The present study aimed to assess antibody seropositivity prevalence among symptomatic individuals and individuals with a high risk of occupational exposure to SARS-CoV-2. Participants from Chelyabinsk (Russian Federation) who were at an increased risk of exposure to SARS-CoV-2 (high-risk group, n = 1091) and participants who either had symptoms consistent with COVID-19 or were suspected to have experienced COVID-19 in the past (symptomatic group, n = 692) were enrolled between 28 September and 30 December 2020. Blood samples were tested by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay D-5501 SARS-Cov-2-IgG-EIA-BEST and D-5502 SARS-Cov-2-IgM-EIA-BEST (AO Vector-Best, Novosibirsk, Russia). The overall seropositivity rate was 28.33–28.53%. SARS-CoV-2 antibodies were detected in 17.23% (adjusted prevalence of 17.17–17.29%) of participants in the high-risk and 45.95% (adjusted prevalence of 45.91–46.24%) in the symptomatic group. Higher IgG and IgM titers were observed in women compared to men, as well as in participants in the symptomatic group compared to those in the high-risk group. The results indicate that the seroprevalence among residents in several Russian regions is low (28.38%) and inadequate to provide herd immunity. The lower seroprevalence among participants in the high-risk group may be attributed to the enforcement of healthcare protocols and the use of adequate personal protective equipment.

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Резюме. Изучали состояния системы регуляции лейкоцитов у больных бронхиальной астмой в ста-дию ремиссии при помощи CD-типирования лимфоцитов, исследовали гуморальное и фагоцитарные звенья иммунитета, оценивали данные бронхоальвеолярного лаважа, определяли уровни спонтанной продукции цитокинов (IL-4, IL-1β, IL-10 и IFNγ) в супернатантах цельной крови и в бронхоальвео-лярном лаваже в сравнении с контролем. Первая группа -больные бронхиальной астмой смешан-ной формы (аллергической и инфекционно-зависимой), легкой степени тяжести в стадию ремиссии. Контрольная группа -16 человек, условно здоровые лица. Полученные данные показали, что уже на ранней стадии развития бронхиальной астмы формируются элементы хронического воспалительно-го процесса, которые характеризуются накоплением различных воспалительных клеток, таких как эозинофилы, нейтрофилы, альвеолярные макрофаги и моноциты, на местном уровне, одновремен-но происходят изменения в Т-, В-лимфоцитарном и фагоцитарном звеньях системного уровня. Все это является основой для изменения характера и количества продуцируемых цитокинов. Также вы-явлено, что характер секреции цитокинов периферической крови идентичен характеру секреции их в легочной ткани.Ключевые слова: бронхиальная астма, CD-типирование, бронхоальвеолярный лаваж, цитокины. Ryabova L.V., Zurochka A.V., Khaidukov S.V. LOCAL AND SYSTEMIC IMMUNE MECHANISMS OF CHRONIC INFLAMMATION IN THE PATIENTS WITH MILD BRONCHIAL ASTHMAAbstract. A study of leukocyte regulation system in a remission stage of bronchial asthma (BA) patients included following tests: CD-typing of lymphocytes, investigations in humoral and phagocytic mechanisms of immunity, evaluation of bronchoalveolar lavage characteristics, measurements of spontaneous production of IL-4, IL-1β, IL-10 and IFNγ cytokines in whole blood supernates and bronchoalveolar lavage, as compared with control samples. The first group represented mild-stage, mixed-type BA patients (both allergy-and infection-dependent), being in remission state. The second (control) group consisted of sixteen conditionally healthy patients.The results have shown that, even at early stages of BA development, some components of chronic inflammatory process are formed. They could be characterized as accumulation of different inflammatory cells, i.e., eosinophils, neutrophils, alveolar macrophages and monocytes at the local level. In parallel, some changes in T-, B-subpopulations and phagocytic compartment occur at systemic level. All these events comprise a basis for changes in type and quantity of the cytokines produced. It was established that the profile of cytokine secretion in peripheral blood is identical to the cytokine secretion profile in lung tissue.

Treatment of chronic viral infections accompanied by permanent virus persistence in the target epitopes of the oral cavity, skin, urogenital tract is complicated by virtual lack of available drugs exerting combined systemic virulicidal and immunomodulatory effects. Here we demonstrate clinical and immunological efficacy of combined therapy in treatment of Epstein–Barr virus (EBV)-associated chronic infections. The aim of the study was to evaluate the clinical and immunological efficacy of combined etiopathogenetic therapy using the Acegram cosmetic product in patients with EBV-associated chronic infections. Materials and methods. There were enrolled 40 patients monitored before treatment as well as 20 patients followed up after combination therapy (cycle therapy consisted of oral valaciclovir (Valtrex) applied at dose of 500 μg twice a day for 10 days, glucosaminylmuramyldipeptide (Licopid) — 10 mg 2 twice a day for 10 days, topical irrigation for mucous membranes with granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor active center-derived peptide (Acegram-spray) 3 times a day for 10 days. If necessary, treatment courses were repeated 20 days after the onset. All patients were examined for the presence of EBV genomes in the oral fluid and blood using the qualitative and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using the DNA technology test system (Russia) on a DT-Lite device prior treatment and 30, 60 days post-therapy time points. In addition, serum samples were analyzed for level of class G immunoglobulins specific to the EBV nuclear and capsid antigens by using enzyme immunoassay (test systems manufactured by CJSC Vector Best, Russia) as well as immune status (clinical methods, enu flow cytometry evaluation of the phagocytic activity of neutrophils, ELISA method). Results. Use of single or two course combination therapy in subjects with fully eradicated EBV carriage associated with reversed clinical symptoms was accompanied by recovered immune system status (T and B cells, T-helper cells, CD3+ CD25+  cells, phagocytosis parameters). A non-invasive approach proposed for controlling virus elimination in the oral fluid by using polymerase chain reaction method may serve as to objectively monitor therapeutic efficacy.