Simple Imaging System for Label-Free Identification of Bacterial Pathogens in Resource-Limited Settings.

Fast, accurate, and affordable bacterial identification methods are paramount for the timely treatment of infections, especially in resource-limited settings (RLS). However, today, only 1.3% of the sub-Saharan African diagnostic laboratories are performing clinical bacteriology.

Prosthetic Joint Infection: Case Report and a Review of the Literature.

Prosthetic joint infections caused by are uncommon, with the majority of cases being attributed to . This case report represents the third instance of a prosthetic hip infection caused by following an episode of gastroenteritis and, notably, in an immunocompetent patient. The infection was successfully managed by surgical debridement and lavage with retention of the prosthesis and 12 weeks of antibiotics.

Evaluation of a near-patient SARS-CoV-2 novel rapid diagnostic platform.

The goal of this study is to test a novel device and methodology based on the "Pebble" platform and real-time quantitative colorimetric loop-mediated isothermal amplification (qcLAMP) during SARS-CoV-2 detection using crude samples and extracted RNA. The new method employs an inexpensive lightweight device aimed toward rapid point-of-care testing. An extensive evaluation was performed consisting of 1,693 clinical samples across five independent clinical testing centers.

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.

SARS-CoV-2 antibody vaccine response in Inflammatory Bowel Disease patients with positive anti-nucleocapsid serology or history of COVID-19 infection.

Background: Previous history of COVID-19 infection is a natural booster of the vaccine response in the general population. The response to COVID-19 vaccines is lessened in Inflammatory Bowel Disease patients on selected class of immunosuppressive treatments.

Aims: The study was to assess anti-SARS-CoV-2 spike-specific IgG antibody response in Inflammatory Bowel Disease patients with a history of COVID-19 infection.

Accuracy study of Angiotensin 1-7 composite index test to predict pulmonary fibrosis and guide treatment.

Background: Pulmonary fibrosis can develop after acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). The hypothesis is we are able to measure phenotypes that lie at the origin of ARDS severity and fibrosis development. The aim is an accuracy study of prognostic circulating biomarkers.

Optimization of the microbiological treatment of sperm for assisted reproductive technology (ART).

In ART, optimized sperm preparation could separate spermatozoa from potentially harmful germs and cells, improving sperm parameters. This study compares the outcome of a routinely used two-layer density gradient with a three-layer protocol in terms of sperm and microbiological parameters. According to the results, a three-layer protocol was more effective.

Monitoring of Haemophilus influenzae isolated from carriage, lower respiratory tract infections and blood over a six-month period in Belgium.

Introduction: H. influenzae carriage may evolve into respiratory or systemic infections. However, no surveillancesystem is in place in Belgium to monitor carriage strains.

Analytical performance and user-friendliness of four commercially available point-of-care devices for C-reactive protein.

Introduction: Proper implementation of Point-of-Care testing (POCT) for C-reactive protein (CRP) in primary care can decrease the inappropriate use of antibiotics, thereby tackling the problem of growing antimicrobial resistance.

Objective: The analytical performance and user-friendliness of four POCT-CRP assays were evaluated: QuikRead go easy, LumiraDx, cobas b 101 and Afinion 2.

Materials And Methods: Imprecision was evaluated using plasma pools in addition to manufacturer-specific control material.

Surveillance of the respiratory syncytial virus outside infancy: impact of testing methods, a retrospective observational study.

Background: The European Medicines Agency has approved several vaccines to protect the elderly against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infections. However, differences in performance between antigen and PCR tests, especially in adults, can make monitoring RSV difficult. This study aims to assess the impact of the chosen diagnostic methods on the surveillance of RSV.

Evaluation of two automated real-time PCR-based quantification methods for whole blood Epstein-Barr viral load.

Quantification of EBV DNA is important in transplantation settings for the diagnosis of post-transplantation. We evaluated the performance of the AltoStar® EBV PCR Kit 1.5 on whole blood specimens: limit of detection, linearity, accuracy, and precision were determined using the WHO NIBSC 09/260 international standard.

A genomic appraisal of invasive Salmonella Typhimurium and associated antibiotic resistance in sub-Saharan Africa.

Invasive non-typhoidal Salmonella (iNTS) disease manifesting as bloodstream infection with high mortality is responsible for a huge public health burden in sub-Saharan Africa. Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium (S. Typhimurium) is the main cause of iNTS disease in Africa.

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on gram-negative bacteria susceptibility patterns in respiratory samples of intensive care units in the Brussels Capital Region, 2010-2021.

Background: The effect of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on gram-negative bacteria nonsusceptibility to antibiotics is unclear.

Methods: Between January 1, 2010, and December 31, 2021, the respiratory samples of intensive care unit patients at 3 University Hospitals in Brussels were retrieved. Based on the nonsusceptibility to antimicrobial classes, drug-resistance patterns were defined as multi-drug-resistant, extensively drug-resistant, and pan-drug-resistant.

carriage and antibiotic resistance profile in Belgian infants over a three-year period (2016-2018).

Background: Non-typeable has become increasingly important as a causative agent of invasive diseases following vaccination against type b. The emergence of antibiotic resistance underscores the necessity to investigate typeable non-b carriage and non-typeable (NTHi) in children.

Methods: Nasopharyngeal swab samples were taken over a three-year period (2016-2018) from 336 children (6-30 months of age) attending daycare centers (DCCs) in Belgium, and from 218 children with acute otitis media (AOM).

Incidence and clinical and microbiological features of invasive and probable invasive streptococcal group A infections in children and adults in the Brussels-Capital Region, 2005-2020.

Assess the incidence, risk factors, clinical and microbiological features, and outcome of both probable invasive and invasive group A Streptococcus (GAS) infections in children and adults in the BrusselsCapital Region between 2005 and 2020. A retrospective, multicentric study was performed in three university hospitals in Brussels. Patients were identified through the centralized laboratory information system.

Diagnostic approach to monkeypox outbreak, a case-control study.

Background: An international outbreak of the monkeypox (MPX) virus is ongoing with a different clinical presentation than previously reported.

Objective: A monocentric retrospective study was designed to investigate clinical predictors of confirmed MPX cases among a group of patients referred for MPX screening. Furthermore, the additional value of performing a real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) on multiple anatomical sites was analyzed.

Evaluation of a Liquid Media MALDI-TOF MS Protocol for the Identification of Dermatophytes Isolated from Infections.

One of the most common types of tinea is the superficial infection of the hair and scalp area known as tinea capitis. It is responsible for frequent outbreaks in nurseries and schools and represents a global health problem. Correct identification of the infection agent is essential in the determination of the infection source, epidemiological course, and treatment initiation.

Diagnostic Accuracy of Procalcitonin upon Emergency Department Admission during SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic.

Introduction: Procalcitonin is a marker for bacterial diseases and has been used to guide antibiotic prescription. Procalcitonin accuracy, measured at admission, in patients with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP), is unknown in the current severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic.

Objectives: To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of procalcitonin to assess the need for antibiotic treatment in patients with CAP presenting to the emergency department during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic.

Clinical impact of the rapid molecular detection of RSV and influenza A and B viruses in the emergency department.

Introduction: Using respiratory virus rapid diagnostic tests in the emergency department could allow better and faster clinical management. Point-of-care PCR instruments now provide results in less than 30 minutes. The objective of this study was to assess the impact of the use of a rapid molecular diagnostic test, the cobas® Influenza A/B & RSV Assay, during the clinical management of emergency department patients.