The full coding sequences of two novel human enterovirus (HEV)-C serotypes 105 and 116, sampled in the Republic of the Congo in 2010 and in Russia in 2011, were identified in this study. Enterovirus (EV)-105 was closest to EV-104 in the 59 NTR and to EV-109 in the coding genome region. It had the same unconventional 59 NTR as EV-104 and EV-109. The non-cytopathogenic EV-116 was phylogenetically close to coxsackievirus (CV)-A1, CV-A19 and CV-A22, which also cannot be propagated in routinely used cell cultures. There were signs of recombination within this subgroup of HEV-C; however, recombination with conventional HEV-C was restricted, implying partial reproductive isolation. As there is also evidence of different permissive replication systems and distinct genetic properties of these subgroups, they may represent subspecies of the HEV-C species or different stages of speciation.

Background. The ongoing pandemic of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) draws attention to the significance of molecular and genetic monitoring of the SARS-CoV-2 spread among the population of the Russian Federation. The aim of the study was to analyze the dynamics of circulation of SARS-CoV-2 genetic variants in Russia.Materials and methods. The analysis of the circulation dynamics for SARS-CoV-2 genetic variants in Russia was carried out, covering the period from 28/12/2020 to 26/6/2022. The analysis included the data from Rospotrebnadzor Report No. 970 "Information about Infectious Diseases in Individuals with Suspected Novel Coronavirus Infection" and the Virus Genome Aggregator of Russia (VGARus). The presence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA was confirmed by the real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. The primer panels developed at the Central Research Institute of Epidemiology were used for amplification of genomic fragments and the subsequent sequencing.Results and discussion. Using the Russian VGARus platform developed by the Central Research Institute of Epidemiology, we received the data on mutational variability of SARS-CoV-2. By monitoring the circulation of SARS-CoV-2 genetic variants in Russia from 28/12/2020 to 26/6/2022, we found that Delta and Omicron genetic variants prevailed at different stages of the epidemic.Conclusion. The data of molecular and genetic studies are an essential component of epidemiological surveillance, being critically important for making executive decisions aimed at prevention of further spread of SARS-CoV-2 and laying the groundwork for creating new vaccines.

Introduction. The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic was announced by WHO in February 2020. In the Khabarovsk Krai, the first three cases of the disease were diagnosed on March 19, 2020, these cases were imported from Argentina (transit through Italy). The epidemic process of COVID-19 in the Khabarovsk Krai is characterized by a slow increase in the incidence. During the period of time when the SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence study was conducted the incidence rates varied from 35.9 to 39.1 per 100 thousand population. Within the next 5 weeks the incidence continued to increase, the maximum level was 67.3 per 100 thousand population. A statistically significant decrease in the incidence is noted in the first decade of August. The study of the SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence among residents of the region was carried out from June 9 to June 21, 2020 during the period of increasing intensity of the epidemic process of COVID-19 infection.Aim. To determine the level and structure of herd immunity to SARS-CoV-2 virus among the population of the Khabarovsk Krai during the period of intensive spread of COVID-19.Materials and methods. The study was conducted as a part of the first stage of a large-scale Rospotrebnadzor project to assess the herd immunity to SARS-CoV-2 virus among the population of the Russian Federation, taking into consideration the protocol recommended by WHO. The selection of volunteers for the study was carried out by the method of questionnaires and randomization by random sampling. The results of a survey of 2675 individuals were included into analysis. The number of volunteers in all age groups was similar.Results. The results of the study showed that the herd immunity to SARS-CoV-2 in the total population of the Khabarovsk Krai was 19.6%. The maximum level of herd immunity was observed in children 14–17 years old (34.4%), children 7–13 years old (24.8%), and people over 70 years (22.6%). The highest level of seropositivity, except for the children and the elderly, was found among educational workers (26.7%). The lowest level of seropositivity was found in the military (8.7%) and the unemployed (8.3%). There were no statistically significant differences in the level of seroprevalence between men and women.Conclusions. The results of the seroepidemiological study demonstrated that in the Khabarovsk Krai, the presence of the contacts with COVID-19 patients is associated with the 1.4-fold increase in the likelihood of the seroconversion. Antibodies were detected in 58.9% of the past COVID-19 cases. In individuals with the previous positive PCR test result, antibodies were detected in 50% of cases. A high rate of asymptomatic infection, up to 93.7%, was observed among seropositive volunteers.

Представлены результаты исследования бактериальной микрофлоры двух групп пациентов, больных внебольничной пневмонией («Covid+», N=86 и «Covid–», N=87). Обе группы характеризуются высоким уровнем выделения бактериальной флоры (81,4% и 74,7%), в том числе общепринятых возбудителей внебольничных пневмоний, существенной частотой выделения грибов рода Candida и микробных ассоциаций. Группа больных «Covid+» характеризуется более широким спектром определяемых возбудителей, выявлением полирезистентных грамотрицательных энтеробактерий – продуцентов БЛРС, грамотрицательных неферментирующих полирезистентных бактерий, более выраженным проявлением микробных ассоциаций. В группе наблюдения «Covid-» лекарственноустойчивая флора представлена только стафилококками групп MRSA, MRSE и др.

Introduction. Molecular-genetic monitoring of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) drug-resistant strains circulation as well as analysis of territorial peculiarities of different genetic variants prevalence of the virus is a crucial part of epidemiological surveillance over HIV-infection spread. Objective of the research - to analyze the prevalence of HIV-1 genetic variants among HIV-positive people living in different constituent entities of the Far Eastern Federal District. Material and methods. Molecular-genetic analysis of the Pol-gene that is coding protease and a part of reverse transcriptase of HIV-1 was performed for a total number of 206 blood plasma samples. The biological material was collected from HIV-positive people living in Sakhalin, Magadan and Amur regions, Jewish Autonomous District, Khabarovsk region, Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) and Chukotka Autonomous Region (constituent entities of the Russian Federation in the Russian Far East). Results. The research demonstrated that HIV-1 sub-subtype A6 continues to be dominant and comprises 72.1±3.1% of all isolated subtypes in the regions of the Russian Far East. HIV-1 subtype B was identified in 14 cases (6.8±1.8%) and subtype C in 4 cases (1.9±1.0%). Spectrum of HIV-1 recombinant forms was determined for some regions. We identified five types of HIV-1 circulating recombinant forms (CRF): CRF03_AB - 2 (0.9±0.7%), CRF02_AG - 8 (3.9±1.3%), CRF63_02A1 - 27 (13.1±2.4%), CRF11_cpx - 1 (0.5±0.5%), CRF01_AE - 3 (1.5±0.8%). High heterogeneity of the virus was registered in the Jewish Autonomous District. Discussion. The conducted research revealed genetic differences in the landscape of HIV-1 subtypes circulation as well as differences in HIV-1 recombinant forms distribution frequency in the Russian Far East. Current findings are due to expansion of migration flows that promote cross-border importation and further spread of different HIV-1 genetic variants among population of the Far Eastern Federal District. Conclusion. The conducted research revealed that the molecular-genetic monitoring of HIV-1 genovariants should involve not only regions with high HIV-abundance but also with low HIV-prevalence and incidence.