Background . Most healthcare-associated infections (HAI) develop due to a colonization of patients and healthcare workers by hospital strains of pathogens. The aim to study was to assess whether the dust within the health facilities can harbor microorganisms acting as a reservoir of HAIs. Materials and methods . Dust samples collected in the air ducts and ventilation grilles of health facilities underwent a detailed physicochemical analysis by means of scanning electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and high-temperature catalytic oxidation. Bacterial and viral diversity was investigated using an automated biochemical analyzer and polymerase chain reaction, respectively. Investigation of the microenvironment included detection of biofilms using a catalase indicator and quantification of viable microorganisms per 1 m 3  air. Results . Dust from the hospital ventilation grilles and air ducts was contaminated with microorganisms in 71.13% of cases. Strikingly, multidrug-resistant and biofilm-forming strains have been found in 69.4% and 48.0% of samples, respectively. The total viable count before and after opening doors and windows was 276 and 462 colony-forming units/m 3  respectively (p = 0.046). Biodiversity was represented by 21 genera of microorganisms which were consistently detected upon 6 months of follow-up. All samples contained a nanosized particulate matter. Chemical elements comprising dust were carbon (16.26–50.69%), oxygen (20.02–37.50%), nitrogen (1.59–25.03%), hydrogen (2.03–6.67%), sulfur (0.15–2.38%), calcium (0.19–7.49%), silicon (0.21–4.64%), chlorine (0.05–2.83%), sodium (0.07–1.86%), aluminum (0.36–1.78%), iron (0.08–1.61%), magnesium (0.11– 1.40%), potassium (0.04–0.85%), and phosphorus (0.04–0.81%). Discussion . A wide range of multidrug-resistant strains of bacteria, detected in a hospital particulate matter with a diverse chemical composition, indicates the persistence of HAI-causing pathogens in the hospital environment. Conclusion . Dust from the ventilation grilles and adjacent air ducts should be considered as an additional reservoir of multidrug-resistant strains of bacteria in the healthcare settings.

Background. Most healthcare-associated infections (HAI) develop due to a colonization of patients and healthcare workers by hospital strains of pathogens. The aim to study was to assess whether the dust within the health facilities can harbor microorganisms acting as a reservoir of HAIs.Materials and methods. Dust samples collected in the air ducts and ventilation grilles of health facilities underwent a detailed physicochemical analysis by means of scanning electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and high-temperature catalytic oxidation. Bacterial and viral diversity was investigated using an automated biochemical analyzer and polymerase chain reaction, respectively. Investigation of the microenvironment included detection of biofilms using a catalase indicator and quantification of viable microorganisms per 1 m3 air.Results. Dust from the hospital ventilation grilles and air ducts was contaminated with microorganisms in 71.13% of cases. Strikingly, multidrug-resistant and biofilm-forming strains have been found in 69.4% and 48.0% of samples, respectively. The total viable count before and after opening doors and windows was 276 and 462 colony-forming units/m3 respectively (p = 0.046). Biodiversity was represented by 21 genera of microorganisms which were consistently detected upon 6 months of follow-up. All samples contained a nanosized particulate matter. Chemical elements comprising dust were carbon (16.26–50.69%), oxygen (20.02–37.50%), nitrogen (1.59–25.03%), hydrogen (2.03–6.67%), sulfur (0.15–2.38%), calcium (0.19–7.49%), silicon (0.21–4.64%), chlorine (0.05–2.83%), sodium (0.07–1.86%), aluminum (0.36–1.78%), iron (0.08–1.61%), magnesium (0.11–1.40%), potassium (0.04–0.85%), and phosphorus (0.04–0.81%).Discussion. A wide range of multidrug-resistant strains of bacteria, detected in a hospital particulate matter with a diverse chemical composition, indicates the persistence of HAI-causing pathogens in the hospital environment.Conclusion. Dust from the ventilation grilles and adjacent air ducts should be considered as an additional reservoir of multidrug-resistant strains of bacteria in the healthcare settings.

Aim. To study the epidemiological patterns of Lyme disease in the Kemerovo Region. Materials and Methods. We performed a descriptive and retrospective epidemiological study of 3,133 cases to investigate the spread of Lyme disease in the Kemerovo Region during the recent 15 years (2005-2019). 1,000 ticks of the Ixodes genus were investigated for the presence of Borrelia burgdorferi senso lato s. l. and Borrelia miyamotoi DNA, while 98 patients with tick-borne fevers of unknown aetiology were examined to identify the DNA of the causative agents of ixodid tick-borne borrelioses and tick-borne recurrent fevers by PCR. Antibodies to Borrelia in the patient serum were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results. In the structure of tick-borne infections over the study period, the proportion of ixodid tickborne borrelioses was 29.88% [95% CI = 27,25- 32,61]. The incidence demonstrated a 2,8-fold increase from 3.2200 / 0000 [95% CI = 3,20-4,57] in 2005 up to 9,2000 / 0000 [95% CI = 12,47-15,31] in 2019. Annually, around 30,000 people suffered from the tick attack. Bite rates ranged from 813.510 / 0000 [95% CI = 804,05-825,50] to 1506.100 / 0000 [95% CI = 1491,57-1520,02]. Two-thirds of the victims were attacked by ticks during the unorganized recreation in the forest, gathering wild plants and working in the garden plots. Lyme disease was characterised by a spring-summer seasonality with a maximum incidence in June. Rural population showed a higher level of ixodid tick-borne borrelioses incidence as compared to the urban population. In age groups, the maximum rates were recorded in the individuals over 40 years of age. Northern territories of the region showed the highest prevalence of ixodid tickborne borrelioses. In a study of 1000 ticks, DNA of Burgdorferi s. l. and B. miyamotoi was detected in 32.5% and 5.2%, respectively. In contrast, B. miyamotoi prevailed in patients with tick-borne fevers (13.26% of positive cases in comparison with 4.08% for B. Burgdorferi s. l. Tick-borne aetiology of the diseases was confirmed by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay measurements. Conclusions. Ixodid tick-borne borrelioses is prevalent in Kemerovo Region, demonstrating an upward and seasonal trend. Risk groups include rural population and those > 40 years of age. A high level of Ixodes persulcatus-mediated transmission of B. burgdorferi s. l. and B. miyamotoi infections was revealed; the latter agent often caused tick-borne fevers of unknown etiology

Aim. To study the microbial diversity and dust organic component in surgical healthcare settings and to assess the risk of dust-mediated transmission of healthcare-associated infections.Materials and Methods. Dust sampling (n = 41) was carried out using sterile gloves and containers from ventilation grilles and adjacent air ducts of the exhaust ventilation systems in various healthcare settings. Size and shape of dust particles were studied by means of scanning electron microscopy and dynamic light scattering. Elemental analysis (CHNSO) was conducted employing high temperature catalytic oxidation. Bacterial composition of the dust was investigated using a VITEK 2 Compact biochemical analyzer while viral diversity was screened by polymerase chain reaction.Results. Dust in healthcare units consisted of globular particles and/or microsized fibers. Regardless of the healthcare setting, globular particles prevailed in the dust structure. Dust nanoparticles was characterised by an average first size peak of 85.6 ± 12.6 nm and an average second peak of 307.1 ± 76.2 nm. Dust collected in non-surgical units contained a higher nitrogen content than surgical settings (p < 0.001). Proportions of hydrogen, carbon, and sulfur did not differ between non-surgical and surgical units. The dust collected from healthcare settings in different cities also varied in nitrogen content (p = 0.033). A wide microbial diversity was detected in dust samples and a high frequency (46.34%) of its contamination was found. In surgical departments, dust contamination was notable for multidrug-resistant bacteria (28.57%), while viruses prevailed in non-surgical departments (23.3%).Conclusions. Dust generated in surgical departments contains nanosized particulate matter, multidrug-resistant microorganisms, and a prominent organic component all defining it as a possible reservoir of multidrug-resistant microorganisms which may potentially cause healthcare-associated infections via airborne transmission.

In the course of complex ecological and faunistic field studies in the Kemerovo region in 2019, the distribution pattern of Haemaphysalis concinna C.L. Koch, 1844 tick was clarified.Near the Shestakovo Village (55°53' N, 87°57' E), 488 specimens of this species were collected.This is the most northern habitat of this species from reliably known ones, located more than 170 km from the previously known northern boundary of the distribution.Even more northern finds of this species are sporadic and are probably related to the transfer of single specimens by birds.The new habitat discovery required a reassessment of all information regarding distribution and hosts of this species in the Kuznetsk-Salair mountain area.The article describes H. concinna distribution within the region.Since the vast majority of larvae and nymphs near the Shestakovo Village were found on bluethroats Luscinia svecica (Linnaeus, 1758), the possible mechanism of such H. concinna populations formation and the role of birds in tick distribution are considered in the work.

Relevance. For decades, many aspects of aerosol transmission of hospital pathogens have been and remain the subject of scientific debate. Despite fairly detailed studies of the mechanism of microbial aerosols formation, distribution, the role of particulate matter in the formation of antibiotic resistance and multidrug-resistant hospital clones of microorganisms is still unclear. Aim. To investigate physicochemical properties and microbiological diversity of hospital particulate matter. Materials and Methods . Shape and size of particulates was assessed by means of scanning electron microscopy and dynamic light scattering while elemental analysis was performed using energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and high-temperature catalytic oxidation. Microbial profiling was conducted using polymerase chain reaction and Vitek 2 biochemical analyzer. Results . Hospital particulate matter included globular and fibrillary particles consisting of carbon, oxygen, calcium, silicon, aluminium, and sulfur. Intriguingly, microfiber particles had higher oxygen and calcium content along with the lower level of carbon in mineral but not organic component. Differential localisation of silicon and calcium in elemental mapping suggested that hospital particulate matter was composed of aluminosilicate minerals and calcium compounds. Among the microorganisms, we found multidrug-resistant strains Raoultella ornithinolytica, Staphylococcus pseudintermedius, Pantoea spp., Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enterococcus faecium and additionally Pasteurella canis in hospital particulate matter samples. Conclusions. Particulate matter in the hospital environment might be considered as a potential reservoir for the evolution of antibiotic resistance and multidrug-resistant strains.

Aim. Investigation of infection rate and species composition of ticks responsible for tick-borne infections in Kemerovo Region. Materials and Methods. We investigated morphological properties of 1295 Ixodes and 1867 Dermacentor ticks collected from the ora of Kemerovo Region. Genotyping of 186 ticks collected from infected humans was performed using Multiprime Real-Time PCR kit. Infection rate (tick-borne encephalitis, borreliosis, rickettsiosis, granulocytic anaplasmosis, monocytic ehrlichiosis, and Kemerovo virus infection) of 409 ticks collected from the ora and 186 ticks collected from infected humans was also dened by polymerase chain reaction. Results. During the recent decades, Ixodes persulcatus was a predominant tick species in Kemerovo Region, with a prevalence of 96.71%. However, we revealed a trend to increasing prevalence of Ixodes pavlovskyi from 2015 (41.62% of all Ixodes ticks). Dermacentor ticks were endemic, with Dermacentor reticulatus as a predominant species and prevalence of 12.75% from all ticks of Kemerovo Region. Borrelia spp. DNA was identied in 35.60% of I.persulcatus, 25.27% of I.pavlovskyi and 1.96% of D.reticulatus ticks. Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Ehrlichia spp. were found only in Ixodes ticks. RNA of tick-borne encephalitis virus was rarely detected in D.reticulatus and I.persulcatus. R.raoultii (DnS14) and Kemerovo virus were found only in D.reticulatus and I.persulcatus, respectively.Conclusions. Ixodes and Dermacentor ticks are frequently infected by Borrelia spp. but rarely in-fected by tick-borne encephalitis virus. Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Ehrlichia spp., and Kemerovo vi-rus were detected only in Ixodes ticks while R.raoul-tii (DnS14) were found only in D.reticulatus

Relevance. For decades, many aspects of aerosol transmission of hospital pathogens have been and remain the subject of scientific debate. Despite fairly detailed studies of the mechanism of microbial aerosols formation, distribution, the role of particulate matter in the formation of antibiotic resistance and multidrug-resistant hospital clones of microorganisms is still unclear. Aim. To investigate physicochemical properties and microbiological diversity of hospital particulate matter. Materials and Methods. Shape and size of particulates was assessed by means of scanning electron microscopy and dynamic light scattering while elemental analysis was performed using energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and high-temperature catalytic oxidation. Microbial profiling was conducted using polymerase chain reaction and Vitek 2 biochemical analyzer. Results. Hospital particulate matter included globular and fibrillary particles consisting of carbon, oxygen, calcium, silicon, aluminium, and sulfur. Intriguingly, microfiber particles had higher oxygen and calcium content along with the lower level of carbon in mineral but not organic component. Differential localisation of silicon and calcium in elemental mapping suggested that hospital particulate matter was composed of aluminosilicate minerals and calcium compounds. Among the microorganisms, we found multidrug-resistant strains Raoultella ornithinolytica, Staphylococcus pseudintermedius, Pantoea spp., Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enterococcus faecium and additionally Pasteurella canis in hospital particulate matter samples. Conclusions. Particulate matter in the hospital environment might be considered as a potential reservoir for the evolution of antibiotic resistance and multidrug-resistant strains.

Summarized results of our own studies and analysis of the literature data on the distribution and some biological features of ixodid ticks in the territory of Kuznetsk-Salair mountain area are presented in the paper. Groups of the most abundant tick species dangerous in epidemiological respect are described. Changes in domination of Ixodes pavlovskyi and I. persulcatus in different territories are revealed. Data on the main hosts of ticks of the family Ixodidae in the region are given.

В статье представлены обобщенные результаты собственных исследований и анализ литературных источников по распространению и некоторым особенностям биологии различных видов иксодовых клещей на территории Кузнецко-Салаирской горной области. Выделены группы наиболее многочисленных видов клещей, представляющих эпидемиологическую угрозу. Установлено изменение доминирования Ixodes pavlovskyi и I. persulcatus на разных территориях. Приведены сведения об основных прокормителях клещей сем. Ixodidae в регионе.

Epidemiologic patterns of spread of TBE and Lyme Borreliosis in the Kemerovo region within 23 years (1993 - 2015) have been studied. It has been established that sickness rate of TBE has reduced while sickness rate of Lyme Borreliosis has increased. Risk groups and risk areas of distribution of tick-borne infections have been detected. Borrelia DNA has been detected in 35,46 ± 6,26% of ticks, TBE virus antigen has been detected in 2,2 ± 0,28% of ticks. Sickness rate of tick-borne infections and rate of detection of infected ticks differentiate in different areas of the region which therefore should involve differential approach to organization preventive measures.