Browsing by Author "Rozenberga, Maija"

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    Comparing the Microbiome of the Adenoids in Children with Secretory Otitis Media and Children without Middle Ear Effusion
    (2024-08) Sokolovs-Karijs, Oļegs; Briviba, Monta; Saksis, Rihards; Rozenberga, Maija; Bunka , Laura; Girotto , Francesca; Osīte, Jana; Reinis, Aigars; Sumeraga, Gunta; Krūmiņa, Angelika; Department of Otorhinolaryngology; Department of Biology and Microbiology; Department of Infectology
    Background: The adenoids, primary sites of microbial colonization in the upper airways, can influence the development of various conditions, including otitis media with effusion (OME). Alterations in the adenoid microbiota have been implicated in the pathogenesis of such conditions. Aim: This study aims to utilize 16S rRNA genetic sequencing to identify and compare the bacterial communities on the adenoid surfaces of children with OME and children with healthy middle ears. Additionally, we seek to assess the differences in bacterial diversity between these two groups. Materials and Methods: We collected adenoid surface swabs from forty children, divided into two groups: twenty samples from children with healthy middle ears and twenty samples from children with OME. The V3-V4 hypervariable region of the bacterial 16S rRNA gene was amplified and sequenced using the Illumina MiSeq platform. Alpha and beta diversity indices were calculated, and statistical analyses were performed to identify significant differences in bacterial composition. Results: Alpha diversity analysis, using Pielou’s index, revealed significantly greater evenness in the bacterial communities on the adenoid surfaces of the healthy ear group compared with the OME group. Beta diversity analysis indicated greater variability in the microbial composition of the OME group. The most common bacterial genera in both groups were Haemophilus, Fusobacterium, Streptococcus, Moraxella, and Peptostreptococcus. The healthy ear group was primarily dominated by Haemophilus and Streptococcus, whereas the OME group showed higher abundance of Fusobacterium and Peptostreptococcus. Additionally, the OME group exhibited statistically significant higher levels of Alloprevotella, Peptostreptococcus, Porphyromonas, Johnsonella, Parvimonas, and Bordetella compared with the healthy ear group. Conclusion: Our study identified significant differences in the bacterial composition and diversity on the adenoid surfaces of children with healthy middle ears and those with OME. The OME group exhibited greater microbial variability and higher abundances of specific bacterial genera. These findings suggest that the adenoid surface microbiota may play a role in the pathogenesis of OME. Further research with larger sample sizes and control groups is needed to validate these results and explore potential clinical applications.
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    Exploring the Impact of COVID-19 on Ulcerative Colitis Patients : A Lifestyle Perspective
    (2024-01) Straume, Zane; Krūmiņa, Nikola; Elbere, Ilze; Rozenberga, Maija; Rudzīte, Dace; Proskurina, Anna; Juliana, Ozoliņa; Kloviņš, Jānis; Skuja, Vita; Krūmiņa, Angelika; Department of Internal Diseases; Department of Infectology
    Background and Objectives: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the new coronavirus that caused the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak. Studies have increasingly reported the involvement of organs outside the respiratory system, including the gastrointestinal tract. Data on the association between COVID-19 and ulcerative colitis (UC) are lacking. Materials and Methods: In this one-centre cross-sectional study, 49 patients with UC from the Riga East Clinical University Hospital outpatient clinic were included from June 2021 to December 2021. The patients were divided into two groups according to their history of a confirmed positive or negative COVID-19 status. Data on their lifestyle, diet, and medications and the food supplements used by the patients were collected during interviews and analysed using the R 4.2.1 software. Results: Out of 49 patients, 33 (63.3%) were male and 13 (36.7%) were female, with a mean age of 32.33 ± 8.6 years. Fourteen patients (28.6%) had a confirmed COVID-19 infection in the last year. The most common COVID-19-related symptoms were a fever and rhinorrhoea. A third of patients followed the inflammatory bowel disease diet (16; 32.7%); out of these patients, 12 (34.3%) did not contract COVID-19 (OR: 0.78 (0.18; 2.98), p > 0.05). In the COVID-19-positive group, the majority of patients did not use vitamin D (11; 79% vs. 3; 21%, (OR: 0.38 (0.07; 1.51), p = 0.28) or probiotics (11; 78.6% vs. 3; 21.4%, OR: 1.33 (0.23; 6.28), p = 0.7). In the COVID-19-positive group, most patients did not smoke (12; 85.7% vs. 2; 14.3%, p = 0.475) and did not use alcohol (9; 64.3% vs. 5; 35.7%, OR: 0.63 (0.16; 2.57), p = 0.5). Most of the patients who participated in sports activities were COVID-negative (18; 51.4% vs. 6; 42.9%, p = 0.82). Conclusions: There were no statistically significant differences in the use of food supplements, probiotics, or vitamins; the lifestyle habits; or the COVID-19 status in patients with UC.
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    Gut Microbiome Differences Regarding Lifestyle and the History of COVID-19 Disease in Ulcerative Colitis Patients
    (2024-08) Straume, Zane; Krūmiņa, Nikola; Elbere, Ilze; Rozenberga, Maija; Blomniece, Laura; Erts, Renārs; Rudzīte, Dace; Kloviņš, Jānis; Krūmiņa, Angelika; Department of Internal Diseases; Department of Infectology
    The microbiome's role in ulcerative colitis pathogenesis is established. The influence of lifestyle on gut microbiome composition remains unclear, and interplay with COVID-19 disease warrants investigation. In a cross-sectional study conducted from June to December 2021, 49 outpatients from Rîga East Clinical University Hospital were included. Patients were categorised based on COVID-19 disease status (positive vs. negative) within the preceding six months. Lifestyle factors (smoking, alcohol consumption, physical activity, stress levels, and dietary patterns) were assessed and evaluated. Taxonomic classification of gut microbiome metagenome data was performed using MetaPhlAn v.2.6.0, with subsequent analysis conducted using SPSS 20.0. Thirty-one (63%) were male, and 18 (37%) were female patients. Fourteen patients (28.6%) tested positive for COVID-19. Gut microbiome composition differences were not observed between COVID-19 disease groups. Twenty-four (49%) patients engaged in sports activities and 30 (61.2%) patients reported a history of smoking. No significant microbiome differences were observed in groups regarding physical activity or smoking. Thirty-five (71.4%) were alcohol users, for whom Firmicutes abundance was significantly higher compared to non-users, p = 0.041. Patients reporting lower stress levels (18, 36.7%) exhibited higher Actinobacteria abundance compared to those with higher stress levels (31, 63.3%), p = 0.03. COVID-19 disease status did not affect gut microbiome composition, alcohol consumption and stress levels demonstrated significant associations.
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    Identifying the Microbiome of the Adenoid Surface of Children Suffering from Otitis Media with Effusion and Children without Middle Ear Effusion Using 16S rRNA Genetic Sequencing
    (2023-08) Sokolovs-Karijs, Oļegs; Briviba, Monta; Saksis, Rihards; Rozenberga, Maija; Girotto , Francesca; Osīte, Jana; Reinis, Aigars; Sumeraga, Gunta; Krūmiņa, Angelika; Department of Otorhinolaryngology; Department of Infectology; Department of Biology and Microbiology
    Background: The upper respiratory tract harbors diverse communities of commensal, symbiotic, and pathogenic organisms, originating from both the oral and nasopharyngeal microbiota. Among the primary sites of microbial colonization in the upper airways are the adenoids. Alterations in the adenoid microbiota have been implicated in the development of various conditions, including secretory otitis media. Aim: This study aims to employ 16S rRNA genetic sequencing to identify the most common bacteria present on the surface of adenoids in children with otitis media with effusion and compare them with children without pathologies in the tympanic cavity. Additionally, we seek to determine and compare the bacterial diversity in these two study groups. Materials and Methods: A total of nineteen samples from the adenoid surfaces were collected, comprising two groups: thirteen samples from children without middle ear effusion and six samples from children with secretory otitis media. The libraries of the V3–V4 hypervariable region of the bacterial 16S rRNA gene was made and sequenced using MiSeq platform. Results: The most prevalent phyla observed in both groups were Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, and Bacteroidetes. The most common bacterial genera identified in both groups were Haemophilus, Streptococcus, Moraxella, Fusobacterium, and Bordetella, with Fusobacterium and Moraxella being more prevalent in the groups that had no middle ear effusion, while Haemophulus and Streptococcus were more prevalent in the otitis media with effusion group, although not in a statistically significant way. Statistical analysis shows a trend towards bacterial composition and beta diversity being similar between the study groups; however, due to the limited sample size and unevenness between groups, we should approach this data with caution. Conclusion: The lack of prolific difference in bacterial composition between the study groups suggests that the role of the adenoid microbiome in the development of otitis media with effusion may be less significant.
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    Quality of Life in Patients with Ulcerative Colitis During the Covid-19 Outbreak : A Cross-Sectional Study in a Single Centre in Latvia
    (2024-08-01) Straume, Zane; Krūmiņa, Nikola; Elbere, Ilze; Rozenberga, Maija; Blomniece, Laura; Erts, Renārs; Rudzīte, Dace; Kloviņš, Jānis; Krūmiņa, Angelika; Department of Internal Diseases; Department of Infectology
    Patients with ulcerative colitis (UC), also known as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), have a higher risk of anxiety and depression compared to healthy individuals. Therefore, it is important to investigate whether the COVID-19 outbreak influenced inflammatory bowel disease-specific quality of life. In total 49 ulcerative colitis (UC) outpatients from Rîga East Clinical University Hospital were included in a cross-sectional study from June to December 2021. The patients were divided according to COVID-19 status (COVID-19 positive vs COVID-19 negative) in the last six months. Patients were interviewed and data from the Short Inflammatory Bowel Disease Questionnaire (SIBDQ), questionnaire about daily life aspects and subjective health evaluation score were collected. Of the 49 patients, 33 (63.3%) were males and 13 (36.7%) were females; median age was 38.0 (IQR = 17) years. Fourteen patients (28.6%) were COVID-19+ within the last six months. The median SIBDQ score was 62 (IQR = 11), for men 63 (IQR = 7.5) and women 58 [(IQR = 13.8), p > 0.05. SIBDQ score was 63 (IQR = 10) for COVID-19 negative and 60 (IQR = 15.6), p > 0.05 for positive patients. Sleep was not influenced by gender, p = 0.008. Three (16.7%) female patients reported a great negative impact on working stability (p = 0.044) and a slightly negative influence on income (p = 0.039). The COVID-19 outbreak may have an influence on daily life aspects by predisposing females more negatively.