[UNIFICATION OF THE MOLECULAR EPIDEMIOLOGICAL RESEARCH OF THE TICK-BORNE ENCEPHALITIS]

Area of Science:

• Molecular biology
• Virology
• Epidemiology

Context:

• Molecular genetic techniques have advanced pathogen spread understanding.
• Lack of standardized methods hinders comparative analysis in TBEV research.
• A unified approach is needed for effective TBEV molecular epidemiology.

Purpose:

• Propose a standard genetic marker for TBEV molecular epidemiological studies.
• Introduce a novel TBEV differentiation approach using clusterons.
• Facilitate comparative analysis and data consolidation in TBEV research.

Summary:

• A 454-nucleotide fragment of the TBEV gene E is proposed as a standard genetic marker.
• The clusteron approach, based on deduced amino acid sequences, effectively differentiates TBEV strains.
• Analysis of TBEV-Sib populations in the Middle Urals revealed unique clusteron compositions in TBE foci.

Impact:

• The clusteron approach provides formalization for understanding viral population structures.
• Findings suggest human factors play a crucial role in TBEV spread.
• Standardization will consolidate research efforts globally and aid epidemiological surveillance services.