Vladimir A. Ternovoi

Tick-borne encephalitis with hemorrhagic syndrome, Novosibirsk region, Russia, 1999.

Eight fatal cases of tick-borne encephalitis with unusual hemorrhagic syndrome were identified in 1999 in the Novosibirsk Region, Russia. To study these strains, we sequenced cDNA fragments of protein E gene from six archival formalin-fixed brain samples. Phylogenetic analysis showed tick-borne encephalitis variants clustered with a Far Eastern subtype (homology 94.7%) but not with the Siberian subtype (82%).

Characterization of Powassan viruses from Far Eastern Russia.

We report the isolation and detailed characterization of the novel strain, Partizansk/2006, of Powassan virus (POWV) from a human case of infection, which occurred in Primorsky krai, Russia, in 2006. Comparative complete genome sequence analysis of the Far Eastern strains Spassk-9 (1975), Nadezdinsk-1991 and Partizansk/2006 of POWV revealed that these strains are 99.8% similar to the LB strain, which was isolated in Canada in 1958. Phylogenetic analysis of 5′ UTR sequences of five other strains of POWV isolated from 1972 to 1986 in Primorsky krai produced similar results. Presumably, Far Eastern POWV has common putative ancestor with LB strain POWV from North America, and the time of divergence of these POWVs is relatively short. We conclude that POWV has become endemic in Far Eastern Russia.

Experimental infection of H5N1 HPAI in BALB/c mice

BackgroundIn 2005 huge epizooty of H5N1 HPAI occurred in Russia. It had been clear that territory of Russia becoming endemic for H5N1 HPAI. In 2006 several outbreaks have occurred. To develop new vaccines and antiviral therapies, animal models had to be investigated. We choose highly pathogenic strain for these studies.ResultsA/duck/Tuva/01/06 belongs to Quinghai-like group viruses. Molecular markers – cleavage site, K627 in PB2 characterize this virus as highly pathogenic. This data was confirmed by direct pathogenic tests: IVPI = 3.0, MLD50 = 1,4Log10EID50. Also molecular analysis showed sensivity of the virus to adamantanes and neuraminidase inhibitors. Serological analysis showed wide cross-reactivity of this virus with sera produced to H5N1 HPAI viruses isolated earlier in South-East Asia. Mean time to death of infected animals was 8,19+/-0,18 days. First time acute delayed hemorrhagic syndrome was observed in mice lethal model. Hypercytokinemia was determined by elevated sera levels of IFN-gamma, IL-6, IL-10.ConclusionAssuming all obtained data we can conclude that basic model parameters were characterized and virus A/duck/Tuva/01/06 can be used to evaluate anti-influenza vaccines and therapeutics.

Characterization of glycoprotein E C-End of West Nile virus and evaluation of its interaction force with αVβ3 integrin as putative cellular receptor

Recombinant polypeptide containing the 260–466 amino acid sequence of West Nile virus (WNV) strain LEIV-Vlg99-27889-human glycoprotein E (gpE, E260–466) was constructed. Immunochemical similarity between the E260–466 and gpE of WNV was proven by enzyme immunoassay (EIA), immunoblot, competitive EIA, hemagglutination inhibition, and neutralization tests using polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies against the viral gpE and recombinant E260–466. Polypeptide E260–466 induced formation of virus neutralizing and cross-reactive antibodies that were interactive with various epitopes of this recombinant protein. It is shown by evaluation of the interaction of E260–466 with one of the proposed cell receptors of WNV that average E260–466-αVβ3 integrin-specific interaction force measured using atomic force spectroscopy was 80 and 140 pN for single and double interactions, correspondingly. Taken together with previously described interaction between laminin-binding protein (LBP) and WNV gpE domain II, it is proposed that WNV gpE can interact specifically with two cellular proteins (LBP and αVβ3 integrin) during virus entry.

Novel Variant of Tickborne Encephalitis Virus, Russia

We isolated a novel strain of tickborne encephalitis virus (TBEV), Glubinnoe/2004, from a patient with a fatal case in Russia. We sequenced the strain, whose landmark features included 57 amino acid substitutions and 5 modified cleavage sites. Phylogenetically, Glubinnoe/2004 is a novel variant that belongs to the Eastern type of TBEV.

Highly pathogenic influenza virus H5N1 found in western Siberia is genetically related to viruses that circulated in Southeast Asia in 2003-2005.

63 The genus of A-type influenza virus that belongs to Orthomyxoviridae family is subdivided onto subtypes based on the antigenic properties of the virion surface glycoproteins, hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA). The viruses of three hemagglutinin (HA) subtypes (H1, H2, H3) and of two neuraminidase (NA) subtypes (N1, N2) are known to circulate in human populations;in birds, 15 HA subtypes (H1–H15) and 9 NA ones (N1–N9) were identified [3, 4].

Diversity of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza H5N1 Viruses That Caused Epizootic in Western Siberia in 2005

Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) type A viruses with the H5 subtype of hemagglutinin (HA) were first isolated form a hen in 1959 in Scotland. Later, avian influenza viruses of this subtype were isolated in South Africa in 1961; in the North American continent in 1975, 1981, and 1983; and in England and Scotland in 1991 [1]. The H5 subtype varieties of HPAI virus that are the source of the HA gene of currently circulating H5N1 HPAI virus were first isolated from a goose in 1996 and from a human that died in 1997 in Hong Kong [2, 3]. By 2006, the H5N1 HPAI viruses were already widespread and became endemic in Southeast Asia. These viruses affected mostly poultry; however, humans were sometimes also infected. The patients infected with H5N1 HPAI virus have severe forms of primary virus pneumonia accompanied by fever, and the disease was fatal for 70% of infected patients [4]. Beginning from early 2003, the H5N1-subtype viruses have spreading throughout Southeast Asia. In 2005–2006, the geographical area of the highly pathogenic H5N1 viruses extended significantly: epizootics among wild birds and poultry were recorded in Mongolia, Kazakhstan, Russia, Ukraine, the EU and Mediterranean countries, the Middle East, and Africa [5]. In 2006, cases of human disease with high mortality were recorded in China, Indonesia, Turkey, Azerbaijan, some African countries, and Iraq [5]. The virus expansion over long distances was promoted by asymptomatic infection in the wild migrant birds and resistance of some individuals in the wild and domestic duck populations [6]. Wild migrant birds with asymptomatic chronic infection migrated mostly along the Western Siberian flyway where they either nested on the lakes and rivers of the Barabo-Kulundinskaya plain or rested at this place before flying to the north of Russia [7]. Domestic water birds are traditionally brought for feeding on the same lakes where wild birds nest; therefore, poultry infection was most probable here.

Complete mitogenome of the ixodid tick Ixodes pavlovskyi (Acari: Ixodida)

Abstract Here, we present complete mitochondrial DNA sequence of Ixodes pavlovskyi Pom., 1946 for the first time. The mitogenome is 14,575 bp in length and contains 13 protein-coding genes, 2 rRNA genes, 22 tRNA genes and a control region. The overall base composition is 40.1% T, 13.8% C, 37.9% A and 8.1% G. Four protein-coding genes are initiated by ATT codon, three genes – by ATA codon and ATG start codon is found for six genes. Only tRNA-Lys, tRNA-Ile, tRNA-Arg are folded into the cloverleaf secondary structure, other tRNA have atypical structure with reduced T- or D-arms.

The role of birds in the maintenance of tick-borne infections in the Tomsk anthropurgic foci

The role of birds in the focus of tick-borne infections was studied from 2006 to 2011. The frequency index of ticks carried by ground dwelling birds is about 49.7%. The index of their abundance is 3.8. The larvae of ticks have been found on birds in 43.8% of cases. Nymphs and adult ticks have been found in 39.9 and 16.3%, respectively. It was revealed that Ixodex pavlovskyi was transferred and dominated in the urban microfoci because of its ornithophily. The markers of infectious agents have been recorded in 42 of 60 bird species under study.