RSU Research Breakfast presents research project results on HIV, antibiotic consumption, and bacteriophage therapy

Photo: Courtesy of RSU

On 5 November, an event in the Rīga Stradiņš Univeristy (RSU) Research Breakfast cycle was held, where the results of a project carried out under the national research programme, New knowledge and approaches to reduce antimicrobial resistance, limit the spread of HIV and expand community vaccination coverage, were presented. 

The project team presented the latest findings in the field of public health, including HIV infection modelling and adherence issues; studies on healthcare-associated infections, trends in antibiotic consumption, possibilities for bacteriophage therapy, and approaches to evaluating the cost-effectiveness of vaccines. 

The event was opened by Project Manager, Assoc. Prof. Anda Ķīvīte-Urtāne, emphasising that this was the first presentation of the results of the two-year study.

Researcher Elza Liniņa spoke about the HIV mathematical modelling study, noting that mathematical methods indicated a gradual decrease in the number of undiagnosed cases in Latvia. 

Assoc. Prof. Elita Poplavska presented the HIV medication adherence study, which revealed that 70.7% of respondents occasionally forgot to take their medication, while 31% did not follow the prescribed usage guidelines.

Prof. Renāte Ranka highlighted the problem of HIV and tuberculosis co-infection in Latvia, which increases the risk of tuberculosis recurrence and death.

Asst. Prof. Monta Madelāne presented a study on healthcare-associated infections and antibiotic consumption, underlining the need to seek alternative, more precisely targeted medications. The data indicated an increase in antibiotic use.

Asst. Prof. Kārlis Rācenis shared a successful case of treating a Ukrainian soldier using bacteriophage therapy when antibiotics proved ineffective.

In conclusion, Lecturer Uldis Hļevickis presented the development of an economic model for evaluating the vaccine cost-effectiveness. The event concluded with discussions and networking over a cup of coffee.