Abstract
The present study investigated the antigenic properties of a Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) virus isolate obtained in Kazakhstan. CCHF is a particularly dangerous viral disease, widely distributed across Eurasia, including southern Kazakhstan. In recent years, outbreaks have been reported in Africa, Russia, the Balkans, the Middle East, and Asia, and since 2013 – in Iran, Turkey, Uzbekistan, Crimea, and Kazakhstan. The disease is characterized by a high mortality rate, highlighting the importance of developing effective diagnostic and preventive measures. The experimental part of the study involved inactivating viral culture samples using two approaches: thermal treatment at 56°C and chemical treatment with β-propiolactone. Both methods are widely used in virology to reduce viral infectivity while preserving structural and antigenic properties. Following inactivation, the preparations were used to immunize laboratory white mice to assess immunogenicity. The immune response was monitored, focusing on specific antibody production. Serological evaluation was performed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), which allows sensitive and specific detection of antibodies against CCHF virus. Results showed that both inactivation methods preserved the virus’s antigenic determinants. It was found that thermally treated and β-propiolactone-treated virus samples retained pronounced antigenic properties and effectively induced a specific humoral immune response in laboratory animals. These findings demonstrate the potential of these inactivation methods for preparing antigenic material for research or diagnostic use. The practical significance of this study lies in its potential application in developing domestic diagnostic test systems and enhancing epidemiological surveillance of CCHF in endemic regions of Kazakhstan. Implementing these findings could contribute to earlier detection of the disease and improve the effectiveness of anti-epidemic measures.