[Genetic diversity and distribution of bovine pestiviruses (Flaviviridae: Pestivirus) in the world and in the Russian Federation]

[Persistent form of bovine viral diarrhea]

The review provides an analysis of literature data on the persistent form of Bovine Viral diarrhea/Mucosal disease (BVD) and is focused on virus and host factors, including those related to immune response, that contribute the persistence of the virus. BVD is a cattle disease widespread throughout the world that causes significant economic damage to dairy and beef cattle. The disease is characterized by a variety of clinical signs, including damage to the digestive and respiratory organs, abortions, stillbirths and other failures of reproductive functions.

[130th anniversary of virology]

130 years ago, in 1892, our great compatriot Dmitry Iosifovich Ivanovsky (18641920) discovered a new type of pathogen viruses. Viruses have existed since the birth of life on Earth and for more than three billion years, as the biosphere evolved, they are included in interpopulation interactions with representatives of all kingdoms of life: archaea, bacteria, protozoa, algae, fungi, plants, invertebrates, and vertebrates, including the Homo sapiens (Hominidae, Homininae). Discovery of D.I. Ivanovsky laid the foundation for a new science virology. The rapid development of virology in the 20th century was associated with the fight against emerging and reemerging infections, epidemics (epizootics) and pandemics (panzootics) of which posed a threat to national and global biosecurity (tick-borne and other encephalitis, hemorrhagic fevers, influenza, smallpox, poliomyelitis, HIV, parenteral hepatitis, coronaviral and other infections). Fundamental research on viruses created the basis for the development of effective methods of diagnostics, vaccine prophylaxis, and antiviral drugs. Russian virologists continue to occupy leading positions in some priority areas of modern virology in vaccinology, environmental studies oz zoonotic viruses, studies of viral evolution in various ecosystems, and several other areas. A meaningful combination of theoretical approaches to studying the evolution of viruses with innovative methods for studying their molecular genetic properties and the creation of new generations of vaccines and antiviral drugs on this basis will significantly reduce the consequences of future pandemics or panzootics. The review presents the main stages in the formation and development of virology as a science in Russia with an emphasis on the most significant achievements of soviet and Russian virologists in the fight against viral infectious diseases.