Detection of tick-borne encephalitis virus in I. ricinus ticks collected from autumn migratory birds in Latvia.
Birds have a potential of spreading ticks via bird migration routes. In this study, we screened 170 ticks removed during autumn 2010 from 55 birds belonging to 10 species for the presence of tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV). In total, TBEV RNA was detected in 14% of I. ricinus tick samples obtained from different birds species. The results of this study indicate the possible role of migrating birds in the dispersal of TBEV-infected ticks along the southward migration route.
Genotype and allele frequencies of isoniazid-metabolizing enzymes NAT2 and GSTM1 in Latvian tuberculosis patients
Pharmacogenomic testing of tuberculosis drug-metabolizing enzyme genes was proposed as a strategy to identify patients at risk for suboptimal responses to medications. However, variations of the genotype frequencies among ethnic groups exist and new alleles are been identified. The aim of this study was to identify polymorphisms of genes encoding metabolic enzymes NAT2 and GSTM1 in tuberculosis patients in Latvia and to estimate the frequency of NAT2 slow acetylator and GSTM1 null genotypes. In total, 85 DNA samples were genotyped, all individuals were Caucasian. An ethnic heterogeneity reflecting the multiethnic population of the country was observed. 49 patients were Latvians, 30 were Rus…
Initiation of Vancomycin Therapy and the First Therapeutic Drug Monitoring
Abstract There have been a limited number of studies in Latvia that were focused on vancomycin therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM), especially during the initiation phase of the therapy. The aim of this study was to investigate details of vancomycin therapy in its initiation phase and to analyse the results of the first therapeutic drug monitoring within a multidisciplinary hospital in Latvia. A retrospective observational study was performed in a multidisciplinary hospital in Latvia. Adult patients hospitalised in an intensive care unit and undergoing vancomycin therapy with at least one concentration measurement were included in this study. Data about patients included demographic and clini…
The causes of low adherence in patients with antihypertensive therapy
Low adherence to antihypertensive therapy is a major cause of adverse cardiovascular outcomes by uncontrolled high blood pressure. If the most frequent causes of inappropriate taking of medicine are identified, possible improvements within the health care could be performed, promoting the safety and efficacy of antihypertensive therapy. The aim was to find the factors affecting patient's adherence during antihypertensive therapy. In the period from June to September 2014 a quantitative study was carried out including patients with diagnosed arterial hypertension who visited pharmacies in Riga to get the antihypertensive therapy. The study collected data of 152 patients with the mean antihyp…