Vol 59, No 5 (2014)

The full-length genome of the unclassified Geran virus (GERV, strain LEiV-10899Az) isolated from the ticks (Ornithodoros verrucosus Olenev, Zasukhin and Fenyuk, 1934 (Argasidae, Ornithodorinae)) collected in the burrow of the red-tailed gerbils (Meriones (Cricedidae) erythrourus Grey, 1842) near the Geran station (Azerbaijan) was sequenced using the next-generation approach (GenBank ID: KF801649). it was shown that the GERV is a new representative of the Nairovirus genus (family Bunyaviridae). The comparative analysis of the full-length genome sequences of the GERV with other nairoviruses showed that the highest level of homology (55.6% for N protein (s-segment) of 54.2% for the polyprotein Gn/Gc (M-segment) and 74.8% for the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (L-segment)) GERV had with the Chim virus (CHIMV) that is also associated with the shelters biocenoses (rodent burrows) in Central Asia and was previously assigned to the Qalyub virus group (QYBV). Comparing the GERV with the QYBV sequences (partial sequence 413 n.o. of RdRp gene) revealed a high level of homology: 74.3 and 97.4% for the nucleotide and amino acid sequences, respectively. The data obtained in this work provided an opportunity to classify the GERV to the QYBV group; the Nairovirus genus, to the family Bunyaviridae.

The complete genome of Uzun-Agach virus (UZAV), isolated from the liver of Myotis blythii oxygnathus (Monticelli, 1885 (Chiroptera; Vespertilionidae)) bats in Alma-Ata district (Kazakhstan) in 1977 have been sequenced. Based on full-length genome comparison it is shown that UZAV is a new member of the Nairovirus genus (family Bunyaviridae). L-segment and M-segments of UZAV have 69,3% and 64,1% identity with Issyk-Kul virus (ISKV) that also was isolated from bats. S-segment of UZAV have 99,6% identity with the same of ISKV. This allow us to claim that UZAV is a reassortant virus that have S-segment derived from ISKV, and L- and M- segments from another virus that is phylogenetically related to ISKV, but divergent from it. The obtained data that the reassortment between ISKV and UZAV exists in nature suggest that they cocirculated in one ecological niche (bats of the Vespertilionidae family) and the areal of UZAV may coincide with the areal of ISKV.

Influenza virus is a leading causing factor of infectious respiratory human pathology. The search and development of novel anti-influenza drugs with a wide spectrum of activity is an important goal for medical science. in addition to specific anti-viral activity of the compound, its way of application is of great importance. in this work, we present the results of the study of the activity of a combination of glutamyl-tryptophan with glycirrhyzic acid (GTGA) against oseltamivir-resistant strain of the virus A/Vladivostok/2/09 (H1N1) at per os application on the model of the lethal influenza infection in white mice. The application of the GTGA was shown to decrease the specific mortality of animals (index of protection 43-50%), to increase the mean day of death to 2.5-3.9 days, and to reduce the infectious titer of the virus in the lung tissue to 1.5-1.9 lg EID 50/20 mg. The corresponding values for the reference compound oseltamivir were 14-25 %, 1.1-1.9 days and 0.7 lg EID 50/20 mg, respectively, depending on the dose of the virus. The use of the GTGA also led to a reliable increase of the titers of interferon in the blood from 44.3 to 66.3 ME/mL. Morphological analysis revealed that GTGA lead to normalization of the structure of the lung tissue restricting the level of the cytodestruction and inflammation. The results obtained in this work allow the combination studied to be suggested as a promising anti-influenza drug that is active against the drugresistant virus strains and can be applied orally.

Diagnostic properties of new monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) to hexon adenovirus antigen (AB) monoclonal ELISA kit for early diagnosis of adenoviral infection were tested. Developed ELISA kit and FITC-conjugate of new monoclonal antibodies for immunofluorescent analysis were used for detection of different types of adenoviruses in clinical materials. The availability of their use in clinical and epidemiological practice was validated.