Illya Ilyich Mechnikov's contribution to the fight against tuberculosis: results of the 1911 Astrakhan expedition

Abstract

Our compatriot, well-known scientist, Nobel Prize winner in medicine and physiology Ilya Ilyich Mechnikov left a bright mark not only in domestic but also in world science. Ilya Ilyich's multifaceted scientific activity was devoted to various areas of research in biology and medicine. The scientist's success in studying important problems of zoology, embryology, comparative pathology, gerontology, immunology, virology and bacteriology is renowned around the world. One of the areas of his research activity aimed at studying tuberculosis. In May 1911, the Pasteur Institute organized the Astrakhan expedition led by I.I. Mechnikov. Leading scientists were among the participants of the expedition – specialists in microbiology and epidemiology from Russia, France, Italy and Japan. The expedition was to address important issues related to the spread of plague and tuberculosis in the Kalmyk steppes. Ilya Ilyich Mechnikov set the task to use diagnostic tests (Pirke test and ophthalmological test) to determine the level of tuberculosis infection in the steppe population and to investigate the relationship between the incidence of tuberculosis and increased contact of Kalmyks with non-steppe population. The work of the Astrakhan expedition led by I.I. Mechnikov became the starting point for successful studies of tuberculosis infection. When beginning studying tuberculosis, I.I. Mechnikov planned to completely defeat this disease. Although he did not achieve this goal, scientific conclusions made by Mechnikov while studying biological properties of the pathogen and mechanisms of immunity to tuberculosis were further developed, and joint efforts of domestic and foreign scientists made it possible to elaborate tailor-made measures for particular regions to prevent tuberculosis and justify the use of antimicrobials in the treatment of this infection.

DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.3885246