Comparison of Influenza Outbreaks in the Republic of Kazakhstan and Russia Induced by 2009 Yearly New Variant of А(H1N1) Influenza Virus

The aim of the work is the comparison of the epidemiology of influenza and acute respiratory virus infections (ARVI) in the Republic of Kazakhstan with the corresponding influenza epidemic in Russia induced by influenza pandemic virus A/California/07/2009 in 2009.Data on influenza and ARVI from the Republic of Kazakhstan and Federal Center of influenza was collected and investigated over the course of several weeks from hospitalized patients with the same diagnosis among all population and in age groups on ...     

The comprehensive differentiated protection against influenza and acute respiratory diseases of medical workers in industrial enterprises]

Acute diseases of the respiratory organs rank first among temporary invalidity causes (30.5%). For the first time workers of a health center of an industrial enterprise were protected from influenza and ARVI during an epidemic outbreak of influenza A by specific and nonspecific protection means with due consideration for the subject's health status and will. Comprehensive differentiated protection from influenza and ARVI proved highly effective, its index reaching 2.5 and the invalidity periods being shorter by 2.4-4 days.     

Comparison of influenza outbreaks in the Republic of Kazakhstan and Russia induced by 2009 yearly new variant of A(H1N1) influenza virus

The aim of the work is the comparison of the epidemiology of influenza and acute respiratory virus infections(ARVI)in the Republic of Kazakhstan with the corresponding influenza epidemic in Russia induced by influenza pandemic virus A/California/07/2009 in 2009. Data on influenza and ARVI from the Republic of Kazakhstan and Federal Center of influenza was collected and investigated over the course of several weeks from hospitalized patients with the same diagnosis among all population and in age groups on 16 territories of Kazakhstan and in 49 major cities of Russia. The epidemic in Kazakhstan resembled the Russian epidemic in terms of its abnormally early beginning,expression of monoaetiology,the spread of the epidemic into all territories and start of the epidemics among adult population. High percentage of hospitalized people and lethal outcome were registered in this epidemic. Similarity of epidemic process character in corresponding border-line territories of both countries was found out.     

Etiological structure of acute respiratory viral infections in children hospitalized in 1981-1999

The role of influenza and parainfluenza viruses, respiratory syncytial viruses and adenoviruses in the etiological structure of morbidity in acute respiratory virus infections (ARVI) in children hospitalized during the 19 year period is analyzed. As the result of examination of 56,287 patients by direct immunofluorescent test, respiratory viruses were detected in 21% of cases. The seasonal character, periodicity and level of ARVI morbidity were established. According to medical records, in the 1990s ARVI took a more severe course in children than that observed in the 1980s. In addition, the data on morbidity among children regarding rotavirus infection and ARVI were found to be similar.     

Prevalence and structure of acute respiratory virus infections

Information on epidemiology of acute respiratory virus infections (ARVI) is reviewed and analyzed. In addition to influenza viruses, the role of respiratory syncytial viruses (RSV), rhino- and adenoviruses, as well as other viruses, in the development of respiratory diseases, especially in newborns, young children and elderly persons, is emphasized. A high proportion of RSV in the etiology the severe forms of ARVI and in the development of intrauterine infection is pointed out. The conclusion has been made that the identification of the causative agents of ARVI with the use of modern methods makes it possible to determine the real role of each of the pathogens in the formation of the severe forms of diseases, as well as the expediency of vaccinal prophylaxis.     

Incidence of avian flu worldwide and in the Russian Federation. Improvement of surveillance and control of influenza during preparation for potential pandemic

Problem of influenza and acute respiratory virus infections (ARVI) remains one of the most urgent medical and socio-economic issues in despite of certain achievements in vaccine and chemoprophylaxis. In Russia influenza and ARVI account for up to 90% of the total annual incidence of infectious disease (up to 30 million of sick people; 45-60% of them are children). Economic damage, caused by influenza and ARVI, makes around 86% of total economic damage, caused by infectious diseases. WHO predicts that in the years coming a new antigenic influenza virus will appear, which can lead to development of large pandemia with 4-5 times increase in disease incidence and 5-10 times increase in death rate. During 2005 some changes in animal influenza epidemiology were registered. New cases of people infections are detected, the virus has spread to some new countries. Avian influenza is a high contagious virus infection that can affect all bird species. For birds influenza is enteral infection, it severely affects parenchymatous organs, especially spleen, and lungs. By now it is known that carriers of avian influenza virus H5N1 can be all known species of wild waterfowl and near-water birds. Poultry is highly susceptible to many stocks of influenza virus H5N1, death rate reaches 100%. At that hens, especially chickens, are most susceptible. From January 2004 to 24th November 2005 in the world there were detected 131 cases of influenza, caused by virus A/H5N1/, 68 of them (51%) ended in lethal outcome (Vietnam--92 cases, Thailand--21 cases, Cambodia--4, Indonesia--11, China--3). Most of the described cases of avian influenza resulted from direct contact with infected birds (handling bird internal organs is especially dangerous). In frozen meat of infected birds the virus can remain for about one year. Heating kills virus (no cases of infection caused by use for food of poultry products were detected). In order to prevent wide ranging spread of infection over Russia it is necessary to organize medical monitoring of sea ships, aircraft and train crews, arriving from the countries where influenza H5N1 cases were detected, in case of need to arrange raids to outlets and markets to detect poultry and poultry products brought from these countries. In Russia it is necessary to prepare a reserve of vaccine strains of viruses--potential causative agent of pandemic, including H5N1 and H7N7, that can start to vaccine reproduction immediately in case of pandemic.     

Epidemiological and economic effectiveness of immunization of adult and children against influenza and acute respiratory viral infections with the vaccine Grippol

Materials on the characterization of the vaccine Grippol, indications for its use and the results of mass use are presented. Analysis of the morbidity level in influenza and acute respiratory viral infections (ARVI) among the vaccinated persons are indicative of considerably decreased level. The coefficient of the epidemiological effectiveness of Grippol in the immunization of children has proved to be 75-95%. The conclusion has been made that the vaccine Grippol is sufficiently effective and safe for use by Russian public health service.     

Evaluation of amyxin effect in prophylaxis of acute respiratory viral infections

The results of the evaluation of the oral inductor of endogenic interferon (amyxin), manufactured in Russia are presented. The use of amyxin was found to produce a drop in morbidity in acute respiratory virus infections (ARVI) among medical workers 3.4 times, i.e. the preparation exhibited a pronounced prophylactic effect with respect to ARVI. The use of the preparation was accompanied by a decrease in the number of manifest forms of ARVI. Persons given the preparation often had ARVI in a mild or asymptomatic form.     

Characteristics of acute respiratory viral infections in children under conditions of technogenic environmental pollution

The results of observations on children with acute virus respiratory infections (ARVI) and who had long been residents of zones with different levels of technogenic pollution of the atmospheric air are presented. The technogenic pollution of the environment has been found to exert influence on the spread and clinical course of ARVI in children, this influence being the more pronounced, the higher is the level of xenobiotics in the atmospheric air. The severity of the disease is noted to depend on the development of a number of syndromes, aggravating the course of ARVI, such as the neurotoxic and bronchoobstructive syndromes. Bronchical and ENT lesions are the most frequent complication of the main disease. The child population residing under the conditions of high technogenic environmental pollution should be regarded as a group of risk subject to the aggravated course of ARVI, and the examination of sick children should be made with due regard to this circumstance.     

Acute respiratory viral infections and bronchial asthma. Cellular and molecular aspects of the problem

In this review information on relationships between acute respiratory viral infections (ARVI) and attacks of bronchial asthma is presented. The mechanisms of the appearance of virus induced attacks and bronchial hyperreactiveness have been analyzed. The role of the immune response of the body as well as anti-inflammatory and chemotaxic cytokines in the development of bronchial obstruction and hyperreactiveness has been substantiated. The conclusion on the role of ARVI especially induced by respiratory syncytial virus and rhinoviruses, in the development of immune response facilitating allergic sensitization and provoking attacks of bronchial asthma has been made.     

Microbiocenosis of the mucous membranes of the upper respiratory tract and its correction with acipol in the treatment of patients with acute respiratory virus infections

Clinical and laboratory evaluation of the preparation Acipol in 45 children greatly susceptible to acute respiratory virus infections (ARVI) was carried out. Simultaneously with the clinical analysis, the study of the microflora of the mucous membranes of the upper respiratory tracts and intestine, as well as the levels of secretory IgA in saliva and coprofiltrates before and after treatment, was made. The inclusion of Acipol into the therapy of ARVI patients facilitated their clinical convalescence, uncomplicated course of the disease, correction of disturbances in the biocenosis of the upper respiratory tracts and increased infectious resistance.     

Impaired interferon status in children with acute respiratory infection and its correction with bifidumbacterin-forte

The state of interferon status was studied in 46 hospitalized children: 33 patients with complicated forms of acute respiratory virus infection (ARVI), such as pneumonia, bronchitis, etc., and 13 patients with vegetovascular dystonia (used as a comparison group). The study revealed that in patients with acute infections of the upper and lower respiratory tract considerable changes in their interferon system were registered. Children with ARVI were treated with Bifidumbacterin forte, a probiotic preparation, in large doses. Bifidumbacterin forte was found to produce a regulatory effect on the interferon system by enhancing the induction of alpha- and gamma-interferon and decreasing the production of serum interferon. The experience of using Bifidumbacterin forte in large doses proved that the preparation was well tolerated and could be used for the correction of interferon status.     

通用流感疫苗研究进展

流感是一种对人类危害极大的传染病,接种疫苗被认为是预防流感的最有效手段。目前所用的流感疫苗主要是根据现行流行株的减毒或灭活病毒疫苗及基于流感血凝素和神经氨酸酶设计的重组蛋白质疫苗。但流感病毒变异大,易逃逸机体免疫监视,有效的疫苗须不断分离新流行株和不断更新疫苗免疫原。为解决这一问题,很多科学家一直在研究基于病毒高度保守性蛋白质、能够预防所有流感病毒毒株、可诱导持久保护性免疫的通用流感疫苗。我们对基于基质蛋白M2、核蛋白等的通用流感疫苗做一简要综述。     

Development and strategies of cell-culture technology for influenza vaccine

Influenza is a pandemic contagious disease and causes human deaths and huge economic destruction of poultry in the world. In order to control and prevent influenza, mainly type A, influenza vaccine for human and poultry were available since the 1940s and 1920s, respectively. In the development of vaccine production, influenza viruses were cultured originally from chicken embryos to anchorage-dependent cell lines, such as MDCK and Vero. The anchorage-independent lines have also been used to produce influenza virus, such as PER.C6 and engineering modified MDCK and Vero. During the process of influenza vaccine production, the common problem faced by all producers is how to improve the titer of influenza virus. This paper focuses on the developments of cell culture for influenza virus vaccine production, limitations of cell culture, and relative strategies for improvement virus yields in cell-culture systems.     

Participation of secretory antibodies in the protection from influenza

Two collective bodies (319 persons in all) were under observation from October, 1974 to March, 1975 for the purpose of studying the problem on the participation of antibodies of the respiratory tract secretion in the protection from influenza virus, type A, infection. During the influenza epidemic outbreak there was revealed a reverse relationship between the antibody concentration in the nasal cavity secretion and the incidence of the disease, and also an interaction between the antibodies of the secretions and the serum in the influenza protection.     

甲型流感病毒RNA聚合酶——抗病毒药物靶点

甲型流感病毒的RNA聚合酶由PB1、PB2和PA 三个亚基组成,在病毒的生命周期中负责行使病毒基因组的转录与复制等多方面功能. 甲型流感病毒由于频繁变异,导致其对传统抗病毒药物的敏感性降低,因此开发疗效好、针对性强、毒性低的新型抗病毒药物已成为当前亟待解决的问题.由于RNA聚合酶是甲型流感病毒生命周期重要的调控蛋白,并且编码聚合酶各亚基的基因序列具有高度保守性,故成为当前抗病毒药物的重要靶点.     

Pretreatment of outer membrane vesicle and subsequent infection with influenza virus induces a long-lasting adaptive immune response against broad subtypes of influenza virus

Influenza is an acute respiratory disease and a global health problem. Although influenza vaccines are commercially available, frequent antigenic changes in hemagglutinin might render them less effective or unavailable. We previously reported that modified outer membrane vesicle (fmOMV) provided immediate and robust protective immunity against various subtypes of influenza virus. However, the effect was transient because it was innate immunity-dependent. In this study, we investigated the effects of consecutive administration of fmOMV and influenza virus on the adaptive immune response and long-term protective immunity against influenza virus. When the mice were pretreated with fmOMV and subsequently infected with influenza virus, strong influenza-specific antibody and T cell responses were induced in both systemic and lung mucosal compartments without pathogenic symptoms. Upon the secondary viral challenge at week 4, the mice given fmOMV and influenza virus exhibited almost complete protection against homologous and heterologous viral challenge. More importantly, this strong protective immunity lasted up to 18 weeks after the first infection. These results show that pretreatment with fmOMV and subsequent infection with influenza virus efficiently induces broad and long-lasting protective immunity against various virus subtypes, suggesting a novel antiviral strategy against newly-emerging viral diseases without suitable vaccines or therapeutics.     

Ethical principles of management and planning during influenza pandemic

The article is dedicated to an actual problem of ethical component inclusion into the system of management and planning of epidemic control measures during threat emergence and in the course of influenza pandemic (epidemic) progress. Data regarding development of international ethical guidelines during influenza including WHO recommendations are presented and analysis of normative documents in Russian Federation is given. A necessity of comprehension and accounting of ethical values in pandemic preparedness is shown, main directions of action and responsibility are revealed. Key ethical positions of planning and implementation of measures during influenza pandemic are outlined, compliance with those determines the level of public support and thus provides the effectiveness of the implemented measures.     

Insights from investigating the interaction of oseltamivir (Tamiflu) with neuraminidase of the 2009 H1N1 swine flu virus

The neuraminidase (NA) of influenza virus is the target of anti-flu drugs oseltamivir and zanamivir. Clinical practices showed that oseltamivir was effective to treat the 2009-H1N1 influenza but failed to the 2006-H5N1 avian influenza. To perform an in-depth analysis on such a drug-resistance problem, the 2009-H1N1-NA structure was developed. To compare it with the crystal 2006-H5N1-NA structure as well as the 1918 influenza virus H1N1-NA structure, the multiple sequential and structural alignments were performed. It has been revealed that the hydrophobic residue Try347 in H5N1-NA does not match with the hydrophilic carboxyl group of oseltamivir as in the case of H1N1-NA. This may be the reason why H5N1 avian influenza virus is drug-resistant to oseltamivir. The finding provides useful insights for how to modify the existing drugs, such as oseltamivir and zanamivir, making them not only become more effective against H1N1 virus but also effective against H5N1 virus.