The paper demonstrates results of FMD vaccine testing for their inability to induce antibodies to FMD virus non-structural proteins (FMDV NSP antibodies) in cattle at different dates post vaccination. Subtype A, O, Asia-1 and SAT-2 cultural FMD virus replicated in baby hamster kidney suspension culture (ВНК-21/2-17) was used for vaccine production. FMDV antigen was inactivated with aminoethyl ethylenimine solution, and the suspension was subsequently purified. Non NSP-purified preparation was made to simulate presence of NSPs in the vaccine. ELISA test-kits were used for testing cattle sera collected before and after immunization for presence of 3ABC polyprotein-specific antibodies. Inoculation of cattle with non-purified preparation induced antibodies specific to FMDV NSPs in 87.5% animals on day 30, in 75% animals on day 44 and in 62.5% animals on day 132 post third immunization. All tested vaccines manufactured by the FGBI “ARRIAH” were demonstrated to induce no FMDV NSP antibodies suggesting their complete removal from the virus-containing suspension.

Lumpy skin disease is a viral highly contagious emerging transboundary disease of cattle. The incubation period of lumpy skin disease lasts for 28 days. Virus is transmitted through skin, mucous membranes of respiratory, digestive organs and conjunctiva, then it enters into the lymph nodes where it replicates, and then it is transported along the body with blood. Animals excrete the virus with expired air, saliva, semen, milk, nasal and ocular discharges, and exudates. The first reported outbreak of lumpy skin disease occurred in Central Africa, Zambia, in 1929. Then the disease was reported in the northern part of the continent. In the last years lumpy skin disease tends to spread to the north-east and north-west from the historical areal of the virus. Rapid disease spread is observed in the countries of Middle East, Central Asia and European Union. From July 2012 to July 2016 the disease affected 18 countries and became spread in the Middle East and moved to the north. In 2015 the first reported outbreak of lumpy skin disease occurred in the territory of the Russian Federation. It became widely spread in the south of Russia. Lumpy skin disease spread in the territory of Turkey, Armenia and Azerbaijan pose a threat to the Russian Federation. The prevention of further disease spread in Asia and Europe require cooperation of veterinary specialists and international authorities.

The paper addresses the effect of complex of natural and socio-economical factors on epizootic anthrax spread in the Republic of Chad as the disease remains a significant problem for livestock farming. Moreover, incidence of anthrax in humans due to exposure to diseased animals is steadily increasing. There are three climatic zones in the country territory that differ in rainfall level, relief and farming system. Regional differences in territorial dependence of anthrax nidus activity as well as its cycling and seasonal character were detected. Influence of some natural and economical factors on epizootic situation was assessed. No anthrax cases in animals were reported in Saharan natural-climatic zone for the analyzed period. Therewith, there are about 460,000 cattle in this zone and no anti-anthrax measures are taken. This fact can be accounted for desert arid climate and absence of rainfalls in this natural-climatic zone. In Sahelo and Sudan zones anthrax outbreaks in cattle are regularly reported due to higher moisture levels especially during raining season. Performed studies were aimed at improvement of measures for anthrax prevention in the Republic of Chad.

H^t of occurrence of sheep and goat pox and peste des petits rum^nts requires development of new vaccines and improvement of available associated ones. Their administration allows for the reduction of vaccination time frames and cost. The study results demonstrated tat associated as well as monovalent virus vaccines against sheep pox, goat pox and peste des petits rum^nts have good antigenic properties. The vaccination induced high level of virus neutralizing antibodies against each of the above listed diseases and ensured formation of strong immunity tat is supported by the results of tallenge of sheep with virulent sheep pox virus (“Afghanistan” strain). In 14 and 21 days in blood of sheep immunized with the virus vaccine against sheep pox, goat pox and peste des petits rum^nts titres of antibodies against sheep pox virus ((4.17±0.12)-(4.84±0.31)) and PPR ((5.92±0.23)-(6.08±0.23)) were higher as compared to goat pox antibody titres ((1.99±0.89)-(3.53±0.58) log₂). Herewith, antibody titres in blood sera of animals vaccinated with monovalent vaccine against sheep pox were higher against homologous virus ((3.62±0.12)- (4.08±0.31)) as compared to goat pox ((2.50±0.50)-(2.25±0.25) log₂). The data demonstrate tat the associated vaccines may be used for preventive vaccination against sheep pox, goat pox and peste des petits rum^nts.

The review presents analysis of possible contaminations of food products at different production stages. It was demonstrated that to perform scientifically based assessment of food product contamination it is necessary not only to test for safety criteria stipulated in the regulatory framework where special attention is given to determination and rationing of pesticides, veterinary drugs, their metabolites, natural toxins, allergens and toxic chemical elements, dioxins and polychlorinated biphenyls. It is also important to consider the specificity of environmental load in the region and critical control points of the specific product manufacturing. It especially concerns the raw material processing stage which poses additional risk of contamination of the finished product both with technologically justified additives (during their uncontrolled use) as well as banned additives (e.g. melanin, used in melamine-formaldehyde resin production for plastic manufacturing, as colorant and fertilizer) as well as degradation products (nitrosamine, acrylamide, chlorpropanol appearing as a result of heat treatment). It should be noted that some chemical contaminants like chemical elements (plumbum, mercury, cadmium, arsenic) can get into food products at different stages of their production. This fact shall be taken into account during their content assessment. Feed can be a potential source of contamination of raw materials and animal food products as a result of bioaccumulation and transfer of toxic agents and their metabolites to meat, offal, milk and eggs. Total risk for humans will be determined basing not only on consumption of plant products containing toxins, but also on secondary contaminants (toxins and their metabolites) getting in to the body with food products and animal raw materials.

Rapid methods of testing are widely used in current laboratory practice. They enable to perform the analysis of animal raw materials and animal products much faster in comparison with classical methods. Different methods of rapid diagnosis were evaluated, and identification of Salmonella, Listeria monocytogenes, coliforms, QMAFAnM was performed. The following methods of analysis were used: fluorescent analysis, enzyme linked fluorescent assay (ELFA), and immunochromatographic assay. TEMPO® BMerieux system was used for quantitative determination of QMAFAnM and coliforms; VIDAS and miniVIDAS instruments were used for the diagnosis of Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes; immunochromatographic test-systems Singlepath were also used. All the used rapid methods have demonstrated high accuracy and specificity, they allow to shorten test time, and their results were confirmed by classical microbiological tests. 100 positive confirmed results were obtained from testing beef samples (10.8% of the total number of tests performed). 53 positive results were obtained in rapid test (confirmed by classical test), which makes 20.37% of the total number of tests performed. 56 positive confirmed results were obtained from testing cattle viscera using classical tests (12.6%). 13 samples tested positive using rapid test (13%). The used rapid tests are timesaving, demonstrate high accuracy and specificity, enable to trace measurements; tools are easy to use and maintain, and reagents have a long shelf life.

The carried out research revealed negative impact of chronic T-2 toxin intoxication on immune status of white rats vaccinated against Salmonellosis. This is illustrated by erythropoiesis inhibition and amenia development. The immunized animals and animals chronically exposed to T-2 toxin typically demonstrate a decrease in the number of erythrocytes by 13% and in the level of hemoglobin by 9.6% due to reduced hemolotic action of xenobiotics and hematopoiesis depression. The use of aminoseleton in the vaccination scheme enhances adaptive immunity and natural resistance of the organism under these conditions. On day 30 post vaccination the vaccinated rats demonstrated an increase (in comparison to the control animals) in the number of erythrocytes - by 14.1%; hemoglobin - by 11.7%, number of leukocytes - by 6.5%, absolute number of segmentonuclear neutrophils - by 23%, immature neutrophils - by 11.1%. It is related to active formation of neutrophils in the marrow and their further migration to the blood circulation system for phagocytosis. The detected morphological changes in blood of the vaccinated and exposed animals suggest hematological disorder associated with T-2 toxicosis demonstrated as erythropoiesis inhibition and leucopenia. Decrease in specific humoral immunity and natural resistance caused by chronic T-2 toxicosis following experimental infection with Salmonella cholerae suis had a negative effect on the animal lifetime and safety.

Rabies is one of the most pressing challenges for human and veterinary medicine. Lyssavirus genus comprises classical rabies virus and 13 other genotypes the most of which were isolated from bats. Updated information on taxonomy and phylogenetic and antigenic relationship of lyssaviruses are given in the review. The first phylogenetic group includes Rabies lyssavirus, Duvenhage lyssavirus, European bat lyssavirus type 1 and 2, Australian bat lyssavirus, Bokeloh bat lyssavirus, Aravan lyssavirus, Khujand lyssavirus and Irkut lyssavirus. The second phylogenetic group includes Lagos bat lyssavirus, Mokola lyssavirus and Shimoni bat lyssavirus. Cross serological neutralization within these two phylogenetic groups and limited cross neutralization between these two phylogenetic groups were revealed. West Caucasian bat lyssavirus is classified to the third phylogenetic group whereas Ikoma lyssavirus is classified to the fourth one. Lleida virus recently isolated from bats in Spain supposedly belongs to the fourth group. The most of rabies cases in humans and animals are caused by classical rabies virus (Rabies lyssavirus). Available anti-rabies vaccines protect from lyssaviruses of the first group but do not protect from viruses of other phylogenetic groups. That's why further investigations of recovered rabies isolates and new vaccine development are of great importance.

The paper provides characteristics of diagnostic methods, treatment and preventive measures for staphylococcal infection in dogs. Staphylococcal infection in dogs is an infectious disease caused primarily by staphylococcus virulent strains, characterized by various clinical forms, and it affects the dogs having defects in their immune system. Staphylococci produce a great number of pathogenicity factors (including toxins able to act independently). Therefore, it is rather difficult to apply tools of specific protection and prophylaxis. Skin and mucosa inflammation is the most common pathological condition observed in dogs. Clinical signs include: chronic septic condition with internal abscesses, different skin lesions accompanied by conjunctivitis, otitis, vulvitis, posthitis, rhinitis, sinusitis, cystitis, phlegmon, abscesses, pyometra, wound abscess, polyarthritis, gingivitis. In addition to the pathological agent, the following extra factors are needed for the disease clinical manifestation: immune deficiency, metabolic disorder, parasitic disease, manipulations resulting in damage to the skin and mucosa integrity. The fact that domestic animals can be a source of infection for people can be another reason behind an increasing interest in staphylococcal infection. A comprehensive approach is required to diagnose this disease. In addition to clinical examination, the following tests are needed biochemical blood test, bacteriological tests of biomaterials from animals, isolation of pure agent cultures and determination of sensitivity to antibacterial preparations in every particular case. Bacteriological tests are mandatory to make the final diagnosis. Treatment of dogs also requires a comprehensive approach including specific immunotherapy (active, with the use of anatoxins and antigens and passive with antistaphylococcal hyperimmune sera). Timely prevention and new approaches to treatment are crucial elements.

Cadmium, arsenic, plumbum and mercury content in organs and tissues of the Baltic Sea fish was analyzed. Characteristics of toxic elements dissemination in organs and tissues of the following fish species: freshwater fish (redeye Scardinius erythrophthalmus, bream Abramis brama, perch Perca fluviatilis, cat fish Silurus glanis, crucian carp Carassius carassius, tench Tinca tinca, white bream Blicca bjorkna, pike Esox lucius) and sea fish (mackerel Scombers combrus, herring Clupea harengus membras, salmon Salmo salar, poutassou Micromesistius, cod Gadus morhua callarias, Baltic sprat Sprattus sprattus balticus), as well as species specificity in accumulation of elements under study were identified. It was determined that tested organs (liver) and tissues (muscles) accumulate different toxic elements to a different extent. Cd, Pb, As, Hg content of in fish organs and tissues does not exceed MRL. Their distribution in a fish body is unequal and depends on functional characteristics of organs, cumulative activity and element chemical properties. Among the tested tissues the greatest ability to accumulate was observed in phytophages and benthophages which is caused by high content of toxic elements in their diet. The next are predatory fish species due to of their diet peculiarities. High Cd, As, Pb, Hg content in fish is indicative of their considerable concentration in habitat, accumulation in food chains and functional deficiencies in the ecosystem.

The paper demonstrates results obtained during development of tools for performance evaluation of the veterinary services (PVS) of the Subjects of the Russian Federation. Algorithm of evaluation of the regional veterinary services was described basing on the results of their activities aimed at disease freedom assurance. Such evaluation was based on the analysis and assessment of epidemic situation. The algorithm of PVS evaluation involves subsequent stages involving assessment of epidemic situation on transboundary animal diseases, assessment of epidemic situation on economically and socially significant animal diseases, determination of actual efficacy of anti-epidemic measures, specification of retrospective category and formation of consolidated evaluation of the actual anti-epidemic activities. Four levels of effective performance are specified by one of the following retrospective categories: short-term, mid-term and long-term. An additional characteristic (retrospective review) will allow answering the question on how time-constant such achieved performance level is. Results of the veterinary service performance analysis made according to the described methods may be both part of a complex system and independent evaluation performed on the regional/subfederal level or it may be used for the country regionalization for some diseases and for risk analysis made for international trade purposes.