Prevalence and risk factors of antibiotic resistance for urinary tract infections in patients presenting to a Belgian tertiary care emergency department: testing the national guidelines against the local setting.

Objectives: Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are an important cause of empiric antibiotic (over)treatment at the emergency department (ED). To enhance empiric antibiotic choices, mapping the national and local microbiology and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) patterns is crucial. This study aims to examine resistance patterns at a Brussels ED and to identify risk factors for AMR to evaluate current treatment guidelines and help combat AMR.

Comparison of whole genome sequencing typing tools for the typing of Belgian Legionella pneumophila outbreaks isolates.

Whole genome sequencing (WGS) marks a turning point for outbreak investigations for microorganisms related to public health matters, like Legionella pneumophila (Lp). Here, we evaluated the available Lp WGS typing tools for isolates of previously documented Belgian outbreaks, as well as small groups of related and non-related isolates. One reference strain and 77 clinical and environmental isolates were evaluated.

Broth microdilution protocol for determining antimicrobial susceptibility of Legionella pneumophila to clinically relevant antimicrobials.

Currently there is no detailed, internationally agreed protocol defined to evaluate antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) for Legionella pneumophila (required to establish epidemiological cut-off value or "ECOFF" boundaries); therefore, antimicrobial resistance in these isolates cannot be defined. AST methods utilising media containing activated charcoal as an ingredient, to enable Legionella growth, are unreliable as noted in an internationally authored opinion paper and a new gold standard is required. Here we define a detailed protocol for broth microdilution (BMD) using defined cell culture collection-deposited control reference strains (Philadelphia-1 and Knoxville-1) as well as two accessible reference strains with moderately (lpeAB-carrying) and markedly (23S rRNA mutation-carrying) elevated azithromycin minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC).

Evaluation of a peracetic-acid-based sink drain disinfectant on the intensive care unit of a tertiary care centre in Belgium.

Background: Sink drains in hospitals are notorious reservoirs of bacteria, hosting both planktonic micro-organisms and biofilms within the siphon. Disinfectants based on peracetic acid are both non-corrosive and effective in eliminating biofilm and planktonic micro-organisms, presenting a potential solution for decontaminating sink drains.

Aim: To examine the effectiveness of Clinell Drain Disinfectant, a peracetic-acid-based disinfectant, in the intensive care unit (ICU) of UZ Brussel.

Uncovering Gaps in Knowledge: A Survey of Belgian General Practitioners' Awareness of Legionnaires' Disease Diagnostic Testing.

The incidence of Legionnaires' disease (LD) is increasing steadily in Europe. Its early diagnosis by general practitioners (GPs) is crucial for better patient outcomes. This study assessed Belgian GPs' knowledge about LD and the accessibility of diagnostic tests in their practices.