Non-specific Prevention Research Articles

Multiplex real-time PCR for detection of <i>qac A/B</i> and <i>smr</i> genes in Gram-positive bacteria

Background. Disinfectants are effective means of non-specific prevention of infections associated with the provision of medical care. Violation of disinfectant use regimes leads to the formation of microorganism resistance to them. To monitor the spread of clinically significant microorganisms resistant to disinfectants, the development of methods for their detection, including molecular genetic methods, remains relevant. The aim of the study was to develop a multiplex real-time PCR for the identification of qacA/B and smr genes, the determinants of resistance to cationic biocides, in Gram-positive bacteria. Materials and methods. Conserved regions of qacA, qacB and smr genes were searched, and primers and probes were designed using BLASTN, GeneRunner, and Multiple Primer Analyzer programs. To evaluate the analytical sensitivity of the multiplex PCR, plasmids pTZ57-qacA/B, pTZ57-smr, and pTZ57-16S containing qacA/B, smr and 16S rRNA gene fragments of 197 bp, 127 bp, and 287 bp, respectively, were constructed. The method was tested on clinical isolates of Gram-positive bacteria (n = 30). Results. A multiplex real-time PCR using TaqMan probes was developed for the detection of qacA/B and smr genes in Gram-positive bacteria. The 16S rRNA gene was used as an internal amplification control. The sensitivity of the multiplex PCR was 103 copies for all genes. Multiplex PCR validation showed that qacA/B genes were present in 30%, smr genes were present in 10% of the isolates tested. The reproducibility of the results was 100%. Conclusion. The developed multiplex PCR differs from existing assays by high specificity and short turnaround time, as well as by the presence of an internal amplification control. It can be used for the detection of Gram-positive bacteria potentially resistant to cationic biocides.

Venous thrombosis and embolism in surgical hospital patients in the conditions of the COVID-19 pandemic

Background. Venous thrombosis and embolism are one of the main and most threatening complications in emergency abdominal surgery in the conditions of global pandemic caused by the SARS-CoV-2, which is constantly worsening the morbidity and mortality rates. Despite the accumulation of sufficient knowledge on the problem of venous thromboembolism in general, understanding the unique prothrombotic pathophysiology of the virus and its potentiation of the coagulation system in patients with COVID-19 remains at a suboptimal level. The purpose of the study is to assess the extent of venous thrombosis in patients undergoing emergency surgery for abdominal pathology with concomitant coronavirus disease and to determine the main measures to improve the effectiveness of prevention and treatment. Materials and methods. The results of the treatment of 3,476 patients in the Surgical center 1 of the CNPE of the Lviv Territorial Medical Union “Multidisciplinary Clinical Hospital of Intensive Treatment Methods and Emergency Medical Care” from April 2021 to March 2022 were analyzed, 89.3 % of them were hospitalized urgently. One hundred and fifty-nine (4.6 %) patients died, mainly from purulent-septic complications, multi-organ (primarily severe respiratory) failure and venous thrombosis and embolism. Results. Non-specific prevention of venous thrombosis and embolism was carried out in all patients. It consisted in elastic compression of the legs before transporting the patient to the operating room and early ambulation after surgery. Adequate analgesia and assistance from medical staff were considered an important component of motor activity recovery. Specific prevention of venous thrombosis was carried out by subcutaneous injection of low-molecular-weight heparins once or twice a day. With the beginning of the pandemic and a sharp rise of thromboembolic complications, a longer prophylaxis with increased dose and frequency of anticoagulant administration began to be used in clinical practice. Conclusions. Unresolved issues that stood in the way of optimizing the prevention of venous thrombosis and embolism in the clinic are the new challenges associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, insufficient alertness of doctors to the problem of thromboembolic complications, difficulties in objective assessment of the risk of deep vein thrombosis in the presence of many factors, absence of scales for evaluating the risk of venous thrombosis adapted to today’s conditions.

Практические аспекты сохранения стандартов качества обработки изделий медицинского назначения в условиях импортозамещения. Экономическая целесообразность

The article was prepared on the basis of a report made at the scientific and practical conference «Organization of deratization measures in modern conditions, topical issues of disinfection activities in the conditions of medical organizations of various profiles,» held May 15-16, 2024 in St. Petersburg. Despite the wide range of products for PSOs manufactured by foreign industry, at present, special attention is paid to the development of import substitutes and high-quality pre-sterilization cleaning. The experience of using new domestic means «Neodezin F» and «Neodezin N» for carrying out PSO by mechanized method in the disinfection-washing machine Miele PG 8536 is presented. Keywords: dental clinic, dental care for the population, non-specific prevention of infections associated with the provision of medical care, central sterilization department, import substitution, disinfection and washing machine, testing of Neodesin F and Neodesin N products for PSO, quality control of pre-sterilization treatment.

On the Possibility of Using the Topical form of the Recombinant Interferon alpha-2b Drug in the Prevention of Acute Respiratory Viral Infections in Organized Groups

Relevance. Respiratory infections are an urgent problem for organized groups, including military ones, since the transmission of pathogens by airborne droplets and household contact routes, physical and psychological stress on adaptive mechanisms contribute to the development of the epidemic process. There is no doubt that vaccination makes a significant contribution to the prevention of respiratory infections, but the contingent remains vulnerable to other pathogens against which there are no vaccines. Therefore, the search for new methods of non-specific prevention is necessary in maintaining the health of persons permanently residing in collectives. Aim. Evaluation of the possibility of using the topical form of the recombinant interferon α-2b drug for the prevention of acute respiratory viral infections in organized groups. Materials and methods. The work was carried out according to the methodology of a multicenter (3 Centers) double-blind controlled trial involving 3,235 people aged 18 to 22 years, who were divided into three groups: 1 gy. - received a recombinant interferon α-2b (Grippferon) drug 3 drops in each nasal passage 2 times a day in for two weeks; 2 g. - saline solution intranasally according to the same scheme; 3 g. - the volunteers did not receive anything. The frequency of respiratory infections was studied. Results and discussion. Medical monitoring of the study participants, which was carried out for 2 months, showed that in the groups from the Center 1, the incidence of acute respiratory diseases for 2 months in the main group (gr. 1) was 2.3 times lower than in the control (gr. 2) and the comparison group (gr. 3). In the Center 2 The data corresponded to the dynamics of Center 1: the incidence values were 2.4-2.5 times lower in Group 1. In Center 3, the values were 2.0-2.1, respectively. The epidemic effect of intranasal administration of the topical form of the drug recombinant interferon α-2b is due to its effect on the factors of mucosal immunity, which contributes to non-specific protection and increased body resistance against respiratory infections. Conclusions. The presented advantages of the recombinant interferon α-2b drug make it possible to draw attention to the clinical feasibility of its use for preventive purposes in organized groups, including military ones, from the position of high epidemiological effectiveness, both pre-exposure and post-exposure prevention of acute respiratory viral infections.

Should tularemia be considered a particularly dangerous infection?

Tularemia is a widespread bacterial zoonotic infection in the world, the causative agent of it in our country is classified as pathogenicity group 2, which corresponds to group 3 according to the international classification for laboratory services. F. tularensis is considered a potential agent of category A bioterrorism. The review presents current information about the causative agent of tularemia, the features of the clinical course of the infection and the incidence rate associated with its different subtypes. The possibilities of treatment and prevention of the disease are highlighted. The material is presented from the point of view of whether the infection meets the criteria for a particularly dangerous disease. The species includes 4 subspecies, of which only one, present only in some states of the United States and probably the evolutionarily oldest, is assessed as highly virulent. The subspecies most widespread on the European continent is classified as moderately virulent and causes diseases that do not meet the criteria for a particularly dangerous disease in terms of severe and mortality rate. There is a list of drugs that are quite effective against the causative agent of tularemia, provided they are prescribed in a timely manner. The incidence of tularemia in countries where it is registered does not exceed sporadic levels. However, a feature of the pathogen is plasticity in the external environment which determines the long-term preservation of the epizootic potential of natural foci. In some years large outbreaks of infection occur, often in the absence of visible risk factors. The possibilities of specific and nonspecific prevention are limited and can reduce the risk of infection of the population only with a timely, quick and adequate response to changing situations. In various countries work is underway to create vaccines on different technological platforms, but currently only Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan use the live attenuated vaccine. Although by wild strains is not a particularly dangerous disease, it requires close surveillance.

The science of microbiology: black and white

The article provides information about outstanding scientists who selflessly fought against the causative agents of the most dangerous infectious diseases over the centuries of human existence. The contribution to the fight against epidemics of Russian and Soviet scientists is shown, who experimented with self-infection on themselves, testing new vaccines and methods of nonspecific prevention of severe infections.

Epidemiological features of viral infections of the upper respiratory tract in the Voronezh Region

Upper respiratory tract infections occupy an important place in the group of infectious diseases, determining significant damage to the economy of the Russian Federation, which is confirmed by data from state reports «On the state of sanitary and epidemiological welfare of the population of the Russian Federation». The aim of the study was to assess the epidemic situation of upper respiratory tract infections in the Voronezh region. In the course of the study, it was found that upper respiratory tract infections have been steadily determining epidemic problems in the Voronezh Region for many years. The presence of changes in indicators within the year, depending on the season, allows you to distribute efforts to prepare for the next epidemic upsurge, including specific prevention of influenza and other diseases against which vaccines have been developed and registered. The unified mechanism of transmission of the described infections indicates that the implementation of non-specific prevention, including timely identification and isolation of patients, air purification and disinfection, etc. It will help to reduce the spread of pathogens in organized groups.

Влияние вакцинации против гриппа, пневмококковой инфекции и SARS-CoV-2 на заболеваемость и тяжесть течения COVID‑19 у медицинских работников отдельного учреждения (эпидемиологические исследования)

Objective. To study the effect of influenza, pneumococcal and SARS-CoV-2 vaccination on the incidence and severity of COVID-19 course in health care workers. Patients and Methods. We examined 547 health care workers divided into group 1 (no history of influenza and pneumococcal vaccination, n = 281) and groups vaccinated between August and October 2020 (before SARS-CoV-2 epidemic II): Group 2 against influenza (n = 98), Group 3 against pneumococcal infection (n = 60), and Group 4 against influenza and pneumococcus (n = 108). Between March and August 2021 (before the SARS-CoV-2 epidemic III outbreak), 98.6% of all employees were vaccinated against COVID-19. We compared COVID-19 incidence rates during Periods II and III epidemic rises (2020–2022) as a function of influenza and pneumococcal vaccination. Results. It was found that with combined vaccination against influenza and pneumococcal infection in the group of medical workers at high risk of infection, the risk of COVID-19 morbidity within 4–5 months was 2 times lower (1.6% vs. 13.2%, p < 0.05) compared to the unvaccinated. Comparative data on COVID-19 incidence in the II and III periods of epidemic rises showed that COVID-19 in medical workers in the III period was registered 36.1% lower in comparison with the index in the II period – 11.2 and 7.1%, respectively (p < 0.05). We found that when comparing II and III periods of epidemic rises among medical workers, the proportion of persons with COVID-19 with moderate forms of disease who received combined vaccination against influenza and pneumococcal infection decreases more than 2-fold (p < 0.05), including in the category with a high risk of infection. Conclusion. The presented data indicate a positive effect of combined vaccination against pneumococcal infection and influenza on the incidence and severity of COVID-19. The proposed approach can be used in public health practice as a method of nonspecific prevention of COVID-19 and other acute respiratory viral infections. Key words: influenza vaccine, pneumococcal vaccine, combined vaccination, epidemic rise, COVID-19

Non-specific prevention of respiratory infections during vaccination against COVID-19

The novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) has a suppressive effect on innate immunity, which is a prerequisite for developing strategies to enhance this non-specific link as a preventive measure to protect against other respiratory infections during the ongoing circulation of mutating strains of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Despite the currently developed and available preventive measures, it has been noted that in persons who have undergone COVID-19, repeated episodes of both coronavirus infection and diseases caused by other pathogens have been recorded.
 This review analyzes data from the biomedical literature and considers examples of health risks associated with continued infection with pathogens that cause respiratory tract pathologies. It also reflects the ways and approaches of possible preventive measures, the purpose of which is to prevent the development of pathologies of both the respiratory organs and other systems.

Therapeutic efficacy of an interferon inducer in the treatment and prophylaxis of acute respiratory viral infections in childhood: A review

The high incidence of acute respiratory viral infections (ARVI), including influenza, warrants the need for effective and safe methods of ARVI treatment and prevention. Due to the limited options for specific prevention of highly pathogenic and highly virulent viral infections (influenza, SARS-CoV-2), the non-specific prevention and complex therapy of influenza and other ARVI are relevant. Immunostimulating agents with a dual mechanism of action, including endogenous interferon (IFN) inducers, have both antiviral and immunocorrective effects. A detailed review of recent literature on the prophylactic and therapeutic efficacy of the IFN inducer Kagocel is presented, as well as the authors' own experience. A significant evidence pool allows the use of the drug to treat and prevent acute respiratory viral infections and influenza in children from 3 years of age.

COVID‑19 Pandemic: Effect of Specific and Non-Specific Prevention Measures on the Risk of SARS‑CoV‑2 Infection in Employees of Healthcare Organizations

From the very onset of SARS‑CoV‑2 spreading, active involvement in the COVID‑19 epidemic process made the healthcare professionals (HCPs) a vulnerable group with higher risks of contracting the disease, severe course and fatal outcome.The aim. We aimed at studying the impact of specific and non-specific preventive measures on the risk of SARS‑CoV‑2 infection among the HCPs in a large industrial region settings during the COVID‑19 pandemic.Materials and methods. We analyzed the data obtained using 1 905 questionnaires for the personnel of infectious hospitals for treatment of COVID‑19 patients and non-core healthcare facilities in a large industrial region during the COVID‑19 pandemic, 100 questionnaires on adherence of the employees to hand hygiene and antiseptics, the results of the tests for specific IgG to the SARS‑CoV‑2 nucleocapsid (2 200 samples), as well as the results of assessment of viral and bacterial contamination of the outer surface of the personal protective equipment for infectious hospital staff (108 specimens).Results and discussion. In the course of the study, an effect of failure in the implementation of some specific and non-specific preventive measures on an increase in the incidence of COVID‑19 in various healthcare professionals has been identified. The COVID‑19 pandemic once again emphasized the need to save lives and health of the HCPs as socially significant category of citizens under the spread of pathogens with high epidemic potential, applying a complex of specific and non-specific measures that are not mutually exclusive.

ЭПИДЕМИОЛОГИЧЕСКАЯ ХАРАКТЕРИСТИКА И ПРОФИЛАКТИКА КЛЕЩЕВОГО ВИРУСНОГО ЭНЦЕФАЛИТА НА ПРИАРКТИЧЕСКИХ ТЕРРИТОРИЯХ ЕВРОПЕЙСКОГО СЕВЕРА

Current: In the subarctic territories of the European North, a combination of system-forming factors shaping an increased risk of morbidity has been accumulated: climatogeographic, ecological, ethnic, social. These factors can become triggers for the spread of natural focal infections, including tick-borne viral encephalitis. They require a special approach in the organization of healthcare. The aim of this study was to study of the features of the incidence of tick-borne viral encephalitis among the population of the subarctic territories for the period from 2012 to 2021 and evaluation of measures for the implementation of specific prevention. Materials and methods. The data taken from the federal forms of statistical observation (statistical reporting form No. 2 "Information on infectious and parasitic diseases", statistical reporting form No. 5 "Information on preventive vaccinations") were used in the territories of the Arkhangelsk, Murmansk regions, the Republic of Karelia, the Komi Republic. A comparative study was conducted between them, as well as with the average statistical values for the Russian Federation. The results of the study and their discussion. over the past decade, a decrease in the incidence of tick-borne viral encephalitis has been observed in the studied subarctic territories. At the same time, in the Arkhangelsk region, the Republics of Karelia and Komi, it remained higher in comparison with the average values for the Russian Federation. In the last 2 years, there has also been a decline in cases of infection, but this down-fall is much slower than in the country as a whole. Some positive trends are determined by the results of the implementation of preventive measures. Among them, the main importance was played by full-fledged vaccination of the population in endemic regions (the Arkhangelsk region, partly the Komi Republic and Karelia), thanks to which a sufficient pool of antibodies to the causative agent of tick-borne encephalitis is created in the body. It exceeded the all-Russian indicators in scale. In addition, in areas with a wide spread of vector ticks, powerful nonspecific prevention is carried out, aimed at the destruction of vectors or treatment with repellents.

Modern Means of Personal Protection of People from Bloodsucking Arthropods

The review focuses on the means of personal protection of people from blood-sucking arthropods, mainly from Ixodidae ticks. Individual (personal) protection of humans is an important component of nonspecific prevention of natural-focal vector-borne diseases. The paper considers statistical data describing the level of significance and relevance of the information about the infections transmitted by ticks, for instance, tick-borne viral encephalitis, tick-borne borreliosis etc. Presented are the characteristics of different groups of personal protection means: insectoacaricidal, repellent, and insectoacaricidal-repellent ones. Indicators of their effectiveness are assessed; their practical use, as well as the features of special protective clothing and the necessity of its application is described. The toxicity of protective clothing is reduced through a lining fabric, local inserts of fabric with insectoacaricidal impregnation and the use of underwear. Different interpretation of the term “repellent” in the domestic and foreign literature, and also two different approaches (“Eastern” and “Western”) to the design and manufacture of personal protection means for people against attacks of blood-sucking arthropods, including Ixodidae ticks, in Russia and Western Europe countries and the USA is discussed. The paper highlights the effect of different pyrethroid groups on the behavioral reactions of ticks. It is shown that in the Russian Federation the use of permethrin is prohibited for the treatment of protective clothing against blood-sucking arthropods, in particular against the taiga tick Ixodes persulcatus, which is the main vector of dangerous infections across the major part of the country (in the east of the European part, the Urals, Siberia and the Far East).

WORK ORGANIZATION OF A CENTRAL STERILIZATION DEPARTMENT IN A PEDIATRIC EMERGENCY MEDICAL INSTITUTION (Part 1)

Background. Sterilization of medical devices is one of the most important measures of non-specific prophylaxis aimed at preventing infections associated with the provision of medical care. Sterilization of medical devices is one of the main measures to ensure the safe provision of medical care, an important stage in the system of infection control and epidemiological safety, in accordance with the requirements of which the work on the prevention of nosocomial infection is carried out.. There have been numerous cases of nosocomial infections transmitted through medical devices. Strict observance of all norms and rules of sterilization measures, especially in a pediatric emergency medical organization, is of great importance in the nonspecific prevention of infection associated with the provision of medical care. Strict implementation of the rules for organisation of the central sterilization department in a pediatric emergency medical institution plays an important role in the prevention of infections associated with the provision of medical care to children and makes it possible to fully avoid nosocomial infections in both patients and staff of a medical organization. To carry out measures to properly organise the work of the central sterilization department, a number of administrative, organizational and anti-epidemic measures are required in a medical organization. Aim. To determine the work organisation features of the central sterilization department in a medical institution of the pediatric emergency care proRle. Materials and Methods. The materials presented in the publication were obtained by analyzing the work of the central sterilization department of the Research Institute of Emergency Pediatric Surgery and Traumatology. Results. It has been established that the personnel of the central sterilization department of the Research Institute of Emergency Pediatric Surgery and Traumatology, its material resources and technical equipment comply with the requirements of sanitary rules SP 2.1.3678-20 "Sanitary and epidemiological requirements for the operation of premises, buildings, structures, equipment and transport, as well as the conditions of activity of business entities selling goods, performing work or providing services" and other regulatory and legal documents regulating the work of the central sterilization department in a medical organization. Conclusions. The organization of medical devices sterilization in the central sterilization department of the Research Institute of Emergency Pediatric Surgery and Traumatology allows to perform sanitary and hygienic (prophylactic) and anti-epidemic measures in order to prevent infections associated with the provision of quality medical care a to patients.

Об эффективности неспецифической профилактики инфекций, передаваемых иксодовыми клещами, на территории г. Томска

Epidemiological assessment studied of the value of acaricidal treatments in the prevention of TBI in Tomsk during 2018–2022 and the data of federal statistical observation forms No. 2, and No. 27 were analyzed. Quantitative assessment of the effectiveness of nonspecific prevention was performed using the Spearman correlation coefficient. Evaluation of the effectiveness of nonspecific prophylactic measures aimed at preventing TBI infestation showed that with the existing volumes of acaricidal treatments (up to 800.0 ha), there is no significant reduction in the number of ixodid ticks (correlation coefficient 0.32, p?<?0.05) and the incidence of TBI (correlation coefficient 0.40, p?<?0.05). A reliable relationship between the number of victims of tick bites on the territory of Tomsk and the number of morbidity of TBI (correlation coefficient 0.55, p?<?0.05) was revealed, where the increase in the frequency of contacts of the population with ixodid ticks leads to an increase in the morbidity of TBI diseases. Keywords: tick-borne encephalitis, ixodid tick borrelioses, anti-tick treatments, hard ticks.

Vaccination as a Significant Factor Influencing the Psychoemotional State of Medical Students During the Sars-Cov-2 Pandemic: An International Aspect.

The rapid spread of SARS-COV-2, characterized by its severe course in the absence of effective specific treatment for this infection, may become a significant risk factor for psycho-emotional disorders' emergence during this pandemic. One of the vulnerable groups in the current situation are first-year medical students, whose problems associated with an unfavorable sanitary-epidemiological situation and an increased infection risk are compounded by the difficulties of adapting to specific professional environments. In this situation, along with strict adherence to nonspecific prevention methods, the mass student SARS-COV-2 vaccination acquires particular importance. To compare the attitudes of first-year medical students in Russia and Azerbaijan toward SARS-COV-2 immunization and to assess the vaccination impact on the student's psycho-emotional state during the SARS-COV-2 pandemic. The study involved 594 first-year students at the Moscow and Baku branches of Sechenov University. The Google Forms platform was used to conduct an anonymous sociological survey. To compare the psychoemotional state of vaccinated freshmen and non-vaccinated students, we used the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, STAI, to assess reactive anxiety and the Beck Depression Inventory test - to diagnose depressive symptoms. The online survey was conducted during the fourth wave of coronavirus infection. WHO official sources were used to analyze the current epidemiological SARS-COV-2 situation during the study data provided by the Russian Federal Service on Customers' Rights Protection and Human Well-Being Surveillance and JHU CSSE. Statistical analysis was carried out using RStudio. The study results showed that vaccination coverage of first-year students at the Moscow branch of Sechenov University during the fourth wave of the SARS-COV-2 pandemic was 42,9±5,13%, at the Baku branch - 69,6±5,86%. The lack of reliable information about anticovid vaccines, indicated by a third of all respondents, may largely determine the motivated participation in the vaccination SARS-COV-2 campaign. The role of medical school in imparting knowledge about active SARS-COV-2 immunization to medical students was found to be insignificant. It was shown that the percentage of students willing to recommend SARS-COV-2 vaccination to the people around them and thereby contribute to increasing collective immunity level significantly depends on the percentage of students vaccinated. It was proved that vaccinated students were characterized by significantly greater psychological stability regardless of their study place. Vaccination is not only a good preventive measure against the infection spread but also a significant factor in stabilizing the psycho-emotional state of first-year students, which significantly affects the quality of their educational process and its effectiveness.

Analysis of New Standards in the Field of UV - C Disinfection

The coronavirus pandemic continues to plunge the world into waves of a potentially deadly disease caused by multiple strains of the SARS-CoV‑2 virus. A well-known effective method of non-specific prevention of the spread of respiratory viral infections in the Russian Federation is air disinfection using ultraviolet (UV) germicidal irradiation. Today, in medical institutions the application of this technology bases on domestic guidelines developed without taking into account the characteristics of new viruses, new knowledges and technologies in the field of UV radiation generation. A number of new standards have been issued abroad, significantly deepening the knowledge and capabilities in the development and application of UV disinfection devices. This article provides an overview of new standards, highlights the provisions that are appropriate for harmonization with Russian rules and recommendations for the use of UV radiation. The article shows: the necessity of updating the Russian regulatory framework in the field of application of UV disinfection technology, the development of new or revision of existing documents by the bodies of the sanitary and epidemiological service of the Russian Federation in cooperation with competent technical organizations and specialists.

Characteristics of the epidemic process of Lyme borreliosis in the Sverdlovsk district over a 20-year period

Relevance. The Sverdlovsk district is a tense natural focus for Lyme borreliosis (LB) with a constantly recorded incidence that exceeds these indicators in the Russian Federation and the Ural Federal region several times. LB is registered on 56 of 59 administrative territories of the district. Currently, the count of LB in the Russian Federation includes both infections caused by Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato group Borrelia and infections caused by Borrelia miyamotoi sensu lato group Borrelia.Aim. To characterize the epidemic process of LB in the territory of the Sverdlovsk district over a 20-year period (2002–2021).Materials and methods. The paper uses data from federal and regional statistical observations, reporting materials of the Department of Rospotrebnadzor in the Sverdlovsk district for 2002–2021, methods of statistical analysis.Results and discussion. During the follow–up period (2002–2021), the incidence rate of BL in the Sverdlovsk district exceeded the average long-term level in the Russian Federation by almost 3 times, and in the Ural Federal region – by 1.8 times. Among the mechanisms and ways of transmission of LB pathogens, the vector-borne mechanism dominated (84.5%), the share of the unidentified pathway was 15.4%, alimentary (when using raw goat's milk) – 0.1%. The duration of the epidemic season for LB in the district was 10 months (from March to December) with a peak incidence in June. Cases of LB were registered among people of different ages, with a predominance in the group of 60 years and older (39.1%). An analysis of the distribution of people with LB by social composition showed that pensioners prevailed among them – 36.3%, officials made up 27.8%, unemployed – 14.1%. Among the cases, a high proportion of schoolchildren and children under 7 years old were noted. It was found that erythematous and non-erythematous forms of LB are registered in the district, with a predominance of erythematous (64.5%). The main etiological agent of the erythematous form is Borrelia garinii, while the non-erythematous form is Borrelia miyamotoi and B. garinii. In the general structure of morbidity, the number of cases of LB is largely determined by the city inhabitants (92.9%). There were no fatal outcomes in LB in the territory of the district during the studied period.Conclusions. Due to the lack of vaccination of LB worldwide, the only strategy to reduce the incidence of LB is non-specific prevention and timely diagnosis of the disease, including data from epidemiological history, clinical and laboratory diagnostics. The long-term clinical and epidemiological and laboratory studies conducted by us in the Sverdlovsk district allowed us to characterize the main manifestations of the epidemic process of LB and to improve the diagnosis of the disease.

Анализ осведомленности студентов-медиков и медицинских работников республики Башкортостан и Рязанской области о коронавирусной инфекции COVID-19

INTRODUCTION: The new coronavirus infection has affected almost every citizen of the country. It is known that, despite the published government statistics and information about the new infection, not all the Russian population observe the measures of non-specific prevention of coronavirus infection. One of the reasons is the massive spread of numerous rumors and speculations about COVID-19. AIM: To study the level of awareness of medical workers and medical students of the coronavirus infection COVID-19 specifying the sources of information about this disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A survey of 312 respondents from the Ryazan region and the Republic of Bashkortostan was conducted. The study was conducted using a questionnaire based on GoogleForms distributed in social networks and consisting of three blocks of questions. Statistical data processing was carried out using the free computing software environment R (ver. 4.1.2) and the MS Excel 2019 software package in Windows 11. The target significance level p ≤ 0.05. RESULTS: The survey revealed insufficient awareness of students and medical professionals of the transmission routes and symptoms of COVID-19 infection. Only a small part of medical workers (as a rule, people of younger working age) and medical students receive information about COVID-19 from official and reliable sources. Only every 7th respondent gives correct answers about the transmission routes of COVID-19. In general, respondents considered wearing masks to be an effective means of prevention, especially in the group of those who had suffered the disease. When analyzing the spread of various rumors and legends about COVID-19 among medical professionals and medical students, it was found that almost half of them believe various legends about COVID-19. CONCLUSION: It was found that respondents received information mainly from unofficial sources, not trusting federal TV channels, as well as the data from the state statistics service. Often, respondents do not have complete information about the ways of transmission of infection and of its symptoms, but at the same time, most of them observe the self-isolation and the mask regimes. About half of the respondents believe various legends associated with this disease. Respondents who had had COVID-19 gave more correct answers and used more reliable sources of information.

Antimicrobial properties of oxygen-active disinfectants

Oxygen-active disinfectants are widely used for the nonspecific prevention of infectious diseases: hydrogen peroxide, chlorine dioxide, potassium fluoride peroxyhydrate, perborates, persulfates, perphosphates, and percarbonates. These compounds have a broad spectrum of antimicrobial activity against bacteria (including Mycobacterium tuberculosis), viruses, fungi, and spores of bacilli.
 The primary exposure targets exposure for oxygen-containing disinfectants are proteins and lipids in the cytoplasmic membranes of bacterial cells and the spore membranes of bacterial spores. When a bacterial cell is exposed to hydrogen peroxide at the stage of contact with the cytoplasmic membrane, hydrogen peroxide decomposes into highly reactive hydroxyl radicals, which have a destructive effect on the membranes. Hydroxyl radicals are powerful oxidizing agents, have a short existence and interact with lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids. Lipid oxidation, mainly unsaturated fatty acids, leads to increased membrane permeability. During the membrane protein oxidation consisting of amino acids with disulfide bonds, the latter are converted into SH-radicals, forming cross-links at amino groups and resulting in protein-lipid complexes. The proteins are oxidized and denatured, leading to cell death. Hydroxyl radicals and other intermediate decomposition products of hydrogen peroxide, such as hydronium cation (Н3О+) and perhydroxylanion (НО2-), have damaging effects.
 This article analyzes scientific papers on the mechanism of action of oxygen-active disinfectants on vegetative cells and bacterial spores.