Investigation of discrepancies obtained during 15 years of non-invasive fetal RHD genotyping in apparent serologic RhD-negative pregnant women.

Objectives: In some European countries, non-invasive fetal RHD genotyping is the first step of anti-D allo-immunized pregnant women management but presence of RHD variant alleles may interfere with the results accuracy. We developed an algorithm allowing solving discordant results (due to the presence of RHD variant) in fetal RHD genotyping assay.

Method: This study gathered the results of fetal RHD genotyping performed between 2006 and 2020 in the Medicine Laboratory of CHR Liège.

COVID-19: A pluralistic and integrated approach for efficient management of the pandemic.

The novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which triggered the ongoing pandemic, was first discovered in China in late 2019. SARS-CoV-2 is a respiratory virus responsible for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) that often manifests as a pneumonic syndrome. In the context of the pandemic, there are mixed views on the data provided by epidemiologists and the information collected by hospital clinicians about their patients.

Improvement of transfusion practice and reduction in red blood cell utilization in Belgian hospitals: Results of a national survey and benchmarking.

Background And Objectives: Belgian health authorities launched a national platform in 2011 to improve the quality of transfusion practices and blood use in Belgian hospitals. No data were available about the quality of hospital transfusion practice at the national level.

Materials And Methods: Three consecutive national surveys (2012, 2014 and 2016) were performed in all 111 Belgian hospitals to assess the degree of implementation of standards in four process domains related to red blood cell (RBC) transfusion: general quality aspects, ordering of RBC, electronic traceability and reporting of adverse events.

Poly(2-dimethylamino ethylmethacrylate)-based polymers to camouflage red blood cell antigens.

Poly(2-dimethylamino-ethylmethacrylate) (PDMAEMA) is a cationic polymer when dissolved in a 7.4 pH fluid. Owing to its ionic nature, this polycation interacts with the negatively charged cell membrane surface of red blood cells (RBCs).

Hepatitis C of genotype 2: the role of medical invasive exams.

Background And Aim: Hepatitis C virus genotype 2 is the third in order of frequency in Belgium. The aim of this study was to better define the genotype 2 carriers' epidemiology characteristics.

Methods: In a database comprising 1726 viremic hepatitis C virus patient from the south part of Belgium, the files of 98 genotype 2 carriers were reviewed.

Routine fetal RHD genotyping with maternal plasma: a four-year experience in Belgium.

Background: The objective was to evaluate the diagnostic value of RHD fetal genotyping from the plasma of D- mothers as soon as 10 weeks' gestation in a routine clinical practice in Belgium.

Study Design And Methods: A prospective study was conducted between November 2002 and December 2006. DNA extraction was performed in an automated closed tube system.

HCV genotype 4 in Belgium: three distinct patterns among patients from European and African origin.

Background: Considered uncommon in western countries some years ago, hepatitis C virus of genotype 4 is now spreading in some areas of Europe. This is assumed to be due to immigration from a region of high prevalence for this genotype and to propagation among drug users. In the south of Belgium, genotype 4 currently accounts for 10% of hepatitis C virus patients and its prevalence is increasing with time.

Hepatitis C virus genotype 5 in southern belgium: epidemiological characteristics and response to therapy.

Data are scarce on patients infected with hepatitis C virus of genotype 5, due to the low prevalence of this genotype around the world. To better define the characteristics of these patients, we reviewed the files of 16 genotype 5 patients. Mean age was 38 +/- 14.

Hepatitis C infection: eligibility for antiviral therapies.

Background: Current treatments of chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) are effective, but expensive and susceptible to induce significant side effects.

Objectives: To evaluate the proportion of HCV patients who are eligible for a treatment.

Methods: In a database comprising 1726 viraemic HCV patients, the files of 299 patients who presented to the same hepatologist for an initial appointment between 1996 and 2003 were reviewed.

Evolution over a 10 year period of the epidemiological profile of 1,726 newly diagnosed HCV patients in Belgium.

In order to evaluate the future burden of hepatitis C, there is a need to quantify the evolution with time of some crucial parameters such as disease frequency and age, modes of infection and infecting genotypes of patients presenting for the first time at consultation. The yearly evolution of these parameters was analyzed retrospectively in a cohort of 1,726 patients living in Belgium, who were diagnosed as hepatitis C virus (HCV) carriers by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) between 1992 and 2002. The epidemiological profile of HCV patients showed significant changes during this period.