Relevance. Altai Krai (AK) is one of the least prosperous subjects of the Russian Federation in terms of the incidence of acute respiratory infections (ARI). Results of studying long-term and intra-annual dynamics of the incidence of ARI and community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in various population groups of the AK in 2011–2021 led to a conclusion about possible connection between the characteristics of the epidemic process of ARI and environmental factors, primarily air pollution, as well as the widespread distribution of natural and atropurgic foci of tick-borne transmissible and zoonotic infections in the territory of the AK, along with the problems of diagnostics. Aim. Assessment of the possible influence of environmental factors on the formation of a high level of registered incidence of ARI in the Altai Territory, as well as diagnostics of some natural focal and zoonotic infections with fever and respiratory symptoms. Materials and methods. A retrospective epidemiological study was conducted based on annual and monthly official statistical reporting during 2011–2021 about the morbidity of the population, demographic and environmental features of the territory of the AK for each of the municipalities (MU), the average long-term incidence rates of ARI, VBP, tuberculosis, Siberian tick typhus (STT), ixodid tick-borne borreliosis, tick-borne viral encephalitis were calculated; appeals of the population regarding tick bites; population density and annual average sulfur dioxide (SO2) emissions. Pearson correlation coefficient was used to assess the strength of the relationship between the analyzed indicators; and seasonality coefficients and the method of trend-seasonal decomposition were used to assess the intra-annual dynamics of the incidence of ARI and CAP (for the period 2011-2019). To study seroprevalence of antibodies to C. burnetii, R. sibirica and SARS-CoV-2 in febrile patients with symptoms of ARI blood samples were collected in October 2022 from ten rural districts of the AK. Results and discussion. It was established that there was a significant direct correlation between the incidence of ARI and the amount of SO2 emissions into the atmosphere (r = 0.61, p < 0.001), as well as between the incidence of ARI and population density (r = 0.53, p < 0.001). The largest share (69%) of the total number of ARI cases in the Altai Territory in 2011–2021 was attributed to the cities of Barnaul, Biysk, Rubtsovsk, Zarinsk and Novoaltaisk, which are characterized by maximum SO2 emissions and population density. An additional contribution (8% total) to the incidence of ARI in the Altai Territory was attributed to 7 rural areas with the highest levels of SO2 emissions. Regardless of the ranking for the incidence of ARI and CAP, in 9 out of 10 areas selected for the study, patients had both anamnestic and diagnostic titers of antibodies to C. burnetii and/or R. sibirica. At the same time, coxiellosis cases in these areas were not registered for 12 years, and the number of cases of STT was much less than the probable number based on the proportion of patients which were seropositive to R. sibirica and had symptoms of ARI. IgM to SARS-CoV-2 were detected in 5 out of 203 examined samples, IgG – in 188 out of 203 examined samples, moreover 13.8% of samples had 118 to 499 BAU/ml, 40.9% of samples had 500 to 5000 BAU/ml, and the rest of samples had more than 5000 BAU/ml. Conclusion. Among all the variables analyzed in the study, the greatest role in the formation of the high level of registered incidence of ARI in the AK for many years belong to the high level of air pollution with SO2 emissions, high population density and, especially, their combination. Underdiagnosis of tick-borne rickettsioses and coxiellosis is of particular importance due to the unavailability of test kits for laboratory verification. Starting from 2020, a new coronavirus infection made some contribution to the registered incidence of ARI.

The aim of the review is to forecast the incidence of rickettsial infections and Q fever in the Russian Federation for 2024 based on an analysis of the epidemiological situation in 2010–2023. The epidemic potential associated with these infections in Russia and other countries where there is an increased activity of foci with an expansion of the area of pathogen circulation has been assessed. An analysis of the incidence of epidemic typhus, Brill’s disease, Siberian tick-borne typhus (STT), Astrakhan spotted fever (ASF), Q fever, human granulocytic anaplasmosis, human monocytic ehrlichiosis in the Russian Federation in 2023 in comparison with long-term average values in 2010–2019 (COVID-19 pre-pandemic period) has been carried out. In 2023, the rates of registered incidence of rickettsial infections and Q fever in Russia as a whole decreased relative to the long-term average level of 2010–2019, and there is a significant downward trend in most regions. The exception is the Far Eastern Federal District, where the incidence rate of STT in 2023 increased by 1.5 times as compared to the period of 2010–2019, and the city of Sevastopol, where an increase in the incidence of Marseilles fever was detected. When assessing the intra-annual distribution of incidence in 2023, registration of STT in Russia was carried out from March to November inclusive, ASF – from May to October, and Q fever – from May to August.

Relevance. The spread of the new coronavirus infection throughout the world has led to expressed interest in studying, among other things, the patterns of territorial distribution of cases of the disease. Aim. To investigate the spatial distribution of cases of COVID-19 infection and develop proposals for the use of GIS technologies in the epidemiological supervision system for the new coronavirus infection at the regional level. Materials and methods. The study was conducted on the territory of the closed administrative- territorial entity of Zelenogorsk, Krasnoyarsk Territory. 4176 cases of COVID-19 infection were reported during the study period of 57 weeks (04/12/2020 to 06/18/2021). Each case of the disease was geocoded by the residence of the sick person using a projection coordinate system from the open data of the Open Street Map resource. The spatial distribution of COVID-19 cases was studied with geographic information system QGIS Desktop version 3.28.0. Spatial autocorrelation analysis was carried out using the Getis-Ord index. Results. During the application of GIS technologies, the density of distribution of COVID-19 infection cases was estimated, six zones with an average core density were discovered, the outbreaks in the northern part of the city had the greatest epidemiological significance. When assessing the clustering of cases within the specified territorial zones, eleven clusters were identified, three of which were characterized by the highest density of cases - 1210.1 cases per 1 sq. km, 1155.9 and 1116.7 cases per 1 sq. km. The Getis-Ord index value ranged from 0.00 to 2.576, the majority of cases was recorded in territorial clusters located in the northern part of the city. Conclusions. New knowledge obtained on the basis of modern GIS technologies about the presence of “hot spots” or clusters in the administrative territory will make the adjustment of preventive measures in micro-areas with a high prevalence of infection possible and develop strategies for more effective control of COVID-19 infection.

Introduction: This review is devoted to the algorithmic approach to establishing epidemic thresholds for a wide range of diseases, including influenza and acute respiratory infections. Objective: To compare Russian and foreign approaches to the determination of epidemic thresholds within public health surveillance systems. Materials and methods: To reveal the algorithmic approach to establishing epidemic thresholds in the epidemiological surveillance system, we summarized the results of 14 foreign scientific works and two domestic method guidelines published before December 31, 2023. The literature search was conducted in the eLibrary, CyberLeninka, PubMed, and Google Scholar databases using the keywords “epidemic threshold” and “epidemic”. We compared domestic and foreign algorithms for establishing epidemic thresholds by various characteristics, including the statistical method used, determination of a numerical value of the epidemic threshold, complexity of the algorithm, and the possibility of automating calculations. Results: Here we discuss the classification and comparative characteristics of the basic algorithms for determining epidemic thresholds used in various countries of the world when carrying out epidemiological surveillance (including the syndromic one). We describe the existing methods for establishing and presenting epidemic thresholds, as well as the sequence of steps for performing the Farrington algorithms, the Early Aberration Detection System C1–C3, the Method of Moving Epidemics, the Method of Moving Percentiles, Multi-level identification of increasing activity by indicators taking into account mixed effects, as well as algorithms provided in Russian Method Guidelines MR 3.1.2.0118–17 and MR 3.1.2.0303–22. We also dwell on the problems of development, accuracy assessment and prospects for the implementation of existing and developed algorithms. Conclusions: Current algorithms for establishing epidemic thresholds in epidemiological surveillance systems around the world are diverse; they rely on different statistical methods and vary in complexity. To date, there is no convincing evidence of higher efficiency of any algorithm.

Relevance. The Altai Krai (AK) is among the least prosperous subjects of the Russian Federation in terms of the incidence of acute respiratory infections (ARI). Aim: to analyze the causes and conditions for the formation of a high incidence of ARI among the population of the Altai Krai based on an assessment of the long-term and intra-annual dynamics of the epidemic process in 2011–2021. Materials and methods. In the course of a retrospective epidemiological study according to the annual forms No. 2 of the state statistical observation (SOS) for 2011-2021 a comparative analysis of the incidence of ARI and community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in various groups of the population of the AK, the Siberian federal district (SFD) and the population of the Russian Federation as a whole was carried out. Data for 2020–2021 («covid» period) was analyzed separately in comparison with the precovid period of 2011–2019. The intra-annual dynamics of the incidence of ARI and CAP in the AK were studied using the method of trend-seasonal decomposition according to the monthly forms No. 2 of the SOS. Results and discussion. It is established that in 2011–2021. the epidemic process of ARI in the AK was characterized by a higher level and rate of increase in the incidence of all population groups (adults and children, urban and rural) compared to the all-Russian and average for the Siberian Federal District; a higher proportion of children in the overall structure of ARI cases, despite the fact that the proportion of the child population did not exceed (or was even less) than in other regions; no decrease in the incidence of ARI in children in the period 2020–2021; the presence of a trend towards an increase in the incidence of ARI in both urban and rural residents in the pre-covid period; higher incidence in the rural population in 2011–2019 compared to the whole of the Russian Federation or the Siberian Federal District. A less pronounced role of the seasonal component in the registration of CAP was revealed, in comparison with ARI. In some years, an increase in the registration of CAP was observed in the spring-summer period. For 2020-2021 there was a close coincidence of the curves of the intra-annual dynamics of the registered incidence of ARI and COVID-19 among the general population, CAP and COVID-19. Conclusion. The obtained results indicate the need to study the possible impact of environmental factors, as well as the shortcomings of the etiological interpretation and differential diagnosis of some natural focal and zoonotic infections that occur with fever and respiratory symptoms on the formation of a high incidence of ARI in the Altai Territory.

Aim. To provide data on the diagnostic and prognostic value of questionnaire survey for post-COVID-19 syndrome during screening and regular medical check-ups of employees, as well as preventive medical examinations. Material and methods . This single-center cross-sectional comparative study involved 1120 people (92,1% of the general population — all employees of the organization), including 195 men (67,3% of the general population) and 925 women (79,5% of the general population). All participants filled out the post-COVID-19 syndrome (PS) detection questionnaire, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and the QAA-25p Adherence Assessment Questionnaire. Potential adherence to treatment was calculated using the SCOPA software. Statistical processing was performed using tools adapted for medical and biomedical research (Python language; Sklearn, NumPy, Pandas libraries) and Statistica 6.13 (StatSoft Inc., USA). Results. As a result, 47% of respondents noted at least one symptom that reduces the quality of life and/or performance efficacy. In all subsamples, women reported symptoms more frequently than men. The most informative indicators associated with post-COVID-19 syndrome are age (Mann-Whitney U test, p=0,042), number of PS symptoms (Mann-Whitney U test, p=0,001), severity of PS symptom (Mann-Whitney U test, p= 0,004) and adherence to health care (Kruskal-Wallis H test, p=0,021). An increased level of anxiety is associated with all the analyzed symptoms, depression level with 6 symptoms, age with 5 symptoms, insufficient compliance with 3 symptoms. Conclusion. PS questionnaire should be included in a comprehensive survey program of persons undergoing medical examinations. It is necessary to develop algorithms for the treatment and diagnosis of patients that take into account the number and severity of individual symptoms separately for men and women with consideration to their COVID-19 epidemiological status, as well as age and markers of anxiety, depression, and adherence to treatment.

The aim of the review was to characterize the epidemiological situation on ixodic tick-borne borreliosis (ITBB) in the constituent entities of the Russian Federation in 2022, to forecast the development of the ITBB epidemic process in 2023 based on the analysis of its trends in the period of 2013–2022. In total, 7 264 cases of ITBB were registered in the Russian Federation in 2022, which is 1.9 times higher than the 2021-value. In all regions in 2022, after a sharp decrease in the level of registered morbidity during the “covid” phase of 2020–2021, there was an incidence raise to the pre-pandemic level. During 2013–2022, distinctive features of the trends in the development of the ITBB epidemic process in the territories of varying degree of epidemic hazard were retained. A downward tendency in the incidence rates was revealed in 14 out of 18 entities with a long-term average annual incidence (LTAA) of ITBB above 6.2 0 /0000 , with the exception of Moscow and the Kaluga Region, where a further increase in the incidence of ITBB is possible. In 6 out of 16 regions with LTAA 2013–2022 between 3.31 and 6.2 0 /0000 , an upward trend was observed, and in 8 – a decrease in morbidity. The trend towards an increase in morbidity was detected in 7 out of 21 entities with LTAA of ITBB from 1.21 to 3.3 0 /0000 and in 15 out of 26 regions with a low LTAA 2013–2022 (below 1.2 0 /0000 ). The analysis of trends in the development of the ITBB epidemic process against the trends in changes in the frequency of contacts of the population with ticks, as well as calculations of the probable incidence rate allowed us to conclude that the incidence rate of ITBB in 2023 will range within the confidence intervals of long-term average annual values for the majority of the federal districts, with the exception of the Central Federal District, where an increase in the number of cases of ixodic tick-borne borreliosis is likely to occur, provided that the existing volumes of preventive measures are maintained and abnormal climatic phenomena absent. Effective control of the epidemic situation on the ITBB is attainable through preservation, and for such areas as Moscow, the Moscow Region, Voronezh, Kaluga, Orel, Ryazan, Penza and Rostov Regions, the Republic of Buryatia – increase in the volume of preventive measures, strengthening zoological and entomological monitoring of activity and structure of natural foci. There is an obvious need to develop algorithms for molecular-genetic monitoring of pathogens circulating in natural foci, and to focus attention onto the problems of diagnosis and prophylaxis of tick-borne transmissible infections.

The aim of the review was to characterize the epidemiological situation on tick-borne rickettsioses (TR) in the Russian Federation in 2022 in comparison with the pandemic years of 2020–2021 and the pre-pandemic period of 2013–2019, to give the forecast for 2023. During 2013–2022, a pattern was observed in the incidence of rickettsiosis of the tick-borne spotted fever group (with the exception of Astrakhan spotted fever – ASF), that is also characteristic of most other natural focal infections (NFIs): a sharp decrease in registered incidence rates in 2020–2021 with the subsequent increase in 2022 almost up to pre-pandemic levels or even exceedance in some regions. The absence of a defining influence of the frequency of contacts of the population with vectors on the decrease in the incidence in the period of 2020–2021 and the rise in the value in 2022 confirms the registration-related nature of the changes. Given due attention to the problem of effective detection and reporting of NFIs, we expect the incidence of tick-borne rickettsioses to remain within the confidence intervals of long-term average values in most endemic regions in 2023. Relaxed vigilance to the problem of NFIs may lead to a decline in the reported incidence of Siberian tick-borne typhus in the Krasnoyarsk and Zabaikalsky Territories, Republics of Tuva and Khakassia, Novosibirsk and Amur Regions; reduction in the incidence of ASF in Astrakhan Region. The main issue in detecting and registration of the tick-borne rickettsiosis incidence, objective assessment and forecasting of the epidemic situation as regards this group of infections is conditioned by the lack of domestic certified diagnostic test kits for laboratory verification of rickettsioses. Close cooperation between epidemiologists and clinicians is required to establish and register cases of TR based on clinical and epidemiological data.

Aim. To assess the impact of HIV infection and tuberculosis on life expectancy in Siberian Federal District regions for improving the allocation of health resources. Materials and Methods. We investigated the data on the number of population and mortality (stratified into 5-year age groups) in Siberian Federal District regions. The data have been extracted from the Russian database of fertility and mortality (RosBRiS). Among the indicators, we calculated total mortality, mortality from HIV infection, and mortality from active tuberculosis. Further, we estimated the contribution of deaths from HIV infection and tuberculosis to the reduction of life expectancy. Results. Regions within the Siberian Federal District were characterised by an unacceptably high incidence of HIV infection and tuberculosis. Life expectancy showed a downward trend from 1991 to 2006 (Irkutsk Region, Krasnoyarsk Region, Republic of Khakassia, and Tomsk Region), 2007 (Novosibirsk Region, Republic of Altai, Republic of Tyva), or 2008 (Altai Territory, Kemerovo Region, and Omsk region). In 2020, the average life expectancy in the Siberian Federal District was 70.9 years, with a minimum registered in the Republic of Tyva (66.25 years), and the maximum documented in the Tomsk region (71.17 years). The contribution of HIV infection and tuberculosis to the decrease in the life expectancy in Siberian Federal District during the study period was estimated as 0.52 years, including 0.12 years due to HIV infection and 0.40 years related to tuberculosis. Conclusion. The existing volume of preventive measures is insufficient to achieve the target life expectancy (78 years) in the Siberian Federal District to 2030, limiting the expected life expectancy to 75 years at that time point. As the target life expectancy is attainable by 2038 at best, additional resources are required to reduce age-related mortality rates.

The aim of the review was to characterize the epidemiological situation on rickettsiosis of the tick-borne spotted fever (TSF) group in the constituent entities of the Russian Federation in 2012–2021 and provide a long-term forecast for 2022–2026. In 2020–2021, indicators of registered incidence of tick-borne rickettsiosis in Russia on the whole decreased relative to the average long-term pre-pandemic level in 2012–2019 by 2 fold for all forms of the TSF group on average (Siberian tick-borne typhus – STT, Astrakhan spotted fever and Mediterranean fever). A comparative analysis of the territories revealed a correlation between the incidence of STT and the number of medical facility visits due to “tick bites” (r=0.67, p=0.015), which, against the background of an increase in the frequency of contacts of the population with vectors in 2020–2021 in most regions and a decrease in the incidence in the same regions indicates the credible nature of the changes. The ranking of territories according to average long-term incidence rates made it possible to classify the Republic of Altai and the Altai Territory as regions of extremely high epidemic hazard as regards STT; high hazard – the Republic of Tuva; above average – the Republic of Khakassia, Khabarovsk Territory and the Jewish Autonomous Region. The established downward trend in the incidence of tick-borne rickettsiosis among the population will be sustained in most entities of the Russian Federation within the next 5 years, excluding the Republic of Altai, the Altai Territory, the Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol, where current incidence or an increase should be expected. The results of the analysis indicate the need to put more emphasis on natural-focal infections at the time of COVID-19 pandemic.

Significance: The demographic processes currently taking place in our country, including in the Siberian Federal District, have a distinct negative character. The purpose of the study: to analyze dynamics in demographic processes - fertility, mortality and natural increase of the population of the Omsk region, to analyze gender composition of the population of the region and structure of the working age population. Material and methods: The observation period covers 15 years - from 2005 to 2020. The material of the study was official statistics on the number of registered births and deaths, posted on the website of the Federal State Statistics Service. Time series analysis was carried out using the least squares method, regressions for trends were determined and the growth rate of indicators was calculated. Results: In the Omsk region, the birth rate was declining, and by the beginning of 2021 it equaled to 9.3 per 1000 population, which is 30% lower than the average multi-year birth rate. Negative natural growth and migration decline of the population and pronounced urbanization of the Omsk region only exacerbate demographic problems. In the population age structure, there is a decrease in the share of working age population, accompanied by higher demographic burden on both urban and rural working age population. Conclusion: The birth rate in the Omsk region has been characterized by a downward trend since 2014, in 2020 the lowest birth rate of 9.3 per 1000 population was registered, it is 30% lower than the average multi-year level. Mortality in 2005-2019 in the Omsk region was characterized by a weak downward trend (Tsn = -1.2%, r = 0.93), and increased by 23.0%, adding up to 15.5 per 1000 population against the background of the pandemic of the new coronavirus infection. Scope of application: the study results can be used to develop measures aimed at stabilizing demographic processes: reducing mortality, including among the working-age population, and increasing fertility.

Выявление отягощенной наследственности, жалоб и симптомов, обусловленных рядом социально значимых неинфекционных заболеваний, является важной задачей, которая должна быть решена при проведении обязательных и профилактических медицинских осмотров, а также диспансеризации. В России разработана анкета для профилактического медицинского осмотра и диспансеризации, но отсутствует анкета для обязательных медицинских осмотров. Кроме того, до сих пор не разработаны и не унифицированы инструменты анкеты, предназначенные для оценки тревоги и депрессии, приверженности лечению, возрастных факторов риска, постковидного синдрома, и ряд других. Это создает трудности, связанные как с единообразным подходом выявления факторов риска социально значимых неинфекционных заболеваний при проведении медицинских осмотров различного уровня, так и с универсальной интерпретацией полученных при анкетировании результатов. Работа посвящена созданию унифицированной анкеты для выявления отягощенной наследственности, жалоб, симптомов, характерных для неинфекционных заболеваний и состояний, при проведении обязательных предварительных и периодических медицинских осмотров работников, а также профилактических медицинских осмотров и диспансеризации.

Using the example of the clinical strain of R. sibirica «Bayevo 105/87», the possibility of quantitative determination of rickettsias in clinical samples from patients with Siberian tick-borne typhus by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR-RT) was evaluated. Cultivation was carried out in the yolk sacs of developing chicken embryos, from which a piece of the yolk sac or chorion was taken. A total of 125 samples were examined. A set of reagents "RealBest DNA Rickettsia species (kit1)" was used for PCR-RT. The obtained values of the threshold amplification cycle (Ct) were compared with the results of microscopy of smear preparations stained by the Zdrodovsky method, the values of which were divided into ranks: the I rank - single rickettsias in individual fields of vision, the II rank - single rickettsias in each field of vision, the III rank - from 10 to 25 rickettsias in each field of vision, the IV rank - from 25 to 50 rickettsias in each field of view. The median Ct value for rank I was 17.6 (16.37; 18.58), for the II - 16.0 (15.0; 16.41), for the III - 15.0 (14.0; 15.1) and for the IV - 15.0 (13.7; 14.64). A significant average correlation was established between the number of rickettsias in the preparation under microscopy and the value of the threshold cycle in PCR RT (r=-0, 4849542; p=9.968e-09). When determining the correlation between the pathomorphological characteristic and the value of the threshold cycle, its absence was established. The detection of rickettsias in the blood vessels of the chorion of developing chicken embryos was of interest. In 10 samples, the yolk sac and chorion were taken for the study, and in parallel they were examined by PCR-RT. The use of modern, more sensitive molecular biological methods allows for quantitative analysis of DNA in the chorion, while preserving the volumes of the most valuable material - the yolk sac.

Relevance. The novel coronavirus pandemic is a major burden on public health and healthcare professionals. The study of the prevalence of antibodies among medical workers provides an understanding of the potential risk of transmission of the infectious agent, the level of herd immunity, the introduction of specific immunization and risk stratification in various areas of professional activities.The purpose of this study was to assess the level of specific antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 in the personnel of the medical and sanitary unit, providing the population with outpatient and inpatient medical care.Materials and methods. A study to assess seroprevalence to the SARS-CoV-2 virus was carried out in the Omsk region from September 2020 to December 2020. The study included 2 groups of employees of continuously operating organizations – the main group – employees of the medical and sanitary unit of the city of Omsk (n = 631), the control group consisted of employees of two industrial enterprises in the city of Omsk (n = 1696). The level of class G immunoglobulins to the SARS-CoV-2 virus was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.Results. Among medical workers, the proportion of people with a positive reaction to IgG was 73.1% (n = 461; 95% CI 69.5–76.4%). In the control group, the proportion of those who were seropositive was 3.9 times less than that – 18.6% (n = 315; 95% CI 16.8–20.5). Significant differences in seroprevalence in men and women were revealed in medical workers (χ2 = 4.164; p = 0.0413). The highest proportion of seroconversion was found in nursing staff – 85,4% (95% CI 71.6 – 93.1), in doctors – 63.3% (95% CI 55.0–70.9). The highest rate of seroprevalence was found among hospital medical workers – 81.9%, the lowest among employees of the administrative and economic service – 51,8%.Conclusions. The level of specific antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 among medical workers significantly exceeded that of other professional groups, and there was a high proportion of seroconversion among junior medical personnel and in-patient medical unit workers.

Objective is to analyze the incidence of Siberian tick typhus (STT) in the Russian Federation over the period of 2010–2020, Astrakhan spotted fever (ASF) and Mediterranean fever (MF) since the official registration, and to forecast the development of the epidemic process for endemic rickettsioses for 2021. The analysis of the incidence of STT, ASF and MF in Russia for the period of 2010–2020, 2013–2020 and 2014–2020, respectively, has been carried out. The forecast of endemic rickettsioses morbidity in the European and Asian parts of Russia for 2021 has been made. The average long-term incidence of STT for 2010–2020 in the Russian Federation as a whole was 1.04 (CI95 1.02÷1.05) 0/0000, with no tendency to change. The maximum relative incidence of STT is typical for the Siberian Federal District (SFD), where the average long-term incidence rate for 2010–2020 was 6.20 (CI95 6.08÷6.31) per 100 thousand of the population. The Far Eastern Federal District (FEFD) – 4.70 (CI95 4.53÷4.87) 0/0000 came in second place, the third place was taken by the Ural Federal District (UFD) – 0.08 (CI95 0.07÷0.10) 0/0000. When assessing the 11-year dynamics of the relative incidence of STT by the Federal Districts, we have detected a tendency to its stabilization in the SFD and the FEFD. In the UFD, a significant downward trend was revealed. The upward trend in the incidence of STT remained in the Altai Republic. Major decline in STT incidence was observed in the Kurgan Region, Trans-Baikal Territory, Krasnoyarsk Territory, and the Republic of Khakassia. There was a declining trend in the incidence of Astrakhan spotted fever in the Astrakhan Region and the Republic of Kalmykia. In the Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol there is no trend to increase the incidence of Mediterranean fever.

Aim. To identify clustering areas of COVID-19 cases during the first 3 months of pandemic in a million city.Materials and Methods. We collected the data on polymerase chain reaction verified cases of novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) in Omsk for the period from April, 15 until July 1, 2020. We have drawn heat maps using Epanechnikov kernel and calculated Getis-Ord general G statistic (Gi*). Analysis of geographic information was carried out in QGIS 3.14 Pi (qgis.org) software using the Visualist plugin.Results. Having inspected spatial distribution of COVID-19 cases, we identified certain clustering areas. The spread of COVID-19 involved Sovietskiy, Central and Kirovskiy districts, and also Leninskiy and Oktyabrskiy districts a short time later. We found uneven spatiotemporal distribution of COVID-19 cases infection across Omsk, as 13 separate clusters were documented in all administrative districts of the city.Conclusions. Rapid assessment of spatial distribution of the infection employing geographic information systems enables design of kernel density maps and harbors a considerable potential for real-time planning of preventive measures.

Objective was to analyze the epidemiological situation on Ixodidae tick-borne borreliosis (ITBB) in the constituent entities of the Russian Federation in the dynamics over the period of 2010–2020, taking into account the features of the year 2020, associated with the spread of COVID-19, and to forecast the development of the epidemic process for 2021. In 2020, 4180 cases of ITBB were registered in the Russian Federation, which is 1.93 times less than in 2019 and 1.73 times less than the long-term average annual figure for the previous 10 years. A significant decrease was noted in all federal districts (FD), with the exception of the Central FD, where more than half of all cases occurred. Compared to 2019, 75 out of 78 subjects experienced a decrease in the incidence rate in 2020, while in 56 entities that decrease was statistically significant. The multiplicity of the decrease in the incidence of ITBB in 2020 for all FD was significantly greater than the multiplicity of the decrease in the frequency of contacts of the population with ticks. Infection of Ixodidae ticks of various species with borrelia in natural foci in 2020 was statistically significantly higher than in 2019. Probably, the decrease in the registered incidence of ITBB against the background of the COVID-19 pandemic is due not only to a decrease in the intensity of contacts of the population with natural foci, but also to a sharp redistribution of the volume of inpatient and outpatient medical care in favor of COVID-19 patients. Given the high degree of significance of the identified trends in the dynamics of the epidemic ITBB process during 2010–2020, there is reason to expect an increase in the incidence in the Bryansk, Voronezh, Ryazan, Tula and Saratov regions in 2021, which requires special attention in terms of strengthening preventive measures and monitoring of the activity and structure of natural foci. In the rest of the entities of the Russian Federation, provided that the volumes of preventive measures are maintained on the same level and in the absence of abnormal natural and climatic phenomena, preservation or a slight reduction in the incidence of ITBB is likely to occur in the short term. At the same time, despite the tense situation regarding the new coronavirus infection, there is an obvious need to draw close attention to the problems of diagnosis and prevention of natural focal infections.

Objective of the study was to analyze the incidence of Siberian tick-borne typhus (STBT) in the Russian Federation between 2010 and 2019, Astrakhan spotted fever (ASF) and Mediterranean fever (MF) since official registration, and forecast the development of the epidemic process for endemic rickettsioses for 2020. Materials and methods. The analysis of the incidence of STBT, ASF and MF in the Russian Federation over the period of 2010–2019, 2013–2019 and 2014–2019, respectively, in relation to the results of zoological-entomological monitoring. Results and discussion. The average long-term incidence rate of STBT for 2010–2019 in the Russian Federation on the whole was 1.1 0 /0000 (DI95 1.05÷1.08) without trends towards change. The maximum relative incidence of STBT is typical for the Siberian Federal District (SFD) where the average long-term incidence rate for 2010–2019 amounted to 6.28 per 100 thousand of the population. In the second place is the Far Eastern Federal District (FEFD) – 5.17 0 /0000, in third – the Ural Federal District (UFD) – 0.1 0 /0000. When assessing the 10‑year dynamics of the relative incidence of STBT, we have revealed a significant tendency to increase in the FEFD, a tendency to stabilize in the SFD and a significant downward trend – in the UFD. A reliable increasing trend in STBT incidence was detected in the Altai Republic and in the Khabarovsk Territory. Major decline in STBT incidence was observed in the Trans-Baikal territory, Krasnoyarsk territory, Kurgan Region and the Republic of Khakassia. There is a marked tendency to increase in the incidence of MF in the Republic of Crimea. In the Astrakhan Region and the Republic of Kalmykia, there is an expressed tendency towards the reduction in the ASF morbidity rates.

Objective: to analyze the epidemiological situation on Ixodidae tick-borne borreliosis in the Russian Federation in 2019 in comparison with the period of 2002–2018.Materials and methods. The paper uses the data contained in Form No. 2 of the state statistical reporting for 2002–2019 and information obtained by the Reference Center for Monitoring Borreliosis of the Omsk Research Institute of Natural Focal Infections from 74 constituent entities of Russia in 2019. The main research method is epidemiological one with the use of modern information technologies.Results and discussion. In Russia, 8048 cases of tick-borne borreliosis (Lyme disease – LD) were recorded (5.48 0/0000) in 2019. The actual indicators of the LD incidence for the whole country and federal districts (FD) in 2019 were within the confidence limits predicted with linear regression based on the study of the dynamics of the epidemic process in 2002–2018 in the vast majority of cases. A steady upward trend in the LD incidence was observed during 2002–2019 in the Central Federal District due to 10 out of 18 entities (Moscow, Belgorod, Lipetsk, Moscow, Bryansk, Voronezh, Kursk, Ryazan, Tambov, Tula regions); in the Southern Federal District because of the Krasnodar Territory and the Volgograd Region; in the North Caucasus Federal District – because of the Stavropol Territory. Despite the fact that a downward trend in the incidence of LD has been established over the past 18 years in the North-West, Volga and Ural Federal Districts, in some subjects of these regions a trend towards an aggravation of the epidemiological situation is observed (the Komi Republic and Chuvashia, Penza Region). In the absence of a pronounced tendency to change in the incidence rate of LD in the Siberian and Far Eastern Federal Districts, Kemerovo Region-Kuzbass, the Republic of Tuva and the Trans-Baikal Territory where a growing trend has been identified require special attention. In the Ural and Siberian Federal Districts, the share of non-erythema forms among laboratory-confirmed cases of LD was higher than in other regions, which merits further study of the genome-specific features of borrelia populations and their carriers. Effective control of the LD epidemiological situation in Russia is possible provided that the control is improved and maintained, and the capacity of preventive measures and zoological-entomological monitoring of the activity and structure of the natural foci of LD is enhanced in the entities with the long-term tendency towards increase in the incidence of the disease.

Обоснование. Результаты исследований, посвященных изучению эпидемиологии алкоголизма, свидетельствуют о росте числа употребляющих алкогольные напитки представителей студенческой молодежи. Существует немалое количество работ, установивших наличие тех или иных личностных и поведенческих различий между людьми, страдающими алкоголизмом и ведущими трезвый образ жизни, а также обнаружена взаимосвязь тревожных и депрессивных расстройств с развитием алкогольной зависимости. Таким образом, поиск предикторов или маркеров алкогольной зависимости остается актуальной задачей, решение которой позволит разработать ряд превентивных мероприятий для представителей студенческой молодежи. Цель: изучить особенности взаимосвязи между состояниями тревоги и депрессии, а также индивидуально-личностными характеристиками у пациентов с алкоголизмом, находящихся на воздержании в специальных условиях. Материалы и методы. Исследование проведено на выборке из 407 респондентов. Из совокупной выборки сформировано 3 группы: 1-я группа (n=317, 77,9%) ‒ студенты 4-го, 5-го и 6-го курсов; 2-я группа (n=70, 17,2%) ‒ пациенты с установленным диагнозом алкоголизма, находящиеся на стационарном лечении; 3-я группа (n=20, 4,9%) ‒ лица с установленным диагнозом алкогольной зависимости, находящиеся в ремиссии более года. Статистическая обработка данных проводилась с использованием корреляционного анализа Кендалла. Значимыми считались корреляционные взаимосвязи при уровне р<0,05. При определении психических процессов и индивидуально-типологических особенностей личности был использован краткий опросник Большой пятерки Б5-10, предназначенный для диагностики психологических характеристик. Количественная оценка уровней тревоги и депрессии проводилась при помощи Госпитальной шкалы тревоги и депрессии (HADS). Диагноз алкогольной зависимости (F10.2) устанавливался в соответствии с критериями МКБ-10. Результаты. В каждой из трех групп выборки обнаружены значимые корреляционные взаимосвязи личностных характеристик с уровнями тревоги и депрессии. В большей степени экстраверсия связана с уровнем депрессии среди пациентов, находящихся в ремиссии более года. Доброжелательность имеет отрицательную прямую корреляционную связь с уровнями тревоги и депрессии в группе студентов и группе больных алкоголизмом, воздерживающихся от приема алкоголя в течение года. Открытость опыту не обнаружила взаимосвязь с тревогой и депрессией в когорте пациентов, находящихся в длительной ремиссии. Заключение. Изучены особенности взаимодействия между уровнем тревоги, уровнем депрессии и показателями личностных характеристик у пациентов с алкоголизмом, находящихся на воздержании в специальных условиях, у лиц с алкогольной зависимостью, находящихся в длительной ремиссии, и у представителей студенческой молодежи. Полученные результаты не позволяют говорить о состоянии тревоги и депрессии как о предикторе или маркере алкогольной зависимости.