Epidemiology and Infectious Diseases

Peer-review medical journal

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About

Launch Year: 1996

The journal covers issues of diagnosis, treatment and prevention of infectious diseases.

Special attention is devoted to clinical analyses of diagnostically difficult cases, analysis of epidemics, new diagnostic and treatment methods, and epidemiological situation in Russia and the rest of the world. The journal publishes official documents issued by the Russian Ministry of Healthcare, Russian Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing, societies for infectiologists, epidemiologists, microbiologists and parasitologists as well as information on meetings, symposia, and conferences in Russia and the rest of the world.

The journal is aimed at a wide spectrum of researchers and practicing specialists focusing on diagnosis, treatment and prevention of infectious diseases: epidemiologists, infectiologists, microbiologists, primary care physicians, and family medicine specialists.

Indexation

  • Russian Science Citation Index (on WoS)
  • CrossRef
  • Google Scholar
  • Ulrich’s International Periodicals Directory
  • WorldCat

Types of accepted articles

  • plain reviews
  • systematic reviews and metaanalysis
  • results of original research (experimental, clinical, epidemiological
  • clinical cases and series of clinical cases
  • short communications
  • letters to the editor

Publications

  • regular issues bimonthly, 6 issues per year
  • articles — continuously online (Online First)
  • with NO APC (free of charge for all authors)
  • in Russian and English
  • in hybrid access mode — by subscription or in Open Access with CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 license  (authors are welcome for Optional Open Access (see more)

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Current Issue

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Vol 28, No 6 (2023)

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ORIGINAL STUDIES

The role of genetic variants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in forming of intra-annual increases in the incidence of COVID-19 in Perm Region
Sergevnin V.I., Isaeva I.S., Rozhkova M.V., Markovich N.I.
Abstract

BACKGROUND: The causes of intra-annual increases in COVID-19 incidence remain insufficiently studied.

AIM: This study aimed to investigate the role of genetic variants of SARS-CoV-2 in intra-annual increases of COVID-19 incidence in the Perm region.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: The monthly dynamics of COVID-19 morbidity and mortality of the population of the Perm region from March 2020 to December 31, 2022 was assessed. The analysis of the monthly frequency of isolation of patients with different genetic variants of SARS-CoV-2 was conducted based on the study results of 2,592 samples from patients in the Perm region performed by specialized laboratories of research institutes in Russia between March 2021 and December 2022. The assessment of the incidence of IgG antibodies to coronavirus among the population was provided according to blood serum studies of 14,006 people.

RESULTS: In 2020–2022, 4 rises in the incidence of COVID-19 were detected in the Perm region against the background of the emergence of new genetic variants of the pathogen, mainly Alpha, Delta, and Omicron. Increases in COVID-19 incidence and a change in the genetic structure of the pathogen were observed despite an increase in the proportion of people with SARS-CoV-2 IgG in the blood serum. Against the background of the third and fourth increases in morbidity, when the Omicron genotype acquired the leading etiological significance, the infection fatality rate decreased significantly.

CONCLUSIONS: Intra-annual increases in COVID-19 incidence are largely associated with changes in the genetic structure of the pathogen and are observed despite an increase in the number of people among the population with IgG to SARS-CoV-2 in the blood serum.

Epidemiology and Infectious Diseases. 2023;28(6):343-352
pages 343-352 views
Analysis of long-term dynamics of morbidity by the method of complex assessment at different territorial levels
Savilov E.D., Khromova P.A., Shugaeva S.N., Oryshchak S.E., Sinkov V.V., Ogarkov O.B.
Abstract

BACKGROUND: A comparative epidemiological analysis of the primary incidence of tuberculosis was performed using its standard approach with a generalized indicator that considers the main statistical criteria for incidence. The “sensitivity” of the method may vary depending on the population from analyzed territories.

AIM: This study aimed to perform a comparative assessment of the epidemiology of tuberculosis (TB) in different territories based on the standard incidence rate and modified method of its integral assessment.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective study of the dynamics of the incidence of tuberculosis in the total population from the federal districts (FD) of Russia and participants from the Siberian Federal District (SFD) and urban municipalities of the Irkutsk Region (a structural unit of the SFD) between 2005 and 2019 was performed. Based on the obtained integral indicators, a generalized visibility coefficient was calculated.

RESULTS: A significant decrease in the incidence of TB was found in all patients from FD and SFD participants. Assessment of the average long-term incidence rates showed that the maximum discrepancy between ranking places was inversely proportional to the size of the studied territories: 1.5 positions, at the level of the FD; two positions, at the level of regional formations; and five positions, at the level of urban settlements.

CONCLUSIONS: The integral assessment method can be used in the primary analysis of morbidity in all types of infectious and noninfectious pathologies. The generalized morbidity criterion expands the informative possibilities of the standard indicator, contributes to the substantiation of risk areas at the initial stages of epidemiological analysis, and responds more “sensitively” to changes in the epidemiological situation in relatively small areas.

Epidemiology and Infectious Diseases. 2023;28(6):353-362
pages 353-362 views

REVIEW ARTICLES

On the role and perspectives of diagnostic improvement of infectious diseases in forensic medical practice
Burdova E.Y., Minaeva P.V., Kozhevnikova G.M.
Abstract

Postmortem verification of an infectious disease in forensic medical practice is crucial in solving several problems faced by both the doctor conducting the examination and healthcare system, from the regional to the international level. This review presents an analysis of scientific studies on the possibilities of postmortem diagnosis of infectious diseases. Foreign and domestic experience of forensic doctors in conditions of the threat and spread of highly contagious diseases and emerging infections is shown, as well as an overview of approaches to organizing safe working environment in the forensic medical examination bureau.

Epidemiology and Infectious Diseases. 2023;28(6):363-372
pages 363-372 views

TECHNICAL REPORTS

Flu yesterday, today and tomorrow. The results of monitoring immunization and morbidity in the epidemic seasons 2019–2020, 2020–2021, 2021–2022, 2022–2023
Nikiforov V.V., Polibin R.V., Suranova T.G., Polezhaeva N.A.
Abstract

BACKGROUND: This study presents the epidemiological characteristics of influenza in the last four influenza seasons across the years 2019–2023 The analysis of vaccination and morbidity monitoring data have shown the high effectiveness of influenza vaccine prophylaxis. The influenza vaccines registered in Russia are considered, and their features, composition, and advantages are indicated. Recommendations for their use are provided, including aspects of vaccination of persons belonging to risk groups.

AIM: This study aimed to analyze the epidemiological features of influenza seasons in 2019–2020, 2020–2021, 2021–2022, and 2022–2023, and evaluate the effectiveness of domestic influenza vaccines in mass immunization of the Russian population.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Information from the official website of the Research Institute of Influenza of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, data from the state report “On the State of Sanitary and Epidemiological Welfare of the Population in the Russian Federation” for 2021 and 2022, materials from conferences and congresses on influenza, and information and analytical certificates from the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation were evaluated. Monitoring included the rapid collection, analysis, synthesis of information on immunization in the Russian Federation (in different age, social, and professional groups of the population), and analysis of influenza incidence, among others. Preventive effectiveness was determined by the following indicators: morbidity per 100,000 population, efficiency index (K) expressed in conventional units (units), and efficiency coefficient (protection) (E) expressed in %.

RESULTS: The COVID-19 pandemic had significantly affected the quantitative characteristics of seasonal influenza epidemics. In the influenza seasons 2020–2021 and 2021–2022, the predominance of the SARS-CoV-2 virus resulted in the temporary “displacement” of influenza viruses from the human population, and influenza incidence decreased to a historical minimum (0.07 per 100,000 population) in 2020–2021. In the epidemic season 2022–2023, high activity of influenza viruses was noted with the continued high coverage of immunization against influenza in the Russian Federation population (52.8%). The incidence rate of influenza in 2022–2023 was 60.80 per 100,000 people. The incidence among those vaccinated was only 4.23 per 100,000 people, which confirms the effectiveness of vaccination. The etiological structure was dominated by the influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 virus. Of 149,000 cases of registered influenza (with laboratory confirmation, 136,600 cases), 3,276 people (2% of the number of cases) were vaccinated. Most patients had concomitant diseases.

CONCLUSIONS: In the post-pandemic period, against the background of simultaneous circulation of influenza viruses and SARS-CoV-2, an increase in morbidity, caused primarily by influenza A viruses, is expected. Seasonal vaccination is a strategy to ensure the protection of the population from influenza. Annual immunization against influenza with coverage of at least 40% of all social and professional groups of the population remains effective in reducing the severe forms of diseases and mortality. Vaccination helps avoid an increase in morbidity and mass hospitalization and thus significantly reduces the burden on the healthcare system. Special attention should be paid to vaccination of pregnant, people aged >60 years and patients with chronic diseases.

Epidemiology and Infectious Diseases. 2023;28(6):373-386
pages 373-386 views

CASE REPORTS

Malignant anthrax in Russian Federation in 2023: two case reports
Nikiforov V.V., Sorokina N.A.
Abstract

Malignant anthrax is a serious health and agricultural problem in Russia. Since 1900, >70,000 outbreaks of infection among people and animals have been reported in Russia. Adequate veterinary measures have led to a decrease in the level of morbidity in livestock, which is the main causative agent. Moreover, the incidence of human illness has decreased, which is greatly facilitated by routine immunization of the population exposed to occupational risk of infection. However, despite the measures taken, epizootics and epidemic foci of anthrax are registered annually. As a result, anthrax occur often among residents of these areas.

This study discusses the modern course of the cutaneous form of anthrax, which was analyzed during the treatment of patients from two foci of anthrax infection in the Voronezh region in August–October 2023. The novelty of this observation lies in the opportunity to present to readers the evolution of skin changes in the carbunculus variety of cutaneous anthrax from the early stages of ulcerative process development to almost complete recovery.

Epidemiology and Infectious Diseases. 2023;28(6):387-400
pages 387-400 views
A case of tonsillitis caused by parasitization of Clinostomum complanatum
Kozlov S.S., Ermakova L.A., Turitsin V.S., Zotova M.A.
Abstract

Trematode Clinostomum complanatum Rudolphi 1814 is a common helminth of fish-eating birds and is widespread worldwide. Larvae of this parasite live in freshwater fish. Clinostomiasis cases are rare but can occur in people who eat thermally untreated freshwater fish. We describe a case of clinostomosis in a resident of the Tambov region in Russia. The first signs of the disease developed on day 3 after eating river fish (perch). In the next 2 days, the symptoms intensified. After examination of the oropharynx, five species of C. complanatum were removed, and the patient recovered.

Epidemiology and Infectious Diseases. 2023;28(6):401-406
pages 401-406 views
Lethal case of lung gangrene against the background of viral-bacterial pneumonia (COVID-19 and Fusobacteria)
Alpidovskaya O.V.
Abstract

The respiratory system is the main target of COVID-19 infection spread by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. This study presents a case of viral–bacterial pneumonia caused by SARS-CoV-2 and Fusobacteria complicated by the development of gangrene in the lower lobe of the right lung with abscess formation. Accompanied by an ambulance team for emergency reasons, the patient was admitted for inpatient treatment with complaints of pain when coughing, dyspnea, cough with mucopurulent sputum, and fever up to 39.6°С. Chest computed tomography revealed signs of viral–bacterial pneumonia. Infiltration was determined in the lower lobe of the right lung, against which a cavity with melting lung tissue was observed. A virological test of throat and nasal swabs detected SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus RNA. Despite treatment, the patient died. Autopsy revealed signs of viral–bacterial pneumonia, a decaying cavity with purulent content, and diffuse destructive changes with hemorrhages. The cause of death of the patient was COVID-19, which caused bilateral viral–bacterial pneumonia complicated by the development of gangrene in the lower lobe of the right lung with abscess formation.

Epidemiology and Infectious Diseases. 2023;28(6):407-412
pages 407-412 views


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