During the fifth stage of the Project of European Regional Development Fund “1.1.1.2. “Post-doctoral research aid” “One Health” multidisciplinary approaches for epidemiology and prevention of selected parasitic zoonosis (OMEPPAZ), (1.1.1.2/VIAA/1/16/204)” senior researcher Dr. boil. Gunita Deksne were implementing following actions:

1) A practical sero-epidemiological study has been completed to detect Toxoplasma gondii, Echinococcus spp. and Cryptosporidium spp. the presence of specific antibodies in the Latvian human population, paying special attention to specific target groups of people, such as veterinarians, hunters, pregnant women, laboratory staff and donors. In total, around 700 participants volunteered for the study. Currently, work is still being done on the processing of the collected questionnaires in order to determine the risk factors contributing to the invasion of people in Latvia.

2) The results of the postdoctoral research were presented to the doctoral students wiof the Faculty of Biology, University of Latvia within a Doctoral School “Animal Diversity and Environmental Quality”; as well as to the students of the Master’s study program of the Faculty of Biology, University of Latvia during “Parasitology” course.

3) In collaboration with researchers from the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technology, a study on Cryptosporidium spp. prevalence and factors associated with the infection in cattle of different ages in Latvia was done. Within the framework of the study, microscopic examinations of faeces have been completed, as well as work has begun on processing questionnaires to determine the risk factors contributing to the invasion of cattle in Latvia.

4) A co-operation agreement was concluded with the partner institution National Veterinary Institute (SVA, Sweden) for the planned mobility trip, during which it is planned to learn modern molecular biology methods for Cryptosporidium spp. for the differential diagnosis of species.

Cooperation authority is State Education Development Agency. The duration of the project is 36 months. The total cost of the project is EUR 133 806, 85% of which is financed by the European Regional Development Fund.

Publication dated 18.01.2019.