Kaspars Kovalenko

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in food-producing animals is a growing One Health concern. However, data on AMR in indicator microorganisms from clinically healthy dairy cattle in Latvia remain limited. This study aimed to characterize the AMR profiles of Escherichia coli and Enterococcus spp. isolated from rectal swabs and bulk-tank milk collected from 18 dairy farms between February and May 2025. Bacterial identification was performed using conventional culturing and MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry, and antimicrobial susceptibility was determined using the disk diffusion (Kirby–Bauer) method, interpreted according to European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (EUCAST) guidelines. Resistance levels were further quantified using resistance scores (R-scores) and the Multiple Antibiotic Resistance Index (MARI). In total, 582 E. coli and 428 Enterococcus spp. isolates were recovered from rectal swabs, with E. coli showing the highest resistance to ampicillin (12.5%) and amoxicillin–clavulanic acid (6.7%), whereas resistance to tetracycline was rare (0.3%). Enterobacteriaceae from milk exhibited higher resistance to ampicillin (45.8%) and amoxicillin–clavulanic acid (20.8%). Among Enterococcus spp., resistance was highest to an antibiotic not used in dairy cows in Latvia quinupristin–dalfopristin (69.2%), while resistance to vancomycin and linezolid remained low (0.5% each). Milk-derived enterococci showed a comparable pattern, with additional resistance to streptomycin (25%). Overall, resistance levels and multidrug resistance were low. However, the presence of sporadic resistant isolates and elevated MARI values, particularly in large-scale farms and milk-derived bacteria, highlights the importance of continued AMR surveillance and prudent antimicrobial use in the Latvian dairy sector.

Background and Aim: Veterinary biobanking advances translational research, companion animal health, and the ethical reuse of samples. Its success depends on public engagement and the pet owners’ willingness to contribute biological sam­ples. However, awareness and attitudes toward veterinary biobanking remain largely unexplored in the Baltic region. This study aimed to assess Latvian pet owners’ awareness, willingness to donate, motivations, and concerns regarding veterinary biobanking, and to identify demographic and professional factors influencing participation. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional online survey was distributed through social media and veterinary clinics across Latvia between April and May 2025. The questionnaire included 49 items covering awareness, willingness to donate, moti­vations, concerns, and demographics. Data from 164 pet owners were analyzed using descriptive statistics, the Chi-square tests with Bonferroni correction, and logistic regression. Results: Only 22% of respondents had prior awareness of veterinary biobanks. Despite this, 76% were willing to donate samples if their pet was seriously ill, and 67% even if their pet was healthy. Motivations included altruism (helping other animals), supporting veterinary research, and potential treatment benefits for their own pets. Key concerns centered on confidentiality (91%), the right to withdraw samples (60%), and control of sample use (45%). Professional background was significantly associated with both awareness (p = 0.0004) and willingness to donate (p = 0.0013). Logistic regression con­firmed that respondents in medical or veterinary professions were more likely to support donation (odds ratio = 3.31, 95% confidence interval = 1.54–7.12, p = 0.002). No significant associations were found with age, gender, education, or religion. Conclusion: This first Baltic survey reveals that Latvian pet owners strongly support veterinary biobanking despite limited awareness. Altruism and the expected benefits of research drive participation, while ethical expectations regarding confi­dentiality, consent, and transparency remain crucial. The findings provide a foundation for developing national veterinary biobanking strategies, improving public communication, and integrating Latvia into European One Health and translational research infrastructures. Keywords: comparative medicine, One Health, pet owners, public attitudes, translational research, veterinary biobank.

Feline coronavirus (FCoV) is ubiquitous in the domestic cat (Felis catus) population. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and potential predisposing factors of FCoV in cats of an animal shelter in Latvia and to compare the prevalence between cats in the quarantine area and resident cats in the adoption area. Oropharyngeal and faecal swabs and blood samples were collected from 40 domestic shorthair cats from an animal shelter in Jelgava, Latvia. Swabs were analyzed for FCoV RNA by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Blood serum samples were tested for FCoV specific antibodies by indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). FCoV RT-PCR positivity in oropharyngeal and rectal swabs was 7.5% (3/40) and 72.5% (29/40), respectively. Additionally, FCoV seroprevalence was 67.5% (27/40). The proportion of cats shedding FCoV within the adoption (72.7%) and quarantine (72.2%) areas was similar (p = 0.55). The prevalence of FCoV faecal shedding in young cats was significantly higher (p < 0.05) than in adult cats. Sex had no significant effect on FCoV RT-PCR positivity. Further studies on larger cat population including different population types are needed to determine the overall prevalence and epidemiological patterns of FCoV infection in Latvia.

Feline leukaemia virus (FeLV) is a retrovirus associated with fatal disease in progressively infected cats. While testing/removal and vaccination led to a decreased prevalence of FeLV, recently, this decrease has reportedly stagnated in some countries. This study aimed to prospectively determine the prevalence of FeLV viraemia in cats taken to veterinary facilities in 32 European countries. FeLV viral RNA was semiquantitatively detected in saliva, using RT-qPCR as a measure of viraemia. Risk and protective factors were assessed using an online questionnaire to report geographic, demographic, husbandry, FeLV vaccination, and clinical data. The overall prevalence of FeLV viraemia in cats visiting a veterinary facility, of which 10.4% were shelter and rescue cats, was 2.3% (141/6005; 95% CI: 2.0%–2.8%) with the highest prevalences in Portugal, Hungary, and Italy/Malta (5.7%–8.8%). Using multivariate analysis, seven risk factors (Southern Europe, male intact, 1–6 years of age, indoor and outdoor or outdoor-only living, living in a group of ≥5 cats, illness), and three protective factors (Northern Europe, Western Europe, pedigree cats) were identified. Using classification and regression tree (CART) analysis, the origin of cats in Europe, pedigree, and access to outdoors were important predictors of FeLV status. FeLV-infected sick cats shed more viral RNA than FeLV-infected healthy cats, and they suffered more frequently from anaemia, anorexia, and gingivitis/stomatitis than uninfected sick cats. Most cats had never been FeLV-vaccinated; vaccination rates were indirectly associated with the gross domestic product (GDP) per capita. In conclusion, we identified countries where FeLV was undetectable, demonstrating that the infection can be eradicated and highlighting those regions where awareness and prevention should be increased.

The aim of the present study was to detect the prevalence and antimicrobial resistance of fecal indicators and major foodborne pathogens in feces of calves and to identify the factors associated with increased prevalence of resistant bacteria on farms. Altogether, 180 rectal swabs were collected from 18 farms in Latvia. Samples were investigated to detect the prevalence and antimicrobial resistance of Escherichia coli, Enterococcus spp., Listeria monocytogenes, Yersinia enterocolitica, Salmonella spp., Staphylococcus aureus, and Campylobacter spp. Among all, 64% (74/110) of commensal E. coli, 100% (78/78) Enterococcus faecalis and 96% (22/23) Enterococcus faecium isolates were resistant at least to one antibiotic. The prevalence of extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)/AmpC-producing E. coli were 11.1% (20/180) with blaCTX-M, blaTEM, and blaCMY genes identified. Campylobacter jejuni (12.8%, 23/180) and Campylobacter coli (2.8%, 5/180) were the most resistant to tetracycline (61%, 14/23; 100%, 5/5) and fluoroquinolones (61%, 14/23; 100%, 5/5). Prevalence of L. monocytogenes was 0.6% (1/180) and S. aureus 1.7% (3/180). All samples were Salmonella and Y. enterocolitica negative. Farm size, bought calves, contact with other calves, and antimicrobial treatment of cows were associated with increased prevalence of resistant E. coli and Enterococcus spp. Despite the low overall usage of antimicrobials in Latvia, the high rates of antimicrobial resistance in fecal indicators and Campylobacter, in addition to the high prevalence of ESBL-producing E. coli, highlights the necessity for the prudent use of antimicrobials in dairy farms in Latvia.

Consumers are increasingly demanding choices of ready-made foods with excellent organoleptic and health-related properties. There are two main trends in Europe; firstly, consumers are increasingly choosing foods that are comfortable for use, secondly, the number of people who are overweight is increasing, with more consumers paying close attention to the ingredients and nutritional value of products in order to balance the amount of the food they consume per day. The aim of the research was to develop new potato main courses and to determine their nutritional value. The research was carried out at the Faculty of Food Technology of the Latvia University of Agriculture, Institute of Food Safety, Animal Health and Environment "BIOR" and Laboratory of Mineral Nutrition at the Institute of Biology of the University of Latvia. Four different potato main course types with amaranth, quinoa, bulgur and chicken were prepared for the study; plain potatoes were used as the control sample. The content of protein, carbohydrates, lipids, fibre and minerals (N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, Mo, B) was determined in all potato main course samples. The addition of amaranth, quinoa and bulgur significantly increased the content of dietary fibre, protein, carbohydrates and lipids (pKeywords: nutritional value, potato main course, retorts packaging. Article DOI: http://doi.org/10.15544/RD.2017.078

Introduction and objective Salmonella is a foodborne pathogen which causes gastrointestinal illness in consumers, and exhibits resistance to antimicrobials of eterinary and clinical significance. The aim of this study is to detect the prevalence and antimicrobial resistance of Salmonella isolates from meat in Latvia. Material and Methods A total of 3,152 samples of raw and ready-to-eat (RTE) meats were collected during the official control and in-house control procedures in 2015. Samples were tested in accordance with ISO 6579:2002. All S. Typhimurium, S. Enteritidis and other isolates recovered from the official control samples (S. Derby, S. Give) were tested for antimicrobial resistance. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values were investigated in line with the requirements of the European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (EUCAST). Results The prevalence of Salmonella was 0.8% (25/3152). The highest prevalence (1.5%) of Salmonella was found in minced meat and meat preparations (7/481), while the lowest (0%) in frozen meat and meat preparations (0/349) and RTE meats (0/364). The most common serovars were S. Typhimurium (36%, 9/25) and S. Derby (32%, 8/25). In total, 62% (13/21) of Salmonella isolates were resistant to at least one antimicrobial agent. Altogether, 40% (8/20) of isolates were resistant to sulfamethoxazole, 25% (5/20) to nalidixic acid, ciprofloxacin, ampicillin and 20% (4/20) to tetracycline. All isolates were susceptible to ceftazidime, cefotaxime, meropenem, azithromycin and tigecycline. S. Typhimurium exhibited antimicrobial resistance more often (87.5%) than other serovars. Conclusions The study shows that the presence of Salmonella in meat, together with the high prevalence of resistant strains, is a significant public health related issue in Latvia