Means of optimizing the epidemiological surveillance of infectious diseases in the USSR

The present work shows the specific features of the epidemiological surveillance of infectious diseases, carried out by the All-Union Centers of the Central Research Institute of Epidemiology (sponsored by the Ministry of Health of the USSR) in different regions of the USSR with due consideration of the specific features of each disease.     

Drug resistance and pathogenicity of S. aureus isolated from patients

Over the period 1983-1985, investigators from the Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Prague, and the Central Research Institute of Epidemiology, USSR Ministry of Public Health, Moscow, carried out a joint study of drug resistance in S. aureus strains in relation to their enterotoxigenic properties and phage group specificity. Altogether 277 strains were explored which had been isolated at random from the clinical material from infant and adult inpatients. Most of the isolated strains featured multiple resistance to antibiotics: PNC (77.9%), CMP (52.7%), TET (21.6%), ERY (17.6%) and LIN (11.9%). The strains isolated from infants were most frequently resistant to TET and ERY. No correlation was found between the incidence of antimicrobial drugs resistance and toxigenic properties of the isolated strains.     

Immune structure of the population in some regions of the USSR with respect to Legionella pneumophila

For the first time in the USSR the structure of the immunity of different population groups to L. pneumophila was studied. Antibodies to L. pneumophila were detected in the passive hemagglutination test with the use of erythrocyte diagnosticum prepared at the Gamaleya Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology (Moscow). The survey covered the total number of 2,902 persons in differ nt regions of the USSR, among them 2,430 adults and 472 children. Among the healthy adult population antibodies to L. pneumophila were detected, on the average, in 5.9% of persons. The highest number of persons with antibodies in diagnostic titers was detected among the population of the Baltic Republics (15.9%) and Kazakhstan (10.2%). The survey revealed an essential difference in the number of children aged 3-7 years, found to have antibodies to L. pneumophila, in the Brest region of the Byelorussian SSR (31.4%) and in the Turkmen SSR (1.3%). The high risk groups exposed to L. pneumophila infection were found to include narcological patients with the changed reactivity of the body and healthy adults professionally employed in earth-moving works.     

Possible diagnosis of Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection by an immunoenzyme method using pyoimmunogen as the antigen

The possibility of detecting P. aeruginosa antibodies in patients by means of indirect solid-phase EIA techniques is shown. This assay is carried out with the use of reagents produced in the USSR: polystyrene assay plates manufactured by the Lenigrad Medpolymer Works are used as carriers, P. aeruginosa vaccine (pyoimmunogen) obtained under semi-industrial conditions at the Mechnikov Central Research Institute for Vaccines and Sera is used as antigenic complex and the commercial preparation produced by the Gamaleia Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology serves as conjugate. The studies have revealed that in 95% of cases the level of antibodies in the sera of patients with acute destructive pneumonia accompanied by pleural empyema, abscesses of internal organs and acute hematogenic osteomyelitis is essentially higher than the level of "normal" antibodies in healthy donors from whom biologically confirmed P. aeruginosa cultures can be isolated. In the groups of patients with similar nosological forms of diseases caused by other infective agents such difference in antibody titers is not detected. These results suggest that the detection of antibodies to P. aeruginosa in patients' sera by means of EIA can be used as an additional test for the diagnosis of P. aeruginosa infections.     

Using SIB and API kits to identify and biotype enterobacteria of different origin

A collection of 26 Enterobacteriaceae reference strains provided by Reference Centres in Moscow (USSR) and Copenhagen (Denmark) as well as a collection of 660 freshly isolated cultures of Gram-negative bacteria of different origin were investigated using SIB indicator systems manufactured at the Gorky Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology (USSR) and API-20E, Rapid-20E and API-10S kits (API, France) with the aim of species determination. In analyzing freshly isolated cultures, API-20E, API-10S and SIB-B kits proved to be of approximately equal efficiency, whereas the Rapid-20E system enabled species identification in no more than 78% of the tested cultures. In a model biotyping of 284 E. coli cultures of different origin, SIB-B and API-20E kits in combination with the Analytical Profile Index enabled sufficiently rapid and standard identification of Enterobacteriaceae biovars.     

The efficacy of exogenous and endogenous interferonization in preventing influenza]

In this work the results of using interferon (IFN), Dibasol and the combination of these preparations for the urgent prophylaxis of influenza and acute respiratory diseases (ARD) among the employees of the Gamaleia Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology (USSR Acad. Med. Sci.) are summarized. Reaferon and Dibasol decrease ARD morbidity 2 times and leukocytic IFN decreases it 1.4 times, while the combined administration of Dibasol and IFN has proved to be ineffective. Reaferon is mainly a prophylactic remedy; it has been found to bring about almost no decrease in the number of patients at the peak of morbidity, while pronouncedly decreasing it in two weeks after the administration of the preparation. Dibasol has a curative effect, sharply interrupting the beginning rise of morbidity. Reaferon normalizes the characteristics of the IFN status, decreasing the amount of circulating IFN and enhancing the capacity of leukocytes for producing alpha-IFN and gamma-IFN. For the prophylaxis of respiratory infections the use of Reaferon is advisable 3-4 weeks prior to the beginning of the epidemic and then, when the first cases of infection are registered, the course of prophylaxis with Dibasol should be carried out.     

Relations between the methods of isolating Brucella lipopolysaccharides and their effect on hemopoiesis in mice

The comparative study of the effect produced by different lipopolysaccharide (LPS) preparations obtained from B. melitensis virulent strain 565 and B. abortus vaccine strain 19-BA on hematopoiesis in mice was made. The LPS preparations were obtained (1) by Boivin's technique, (2) by Westphal's technique and (3) by mild alkaline hydrolysis of Bovin's active complex, this technique having been developed at the Brucellosis Laboratory of the Gamaleya Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology. All tests (the spleen endocolonization test, the hydroxyurea kill test, the determination of the content of splenic colony-forming units in the peripheral blood) showed that LPS from B. melitensis virulent strain 565 had a more pronounced disturbing effect on hematopoiesis than LPS from B. abortus vaccine strain 19-BA. Among the LPS preparations obtained by different methods, the one obtained with the use of the technique developed at the Gamaleya Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology proved to have the mildest effect on hematopoiesis, probably due to the partial saponification of the lipid component of LPS. Lipid A in a dose of 0.1-10 micrograms produced no activating effect on the hematopoiesis characteristics under study. None of the LPS preparations proved to be capable of stimulating the formation of transitory endogenous colonies in the spleen of mice.     

Cortical and subcortical spreading depression in rats produced by focused ultrasound

Steady potential shifts produced by focused ultrasond were recorded in the cerebral cortex, hippocampus, thalamus, and caudate nucleus. Impulses of 50–100 msec duration were presented at a frequency of 5 and 10 Hz. Negative steady potential shifts were produced in each of the structures investigated, which gradually increased during rhythmic electrical reaction to reach –3 to –7 mV within 10–30 sec, often succeeded by a wave of spreading depression (SD). In each structure analyzed amplitude of SD waves measured 20–30 mV, lasting 30–40 sec in the cortex, the caudate nucleus and the thalamus, and 80–120 sec in the hippocampus. In unanesthetized and lightly anesthetized animals SD waves were on occasions the precursors of convulsive discharges forming under the action of focused ultrasound. Ultrasound at threshold doses proved ineffective for 5–7 min after the occurrence of an SD wave, but again evoked repeated SD waves once the refractory period had ended. Accordingly, local effects produced by focused ultrasound can result in functional blockage of the brain structures due to cortical and subcortical spreading depression.Institute of Higher Nervous Activity and Neurophysiology, Academy of Sciences of the USSR, Moscow. Institute of Brain Research, All-Union Research Center of Mental Health, Academy of Medical Sciences of the USSR, Moscow. N. N. Andreev Acoustic Institute, Academy of Sciences of the USSR, Moscow. Translated from Neirofiziologiya, Vol. 18, No. 1, pp. 55–61, January–February, 1986.     

A new rabies vaccine in public health practice in the USSR

A new antirabies vaccine prepared on the basis of virus grown in the ovine brain, purified from 85-90% of brain-tissue ballast substances and inactivated with beta-propilactone has been developed at the Moscow Research Institute of Viral preparations (USSR Acad. Med. Sci.). The preparation produces no neuro-allergenic effect in tests on guinea pigs. When injected to humans, the vaccine shows much lower reactogenicity than Fermi vaccine. High antigenic and immunogenic activity of the new vaccine has made it possible to work out a less intensive immunization schedule in comparison with that used for immunization with Fermi vaccine and nonconcentrated tissue-culture vaccine, viz. doses of 3 ml for 12 days or doses of 3 ml for 20 days with two booster immunizations. The preparation has been introduced into medical practice.     

Safety and reactogenicity of a group-A meningoccal polysaccharide vaccine for children 5 to 14

The safety and reactogenicity of group A meningococcal polysaccharide vaccine prepared at the G. N. Gabrichevsky Research Institute for Epidemiology and Microbiology (Moscow) and intended for the immunization of children aged 5-14 years were studied. The data obtained in this study made it possible to characterize the preparation as safe and mildly reactogenic. Shifts in the blood formula registered 24 hours after the injection of the vaccine remained within the limits of physiological fluctuations. Subfebrile temperature persisting for 2 days was registered in some of the children aged 5-8 years. Local reaction in the form of hyperemia at the site of injection was insignificant. The optimum vaccination dose will be determined on the basis of the whole complex of the data presented in this work, as well as the data on the immunological activity of the preparation.     

Influence of picrotoxin and duration of conditioning on the induction of associative long-term potentiation in the mouse hippocampal area CAl in vitro

Field potentials (FP) induced in the radial layer of area CAl by stimulating Schaffer's collaterals (C2) were recorded in murine hippocampal slices and associative long-term potentiation (ALP) produced by combined tetanization of C2 and another group of fibers (C1) was investigated. The effects of simultaneous (C1 and C2) and successive activation (with C1 preceding C2 by 200 msec) of the two inputs were compared. Tetanization preceded by activation of C1 ("conditioning" input) was more effective in experiments with short (30 msec, 100 Hz) trains of stimuli. Tetanization with simultaneous activation of the two inputs as well as tetanization of C1 input by prolonged (150 msec) spike trains with inhibition were blocked by 5·10^–6 M picrotoxin. It is suggested that ALP induced by short trains of stimuli succeeding at 200 msec intervals serves as a more suitable model of memory than that induced by prolonged trains (of 1 sec).Brain Research Institute, National Mental Health Research Center, Academy of Sciences of the USSR, Moscow. Institute of Chemical Physics, Academy of Sciences of the USSR, Moscow. Translated from Neirofiziologiya, Vol. 22, No. 2, pp. 215–223, March–April, 1990.     

Low-threshold region of action potential generation in the somatic membrane of molluscan neurons

Heterogeneity of the somatic membrane of subesophageal ganglionic neurons ofHelix lucorum was studied by extracellular electrical stimulation. A sinusoidal current was applied through electrodes movable relative to the preparation. The threshold of action potential generation was shown to depend on the direction of the extracellular current, so that the presence of functional heterogeneity could be demonstrated in the cell soma.Institute of Chemical Physics, Academy of Sciences of the USSR, Moscow. Research Institute for Biological Testing of Chemical Compounds, Ministry of the Medical Industry of the USSR, Staraya Kupavna, Moscow Region. Translated from Neirofiziologiya, Vol. 17, No. 1, pp. 15–19, January–February, 1985.     

Institute of Social Research

In November 1965 the first Scientific Research Institute for Complex Social Research in the country was organized at the A. A. Zhdanov Leningrad State University. It is made up of eight laboratories: Social-Economic Research (director, V. R. Polozov), Sociological Research (director, V. A. Yadov), Engineering Psychology (director, B. F. Lomov), Differential Psychology and Anthropology (director, acting member of the RSFSR Academy of Pedagogical Sciences B. G. Anan'yev), Social Psychology (director, Ye. S. Kuz'min), Legal Research (director, corresponding member of the USSR Academy of Sciences D. A. Kerimov), Programmed Instruction (director, A. F. Esaulov), Efficient Management in Work Collectives (director, L. L. Gremyako).     

Test of the safety, reactogeneity and immunogeneity of live Flexner 2a and Sonne dysentery vaccine from spontaneous mutants, prepared in dragee form, in a controlled experiment on adults]

Controlled experiment was conducted on 428 adult persons. A study was made of the reaktogenic properties and the immunological activity of live enteral dysentery vaccine Flexner 2a and Sonne from the spontaneous mutants developed at the N.F. Gamaleya Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology. The vaccine is prepared in the form of sugar-coated pills covered with an acid-fast substance protecting from the gastric juice action. A single administration of the vaccine in a dose of up to 4 pills (6 to 8 X 10(9) live microbial cells) induced no general or local reactions. At the same time enteral administration of such low vaccine doses of the vaccine caused a significant accretion of specific hemagglutinins, including IgA, IgG, IgM antibodies in the serum, this pointing to the marked general and local immunological activity of the vaccine. Vaccine strains Flexner 2a and Sonne were isolated from 16 to 40% of the persons vaccinated, for the maximum period of 5 to 8 days. The isolated strains were avirulent when checked by the keratoconjuctival test.     

贝氏柯克斯体九里株Ⅱ相突变体的克隆与鉴定

目的:克隆分离国内贝氏柯克斯体九里株Ⅱ相突变体,并利用基因组测序方法进行鉴定,为贝氏柯克斯体研究提供参考依据。方法:用半固体平板法克隆分离贝氏柯克斯体,对随机选择的克隆株CB01进行全基因组测序分析,将测序结果与国外贝氏柯克斯体不同克隆株的基因组进行比较分析。结果:CB01的基因组全长2.024 Mb,包含1个1.987 Mb的环状染色体和1个37.321 kb的质粒。与九里株Ⅰ相菌(RSA 493克隆)基因组相比,CB01多出5个重复序列,有1个25 997 bp的删除区,23个单核苷酸多态性位点(SNP)差异。与九里株Ⅱ相菌(RSA 439克隆)基因组相比,CB01同样多出5个重复序列,但仅有6个SNP差异。CB01与RSA 439的CBU_0533基因序列完全相同,可解释CB01缺失O抗原从而成为Ⅱ相菌。结论:贝氏柯克斯体九里株Ⅱ相菌克隆CB01与国外Ⅱ相菌RSA 439高度同源,CB01可用做国内贝氏柯克斯体研究用参考菌株。     

Histamine-liberating effect of antihistaminics on the isolated rat mast cells]

Research Allergological Laboratory of the USSR Academy of Medical Sciences and Laboratory of Pharmacology, S. Ordzhonikidze Research Chemico-Pharmaceutical Institute, Moscow. Among the tested new antihistaminic drugs (quinuclidine derivatives) quinuclidyl-3-(O-tolyl) carbinol possessed histamine releasing action (HRA) on the isolated rat mast cells. In used concentrations (up to 0.4 mmol) all phenothiazines (promethazine, phenethazine, chlorpromazine, methylene blue) had HRA. There was no correlation between the HRA and the antihistaminic activity of the tested drugs. Histamine release induced by antihistaminic drugs and a steep dose-response curve, was produced at low temperature and was not inhibited under conditions of inhibition of energy-dependent stage of 48/80-induced histamine release. It was concluded that the tested antihistaminic drugs which had HRA were non-selective histamine releasers.     

Investigation of the optimal shape of the nerve ending of the encapsulated tissue mechanoreceptor (Pacinian corpuscle)

It is shown on the basis of simple physical principles that the parameters determining the shape of the nerve ending of the Pacinian corpuscle are optimal.I. P. Pavlov Institute of Physiology, Academy of Sciences of the USSR, Leningrad. Research Institute of Applied Mathematics and Cybernetics, N. I. Lobachevskii Gor'kii State University. Translated from Neirofiziologiya, Vol. 9, No. 4, pp. 423–429, July–August, 1977.     

Stationary-kinetic model of noradrenaline secretion autoregulation by adrenoceptors

The process of noradrenaline secretion regulation by autoreceptors is described in terms of stationary-kinetic response. Principal constants of this response are determined using the author's own data. A number of findings in the literature used to support the theory of autoregulation of noradrenaline secretion by autoreceptors could be adequately explained by analyzing the model adopted, which may thus be considered a stationary-kinetic theory of noradrenaline secretion regulation by adrenoceptors.Institute of Higher Nervous Activity and Neurophysiology, Academy of Sciences of the USSR, Moscow. Institute For Research on Information Transmission, Academy of Sciences of the USSR, Moscow. Translated from Neirofiziologiya, Vol. 20, No. 3, pp. 301–309, May–June, 1988.     

Suppression of associative long-term potentiation in the hippocampus after tetanization of reinforcing afferents

Field potentials (FP) induced in area C1 by gentle orthodromic stimulation were recorded in murine hippocampal slices and associative long-term potentiation (ALTP) produced by C2 tetanization associated with intensive tetanization of another group of fibers (C1) was investigated. A comparison was made between the effects of additional C1 tetanization produced at 50–300 msec before and after combined tetanization of both afferents. Where these intervals measured 50–200 msec, preliminary tetanization of C1 suppressed ALTP (rise in FP amplitude: 10.4±5.2%) in comparison with the regimen whereby additional C1 tetanization came later (giving a rise of 32.4±5.3%); no significant difference was noted at an interval of 300 msec. The three possible reasons for ALTP suppression are discussed, namely: inactivation of "fast" calcium channels, post-activation hyperpolarization of postsynaptic neurons, and synaptic inhibition. The ALTP suppression mechanism is thought to resemble that underlying the relative inefficacy of "reversible" combinations in the shaping of behavioral conditioned reflexes.Institute for Brain Research, Academy of Medical Sciences of the USSR, Moscow. Institute of Chemical Physics, Academy of Sciences of the USSR, Moscow. Translated from Neirofiziologiya, Vol. 21, No. 5, pp. 636–643, September–October, 1989.     

Experimental (preclinical) study of genetically engineered human interferon based on recombinant clones of E. coli 74 and Pseudomonas Sp VG-84

The results of the experimental (preclinical) study of interferon alpha2 from Pseudomonas sp VG-84 obtained from the All-Union Research Institute of Genetics and Selection of Industrial Microorganisms in comparison with the preparations of interferon alpha2 from E. coli 74 and natural human interferon (obtained from the Gamaleya Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology) are presented. Interferon alpha2 from Pseudomonas, a highly purified preparation, has been shown to possess pronounced biological activity (antiviral and antiproliferative) in the culture of human cells. The medicinal form of the preparation has proved to be completely safe and areactive for animals, which makes it possible to recommend the preparation for testing on volunteers.