaccine strain ERA-CB20M based on quantitation of the expression of glycoprotein, a major immunogen of rabies virus. There is a correlation between the level of glycoprotein expression and that of vaccine virus attenuation. The application of the new principle for vaccine virus selection will permit a safer and more immunogenic rabies vaccine to be prepared.

Republican Research-and-Practical Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology, Ministry of Health of Belarus, Minsk The paper presents data on the molecular genetic characteristics of a new HIV-1 recombinant form. The study has shown that the virus is referred to as HIV-1 subtype B in terms of the gag gene and HIV-1 subtype A in terms of the pol and env genes. At the same time the new isolate is closer, in terms of the gag gene, to the HIV-1 DQ207943 strain isolated in Georgia, in terms of the pol gene, to the HIV-1 AF413987.1 strain isolated in Ukraine and, in terms of the env gene to the HIV-1 AY500393 strain isolated in Russia. Thus, the described new HIV-1 recombinant form has the following structure: BgagApolAenv. The gag, pol, and env gene sequences from the new unique HIV-1 recombinant form have been registered in the international database EMBL/Genbank/DDBJ under accession numbers FR775442.1, FN995656.1, and FR775443.1.

The paper provides a theoretical analysis for determining whether the antiviral nonspecific drugs being tested are promising to solve biosafety problems in the treatment of exotic viral infections. The essence of the proposed concept of evaluation of protective effectiveness is to analyze the effect of a test drug on the pathogenesis of experimental infection from the fact that it is effective in adequately eliminating the animal-simulated leading syndrome of human disease. The given approaches to using adequacy criteria to select the species of animals meeting the goals of tests in terms of pathogenetic and pharmacological parameters determine a new methodology for evaluating the efficacy of protective agents. Basic requirements for a testing procedure are presented. The prognostic value of evaluation of the protective efficacy of antiviral agents for man will depend on the approximation of the pathogenetic features and external manifestation of disease in the selected animal species to human Infection. The paper also covers the comparative characteristics of the course of Ebola fever and Venezuelan equine encephalomyelitis in man and some species of monkey.

The paper presents data on the sorption of influenza A(H1N1), A(H1N1)v, A(H3N2) viruses, cDNA of A(H1N1)v and B viruses on nanodiamonds and furnace charge. The sorption of viruses occurred in different solutions at 4-37 degrees C during 10-20 min. The rate of sorption varied with the concentration of a sorbent in the solution and its structure, but did not with the antigenic formula of viruses or temperature. The sorption capacity of furnace charge towards influenza A and B viruses was higher than that of nanodiamonds. Nonviral proteins (bovine serum albumin and influenza virus antibodies) were found to be bound by both sorbents. Viral desorption did not take place in physiological solution at 4 and 22 degrees C for 48 hours.

The paper gives the results of monitoring the circulation of influenza viruses in the 2010-2011 season, that covers the second year of circulation of pandemic A(H1N1)v virus strains, and their interaction with seasonal A (H3N2) and B strains. Unlike the previous season, the beginning of an increase in morbidity was recorded in January 2011; its peak in the most of contiguous areas was noted at 5-7 weeks of 2011, with its further decline to threshold levels at week 11 of 2011. Preschool and school children were most involved in the epidemic process. Three influenza virus strains (A(H1N1)v, A(H3N2), and B) were found to circulate. Differences were found in the level of participation of the isolated strains in individual areas of the Russian Federation. Detailed typing of the isolated strains determined the compliance of the vast majority of them with vaccine viruses. The pandemic influenza A(H1N1)v virus strains retained their susceptibility to oseltamivir and were resistant to rimantadine. The participation of non-influenza acute respiratory viral infection pathogens was estimated as follows: 11.9% for parainfluenza viruses, 5.9% for adenoviruses, and 3.5% for PC viruses, and 0.7% for pneumonia Mycoplasma, which was comparable with the previous epidemic seasons.

The paper gives the results of a comparative analysis of the detection of influenza viruses in clinical samples, by using multiplex real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and by virus isolation in MDCK cell cultures. The investigation employed 267 nasopharyngeal swab specimens obtained from patients with influenza symptoms during two epidemic seasons (2008-2009 and 2009-2010). Influenza viruses were found in 104 samples (48 with influenza A virus (IAV) and 56 with influenza B virus (IBV)) by multiplex RT-RCR and in 84 samples (35 with IAV and 49 with IBV) by a cultural technique. The results of detection of influenza viruses by the two methods showed 89.4% agreement. The diagnostic sensitivity of multiplex RT-PCR testing a panel of the clinical samples in question was estimated to be 94.3% for IAV and 95.9% for IBV. The diagnostic sensitivity of multiplex RT-PCR in virus detection was demonstrated to be not only highly competitive with virus isolation, but also superior to the latter.

The paper gives the results of evaluating the efficiency of deINS1 pandemic H5N1 vaccine candidate VN1203delNS1 which was constructed by reverse genetics on the basis of influenza virus strain A/Vietnam/1203/04. The safety, immunogenicity and cross-protection of the vaccine strain against different H5N1 virus clades were demonstrated in mouse and macaque models. The results showed the possibility of designing a new-generation replication-deficient intranasal influenza vaccine, by applying an approach to deleting the NS1 pathogenicity factor, an antagonist of the interferon system.

The paper provides the data of a comparative analysis of the indicators of immune and interferon states and cytokine profile and the results of virological studies in patients with different (acute and chronic) forms of mixed herpesvirus infection (with virus simplex herpes types 1 and 2, Epstein-Barr virus, human herpesvirus type 6, and others). Pronounced changes were found in immune responses in such patients. There were decreases in IFN-alpha and IFN-gamma values in 36 and 13%, respectively; 51% of the subjects showed a reduction in both IFN-alpha and IFN-gamma along with the high titers of antibodies to viruses of the Herpesviridae family and their infectious activity. There were changes in the cytokine profile, activation of IFN-alpha, IL-2, IL-8, IL-10, and IL-18 gene expression, and suppression of IL-2 gene transcription in the majority of the patients. Determination of IFN susceptibility revealed that 86% of the subjects responded to IFN-alpha therapy and only 11% of cases did to IFN-gamma one.

The paper gives the results of calculation-theoretical studies estimating the effect of the etiotropic agent Relenza (in preventing influenza in its susceptible patients an in treating patients ill with influenza) on the epidemic of pandemic A(H1N1)/2009 influenza in a large city of Russia. The values of its effect (the number of prevented cases of influenza and that of prevented deaths from its complications) have been calculated on a computer, by applying a modified PSEEI2RF influenza epidemic model (a Russian Baroyan-Rvachev model) with the A(H1N1)/2009 influenza pathogen that dominated in the 2009-2010 season in many countries of the world. Predictive estimates of the action of Relenza on the epidemic of A(H1N1)/2009 influenza have been obtained for 5 scenarios while implementing measures to treat patients with the illness and to prevent its susceptible patients in a large city with a population of one million. In conclusion, there are results of predicting the number of prevented A(H1N1)/2009 influenza cases and damage estimates for 6 cities of Russia due to the massive use of the antiviral drug Relenza.

The paper presents the results of studying the diagnostic efficiency of RT-PCR for the detection of respiratory syncytial virus in cattle of different ages. Glycoprotein F gene sequences were used as a target for amplification. The sensitivity of the reaction was 10 TCD50/ml and the virus detection rate in biomaterials averaged 19%. samples. That in RT-PCR correlated with the presence of clinical signs in sick animals.

The paper considers the characteristics of monoclonal antibodies, methods for their experimental preparation, problems of their production, and possibilities of their use for the emergency prevention of viral infections and for the treatment of chronic diseases caused by human immunodeficiency virus, hepatitis B and C viruses, and herpes viruses. The future of experimentally produced or clinically trialed monoclonal antibodies is mainly determined by commercial considerations. It is possible that simplification of industrial production technologies and a reduction in the cost of evidence-based methods for evaluation of clinical effectiveness will allow monoclonal antibodies to be extensively used for the prevention and treatment of viral infections.

The paper gives data on the sorption of influenza virus pandemic strain A/IIV-Moscow/01/2009 (H1N1)swl, avian influenza viruses with A/H5 and A/H7 hemagglutinin, poliomyelitis virus, and T4-D bacteriophage on polyaniline sorbents, carbon nanotubes, and their based nanocomposites. The sorption of viruses occurred in different solutions at 4-37 degrees C during 15 min or more. The rate of viral sorption depended on the structure of sorbents.

The paper gives data on retherapy with lamivudine in seven HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B patients previously unresponsive to interferon-alpha and peginterferon-alpha2b therapy (6 unresponsive patients and 1 with recurrence). Prior to lamivudine therapy, hepatic biopsy and HBV genotyping were carried out and the baseline level of viremia and the presence of YMDD mutations were determined in all the patients. Its therapeutic efficiency was based on viremia level and AIAT activity at 6, 12, 18, and 24 weeks of treatment. Six of the 7 patients, including 2 receiving peginterferon-a2a, achieved a virological response. Trends in viremia within the first 12 weeks of treatment were a major factor to assess the virological response. Positive predictors during retreatment with lamivudine are discussed.

Research Institute of Influenza, Ministry of Health and Social Development of Russia, Saint Petersburg The characteristics of the isolation of pandemic influenza A(H1N1)v viruses were studied on chick embryos (CE) and MDCK cell culture. The materials (nasal swabs and autopsies) were collected in different regions Russia in the period from 20 July to 30 December 2009. The paper gives the data of the antigenic analysis of isolates, their capacity to multiply in different species-specific and tissue cell cultures. The viruses isolated on CE were shown to have higher hemagglutination titers and to be more stable. Isolation from the autopsies was effective only on CE. All the test cell lines other than MDCK were insensitive to the isolated pandemic influenza strains. The antigenic analysis showed no significant antigenic drift of the viruses isolated during the first wave of the pandemic in the Russian Federation.

The paper presents the results of examining 49 patients with genital papillomas, vulvar and vaginal leukoplakia, dysplasia, and cancer. The findings may suggest that human papillomavirus plays an important role in the development of vulvar and vaginal lesions and reconsider the importance of high- and low-risk oncogenic genotypes in the development of benign neoplasms, precancerous conditions, and malignant tumors of the vulva and vagina.

The paper describes a simple, rapid screening of samples potentially containing Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) virus strains, by applying the restriction analysis of amplicones, for the differentiation of CCHF virus genotypes that are characteristic of Europe from virus biovariants uncharacteristic of this area, this technique requiring no sequence at the first stage. For this screening, the authors propose to use the PCR fragment of CCHF L segment that comprises a variable region, as well as Alul and Haelll restriction endonucleases. The screening scheme proposed for samples potentially containing CCHF virus may aid investigators to monitor in order to detect uncharacteristic genotypic virus variants in the Russian Federation and other European countries.

The paper describes the specific features of the 2009-2010 epidemic season in Russia and the world, which are due to the wide spread of a new pandemic strain of influenza A(H1N1)v virus. There is an unusual early upsurge in the incidence of influenza and acute respiratory viral infection (ARVI) (in October-November 2009) with its peak at weeks 45 to 48 of the year with a succeeding reduction to the seasonal values by its end. The circulation of influenza B virus strains was recorded in February-April 2010, which was responsible for the higher epidemic thresholds of morbidity in a number of Russia's regions. A study of the antigenic properties of the strains defined their relationship to the reference strains A/California/07/2009 (H1N1)v and B/Brisbene/60/2008. There were strains with amino acid substitutions at position 222 of hemagglutinin in the population of pandemic influenza A(H1N1)v virus. The strains of the new pandemic influenza A(H1N1)v virus were resistant to remantadine and susceptible to oseltamivir, zanamivir, and arbidol. The influenza B virus strains were susceptible to oseltamivir, zanamivir, and arbidol. The proportion of pathogens of some ARVIs was as follows: parainfluenza viruses, 9.8%; adenoviruses, 5.5%; respiratory syncytial virus, 4.8%; and Mycoplasma pneumonia, 0.6%. There is evidence that there is a need for further monitoring of influenza viruses in Russia.

The paper presents the results of the first Russian experience in evaluating the sensitivity of the epidemic and pandemic influenza virus strains, circulating in the period 2009-2010, to the anti-neuraminidase drug zanamivir. A complex of studies, including enzyme immunoassay, fluorometric assay and partial sequence of the neuraminidases (NA1 and NA2) from influenza A virus strain, was applied. The findings Indicate that all the test strains, including those resistant to oseltamivir, were susceptible to zanamivir. The latter is recommended by the WHO for the prevention and treatment of influenza in pregnant women.

The paper considers horizontal transmission routes of baculovirus infection in the gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar L.). The original method for modeling natural processes in controllable conditions allowed one to estimate the influence of factors on the occurrence of epizooties. The authors investigated 3 possible models of virus transmission from infected to uninfected gypsy moths: 1) infected and test caterpillars were kept and fed together (a complex route); 2) those which were in the immediate vicinity, but deprived of eating together (an aerial route); 3) test caterpillars were fed on the leaves on which infected caterpillars had eaten (an oral route). The investigations have shown that the complex and oral routes out of the considered models may be considered to be effective infection transmission routes for the horizontal spread of epizooties. Furthermore, the availability of sufficient amount of infected caterpillars in the population leads to a reduction in the resistance of healthy insects to other diseases. Thus, by taking into account the capacity of larvae for passive migration, the purpose of insecticidal treatment is to set up a few infection foci that will be a source for the spread of epizootias and contribute to an overall viability reduction of a pest population.

The paper presents the results of studying the effect of the antiviral drug Ingavirin on different stages of intracellular transformations of influenza A virus nucleocapsid protein (NP). Ingavirin 400-1000 microg/ml has been found to impair the biogenesis of influenza virus NP, to lower the efficiency of formation of conformationally mature compact NP oligomers, and to retard the migration of newly-synthesized NP from the cytoplasm to the nucleus. It is shown that there is an association of tritium-labeled Ingavirin with the nuclear membranes of MDCK cells. The investigations of the mechanisms of antiviral activity of Ingavirin are not only important for the characterization of this drug, but also promote the detection of potential targets to design novel antiviral agents.

The paper presents the data of an investigation of the genetic polymorphism of the pol gene encoding viral integrase (IN) in a HIV subtype A infected population in the Lipetsk Region. The investigators analyzed 32 virus subtype A samples obtained in 2002-2007. Polymorphism at the codons associated with IN resistance to chemicals was observed in 7 virus variants. The found substitutions had a pattern of genetic polymorphism and were unassociated with resistance in 6 patients with the test subtype A population. At the same time, minor RAL resistance mutation was revealed in 1 (3.1%) virus variant while the similar mutations in the subtype G population were about 10%.

The paper gives information on the first case of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever detected in a female resident of the Anapa District, Krasnodar Territory, in 2005 in the past 57 years.

The basic trends in the evolution of influenza A and B in the Russian Federation during the epidemic seasons of 2006-2009 were studied on the basis of an antigenic analysis of 1774 Influenza isolated at the Research Institute of Influenza (RII), North-Western Branch, Russian Academy of Medical Sciences, and sent from resting bases (the regional centers of the Russian Inspectorate for the Protection of Consumer Rights and Human Welfare, which collaborate with the RII). Although the trends in the substitution of representative strains generally coincide with the world patterns, the authors revealed some specific features of the antigenic drift of influenza viruses in the Russian Federation and regional varieties. Data on some biological properties and those of the antigenic analysis of the first pandemic influenza A(H1NI)v strains isolated at the RII from Saint Petersburg patients in July-August 2009 are also given in the paper.

The paper gives the results of sequence analysis of 150 positive samples in real-time RT-PCR, including 47 autopsy materials from patients (including 10 pregnant women), who died from fatal pneumonia mainly in November-December 2009, in whom the lifetime etiological diagnosis had not been made and hence no early etiotropic therapy performed. 70% of the primary materials from the deceased patients were found to have pandemic influenza A(H1N1) v mutants in the lung tissue with D222G (15%), D222N (15%), D222E (2%) substitutions, as well as a mixture of mutants (38%). Nasopharyngeal lavages from 3 Chukotka deceased patients exhibited only consensus (nonmutant) D222 virus variants; there was a mixture of consensus and mutant virus variants in the trachea and a mixture of mutant ones in the lung. Preliminary data from the study of the interaction of the hemagglutinin of two strains having D222G and D222N mutations with 9 oligosaccharides imitating the variants of cell receptors for influenza A virus suggest that there is a double receptor specificity for alpha2'-3' and alpha2'-6'-sialosides with a preponderance of alpha2'-3'-specificity. Further spread of the mutants that have acquired a high virulence and preserved their capacity for the respiratory route of human infection may lead to the situation similar to that seen in the 1918-1919 pandemic. Another scenario for evolution of the virus is to preserve its receptor specificity for alpha2'-3'-sialosides and high virulence with losses of alpha2'-6' specificity and capacity for aerosol transmission, by damping the pandemic.

The paper shows variability of the functional activity of the superficial structures of three Far Eastern strains of tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) virus used to study the immunogenicity of different vaccines. The avidity antibodies to the study TBE virus strains were not detected in all of the persons vaccinated with different TBE vaccines even in the year of immunization. Two years after a course of vaccination, immune response and antibody avidity were decreased in the vaccinees. The persons vaccinated with "eastern" vaccines were better protected against Sofjin-like strain P-73 that had led to a fatal outcome in a patient with TBE. Those vaccinated with "western" strain vaccines were found to have a higher affinity for antibodies to the strains P-202 and P-69 that caused inapparent TBE in the year of immunization and 2 years later. A group of persons vaccinated with both "western" and "eastern" vaccines in different periods showed rather high antibody avidities.

The paper analyzes the amino acid sequence of the receptor-binding site of hemagglutinin (HA) in the variants of pandemic influenza A/H1N1 swl from 18 patients with moderate (n=1) and fatal (n=17) forms of the disease in 2009. Nine samples contained asparaginic acid at position 222 of HA1 (D). This site exhibited mutations in 9 samples: D222G (n=3), D222N (n=3), and D222G/D222N (n=3). In one patient with the moderate form of the disease, D222G mutation was revealed after the second passage in the developing chick embryos; this mutation was not found in the primary sample from the patient. The findings suggest the mutant variants of the virus start to circulate among the population, which requires, firstly, continuation of molecular virological monitoring of the pandemic situation and, secondly, further study of the impact of amino acid substitutions at the receptor-binding site of HA1 on the increased virulence of influenza A virus.

The paper describes the trend in the spread of pandemic influenza A(H1N1) swl virus in the Far East, which started in this region 2-3 months later than that in the European part of Russia. By mid-October seasonal epidemic influenza was practically displaced by pandemic one.

The paper presents the results of the investigations of the development of a influenza A(H1N1)v pandemic, conducted by the D. I. Ivanovsky Research Institute of Virology, Russian Academy of Medical Sciences, and collaborating laboratories in the European part of Russia, in the Urals, Siberia, and in the Far East. In the prepandemic period (April 27 - June 11, 2009) its first diagnosis was established on May 21, 2009; the first strain was isolated on May 24, 2009; the data on complete genome sequencing were sent to the GenBank; the sensitivity of the strain to commercial antiviral commercial agents was studied. In the early pandemic period (June 11 - August 15), 73 patients who had come from 14 countries of Europe, America, and Asia were identified; 19 virus strains (partially or completely sequenced) were isolated. The pandemic period (August 15 - December 1) was marked by absolute dominance of pandemic influenza virus virtually in the absence of seasonal influenza; the first death caused by pandemic influenza was detected in late August; 3053 subjects were infected with the pandemic strain, as shown by polymerase chain reaction diagnosis; 202 strains were identified.

A patient with diagnosed meningoencephalitis and a history of tick bite died in Mongolia in 2008. The purpose of this paper is to characterize the virus causing the ill person's death. The virus was identified using the phylogenetic analysis of the 520-bp fragment of the tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) genome, which codes the fragment of TBEV protein E between 52-223 amino acids. TBEV RNA was detected in the samples of medulla oblongata, cerebral cortex, and pia mater of brain, but not in the cerebellar tissue. The study virus fragment was genetically closest to the representatives of the Far East subtype. Its closest relative was virus 740-84 (GenBank EU878282) isolated from large-toothed redback voles (Clethrionomys glareolus) in Buryatia and greatly differed from the Far East virus Soffin. Two amino acid substitutions (H86R and VI7A) were detected within the study protein E fragment. The paper is the first to describe the causative agent of tick-borne encephalitis on the territory of Mongolia and to discuss the evolution and pathogenicity of TBEV.

This paper provides the first (as is known from the literature analysis) results of the use of specific egg yolk IgY from immunized hens to prepare immune reagents to tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV). The IgY preparations are shown to possess a high specific activity in ELISA and can be used as reference reagents, and also for the construction of ELISA systems to detect TBEV antigen.

This paper presents data on the detection of hantavirus in the excretory organs of Apodemus mice which are natural carriers of pathogenic hantaviral serotypes in the Primorye Region. Acute infection periods were detected in naturally infected rodents with the highest hantavirus dissemination to the environment in different phases of rodent population cycles. There was a relationship between the rise of morbidity and the seasonal manifestation of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome morbidity and activity of hantavirus reproduction in the murine excretory organs.

The paper presents data on the comparative analysis of nucleotide sequences of a S3 gene fragment of 67 chicken reovirus (CRV) isolates from the abnormal biopsy specimens tested in 1999 to 2007. These CRV isolates were ascertained to differ from vaccine strains in the nucleotide sequence of the S3 gene. The approximate substitution rates for the S3 gene were established to range from 2.0 x 10(-3) to 6.0 x 10(-3) nucleotide substitutions per year.

The paper demonstrates it possible to work out a phosphorescence analysis (PHOSPHAN) microplate technology-based microarray for concurrently examining human sera and detection of their specific IgG antibodies against two heterological West Nile and Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever viruses. The sensitivity and specificity of the microarray were comparable with those of enzyme immunoassay with separate sample testing. The advantages of PHOSPHAN were associated with the microplate format of an immunoassay and its enhanced multiplexity, which may contribute to the lower cost of clinical sample testing.

The paper analyzes a 994 nucleotide fragment of the NS1/VP1u region junction of 84 parvovirus B19 samples obtained from the sera of erythema infectiosum patients in Belarus in 2006. All the strains belong to genotype 1 as defined by Servant et al. (2002) and form two major clusters within this genotype (1A and 1B) with a clearly distinct geographic distribution. Cluster 1A mainly included B19 strains from Minsk where an outbreak of erythema infectiosum was observed during sample collection. Cluster 1B comprises parvovirus B19 strains obtained from sporadic cases in different parts of the country. The nucleotide variability within cluster 1B (1.1%) was almost two times higher than that within cluster 1A (0.6%). The comparison of the Belarus strains with all parvovirus B19 sequences from the GenBank revealed 22 unique nucleotide substitutions in the new strains, 18 (81.8%) of which were nonsynonymous. A high percentage of parvovirus B19 IgM positive sera were also PCR positive (94.0%; n = 63/67) indicating that both methods are suitable for diagnosis of the infection.

The paper presents the data of an investigation of the polymorphism of the pol gene encoding HIV-1 integrase in a HIV subtype G infected population formed during the 1989 HIV-infection outbreak. The investigators analyzed 41 samples of the viruses obtained in 2005-2007. Polymorphism at codons associated with integrase resistance to chemicals was observed in 11 virus variants. The circulation of mutation viruses that potentially promote the formation of resistance to the integrase inhibitors raltegravir and elvitegravir has been established in untreated patients.

Immediate-early protein IE-1 pp72 is one of the most abundant proteins at the early stage of human cytomegalovirus infection and has a number of intranuclear activities. This paper gives immunocytochemical and ultrastructural data on IE-1 pp72 accumulation in the juxtanuclear inclusion at the late stage of low-multiplicity infection. Detection of a new localization site infers that this protein may participate in the final steps of virus morphogenesis and play a functional role in the pathogenesis of cytomegalovirus infection.

The paper presents the results of the first isolation of the new influenza virus in Moscow and the Russian Federation, which was similar to the swine A/IIV-Moscow/01/2009(H1N1)swl strain isolated on May 24, 2009 from a Russian arrived in Moscow from the USA on May 19, 2009. The antigenic, biological, and molecular genetic properties of this virus were studied. The virus was isolated on MDCK and chick embryos, the hemagglutination titers being 1:8-1:16 AE; the infectious titers being 6.51g of the tissue cytopathogenic infective dose (TCID50) and 7.01g of the common infective dose (CID50). The virus was sensitive to arbidol, ribavirin, oseltamivir, and resistant to rimantadine. The complete virus genome was sequenced; the data were accepted to the Gen Bank on May 28, 2009 under GQ219584-GQ219590 and GQ202724. The significant gene substitution of neuraminidase Asp for Gly in position 451, which has been undetectable in any other strain published in the Gen Bank by the present time is unique only to A/IIV-Moscow/01/2009 (H1N1)swl. The virus has been deposited in the State Collection of Viruses, D. I. Ivanovsky Institute of Virology, Russian Academy of Medical Sciences, under No. 2452 dated May 24, 2009.

The paper presents the results of studying the spectrum of influenza A and B viruses to rimantadine, arbidol, and oseltamivir and describes the methods used for these purposes for epidemiological surveillance. Different sensitivities to rimantadine were found among influenza A viruses. During the 2007-2008 season, the vast majority of influenza A(H3N2) virus strains were resistant to rimantadine (77%) while all influenza A(H1N1) virus strains preserved their resistance to this drug. The fact that the epidemic influenza A(H1N1) virus strains that carry the mutation responsible for resistance to the neuraminidase inhibitor oseltamivir (Tamiflu) circulated in the Russian Federation was first established. At the same time all the study influenza A(H1N1) virus strains preserved their susceptibility to rimantadine. The sensitivity of the epidemic strains to arbidol has been confirmed.

The paper presents the results of genotyping and phylogenetic analysis of three noncytopathogenic isolates of bovine viral diarrhea virus from the mucosae of the cattle with different clinical presentations of the disease. On the basis of the phylogenetic analysis of high-conserved and variable virus genome regions (5'-UTR, N(pro), and E2), the authors referred two isolates to as genotype 1, subgenotypes 1b and 1d, and the third isolate to as genotype 2. This is the first communication about the isolation of genotype 2 virus in Russia.

The paper presents the results of studying genital squamous epitheliocytes from human papillomavirus-infected female patients by cytology and atomic force microscopy. The squamous epitheliocytes with and without cytomorphological signs of papillomavirus infection (koilocytosis, dyskeratosis, parakeratosis, hyperkeratosis) have been compared. Examining the surface of the squamous epithelium has yielded quantitative characteristics of infection-induced surface changes.