Browsing by Author "Viksna, Ludmila"
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Item Association of active human herpesvirus-6, -7 and parvovirus B19 infection with clinical outcomes in patients with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome(2012) Chapenko, Svetlana; Krumina, Angelika; Logina, Inara; Rasa, Santa; Chistjakovs, Maksims; Sultanova, Alina; Viksna, Ludmila; Murovska, Modra; Department of Infectology; Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery; Institute of Microbiology and VirologyFrequency of active human herpesvirus-6, -7 (HHV-6, HHV-7) and parvovirus B19 (B19) infection/coinfection and its association with clinical course of ME/CFS was evaluated. 108 ME/CFS patients and 90 practically healthy persons were enrolled in the study. Viral genomic sequences were detected by PCR, virus-specific antibodies and cytokine levels - by ELISA, HHV-6 variants - by restriction analysis. Active viral infection including concurrent infection was found in 64.8% (70/108) of patients and in 13.3% (12/90) of practically healthy persons. Increase in peripheral blood leukocyte DNA HHV-6 load as well as in proinflammatory cytokines' levels was detected in patients during active viral infection. Definite relationship was observed between active betaherpesvirus infection and subfebrility, lymphadenopathy and malaise after exertion, and between active B19 infection and multijoint pain. Neuropsychological disturbances were detected in all patients. The manifestation of symptoms was of more frequent occurrence in patients with concurrent infection. The high rate of active HHV-6, HHV-7 and B19 infection/coinfection with the simultaneous increase in plasma proinflammatory cytokines' level as well as the association between active viral infection and distinctive types of clinical symptoms shows necessity of simultaneous study of these viral infections for identification of possible subsets of ME/CFS.Item Association of active human herpesvirus-6, -7 and parvovirus B19 infection with clinical outcomes in patients with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome(2012) Chapenko, Svetlana; Krumina, Angelika; Logina, Inara; Rasa, Santa; Chistjakovs, Maksims; Sultanova, Alīna; Viksna, Ludmila; Murovska, Modra; Department of Infectology; Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery; Institute of Microbiology and VirologyFrequency of active human herpesvirus-6, -7 (HHV-6, HHV-7) and parvovirus B19 (B19) infection/coinfection and its association with clinical course of ME/CFS was evaluated. 108 ME/CFS patients and 90 practically healthy persons were enrolled in the study. Viral genomic sequences were detected by PCR, virus-specific antibodies and cytokine levels - by ELISA, HHV-6 variants - by restriction analysis. Active viral infection including concurrent infection was found in 64.8% (70/108) of patients and in 13.3% (12/90) of practically healthy persons. Increase in peripheral blood leukocyte DNA HHV-6 load as well as in proinflammatory cytokines' levels was detected in patients during active viral infection. Definite relationship was observed between active betaherpesvirus infection and subfebrility, lymphadenopathy and malaise after exertion, and between active B19 infection and multijoint pain. Neuropsychological disturbances were detected in all patients. The manifestation of symptoms was of more frequent occurrence in patients with concurrent infection. The high rate of active HHV-6, HHV-7 and B19 infection/coinfection with the simultaneous increase in plasma proinflammatory cytokines' level as well as the association between active viral infection and distinctive types of clinical symptoms shows necessity of simultaneous study of these viral infections for identification of possible subsets of ME/CFS.Item Association of non-invasive markers of liver fibrosis with HCV coinfection and antiretroviral therapy in patients with HIV(2019-08-01) Koļesova, Oksana; Eglite, Jeļena; Koļesovs, Aleksandrs; Krumiņa, Angelika; Ekšteina, Ilze; Madelane, Monta; Viksna, Ludmila; Klīniskās imunoloģijas un imunoģenētikas starpkatedru laboratorija; Department of InfectologyThe aim of this study was to assess the main effects and interaction between viral hepatitis C (HCV) coinfection and antiretroviral therapy (ART) by using a nonparametric ANOVA on direct and indirect markers of liver fibrosis in HIV-infected patients. The sample included 178 HIV patients aged from 23 to 65 (36% females). The following parameters were determined in blood of patients: hyaluronic acid, pro-matrix metalloproteinase-1, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and platelet count. The FIB-4 index was also calculated. The nonparametric ANOVA revealed no significant interaction between HCV coinfection and ART. This provides evidence for an independent contribution of each factor on promotion of the pathology. The results also demonstrated that the direct and indirect indicators of liver fibrosis are associated differently with the studied factors. Therefore, a combination of markers should be used for monitoring of liver fibrosis in HIV-infected patients.Item Associations of HLA DR and DQ molecules with Lyme borreliosis in Latvian patients(2012) Kovalchuka, Lilija; Eglite, Jelena; Lucenko, Irina; Zalite, Mara; Viksna, Ludmila; Krūmiņa, Angelika; Klīniskās imunoloģijas un imunoģenētikas starpkatedru laboratorija; Department of InfectologyBackground: Many autoimmune diseases are associated with variants of HLA genes such as those encoding the MHC complex. This correlation is not absolute, but may help in understanding of the molecular mechanism of disease. The purpose of this study was to determine HLA-DR,-DQ alleles in Latvian patients with Lyme borreliosis and control (healthy) persons. Case patients and control subjects were similar in age, gender and ethnic heritage and differed only as regards the presence of Borrelia burgdorferi infection. The study included 25 patients with clinical stage - erythema migrans and 30 control (healthy) persons. HLA genotyping was performed by PCR with sequence-specific primers. Results: The results show difference in HLA-DRB1 alleles distribution between patients and control subjects. The frequencies of HLA-DRB1 *04 (OR 11.24; p<0.007) and HLA-DRB1 *17 (03) (OR 8.05; p<0.033) were increased in the Lyme disease patients. And the frequency of allele DRB1*13 (OR 0.12; p<0.017) was lower in Borreliosis patients and higher in control group. But, significant differences in frequencies of HLA-DQ alleles we did not detect. Conclusions: HLA predisposition to Lyme borreliosis appears not to be limited to HLA molecules, but some HLA-DR alleles also have a significant influence, and, may have implications in our understanding of pathogenesis of this disease. In particular, HLA-DRB1*04 and DRB1 *17 (03) may contribute to the Lyme borreliosis development in Latvian population.Item Difference in markers of microbial translocation and cell apoptosis in HIV monoinfected and HIV/HCV coinfected patients(2019-08-01) Madelane, Monta; Krumiņa, Angelika; Simanis, Raimonds; Šķenders, Ģirts; Ivanovs, Andrejs; Sture, Gunta; Viksna, Ludmila; Department of InfectologyImmune activation in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is driven by microbial translocation and in HIV patients is one of the contributors to faster progression of liver disease along with increased cell apoptosis. The aim of the study was to compare microbial translocation and apoptosis markers in HIV monoinfected and HIV/hepatitis C virus (HCV) coinfected patients, depending on HIV immune status and antiretroviral treatment (ART). We analysed data for 78 HIV monoinfected and 105 HIV/HCV coinfected patients from the Rīga East University Hospital. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS), endotoxin core antibodies (EndoCAb), cytokeratin 18 (CK18) and cyto-chrome c (Cyt-c) levels were measured. No significant difference in LPS, EndoCAb, Cyt-c levels between HIV and HIV/HCV patients was found. The CK18 level was higher in the HIV/HCV group. Correlation between CD4+ cell count and EndoCAb antibodies was found in HCV positive patients. There was a significant effect of ART on markers for EndoCAb IgA and EndoCAb IgM antibodies in the HIV monoinfected group. Correlation between CD4+ cell count and EndoCAb antibodies and LPS was found in HIV/HCV patients on ART. Coinfection with HCV can lead to more pronounced response in EndoCAb antibody production and higher levels of cell apoptosis markers, despite similar LPS levels. ART has a positive effect on immune activation.Item Distribution of HLA allele frequencies in patients with cystic and alveolar echinococcosis in Latvia(2019-08-01) Laivacuma, Sniedze; Eglite, Jeļena; Derovs, Aleksejs; Viksna, Ludmila; Department of Infectology; Klīniskās imunoloģijas un imunoģenētikas starpkatedru laboratorija; Department of Internal DiseasesThe aim of this study was to assess the relationship between HLA Class II alleles in two groups of patients in Latvia: patients with cystic and alveolar echinococcosis. The study included 37 patients from the Rīga East Clinical University Hospital with echinococcosis (29 patients with cystic echinococcosis and eight patients with alveolar echinococcosis) and 100 healthy control persons without echinococcosis. HLA Class II allele genotyping was performed using Real-time polymerase chain reaction-sequence specific primer (RT-PCR-SSP). The odds ratios (OR), with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI), were calculated using statistical analysis performed with IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 22.0, to evaluate the risk of developing the disease in an individual having a particular HLA genotype. In the case of cystic echinococcosis a more severe course of a disease can be anticipated in the presence of HLA-DRB1 alleles ∗17:01 and ∗07:01, -DQB1 ∗03:02, and ∗03:01, -DQA1∗04:01 and haplotypes HLA-DRB1∗04:01/-DQB1∗03:01/ -DQA1∗03:01, HLADRB1∗11:01/ -DQB1∗03:01 /-DQA1∗05:01. However, in the group with alveolar echinococcosis it was associated with the HLA-DRB1 alleles ∗17:01 and ∗07:01, -DQB1 ∗05:01 and haplotypes HLA- DRB1∗17:01/-DQB1∗02:01-2/-DQA1∗01:01, HLA-DRB1∗11:01/ -DQB1∗03:01/-DQA1∗01:03 and HLA-DRB1∗11:01/-DQB1∗03:01/-DQA1∗03:01. HLADRB1∗15:01/-DQÂ1∗06:02-8/-DQA1∗05:01 and HLA-DRB1∗13:01/-DQB1∗02:01-2/-DQA1∗05:01 haplotypes were protective in all patient groups. The limitations of this exploratory study indicate that a broader study needs to be conducted for revealing specific risk and protective HLA Class II haplotypes for patients with cystic and alveolar echinococcosis in Latvia.Item Electrocardiographic Abnormalities and Mortality in Epilepsy Patients(2021-05-16) Suna, Normunds; Suna, Inga; Gutmane, Evija; Kande, Linda; Karelis, Guntis; Viksna, Ludmila; Folkmanis, Valdis; Department of InfectologyBackground and Objectives: People with epilepsy (PWE) have a 2-3 times higher mortality rate than the general population. Sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP) comprises a significant proportion of premature deaths, whereas sudden cardiac death (SCD) is among the leading causes of sudden death in the general population. Cardiac pathologies are significantly more prevalent in PWE. Whether electrocardiographic (ECG) parameters are associated with remote death in PWE has yet to be elucidated. The study objective was to assess whether interictal ECG parameters are associated with mortality in the long-term. Materials and Methods: The study involved 471 epilepsy patients who were hospitalized after a bilateral tonic-clonic seizure(s). ECG parameters were obtained on the day of hospitalization (heart rate, PQ interval, QRS complex, QT interval, heart rate corrected QT interval (QTc), ST segment and T wave changes), as well as reported ECG abnormalities. Mortality data were obtained from the Latvian National Cause-of-Death database 3-11, mean 7.0 years after hospitalization. The association between the ECG parameters and the long-term clinical outcome were examined. Results: At the time of assessment, 75.4% of patients were alive and 24.6% were deceased. Short QTc interval (odds ratio (OR) 4.780; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.668-13.698; p = 0.004) was associated with a remote death. After the exclusion of known comorbidities with high mortality rates, short QTc (OR 4.631) and ECG signs of left ventricular hypertrophy (OR 5.009) were associated with a remote death. Conclusions: The association between routine 12-lead rest ECG parameters-short QTc interval and a pattern of left ventricular hypertrophy-and remote death in epilepsy patients was found. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to associate rest ECG parameters with remote death in an epileptic population.Item Fibrinolytic system changes in liver surgery : A pilot observational study(2018) Ozolina, Agnese; Nemme, Janis; Ozolins, Arturs; Bjertnæs, Lars J.; Vanags, Indulis; Gardovskis, Janis; Viksna, Ludmila; Krumina, Angelika; Rīga Stradiņš UniversityIntroduction: Bleeding occurs frequently in liver surgery. Unbalance between tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) concentrations might increase bleeding. Our aim was to analyze perioperative fibrinolytic changes during liver surgery. Materials and Methods: We evaluated 15 patients for inclusion into a prospective pilot study of liver surgery. We assessed fibrinolysis by plasma PAI-1 and t-PA: before surgery (T1), before Pringle maneuver (PM;T2), at the end of surgery (T3) and 24 h postoperatively (T4), and registered demographic and laboratory data, extent and duration of surgery, hemodynamic parameters, blood loss, and transfused volumes of blood products. Data presented as mean ± SD. Significance at P < 0.05. Results: After exclusion of six patients only undergoing biopsies, we included six women and three men aged 49.1 ± 19.6 years; two patients with liver metastases of colorectal cancer and hepatocellular carcinoma, respectively, two with focal nodular hyperplasia, two with hepatic hemangioma, and one with angiomyolipoma. Six patients underwent PM. PAI-1 plasma concentration (n = 9) rose from 6.25 ± 2.25 at T1 through 17.30 ± 14.59 ng/ml at T2 and 28.74 ± 20.4 (p = 0.007) and 22.5 ± 16.0 ng/ml (p = 0.04), respectively, at T3 and T4. Correspondingly, t-PA plasma concentration (n = 9) increased from 4.76 ± 3.08 ng/ml at T1 through 8.00 ± 5.10 ng/ml (p = 0.012) at T2 and decreased to 4.25 ± 2.29 ng/ml and 3.04 ± 3.09 at T3 and T4, respectively. Plasma t-PA level at T2 was significantly different from those at T1, T3, and T4 (p < 0.004). In PM patients, t-PA levels increased from T1, peaked at T2 (p = 0.001), and subsequently decreased at T3 and T4 (p = 0.011 and p = 0.037), respectively. Mean blood loss was 1,377.7 ± 1,062.8 ml; seven patients received blood products. Patients with higher PAI-1 levels at T3 received more fresh frozen plasma (r = 0.79; p = 0.01) and red blood cells (r = 0.88; p = 0.002). Conclusions: During liver surgery, fibrinolysis increased, as evidenced by rises in plasma PAI-1and t-PA, especially after start of surgery and following PM. Transfused volumes of blood products correlated with higher plasma concentrations of PAI-1. Confirming this tendency requires a larger cohort of patients.Item Higher CTX-M, TEM, and SHV extended-spectrum beta-lactamase plasmid gene combination frequency in ESBL producing Klebsiella pneumoniae compared with ESBL producing Escherichia coli(Central Bohemia University, 2016) Skuja, Vita; Pekarska, Katrina; Derovs, Aleksejs; Viksna, Ludmila; Piekuse, Linda; Kempa, Inga; Caune, Una; Rudzite, Dace; Lejnieks, Aivars; Krumina, Angelika; Department of Internal Diseases; Rīga Stradiņš University; Scientific Laboratory of Molecular GeneticsItem HLA Class II-DRB,-DQA and-DQB genotypes in peripheral blood shows shifts during the course of sepsis(2019-03-01) Bara, Linda; Eglite, Jelena; Ošs, Peteris; Cauce, Vinita; Lietuvietis, Vilnis; Viksna, Ludmila; Hagina, Elvira; Krumina, Angelika; Klīniskās imunoloģijas un imunoģenētikas starpkatedru laboratorija; Department of Physics; Department of InfectologyUndeniably, sepsis is still a profoundly damaging and life-threatening condition for many individuals. With multiple changes in sepsis patients it is difficult to precisely classify an individual's response in sepsis as proinflammatory or immunosuppressed. The aim of this study was to investigate genetically determined predisposition to developed sepsis by analysis of distribution of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class II genes. Samples from patients with sepsis were collected at Pauls Stradiņš Clinical University Hospital, Latvia, in an intensive care unit between October 2016 and May 2017. The study group included 62 patients with sepsis, who were genotyped for HLA-DR; DQ using real time polymerase chain reaction-sequence specific primer (RT PCR-SSP). As a control group, data of 100 individuals were taken from the genetic bank of RSU Joint Laboratory of Clinical Immunology and Immunogenetics. The summarised results showed that the frequency of alleles DRB1∗04:01 (OR = 5.54; 95% CI = 1.88-16.29); DRB1∗07:01 (OR = 19.03; 95% CI = 2/37-152.82); DQA1∗05:01 (OR = 14.17; 95% CI = 5.67-35.4); and DQB1∗02:01 (OR = 50.00; 95% CI = 2.90-861.81) were significantly increased in patients with sepsis compared to the control group patients. The frequency of DRB1∗16:01 (OR = 0.17, 95% CI = 0.04-0.59); DRB1∗17:01 (OR = 0.04; 95% CI = 0.00-0.69); DQA1∗01:01 (OR = 0.04; 95% CI = 0.00-0.31); DQA1∗01:02 (OR = 0.03; 95% CI = 0.00-0.23); DQB1∗02:02 (OR = 0.12; 95% CI = 0.03-0.42) alleles was lower in sepsis patients than in control subjects. The most frequent HLA-DRB1/DQA1/DQB1 haplotypes that was significantly increased in patients with sepsis were: DRB1∗01:01/DQA1∗05:01/DQB1∗03:01 (OR = 12.6; 95% CI = 1.51-105.0; p < 0.003). Sepsis patients with pneumonia and alleles and DRB1 04:01; 07:01, DQB1 02:01 had the highest mortality rate. Undoubtedly, our preliminary data showed that development of sepsis can be associated with alleles and haplotypes of HLA class II genes. For more precise conclusion the research should be continued to include a larger patient group.Item Human leukocyte antigens class II alleles affecting the response to 5-7 year antiretroviral therapy in A Latvian cohort(2019-05-01) Jasinskis, Vladislavs; Koļesova, Oksana; Koļesovs, Aleksandrs; Rozentale, Baiba; Ažiņa, Inga; Kramiča, Ksenija; Viksna, Ludmila; Eglite, Jeļena; Klīniskās imunoloģijas un imunoģenētikas starpkatedru laboratorija; Department of InfectologyAntiretroviral therapy (ART) aims at suppressing viral replication and strengthening immune system in patients with HIV-1. Human Leukocyte Antigens (HLA) are among factors responsible for effectiveness of ART. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of HLA Class II alleles on the response to long-time ART, assessed by a change in CD4 + T-cell count in relation to viral load. The sample included 69 patients (17 females and 52 males) aged 20 to 50 with HIV-1 infection, who were undergoing ART in the Latvian Centre of Infectious Diseases. The median period of observation was 5.7 years. CD4 + T-cell count and viral load were analysed at the baseline and end of the period of observation. HLA typing was performed by polymerase chain reaction with low resolution sequence specific primers. Multiple hierarchical linear regression analysis confirmed that an increase in HIV-1 viral load was associated with a decrease in the level of CD4 + T-cell count. In addition, HLA-DRB1∗04 and HLA-DQB1∗06:01 alleles contributed negatively to the level of CD4 + T-cell count.Item Immunogenetic markers definition in latvian patients with lyme borreliosis and lyme neuroborreliosis(2016-12-01) Kovalchuka, Lilija; Cvetkova, Svetlana; Trofimova, Julija; Eglite, Jelena; Gintere, Sandra; Lucenko, Irina; Oczko-Grzesik, Barbara; Viksna, Ludmila; Krumina, Angelika; Klīniskās imunoloģijas un imunoģenētikas starpkatedru laboratorija; Department of Family Medicine; Department of InfectologyThe aim of this study was to determine the human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-DRB1 alleles in two groups of patients in Latvia: patients with Lyme borreliosis and patients with Lyme neuroborreliosis. The study included 216 patients with Lyme borreliosis, 29 patients with Lyme neuroborreliosis and 282 control persons. All surveyed persons were residents of Latvia. The HLA-DR genotyping was performed by polymerase chain reaction-sequence specific primer (PCR-SSP). The predisposition to the Lyme borreliosis is associated with the HLA-DRB1*07, -DRB1*17(03), -DRB1*04, -DRB1*15(02) alleles. The allele -DRB1*11(05), -DRB1*14(06) and -DRB1*13(06) were significantly more frequent in controls. In-group with Lyme neuroborreliosis differences were found for the -DRB1*07 and -DRB1*04 alleles, but only HLA-DRB1*07 allele was statistically significant after Bonferroni correction and associated with Lyme neuroborreliosis in Latvian patients.Item Natural clearance of hepatitis C virus in hemophilia patients(2008) Simanis, Raimonds; Lejniece, Sandra; Sochnevs, Arturs; Eglite, Jelena; Chernevska, Gunta; Kovalova, Zhanna; Gardovska, Dace; Jeruma, Agita; Kuse, Velga; Viksna, Ludmila; Department of Infectology; Department of Internal Diseases; Klīniskās imunoloģijas un imunoģenētikas starpkatedru laboratorija; Department of PaediatricsObjective. The objective of this study was to investigate the prevalence of HCV (hepatitis C virus) infection in hemophilia patients in Latvia and to analyze association between natural clearance of HCV and human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class II genes. Material and methods. From 61 hemophilic patients participating in this study, 38 were adults and 23 were pediatric patients younger than 18 years. To analyze association between HLA class II alleles and natural clearance of HCV, the gene frequency was compared in hemophilia patients group and the control group of 60 healthy subjects, all men. Serum HCV RNA was qualitatively determined and HLA class II alleles were identified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method. Results. HCV infection is common among hemophilia patients in Latvia. Antibodies to HCV were found in 45 of 61 (74%) hemophilia patients. In 41% of hemophilia patients (18 of 44), HCV infection resolved spontaneously. Children cleared HCV more frequently than adults (7 of 11 comparing to 11 of 33, respectively; OR=3.50; P<0.05). The frequency difference was found to be statistically significant when comparing HLA alleles distribution in the sample of hemophilia patients who naturally cleared HCV (n=18) and in the control group (n=60) (corresponding frequency of HLA-DRB1*07 allele - 4 (11.11%) and 9 (1.67%); OR=7.38; P<0.05). Conclusions. Natural clearance of HCV infection is frequently found in hemophilia patients in Latvia. Children are more likely to clear virus naturally than adults. There is an association between natural clearance of HCV and HLA allele DRB1*07 in hemophilia patients.Item Novel laboratory tests in assessment of liver function in cute and chronic liver diseases(2009) Viksna, Ludmila; Keišs, Jāzeps; Sočņevs, Arturs; Rozentale, Baiba; Pilmane, Mara; Sevastjanova, Natalija; Buiķe, Inita; Jeruma, Agita; Eglite, Elena; Ābeltiņa, Kristīne; Sondore, Valentīna; Rīga Stradiņš UniversityLiver biopsy in clinical practice has been widely used for the diagnosis and management of patients with liver diseases, particularly, with chronic liver diseases. However, liver biopsy is an invasive method with potential complications, sampling and interpretation errors. Therefore, noninvasive tests are being developed and introduced to replace liver biopsy. The aim of the present study was to identify the new noninvasive methods to be used for the assessment of liver structure and function, by use of the appropriate serum surrogate markers and to evaluate the clinical diagnostic and prognostic accuracy of these methods, including immunogenetic methods, in cases of acute and chronic liver diseases. The obtained data showed that serum markers of apoptosis (cytokeratin-18 neoepitope and citochrome c) and fibrosis (hyaluronic acid) should be included in viral and toxic liver damage management algorithms. The punctual identification of immunogenetic factors (HLA class II antigens) may prove to be useful in predicting disease evolution, and in guiding the appropriate therapy for patients with poor prognosis.Item A pilot study on markers of genetic predisposition in tuberculous pneumonia patients in Latgale(2019-05-01) Kramiča, Ksenija; Eglite, Jeļena; Koļesovs, Aleksandrs; Kramiča, Tatjana; Titoviča, Gaļina; Džeriņa, Diana; Nikolajeva, Glafira; Viksna, Ludmila; Koļesova, Oksana; Klīniskās imunoloģijas un imunoģenētikas starpkatedru laboratorija; Department of InfectologyTuberculosis (TB) is still one of the top ten leading causes of death in the world. Compared to other Baltic and Eastern European countries, TB incidence (24.8 new cases per 100 000 people in 2017) in Latvia is relatively high. One of the regions with the highest TB incidence is Latgale (31.1 cases per 100 000 people). The aim of this pilot study was to identify markers of genetic predisposition to TB in Latgale. The study included 26 patients (16 males and 10 females) aged between 18 and 85 with bilateral TB pneumonia and without HIV infection. HLA typing was performed in HLA-DRB1, -DQA1, and -DQB1 loci by a polymerase chain reaction with low resolution sequence-specific primers. HLA-DRB1∗07 and HLA-DRB1∗11 alleles were identified as risk alleles for TB. HLA-DRB1∗15 allele was a protective allele. Due to the limitations of this exploratory study, a broader study needs to be conducted to revealing specific risk and protective HLA Class II alleles for TB in the subpopulation of Latgale.Item Replication of LZTFL1 Gene Region as a Susceptibility Locus for COVID-19 in Latvian Population(2021-10) Rescenko, Raimonds; Peculis, Raitis; Briviba, Monta; Ansone, Laura; Terentjeva, Anna; Litvina, Helena Daiga; Birzniece, Liga; Megnis, Kaspars; Kolesova, Oksana; Rozentale, Baiba; Viksna, Ludmila; Rovite, Vita; Klovins, Janis; Rīga Stradiņš UniversityItem Retrospective serological evidence of high exposure of globally relevant zoonotic parasite toxoplasma gondii in the Latvian Population(2019-05-01) Deksne, Gunita; Veisa, Vija; Rezeberga, Dace; Viksna, Ludmila; Krumiņa, Angelika; Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology; Department of InfectologyToxoplasmosis is an important infection caused by the single-celled parasite Toxoplasma gondii, which is a zoonotic parasite causing widespread human and animal diseases, mostly involving the central nervous system. Humans can acquire toxoplasmosis by ingestion of raw or undercooked meat containing T. gondii tissue cysts, ingestion of oocysts shed by infected felids via contaminated food or water, and by vertical transmission to the fetus through the placenta from the mother during pregnancy. The aim of the present study was to determine the seroprevalence of specific anti-T. gondii IgG and IgM antibodies using a large set of clinical diagnostic laboratory data obtained over a 14-year period. In total, 25 069 unique patients were included in the present study. The overall specific anti-T. gondii IgG prevalence were 36.3%, which was significantly (p < 0.01) higher than IgM prevalence (2.4%). Mean age for IgG antibody-positive patients was 33.7 ± 12.2 years. A significant positive correlation (r = 0.99; p < 0.01) was observed between age group and anti-T. gondii IgG antibody prevalence, which ranged from 4.2% to 66.7%. The most prevalent (69.9%; 95% CI 69.2-70.7) comorbidities of patients tested for presence of anti-T. gondii IgG and IgM antibodies were classified as factors affecting health status which includes also monitoring of normal pregnancy.Item The role of HHV-6 and HHV-7 infections in the development of fibromyalgia(2019) Krumina, Angelika; Chapenko, Svetlana; Kenina, Viktorija; Mihailova, Marija; Logina, Inara; Rasa, Santa; Gintere, Sandra; Viksna, Ludmila; Svirskis, Simons; Murovska, ModraHuman herpes virus-6 (HHV-6) and human herpes virus-7 (HHV-7) are immunomodulating viruses potentially affecting the nervous system. We evaluated the influence of HHV-6 and HHV-7 infections on fibromyalgia (FM) clinical course. Forty-three FM patients and 50 control group participants were enrolled. 39.50% (n = 17) FM patients had light A delta and C nerve fiber damage, 27.91% (n = 12) had severe A delta and C nerve fiber damage. 67.44% (n = 29) FM patients had loss of warm sensation in feet, loss of heat pain sensation, and increased cold pain sensation (34.90%, n = 15 in both findings). HHV-6 and HHV-7 genomic sequences in peripheral blood DNA in 23/43 (51.00%) and 34/43 (75.50%) of samples from FM patients and in 3/50 (6.00%) and 26/50 (52.00%) of samples from the control group individuals were detected. Active HHV-6 (plasma viremia) or HHV-7 infection was revealed only in FM patients (4/23, 17.40% and 4/34, 11.80%, respectively). A statistically significant moderate positive correlation was found between A delta and C nerve fiber damage severity and HHV-6 infection (p < 0.01, r = 0.410). 23/43 patients from the FM group and control group participants HHV-6 and 34/45 HHV-7 did have infection markers. A statistically significant moderate positive correlation was found between A delta and C nerve fiber damage severity and HHV-6 infection (p < 0.01,r = 0.410). No difference was found between detection frequency of persistent HHV-6 and HHV-7 infection between FM patients and the control group. Statistically significant correlation was observed between quantitation of changes in QST thermal modalities and HHV-6 infection. There was no correlation between A delta and C nerve fiber damage and HHV-7 infection.Item The role of HHV-6 and HHV-7 infections in the development of fibromyalgia(2019-04-15) Krumina, Angelika; Chapenko, Svetlana; Kenina, Viktorija; Mihailova, Marija; Logina, Inara; Rasa, Santa; Gintere, Sandra; Viksna, Ludmila; Svirskis, Simons; Murovska, Modra; Department of Infectology; Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery; Rīga Stradiņš University; Department of Family Medicine; Institute of Microbiology and VirologyHuman herpes virus-6 (HHV-6) and human herpes virus-7 (HHV-7) are immunomodulating viruses potentially affecting the nervous system. We evaluated the influence of HHV-6 and HHV-7 infections on fibromyalgia (FM) clinical course. Forty-three FM patients and 50 control group participants were enrolled. 39.50% (n = 17) FM patients had light A delta and C nerve fiber damage, 27.91% (n = 12) had severe A delta and C nerve fiber damage. 67.44% (n = 29) FM patients had loss of warm sensation in feet, loss of heat pain sensation, and increased cold pain sensation (34.90%, n = 15 in both findings). HHV-6 and HHV-7 genomic sequences in peripheral blood DNA in 23/43 (51.00%) and 34/43 (75.50%) of samples from FM patients and in 3/50 (6.00%) and 26/50 (52.00%) of samples from the control group individuals were detected. Active HHV-6 (plasma viremia) or HHV-7 infection was revealed only in FM patients (4/23, 17.40% and 4/34, 11.80%, respectively). A statistically significant moderate positive correlation was found between A delta and C nerve fiber damage severity and HHV-6 infection (p < 0.01, r = 0.410). 23/43 patients from the FM group and control group participants HHV-6 and 34/45 HHV-7 did have infection markers. A statistically significant moderate positive correlation was found between A delta and C nerve fiber damage severity and HHV-6 infection (p < 0.01, r = 0.410). No difference was found between detection frequency of persistent HHV-6 and HHV-7 infection between FM patients and the control group. Statistically significant correlation was observed between quantitation of changes in QST thermal modalities and HHV-6 infection. There was no correlation between A delta and C nerve fiber damage and HHV-7 infection.Item Seroprevalence of diphtheria and measles antibodies and their association with demographics, self-reported immunity, and immunogenetic factors in healthcare workers in Latvia(2022-04) Leidere-Reine, Aija; Kolesova, Oksana; Kolesovs, Aleksandrs; Viksna, Ludmila; Department of Infectology; Klīniskās imunoloģijas un imunoģenētikas starpkatedru laboratorija; Institute of Microbiology and VirologyLatvia is among European countries with outbreaks of diphtheria and measles. Healthcare workers (HCW) are exposed to infections and can transmit them to unvaccinated patients. We assessed the seroprevalence of antibodies against diphtheria and measles and their association with demographics, self-reported immunity, the presence of the HLA-B27 allele, and level of interferon regulatory factor 5 (IRF5) in Latvian HCW. Anti-diphtheria and anti-measles IgG antibodies and the level of IRF5 in serum were tested by enzyme immunoassay. The presence of the HLA-B27 allele was detected by a real-time polymerase chain reaction. The study involved 176 HCW, including 29% doctors and 44% nurses. Among HCW, 95.5% were seropositive for diphtheria. However, only 65.9% had full seroprotection against it. The seronegativity for measles (21.6%) was higher than for diphtheria (4.5%) without differences in gender and medical staff groups. Older age was associated with waning immunity against diphtheria and a higher rate of seropositivity for measles. Considered immunogenetic factors did not affect the level of antibodies, and variability of the level of IRF5 in serum can reflect ageing processes. Self-reported vaccination status had a low informative value regarding full seroprotection against diphtheria and seropositivity for measles indicating the need for pre-vaccination IgG screening in planning the booster vaccination.