Background/Objectives: The increasing volume of laboratory testing and the tightening of quality standards have rendered automation tasks in medical laboratories highly relevant. Conventional total laboratory automation (TLA) systems demonstrate high throughput; however, their economic and organizational efficiency is often constrained by their complex integration and substantial implementation costs. In this context, collaborative robots (cobots) are attracting increasing attention due to their ability to perform pre-analytical and logistical tasks in close association with laboratory personnel. The objective of the present study was the systematic integration of commercially available cobots into the pre-analytical workflow of a large centralized laboratory. Methods: The implemented system incorporated a set of specialized modules, including decapping, barcode orientation and verification, analyzer loading, aliquoting, and specimen sorting, with bidirectional integration into the Laboratory Information System (LIS). The architectural design, control algorithms, and primary effects on labor input and operational turnaround time were evaluated. Results: The results demonstrated that the implementation of cobots into laboratory processes led to an 87% reduction in labor input, a 3.4% improvement in liquid aliquoting accuracy, and an overall improvement in nominal throughput, while requiring minimal personnel training. However, human operators performed the aliquoting procedure significantly faster than cobots, with an average speed advantage of 42.5%. Conclusions: The use of collaborative robotic systems in centralized medical laboratories appears promising due to their operational efficiency and flexibility compared to conventional automation platforms and manual workflows. The effect of the use of cobots on the quality/accuracy of the tests needs to be evaluated, and perhaps a larger study of multiple laboratories needs to be conducted to confirm the results are generalizable.
The aim of this study was to conduct an epidemiological analysis of hepatitis C infection in children with oncohematological diseases (OHD) using phylogenetic analysis of HCV nucleotide sequences and to analyze the causes and factors of HCV nosocomial transmission. Materials and methods. A retrospective analysis of HCV genetic isolates obtained from children with oncohematological diseases treated at the «Dmitry Rogachev National Medical Research Center of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology and Immunology» (the Center) was conducted. The analysis included all children with HCV markers (anti-HCV and/or HCV RNA) identified between 2013 and 2025 during hospitalization and treatment at the Center—a total of 146 children. The children's ages ranged from 0 to 18 years, and from September 1, 2022, to 21 years. Samples were taken from the Center's bacteriology laboratory collection. Genotyping and phylogenetic analysis were performed at the Central Research Institute of Epidemiology of Rospotrebnadzor for 30 patient blood samples containing HCV RNA in quantities sufficient for analysis (at least 1000 IU/mL). To compare the distribution of HCV genotypes, the VGARus database data from 997 individuals was used. The core/E1 region of the HCV genome was sequenced and a phylogenetic analysis was performed. A Bayesian approach was used with the BEAST2 software package. The tree was visualized using FigTree. Results. In the structure of HCV genotypes isolated from children in the oncohematology departments, genotype 3a was predominant (77%), while 1b accounted for 23%. In contrast to the general population, where genotypes 3a and 1b circulate with equal frequency, the prevalence of genotype 3a among children with OHD indicates a greater involvement of this genotype in cases of nosocomial infection. Phylogenetic analysis revealed three common HCV clusters: 14 children with genotype 3a (13 children from the Amur Region and 1 child from the Altai Krai) and two common clusters with genotype 1b (2 patients each from the Kyrgyz Republic and Uzbekistan). The majority of HCV infection cases in children with OHD (60%) were nosocomial in origin. Cases of HCV infection in children from the Amur Region are associated with a long-standing chronic HCV epidemic in the oncohematology department of the Amur Regional Children's Clinical Hospital. No cases of infection have been identified at the Center. A patient from the Altai Krai region may have been infected at the Center in 2013-2014 during blood collection from a central venous catheter (CVC) due to improper hand sanitization, glove changing, aseptic technique, or work surface zoning. Standardization of procedures, implementation of aseptic non-touch technique (ANTT), training, and monitoring of staff knowledge and skills, widely implemented in the Center's work, have demonstrated high effectiveness, resulting in the absence of HCV transmission cases for over 10 years. Conclusion. Nosocomial HCV transmission in the OHD departments requires the widespread implementation of modern approaches to preventive and anti-epidemic measures, such as aseptic non-touch technique (ANTT), standardization of procedures, staff training, and knowledge and skills audits.
Lower respiratory tract infections caused by the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) pose a major global public health challenge. The use of next-generation sequencing technologies enables detailed monitoring of viral genetic variability, which is crucial for evaluating the efficacy of immunoprophylactic measures. In this study, whole-genome sequencing of RSV was performed on 106 samples collected in the Russian Federation between September 2021 and April 2025. Three NGS platforms were employed: Illumina MiSeq, Oxford Nanopore Technologies MinION, and Qitan Tech QNome-3841. Using discrete phylogeographic methods, we estimated a minimum of 45 introduction events into Russia for RSV-A and 39 for RSV-B among the genomes included in the analysis. Most events were represented by a single Russian genome. These results indicate recurrent introductions of RSV into Russia from abroad. Given the limited genomic sampling available, most of these introductions were not associated with detectable transmission within the country.
Samara Oblast is an ecological transition zone in Russia, yet its spotted fever group Rickettsia (SFGR) diversity and prevalence in Dermacentor ticks remain unexplored. This study characterized SFGR species circulating in Dermacentor reticulatus and Dermacentor marginatus across 15 districts of Samara Oblast. We collected 681 adult Dermacentor ticks via vegetation flagging during 2023-2025. SFGR screening was performed via a commercial qPCR kit. Genospecies were identified via Sanger sequencing of the partial gltA gene and validated by means of ompB analysis, while tick species were confirmed using a cox1 gene fragment. The overall SFGR prevalence was 33.5% (228/681). Infection rates were significantly higher in D. marginatus (44.7%) than in D. reticulatus (27.5%). Rickettsia raoultii predominated (94.4%), while Rickettsia slovaca was relatively rare (4.6%) and significantly associated with D. marginatus. Notably, partial ompB sequencing revealed two distinct R. raoultii putative genotypes circulating in the region: one with a 9 bp deletion and one without. No coinfections were detected. Unexpectedly, a single D. reticulatus tick tested positive for Rickettsia felis, confirmed by means of gltA and ompB, marking the first molecular detection of R. felis in Russia and globally in this tick species. Samara Oblast represents a high-prevalence sympatric zone for Dermacentor-borne SFGR. The molecular detection of R. felis in D. reticulatus suggests a potential association that requires confirmation through further studies.
Introduction. Healthcare-associated infections (HAI) remain a serious problem in modern healthcare. ESKAPE pathogens characterized by multiple drug resistance pose the greatest danger. Their spread is facilitated by irrational use of antibiotics, insufficient control and limited diagnostic capabilities. Effective counteraction requires constant microbiological monitoring, optimization of antimicrobial therapy and improvement of infection control systems. The aim of the study is to analyze current data on health care-associated infections caused by microorganisms of the ESKAPE group, with an emphasis on their epidemiological significance. Materials and methods. A review of the scientific literature for 2018–2025 was conducted using the databases PubMed, Scopus, eLibrary, etc. The search query included the keywords: «HAI», «ESKAPE pathogens», «antibiotic resistance», etc. The analysis includes original studies, systematic reviews, WHO publications containing current data on the structure of HAI, antimicrobial resistance and prevention methods. Uncensored and outdated materials were excluded, as well as works not related to the pathogens of the ESKAPE group. Results and discussion. HAI caused by multidrug-resistant bacteria pose a serious threat to public health. An analysis of domestic and foreign data shows – the main pathogens of HAI are members of the ESKAPE group, whose share among clinical isolates reaches 40–75 %. The data obtained highlight the leading role of ESKAPE pathogens in the etiology of nosocomial infections, the need for continuous microbiological monitoring, rational antibiotic therapy and strict infection control. Conclusion. Prevention of nosocomial infections caused by ESKAPE pathogens is possible only with adherence to infection control measures and rational antimicrobial therapy. Constant microbiological monitoring plays a key role, allowing for timely detection of changes in the structure of pathogens and adjustment of treatment. Improving diagnostics, staff training, and implementing antimicrobial policy programs are the foundation of prevention. Combating the antibiotic resistance of ESKAPE pathogens is a priority in healthcare and an important element of national biosafety.
