Natural Focal Infections Research Articles

Review of Epidemiological Situation on Rickettsioses in the Russian Federation in 2022 as Compared with 2013–2021, Forecast for 2023

The aim of the review was to characterize the epidemiological situation on tick-borne rickettsioses (TR) in the Russian Federation in 2022 in comparison with the pandemic years of 2020–2021 and the pre-pandemic period of 2013–2019, to give the forecast for 2023. During 2013–2022, a pattern was observed in the incidence of rickettsiosis of the tick-borne spotted fever group (with the exception of Astrakhan spotted fever – ASF), that is also characteristic of most other natural focal infections (NFIs): a sharp decrease in registered incidence rates in 2020–2021 with the subsequent increase in 2022 almost up to pre-pandemic levels or even exceedance in some regions. The absence of a defining influence of the frequency of contacts of the population with vectors on the decrease in the incidence in the period of 2020–2021 and the rise in the value in 2022 confirms the registration-related nature of the changes. Given due attention to the problem of effective detection and reporting of NFIs, we expect the incidence of tick-borne rickettsioses to remain within the confidence intervals of long-term average values in most endemic regions in 2023. Relaxed vigilance to the problem of NFIs may lead to a decline in the reported incidence of Siberian tick-borne typhus in the Krasnoyarsk and Zabaikalsky Territories, Republics of Tuva and Khakassia, Novosibirsk and Amur Regions; reduction in the incidence of ASF in Astrakhan Region. The main issue in detecting and registration of the tick-borne rickettsiosis incidence, objective assessment and forecasting of the epidemic situation as regards this group of infections is conditioned by the lack of domestic certified diagnostic test kits for laboratory verification of rickettsioses. Close cooperation between epidemiologists and clinicians is required to establish and register cases of TR based on clinical and epidemiological data.

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.

Abundance and Condition of Populations of Small Mammals as Carriers of Natural Focal Human Diseases in the Karelia North-East Ladoga

Summing up the results of the long-term studies of population ecology and dynamics of small mammals for more than half a century (1966–2018). Small mammals are involved in the formation and functioning of natural-focil of human vector-borne diseases common in the North-Eastern Ladoga region. Encephalitis and tularemia circulate intensively in the Ladoga region under conditions of intensive anthropogenic transformation of taiga ecosystems. Local landscapes belong to the subzone of the middle taiga forests. Most of the studied species of small mammals are located in the northern periphery of this area. Here representatives of the native taiga fauna of Micromammalia constantly experience powerful anthropogenic pressure, which leads to a decrease in their abundance and correlation of the species. Of the total amount of 22 species of small mammals collected here, Sorex araneus and Myodes glareolus dominate. Next, the species prevalent (according to the degree of predominant species) in the counts are Microtus agrestis, Sorex minutus and Sorex caecutiens. Other species are relatively rare and appear in smaller numbers. Myodes glareolus has main role in the feeding of ticks and, accordingly, in the circulation of infections in nature, the differentiated contribution of individual intrapopulation groups in maintaining the number of vectors and the activity of pathogens. Shrews are important for the development of the larval stages of the tick. In the research area, were recorded total index of trap catch of abundance of small animals with trap lines from 0.34 to 18.5 individuals per 100 snap traps-nights (average of 7.8 ind.) and with pitfall traps recorded from 2.7 to 25.4 individuals per 10 ditch-nights (average of 14 ind.). This indicates that the studied area has smaller amount of mammals compared to other regions in Southern Europe. Nevertheless, the studies determine a rather tense epidemic situation in the studied area. Population of small mammals of boreal ecosystem steadily affect the mass feeding of carriers of natural focal infections.

Analysis of leukogram parameters and blood cytokine profile in tick-borne infections of various etiologies

Introduction. Studies aimed at identifying pathogenetic features of tick-borne natural focal infections depending on etiological agent are relevant to seek out for new associations of biomarkers characterizing the structural and functional phenotype of immune cells significant for the differential diagnosis and prognosis of diseases. The aim of the study was to evaluate the parameters of a leukogram with an expanded profile in relation to the parameters of cytokine status in patients with viral tick-borne encephalitis as well as erythemic tick-borne borreliosis at acute stage of the disease. Materials and methods. The study involved 28 patients with the non-erythemic tick-borne borreliosis and 27 patients with tick-borne encephalitis at the acute stage of the disease, as well as 16 healthy individuals (control group). Venous blood samples were examined using a Sysmex XN1000 analyzer based on reflex testing technology with extended profile allowing to characterize leukocyte reaction during infection and inflammation, including parameters such as the absolute and relative count of immature granulocytes (IG), neutrophil granularity index (NEUT-GI), neutrophil reactivity index (NEUT-RI), count of reactive lymphocytes (RE-LYMP), count of antibody-producing lymphocytes (AS-LYMP). Concentrationof IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IFN and TNF in blood serum was determined by enzyme immunoassay using specific reagent kits (Vector-Best, Russia). Results. It was found that changes in the quantitative composition of blood leukocytes in patients with viral tick-borne encephalitis and non-erythemic form of tick-borne borreliosis have a unidirectional tendency characterized by increased count of metabolically active neutrophils (NEUT-RI) and a decreased count of reactive lymphocytes (RE-LYMP) compared to healthy individuals. Changes in the leukogram occur along with high blood concentration of proinflammatory cytokines IL-8 and TNF and a low level of IFN. A positive direct correlation was revealed between the fluorescence intensity parameter characterizing the metabolic activity of neutrophil granulocytes (NEUT-RI) and blood serum IL-8 level both in tick-borne encephalitis (r = 0.422, p 0.05) and non-erythemic form of tick-borne borreliosis (r = 0.551, p 0.05). Additionally, in the former, a positive correlation was established between the total leukocyte count (WBC) and concentration of TNF in the blood serum (r = 0.532, p 0.05).

Evaluation of serological indicators of the presence of antibodies to pathogens of natural focal infections in the population of the Rostov region in 2021

Objective: to analyze the results of blood sera comprehensive study of the local population of the RR, conducted in 2021 to assess the state of natural and zoonotic focus of CHF, WNF, ITBB, tularemia and risk of possible spread of Haemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome (HFRS). Materials and methods: 424 blood serums obtained in 2021 from healthy donors living in 10 administrative territories of the Russian Federation were tested by enzyme immunoassay. Results: in 2021 the detection rates of specific antibodies in the studied areas were: WNF — 9,9 %, HFRS — 4,5 %, ITBB — 2,6 %, CHF — 0,7 %, tularemia — 22,6 %. When comparing the results obtained in 2020 and 2021, the difference in the proportions of seropositive samples is not statistically significant. Conclusions: the study of the immune layer to NFI in selected population groups confirms the circulation of pathogens in RR territory. The monitoring results demonstrate the extensive, mostly combined nosoareals of NFI of viral and bacterial etiology and the contact of the local population with them.

ОПЫТ РАБОТЫ ЭНТОМОЛОГА В СИСТЕМЕ САНИТАРНО-ЭПИДЕМИОЛОГИЧЕСКОЙ СЛУЖБЫ

The main issues of medical entomology are considered, in the solution of which the author of the article, who has worked in the sanitary service of the Voronezh region for 50 years, participated. Key words: blood-sucking arthropods, malaria, natural focal infections.

Characteristics of the manifestations of the epidemic process of actual natural focal infections in the Samara region

Features of the landscape and geographical conditions of the Samara region, the rich world of flora and fauna create favorable conditions for the existence of natural foci of infectious and parasitic diseases. The high population density, the presence of megacities (Samara, Togliatti), the passion of the inhabitants of the region for country recreation, together with developed agriculture, determine a high risk of infection of people with pathogens of natural focal infections.Objectives: to analyze the manifestations of the epidemic and epizootic processes of natural focal infections in the Samara region for its zoning according to the degree of danger of infection of the population with actual zoonoses.Methods. We used information on the incidence of the population (form No. 2 "Information on infectious and parasitic diseases") for the period from 2019 to 2021, data from an immunological examination of residents of municipalities using enzyme immunoassay, results of examination of environmental objects in natural foci (indication of genomes and antigens of viruses and bacteria) in vertebrates and their pellets (litter), arthropods using polymerase chain reaction and enzyme immunoassay. Cluster analysis was performed using the Statgraphics plus for Windows application program for a personal computer.Results. Territories with high, moderate and low risk of infection of the population of the Samara region with hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome, viral tick-borne encephalitis, tularemia, leptospirosis, Q fever and West Nile fever were identified. It is shown that the most relevant zoonosis is hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome.Discussion. Compiled cartographic mapping of the administrative formations of the Samara region with different risks of infection and disease of people with natural focal infections is relevant for planning preventive measures.

Etiological Structure, Clinical and Epidemiological Characteristics of Infections Transmitted by Ixodic Ticks in the Sverdlovsk Region at the Present Stage

Relevance. The Sverdlovsk region is a highly endemic territory for infections transmitted by ixodic ticks. The possibilities of laboratory diagnostics of tick–borne infections in the routine practice of a clinician in the region today are limited mainly by testing blood serum for antibodies to the tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBE virus) and Lyme disease (LD) pathogens – Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato complex, therefore, among tick-borne infections in the region currently mainly TBE and LD are registered. In case of negative results for antibodies to the pathogens of the above infections, the diagnosis may remain unknown. Aims. To study the etiological structure of infections transmitted by ixodic ticks in the Sverdlovsk region at the present stage, as well as to characterize the epidemiological and clinical features of the course of tick-borne infections detected in conditions of a combination of natural foci. Materials and methods. The study included 227 patients undergoing inpatient or outpatient treatment during the epidemic season of tick activity in 2021 (June-August) at LLS MO "New Hospital" (Urban Center of Natural Focal Infections). The case histories (epidemiological, clinical and laboratory indicators) were studied from each patient, as well as the material (blood) was examined prospectively and retrospectively using molecular biological (PCR) and serological (ELISA, planar protein biochip) methods. Results and discussion. During the study, six diseases were identified among the examined patients: TBE, LD (erythematous and nonerythematous forms), Borrelia miyamotoi disease (BMD), human granulocytic anaplasmosis (HGA), human monocytic ehrlichiosis (HME), as well as "Viral fever transmitted by arthropods" (VFTA). Among the examined patients, the proportion of patients with monoinfection was 49,5%, with mixed infection – 50,5%. Additional studies conducted by us using specific PCR for the presence DNA rickettsia and the causative agent of Q-fever in the blood of patients gave negative results. The general epidemiological characteristics for the above identified infections were the vector-borne mechanism, the prevalence of diseases in groups of middle-aged and elderly people, the largest number of cases of infection with pathogens of any tick-borne infection occurred in Yekaterinburg and its surroundings, for all infections, the duration of tick bite in most cases did not exceed one day; there were differences by sex, incubation period. Clinical symptoms were similar, except for the erythematous form of LD (the presence of erythema migrans at the byte site of tick), because the vast majority of patients had a general infectious syndrome; general laboratory indicators varied. Confirmation of the diagnosis was based on the results of the complex application of molecular biological and serological research methods. Conclusions. The modern etiological structure of infections transmitted by ixodic ticks in the Sverdlovsk region is represented not only by TBE and LD, but also by new disease to our country, such as BMD, HGA, HME, while a high proportion of mixed infections in various combinations has been revealed.

Results of Field and Laboratory Studies of Carriers and Vectors of Natural-Focal Infections on the Territory of the Republic of Armenia

The purpose of the study was to assess the current epizootic potential of the Transcaucasian high-mountain and Pre-Araks low-mountain natural plague foci on the territory of the Republic of Armenia using GIS technologies. Materials and methods. We used the data from an epizootiological survey, records of the abundance and species composition, spatial distribution of rodents and ectoparasites in the plague-enzootic territories of the Republic of Armenia in 2021. Results and discussion. Based on the results of the research, an electronic database of carriers and vectors of pathogens of natural-focal zoonotic infections in the plague-enzootic territories of the Republic of Armenia has been created. Applying GIS technologies, an assessment of the spatial distribution of carriers and vectors of plague has been made and areas of circulation of tularemia and leptospirosis pathogens identified. The results obtained serve as the basis for improving the efficiency of planning and carrying out preventive measures aimed at ensuring the epidemiological welfare as regards natural-focal infectious diseases in the territory of the Republic of Armenia.

The Role of Climatic Factors in the Spread of Natural Focal Tick-Borne Infections in the Conditions of Climate Change in the North-West of Russia

The Role of Climatic Factors in the Spread of Natural Focal Tick-Borne Infections in the Conditions of Climate Change in the North-West of Russia

Әлемдегі сіреспе бойынша эпидемиологиялық жағдай

This article presents data on emergent natural focal infections, or rather on tetanus, registered today in the world. The article will provide the reader with an overview of the epidemiology of tetanus along with the signs and symptoms of tetanus. A systematic search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus to identify studies published between January 1, 2000 and July 19, 2023, containing information on the epidemiology of tetanus, the burden of disease and mortality among the school-age population, adolescents and adults in the world.

Условия заражения геморрагической лихорадкой с почечным синдромом населения лесостепного и степного ландшафтов

The studied conditions for infection with hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome, which occupies a leading place in Russia among all natural focal infections, mainly relate to forest and forest-steppe landscapes, while the conditions for infection of the population in the steppe remain poorly understood. The purpose of the work is to determine the conditions for infection with hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome in the population of the forest-steppe and steppe landscapes using the example of the Orenburg region. Puumala hantavirus circulates in the region. 731 maps of the epidemiological examination of the epidemic focus of zoonoses were studied. The study showed that in the forest-steppe landscape, in comparison with the steppe, infection of the population occurs more often during work on a personal plot, as well as in everyday life at the place of residence from small mammals or environmental objects. In the steppe landscape, in contrast to the forest-steppe, infection with hantaviruses is more often observed during fishing and when resting in the forest. Keywords: hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome, forest-steppe and steppe landscapes, infection conditions.

The ecological and epidemiological situation of tick-borne encephalitis and Lyme borreliosis in the Republic of Tatarstan for the period of 2017–2021

Of the huge order of parasitoform mites in the circulatory chain of the occurrence of existing pathogens and new pathogens of infections joining them, a significant role belongs to ixodic mites (I. persulcatus Sch., I. ricinus Lin.). These blood-sucking parasites are the main carriers of more than 10 nosological forms of zoonotic infections identified in the Republic of Tatarstan. Of these, a special place in the regional pathology is occupied by Lyme borreliosis and tick-borne encephalitis. Despite the relative duration of monitoring of natural focal infections in Tatarstan, the problem of this group of diseases has not disappeared and requires close attention and analysis of the current epidemiological and epizootological state. Based on our own research and stock materials of sanitary and epidemiological services, the ranking of enzootic territories representing a certain degree of risk of infection of the population in the Republic of Tatarstan by tick-borne encephalitis and Lyme borreliosis in the context of administrative territories was carried out. In the region, for the period of 20172021, there was a decrease in the intensity of infection of the tick-borne encephalitis population (5 cases in 5 years). At the same time, a high degree of risk of infection of the population with Lyme borreliosis was revealed.

Classification of Municipalities in the Republic of Buryatia by the Level of Tick-Borne Viral Encephalitis Incidence

Tick-borne viral encephalitis (TBVE) is one of the most significant natural-focal infections in the Russian Federation.The aim of the study was to analyze the current epidemiological situation on TBVE in the Buryat Republic in 2010–2020 with a subsequent differentiation of municipalities by epidemiological risk groups in order to elaborate proposals for optimization of preventive measures.Materials and methods. A retrospective analysis of the epidemiological situation on TBVE in the Buryat Republic was carried out using forms of federal statistical surveillance No. 2 “Information on infectious and parasitic diseases” over 2010–2020 and the data from the Reference Center of the Irkutsk Research Anti-Plague Institute of Siberia and Far East of the Rospotrebnadzor on the epidemiological situation and preventive measures in the municipalities of the constituent entity. Statistical processing was performed applying conventional methods of variation statistics. Based on calculated 95 % parametric confidence interval for the data on variability of the long-term average TBVE incidence in the municipalities of the Republic of Buryatia over a 10-year period, the entities were differentiated by epidemiological risk groups. QGis 2.18.28 and a set of open geodata OpenStreetMap were used for mapping.Results and discussion. All municipalities have been classified into five groups by the level of epidemiological risk: with zero TBVE incidence – 2 districts, with a low level – 4, medium – 8, high – 5, very high – 2. In addition, the administrative center has been placed into a separate group. Each individual group of municipalities is characterized by the number of TBVE cases, the level of morbidity, the frequency of seeking medical aid because of tick bites, the scope of specific and non-specific prevention measures. Recommendations for optimizing the tactics of TBVE prevention in certain municipal districts have been provided.

Distribution of the causative agent of relapsing tick-borne fever <i>Borrelia miyamotoi</i> in natural focus in the Tomsk region

BACKGROUND: Knowledge about the infectious potential of the causative agent of recurrent tick-borne fever Borrelia miyamotoi and the role of this pathogen in the etiological structure formation of transmissible natural focal infections in a number of regions remains incomplete. Among them is the Tomsk region where in 2021 the incidence of ixodic tick-borne borreliosis was 15.7 per 100,000 population, which is 3.6 times higher than the all-Russian indicator.
 AIMS: This study aimed to summarize and analyze epidemiological data, as well as the results of our own clinical observations and laboratory studies conducted in 20152021 confirming the distribution of the causative agent of relapsing tick-borne fever B. miyamotoi in the Tomsk region.
 MATERIALS AND METHODS: Epidemiological data on the manifestation of the natural foci of tick-borne infections were analyzed in the Tomsk region for the period 20152021. A clinical case of febrile infection caused by B. miyamotoi infection is described as an example of underdiagnosis of relapsing tick-borne fever. Verification of the etiological variant of borreliosis was carried out using real-time PCR. DNA extraction and detection of B. miyamotoi genetic markers were performed using RealBest series kits (Vector-Best, Novosibirsk), followed by nucleic acid sequencing of B. miyamotoi 23SrRNA, glpQ, and recA gene sequences. Ixodid ticks (Ixodes persulcatus, Ixodes pavlovskyi, Dermacentor reticulatus) collected from the Tomsk region were studied for infestation with B. miyamotoi. The detection of genetic markers of pathogenic Borrelia was carried out in nucleic acid samples isolated from tick homogenates using kits of the RealBest series (Vector-Best, Novosibirsk).
 RESULTS: In 2016, the first clinical case of borreliosis caused by B. miyamotoi was confirmed by molecular genetic methods in the Tomsk region. During the period 20152021, the infection rate of B. miyamotoi ticks of the genus Ixodes in the Tomsk region was up to 7%, ticks of the genus Dermacentor ― up to 3%.
 CONCLUSION: The results of this study demonstrated the distribution of the causative agent of relapsing tick-borne fever B. miyamotoi in the natural foci of the Tomsk region, which requires further monitoring of the epizootic situation and study of the role of this pathogen in the formation of the etiological structure of transmission natural focal infections.

Arbovirus fevers in children and adults in the Astrakhan region: clinical cases

Natural focal infections with transmissible transmission caused by viruses of West Nile Fever, Batai, Inco, Sindbis, Tyagin are registered in various territories of Russia, in the form of sporadic cases, characterized by polymorphism of clinical symptoms, from inapparent forms to severe, occurring with Central nervous system damage (meningitis, meningoencephalitis), which complicates the timely diagnosis and treatment of this pathology.Purpose: to describe our own clinical observations of five cases of arbovirus fevers.Results. Arbovirus fevers (West Nile Fever, Batai, Inko, Tyaginya) in the five clinical cases we have presented occurred in two clinical forms: catarrhal with hypertension syndrome, febrile fever and intense headache, vomiting in the absence of signs of inflammation in the CSF; and with damage to the central nervous system (meningitis). Catarrhal forms of arboviral fevers must be differentiated from ARVI, influenza, mononucleosis. Arbovirus fevers occurring with Central nervous system lesions (meningitis) had a significant similarity with enteroviral meningitis, both in terms of seasonality and clinical symptoms.Conclusion. In the territories of Russia endemic for mosquito fevers, in the summer period of the year, febrile patients with cerebral symptoms and / or meningeal symptoms should be examined for a group of arbovirus fevers.

Clinical and Epidemiological Manifestations of Ixodic Tick-Borne Borreliosis Foci in the Tomsk region

Relevance. According to official data, in 2020 in Russia, Ixodic tick-borne borreliosis took the leading position in the prevalence and registration frequency among tick-borne infections, which amounted to 38.5% of all cases of natural focal transmissible infections. In the Tomsk region for many years, the average long-term incidence of Ixodic tick-borne borreliosis exceeds the Russian one by more than 3 times. Aim. Identify features the features of the clinical and epidemiological manifestations of the Ixodic tick borne borreliosis foci in the Tomsk region; to identify priority areas for carrying out problem-oriented research in the field of ecology, epidemiology and the clinic of borreliosis infection in the Tomsk region. Materials and methods. The material for the study was the data of the federal statistical observation form «Information on infectious and parasitic morbidity» for the 2015-2020. The materials of 713 cases of Ixodic tick-borne borreliosis disease and more than 125 thousand appeals to medical organizations of the region regarding the tick bites, registered in official registration forms, were studied. As part of the annual epidemiological monitoring for a six-year period, 1200 specimens of Ixodid ticks collected in natural biotopes of the Tomsk region were examined for the presence of Borrelia DNA, depending on their genus (Ixodes and Dermacentor). DNA detection of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato complex (B. burgdorferi, B. garinii, B. afzelii) and B. miyamotoi was performed by real-time PCR. Results. The high number of ixodid ticks in local areas of natural biotopes (up to 200.0 specimens/km at the height of the epidemiological season), as well as the failure to comply with personal prevention measures, determines a consistently high rate of referral of the population of the Tomsk region to medical organizations due to tick bites. The number of requests annually averages 20.8 thousand. As a result of an annual study using PCR tests of ticks taken from people who applied to emergency prevention centers, Borrelia DNA was detected on average in 40% of samples; blood samples from individuals affected by tick bites were positive on average in 3.7% of cases. In the period 2015-2019 spirochetes B. garinii and B. afzelii were most often found in the tissues of ixodid ticks. Since 2020, the species Borrelia miyamotoi has been included in the list of pathogenic borrelia species to be monitored in the Tomsk region – spontaneous infection of ticks (Ixodes) was 3%. The maximum values both in the number of patients with ixodic tick-borne borreliosis and in the density of infections per 10,000 hectares (90-110 cases) are observed in the south of the Tomsk region (Asinovskyi, Kozhevnikovskyi, Krivosheinskyi, Tomskyi, Shegarskyi districts, the city of Tomsk). In the epidemic season of 2020, the number of laboratory-confirmed cases of non-erythema ixodic tick-borne borreliosis was more than 2.5 times higher than the number of diseases with skin manifestations. Conclusion. The large number of ixode mites in natural biotopes, the high degree of their infection with pathogenic spirochetes indicate the presence of active natural foci of ixodic tick-borne borreliosis in the Tomsk region. The study of the genotypic diversity of pathogenic borrelias in relation to the species diversity of vectors, the analysis of the clinical manifestations of different etiological variants of tick-borne borreliosis (mono- and mixed infections), as well as the development of an algorithm for differential diagnostic search and a model for predicting the outcomes of the infectious process in tick-borne borreliosis and mixed infections are priority directions of problem-oriented scientific research in Tomsk region.

Epizootic and epidemiological risks associated with development of Platov airport infrastructure (Rostov-on-Don)

Objective. To identify the potential epizootic and epidemiological risks arising from the development of the infrastructure of Platov Airport in the territory adjacent to the airport for the development, if necessary, of a set of anti-epidemic and preventive measures.
 Materials and methods. Epizootological monitoring was carried out in the vicinity of Platov airport, as well as on the territory of the complex itself for three seasons (20192021). The capture of small mammals was carried out according to the standard method of trap-lines with Hero crushers; 1200 trap-days were accumulated. Route records of bats with the determination of their species were carried out. The species belonging of blood-sucking arthropods was determined using determinants. Regulatory support for the above monitoring was formed in accordance with the current normative and methodological documents: SanPiN 3.3686-21 "Sanitary and Epidemiological Requirements for the Prevention of Infectious Diseases"; MP 3.1.0211-20 "Trapping, Accounting and Forecasting the Number of Small Mammals and Birds in Natural Foci of Infectious Diseases"; MU 3.1.3012-12 "Collection, Accounting and Preparation for Laboratory Examination of Blood-sucking Arthropods in Natural Foci of Dangerous Infectious Diseases".
 Laboratory studies of samples of extracted biomaterial for the search of markers of pathogens of natural focal infections were carried out taking into account the requirements of current regulatory documents. Samples for laboratory testing were formed in compliance with the principle of "one point of collection of material, one time of collection of material, one type of material".
 Results. The results of epizootological monitoring of the territory of the Platov airport (Rostov-on-Don) are presented, according to which a real possibility of the development of epizootics of dangerous infectious diseases among small mammals living in the adjacent territory to the Platov airport has been established. In order to eliminate potential risks that can lead to complications of the epidemiological situation, it is necessary to carry out planned deratization and acaricide treatments on the territory of Platov airport. The continuation of regular epizootological monitoring of the airport territories and adjacent territories remains very relevant.
 Conclusions. The results of epizootological monitoring of the territory of the Platov International Airport (Rostov-on-Don) revealed the presence of mouse-like rodents penetrating from the surrounding fields, including those belonging to groups I and II of infectious sensitivity to tularemia, which form potential epizootological risks. A comprehensive laboratory study of biological material obtained from mouse-like rodents captured during epizootological monitoring did not reveal markers of pathogens of natural focal infections. At the same time, systematic regular epizootological monitoring of the airport territory is necessary due to the presence in the territories surrounding the airport complex of natural foci of particularly dangerous infections common to humans and animals, where mouse-like rodents live and reproduce, including house mice and rats, capable of migrating and inhabiting residential and warehouse premises and in case of activation of epizootic process to introduce infection into the territory of the airport complex, especially in autumn and winter.

Epidemiological Manifestation of Combined Natural Foci of Tularemia, Leptospirosis and Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome: Mixed Infections

Epidemiological Manifestation of Combined Natural Foci of Tularemia, Leptospirosis and Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome: Mixed Infections

Epidemiological Situation on Tick-Borne Spotted Fever Group Rickettsioses in the Russian Federation in 2012–2021, Prognosis for 2022–2026

The aim of the review was to characterize the epidemiological situation on rickettsiosis of the tick-borne spotted fever (TSF) group in the constituent entities of the Russian Federation in 2012–2021 and provide a long-term forecast for 2022–2026. In 2020–2021, indicators of registered incidence of tick-borne rickettsiosis in Russia on the whole decreased relative to the average long-term pre-pandemic level in 2012–2019 by 2 fold for all forms of the TSF group on average (Siberian tick-borne typhus – STT, Astrakhan spotted fever and Mediterranean fever). A comparative analysis of the territories revealed a correlation between the incidence of STT and the number of medical facility visits due to “tick bites” (r=0.67, p=0.015), which, against the background of an increase in the frequency of contacts of the population with vectors in 2020–2021 in most regions and a decrease in the incidence in the same regions indicates the credible nature of the changes. The ranking of territories according to average long-term incidence rates made it possible to classify the Republic of Altai and the Altai Territory as regions of extremely high epidemic hazard as regards STT; high hazard – the Republic of Tuva; above average – the Republic of Khakassia, Khabarovsk Territory and the Jewish Autonomous Region. The established downward trend in the incidence of tick-borne rickettsiosis among the population will be sustained in most entities of the Russian Federation within the next 5 years, excluding the Republic of Altai, the Altai Territory, the Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol, where current incidence or an increase should be expected. The results of the analysis indicate the need to put more emphasis on natural-focal infections at the time of COVID-19 pandemic.