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Likopa Z, Kivite-Urtane A, Silina V, Pavare J. Impact of educational training and C-reactive protein point-of-care testing on antibiotic prescribing in rural and urban family physician practices in Latvia: a randomised controlled intervention study. BMC Pediatr 2022; 22:556. [PMID: 36127630 PMCID: PMC9490974 DOI: 10.1186/s12887-022-03608-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2022] [Accepted: 09/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although self-limiting viral infections are predominant, children with acute infections are often prescribed antibiotics by family physicians. The aim of the study is to evaluate the impact of two interventions, namely C-reactive protein point-of-care testing and educational training, on antibiotic prescribing by family physicians. METHODS This randomised controlled intervention study included acutely ill children consulted by 80 family physicians from urban and rural practices in Latvia. The family physicians were divided into two groups of 40. The family physicians in the intervention group received both interventions, i.e. C-reactive protein point-of-care testing and educational training, whereas the family physicians in the control group continued to dispense their standard care. The primary outcome measure was the antibiotic prescribing at the index consultation (delayed or immediate prescription) in both study groups. The secondary outcome was CRP testing per study group. Patient- and family physician- related predictors of antibiotic prescribing were analysed as associated independent variables. Practice location effect on the outcomes was specially addressed, similar to other scientific literature. RESULTS In total, 2039 children with acute infections were enrolled in the study. The most common infections observed were upper and lower respiratory tract infections. Overall, 29.8% (n = 607) of the study population received antibiotic prescription. Our binary logistic regression analysis did not find a statistically significant association between antibiotic prescriptions and the implemented interventions. In the control group of family physicians, a rural location was associated with more frequent antibiotic prescribing and minimal use of CRP testing of venous blood samples. However, in the intervention group of family physicians, a rural location was associated with a higher level of C-reactive protein point-of-care testing. Furthermore, in rural areas, a significant reduction in antibiotic prescribing was observed in the intervention group compared with the control group (29.0% (n = 118) and 37.8% (n = 128), respectively, p = 0.01). CONCLUSION Our results show that the availabilty of C-reactive protein point-of-care testing and educational training for family physicians did not reduce antibiotic prescribing. Nevertheless, our data indicate that regional variations in antibiotic-prescribing habits exist and the implemented interventions had an effect on family physicians practices in rural areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zane Likopa
- Children's Clinical University Hospital, Vienibas Gatve 45, Riga, LV-1004, Latvia. .,Riga Stradins University, Dzirciema 16, Riga, LV-1007, Latvia.
| | - Anda Kivite-Urtane
- Department of Public Health and Epidemiology, Institute of Public Health, Riga Stradins University, Kronvalda boulevard 9, Riga, LV-1010, Latvia
| | - Vija Silina
- Department of Family Medicine, Riga Stradins University, Anninmuizas boulevard 26a, Riga, LV-1067, Latvia
| | - Jana Pavare
- Children's Clinical University Hospital, Vienibas Gatve 45, Riga, LV-1004, Latvia.,Riga Stradins University, Dzirciema 16, Riga, LV-1007, Latvia
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Nugent C, Verlander NQ, Varma S, Bradley DT, Patterson L. Examining the association between socio-demographic factors, catheter use and antibiotic prescribing in Northern Ireland primary care: a cross-sectional multilevel analysis. Epidemiol Infect 2022; 150:1-36. [PMID: 35443905 PMCID: PMC9102062 DOI: 10.1017/s0950268822000644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2021] [Revised: 03/24/2022] [Accepted: 03/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Inappropriate use of antibiotics is among the key drivers of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Antibiotic use in Northern Ireland (NI) is the highest in the UK and approximately 80% is prescribed in primary care. Little information however exists about the patient and prescriber factors driving this. We described the trend in NI primary care total antibiotic prescribing 2010–2019 and conducted a cross-sectional study using a random sample of individuals registered with an NI GP on 1st January 2019. We used multilevel logistic regression to examine how sociodemographic factors and urinary catheter use was associated with the likelihood of being prescribed an antibiotic during 2019, adjusting for clustering at GP practice and GP federation levels. Finite mixture modelling (FMM) was conducted to determine the association between the aforementioned risk factors and quantity of antibiotic prescribed (defined daily doses). The association between age and antibiotic prescription differed by gender. Compared to males 41–50 years, adjusted odds of prescription were higher for males aged 0–10, 11–20 and 51 + years, and females of any age. Catheter use was strongly associated with antibiotic prescription (aOR = 6.82, 95% CI 2.50–18.64). Socioeconomic deprivation and urban/rural settlement were not associated in the multilevel logistic analysis. GP practices and federations accounted for 1.24% and 0.12% of the variation in antibiotic prescribing respectively. FMM showed associations between larger quantities of antibiotics and being older, male and having a catheter. This work described the profile of individuals most likely to receive an antibiotic prescription in NI primary care and identified GP practice as a source of variation; suggesting an opportunity for reduction from effective interventions targeted at both individuals and general practices.
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Affiliation(s)
- C. Nugent
- UK Field Epidemiology Training Programme, UK Health Security Agency, London, UK
- Health Protection Department, Public Health Agency, Belfast, Northern Ireland
| | | | - S. Varma
- Health and Social Care Board, Belfast, Northern Ireland
| | - D. T. Bradley
- Health Protection Department, Public Health Agency, Belfast, Northern Ireland
- Queens University Belfast, Belfast, Northern Ireland
| | - L. Patterson
- Health Protection Department, Public Health Agency, Belfast, Northern Ireland
- Queens University Belfast, Belfast, Northern Ireland
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Likopa Z, Kivite-Urtane A, Pavare J. Latvian Primary Care Management of Children with Acute Infections: Antibiotic-Prescribing Habits and Diagnostic Process Prior to Treatment. MEDICINA-LITHUANIA 2021; 57:medicina57080831. [PMID: 34441037 PMCID: PMC8397978 DOI: 10.3390/medicina57080831] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2021] [Revised: 08/11/2021] [Accepted: 08/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Primary care physicians frequently prescribe antibiotics for acutely ill children, even though they usually have self-limiting diseases of viral etiology. The aim of this research was to evaluate the routine antibiotic-prescribing habits of primary care in Latvia, in response to children presenting with infections. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study included acutely ill children who consulted eighty family physicians (FP) in Latvia, between November 2019 and May 2020. The data regarding patient demographics, diagnoses treated with antibiotics, the choice of antibiotics and the use of diagnostic tests were collected. Results: The study population comprised 2383 patients aged between one month and 17 years, presenting an acute infection episode, who had a face-to-face consultation with an FP. Overall, 29.2% of these patients received an antibiotic prescription. The diagnoses most often treated with antibiotics were otitis (45.8% of all antibiotic prescriptions), acute bronchitis (25.0%) and the common cold (14.8%). The most commonly prescribed antibiotics were amoxicillin (55.9% of prescriptions), amoxicillin/clavulanate (18.1%) and clarithromycin (11.8%). Diagnostic tests were carried out for 59.6% of children presenting with acute infections and preceded 66.4% of antibiotic prescriptions. Conclusion: Our data revealed that a high level of antibiotic prescribing for self-limiting viral infections in children continues to occur. The underuse of narrow-spectrum antibiotics and suboptimal use of diagnostic tests before treatment decision-making were also identified. To achieve a more rational use of antibiotics in primary care for children with a fever, professionals and parents need to be better educated on this subject, and diagnostic tests should be used more extensively, including the implementation of daily point-of-care testing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zane Likopa
- Children’s Clinical University Hospital, Vienibas Gatve 45, LV-1004 Riga, Latvia;
- Correspondence:
| | - Anda Kivite-Urtane
- Department of Public Health and Epidemiology, Institute of Public Health, Riga Stradins University, Kronvalda Bulvaris 9, LV-1010 Riga, Latvia;
| | - Jana Pavare
- Children’s Clinical University Hospital, Vienibas Gatve 45, LV-1004 Riga, Latvia;
- Department of Pediatrics, Riga Stradins University, Vienibas Gatve 45, LV-1004 Riga, Latvia
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Saliba-Gustafsson EA, Dunberger Hampton A, Zarb P, Borg MA, Stålsby Lundborg C. Antibiotic prescribing for respiratory tract complaints in Malta: a 1 year repeated cross-sectional surveillance study. J Antimicrob Chemother 2020; 74:1116-1124. [PMID: 30624733 DOI: 10.1093/jac/dky544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2018] [Revised: 11/26/2018] [Accepted: 11/28/2018] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To determine the 1 year antibiotic prescribing patterns by GPs for acute respiratory tract complaints (aRTCs) in Malta. METHODS In this repeated cross-sectional surveillance study, GPs collected data for patients seen for aRTCs during a designated 1 week period each month, between May 2015 and April 2016. GPs received three text reminders during surveillance weeks and were contacted by phone at most four times during the year. GPs also received 3 monthly individual- and aggregate-level feedback reports on their antibiotic prescribing patterns. Descriptive statistics were used to examine patient, consultation and clinical characteristics, and to describe GPs' prescribing patterns. RESULTS Participating GPs (n = 33) registered 4641 patients with an aRTC, of whom 2122 (45.7%) received an antibiotic prescription. The majority (99.6%) of antibiotics prescribed were broad-spectrum and the most commonly prescribed antibiotics were macrolides (35.5%), followed by penicillins with a β-lactamase inhibitor (33.2%) and second-generation cephalosporins (14.2%). Specifically, co-amoxiclav (33.2%), clarithromycin (19.6%), azithromycin (15.1%) and cefuroxime axetil (10.9%) represented 78.8% of all antibiotics prescribed. Patients with tonsillar exudate (99.1%), purulent sputum (84%), otorrhoea (78%), tender cervical nodes (74.4%) and fever (73.1%) received most antibiotics. The diagnoses that received the highest proportion of antibiotic treatment were tonsillitis (96.3%), otitis media (92.5%) and bronchitis (87.5%). Wide variation in the choice of antibiotic class by diagnosis was observed. CONCLUSIONS GP antibiotic prescribing in Malta is high. The abundant use of broad-spectrum antibiotics, particularly macrolides, is of particular concern and indicates that antibiotics are being used inappropriately. Efforts must be made to improve GP awareness of appropriate antibiotic prescribing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erika A Saliba-Gustafsson
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Global Health - Health Systems and Policy (HSP): Improving Use of Medicines, Karolinska Institutet, Tomtebodavägen 18A, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Alexandra Dunberger Hampton
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Global Health - Health Systems and Policy (HSP): Improving Use of Medicines, Karolinska Institutet, Tomtebodavägen 18A, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Peter Zarb
- Department of Infection Prevention and Control, Mater Dei Hospital, Msida MSD, Malta
| | - Michael A Borg
- Department of Infection Prevention and Control, Mater Dei Hospital, Msida MSD, Malta.,Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Malta, Msida MSD, Malta
| | - Cecilia Stålsby Lundborg
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Global Health - Health Systems and Policy (HSP): Improving Use of Medicines, Karolinska Institutet, Tomtebodavägen 18A, Stockholm, Sweden
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Benko R, Matuz M, Juhasz Z, Bognar J, Bordas R, Soos G, Hajdu E, Peto Z. Treatment of Cystitis by Hungarian General Practitioners: A Prospective Observational Study. Front Pharmacol 2020; 10:1498. [PMID: 31920676 PMCID: PMC6931317 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2019.01498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2019] [Accepted: 11/19/2019] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Lower urinary tract infections (LUTIs) are amongst the most common community acquired infections with frequent antibiotic prescribing. Objectives: To assess empiric antibiotic choice in different types of lower urinary tract infections. We also aimed to identify determinants of fluoroquinolone prescribing, as well as to determine the rate of short antibiotic courses. The frequencies of executing laboratory tests and recommending analgesics/anti-inflammatory drugs were also assessed. Methods: A prospective observational study was performed in 19 different Hungarian primary care practices. Participating general practitioners (GPs) filled out data sheets for each patient with a suspected urinary tract infection. Details of drug use were evaluated. Comparison of different LUTI groups were made by descriptive statistics and univariate analysis. Possible determinants of fluoroquinolone prescribing were assessed by logistic regression. Results: Data sheets of 372 patients were analyzed. The majority of patients (68.82%) had acute uncomplicated cystitis. While antibiotics were prescribed for almost every patient (uncomplicated cases: 92.58%, complicated cases: 94.83%), analgesics/anti-inflammatory drugs were recommended at a rate of 7.81% in uncomplicated, and 13.79% in complicated cystitis cases. Ciprofloxacin was the most commonly prescribed antibacterial agent in both types of cystitis. Short-term antibiotic therapy was prescribed in one third of relevant cases. Logistic regression found a weak association between fluoroquinolone use and patient’s age and presence of complicating factors. Conclusions: Many aspects of suboptimal cystitis management were identified (e.g. unnecessarily broad spectra agents, too long antibiotic courses). In this study, patient characteristics has weakly influenced fluoroquinolone prescribing. Based on these results there is considerable room for improvement in primary care antibiotic therapy of cystitis in Hungary.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ria Benko
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Maria Matuz
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Zoltan Juhasz
- First Department of Internal Medicine, Infectology Unit, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | | | - Reka Bordas
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Gyongyver Soos
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Edit Hajdu
- First Department of Internal Medicine, Infectology Unit, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Zoltan Peto
- Emergency Department, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
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Khan Z, Ahmed N, Rehman AU, Khan FU, Karataş Y. Utilization Pattern of Antibiotics and Patient Care Indicators in the Teaching Hospitals, Islamabad, Pakistan. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/s42399-019-00131-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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Civljak R, Tot T, Falsey AR, Huljev E, Vranes J, Ljubin-Sternak S. Viral pathogens associated with acute respiratory illness in hospitalized adults and elderly from Zagreb, Croatia, 2016 to 2018. J Med Virol 2019; 91:1202-1209. [PMID: 30801727 PMCID: PMC7166480 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.25437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2018] [Revised: 01/25/2019] [Accepted: 02/18/2019] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Aims To investigate the viral etiology of acute respiratory infection (ARI) in hospitalized adults and elderly patients in Croatia, compare the prevalence of detected viruses, and to determine clinical characteristics and seasonal occurrence of investigated infections. Methods From January 2016 to June 2018, a total of 182 adult patients presented with symptoms of ARI and admitted to the hospital were tested for 15 respiratory viruses by multiplex reverse‐transcription polymerase chain reaction. Clinical data were collected by retrospective analysis of the patient's chart. Results A virus was identified in 106 (58.5%) of the patients. The most commonly detected virus was influenza virus (41.5%), followed by respiratory syncytial virus (13.8%), human metapneumovirus (13.0%), parainfluenza viruses (12.2%), rhinoviruses (11.4%), adenovirus and coronaviruses with equal frequencies (3.3%), and enterovirus (1.6%). The serum level of C‐reactive protein and white blood cell count were significantly lower in patients with respiratory viruses identified when compared with those in whom no virus was detected (P < 0.001 and
P = 0.007, respectively). There were no differences in clinical symptoms according to the type of the detected virus, except for more frequent illness exposure recall for influenza infection (
P = 0.010). Influenza, parainfluenza, and pneumoviruses were detected mostly in winter months, while rhinoviruses in autumn and spring. Conclusions In addition to influenza, pneumoviruses, rhinoviruses, and parainfluenza viruses play an important role in etiology of ARIs in adults. Fast and accurate laboratory diagnosis for respiratory viruses in routine practice is needed for clinicians optimally manage patients with ARI and potentially avoid the unnecessary use of antimicrobial drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rok Civljak
- Department of Respiratory Tract Infections, Dr Fran Mihaljevic University Hospital for Infectious Diseases, University of Zagreb School of Medicine, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Tatjana Tot
- Department of Microbiology, General Hospital Karlovac, Karlovac, Croatia
| | - Ann R Falsey
- Department of Medicine, Rochester General Hospital and University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York
| | - Eva Huljev
- Department of Respiratory Tract Infections, Dr Fran Mihaljevic University Hospital for Infectious Diseases, University of Zagreb School of Medicine, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Jasmina Vranes
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Dr Andrija Stampar Teaching Institute of Public Health, Zagreb, Croatia.,Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Zagreb School of Medicine, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Suncanica Ljubin-Sternak
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Dr Andrija Stampar Teaching Institute of Public Health, Zagreb, Croatia.,Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Zagreb School of Medicine, Zagreb, Croatia
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Ny S, Edquist P, Dumpis U, Gröndahl-Yli-Hannuksela K, Hermes J, Kling AM, Klingeberg A, Kozlov R, Källman O, Lis DO, Pomorska-Wesołowska M, Saule M, Wisell KT, Vuopio J, Palagin I. Antimicrobial resistance of Escherichia coli isolates from outpatient urinary tract infections in women in six European countries including Russia. J Glob Antimicrob Resist 2018; 17:25-34. [PMID: 30447337 DOI: 10.1016/j.jgar.2018.11.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2018] [Revised: 10/09/2018] [Accepted: 11/05/2018] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES In the Northern Dimension Antibiotic Resistance Study (NoDARS), Finland, Germany, Latvia, Poland, Russia and Sweden collected urine samples from outpatient women (aged 18-65years) with symptoms of uncomplicated urinary tract infection (UTI) to investigate the levels of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) among Escherichia coli isolates. METHODS A total of 775 E. coli isolates from 1280 clinical urine samples were collected from October 2015 to January 2017. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed and the results were interpreted according to European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (EUCAST) criteria. RESULTS Overall AMR rates to the commonly used antibiotics nitrofurantoin, fosfomycin and mecillinam (except for Germany that was missing a result for mecillinam) were 1.2%, 1.3% and 4.1%, respectively. The highest overall resistance rates were determined for ampicillin (39.6%), trimethoprim (23.8%), trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (22.4%), amoxicillin/clavulanic acid (16.7%) and ciprofloxacin (15.1%), varying significantly between countries. The rate of extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) production was 8.7%. None of the isolates showed resistance to meropenem. CONCLUSIONS In most cases, low AMR rates were detected against the first-line antibiotics recommended in national UTI treatment guidelines, giving support to their future use. These results also support the European Association of Urology guidelines stating that nitrofurantoin, fosfomycin and mecillinam are viable treatment options for uncomplicated UTI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofia Ny
- Public Health Agency of Sweden, Nobels väg 18, 17182 Solna, Sweden; Division of Clinical Microbiology, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Alfred Nobels allé 10, 141 52 Huddinge, Sweden.
| | - Petra Edquist
- Public Health Agency of Sweden, Nobels väg 18, 17182 Solna, Sweden
| | - Uga Dumpis
- Pauls Stradins Clinical University Hospital, Pilsoņu iela 13, Zemgales priekšpilsēta, Rīga, LV-1002, Latvia
| | | | - Julia Hermes
- Robert Koch-Institut, Seestraße 10, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Anna-Maria Kling
- Public Health Agency of Sweden, Nobels väg 18, 17182 Solna, Sweden
| | | | - Roman Kozlov
- Institute of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy of Smolensk State Medical University, P.O. Box N5, Smolensk 214019, Russian Federation
| | - Owe Källman
- Division of Clinical Microbiology, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Alfred Nobels allé 10, 141 52 Huddinge, Sweden; Department of Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Stockholm County Council, Magnus Ladulåsgatan 63A, 118 91 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Danuta O Lis
- Institute of Occupational Medicine and Environmental Health, Kościelna 13, 40-001 Sosnowiec, Poland
| | | | - Māra Saule
- Pauls Stradins Clinical University Hospital, Pilsoņu iela 13, Zemgales priekšpilsēta, Rīga, LV-1002, Latvia
| | | | - Jaana Vuopio
- Institute of Biomedicine, University of Turku, Kiinamyllynkatu 10, 20520 Turku, Finland
| | - Ivan Palagin
- Institute of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy of Smolensk State Medical University, P.O. Box N5, Smolensk 214019, Russian Federation
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