Search

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 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 possible antiviral activity of preparations with antioxidant and/or antihypoxant properties was studied on two in vitro models of influenza infection: (i) in cultures of chorio-allantoic membranes of chicken embryos and (ii) in MDCK cells. Preparations under study were hypoxene, reduced glutathione, dihydroquercetin, trolox, coenzyme Q10, and the enzymatic preparation of superoxide-dismutase (recsod). Preparations possessing combined antioxidant/antihypoxic and detoxicating properties (reduced glutathione and hypoxene) produced a significant antiviral effect and enhanced the antiviral effect of rimantadine. The antiviral effect of these preparations was manifested by a decrease in the production of viral particles and, to a more pronounced degree, by the inhibition of cytopathogenic action of virus on cultured cells, which was revealed in the tests for the activity of respiratory enzymes. In contrast to the compounds containing thio or sulfo groups, the antioxidants of "direct action" (free radical scavengers) - coenzyme Q 10, trolox, quercetin and the enzymatic preparation recsod did not show any pronounced protective effect and in some cases even enhanced the production of viral particles and decreased the antiviral action of rimantadine.

Interleukin-2 (IL-2) was demonstrated to induce interferon (IFN) production in the cultured lymphocytes from healthy donors and myasthenia gravis (MG) patients. Moreover, IL-2 enhanced lymphocytic IFN production in patients and healthy individuals in response to phytohemagglutinin and concanavalin A. However, in MG patients, IFN production in response to IL-2 alone or in combination with mitogens is several times lower than that in healthy donors. This lowered IFN production in MG patients is accompanied by much higher rates of lymphocytic proliferation and by considerably enhanced spontaneous lymphocytic production of C-reactive protein as compared with healthy individuals. This test may be of great value in establishing the diagnosis of an autoimmune disease, in defining its severity and in evaluating the efficiency of therapy.

The current data on the development and design of topically resorptive interferon drugs are summarized. In many cases it is advisable to use topically resorptive interferon agents which allows them to topically affect a clinical process, to avoid negative sequelae seen when high-dose interferon is unjustifiably systematically given, by reducing its use to a minimum. Interferon is known to be one of the best antiviral agent, besides, it produces marked antimicrobial and antitumor effects. Whether interferon as a component of drugs can be stabilized by axillaries of various chemical nature which act as stabilizers, promoters, and carriers is dealt with. The topically resorptive formulations designed in terms of biopharmaceutical factors are described. The advantages of topically resorptive agents over other drugs are shown and hence they can be widely used in practical medicine.