Vol 57, No 4 (2012)

A brief discussion is devoted to the 55-year long history of interferons and the contribution of domestic researchers to the study of this problem.

On the basis of the comparison of complete genome structures of 32 strains and gene E fragments (160 ndt) of 643 strains and RNA isolates of tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) virus, we confirmed our previously expressed assumption (Zlobin V.I. et al, 2001) of existence, along with the three major genotypes, of genotypes 4 (strain 17879) and 5 (strain 886-84). "Mosaic" structure of the polyprotein in the two strains was established. It manifests itself in particular in the sequences of 14 positions (0-3, E-206, NS1-54, NS-285, NS2A-100, NS2A-127, NS2A-174, NS2A-175, NS2A-225, NS3-376, NS4B-28, NS4B-96, NS5-18, NS5-671) containing the amino acids strictly conserved for each of the three major genotypes and is consistent with a uniform pattern of distribution of nucleotide substitutions that are specific for genotypes 1, 2 and 3. Possible scenario of the origin of TBE genotypes 4 and 5 was suggested.

Two dimeric netropsin derivatives (Lys-bis-Nt и 15Lys-bis-Nt) were comprehensively tested for antiviral and toxic activity in cell cultures and laboratory animals. The two compounds were found to provide effective and selective inhibition of reproduction of herpes simplex I both in cell culture Vero E6 and in brain of infected white mice, thereby increasing the survival rate and mean life expectation of treated animals as compared to control.

Correlation in the changes of the nucleotide and amino acid sequences at the Hantaan virus occurring in different parts of S- and M-segments were studied. The correlation was analyzed using comparison of substitutions in aligned nucleic sequences of the segments. Correlations of the nucleotide substitutions between S- and M-segments were observed. Probably, this coordination of the changes in both segments reflects features of the tertiary structure of RNA.

Two enzyme immunoassays (ELISA) for mumps antibody detection using the Enzygnost (Germany) and Parotit-screen (Russia) were comparatively assayed using sera of randomly assigned 70 healthy young adult volunteers. The neutralization test (NT) was performed for all sera using mumps viruses (MVs) of the relevant strains Enders and Leningrad-3. The proportion of positive results was significantly higher with the Parotit-screen than with the Enzygnost (80% versus 52.9%, p < 0.05). The proportion of the concordant results in both ELISAs was as 72.9% (50% for positive results and 22.9% for negative results). There was significantly better agreement between the Nt with MV strain Enders and Enzygnost (98.6%, r = 0.9, p < 0.05) than between the NT with MV strain Leningrad-3 and Parotit-screen (77.1%, r = 0.6, p < 0.05). It was concluded that the Enzygnost was apparently more specific than the Parotit-screen.

Although the history of the tick-borne encephalitis in Urals dates back to 75 years ago, the problem of the spread and evolution of the tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) largely remains terra incognita. Any research in this area is of great basic and practical importance. A few years ago, a hypothesis about the change of the TBEV genotype in the Sverdlovsk region in the 50-60-year period was put forward. In other words, replacement of the Far-Eastern genotype by Siberian genotype was suggested. The goal of this work was to discuss this hypothesis and the fallacy of this view. Recent large-scale data show the long history of the formation of Siberian TBEV virus population in the Middle Urals, as well as a foreign nature of Far-Eastern genotype through their introduction in the past. The concept of the decisive role of anthropogenic factor in the spread of TBEV in the Urals is discussed as an alternative to the hypothesis of the genotype change.