Kaspars Kovalenko
@lbtu.lv
Faculty of Veterinary Medicine
Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies
EDUCATION
2009-2013 . Faculty of Veterinary Medicine / Institute of Food and Environmental Hygiene / Latvia University of Lifesciences and Technologies / Latvia
RESEARCH, TEACHING, or OTHER INTERESTS
Veterinary, General Veterinary, Food Animals, Multidisciplinary
Scopus Publications
Scholar Citations
Scholar h-index
Scholar i10-index
Scopus Publications
Gundega Mūrniece, Žanete Šteingolde, Svetlana Cvetkova, Olga Valciņa, Ņikita Zrelovs, Monta Brīvība, Jānis Kloviņš, Līga Birzniece, Kaspars Megnis, Dāvids Fridmanis,et al.
Wiley
AbstractBackgroundThe causative agent of the COVID‐19 pandemic, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2), is of zoonotic origin and has shown reverse zoonotic transmissibility.ObjectivesThe aim of this cross‐sectional study was to investigate the serological and molecular prevalence of SARS‐CoV‐2 infection in the domestic cat (Felis catus) population from Latvia in natural conditions and subsequently perform viral genome analysis.MethodsOropharyngeal and rectal swabs and blood samples were collected from 273 domestic cats during the second wave of COVID‐19 infection in Latvia. Molecular prevalence was determined by using reverse transcriptase‐polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR). Serum samples were analysed via double antigen enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay targeting the antibody against the nucleocapsid protein of SARS‐CoV‐2. Positive swab samples were analysed using whole viral genome sequencing and subsequent phylogenetic analysis of the whole genome sequencing data of the samples was performed.ResultsThe overall SARS‐CoV‐2 RT‐PCR positivity and seroprevalence was 1.1% (3/273) and 2.6% (7/273), respectively. The SARS‐CoV‐2 genome sequences from three RT‐PCR positive cats were assigned to the three common lineages (PANGOLIN lineage S.1.; B.1.177.60. and B.1.1.7.) circulating in Latvia during the particular period of time.ConclusionsThese findings indicate that feline infection with SARS‐CoV‐2 occurred during the second wave of the COVID‐19 pandemic in Latvia, yet the overall prevalence was low. In addition, it seems like no special ‘cat’ pre‐adaptations were necessary for successful infection of cats by the common lineages of SARS‐CoV‐2.
Guna Ringa-Ošleja, Marta Ločmele, Žanete Šteingolde, Linda Valkovska, Ilga Bubula, Maija Sergejeva, Artjoms Mališevs, Guntis Boikmanis, Dina Cīrule, Kaspars Kovaļenko,et al.
Walter de Gruyter GmbH
Abstract Q fever is a widespread disease affecting reproduction in dairy cattle. Several risk factors can increase the possibility of the herd becoming infected and the persistence of infection. The aim of this study was to characterise the dynamics of C. burnetii infection in affected herds and to evaluate reproduction problems and risk factors using a questionnaire within infected and infection-free dairy herds. In total, 25 farms that were serologically positive or shedding C. burnetii DNA in milk and 14 C. burnetii infection-free farms in Latvia answered the questionnaire. Ten positive herds were studied by testing individual blood and milk samples from up to 10 animals at two times separated by 7.5 to 13 months. The number of serologically positive and suspicious animals was higher in the second sampling even though several animals were culled. In the positive herds, the percentage of dystocia, stillborn calves and abortions during the last year was significantly (p=0.001; 0.01; 0.005, respectively) higher than in the negative herds. Several significant factors were found for the presence of Q fever infection, such as the herd size, the regional population density of ruminants, artificial ventilation systems, and frequent farm visitors. Deratisation was less practised in the negative farms and the presence of ticks was observed more often in the negative farms. Only two identified risk factors can be mitigated – the ventilation system and frequent farm visitors. The other factors cannot be changed arbitrarily but they have to be taken into account by decision makers.
Jaka Jakob Hodnik, Žaklin Acinger-Rogić, Mentor Alishani, Tiina Autio, Ana Balseiro, John Berezowski, Luís Pedro Carmo, Ilias Chaligiannis, Beate Conrady, Lina Costa,et al.
Frontiers Media SA
[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2021.688078.].
Linda Valkovska, Artjoms Mališevs, Kaspars Kovaļenko, Aivars Bērziņš, and Lelde Grantiņa-Ieviņa
Walter de Gruyter GmbH
Abstract Introduction Q fever in dairy cattle has been investigated in Latvia since 2012. In 2015, 10.7% of farms tested positive for the DNA of C. burnetii, its aetiological agent, in bulk tank milk. The presence of C. burnetii DNA and infectious bacteria in dairy products has been assessed in several countries, and because Latvian milk may contain them, parallel assessment in this country is recommended. Accordingly, the present study tested shop and farm retail dairy products from Latvia and included foreign products for comparison. Material and Methods Investigation was carried out of 187 samples of a diverse range of dairy products from 41 Latvian milk producers. Twenty-six comparable samples pooled from Estonia, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Poland and Spain were also included. The all-countries total number of fermented milk products was 160. Special attention was paid to products that could be more attractive to children because of their added chocolate, cacao, berry and fruit content. DNA was extracted and amplification of C. burnetii IS1111 was performed using a commercial PCR kit. Results Overall positivity was 60.56%. Domestic products were positive more often (60.96%) than foreign ones (57.69%). Only 26.67% of unpasteurised Latvian cow’s milk samples were positive whereas 76.47% of pasteurised equivalents and 63.13% of fermented milk products were. Sweetened and fruit-containing samples were 71.43% positive. Conclusion The shedding of C. burnetii via milk should be monitored and only milk from healthy animals allowed for sale for direct human consumption without pasteurisation. Raw milk quality and the effectiveness of industrial heat treatment and pasteurisation methods in Latvia and other countries should be carefully assessed to ensure adequate consumer health protection.
Lelde Grantiņa-Ieviņa, Ilga Bubula, Maija Sergejeva, Žanete Šteingolde, Guntis Boikmanis, Dina Cīrule, Kaspars Kovaļenko, Vita Antāne, and Aivars Bērziņš
Walter de Gruyter GmbH
Abstract Q fever is an important zoonotic disease worldwide. The main sources of human infection are inhalation of aerosols containing Coxiella burnetii bacteria and exposition to infected materials during parturition or slaughtering. The high-risk group includes people who work directly with infected livestock, such as farmers, veterinarians, veterinary medicine students, slaughterhouse and laboratory staff. Here we present a pilot study of risk-group human seroprevalence to C. burnetii in Latvia. The study included 240 sera samples — 190 from the risk groups and 50 from the control group. Samples were tested with Coxiella burnetii (Q-fever) Phase 1 and 2 IgG ELISA kits. All sera from the control group were negative. The seroprevalence among risk group persons was 8.04–11.54%. No statistically significant differences were observed between genders. The highest percentage of seropositive and equivocal sera samples (25%) were detected in age categories 39–48 years and 49–58 years. Working as a practicing veterinarian or former veterinarian was the only risk factor identified as statistically significant, and belonging to the risk group in general. The geographical distribution of seropositive risk group participants indicated that they tend to located more in the northern, central, and eastern part of the country.
Jaka Jakob Hodnik, Žaklin Acinger-Rogić, Mentor Alishani, Tiina Autio, Ana Balseiro, John Berezowski, Luís Pedro Carmo, Ilias Chaligiannis, Beate Conrady, Lina Costa,et al.
Frontiers Media SA
The COST action “Standardising output-based surveillance to control non-regulated diseases of cattle in the European Union (SOUND control),” aims to harmonise the results of surveillance and control programmes (CPs) for selected cattle diseases to facilitate safe trade and improve overall control of cattle infectious diseases. In this paper we aimed to provide an overview on the diversity of control for these diseases in Europe. A selected cattle disease was defined as an infectious disease of cattle with no or limited control at EU level, which is not included in the European Union Animal health law Categories A or B under Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/2002. A CP was defined as surveillance and/or intervention strategies designed to lower the incidence, prevalence, mortality or prove freedom from a specific disease in a region or country. Passive surveillance, and active surveillance of breeding bulls under Council Directive 88/407/EEC were not considered as CPs. A questionnaire was designed to obtain country-specific information about CPs for each disease. Animal health experts from 33 European countries completed the questionnaire. Overall, there are 23 diseases for which a CP exists in one or more of the countries studied. The diseases for which CPs exist in the highest number of countries are enzootic bovine leukosis, bluetongue, infectious bovine rhinotracheitis, bovine viral diarrhoea and anthrax (CPs reported by between 16 and 31 countries). Every participating country has on average, 6 CPs (min–max: 1–13) in place. Most programmes are implemented at a national level (86%) and are applied to both dairy and non-dairy cattle (75%). Approximately one-third of the CPs are voluntary, and the funding structure is divided between government and private resources. Countries that have eradicated diseases like enzootic bovine leukosis, bluetongue, infectious bovine rhinotracheitis and bovine viral diarrhoea have implemented CPs for other diseases to further improve the health status of cattle in their country. The control of the selected cattle diseases is very heterogenous in Europe. Therefore, the standardising of the outputs of these programmes to enable comparison represents a challenge.
Lelde Grantiņa-Ieviņa, Žanete Šteingolde, Guntis Boikmanis, Liene Laizāne, Guna Ringa-Ošleja, Ilga Bubula, Maija Sergejeva, Artjoms Mališevs, Juris Ķibilds, Svetlana Cvetkova,et al.
Walter de Gruyter GmbH
Abstract Q-fever is widespread globally. The goal of this study was to estimate the prevalence of Q-fever infection in Latvia among dairy cattle in 2018–2020, in comparison with that in 2012–2015. The shedding of Coxiella burnetii DNA in milk was assessed. Screening of blood samples of abortion cases for the presence of antibodies against Q-fever and testing of aborted fetuses for C. burnetii DNA were also carried out. Additionally, serum samples from clinically healthy cattle, sheep and goat were included. Overall, 18.34% of milk samples were positive, representing 11.02% of all tested sheds. In total, 20.62% of serum samples from the cattle that suffered abortions were positive or suspicious, representing 12.63% of all sheds. Only 3.33% of serum samples from clinically healthy cattle and 3.42% from sheep and goat were positive. The highest proportion of serologically positive and suspicious samples was observed in cattle that suffered abortion with age from three to nine years, and in the first and third gestation period. One dominant genotype of C. burnetii (MST61) was detected. Ruminant import from abroad was identified as a significant risk factor, as well as the dairy cattle population density.
Gundega Murniece, , Zanete Steingolde, Svetlana Cvetkova, Olga Valcina, Aivars Berzins, Liga Kovalcuka, Kaspars Kovalenko, , ,et al.
Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies
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.
Nadine Studer, Hans Lutz, Claude Saegerman, Enikö Gönczi, Marina L. Meli, Gianluca Boo, Katrin Hartmann, Margaret J. Hosie, Karin Moestl, Séverine Tasker,et al.
MDPI AG
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.
Margarita Terentjeva, Madara Streikiša, Jeļena Avsejenko, Jūlija Trofimova, Kaspars Kovaļenko, Didzis Elferts, and Aivars Bērziņš
Mary Ann Liebert Inc
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.
Inga Grinfelde
Stef92 Technology
Hong Ki Lee, Virginia DeVito, Cristina Vercelli, Clara Tramuta, Patrizia Nebbia, Giovanni Re, Kaspars Kovalenko, and Mario Giorgi
Elsevier BV
Margarita Terentjeva, Jeļena Avsejenko, Madara Streikiša, Andra Utināne, Kaspars Kovaļenko, and Aivars Bērziņš
Institute of Rural Health
Introduction and objective. Salmonella is a foodborne pathogen which causes gastrointestinal illness in consumers, and exhibits resistance to antimicrobials of veterinary and clinical significance. The aim of this study is to detect the prevalence and antimicrobial resistance of Salmonella isolates from meat in Latvia. Materials and method. 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. Conclusion. 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.
M. Mäesaar, T. Kramarenko, K. Meremäe, J. Sõgel, M. Lillenberg, L. Häkkinen, M. Ivanova, K. Kovalenko, A. Hörman, M.‐L. Hänninen,et al.
Wiley
SummaryThe resistance patterns of Campylobacter spp. isolated from retail broiler chicken meat originating either from Estonia, Lithuania or Latvia collected in Estonia were determined. Additionally, in collaboration with the laboratories of several Estonian hospitals, antimicrobial susceptibility patterns were determined for Campylobacter isolates from patients with severe Campylobacter enteric infections. The isolates were identified at the species level by the PCR method. Respectively, 88.8% of the isolates were C. jejuni, and 11.2% were C. coli. In total, 126 Campylobacter isolates of broiler chicken meat and human origin were tested for minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) with the broth microdilution VetMICTH method (National Veterinary Institute; Uppsala, Sweden) for a total of six antimicrobials. Resistance to one or more antimicrobials was detected in 62 (63.3%) of Campylobacter broiler chicken meat isolates and in 20 (71.4%) of human‐origin isolates. Large proportions of the broiler chicken meat isolates were resistant to ciprofloxacin (60.2%). Multidrug resistance (i.e. to three or more unrelated antimicrobials) was detected in five (5.1%) C. jejuni isolates. Among the human isolates, 20 (71.4%) were resistant to fluoroquinolones, and two (7.1%) C. jejuni isolates exhibited multidrug resistance. The chicken meat isolates of Estonian origin were the most susceptible. However, a high proportion of fluoroquinolone‐resistant C. jejuni isolates were found in Latvian and Lithuanian products. The results of this study indicate that the problems caused by the inappropriate use of antimicrobials extend beyond the country in which a food originates; therefore, both domestic and international interventions and agreements are required to implement common policies on antimicrobial usage and to minimize the emergence of Campylobacter drug resistance.
Kaspars Kovaļenko, Mati Roasto, Stella Šantare, Aivars Bērziņš, and Ari Hörman
Elsevier BV
Mihkel Mäesaar, Kristi Praakle, Kadrin Meremäe, Toomas Kramarenko, Jelena Sõgel, Arvo Viltrop, Kaisa Muutra, Kaspars Kovalenko, Darja Matt, Ari Hörman,et al.
Elsevier BV
Kaspars Kovalenko, Mati Roasto, Edgars Liepinš, Mihkel Mäesaar, and Ari Hörman
Elsevier BV