What priority area of science and technology does it correspond to: life sciences, new technologies for the prevention and treatment of the most common diseases.
Research: applied.
Future prospect: completed.
Research level: no analogues in Ukraine.
Availability of a patent: 2 patents of Ukraine.
What additional actions require further research: further funding is needed to conduct experimental studies to study the biological properties of circulating strains of F. tularensis holarctica and to introduce a system of molecular epidemiological monitoring of tularemia in Ukraine.
Brief description, advantages, further prospects for application.
The purpose of the scientific research is to develop and implement a system of molecular epidemiological monitoring of tularemia in Ukraine in practical healthcare institutions, to determine the biorisks associated with natural foci, and to create a national database of circulating genotypes of F. tularensis strains.
For the first time in Ukraine, priority studies were carried out on molecular genetic typing of a significant collection of F. tularensis holarctica (222 strains) isolated in natural foci of tularemia in various landscape and geographical zones (Polesie, Forest-Steppe, Steppe). Based on the use of MLVA (Multilocus VNTR Analysis), 48 genotypes (common, long-persistent, unique) were identified and the heterogeneity of the genotypic structure of the tularemia pathogen population was established. The first retrospective analysis of the genotypic and phenotypic (in vitro and in vivo) properties of F. tularensis holarctica strains revealed their diversity and characteristics of individual strains.
The activation, expansion and emergence of new territories of natural foci of tularemia in the Steppe and Polissya zones with the circulation of highly virulent strains of F.tularensis holarctica have been established, which is a threatening factor, especially against the background of the lack of vaccination of risk contingents and a decrease in antiepisis.
A scientifically based system of molecular epidemiological monitoring of tularemia in Ukraine has been developed, aimed at determining the degree of activity of natural foci, predicting possible epidemiological complications and ensuring timely response to a possible biothreat and taking the necessary anti-epidemic measures.
To introduce and implement an effective targeted system for the prevention of tularemia, which consists in preventing the occurrence of epizootic and epidemic complications, it is necessary to constantly monitor the epidemiological potential of natural foci and the structure of the pathogen population with the determination of epidemically significant highly virulent biovariants of F. tularen. This will make it possible to obtain objective dynamic information about the epizootic, epidemic situation in natural foci of tularemia and to coordinate and rationally plan preventive and anti-epidemic measures at the regional and national levels.
Continuation of priority topical research work, carried out using modern molecular biological technologies, only in the State Institution “UNDPCHI named after I.I. I.I. Mechnikov Ministry of Health of Ukraine”, suspended due to lack of funding.