Covid-19: contribution of clinical characteristics and laboratory features for early detection of patients with high risk of severe evolution.

Background: The aim of this study was to identify early clinical and laboratory predictive factors of a severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Methods: A retrospective study was conducted on adult patients hospitalized for COVID-19 in our hospital. Diagnosis was based on a positive real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) on nasopharyngeal samples.

Cell-free DNA analysis in maternal blood: comparing genome-wide versus targeted approach as a first-line screening test.

Objectives: To evaluate the failure rate and performance of cell-free DNA (cfDNA) testing as a first-line screening method for major trisomies, performed by two laboratories using different analytical methods: a targeted chromosome-selective method (Harmony prenatal Test) versus a genome-wide (GW) massively parallel sequencing method (HB-cfDNA test), and to evaluate the clinical value of incidental findings for the latter method.

Methods: CfDNA testing was performed in 3137 pregnancies with the Harmony prenatal Test and in 3373 pregnancies with the HB-cfDNA test. Propensity score analysis was used to match women between both groups for maternal age, weight, gestational age at testing, fertilization, rate of twin pregnancies and that of aneuploidies.

Profile of women choosing the Harmony® Prenatal Test.

The Harmony® Prenatal Test, a noninvasive cell-free DNA (cfDNA) method for major trisomies has been available since January 2013 at our unit, and tests were sent to the Ariosa Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) laboratory in California. From July 2017 onward, prenatal cfDNA has been reimbursed in Belgium for all pregnancies; however, since then samples are sent to a local laboratory. Little data are available on patient's profile and choices toward cfDNA and on the performance of local technology transfer centers.

High-risk human papillomavirus genotypes distribution in a cohort of HIV-positive women living in Europe: epidemiological implication for vaccination against human papillomavirus.

Background: Worldwide, human papillomavirus (HPV) 16 and 18 represents 70% of high-risk (HR) HPV found in cervical cancer. However HIV-positive women are more frequently infected by HRHPV other than HPV 16 or 18 (OHR). We aimed to analyse the HRHPV genotype distribution in a cohort of HIV-positive women and to estimate the potential protection offered by the different HPV vaccines.

Sustained viral suppression and higher CD4+ T-cell count reduces the risk of persistent cervical high-risk human papillomavirus infection in HIV-positive women.

Background: Studies analyzing the impact of combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) on cervical infection with high-risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) have generated conflicting results. We assessed the long-term impact of cART on persistent cervical HR-HPV infection in a very large cohort of 652 women who underwent follow-up of HIV infection for a median duration of 104 months.

Methods: Prospective cohort of HIV-infected women undergoing HIV infection follow-up who had HR-HPV screening and cytology by Papanicolaou smear performed yearly between 2002 and 2011.

High-risk human papillomavirus infection in HIV-positive African women living in Europe.

Introduction: Cervical infection with high-risk human papillomavirus (HRHPV) induces cervical cancer and is present in 14% of women in Europe. We assessed the prevalence and incidence of cervical HRHPV in a cohort of HIV-positive women living in Belgium.

Methods: Prospective observational program of screening and follow up of HRHPV cervical infection performed by Hybrid Capture in 825 HIV-positive women between 2002 and 2011.