Introduction. Currently, there is a steadily increasing trend in losses due to flooding. Nevertheless, global warming, followed by an inevitable overuse of river valleys might further contribute to an increase in the frequency and destructive power of floods. It is quite important to trace the cause and effect chain of the economic, social and ecological impacts during the flood hazard. Material and methods. A bibliographic research was carried out by using historical and descriptive methods based on the keywords, underlining the medical, social and economic significance of the present issue. Results. There are 57 natural lakes and about 3 400 artificial water reservoirs found on the territory of the Republic of Moldova, including 90 amounting to over 1 million m3 per each. The accumulation basins help in preventing and combating overflows and flooding during spring and summer periods. Most of the dams do not comply with the technical norms, as they do not have channels of respite and drainage, thus, a dam failure on top dike might generate the collapse of the others at the lower watercourse, resulting in disastrous consequences. Therefore, individual health protection measures and appropriate population behaviour are vitally important in catastrophic floods. Conclusions. Over the last decades, the floods occurring in the Republic of Moldova have conditioned the need to increase interventions for prevention and reduction of both economic and human losses both at national and international levels.

Introduction. The varicella vaccine introduction in the National immunization schedule is planned in Russia by 2020. Since 2013, vaccination against chicken-pox has been carried out according to epidemiological indications and as part of regional immunization program in some regions. Material and methods. A descriptive epidemiological study has been carried out to assess the current epidemiological features of chicken-pox in Russia. A retrospective analysis of the incidence distribution in the time, age and territorial aspects was carried out, as well as taking into consideration the number of doses administered to certain population groups. Materials for research include the official data on the incidence of chicken-pox and quantity of varicella vaccine doses administered in 2006-2018 in the country in general, and in two megalopolises – Moscow and St. Petersburg. Results. It is established that long-term and seasonal recurrence, the age structure and the epidemic nature of chicken-pox incidence did not change in comparison with the prevaccinal period due to low vaccination coverage of the children in country scales. On the example of the program in Moscow, it is shown that vaccination before attendance at childcare allowe to reduce imunizationdncidence of children at the age of 3-6 years. However, a long-term epidemiological effect was not achieved due to incomplete vaccination coverage of the entire cohort of children. Conclusions. When introducing vaccination, it is necessary to strengthen the epidemiological surveillance of chicken-pox and its vaccine prophylaxis in order to timely respond to unfavourable trends of shift in the age of chicken-pox occurrence.

Introduction. Viral hepatitis C (HCV) is a significant global health problem. The risk of developing chronic HCV is up to 80% of patients, of whom 10-20% can develop liver cirrhosis or hepatocellular carcinoma which can lead to death. Treatment with direct-acting antiviral agents (DAAs) contributes to a sustained virological response (SVR) in 97-99% of cases. Material and methods. The study was conducted on 206 patients with chronic HCV who underwent two generic antiviral agent therapies: group I (103) – Sofosbuvir 400 mg + Ledipasvir 80 mg, whereas group II (103) – Sofosbuvir 400 mg + Daclatasvir 60 mg orally, once a day, for 12 weeks. The assessment of hepatitis C virus RNA and genotype, as well as the degree of hepatic fibrosis by Fibroscan, biochemical and complete blood count (CBC) indices, were carried out. Results. The study results showed a high efficacy of the generic DAAs treatment in patients with chronic HCV over 12 weeks. The SVR rate made up 90.3% in Sofosbuvir + Ledipasvir therapy and 86.4% – in Sofosbuvir + Daclatasvir. Similar treatment response was recorded in naive patients and those who previously underwent unsuccessful treatment with Pegylated Interferon and Ribavirin. The DAAs treatment showed the following minor adverse reactions: asthenia, headache, sleep disorder, and nausea, which did not require treatment discontinuation. Conclusions. The 12-week course of DAAs therapy exhibited a high SVR rate in both chronic HCV naive patients and those previously treated with Pegylated Interferon and Ribavirin.

Introduction. Many rodent species are important pests for agriculture and for urban areas. The long-eared owl is a predator that exerts constant pressure on rodent density. Material and methods. The studies were performed in winters of 2011-2013 in the cities of Chisinau and Bacau, where 599 and 82 pellets of Asio otus were collected, respectively. The prey items were identified from cranial bones extracted from pellets. Results. Long-eared owl’s diet in both sites consists of mammals and birds, with rodents being the dominant trophic component. The Microtus species were the main prey with the abundance =70% in both sites. In Chisinau a high proportion of Mus species was registered in the diet. The total biomass of prey constituted 43 953 g in Chisinau and 7 038 in Bacau. The highest biomass belongs to Microtus species, with 31 710 g and 5 220 g, respectively. The trophic niche width in Chisinau constituted 0.089 and varied monthly from 0.058 to 0.28. In Bacau the WTNs was of 0.134 and varied slightly among the study months. Conclusions. The rodents were the main trophic source and constituted =96% in both sites. The prey diversity was higher in Chisinau, that was due to a larger city territory and to a higher number of wintering long-eared owls. The close values of trophic niche width in Chisinau and Bacau confirmed the high hunting specialization of the long-eared owl.

Introduction. Antimicrobial resistance is a global public health problem that the world is facing today. Material and methods. Isolation and identification of Salmonella spp. were performed according to DSTU EN 12824: 2004; DSTU ISO 18593: 2006 standards; Nutrient media were manufactured in accordance with DSTU EN ISO 11133: 2014 standard. The antibiotic susceptibility of cultures was determined by the disk diffusion method. The research findings were both studied and interpreted in accordance with EUCAST recommendations. Results. Out of 10 samples (material was obtained from animals, humans and foods), 10 cultures of Salmonella spp. were isolated and analyzed. The cultures were mainly susceptible to semisynthetic and inhibitor-protected penicillins, cephalosporins, carbapenems and more often to tetracyclines, macrolides, lincosamides. Most Salmonella spp. strains were intermediate susceptibility to aminoglycosides, 30% of Salmonella spp. strains were susceptible to pefloxacin (II) and only 10% were susceptible to ciprofloxacin (II). Conclusions. The obtained data indicate the screening feasibility of antibiotic susceptibility of Salmonella spp. including a wide range of tested drugs, which may be important in determining the antibiotic therapy.

Introduction. Representatives of the genus Staphylococcus spp. cause a significant proportion of diseases in animals and humans. Nowadays the problem of their acquired antibiotic resistance is an urgent concern. Material and methods. Isolation and identification of Staphylococcus spp. carried out in accordance with DSTU EN 6888:2003 standard. The susceptibility of the strains to antibiotics was determined by the disk diffusion method. Interpretation of the results was carried out in accordance with the recommendations of the 8th version of EUCAST. Results. 77 strains of Staphylococcus spp. Collected from sows at the farm No. 2, were isolated: hemolytic properties were detected in 90.6% (39 coagulases positive and 19 coagulase negative); 22 (56.4%) strains of coagulase-negative Staphylococcus spp.; 13.6% of isolates had hemolytic properties. The results of antibiograms of crops from the farm No.1: 51.8% of strains were susceptibile to penicillin, 47.6% – resistant; 13.62 – susceptibile to fluoroquinolones, 80.9% – resistant; 96.7% – susceptibile to chloramphenicol, no resistant strains were detected. Conclusions. Acquired resistance of Staphylococcus spp. to certain groups of antibiotics isolated from pigs, indicated the irrational use of antimicrobial therapy. Differences were found in the susceptibility of coagulase-positive and coagulase-negative Staphylococcus spp. to all groups of antibiotics.

Introduction. Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is the most common chronic lung disease among children of the first year of life, especially children born prematurely with extremely low and very low body weight. Material and methods. To estimate the number of children born alive in Perm Territory between 2015 and 2017, official statistics data were used. Experimental epidemiological studies were used to assess safety, reactogenicity, immunogenic activity and preventive efficacy of the Prevnar 13 vaccine when immunizing preterm infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia under prospective controlled randomized clinical observation. Results. There were 29 premature infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia under observation, the control group comprised 29 unvaccinated premature infants with BPD and 30 full-term infants. The PCV 13 vaccination of preterm infants with BPD established good tolerance, poor reactogenicity (17.2±0.57%) and vaccine tolerance like full-term infants (16.5±0.55%), high safety profile, high immunogenic properties (seroconversion – 93.1%, seroconversion factor – 5.5). Evaluation of immunogenic activity among children with BPD vaccinated with the PCV 13 vaccine revealed high immunological efficacy compared to unvaccinated healthy children. Conclusion. The need for vaccination of premature babies with BDL against pneumococcal infection has been scientifically substantiated. The study has confirmed safety, poor reactogenicity, high immunogenic activity and preventive efficacy of the Prevenar 13 vaccine among premature babies with BDL under the conditions of the catamnesis department of the perinatal center within the follow-up monitoring of vaccinated infants over three years.

Introduction. It is estimated that over 15% of couples of reproductive age face infertility worldwide. In about half of these cases the male factor is involved. To assess the potential of male fertility the spermiogram analysis may not always be an optimal diagnostic tool, but it remains the basic clinical tool. Material and methods. The purpose of the study is to analyze the regional tendencies of the semen quality in male partners of couples facing infertility. A retrospective study of 4625 patients subject to semen analysis between 2012-2018 was conducted. All semen samples were collected after a recommended period of sexual abstinence of three to five days. The spermiogram analysis was performed by the computerized method according to WHO guidelines for Human Semen analysis, 2010. Results. Of the total number of 4625 men examined, 1861 (40.2%) presented normal values of semen – normozoospermia, and 2764 (59.8%) showed abnormal semen parameters. Asthenozoospermia was the most common abnormality profile recorded in 1394 (30.2%) men, followed by oligoasthenozoospermia diagnosed in 973 men (21.0%). Azoospermia was found in 200 men with an estimated prevalence of 4.3%. In 113 men examined, oligozoospermia was found in 2.4%. Oligoasthenoteratozoospermia was diagnosed in 1.5% and necrozoospermia in 0.3%. Conclusion. The study provides the first evidence that semen quality in men in the Republic of Moldova who are facing infertility in couples has deteriorated over the years.

Introduction. A safe way to reduce the onset of oncological diseases is to protect the pop-ulation from exposure to radon. In order to know the risk of radon influence on the health of the population, it is necessary to quantify the radon concentrations in the homes air and environment components.Material and methods. The aim of the study was to monitor radon concentrations in the air from different types of housing (n=2500), in rural and urban areas, on the territory of the Republic of Moldova, by using RADTRAK2-type detectors, with the assessment of the risk of population exposure to radon. The exhibition period was 90 days.Results. The results indicate on the radon problem existence on the country territory and the need for a strict solution of the problem. Thus, in 615 homes from the studied ones (25%) the radon concentration was higher than the national norms; in 662 homes (26%) radon concentration was higher than European norms. In 1277 homes (51%) radon concentration was higher than National/European norms. In connection with the above, the Government Decision draft was elaborated. A special role is given to the need to elaborate and make changes to the Building Code, with the need to monitor radon when commissioning residen-tial buildings.Conclusions. The results denote increased variability of the radon concentrations accord-ing to the geographical area, the type of housing and other factors. Radon mapping identi-fied the localities with high risk of exposure of the population to radon.

Introduction. As a result of increased production and spread in the environment, nanoparticles can pose a significant risk to public health. To date, the toxicity data of nanoparticles collected, using traditional models and methods, are contradictory and inconsistent. Highlighting the significant methods and markers of nanoparticle toxicity is a current research direction. Material and methods. The strain of red microalgae Porphyridium cruentum CNM-AR-01, known as a lipid manufacturer, was used as object of study. The toxic effect of CdSe (3-7 nm), ZnSe (40 nm) and ZnS (30-35 nm) nanoparticles was tested. The amount of malondialdehyde was determined based on thiobarbituric acid reactive substances. Results. A close correlation between the amount of biomass and malondialdehyde in the cells of red microalgae Porphyridium cruentum has been established for nanoparticle concentration ranges which have a toxic effect on Porphyridium cruentum. Conclusions. Malondialdehyde can be considered as a marker of nanoparticle toxicity.

Introduction. Meningococcal infection (MI) and N. meningitidis carriage are widespread. The global incidence represents a total of 500,000-1,200,000 cases per year, of which 50,000-135,000 are fatal. In European countries the incidence is 0.6-2.0 per 100,000. Infants and young people are more likely to get affected due to different genotypes of meningococci. Thus, MI surveillance is required. Material and methods. The research purpose was to perform an epidemiological analysis of MI in the Republic of Moldova between 2000 and 2019. In the descriptive retrospective epidemiological study were analysed the total MI incidence of a population of 100,000 people, the number of cases in urban and rural areas, the morbidity rate among 1000 children aged between 0 and 17 years, and patients’ age structure. Results. A decreased incidence, without cyclicity, was registered over the past 5 years from 2.57 to 0.55-1.01 per 100,000. The number of carriers accounted for 0.48-0.26 per 100,000 between 2000 and 2005, and zero during 2016-2019. MI vaccination is not carried out. The MI incidence in urban and rural areas was the same. In children aged between 0 and 17 years, during 2000 and 2005, MI incidence was 0.05–0.07, compared to 2016–2019 when it constituted 0.02–0.04 per 1000. In children aged between 0 and 2 years these indices were 0.08 per 1000 in 2004, and 0.44 per 1000 in 2018. Thus, the indices were lower among children aged between 3 and 6 years. Conclusions. Incomplete detection of MI has been noted. Children aged between 0 and 2 years are prone to develop MI, the most vulnerable ones being children aged up to one year. The age structure of patients depends on the intensity of the epidemic process. Hence, it is necessary to improve MI surveillance with genotyping of circulating strains.

Introduction. Autoinflammatory diseases are a group of genetically inherited disorders and familial Mediterranean fever is the most common of this group. It is rare in other than Middle East populations. Clinical manifestations of FMF are attacks of fever usually shorter than 24 hours, associated with arthritis, pleuritic chest pain, and abdominal pain. Case presentation. A 15-year-old female patient was included in the study. She complained of recurrent episodes of fever associated with arthritis and abdominal pain. Moreover, the patient presented dysmorphic features like hyperthelorism, prognathia, scoliosis, pectus carinatum, and hypermobility syndrome. The laboratory exam revealed mutations in both MEVF and SMAD 3. Conclusions. An autoinflammatory disorder should be suspected in any patient who has a history of recurrent fever. The attack patterns of FMF varies not just in different patients, but also in the same patient. Mainstay of treatment is colchicine that significantly improves the prognosis of patients with FMF.