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Cuypers L, Dellicour S, Hong SL, Potter BI, Verhasselt B, Vereecke N, Lambrechts L, Durkin K, Bours V, Klamer S, Bayon-Vicente G, Vael C, Ariën KK, De Mendonca R, Soetens O, Michel C, Bearzatto B, Naesens R, Gras J, Vankeerberghen A, Matheeussen V, Martens G, Obbels D, Lemmens A, Van den Poel B, Van Even E, De Rauw K, Waumans L, Reynders M, Degosserie J, Maes P, André E, Baele G. Two Years of Genomic Surveillance in Belgium during the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic to Attain Country-Wide Coverage and Monitor the Introduction and Spread of Emerging Variants. Viruses 2022; 14:2301. [PMID: 36298856 PMCID: PMC9612291 DOI: 10.3390/v14102301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2022] [Revised: 10/14/2022] [Accepted: 10/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
An adequate SARS-CoV-2 genomic surveillance strategy has proven to be essential for countries to obtain a thorough understanding of the variants and lineages being imported and successfully established within their borders. During 2020, genomic surveillance in Belgium was not structurally implemented but performed by individual research laboratories that had to acquire the necessary funds themselves to perform this important task. At the start of 2021, a nationwide genomic surveillance consortium was established in Belgium to markedly increase the country's genomic sequencing efforts (both in terms of intensity and representativeness), to perform quality control among participating laboratories, and to enable coordination and collaboration of research projects and publications. We here discuss the genomic surveillance efforts in Belgium before and after the establishment of its genomic sequencing consortium, provide an overview of the specifics of the consortium, and explore more details regarding the scientific studies that have been published as a result of the increased number of Belgian SARS-CoV-2 genomes that have become available.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lize Cuypers
- National Reference Centre for Respiratory Pathogens, Department of Laboratory Medicine, University Hospitals Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Simon Dellicour
- Spatial Epidemiology Lab (SpELL), Université Libre de Bruxelles, 1000 Brussels, Belgium
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Samuel L. Hong
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Barney I. Potter
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Bruno Verhasselt
- Department of Diagnostic Sciences, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Nick Vereecke
- PathoSense BV, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Laurens Lambrechts
- HIV Cure Research Center, Department of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
- BioBix, Department of Data Analysis and Mathematical Modelling, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Keith Durkin
- Laboratory of Human Genetics, GIGA Research Institute, 4000 Liège, Belgium
| | - Vincent Bours
- Laboratory of Human Genetics, GIGA Research Institute, 4000 Liège, Belgium
- Department of Human Genetics, University Hospital of Liège, 4000 Liège, Belgium
| | - Sofieke Klamer
- Scientific Directorate of Epidemiology and Public Health, Sciensano, 1050 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Guillaume Bayon-Vicente
- Department of Proteomic and Microbiology, Research Institute for Biosciences, University of Mons, 7000 Mons, Belgium
| | - Carl Vael
- Clinical Laboratory, AZ Klina, 2930 Brasschaat, Belgium
| | - Kevin K. Ariën
- Virology Unit, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine Antwerp, 2000 Antwerp, Belgium
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical, Biomedical and Veterinary Sciences, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Antwerp, 2000 Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Ricardo De Mendonca
- Department of Microbiology, CUB-Hôpital Erasme, Université Libre de Bruxelles, 1000 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Oriane Soetens
- Department of Microbiology and Infection Control, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 1090 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Charlotte Michel
- Department of Microbiology, Laboratoire Hospitalier Universitaire de Bruxelles (LHUB-ULB), 1000 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Bertrand Bearzatto
- Center for Applied Molecular Technologies (CTMA), Institut de Recherche Expérimentale et Clinique (IREC), Université Catholique de Louvain (UCLouvain), 1000 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Reinout Naesens
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Ziekenhuis Netwerk Antwerpen, 2020 Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Jeremie Gras
- Institute of Pathology and Genetics (IPG), 6041 Gosselies, Belgium
| | - Anne Vankeerberghen
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Campus Aalst-Asse-Ninove, Onze-Lieve-Vrouwziekenhuis, 9300 Aalst, Belgium
| | - Veerle Matheeussen
- Laboratory of Medical Microbiology, Department of Microbiology, Vaccine & Infectious Disease Institute (VAXINFECTIO), University of Antwerp, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Geert Martens
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, AZ Delta General Hospital, 8800 Roeselare, Belgium
| | - Dagmar Obbels
- Clinical Laboratory, Imelda Hospital, 2820 Bonheiden, Belgium
| | - Ann Lemmens
- Laboratory of Clinical Biology, AZ Sint-Maarten Hospital, 2800 Mechelen, Belgium
| | - Bea Van den Poel
- Clinical Laboratory, General Hospital Jan Portaels, 1800 Vilvoorde, Belgium
| | - Ellen Van Even
- Clinical Laboratory of Microbiology, HH Hospital Lier, 2500 Lier, Belgium
| | - Klara De Rauw
- Laboratory of Clinical Biology, AZ Sint Lucas Hospital, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Luc Waumans
- Clinical Laboratory, Jessa Hospital, 3500 Hasselt, Belgium
| | - Marijke Reynders
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Medical Microbiology, AZ Sint-Jan Bruges-Ostend AV, 8000 Bruges, Belgium
| | - Jonathan Degosserie
- Federal Testing Platform COVID-19, Department of Laboratory Medicine, CHU UCL Namur, 5530 Yvoir, Belgium
- Next Generation Sequencing Platform, Molecular Diagnostic Center, CHU UCL Namur, 5530 Yvoir, Belgium
| | - Piet Maes
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Emmanuel André
- National Reference Centre for Respiratory Pathogens, Department of Laboratory Medicine, University Hospitals Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
- Federal Testing Platform COVID-19, Department of Laboratory Medicine, University Hospitals Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
- Laboratory of Clinical Microbiology, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Guy Baele
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
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Meurisse M, Lajot A, Dupont Y, Lesenfants M, Klamer S, Rebolledo J, Lernout T, Leroy M, Capron A, Van Bussel J, Quoilin S, Andre E, Kehoe K, Waumans L, Van Acker J, Vandenberg O, Van den Wijngaert S, Verdonck A, Cuypers L, Van Cauteren D. One year of laboratory-based COVID-19 surveillance system in Belgium: main indicators and performance of the laboratories (March 2020-21). Arch Public Health 2021; 79:188. [PMID: 34706768 PMCID: PMC8548266 DOI: 10.1186/s13690-021-00704-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2021] [Accepted: 10/04/2021] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND With the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), an existing national laboratory-based surveillance system was adapted to daily monitor the epidemiological situation of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in the Belgium by following the number of confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infections, the number of performed tests and the positivity ratio. We present these main indicators of the surveillance over a one-year period as well as the impact of the performance of the laboratories, regarding speed of processing the samples and reporting results, for surveillance. METHODS We describe the evolution of test capacity, testing strategy and the data collection methods during the first year of the epidemic in Belgium. RESULTS Between the 1st of March 2020 and the 28th of February 2021, 9,487,470 tests and 773,078 COVID-19 laboratory confirmed cases were reported. Two epidemic waves occurred, with a peak in April and October 2020. The capacity and performance of the laboratories improved continuously during 2020 resulting in a high level performance. Since the end of November 2020 90 to 95% of the test results are reported at the latest the day after sampling was performed. CONCLUSIONS Thanks to the effort of all laboratories a performant exhaustive national laboratory-based surveillance system to monitor the epidemiological situation of SARS-CoV-2 was set up in Belgium in 2020. On top of expanding the number of laboratories performing diagnostics and significantly increasing the test capacity in Belgium, turnaround times between sampling and testing as well as reporting were optimized over the first year of this pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marjan Meurisse
- Scientific Directorate of Epidemiology and Public Health, Service Epidemiology of infectious diseases, Sciensano, J. Wytsmanstraat 14, 1050, Brussels, Belgium.
| | - Adrien Lajot
- Scientific Directorate of Epidemiology and Public Health, Service Epidemiology of infectious diseases, Sciensano, J. Wytsmanstraat 14, 1050, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Yves Dupont
- Scientific Directorate of Epidemiology and Public Health, Service Epidemiology of infectious diseases, Sciensano, J. Wytsmanstraat 14, 1050, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Marie Lesenfants
- Scientific Directorate of Epidemiology and Public Health, Service Epidemiology of infectious diseases, Sciensano, J. Wytsmanstraat 14, 1050, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Sofieke Klamer
- Scientific Directorate of Epidemiology and Public Health, Service Epidemiology of infectious diseases, Sciensano, J. Wytsmanstraat 14, 1050, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Javiera Rebolledo
- Scientific Directorate of Epidemiology and Public Health, Service Epidemiology of infectious diseases, Sciensano, J. Wytsmanstraat 14, 1050, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Tinne Lernout
- Scientific Directorate of Epidemiology and Public Health, Service Epidemiology of infectious diseases, Sciensano, J. Wytsmanstraat 14, 1050, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Mathias Leroy
- Scientific Directorate of Epidemiology and Public Health, Service Epidemiology of infectious diseases, Sciensano, J. Wytsmanstraat 14, 1050, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Arnaud Capron
- Quality of Laboratories, Sciensano, J. Wytsmanstraat 14, 1050, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Johan Van Bussel
- Healthdata.be, Sciensano, J. Wytsmanstraat 14, 1050, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Sophie Quoilin
- Scientific Directorate of Epidemiology and Public Health, Service Epidemiology of infectious diseases, Sciensano, J. Wytsmanstraat 14, 1050, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Emmanuel Andre
- National Reference Center Respiratory Pathogens, Department of Laboratory Medicine, UZ Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
- Laboratory of Clinical Bacteriology and Mycology, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute, KU Leuven, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Kaat Kehoe
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Pathology, AML, Sonic Healthcare, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Luc Waumans
- Clinical Laboratory, Jessa Hospital, Hasselt, Belgium
| | - Jos Van Acker
- Laboratory of Clinical Microbiology, AZ Sint-Lucas, Groenebriel 1, 9000, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Olivier Vandenberg
- Department of Microbiology, LHUB-ULB, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
- Center for Environmental Health and Occupational Health, School of Public Health, Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Brussels, Belgium
- Division of Infection and Immunity, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University College London, London, UK
| | | | - Ann Verdonck
- National Reference Center Respiratory Pathogens, Department of Laboratory Medicine, UZ Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Lize Cuypers
- National Reference Center Respiratory Pathogens, Department of Laboratory Medicine, UZ Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Dieter Van Cauteren
- Scientific Directorate of Epidemiology and Public Health, Service Epidemiology of infectious diseases, Sciensano, J. Wytsmanstraat 14, 1050, Brussels, Belgium
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Boeckmans J, Rombaut M, Demuyser T, Declerck B, Piérard D, Rogiers V, De Kock J, Waumans L, Magerman K, Cartuyvels R, Rummens JL, Rodrigues RM, Vanhaecke T. Infections at the nexus of metabolic-associated fatty liver disease. Arch Toxicol 2021; 95:2235-2253. [PMID: 34027561 PMCID: PMC8141380 DOI: 10.1007/s00204-021-03069-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2020] [Accepted: 04/29/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is a chronic liver disease that affects about a quarter of the world population. MAFLD encompasses different disease stadia ranging from isolated liver steatosis to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), fibrosis, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Although MAFLD is considered as the hepatic manifestation of the metabolic syndrome, multiple concomitant disease-potentiating factors can accelerate disease progression. Among these risk factors are diet, lifestyle, genetic traits, intake of steatogenic drugs, male gender and particular infections. Although infections often outweigh the development of fatty liver disease, pre-existing MAFLD could be triggered to progress towards more severe disease stadia. These combined disease cases might be underreported because of the high prevalence of both MAFLD and infectious diseases that can promote or exacerbate fatty liver disease development. In this review, we portray the molecular and cellular mechanisms by which the most relevant viral, bacterial and parasitic infections influence the progression of fatty liver disease and steatohepatitis. We focus in particular on how infectious diseases, including coronavirus disease-19, hepatitis C, acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, peptic ulcer and periodontitis, exacerbate MAFLD. We specifically underscore the synergistic effects of these infections with other MAFLD-promoting factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joost Boeckmans
- Department of In Vitro Toxicology and Dermato-Cosmetology, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103, 1090, Brussels, Belgium.
- Clinical Laboratory, Jessa Hospital, Stadsomvaart 11, 3500, Hasselt, Belgium.
| | - Matthias Rombaut
- Department of In Vitro Toxicology and Dermato-Cosmetology, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103, 1090, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Thomas Demuyser
- Department of Microbiology, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 101, 1090, Brussels, Belgium
- Center for Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103, 1090, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Baptist Declerck
- Department of Microbiology, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 101, 1090, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Denis Piérard
- Department of Microbiology, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 101, 1090, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Vera Rogiers
- Department of In Vitro Toxicology and Dermato-Cosmetology, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103, 1090, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Joery De Kock
- Department of In Vitro Toxicology and Dermato-Cosmetology, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103, 1090, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Luc Waumans
- Clinical Laboratory, Jessa Hospital, Stadsomvaart 11, 3500, Hasselt, Belgium
| | - Koen Magerman
- Clinical Laboratory, Jessa Hospital, Stadsomvaart 11, 3500, Hasselt, Belgium
- Department of Immunology and Infection, Hasselt University, Martelarenlaan 42, 3500, Hasselt, Belgium
| | - Reinoud Cartuyvels
- Clinical Laboratory, Jessa Hospital, Stadsomvaart 11, 3500, Hasselt, Belgium
| | - Jean-Luc Rummens
- Clinical Laboratory, Jessa Hospital, Stadsomvaart 11, 3500, Hasselt, Belgium
| | - Robim M Rodrigues
- Department of In Vitro Toxicology and Dermato-Cosmetology, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103, 1090, Brussels, Belgium.
| | - Tamara Vanhaecke
- Department of In Vitro Toxicology and Dermato-Cosmetology, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103, 1090, Brussels, Belgium
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D'Onofrio V, Meersman A, Magerman K, Waumans L, van Halem K, Cox JA, van der Hilst JC, Cartuyvels R, Messiaen P, Gyssens IC. Audit of empirical antibiotic therapy for sepsis and the impact of early multidisciplinary consultation on patient outcomes. Int J Antimicrob Agents 2021; 58:106379. [PMID: 34161787 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijantimicag.2021.106379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2020] [Revised: 04/04/2021] [Accepted: 06/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To perform an audit of empirical antibiotic therapy (EAT) of sepsis at the emergency department and to analyse the impact of an antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) programme on process and patient outcomes. PATIENTS AND METHODS A prospective, single-centre cohort study including patients with sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) score ≥2 from whom blood cultures were taken was conducted between February 2019 and April 2020. EAT was assessed using eight applicable inpatient quality indicators (IQIs) for responsible antibiotic use. Patient outcomes were hospital length-of-stay (LOS), ICU admission, ICU LOS, and in-hospital mortality. RESULTS The audit included 900 sepsis episodes in 803 patients. Full guideline adherence regarding choice and dosing was 45.9%; adherence regarding choice alone was 68.1%. EAT was active against all likely pathogens in 665/787 (84.5%) episodes. In the guideline non-adherent group, choice of EAT was inappropriate in 122/251 (48.6%) episodes. Changes within 3 days occurred in 335/900 (37.2%) episodes. Treating physicians changed administration route more often, whereas microbiological/infectious disease (ID)/AMS consultant advice resulted in de-escalation and discontinuation (P = 0.000). Guideline-adherent choice was associated with significantly shorter LOS (6 (4-11) vs. 8 (5-15) days). Full adherence was associated with significantly lower mortality (23 (6.4%) vs. 48 (11.3%)) and shorter LOS (6 (4-10) vs. 8 (5-14) days). CONCLUSION Five global quality indicators of EAT were measurable in routine clinical practice. Full adherence to guidelines was only moderate. Adherence to guidelines was associated with better patient outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentino D'Onofrio
- Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Hasselt University, Hasselt, Belgium; Department of Infectious Diseases and Immunity, Jessa Hospital, Hasselt, Belgium; Department of Internal Medicine and Radboud Center for Infectious Diseases, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | | | - Koen Magerman
- Department of Clinical Biology, Jessa Hospital, Hasselt, Belgium
| | - Luc Waumans
- Department of Clinical Biology, Jessa Hospital, Hasselt, Belgium
| | - Karlijn van Halem
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Immunity, Jessa Hospital, Hasselt, Belgium
| | - Janneke A Cox
- Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Hasselt University, Hasselt, Belgium; Department of Infectious Diseases and Immunity, Jessa Hospital, Hasselt, Belgium
| | - Jeroen C van der Hilst
- Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Hasselt University, Hasselt, Belgium; Department of Infectious Diseases and Immunity, Jessa Hospital, Hasselt, Belgium
| | | | - Peter Messiaen
- Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Hasselt University, Hasselt, Belgium; Department of Infectious Diseases and Immunity, Jessa Hospital, Hasselt, Belgium
| | - Inge C Gyssens
- Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Hasselt University, Hasselt, Belgium; Department of Internal Medicine and Radboud Center for Infectious Diseases, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
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Boeckmans J, Cartuyvels R, Hilkens P, Bruckers L, Magerman K, Waumans L, Raymaekers M. Follow-up testing of borderline SARS-CoV-2 patients by rRT-PCR allows early diagnosis of COVID-19. Diagn Microbiol Infect Dis 2021; 100:115350. [PMID: 33689985 PMCID: PMC7891066 DOI: 10.1016/j.diagmicrobio.2021.115350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2020] [Revised: 02/08/2021] [Accepted: 02/13/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in nasopharyngeal samples using the real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR) is the gold standard for diagnosing COVID-19. Determination of SARS-CoV-2 RNA by rRT-PCR sometimes results in an inconclusive test result due to a high cycle threshold-value. We retrospectively analyzed 30,851 SARS-CoV-2 rRT-PCR test results. Borderline positivity was considered as the presence of ≤25 viral copies per milliliter, while no amplification was considered as a negative test result. Of all test results, 204 were answered as borderline, of which 107 were accompanied by a follow-up test within 96 hours. Of the 107 follow-up samples, 10 (9.35%) were found positive for SARS-CoV-2. COVID-19 symptoms were not predictive for testing positive in the follow-up test. The positive SARS-CoV-2 samples in the follow-up group represented 0.92% of all positive test results, highlighting the need for retesting and increased hygienic measures for borderline SARS-CoV-2 patients [NCT04636294].
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Petra Hilkens
- Clinical Laboratory, Jessa Hospital, Hasselt, Belgium
| | - Liesbeth Bruckers
- I-BioStat, Data Science Institute, Hasselt University, Hasselt, Belgium
| | - Koen Magerman
- Clinical Laboratory, Jessa Hospital, Hasselt, Belgium; Immunity and Infectious Diseases, Hasselt University, Hasselt, Belgium
| | - Luc Waumans
- Clinical Laboratory, Jessa Hospital, Hasselt, Belgium
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Peeters B, Magerman K, Waumans L, Cartuyvels R. Laboratory survey and literature review of anaerobic bacteriology: foundations of a clinically orientated and evidence-based workup for anaerobic cultures. Diagn Microbiol Infect Dis 2016; 86:15-22. [DOI: 10.1016/j.diagmicrobio.2016.06.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2016] [Revised: 06/02/2016] [Accepted: 06/05/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
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Naesens R, Magerman K, Gyssens I, Leenders A, Meekelenkamp J, Van Esbroeck M, CoppensG, Oris E, Craeghs J, Thoelen I, Gabriëls P, Vandevelde M, Forier AM, Waumans L, Cartuyvels R. Q fever across the Dutch border in Limburg province, Belgium. Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis 2012; 31:2053-5. [PMID: 22290347 DOI: 10.1007/s10096-011-1539-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2011] [Accepted: 12/21/2011] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
Abstract
Data from three different data sources were compiled to estimate the presence of Coxiella burnetii in the Belgian Limburg province for both humans and livestock. First, serological data of all samples sent to the Belgian reference centre (2003–2010) for human Q fever were analysed, showing evidence for an acute Q fever infection in 1–5% of the cases. Second, a multi-centre prospective survey was conducted in Limburg in 2010 to detect undiagnosed human cases; evidence for a recent infection with Coxiella burnetii was found in three out of 100 patients from which clinicians suspected a Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection. Third, we analyzed data from the Belgian livestock screening program (2009–2010) which consisted of investigating all reported abortions, sampling tank milk, and serological screening of cattle. The results suggest an endemicity in the Limburgian livestock which seems to be especially high in cattle.
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Abstract
A combination of different enzyme immunoassays (EIAs) was used for the serological confirmation of sera that were positive in a hepatitis C virus (HCV) second-generation screening EIA. Different reaction patterns were related with the probability of the HCV-carrier state as determined by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Five hundred and eight sera of volunteer blood donors were send for confirmation and at first reexamined with both Abbott and Ortho second-generation screening EIA. A group of 195 sera, positive in both assays, was further evaluated by the Abbott Supplemental Assay, the Monolisa anti-HCV and an EIA with only the amino terminal part of the nucleocapsid protein as antigen. In addition PCR on the 5'-noncoding region of the viral genome was performed. We observed that 75 of the 78 PCR-positive sera were found in a group of 89 sera that were strongly positive in the four EIAs used. Moreover all but 1 PCR-positive sera were reactive against the nucleocapsid protein of the virus. Hence we concluded that a genuine antibody response to the nucleocapsid protein is highly suggestive for the HCV-carrier state.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Waumans
- Belgian Red Cross Blood Transfusion Centre, Leuven
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9
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Waumans L, Claeys H, Verhaert H, Mertens W, Vermylen C. Hepatitis C Virus Confirmation in Blood Donor Screening. Vox Sang 1993. [DOI: 10.1159/000462332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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