Vol 58, No 3 (2013)

The data about antigenic and molecular-genetic diversity of the rabies virus circulating in Russia are reviewed. Based on our studies and the literature data analysis circulation of two phylogenetic virus groups in Russia was revealed: Arctic and cosmopolitic. The Arctic group includes the subgroups of proper Arctic and Arctic-like viruses; the cosmopolitic - Central Russian, Northeastern European and steppe. it was found that the division into subgroups corresponded to the geographic distribution of rabies viruses.

Two recombinant proteins with three copies of the ectodomain of the conserved influenza protein M2 (M2e) of influenza viruses were developed: А (H1N1)pdm09, A/Kurgan/05/05 (H5N1), and M2e consensus sequence of the human influenza A virus (HlN1, H2N2, H3N2) based on flagellin and core antigen of hepatitis B (Hbc). The first recombinant protein comprised flagellin fused to three tandem copies of M2e, the second preparation was based on non-covalent interaction between M2e peptides and HBc. The immunogenicity of two preparations was comparatively tested. A covalent linkage of flagellin with M2e significant increased the immunogenicity of the target antigen compared with non-covalent interaction M2e and HBc. Flagellin as a protein carrier of M2e induced mainly IgGI subclass, whereas HBc stimulated more balanced Th1/Th2 response. Our study showed a decrease in the viral titers in lung tissues of immunized mice after lethal challenge of A/PR/8/34 (H1N1). The study revealed a possibility to obtain a vaccine preparation with equal immunogenicity both against human influenza viruses and highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses.

In the present work, the immunoadjuvant properties of the influenza ANSI vaccine virus after intranasal administration in combination with recombinant GBS polypeptides was tested in mice. According to our data, co-administration of recombinant GBS polypeptides and influenza ANSI vaccine resulted in the increase in the immunogenicity and protective efficacy of bacterial proteins. Combined vaccination with the GBS polypeptides and influenza ANSI vaccine has a potential to be used not only for prophylaxis infections caused by SGB, but also for prevention of the bacterial complications of influenza.

Mucosal immunity is one of the most important factors of human anti-influenza defense. The data about local immune responses in influenza A (H3N2) patients and in persons vaccinated within 2000-2009 with different seasonal LAIVs, A (H1N1)pdm2009 LAIV, and A (H5N2) LAIV are discussed. The influenza infection resulted in the larger quantities of local IgA and IgG conversions than seasonal LAIV vaccination. 56% of young (18-21 y.o.) persons had high titers (≥1:64) of IgA to A (H1N1)pdm2009 virus before its circulation. 19% of persons had anti A (H5N2) IgA before vaccination. Two-fold vaccination with A (H1N1) pdm2009 and A (H5N2) LAIVs resulted in local antibody conversions in 54% and 27% of volunteers, respectively. Both these vaccines increased local IgA avidity. The number of antibody conversions after vaccination with seasonal LAIVs was in inverse dependence on their titers before vaccination. These results make it possible to conclude that the intensity of local antibody immune response to any LAIV depends on the state of local immunological memory, particularly on the presence of the crossreactive antibody-secreting B cells.

The study included 120 patients with pre-cancer conditions of the stomach and 30 patients with gastric cancer stage II-IV. The ELISA method in the blood serum was used to determine the markers of the infection caused by Herpes simplex virus (HSV) types 1 and 2, Cytomegalovirus (CMV), and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). The majority of the patients exhibited high titers of markers of Herpesvirus mixed infection. These data allow recommending the determination of IgG antibodies to antigens of herpesviruses in patients with the diseases of the stomach and assigning the appropriate antiviral drugs.