Borrelia miyamotoi is an emerging Ixodes tick-borne human pathogen in the Northern hemisphere. The aim of the current study was to compare whole genome sequences of B. miyamotoi isolates from different continents. Using a combination of Illumina and PacBio platforms and a novel genome assembly and plasmid typing pipeline, we reveal that the 21 sequenced B. miyamotoi isolates and publically available B. miyamotoi genomes from North America, Asia, and Europe form genetically distinct populations and cluster according to their geographical origin, where distinct Ixodes species are endemic. We identified 20 linear and 17 circular plasmid types and the presence of specific plasmids for isolates originating from different continents. Linear plasmids lp12, lp23, lp41, and lp72 were core plasmids found in all isolates, with lp41 consistently containing the vmp expression site. Our data provide insights into the genetic basis of vector competence, virulence, and pathogenesis of B. miyamotoi. .

Introduction. Borrelia miyamotoi is a pathogen of erythema-free ixodid tick-borne borreliosis (ITBB), a disease widespread in Russia. To date, there are no generally accepted methods for B. miyamotoi genotyping. The multilocus sequencing typing (MLST) scheme of Borrelia was originally developed for B. burgdorferi, and does not have the required discrimination power for monitoring the ITBB pathogens. The objective of this study is to develop the MLST scheme for B. miyamotoi. Materials and Methods. The whole genome sequences of 10 reference strains (GenBank) were analyzed for the selection of the house-keeping loci. The MLST scheme development was based on principles published by the authors of the method. For this experiment, 81 B. miyamotoi strains and positive clinical samples were used to test the MLST scheme. Results. After analyzing the genomic data, 8 house-keeping loci were chosen for MLST, for which the PCR and sequencing primers were designed. Each MLST loci was represented by several alleles (from 4 to 7) which form 15 sequence types. The genetic diversity of pathogens isolated from ITBB patients and ticks were characterized. Discussion. Based on pairwise distances between allelic profiles, the sequence types can be classified into four groups. The first two groups are clonal complexes; the other two groups are formed by once identified sequence types. The first clonal complex unites 11 sequence types (80 or 88% of the characterized B. miyamotoi), the second consists of 2 sequence types (9 or 9.8%). The genetic differences between B. miyamotoi are associated with the sources of strains and biological isolates. The MLST based classification confirms the previously described genetic heterogeneity of B. miyamotoi populations associated with ecologically unrelated vectors of ITBB pathogens. Conclusion. The proposed MLST scheme is an appropriate tool for ITBB pathogen classification and evolutionary change characterization within clonal complexes.

The impact of the emerging tick-borne pathogen Borrelia miyamotoi is not fully understood. We utilised a protein array to investigate B. miyamotoi seroreactivity in various human populations in the Netherlands and Sweden. The IgM/IgG seroprevalence in Dutch healthy (2·5%, 95%CI 1·5-4·1) and population controls (2·0%, 95%CI 0·9-4·4) was lower (p = 0·01 and p = 0·01) compared to the tick-bite cohort (6·1%, 95%CI 3·9-9·5). In accordance, the Swedish healthy controls (1·0%, 95%CI 0·1-6·9) revealed a lower (p = 0·005 and p < 0·001) IgM/IgG seroprevalence compared to the tick-bite (8·9%, 95%CI 5·7-13·7) and fever after tick-bite cohort (16·5%, 95%CI 10·6-24·8). Altogether, 15 of 2175 individuals had serologic evidence of early B. miyamotoi infection. The risk of infection with B. miyamotoi was 0·7% (95%CI 0·3-1·4) in tick-bitten individuals, and of disease 7·3% (95%CI 2·6-12·8) in those with a febrile illness after tick-bite. Our findings provide insights into the risk of infection and disease with this pathogen in Europe.

The article presents a description of the current tick-borne infection epidemiological situation in the south of Russia from the years 2013 to 2022, proposes a new approach to develop forecasting models for morbidity dynamics of Astrakhan rickettsial fever (ARF) and Crimean hemorrhagic fever (СCHF) in the Astrakhan region and presents data assessing 2022 explaining models for the Stavropol Territory and Astrakhan Region. Materials and methods. A comprehensive research was performed using epidemiological analysis and non-parametric statistical methods. The data assessing tick-borne infections epidemic process manifestations were retrieved from ARF and CCHF morbidity databases (developed as a project) and documents of infectious disease focus epidemiological examination provided by the departments of Rospotrebnadzor in the subjects of the Southern and North Caucasian Federal Districts. Morbidity models were developed using the Bayes theorem and Walds sequential statistical analysis, with a preliminary calculation of indicators informativeness by the Kullback method. The values of climatic factors from the database of the Center for Collective Use IKI-monitoring of the Space Research Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences were used. Results. The results of the study indicate persistence of serious epidemiological situation regarding rickettsiosis of the tick-borne spotted fever group, Q fever, tick-borne borreliosis and CCHF in the south of Russia. Almost all tick-borne infections nosological forms in children under 14 years (including young children and infants) were widely involved in the epidemic process, which belong to patients at risk for a complicated disease course due to complicated diagnostics and treatment. The annual registration of tick-borne infections cases in the resort areas, with the subsequent occurrence of imported cases in other, including non-endemic regions poses a serious problem. The proposed forecasting models allow to predict the CСHF and ARF morbidity for each administrative district of the Astrakhan region with up to 91.7% accuracy. The explaining models CСHF accuracy for the Stavropol Territory and Astrakhan Region, when tested in 2022, was 88.5 and 83.3%, respectively, for ARF 91.7%. Conclusions. The further continuation of forecasting and explaining models verification for planning preventive measures and propose similar steps for tick-borne borreliosis and Q fever to epidemiological tick-borne infections to stabilize situation in the south of Russia.

Introduction. The study focuses on methods providing mathematical substantiation of discrepancies between actual incidence rates of Astrakhan rickettsial fever (ARF) and Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) and predicted rates due to the indirect impact of weather conditions during the current epidemic season. The purpose of the study was to develop explanatory models for ARF and CCHF incidence using satellite monitoring (remote sensing) data and to present the results of their practical evaluation in the Stavropol Territory and Astrakhan Region. Materials and methods. The materials included climate data provided by the Space Research Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences as well as epidemiological data on CCHF and ARF incidence from 2005 to 2021. The explanatory models incorporated the Bayes theorem and Wald sequential analysis. All the calculations were completed using the Microsoft Excel 2010-based program developed by the authors. Results. It has been found that the greatest indirect effect on development of the CCHF epidemiological situation is produced by the normalized difference vegetation index and relative air humidity in June-July in the Stavropol Territory and by the maximum, minimum and average air temperature in October as well as the minimum air temperature in July in the Astrakhan Region. ARF incidence rates depend on the indirect effect of the annual average and average annual maximum temperature, maximum temperature and the normalized difference vegetation index in April-July. The match between explanatory model-based results and prediction model-based results ranged within 46.2-100%. Discussion. In addition to projecting incidence rates, which could be reached with the observed values of climatic factors in the current year, the explanatory models can be used for indirect verification of prediction models and for identification of factors causing differences in results. Conclusion. The practical evaluation of explanatory models confirms the prospects and benefits of the study that should be continued, involving other regions highly endemic for tick-borne infections.

Relevance. Despite the ongoing program of mass vaccination of tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) for more than 20 years in the Sverdlovsk district, the incidence rate of TBE continues to exceed the average in Russia and the Ural Federal region. Aim. To analyze the main indicators of the manifestation of the epidemic process of TBE in the territory of the Sverdlovsk district under the conditions of planned vaccination over a 20-year period (2002–2021). Materials and methods. The article uses data from federal and regional statistical observations, reporting materials of the Department of Rospotrebnadzor in the Sverdlovsk district for 2002-2021, methods of statistical analysis. Results and discussion . During the study period (2002-2021), 3861 cases of TBE were registered in the Sverdlovsk district, while the highest incidence rate was detected in 2005 – 10.1 per 100 thousand population, and the lowest in 2020 – 1.0 per 100 thousand population. The share of the vector-borne mechanism was 78.4%, the unidentified path – 20.1%, alimentary – 1.5%. Analysis of the seasonal distribution of cases of TBE showed that the incidence is recorded from April to November. Cases of TBE were recorded in all age groups, including the child population. Most often, people aged 60 years old and older (24.6%) were ill with TBE. Among the children's population, the largest share fell on children aged 7–14 years (5.4%). Men of working age prevailed among the patients (66.0%). TBE was mainly registered among the unvaccinated population (81.5%) with a predominance of urban (86.1%). Officials predominated among the sick persons – 29.8%, pensioners made up 22.3%, unemployed – 19.8%. Persons whose work is professionally connected with the forest made up only 0.6%. The ongoing program of mass vaccination of TBE has led to a decrease in the proportion of severe and moderate forms of diseases (focal – 9.8% and meningeal – 24.0%) and an increase in the proportion of febrile (33.8%) and atypical forms (32.4%). Deaths during the studied period were recorded mainly among the adult unvaccinated population. Conclusions. The Sverdlovsk district continues to be a tense natural focus of TBE with a constantly recorded incidence among contingents of different age and social groups. In the absence of highly effective etiotropic drugs for the treatment of TBE, the only strategy for reducing the incidence of TBE, the development of severe forms and deaths in the territory of the Sverdlovsk district is mass vaccination of the population.

Relevance. The Sverdlovsk district is a tense natural focus for Lyme borreliosis (LB) with a constantly recorded incidence that exceeds these indicators in the Russian Federation and the Ural Federal region several times. LB is registered on 56 of 59 administrative territories of the district. Currently, the count of LB in the Russian Federation includes both infections caused by Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato group Borrelia and infections caused by Borrelia miyamotoi sensu lato group Borrelia. Aim. To characterize the epidemic process of LB in the territory of the Sverdlovsk district over a 20-year period (2002–2021). Materials and methods . The paper uses data from federal and regional statistical observations, reporting materials of the Department of Rospotrebnadzor in the Sverdlovsk district for 2002–2021, methods of statistical analysis. Results and discussion . During the follow–up period (2002–2021), the incidence rate of BL in the Sverdlovsk district exceeded the average long-term level in the Russian Federation by almost 3 times, and in the Ural Federal region – by 1.8 times. Among the mechanisms and ways of transmission of LB pathogens, the vector-borne mechanism dominated (84.5%), the share of the unidentified pathway was 15.4%, alimentary (when using raw goat's milk) – 0.1%. The duration of the epidemic season for LB in the district was 10 months (from March to December) with a peak incidence in June. Cases of LB were registered among people of different ages, with a predominance in the group of 60 years and older (39.1%). An analysis of the distribution of people with LB by social composition showed that pensioners prevailed among them – 36.3%, officials made up 27.8%, unemployed – 14.1%. Among the cases, a high proportion of schoolchildren and children under 7 years old were noted. It was found that erythematous and non-erythematous forms of LB are registered in the district, with a predominance of erythematous (64.5%). The main etiological agent of the erythematous form is Borrelia garinii, while the non-erythematous form is Borrelia miyamotoi and B. garinii. In the general structure of morbidity, the number of cases of LB is largely determined by the city inhabitants (92.9%). There were no fatal outcomes in LB in the territory of the district during the studied period. Conclusions. Due to the lack of vaccination of LB worldwide, the only strategy to reduce the incidence of LB is non-specific prevention and timely diagnosis of the disease, including data from epidemiological history, clinical and laboratory diagnostics. The long-term clinical and epidemiological and laboratory studies conducted by us in the Sverdlovsk district allowed us to characterize the main manifestations of the epidemic process of LB and to improve the diagnosis of the disease.

This paper describes the protein array as a novel serological test for the diagnosis ofBorrelia miyamotoidisease (BMD), by reporting the methodology, the development of a diagnostic algorithm, and its extensive validation. With rising numbers of ticks and tick bites, tick-borne diseases, such as BMD, urgently deserve further societal and medical attention.B. miyamotoiis prevalent inIxodesticks across the northern hemisphere.

In this report, we present new data on the diversity and geographical distribution of genetic variants in Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV) in Russia. Partial S, M, and L segment sequences of the CCHFV genome were obtained from 500 serum samples from CCHF patients and 103 pools of ticks collected in the south of the European region of Russia in 2007-2017. The investigated viral strains belonged to the lineages Europe 1 (596 samples), Africa 3 (1 sample) and a new genetic lineage, Europe 3 (6 samples). The Russian CCHFV strains of the Europe 1 lineage formed four subgroups (Va-Vd) correlated with the geographical site of virus isolation. Segment reassortment events between strains of different subgroups within lineage Europe 1 were revealed. The complete S, M and L genome segments of 18 CCHFV strains belonging to different subgroups of the Europe 1 lineage and the complete S segments of 3 strains of the Europe 3 lineage and 1 strain of the Africa 3 lineage were sequenced. The analysis of the geographical distribution of CCHFV genetic variants in southern Russia revealed local viral populations with partially overlapping boundaries.

Introduction. With the epidemiological situation for Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) remaining tense in many countries worldwide, special attention should be focused on development and improvement of risk-based epidemiological prediction methods.The aim of the study was to build a prediction model for CCHF incidence dynamics (based on the Stavropol Territory) using satellite monitoring (remote sensing) data.Materials and methods. We analyzed the climate data obtained from the Space Research Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences as well as the data of public statistics reports on CCHF incidence from 2005 to 2021. The prediction model incorporated the Bayes theorem and Wald sequential analysis. The information content of the factors was assessed using the Kullback method.Results. Predictions for each of 26 districts were made stepwise (compared to threshold levels) to predict whether there will be at least one case of CCHF, whether the relative incidence per 100,000 population will exceed the median level (0.9 cases) or the average rate (3.5 cases) or the third quartile rate (4.7 cases). The highest values of information coefficients were obtained for soil temperature and moisture content (at depths of 10 and 40 cm), normalized relative vegetation index, relative humidity, maximum and average air temperature, relative air humidity. During the testing of the model in 2021, false-negative (erroneous) prediction was made for 2 districts.Discussion. The model proved to be most efficient in prediction of occurrence or absence of cases. More accurate quantitative prediction may be difficult due to subjective factors (including misdiagnosing CCHF cases without hemorrhagic manifestations and administering treatment for other conditions with similar symptoms).Conclusion. The tests of the model demonstrate its potential. The practical application of the prediction will make healthcare workers more alert when screening and detecting CCHF cases.

This article is dedicated to analyzing epidemiological situation of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever in the subjects of the North Caucasian Federal District (from 2005 to 2021) and developing a new approach to improve epidemiological forecasting by using an in-progress prognostic model. The study is comprehensive, using epidemiological methods and mathematical statistics. The epidemiological analysis was carried out based on information from the databases on the incidence rate for Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever presented as a project and maps of infectious disease focus epidemiological examination. The prognostic morbidity model is developed based on Bayes theorem and Walds sequential statistical analysis. The factors information calculation was carried out by using the Kullback method. The value of climatic factors was retrieved from the database of the Center for Collective Use IKI-monitoring of the Space Research Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences. The data obtained indicate that the majority of patients with Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever within the studied long-term period in the Stavropol Territory (629) and the Republic of Dagestan (46) were revealed. Isolated cases in the Kabardino-Balkarian Republic (2), the Karachay-Cherkess Republic (3) and the Republic of Ingushetia (2) were noted. Infection by the Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever causative agent via the transmission mechanism occurred mainly during the care after farm animals in 59.4%. The prevalence of moderate forms of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (79%) was noted, with hemorrhagic manifestations (over the last five years) observed almost in half of the patients. The proportion of correct preliminary diagnoses during patient hospitalization was 49%. While testing the prognostic model in 2021 particularly in the Stavropol Territory, a complete exact coincidence for predicted and the actual data was obtained for 11 districts (42.3%). False positive (38.5%) and overestimated (11.5%) data at this stage of the study do not significantly reduce the predictive value of the model, since they often reflect registered infection case that occurred at the patients place of residence in another administrative region, underdiagnoses of mild forms of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever in medical institutions or high efficiency of preventive measures against ticks measures carried out before the beginning of the epidemic season in individual municipal districts. False negative results were 7.7%. Thus, the results of the analysis evidence about a need to improve the training of medical personnel for the timely detection of patients with Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever and to enhance the effectiveness of preventive measures against ticks. The results of testing the prognostic model confirm the feasibility and hold promise to continue the study.

Background: Various studies have evaluated infection of Ixodes ticks and humans with the relapsing fever spirochete Borrelia miyamotoi. However, it has never been assessed systematically. This systematic review and meta-analysis examines B. miyamotoi prevalence in Ixodes ticks and humans, and the disease it can cause in the Northern hemisphere.Methods: PubMed and Web of Science were searched up to March 1th, 2021. Publications assessing Ixodes tick infection using data from 2011 onwards were eligible, whereas no time limitation was placed on human reports. B. miyamotoi test positivity ratios were extracted. A random effects-model was used to calculate estimated proportions (ES) with 95% confidence interval (CI). Findings: Included articles reported on 165 637 questing ticks, 45 608 unique individuals, and 504 well-described human cases. In ticks, the highest prevalence was observed in Ixodes persulcatus (2·8%, 95%CI 2·4-3·1%) and the lowest in I. pacificus ticks (0·7, 95%CI 0·6-0·8%). The overall seroprevalence in humans was 4·4% (95%CI 2·8-6·3%), with a significantly (p<0·001) higher seroprevalence in the high risk group (4·6%, 95%CI 2·6-7·1%), participants with confirmed or suspected Lyme borreliosis (4·8%, 95%CI 1·8-8·8%), and individuals suspected of another tick-borne disease (11·9%, 95%CI 5·6-19·9%), as compared to healthy controls (1·3%, 95%CI 0·4-2·8%). Individuals suspected of another tick-borne disease were significantly more often B. miyamotoi-PCR positive than the high risk group (p=0·0246), with individuals in Asia more likely to be positive than those in the United States of America (OR 14·63, 95%CI 2·80-76·41).Interpretation: Our findings demonstrate Borrelia miyamotoi disease should be considered an emerging infectious disease, especially in North America and Asia. Prospective studies and increased awareness are required to obtain further insights into the burden of disease.Registration Details: This study was registered at PROSPERO (CRD42021268996) and followed PRISMA guidelines.Funding Information: ZonMW (project no. 52200-30-07) and the European Regional Development Fund (Interreg). Declaration of Interests: All involved authors declare to have no competing interests.

Acute febrile illnesses occur frequently in Guinea. Acute fever itself is not a unique, hallmark indication (pathognomonic sign) of any one illness or disease. In the infectious disease context, fever's underlying cause can be a wide range of viral or bacterial pathogens, including the Ebola virus. In this study, molecular and serological methods were used to analyze samples from patients hospitalized with acute febrile illness in various regions of Guinea. This analysis was undertaken with the goal of accomplishing differential diagnosis (determination of causative pathogen) in such cases. As a result, a number of pathogens, both viral and bacterial, were identified in Guinea as causative agents behind acute febrile illness. In approximately 60% of the studied samples, however, a definitive determination could not be made.

Aim. To study the morpho-functional parameters of the heart in convalescents of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) using echocardiography. Material and methods . The study included 27 patients without any chronic diseases who had severe or moderate HFRS (the main group) within 3 weeks after their discharge from the infection diseases hospital. The reference group consisted of 19 patients comparable by age and gender, without any chronic diseases. Transthoracic echocardiography was the basic method of heart and hemodynamics investigation. The test was performed using tissue Doppler and non-Doppler assessment of left ventricle systolic deformation method (speckle-tracking method). Results. Violation of longitudinal systolic deformation of the left ventricle was observed in 15 (55.6%) patients, which was combined with diastolic left ventricle filling by the type of relaxation violation in 8 (29.6%) cases. Mitral valve insufficiency of 1 degree was identified in 11 (40.7%) HFRS patients, insufficiency of the tricuspid valve of 1 degree was identified in 4 (14.8%) patients. Pericardial effusion was detected in 2 (7.4%) patients. In 7 (25.9%) patients in the first 3 weeks after discharge from the hospital, additional floating echoes were detected on the leaves and fibrous ring of the aortic valve, which were considered as a manifestation of thromboendocarditis. Conclusion . Further investigation is necessary to assess the prognostic value (including the risk of thromboembolic complication developing) of the changes revealed in HFRS convalescents and to support the inclusion of echocardiography in the examination program during dispensary observation of HFRS-convalescents.

This article is dedicated to the analysis and generalization of the Russian and foreign research results on natural and climatic factors effect on the intensity of epidemic process manifestations and the natural focal infections pathogens vectors vital activity which are the most widespread in the Russian Federation. Over the past seven years tick-borne infections have been accounting for more than 50 per cent in the natural focal diseases general nosological structure. Among the diseases of this group Lyme borreliosis leads in prevalence and frequency of cases identification. Tick-borne viral encephalitis is still a serious danger for national health. Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever epidemiological situation remains unfavorable in the south of the European part of Russia. In addition to the annual patients identification, the demonstrable trend of shifting and expansion of the pathogen’s area in a northerly direction was established. It creates a risk for the spread of the Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus outside the southern regions of the country. High incidence of the dangerous vector-borne infection — West Nile fever — with the involvement of new subjects in the epidemic process and the emergence of local cases of infection in previously non-endemic territories is registered. Expansion of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome natural foci borders, which is the most widespread natural focal zoonosis of viral etiology in the Russian Federation and is the second by the frequency of patients identification after tick-borne infections, is noted. Research data for the dependence of the carriers pathogens number and the dynamics of the natural focal infections incidence on the values of climatic factors, confirmed using various methods of mathematical statistics (time-series analysis, autoregression integrated moving average, logistic regression, correlation analysis, one-way analysis of variance and other) were systematized. It was found that the temperature and humidity of the air and soil, the amount of precipitation, the height of the snow cover are the common abiotic factors for all of investigated infections. The values of these factors can be used for the subsequent epidemiological forecast. The further study of relationship between the incidence rate of the population, the number of arthropod vectors and small mammals with indicators of soil moisture and temperature at different depths, hydrothermal coefficient, normalized relative vegetation index, accumulated values of temperature and precipitation, as well as similar studies on other actual natural focal infections in the Russian Federation will be very promising.

Introduction. Borrelia miyamotoi is a pathogen causing erythema-free ixodid tick-borne borreliosis (ITBB), a disease widespread in Russia. The genome of B. miyamotoi contains genes of multiple variable major proteins (Vmps). Vmps fall into two families — Vsps and Vlps (with subfamilies δ, γ, α and β). At a particular time, a single B. miyamotoi expresses only one variant of Vmp gene.The purpose of the work is to develop a technique for identification of the Vmp present at the expression site.Materials and methods. The technique is designed in the format of a real-time multiplex PCR. It was tested by using B. miyamotoi DNA samples extracted from blood collected from 172 ITBB patients and 109 ticks. The samples were collected in 14 regions of Russia.Results. The new technique made it possible to identify the expressed Vmp in 82% of the examined samples, thus having demonstrated its efficiency. Negative results were much less often observed with samples from patients than with samples from ticks. At the same time, the percentage of samples with one type of Vmp is identical for clinical samples and ticks, while the percentage of samples containing concurrently two types of Vmps is significantly higher among samples from patients with the most frequent occurrence of the Vlp-δ and Vsp combination.Discussion. The frequent occurrence of the combination of two Vmp types in the blood samples can indicate the concurrent presence of several subpopulations of B. miyamotoi in ITBB patients. A new antigenic Vmp variant is synthesized after protective antibodies have been produced for the major protein of the strain transmitted by a tick. This phenomenon known as immune evasion allows the pathogen to persist within a host.Conclusion. The developed technique of real-time multiplex PCR allows to simultaneous detect of several antigenic variants of the variable basic surface proteins of B. miyamotoi. The study of the antigenic spectrum of B. miyamotoi strains in comparison with the characteristics of conserved regions of the genome by the method of multilocus sequencing will clarify the stages of evolution and distribution of B. miyamotoi sensu lato.

Purpose: analysis of the arbovirus infections incidence in the south of the European part of the Russian Federation in 2015–2019.Materials and methods. Data from statistical documentation (epidemiological examination of the infectious disease cases, reports on the arbovirus infections incidence) reported by Departments of Rospotrebnadzor to Scientific and Methodological Center for monitoring pathogens of infectious and parasitic diseases of 1–3 risk groups for subjects of the North Caucasian and Southern Federal Districts were analyzed. The obtained data were processed using Microsoft Excel 2010 program.Results. In the south of the European part of the Russian Federation Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF), West Nile fever (WNF), tick-borne viral encephalitis and dengue fever cases are registered annually.An expansion of the territory with registered epidemic manifestations of CCHF and WNF was noted, reflecting an increase in the area of circulation of their pathogens. An expansion of CCHF and WNF epidemic season with the involvement into the epidemic process of people from all age groups including young children was observed. Significant increase in number of imported cases of dengue fever was documented. Markers of tick-borne viral encephalitis, Batai, Inko, Sindbis, and Tyaginya fevers were detected in residents of a number of territories. A high levels of population humoral immunity to West Nile, Batai, Inko, Sindbis Tyaginya, Ukuniemi, Bhanja, Dkhori viruses were identified in the Astrakhan region.Conclusion. The data obtained indicate the need for epidemiological surveillance both for arbovirus infections with a pronounced epidemiological and clinical manifestations, and for infections, the proportion of which in the structure of infectious pathology in southern Russia has not been sufficiently studied, but carrying a potential risk of spreading.

Aim. Investigation of modern epizootic and epidemic situation on West Nile fever (WNF) in the south of the European part of the Russian Federation. Materials and methods. Data from statistical documentation (epidemiological survey of the infectious disease focus, annual summary reports over the period of 2009–2018) and epizootic monitoring data presented by the Rospotrebnadzor Administrations and the Centers of Hygiene and Epidemiology in the constituent entities of the Southern and the North Caucasian Federal Districts were used. Descriptive, analytical methods and retrospective epidemiological analysis were applied. Results and discusson. The activity of natural WNF focus in the south of the European part of the Russian Federation was confirmed by the results of the annual epizootiological monitoring and the annual epidemic manifestations of the disease. 74.15 per cent of the cases and all major WNF outbreaks in the country between 2009 and 2018 were noted in the territory of the southern region. Most of the patients (97.8 per cent) are registered in the Volgograd, Astrakhan and Rostov Regions. In other southern entities sporadic incidence (this represents 2.2 per cent of all WNF cases in the south of the Russian Federation) was noted. Less serious clinical forms of the disease without the damage of central nervous system were observed in most of WNF patients. Fatal outcomes were registered in 7 WNF patients (this represents 0.58 per cent of all cases) over the past 10 years. The significant expanding of the West Nile virus geographic area and activation of the natural foci of this infection in the south of the Russian Federation in 2009- 2018 has been established. The epizootic and epidemic WNF center is located in the Volgograd, Astrakhan and Rostov Regions. It was confirmed by persistent epizootic and epidemic instability in this territory. The modern epidemic WNF feature in the south of the European part of the Russian Federation during the 10-year survey period is the relatively low mortality (0.58 per cent).

Objective of the study was to determine the modern epidemiological peculiarities of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever in the south of the Russian Federation.Materials and methods. Data of statistical documentation (epidemiological survey of the infectious disease focus, annual summary reports dated 2010–2019) and epizootiologic monitoring data submitted by the Rospotrebnadzor Administrations and the Centers of Hygiene and Epidemiology in the constituent entities of the Southern and the North Caucasian Federal Districts were used. Descriptive, genetic, analytical methods and retrospective epidemiological analysis were applied.Results and discussion. The СCHF natural focus in the European south of Russia has an area of 815 thousand square kilometers and it is characterized by persistence, expansion of the territory, and circulation of CCHF virus European genotypes. CCHF virus genetic variants form the local overlapping populations. Over the period of 2010–2019 997 CCHF cases were registered. Moderate forms of the disease clinically prevailed (74.2 per cent). Hemorrhagic symptoms were noted in 29.3 % of patients. The lethal outcome of the disease was registered in 31 CCHF patients (3 %). Two cases of nosocomial infection were identified, nine health workers were infected by CCHF pathogen. The expansion of epizootically active territory of the CCHF natural focus is associated with the expansion of the Hyalomma marginatum ticks area northward due to the aridization of the steppes, in part because of global climate change. The stability of the CCHF virus population was noted. The epidemic core of the CCHF natural focus remains on the adjacent territory of the Rostov Region, Stavropol Territory and the Republic of Kalmykia. The higher efficiency of CCHF prevention measures on the territory of the core is stemming from the targetness and intensity of measures, contributing to the early seeking of medical care by patients, their early hospitalization which in its turn influenced the development of clinical manifestations and outcome of the disease, and also made it possible to minimize the CCHF nosocomial infections number, including those among the medical personnel.

Совместный анализ статистических данных, привязанных к единицам административно-территориального деления, и продуктов обработки спутниковой информации, а также метеорологических данных представляет интерес для выявления зависимостей, имеющихся между наблюдаемыми величинами.Интеграция статистических данных в информационные системы требует создания специальных средств автоматизированной обработки, архивации, разработки инструментов интерактивного анализа.Они обеспечивают приведение всех видов исходных данных к сопоставимому виду, агрегирование множества пространственно распределённых и повторяющихся во времени измерений к ряду интегральных характеристик.В работе представлены возможности решения данной задачи в рамках информационной системы «Вега-Science» (уникальная научная установка, входящая в Центр коллективного пользования