New knowledge and approaches to reduce antimicrobial resistance, limit the spread of HIV and expand community vaccination coverage

Project/agreement No.

VPP-VM-Sabiedrības_Veselība-2023/5-0001

Project funding

687 500.00 EUR

Project manager

asoc.prof. PhD Anda Ķīvīte-Urtāne

Project realization

22.12.2023. - 21.12.2026.

Aim

Develop new knowledge and approaches to reduce antimicrobial resistance, limit the spread of HIV and expand community vaccination coverage in a cost-effective way.

Description

To create new knowledge and solutions for improving the quality and accessibility of disease prevention and health care and strengthening the efficiency and sustainability of the health care system in Latvia we’ll carry out epidemiological, public health, cost effectiveness and clinical studies in the fields of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, antimicrobial resistance and vaccination coverage.

Scientific results of this project will contribute to the development of a sustainable approaches for the delivery of essential health care and public health services in the country by supporting the Ministry of Health and other stakeholders with evidence-based recommendations.

The project will be implemented through 3 synergic and complementary work packages (WP) and 5 tasks:

WP1 – New knowledge and approaches for reduction of the burden of HIV in Latvia;
- Task 1.1. HIV mathematical modeling;
- Task 1.2. HIV treatment adherence study;
- Task 1.3. New solutions for the HIV / tuberculosis dual infection;
WP2 – Identifying the situation and offering solutions in the field of healthcare-associated infections and antimicrobial resistance in the country;
- Task 2.1. Antibiotic consumption and healthcare-associated infections study;
- Task 2.2. Novel approach using bacterial screening as a prototype for possible phage therapy;
WP3 - Development and piloting of vaccine cost-effectiveness evaluation model in Latvia.

Outcomes to be achieved

7 new research tools will be developed (adapted internationally validated questionnaires, etc.),
5 scientific publications will be published in internationally cited high-quality journals,
3 presentations on the project results will be provided at international scientific conferences,
6 new databases will be prepared and published on the Dataverse platform for repeated and expanded further use,
3 research reports will be developed, which will also include recommendations for the evidence-based public health policy in Latvia.

Project-related activities

RSU Research Week 2025

RSU International Research Conference on Medical and Health Care Sciences “Knowledge for Use in Practice”

Stipniece, L., Rezevska, D., Rubene, L., Maurins, S., Racenis, K., Kroica, J. Hydroxyapatite Modification with Zinc and Bacteriophages for the Development of Novel Antibacterial Biomaterials (26 March 2025)
Rezevska, D., Stipniece, L., Orlova, L., Racenis, K., Maurins, S., Kroica, J. Titanium Plate Modifications and Biopolymer Matrices: Innovative Strategies Towards Preservation of Bacteriophage Stability and Release Profile (26 March 2025)
Berentsen, L., Racenis, K., Rezevska, D., Kroica, J. From Superbugs to Super Solutions: Testing Susceptibility of E. coli Against Bacteriophage Cocktails − Preliminary Results (26 March 2025)
Zrelovs, N., Brauca, N., Rezevska, D., Straumane, K., Maurins, S., Apse, R. R., Sevastjanova, L., Berentsen, L., Racenis, K., Kroica, J. First Steps Towards the Latvian Klebsiella spp. Bacteriophage Biobank (26 March 2025)
Zilde, A., Sirmaca, Z., Madelane, M. Healthcare-Associated Infections and Antimicrobial Resistance: A Point Prevalence Study in a Tertiary Care Hospital (26 March 2025)

Conference Abstract Book

10th International Multidisciplinary Research Conference “Society. Health. Welfare”

Hlevickis, U., Zavadska, D., Dudele, A. Development of an Economic Model to Determine Benefits and Costs of Tick-Borne Encephalitis Vaccination in Latvia. (28 March 2025)
Dudele, A., Hlevickis, U., Behmane, D. Analysis of Costs of Treatment of Patients Diagnosed with Tick-Borne Viral Encephalitis. (28 March 2025)

Conference Abstract Book

Other Conferences

Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases Congress − 34th European Congress of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases. Resistome and Phylogenetic Characterization of Streptococcus pyogenes Clinical Isolates from Adult Patients in Riga East University Hospital (29 April 2024)
Laboratory Medicine Congress − XVII Baltic Congress of Laboratory Medicine. Eglīte, D. A Potential Alternative to Antibiotics. Progress of Phage Therapy Research in Latvia (7 September 2024)
Microbiology Conference − Mechnikov Readings Conference. Eglīte, D. Phage Therapy Research Advancements in Latvia: A Possible Alternative to Antibiotics (1 November 2024)
Antimicrobial Resistance Conference. Eglīte, D. Phage Therapy as a Potential Alternative to Antibiotics: Latest Research Advances in Latvia (29 November 2024.)
Pharmacoeconomics Conference − 13th Adriatic Congress of Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research with Focus on CEE. Hlevickis, U., Zavadska, D., Dudele, A. Development of an Economic Evaluation Model Structure to Estimate Benefits and Costs of Preventive Vaccination Against Tick-Borne Encephalitis (TBE) in Latvia (26 April 2025)
RSV Prevention and Treatment Conference − RSVVW'26: A Global Conference on Novel RSV Preventive and Therapeutic Interventions, Rome, Italy. Rozenvalde, M. E., Hlevickis, U., Pitt, M., Zavadska, D., Dudele, A., Behmane, D. Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of Immunoprophylaxis with Palivizumab for RSV Prevention in Latvian Preterm Infants (17−20 February 2026)
Conference Abstract Book
Mycobacteriology Congress − European Society of Mycobacteriology Annual Congress. Riekstina, V., Viksna, A., Ranka, R. Tuberculosis in People Living with HIV in Latvia: Evaluating Current Screening Practice and Exploring Factors Associated with Disease Development (22−25 June 2026)
Conference Poster List
Social Pharmacy Conference − 23rd International Social Pharmacy Workshop (ISPW), Cork, Ireland. Poplavska, E., Voldiņa, T., Fernandes, T. A., Maļina, L., Priedīte, I., Ķīvīte Urtāne, A. Exploring Patient and Provider Perspectives on HIV Medication Adherence: A Qualitative Study. (28 June − 2 July 2026)