Estimation of antimicrobial resistance of Belgium, 2022.

BackgroundAntimicrobial resistance (AMR) of (MG) is a growing concern worldwide and surveillance is needed. In Belgium, samples are sent to the National Reference Centre of Sexually Transmitted Infections (NRC-STI) on a voluntary basis and representative or robust national AMR data are lacking.AimWe aimed to estimate the occurrence of resistant MG in Belgium.

Nationwide Harmonization Effort for Semi-Quantitative Reporting of SARS-CoV-2 PCR Test Results in Belgium.

From early 2020, a high demand for SARS-CoV-2 tests was driven by several testing indications, including asymptomatic cases, resulting in the massive roll-out of PCR assays to combat the pandemic. Considering the dynamic of viral shedding during the course of infection, the demand to report cycle threshold (Ct) values rapidly emerged. As Ct values can be affected by a number of factors, we considered that harmonization of semi-quantitative PCR results across laboratories would avoid potential divergent interpretations, particularly in the absence of clinical or serological information.

Variant Analysis of SARS-CoV-2 Genomes from Belgian Military Personnel Engaged in Overseas Missions and Operations.

More than a year after the first identification of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) as the causative agent of the 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in China, the emergence and spread of genomic variants of this virus through travel raise concerns regarding the introduction of lineages in previously unaffected regions, requiring adequate containment strategies. Concomitantly, such introductions fuel worries about a possible increase in transmissibility and disease severity, as well as a possible decrease in vaccine efficacy. Military personnel are frequently deployed on missions around the world.

Antimicrobial susceptibility testing of Eggerthella lenta blood culture isolates at a university hospital in Belgium from 2004 to 2018.

Objectives: Eggerthella lenta is a Gram-positive anaerobic bacillus that is an important cause of bloodstream infections. This study aims to test the susceptibility of Eggerthella lenta blood culture isolates to commonly used antibiotics for the empirical treatment of anaerobic infections.

Methods: In total, 49 positive blood cultures for Eggerthella lenta were retrospectively included from patients hospitalised at the Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel, Belgium, between 2004 and 2018.

Study of a SARS-CoV-2 Outbreak in a Belgian Military Education and Training Center in Maradi, Niger.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) compromises the ability of military forces to fulfill missions. At the beginning of May 2020, 22 out of 70 Belgian soldiers deployed to a military education and training center in Maradi, Niger, developed mild COVID-19 compatible symptoms. Immediately upon their return to Belgium, and two weeks later, all seventy soldiers were tested for SARS-CoV-2 RNA (RT-qPCR) and antibodies (two immunoassays).

Performance evaluation of the prototype Abbott Alinity hq hematology analyzer.

Introduction: The analytical and clinical performance as well as the workflow efficiency of the novel, prototype Alinity hq hematology analyzer was evaluated in the clinical laboratory of Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel, Department of Hematology, Brussels, Belgium.

Methods: Within-run and within-laboratory imprecision, linearity, and carryover were assessed using clinical blood samples and commercial blood products. Four hundred and seventeen samples were selected for method comparison with Abbott CELL-DYN Sapphire, and for flagging performance analysis in comparison with smear review and manual microscopic white blood cell (WBC) differential.