Danger Of Infection Research Articles

METHODOLOGICAL APPROACHES TO THE VERIFICATION OF CAUSES OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES IN EMERGENCIES

Emergency situations (ES) of various genesis are accompanied by a change in the epidemic state of the territory and population, which requires the timely detection of an infectious striking factors (pathogenic biological agents and toxins) and non-infectious agents. The laboratory network is an important component in the emergency response system, which allows determining the etiology of infectious and parasitic diseases, treating of patients; directions of anti-epidemic support, effectiveness of measures.
 The aim of the study is to evaluate modern models of laboratory support for the indication of pathogenic biological agents (PBA), the tasks of the laboratory service at the main stages of an emergency: readiness, response and recovery.
 Laboratory diagnostics is an important component in the system of protection during emergencies, which ensures the detection of PBA and toxins, conducting clinical laboratory tests. The scope and directions of activity of the laboratory network are determined by the real situation and differ at the stages of readiness, response and recovery at ES.
 The indication of PBA begins at the stage of carrying out sanitary-epidemiological reconnaissance in the affected territories. The PBA detection and identification can be carried out by the laboratory network of health care institutions in the emergency zone, mobile laboratories of various types, and the laboratory network outside the affected areas. The methods of antigens detection based on an immune capture assay (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, fluorescent microscopy), spectroscopy as well as PBA genomes (multiplex PCR) allows to verify the diagnoses of infectious patients in up to 2 hours. In the case of using lateral flow chromatography, it is advisable to use sets of rapid tests taking into account the group of infections: intestinal, respiratory, contact, blood. Normally is the use of other principles of kit selection: group of particularly dangerous infections; sexually transmitted infections; central nervous system infections, etc.

The Clinical Characteristics, Diagnostic Methods, Treatment, and Outcomes of Listeria monocytogenes Meningoencephalitis: A Case Series Study from China.

Listeria monocytogenes meningoencephalitis (LMM) is a rare but dangerous infection of the nervous system. This study intends to summarize and discuss the clinical features, diagnostic methods, treatment, and outcomes. LMM patients treated in the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from June 2013 to December 2022 were retrospectively studied. The clinical data, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), biochemical and hematological parameters, pathogen tests, treatments, and outcomes information were collected and summarized. Ten LMM patients were enrolled in this study. Three were female and seven were male, with a mean age of 54.5 years old. Seven (70%) of the patients had chronic conditions that either affected the liver (1 case), heart (1 case), or immune system (5 cases). The main clinical manifestations were fever (100%), headache, (60%), and disturbance of consciousness (60%). Out of the nine patients taken MRI, enhanced magnetic resonance imaging was observed with cerebral parenchyma and meningeal enhancement in 3 patients, whereas six patients showed non-specific abnormal signals and brain edema. Seven (70%) patients were positive for L. monocytogenes by bacterial culture and five patients were positive by further next-generation sequencing (NGS) test in CSF. All patients were treated with antibiotics based on antibiotic sensitivity tests or experience, with seven (70%) improved but three (30%) died within one month. LMM patients have a high mortality rate. Considering the time and reliability of NGS reports, it would be better to identify L. monocytogenes infection in the CSF than bacterial culture. While, after diagnosis, giving timely and appropriate antibiotics would still be a challenge to achieve good outcomes.

Genomic analyses indicate the North American Ap-ha variant of the tick-vectored bacterium Anaplasma phagocytophilum was introduced from Europe

BackgroundAnaplasma phagocytophilum is a tick-vectored, obligately intracellular bacterium that infects a diversity of vertebrate hosts. In North America, the Ap-ha variant of A. phagocytophilum can cause dangerous infections in humans, whereas symptomatic human infections in Europe are rare. Conversely, the European host-generalist ecotype of A. phagocytophilum frequently causes illness in domestic ruminants while no comparable infections have been recorded from North America. Despite these differences in pathogenicity, the Ap-ha variant is closely aligned phylogenetically with the European host-generalist ecotype. Furthermore, North American populations of A. phagocytophilum are less genetically diverse than those in Europe. Taken together, these observations suggest that the North American Ap-ha variant may represent an introduced population of this bacterium.Methods Data from publicly available whole genomes of A. phagocytophilum were used to compare phylogeographic patterns and the extent of genetic divergence between the North American Ap-ha variant and the European host-generalist ecotype.ResultsThe results confirm that North American Ap-ha samples are phylogenetically nested within the diversity of the European host-generalist ecotype, and that Ap-ha likely radiated within the last 100 years. As expected, the Ap-ha variant also exhibited relatively low genetic diversity levels compared to the European host-generalist ecotype. Finally, North American Ap-ha harbored significantly more derived alleles than the European host-generalist A. phagocytophilum population.ConclusionsCollectively, these results support the hypothesis that the Ap-ha variant was recently introduced to North America from Europe and underwent a strong genetic bottleneck during this process (i.e. a ‘founder event’). Adaptation to novel vectors may have also played a role in shaping genetic diversity and divergence patterns in these pathogenic bacteria. These findings have implications for future studies aimed at understanding evolutionary patterns and pathogenicity variation within A. phagocytophilum.Graphical

A Nursing Experience of Using Shared Decision Making to Care an End-Stage Renal Disease Patient Facing the Choice of Dialysis Modality

<p>本文探討一位末期腎病於門診長期追蹤，突發心臟問題導致腎功能急速惡化，需長期透析治療之病人，面對健康狀況改變引發抉擇衝突之護理過程。於2020.12.15至2021.01.06，藉由觀察、會談、Gordon 11項功能性健康型態及身體評估等方式收集資料，歸納病人有抉擇衝突、營養少於身體所需、潛在危險性感染、及知識缺失之健康問題。過程中予以鼓勵、傾聽、支持，提供多元化衛教方式，增加對透析的認識，以醫病共享決策（Shared Decision Making, SDM）介入，協助病人依照意願選擇腹膜透析，成功學會居家治療方式及自我照顧。建議日後慢性腎臟病於門診追蹤時，醫護團隊提早計畫性介入SDM，提供相關識能及足夠時間讓病人及家屬做討論，及早思考，接受治療。</p> <p> </p><p>The nursing process of a patient facing conflicting choices caused by changes in health status who had chronic kidney disease with regular follow-up in an outpatient clinic and suddenly got cardiac problem leading to a rapid deterioration of renal function and thus required long-term dialysis treatment. From December 15th, 2020 to January 1st, 2021, the relevant data was collected through observation, interviews, and physical assessment by Gordon’s 11 Functional Health Patterns and conclude that this case have healthy issues of conflicting choices, less nutrition than physical needs, potentially dangerous infections, and knowledge deficit. In the process, nursing cares were provided through encouragement, listening, supporting, and providing diversified health education methods to increase knowledge of dialysis. Use shared decision making (SDM) to intervene and assist the patient to choose peritoneal dialysis according to personal wishes, and help the patient successfully learn home dialysis and self-care. In the future, it is recommended that when chronic kidney disease patients are follow-up in outpatient clinics, the medical team should plan in advance to intervene with SDM to provide relevant knowledge and leave enough time for patients and their families to discuss and think early for receiving treatment.</p> <p> </p>

The Nursing Experience of Caring for a Patient Undergoing Peritoneal Dialysis for Leakage of Catheter

<p>本文描述一位罹患末期腎病病人初次接受腹膜透析治療因導管滲漏引發傷口皮膚不適及焦慮情緒之護理經驗。護理期間為2019年1月2日至2019年3月8日，筆者運用Gordon十一項健康功能評估為指引，透過直接照護、會談、觀察和查閱病歷等方式收集資料分析，確立個案有：營養狀況少於身體所需、潛在危險性感染及焦慮等健康問題。護理過程中，會診營養師並藉手機APP、衛教單張及影片來增進其對透析飲食的認知，以達到營養狀況改善；協助指導導管傷口的照護，遵守無菌原則換藥，避免皮膚受損預防感染發生；採取主動關懷，鼓勵說出內心感受，協同醫師說明再次手術過程增進信心，教導放鬆技巧及精油按摩，以減低焦慮感。希望此照顧經驗，能提供臨床照護類似個案之參考。</p> <p> </p><p>This article describes the nursing experience of a patient suffering from end-stage renal disease undergoing peritoneal dialysis for the first time because of catheter leakage caused by wound skin discomfort and anxiety. The nursing period is from January 2 to March 8,2019.The author used Gordon’s eleven health function assessments as a guide to collect data and analyze through direct care, interviews, observations, and medical records. The problems are as follows: Health problems such as nutritional status less than what the body needs, potentially dangerous infections and anxiety. During the nursing process, consult a nutritionist and use the mobile phone APP and Health Education Leaflet and video to enhance the cognition of dialysis diet, so as to improve the nutritional status; assist in guiding the care of catheter wounds, follow the principle of aseptic techniques, and avoid skin damage to prevent infection；Take active care, encourage patient present inner feelings, cooperate with the doctor to explain the procedure again to increase confidence, teach relaxation techniques and massage with essential oils to reduce anxiety. I hope that this care experience can provide a reference for clinical care of similar cases.</p> <p> </p>

Epidemic and Epizootic Situation on Brucellosis in the Kyrgyz Republic

The aim of the study was to perform the epidemiological and epizootic analysis of the situation on brucellosis in the Kyrgyz Republic. Materials and methods. When assessing the incidence of brucellosis in the Kyrgyz Republic over the period between 1983 and 2021, official data of the Republican Center of Quarantine and Particularly Dangerous Infections, the Department of Disease Prevention and State Sanitary and Epidemiological Surveillance of the Ministry of Health of the Kyrgyz Republic, the State Inspectorate for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Safety of the Kyrgyz Republic, and the National Statistical Committee of the Kyrgyz Republic were used. The obtained materials were processed applying Microsoft Excel 2010. Results and discussion. It is shown that the adverse situation on brucellosis among the population persists in the country: during the study period, the average incidence rate was 29.3 cases per 100 000 of the population. It is associated with constantly occurring epizootics among farm animals, especially small ruminants, which are the main source of human infection. A pronounced summer seasonality of brucellosis cases is noted, due to the participation of people in lambing and calving of animals. Since 2008, there has been a gradual decrease in the incidence of brucellosis among people, after the start of systematic mass vaccination against brucellosis in small ruminants. It is necessary to carry out the entire complex of anti-brucellosis measures and social mobilization of the population to stabilize the epidemic and epizootic situation in the country. The realization of the task will be facilitated by the development of the State Program to combat brucellosis for the interdepartmental integration of all efforts to prevent this dangerous infectious disease.

Agar composites containing Zinc zeolite infused with Quillaja saponins exhibit improved structural properties and anti-Candida activity

Candida strains are opportunistic pathogens frequently responsible for severe and dangerous infections. Therefore, the need for biomaterials with antifungal properties is urgent. To obtain a safe environment, biocompatible and biodegradable polysaccharide porous materials the agar foams were prepared. To provide antifungal properties, both zinc zeolite and saponins of Quillaja saponaria were applied. Moreover, the saponins, as surfactants, were chosen as foaming agents. The study includes zinc zeolite synthesis, foams preparation and spectral analysis of the obtained product. Finally, the foams toxicity against Candida albicans PCM 2566 strain was investigated. The results presented that the zeolite was successfully introduced in the agar structure. Saponins addition significantly increases the porosity and homogeneity of the foam, which was observed using scanning electron and infrared microscopy. The microbiological tests proved that foams containing zinc zeolite or saponins caused a 25% reduction in C. albicans cells viability. However, the foams containing both zinc zeolite and Q. saponaria saponins decreased yeast activity by over 80%. That confirmed that the agar-based foams with zinc zeolite and saponins can be valuable environmental-friendly biomaterials with antifungal properties.

Virulent Brucella nosferati infecting Desmodus rotundus has emerging potential due to the broad foraging range of its bat host for humans and wild and domestic animals.

Desmodus rotundus, vampire bats, transmit dangerous infections, and brucellosis is a hazardous zoonotic disease, two adversities that coexist in the subtropical and tropical areas of the American continent. Here, we report a 47.89% Brucella infection prevalence in a colony of vampire bats inhabiting the tropical rainforest of Costa Rica. The bacterium induced placentitis and fetal death in bats. Wide-range phenotypic and genotypic characterization placed the Brucella organisms as a new pathogenic species named Brucella nosferati sp. nov., isolated from bat tissues, including the salivary glands, suggesting feeding behavior might favor transmission to their prey. Overall analyses placed B. nosferati as the etiological agent of a reported canine brucellosis case, demonstrating its potential for infecting other hosts. To assess the putative prey hosts, we analyzed the intestinal contents of 14 infected and 23 non-infected bats by proteomics. A total of 54,508 peptides sorted into 7,203 unique peptides corresponding to 1,521 proteins were identified. Twenty-three wildlife and domestic taxa, including humans, were foraged by B. nosferati-infected D. rotundus, suggesting contact of this bacterium with a broad range of hosts. Our approach is appropriate for detecting, in a single study, the prey preferences of vampire bats in a diverse area, demonstrating its suitability for control strategies where vampire bats thrive. IMPORTANCE The discovery that a high proportion of vampire bats in a tropical area is infected with pathogenic Brucella nosferati and that bats forage on humans and many wild and domestic animals is relevant from the perspective of emerging disease prevention. Indeed, bats harboring B. nosferati in their salivary glands may transmit this pathogenic bacterium to other hosts. This potential is not trivial since, besides the demonstrated pathogenicity, this bacterium possesses all the required virulent arsenal of dangerous Brucella organisms, including those that are zoonotic for humans. Our work has settled the basis for future surveillance actions in brucellosis control programs where these infected bats thrive. Moreover, our strategy to identify the foraging range of bats may be adapted for exploring the feeding habits of diverse animals, including arthropod vectors of infectious diseases, and therefore of interest to a broader audience besides experts on Brucella and bats.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa; Virulence Factors and Host Defense Mechanisms

As an opportunistic pathogen, Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) can cause both acute and chronic infections. Variable virulence components and antibiotic resistance markers in the bacterium's genome constitute the bacterium's pathogenic profile and provide the bacterium with outstanding metabolic adaptability to many conditions. The interactions of P. aeruginosa with the host are poorly understood, complicating the treatment of its infections and the development of vaccines against them. Despite decades of scientific research focusing specifically on this challenge, vaccines to prevent these dangerous infections still do not exist. The major virulence factors of P. aeruginosa and host immune responses against the bacteria are discussed in this review.

Thermal susceptibility and antibiotic synergism of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus biofilms

Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) biofilms are among the most dangerous infections on medical implants, typically requiring surgical explantation and replacement. This study investigated the thermal susceptibility of MRSA biofilms to thermal shocks from 60 to 80 °C for 1–30 min as well as the effect of various antibiotics (most notably methicillin) on thermal mitigation. Pre- and post-shock exposure to three different classes of antibiotics (ciprofloxacin, tobramycin, and methicillin) at concentrations ranging from 0.25 to 128 μg mL−1 were investigated. MRSA biofilms exhibited thermal susceptibility comparable to other common nosocomial pathogens, such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa, though with greater variability. Exposure to antibiotics of any class significantly decreased the degree of thermal shock required for reliable mitigation, including at subclinical concentration. These combined treatments reduced biofilm population more than the sum of thermal and chemical treatments alone, demonstrating synergism, while also indicating a critical population drop of ∼4.5 log10 beyond which the biofilms typically became non-viable.

Results of a Joint Epizootiological Survey of Transboundary Natural Plague Foci of the Russian Federation and Potentially Focal Territories of the Republic of Kazakhstan in 2019–2022

Consolidation of the efforts in implementation of epidemiological surveillance and control over plague and other dangerous natural-focal infections is an essential aspect in ensuring epidemiological well-being as regards particularly dangerous infectious diseases in the territory of natural plague foci and potentially focal territories located within the borders of the Russian Federation and the Republic of Kazakhstan. The aim of the work was to carry out a joint epizootiological survey of the transboundary territories of the Volga-Ural sandy natural plague focus and the territory of the East Kazakhstan region of the Republic of Kazakhstan (RK) potentially focal for plague over the period of 2019–2022. Materials and methods. Samples of field materials, collected during the epizootiological survey of the territory of Kazakhstan, were studied using bacteriological, molecular-genetic, and immune-serological methods. Results and discussion. We have obtained the current evidence on the spatial-biocenotic structure, the circulation of pathogens of dangerous natural-focal infectious diseases in the transboundary territories of Eastern and Western Kazakhstan. It has been established that the conditions that contribute to the possibility of human infection with plague and other dangerous infectious diseases in case of the aggravation of epizootic situation in the foci or importation of the pathogens into the territory are in place.

Mathematical Modelling of Neutrophil Responses to Aspergillus

Abstract Invasive aspergillosis is a dangerous infection commonly affecting immunocompromised patients. The spores of the fungal pathogen, Aspergillus, are found ubiquitously in the environment and are inhaled daily by all humans. These spores are cleared quickly and effectively healthy hosts without developing infection. On the other hand, patients with impaired immunity, can develop an invasive pneumonia with poor outcomes. Neutrophils are essential to the host defense against aspergillosis, both in direct fungal killing and as modulators of immunity against the pathogen. To better understand this role, we conducted a transcriptomic time series comparing the responses of human neutrophils to Aspergillus. Differential gene expression analysis as well as gene enrichment analysis indicated an up regulation of number of transcriptional markers and pathways including NFkB, NR4A, TNF, as well as neutrophil degranulation, cytokine-mediated signaling, chemokine signaling, and TREM1 signaling among others. Combining this data with known mechanisms and pathways from the literature, we built a mathematical model describing the intracellular pathways which determine the neutrophil’s response after detecting Aspergillus. Very few mathematical models have been built modeling intracellular mechanisms of a neutrophil and none that we know of which relates to the interaction between neutrophils and this organism. We intend to use our model to make predictions on the effects of altering different pathways within the cell. Moreover we intend to use this model in a larger systems model describing the immune system response to invasive pulmonary aspergillosis. Supported by: R01AI135128, U01EB024501, Keck Foundation Medical Research Grant 994413.

Bacterial Ghosts of the Causative Agents of Particularly Dangerous Infections

Bacterial ghosts are intact walls of bacterial cells that are relieved of their contents through pores formed by mild biological or chemical methods. Methodology for generating bacterial ghosts increases the safety of killed vaccines while maintaining their antigenicity through milder preparation procedures. Moreover, bacterial ghosts can simultaneously carry several antigens or plasmid DNAs encoding protein epitopes. In recent years, there has been a growing interest in the development of prototype vaccines and systems for delivery of biologically active substances based on bacterial ghosts. This review discusses the progress in the development of this type of medications over the last years. Various methods of obtaining bacterial ghosts, their advantages and limitations are considered. The phage-mediated lysis of bacteria, molecular manipulations with lysis genes, difficulties encountered in scaling the biotechnological production of bacterial ghosts, and ways to overcome them are described in detail. The use of bacterial ghosts as alternative killed vaccines, adjuvants, recombinant antigenic platform, carrier of plasmid DNA by the models of pathogens of particularly dangerous infections of bacterial etiology is investigated.

TO STUDY OCULAR INVOLVEMENT AND OUTCOME IN ESTABLISHED CASES OF RHINO-ORBITO-CEREBRAL MUCORMYCOSIS ADMITTED AT GMERS, GOTRI.

Objective- To study ocular involvement and outcome in these patients after rigorous medical-surgical management. A Retrospective Study carried out at GMERS Hospital, Gotri. All patients Method– admitted from April 2021 to August 2021, with past history of Covid-19 and biopsy proven Mucormycosis have been included in the study and were subjected to complete history taking, ophthalmological examination and imaging studies. All patients were treated by multidisciplinary approach with Intravenous Amphotericin B (IVAMB) and Transcutaneous Retrobulbar Amphotericin B (TRAMB) +/- Exenteration depending on the extent of involvement. Statistical analysis was done using Binomial test and P value <0.001 was taken in signicance. Total patients included in the stud Result– y were 205. Total patients with ocular involvement was 63. Out of total patients with ocular involvement(63), 27 had full ocular recovery and 36 had partial ocular recovery. Ocular recovery was documented based on visual acuity and clinical ocular ndings of the patients during course of treatment(after atleast 21 doses of IVAMB and 5 doses of TRAMB). Total patients posted for Exenteration were 4. Total mortality was 3. This study documents the number of patients that had ocular involvement and the ou Conclusion– tcome in these patients after a meticulous collaborative treatment. A considerably large number 63/205 (30.7%) of patients had ocular involvement out of which, lesser number 27/63(42%) had full ocular recovery while larger number 36/63(57%) had partial ocular recovery which was due to an extensive involvement of orbit at presentation and rapid spread, reected in imaging studies. Patients posted for Exenteration (4/205)(1.95%) and the Total Mortality (3/205)(1.46%) was substantially low due to timely diagnosis, imaging and antimicrobial therapy, thus saving both sight and life in this dangerous infection.

The effect of video assisted teaching programme on knowledge regarding prevention and management of black fungus among staff nurse

A dangerous fungal infection that has recently emerged as a hazard for COVID-19 survivors, mucormycosis was first identified in Bangladesh on May 8, 2021, and is now commonly referred to as "black fungus" in the COVID-19 period. During the COVID-19 epidemic, black fungi are eighty times more common in India. The COVID-19 black fungi has spread to numerous nations, including Bangladesh, Pakistan, Russia, Iran, and Brazil. Being physically close to India, Bangladesh is concerned about the worrisome rise in COVID-19-related black fungus infections in India, which have a high fatality rate of about 50%. Pre-experimental design with one-group pre-test and post-test study method was used to examine staff nurses' understanding of black fungus avoidance and control; the participants were chosen through handy sampling. The data collected was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics in terms of frequency, mean, standard deviation, and associated by chi square test. Among 60 staff nurse in pre-test, 29 (48.33%) have poor knowledge, 27 (45%) have average knowledge, 4 (6.67%) having good, and in post-test 44 (33.33%) having good knowledge, 16 (26.67%) having average knowledge.Under Pre-test the Mean of the Scores was 8.3 (55.33%) under the Post- test the Mean was observed as 12.2 (81.33%).

A Novel Strategy as a Potential Rapid Therapy Modality in the Treatment of Corneal Ulcers: Fluconazole/Vancomycin Dual Drug‐Loaded Nanofibrous Patches

AbstractCorneal ulcer, which is brought on by a breach in the epithelial barrier, is a dangerous infection of the avascular corneal stroma. New treatment strategies are needed, suppressing the aggressive nature of the disease and including a combination of different drugs. In this study, vancomycin (VAN) and fluconazole (FLU) dual‐drug loaded dual‐layered polyvinyl alcohol and gelatin (PVA/GEL) nanofibrous patches are produced by electrospinning. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images show smooth surfaces are obtained for both pure and drug‐loaded nanofibrous patches. The tensile test results report that loading the FLU and VAN separately into the PVA/GEL patches decrease both the tensile strength and elongation at break and it is further reduced when combining two drug‐loaded layers in one patch. According to drug release results, the FLU and VAN‐loaded nanofibrous patches show a controlled release profile extending up to 96 h. Moreover, PVA/GEL/FLU, PVA/GEL/VAN, and PVA/GEL/FLU/VAN nanofibrous patches display significant antimicrobial activity against Candida albicans and Staphylococcus aureus. SEM, 4'‐6diamidynofenyloindol (DAPI) staining, and 3‐(4,5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay show that PVA/FLU and PVA/GEL/FLU/VAN nanofibrous patches have a superior effect on NIH3T3 cell spreading and proliferation. The novelty of this study lays in the development of a potential dual drug rapid treatment for corneal ulcers of aggressive nature.

THERIOLOGICAL INVESTIGATIONS IN PLAGUE FOCI IN THE TERRITORY OF RUSSIA AND NEIGHBORING COUNTRIES

Information on theriologists’ contributions to the development of the theory of natural plague foci is reviewed. Ecological and epizootological monitoring is one of the main aspects for surveying this dangerous infection. Zoologists participating in research on the infectious pathology of zoonoses have allowed for a breakthrough to be achieved in the study of enzootic factors, epizootology, focal paleogenesis and the evolution of parasitic systems, the patterns of the functioning of natural and anthropurgic foci, their biocenotic and spatial structure, the development of methods for evaluating the state of pathogen host and vector populations, host population control and other measures of preventing the human diseases. As a result of long-term research, a new conceptual apparatus and methods of medical mammalogy have been developed, and criteria and protocols of research and prevention activities in zoonosеs foci have been defined. New digital and geoinformation technologies, as well as Earth remote sensing are presently being implemented, all this providing epidemiological prosperity of human populations for plague and other natural focal diseases in enzootical territories.

COVID-19 Pandemic in Russia: Statistical Assessment of Direct and Indirect Demographic Losses

Introduction. The whole world is concerned about the severe socio-economic consequences of the pandemic, the most threatening of which should be considered the death of a large number of people, the general economic downturn, inflation reducing living standards, the threat of increasing hunger, the aggravation of humanitarian problems in poorly developed countries due to a reduction in foreign aid, etc. But if the negative economic consequences are compensated over time (many countries of the world, and Russia is one of the first on this list, have already returned to the pre-pandemic level in 2021), then the human losses suffered by many countries are irreplaceable. Doctors talk about the need to combat post-COVID syndrome, which can also worsen the health and quality of life of citizens. As demographic history shows, such events affect the development of the population for quite a long time. States have struggled with the new dangerous infection in different ways. The set of measures to counter COVID-19 in some countries was based on a policy of “zero tolerance”, others limited themselves to the introduction of only some temporary and not very strict prohibitions. The results of the measures taken also differ dramatically: some countries have been pushed back many years in terms of life expectancy, while in others this indicator has increased. The purpose of this article is to study the demographic consequences of the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic for Russia, which will assess the effectiveness of the anti-epidemic measures taken and better prepare for the occurrence of a similar situation in the future. Materials and Methods. The study was based on data from Rosstat, materials from reputable international organizations, publications of scientists engaged in the study of population problems. The analysis of the demographic situation was carried out on the basis of the systematic approach and specific methods of demographic analysis, content analysis was used to summarize the materials of published scientific research, a tabular method was used to visualize the results. Results. The study has revealed that in the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, the life expectancy of the urban population decreased to a greater extent than that of the rural population. The increase in mortality did not affect children, adolescents and young people under 25 years of age. Mortality among women in the Russian Federation has increased to a greater extent than among men, and this is typical for most age groups. Women aged 65‒69 were the most vulnerable to the virus – the increase in mortality in this age group was the largest. Discussion and Conclusion. In addition to direct demographic losses from COVID-19 (144.7 thousand people in 2020), an increase in mortality from other causes – respiratory diseases, coronary heart disease, cerebrovascular diseases, as well as digestive diseases and accidental alcohol poisoning, which violated the long-term trend, has been recorded. Indirect demographic losses from COVID-19 in 2020, calculated by estimating the increase in mortality from these causes, amounted to 143.7 thousand people. Migration growth in the Russian Federation in the first year of the pandemic decreased by 2 times, but remained at the level of 2018. Due to the strict restrictions imposed on the movement of the population, the process of urbanization in the country has slowed down, the migration decline of the rural population has decreased. The results of the study can be useful for scientists dealing with demographic development, as well as used to assess the effectiveness of measures taken to combat the spread of coronavirus infection in 2020. Research in this direction should be continued after the publication of data for 2021 and the results of the All-Russian Population Census.

Computed Tomography in Diagnosis of Lesions of Pulmonary Tuberculosis

Pulmonary tuberculosis (MTB) is dangerous bacterial infection primarily affecting lungs and is capable of infecting everyone exposed to Mycobacterium tuberculosis. AFB and CXR are useful preliminary investigative tools, but CT scan are invaluable diagnostic tool for establishing a diagnosis and monitoring disease activity. Objectives: To diagnose the lesions of PTB and assess the CT scan findings in AFB-positive patients. Methods: The AFB-positive patients were examined using CT scan to reveal their mediastinal and pulmonary pathological conditions and activities and disease propagation using imaging technology of CT scan. In cases of PTB with lymphadenopathy, 50cc of non-ionic contrast was administered intravenously to examine the low attenuation area. Results: The findings of CT scan regarding micronodules, nodular masses and other foci and lymphadenopathy were scrutinized, and major diagnostic CT scan findings were Centrilobular nodules (97.40%), Parenchymal nodules (84.43%), Paratracheal and mediastinal lymphadenopathy (74.85%), air space consolidation and paucity (62.07%), Pulmonary calcification (31.73%), Pleural effusion (29.34%) and Bronchiectasis (12.77%). Conclusions: CT scan is the most sensitive and accurate tool for diagnosis confirmation and disease activity evaluation. In addition, it details the abnormalities and prognosis of organ deformity in PTB patients.

Natural Antibodies Mediate Protection Against Acinetobacter baumannii Respiratory Infections.

Acinetobacter baumannii causes a wide range of dangerous infections due to the emergence of pandrug-resistant strains. Therefore, there is a need for alternative therapeutics to treat these infections, including those targeting the host immune responses. However, immune responses, especially the humoral response against this pathogen, are poorly understood. This study investigated the lymphocyte-mediated innate immune resistance to A. baumannii AB5075 pulmonary infection using B- and T-cell-deficient (Rag2-/-) mice, the protective effect of natural antibodies (NAbs), and the expression of complement-mediated responses using a mouse pneumonia model. Our results showed that intranasally infected Rag2-/- mice are impaired in clearing bacteria from lung, liver, and spleen at 24 hours postinfection compared to wildtype mice. Animal pretreatment with normal mouse serum or purified antibodies from naive mice rescued Rag2-/- mice from infection. Analysis of C3 complement protein binding demonstrated that NAbs increased C3 protein deposition on A. baumannii cells, indicating the activation of the classical complement pathway by NAbs. Overall, our study shows that NAbs mediate innate immune resistance against A. baumannii, a finding that may lead to the development of effective therapies against human infections caused by this antibiotic-resistant A. baumannii.