Nationwide quality assurance of high-throughput diagnostic molecular testing during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic: role of the Belgian National Reference Centre.

Since the onset of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic in Belgium, UZ/KU Leuven has played a crucial role as the National Reference Centre (NRC) for respiratory pathogens, to be the first Belgian laboratory to develop and implement laboratory developed diagnostic assays for SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2) and later to assess the quality of commercial kits. To meet the growing demand for decentralised testing, both clinical laboratories and government-supported high-throughput platforms were gradually deployed across Belgium. Consequently, the role of the NRC transitioned from a specialised testing laboratory to strengthening capacity and coordinating quality assurance.

[Sertraline-induced chronic eosinophilic pneumonia].

Introduction: Sertraline is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor which is often used as first-line treatment for depression. Several patterns of interstitial lung disease attributable to sertraline have been reported in the literature.

Case Report: A 69-year-old patient, who had been taking sertraline to treat severe depression for 10 months, presented with a deterioration in his general condition and respiratory symptoms found to be associated with bilateral pneumonitis.

Cross-evaluation of five slidemakers and three automated image analysis systems: The pitfalls of automation?

Introduction: Automated slidemakers and stainers and digital microscopes are coupled with haematology analysers to achieve better efficiency and cost-effectiveness. This study evaluates the integrated performance of slidemakers and digital microscopes commonly available on the market.

Methods: We compared the percentage of neutrophils for five slidemakers (two Siemens Advia Autoslides, a SysmexSP-10 and SP-50 and an Abbot Alinity hs) and a Horiba Hemaprep to the corresponding haematology analyser data (Siemens Advia 2120i, Sysmex XN and Abbot Alinity hq).

Impact of uncontrolled freezing and long-term storage of peripheral blood stem cells at - 80 °C on haematopoietic recovery after autologous transplantation. Report from two centres.

Controlled-rate freezing and storage in vapour phase nitrogen are used by most transplantation teams for the cryopreservation and storage of peripheral blood haematopoietic stem cells (PBSC). In this study, we analysed 666 autologous PBSC transplants after uncontrolled freezing and storage of PBSC at -80 °C. Statistical analysis showed that neutrophil recovery was associated with both the infused CD34(+) cell dose (P=0.