Isolates of Escherichia coli from 31 Norwegian and 31 Russian females with significant bacteruria who presented with clinical signs of urinary tract infection (UTI) were tested for antimicrobial sensitivity, the presence of virulence genes, phylogroup distribution and clonal affinity. Twenty isolates, representing the full clonal diversity of a collection of 138 intestinal isolates of E. coli from healthy Norwegian females, served as a reference group. Russian UTI isolates belonged more often to phylogroup A and possessed fewer virulence genes than did Norwegian isolates. UTI isolates of E. coli were genetically heterogeneous and had a high degree of antimicrobial sensitivity.

Persistence activity manifested in the expression of anti-lysozyme, anti-lactoferrin, and antihistone factors promoting inactivation of natural anti-infection resistance factors in the body was revealed in Blastocystis hominis protozoa. Activities of these factors were ranged. The frequency of these factors in clinical isolates of blastocyst decreased in the following order: anti-lactoferrin activity (84.5±3.7%)→anti-lysozyme activity (64.8±5.7%)→anti-histone activity (48.1±2.3%). In healthy humans, the corresponding parameters were 7.3±1.3, 5.3±0.9, and 3.3±0.4%, respectively (p<0.05). It was shown that the studied activities in highly virulent blastocysts were higher than in groups of medium-, low-, and avirulent protozoa.

Aim. To study the features of the clinical course of rosacea in combination with demodicosis. Methods. The study included patients aged 19 to 59 years with rosacea (n=71), in whom Demodex mite were identified. Gender and age-comparable patients with rosacea and without demodicosis (n=68) were examined as comparison group. The disease duration in both groups ranged from 2-3 weeks to 7 years. Clinical examination, Demodex folliculorum identification were performed. Diagnostic criteria for clinical forms of rosacea were used for diagnosis and staging of the disease. Results. The pustular form of the disease was more prevalent in patients with rosacea, complicated by demodicosis. The combination of erythema with skin edema was found in all patients with a pustular form of the disease, bigger grouped skin rash elements having an infiltration bed were revealed in a greater degree. In patients with papular form of rosacea, complicated by demodicosis, skin rash elements were localized all over the face in 33.3% of cases, in comparison group similar rash was noted in 12.5% of cases. In patients with rosacea, complicated by demodicosis, most of the patients suffered relapses at least twice a year and more. In cases of rosacea without demodicosis relapses were significantly less frequent. Conclusion. In patients with rosacea, complicated by demodicosis more severe clinical course of the disease was observed with a prevalence of pustular forms and the greater skin area involved.

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The cytometric, elastic, and adhesion properties of Bacillus subtilis at different terms of culturing were studied. The cytometric parameters of bacterial cells increased by day 6 in culture and decreased at later terms. Analysis of membrane rigidity showed that parameters describing bacterial elastic properties underwent waveform changes: the decrease in bacterial elasticity (from day 1 to 6) was followed by its increase on day 12 in culture. Analysis of adhesion activity showed that this parameter increased during the first 6 days and than decreased at later stages culturing.