%0 Journal Article %J BMC Infectious Diseases %D 2021 %T Evaluation of the added value of viral genomic information for predicting severity of influenza infection %A Nina Van Goethem %A Annie Robert %A Nathalie Bossuyt %A Laura Van Poelvoorde %A Sophie Quoilin %A Sigrid C.J. De Keersmaecker %A Brecht Devleesschauwer %A Isabelle Thomas %A Kevin Vanneste %A Nancy Roosens %A Herman Van Oyen %B BMC Infectious Diseases %V 21 %8 Jan-12-2021 %G eng %N 1 %R 10.1186/s12879-021-06510-z %0 Journal Article %J Lancet Microbe %D 2021 %T Monitoring of human coronaviruses in Belgian primary care and hospitals, 2015-20: a surveillance study. %A Nathalie Fischer %A Nicolas Dauby %A Nathalie Bossuyt %A Marijke Reynders %A Gerard, Michèle %A Lacor, Patrick %A Siel Daelemans %A Bénédicte Lissoir %A Xavier Holemans %A Koen Magerman %A Door Jouck %A Marc Bourgeois %A Bénédicte Delaere %A Sophie Quoilin %A Steven Van Gucht %A Isabelle Thomas %A Cyril Barbezange %A Lorenzo Subissi %X

Background: Seasonal human coronaviruses (hCoVs) broadly circulate in humans. Their epidemiology and effect on the spread of emerging coronaviruses has been neglected thus far. We aimed to elucidate the epidemiology and burden of disease of seasonal hCoVs OC43, NL63, and 229E in patients in primary care and hospitals in Belgium between 2015 and 2020.

Methods: We retrospectively analysed data from the national influenza surveillance networks in Belgium during the winter seasons of 2015-20. Respiratory specimens were collected through the severe acute respiratory infection (SARI) and the influenza-like illness networks from patients with acute respiratory illness with onset within the previous 10 days, with measured or reported fever of 38°C or greater, cough, or dyspnoea; and for patients admitted to hospital for at least one night. Potential risk factors were recorded and patients who were admitted to hospital were followed up for the occurrence of complications or death for the length of their hospital stay. All samples were analysed by multiplex quantitative RT-PCRs for respiratory viruses, including seasonal hCoVs OC43, NL63, and 229E. We estimated the prevalence and incidence of seasonal hCoV infection, with or without co-infection with other respiratory viruses. We evaluated the association between co-infections and potential risk factors with complications or death in patients admitted to hospital with seasonal hCoV infections by age group. Samples received from week 8, 2020, were tested for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2).

Findings: 2573 primary care and 6494 hospital samples were included in the study. 161 (6·3%) of 2573 patients in primary care and 371 (5·7%) of 6494 patients admitted to hospital were infected with a seasonal hCoV. OC43 was the seasonal hCoV with the highest prevalence across age groups and highest incidence in children admitted to hospital who were younger than 5 years (incidence 9·0 [95% CI 7·2-11·2] per 100 000 person-months) and adults older than 65 years (2·6 [2·1-3·2] per 100 000 person-months). Among 262 patients admitted to hospital with seasonal hCoV infection and with complete information on potential risk factors, 66 (73·3%) of 90 patients who had complications or died also had at least one potential risk factor (p=0·0064). Complications in children younger than 5 years were associated with co-infection (24 [36·4%] of 66; p=0·017), and in teenagers and adults (≥15 years), more complications arose in patients with a single hCoV infection (49 [45·0%] of 109; p=0·0097). In early 2020, the Belgian SARI surveillance detected the first SARS-CoV-2-positive sample concomitantly with the first confirmed COVID-19 case with no travel history to China.

Interpretation: The main burden of severe seasonal hCoV infection lies with children younger than 5 years with co-infections and adults aged 65 years and older with pre-existing comorbidities. These age and patient groups should be targeted for enhanced observation when in medical care and in possible future vaccination strategies, and co-infections in children younger than 5 years should be considered during diagnosis and treatment. Our findings support the use of national influenza surveillance systems for seasonal hCoV monitoring and early detection, and monitoring of emerging coronaviruses such as SARS-CoV-2.

Funding: Belgian Federal Public Service Health, Food Chain Safety, and Environment; Belgian National Insurance Health Care (Institut national d'assurance maladie-invalidité/Rijksinstituut voor ziekte-en invaliditeitsverzekering); and Regional Health Authorities (Flanders Agentschap zorg en gezondheid, Brussels Commission communautaire commune, Wallonia Agence pour une vie de qualité).

%B Lancet Microbe %V 2 %8 2021 Mar %G eng %N 3 %R 10.1016/S2666-5247(20)30221-4 %0 Journal Article %J Arch Public Health %D 2021 %T One year of laboratory-based COVID-19 surveillance system in Belgium: main indicators and performance of the laboratories (March 2020-21). %A Marjan Meurisse %A Adrien Lajot %A Yves Dupont %A Marie Lesenfants %A Sofieke Klamer %A Javiera Rebolledo %A Tinne Lernout %A Mathias Leroy %A Arnaud Capron %A Johan Van Bussel %A Sophie Quoilin %A Emmanuel André %A Kaat Kehoe %A Luc Waumans %A Van Acker, Jos %A Vandenberg, Olivier %A Van den Wijngaert, Sigi %A Ann Verdonck %A Lize Cuypers %A Dieter Van Cauteren %K Belgium; COVID-19; Laboratory-based surveillance; SARS-CoV-2 %X

BACKGROUND: With the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), an existing national laboratory-based surveillance system was adapted to daily monitor the epidemiological situation of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in the Belgium by following the number of confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infections, the number of performed tests and the positivity ratio. We present these main indicators of the surveillance over a one-year period as well as the impact of the performance of the laboratories, regarding speed of processing the samples and reporting results, for surveillance.

METHODS: We describe the evolution of test capacity, testing strategy and the data collection methods during the first year of the epidemic in Belgium.

RESULTS: Between the 1 of March 2020 and the 28 of February 2021, 9,487,470 tests and 773,078 COVID-19 laboratory confirmed cases were reported. Two epidemic waves occurred, with a peak in April and October 2020. The capacity and performance of the laboratories improved continuously during 2020 resulting in a high level performance. Since the end of November 2020 90 to 95% of the test results are reported at the latest the day after sampling was performed.

CONCLUSIONS: Thanks to the effort of all laboratories a performant exhaustive national laboratory-based surveillance system to monitor the epidemiological situation of SARS-CoV-2 was set up in Belgium in 2020. On top of expanding the number of laboratories performing diagnostics and significantly increasing the test capacity in Belgium, turnaround times between sampling and testing as well as reporting were optimized over the first year of this pandemic.

%B Arch Public Health %V 79 %8 2021 Oct 27 %G eng %N 1 %R 10.1186/s13690-021-00704-2 %0 Journal Article %J BMC Public Health %D 2021 %T Prioritisation for future surveillance, prevention and control of 98 communicable diseases in Belgium: a 2018 multi-criteria decision analysis study %A Sofieke Klamer %A Nina Van Goethem %A Daniel Thomas %A Els Duysburgh %A Toon Braeye %A Sophie Quoilin %B BMC Public Health %V 21 %8 Jan-12-2021 %G eng %N 1 %R 10.1186/s12889-020-09566-9 %0 Journal Article %J Euro Surveill %D 2021 %T Spotlight influenza: Extending influenza surveillance to detect non-influenza respiratory viruses of public health relevance: analysis of surveillance data, Belgium, 2015 to 2019. %A Lorenzo Subissi %A Nathalie Bossuyt %A Marijke Reynders %A Gerard, Michèle %A Nicolas Dauby %A Lacor, Patrick %A Siel Daelemans %A Bénédicte Lissoir %A Xavier Holemans %A Koen Magerman %A Door Jouck %A Marc Bourgeois %A Bénédicte Delaere %A Sophie Quoilin %A Steven Van Gucht %A Isabelle Thomas %A Cyril Barbezange %K Belgium %K Child %K Humans %K Infant %K Influenza, Human %K Orthomyxoviridae %K public health %K Respiratory Tract Infections %K Sentinel Surveillance %K Viruses %X

BackgroundSeasonal influenza-like illness (ILI) affects millions of people yearly. Severe acute respiratory infections (SARI), mainly influenza, are a leading cause of hospitalisation and mortality. Increasing evidence indicates that non-influenza respiratory viruses (NIRV) also contribute to the burden of SARI. In Belgium, SARI surveillance by a network of sentinel hospitals has been ongoing since 2011.AimWe report the results of using in-house multiplex qPCR for the detection of a flexible panel of viruses in respiratory ILI and SARI samples and the estimated incidence rates of SARI associated with each virus.MethodsWe defined ILI as an illness with onset of fever and cough or dyspnoea. SARI was defined as an illness requiring hospitalisation with onset of fever and cough or dyspnoea within the previous 10 days. Samples were collected in four winter seasons and tested by multiplex qPCR for influenza virus and NIRV. Using catchment population estimates, we calculated incidence rates of SARI associated with each virus.ResultsOne third of the SARI cases were positive for NIRV, reaching 49.4% among children younger than 15 years. In children younger than 5 years, incidence rates of NIRV-associated SARI were twice that of influenza (103.5 vs 57.6/100,000 person-months); co-infections with several NIRV, respiratory syncytial viruses, human metapneumoviruses and picornaviruses contributed most (33.1, 13.6, 15.8 and 18.2/100,000 person-months, respectively).ConclusionEarly testing for NIRV could be beneficial to clinical management of SARI patients, especially in children younger than 5 years, for whom the burden of NIRV-associated disease exceeds that of influenza.

%B Euro Surveill %V 26 %8 2021 09 %G eng %N 38 %R 10.2807/1560-7917.ES.2021.26.38.2001104 %0 Journal Article %J Vaccine %D 2021 %T Vaccine effectiveness against infection and onwards transmission of COVID-19: Analysis of Belgian contact tracing data, January-June 2021. %A Toon Braeye %A Laura Cornelissen %A Lucy Catteau %A Freek Haarhuis %A Kristiaan Proesmans %A Karin De Ridder %A Achille Djiena %A Romain Mahieu %A Frances De Leeuw %A Alex Dreuw %A Hammami, Naïma %A Sophie Quoilin %A Herman Van Oyen %A Chloé Wyndham-Thomas %A Dieter Van Cauteren %K Belgium %K Contact Tracing %K COVID-19 %K Humans %K SARS-CoV-2 %K vaccines %X

In Belgium, high-risk contacts of an infected person were offered PCR-testing irrespective of their vaccination status. We estimated vaccine effectiveness (VE) against infection and onwards transmission, controlling for previous infections, household-exposure and temporal trends. We included 301,741 tests from 25 January to 24 June 2021. Full-schedule vaccination was associated with significant protection against infection. In addition, mRNA-vaccines reduced onward transmission: VE-estimates increased to >90% when index and contact were fully vaccinated. The small number of viral-vector vaccines included limited interpretability.

%B Vaccine %V 39 %8 2021 09 15 %G eng %N 39 %R 10.1016/j.vaccine.2021.08.060 %0 Journal Article %J Euro Surveill %D 2020 %T Capturing respiratory syncytial virus season in Belgium using the influenza severe acute respiratory infection surveillance network, season 2018/19. %A Lorenzo Subissi %A Nathalie Bossuyt %A Marijke Reynders %A Gerard, Michèle %A Nicolas Dauby %A Marc Bourgeois %A Bénédicte Delaere %A Sophie Quoilin %A Steven Van Gucht %A Isabelle Thomas %A Cyril Barbezange %K ADOLESCENT %K Adult %K Aged %K Belgium %K Child %K Child, Preschool %K Female %K Fever %K Hospitalization %K Humans %K incidence %K Infant %K Influenza, Human %K Male %K middle aged %K Pilot Projects %K Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections %K Respiratory Syncytial Virus, Human %K Respiratory Tract Infections %K Risk Factors %K Seasons %K Sentinel Surveillance %K Young adult %X

BackgroundRespiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a common cause of severe respiratory illness in young children (< 5 years old) and older adults (≥ 65 years old) leading the World Health Organization (WHO) to recommend the implementation of a dedicated surveillance in countries.AimWe tested the capacity of the severe acute respiratory infection (SARI) hospital network to contribute to RSV surveillance in Belgium.MethodsDuring the 2018/19 influenza season, we started the SARI surveillance for influenza in Belgium in week 40, earlier than in the past, to follow RSV activity, which usually precedes influenza virus circulation. While the WHO SARI case definition for influenza normally used by the SARI hospital network was employed, flexibility over the fever criterion was allowed, so patients without fever but meeting the other case definition criteria could be included in the surveillance.ResultsBetween weeks 40 2018 and 2 2019, we received 508 samples from SARI patients. We found an overall RSV detection rate of 62.4% (317/508), with rates varying depending on the age group: 77.6% in children aged < 5 years (253/326) and 34.4% in adults aged ≥ 65 years (44/128). Over 90% of the RSV-positive samples also positive for another tested respiratory virus (80/85) were from children aged < 5 years. Differences were also noted between age groups for symptoms, comorbidities and complications.ConclusionWith only marginal modifications in the case definition and the period of surveillance, the Belgian SARI network would be able to substantially contribute to RSV surveillance and burden evaluation in children and older adults, the two groups of particular interest for WHO.

%B Euro Surveill %V 25 %8 2020 10 %G eng %N 39 %R 10.2807/1560-7917.ES.2020.25.39.1900627 %0 Report %D 2020 %T Expert consultation on public health needs related to surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater, Summary report of Virtual meeting, 30 November 2020, WHO %A Marie Lesenfants %A Sophie Quoilin %K COVID-19 %K ENVIRONMENTAL SURVEILLANCE %K public health %K wastewater %X

This report summarizes the findings of the Expert consultation on public health needs related to surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater that was organized by the WHO European Centre for Environment and Health on 30 November 2020 in a virtual format. It aimed to support Member State authorities by facilitating exchange on the use, usefulness and limitations of SARS-CoV-2 surveillance in wastewater from a public health perspective, based on practices and experiences emerging in countries. Surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in wastewater can provide important complementary and independent information in public health decision-making in the context of the pandemic. The health sector is the end-user of the information and therefore needs to take the lead in designing surveillance programmes, merging and linking the data with other surveillance platforms, and coordinating interpretation and communication of the findings.

%I WHO %C Europe %P 27 %8 2020 nov %G eng %M WHO/EURO:2021-1965-41716-57097 %0 Report %D 2020 %T Milieumonitoring van poliovirussen in België - Haalbaarheidsstudie %A Marie Lesenfants %A Chloé Wyndham-Thomas %A Sophie Quoilin %X

Het milieumonitoren wordt voorgesteld als één van de mogelijke oplossingen ter verbetering van de kwaliteit van Poliosurveillance in België.

In deze context, werd aan Sciensano door het kabinet van de minister van Volksgezondheid een haalbaarheidsonderzoek mbt milieumonitoring gevraagd. Dit onderzoek werd gefinaliseerd in januari 2020. De samenvatting van het onderzoek bevindt zich in bijlage van deze fiche.

Het doel van de  milieumonitoring is dat wat in het haalbaarheidsonderzoek beoogt werd, is om de afwezigheid van circulerend poliovirus (PV) te tonen, en snel elke mogelijkse herintroductie te detecteren. De aanwezigheid van “PEF” instellingen, die poliovirus bijhouden, (GSK Rixensart en Fripharma), onderstreept het belang van dit soort instrument.

De meerwaarde van een milieumonitoring ligt ook in zijn complementariteit met het huidig toezicht. De milieumonitoring heeft het voordeel dat het een vroege waarschuwing mogelijk maakt, met een snellere detectie van het PV na zijn introductie bij de populatie. Bovendien heeft dit systeem ook het voordeel meer specifieke personen en gebieden van de risicozones van polio af te dekken.

Het in de haalbarheidsonderzoek  voorgestelde systeem van milieumonitoring biedt flexibiliteit in zijn implementatie. Concreet zal het systeem geïntensiveerd kunnen worden in geval van een incident met betrekking tot PV (bvb. het accidenteel vrijkomen in het milieu), of uitgebreid worden tot betrekking van andere pathogenen (Norovirus, rotavirus….), en dit afhangelijk van de prioriteiten van de volksgezondheid.

Het design dat we voorstellen voor het systeem bied ook een voldoende sensibiliteit aan.

We hebben meerdere gebieden weerhouden voor milieumonitoringnetwerk in België : o.a. het gebied GSK Rixensart voor het meest kritische would-be PEF, het onthaalcenter voor het opvangen van asielzoekers “Klein kasteeltje” et het Congolese kwartier “Matonge” in Brussel. Om een goede vertegenwoordiging van de bevolking te waarborgen zouden twee waterzuiveringsstations, één in Brussel en één in Antwerpen worden opgenomen in het monitoringnetwerk.

De studie bevestigd de technische haalbaarheid van het controleren van de verschillende rioleringsgebieden (riolen et waterzuiveringsstations), voorstellen van een aangepaste steekproefplan, en dit in een vierjarig project, met jaarlijkse herbeoordeling.

De jaarlijkse kost voor het monitoringsproject is geschat tussen 143 000€ en 166 500€ voor de periode van 4 jaar, naargelang het gekozen scenario. Het grootste deel van het budget (~70%) zullen gaan naar het analyseren van de stalen (personeelskosten, labomaterieel, en de kost van de analyses).

%P 70 %8 01/2020 %G eng %0 Journal Article %J BMC Public Health %D 2020 %T Perceived utility and feasibility of pathogen genomics for public health practice: a survey among public health professionals working in the field of infectious diseases, Belgium, 2019 %A Nina Van Goethem %A M. J. Struelens %A Sigrid C.J. De Keersmaecker %A Nancy Roosens %A A. Robert %A Sophie Quoilin %A Herman Van Oyen %A Brecht Devleesschauwer %B BMC Public Health %V 20 %8 Jan-12-2020 %G eng %N 1 %R 10.1186/s12889-020-09428-4 %0 Journal Article %J BMC Public Health %D 2020 %T Perceived utility and feasibility of pathogen genomics for public health practice: a survey among public health professionals working in the field of infectious diseases, Belgium, 2019 %A Nina Van Goethem %A Marc J Struelens %A Sigrid C.J. De Keersmaecker %A Nancy Roosens %A Annie Robert %A Sophie Quoilin %A Herman Van Oyen %A Brecht Devleesschauwer %K Next-generation sequencing %K pathogen genomics %K Public Health Practice %K survey %K whole-genome sequencing %X

Background

Pathogen genomics is increasingly being translated from the research setting into the activities of public health professionals operating at different levels. This survey aims to appraise the literacy level and gather the opinions of public health experts and allied professionals working in the field of infectious diseases in Belgium concerning the implementation of next-generation sequencing (NGS) in public health practice.

Methods

In May 2019, Belgian public health and healthcare professionals were invited to complete an online survey containing eight main topics including background questions, general attitude towards pathogen genomics for public health practice and main concerns, genomic literacy, current and planned NGS activities, place of NGS in diagnostic microbiology pathways, data sharing obstacles, end-user requirements, and key drivers for the implementation of NGS. Descriptive statistics were used to report on the frequency distribution of multiple choice responses whereas thematic analysis was used to analyze free text responses. A multivariable logistic regression model was constructed to identify important predictors for a positive attitude towards the implementation of pathogen genomics in public health practice.

Results

146 out of the 753 invited public health professionals completed the survey. 63% of respondents indicated that public health agencies should be using genomics to understand and control infectious diseases. Having a high level of expertise in the field of pathogen genomics was the strongest predictor of a positive attitude (OR = 4.04, 95% CI = 1.11 – 17.23). A significantly higher proportion of data providers indicated to have followed training in the field of pathogen genomics compared to data end-users (p < 0.001). Overall, 79% of participants expressed interest in receiving further training. Main concerns were related to the cost of sequencing technologies, data sharing, data integration, interdisciplinary working, and bioinformatics expertise.

Conclusions

Belgian health professionals expressed favorable views about implementation of pathogen genomics in their work activities related to infectious disease surveillance and control. They expressed the need for suitable training initiatives to strengthen their competences in the field. Their perception of the utility and feasibility of pathogen genomics for public health purposes will be a key driver for its further implementation.

%B BMC Public Health %V 20 %8 Jan-12-2020 %G eng %N 1 %R 10.1186/s12889-020-09428-4 %0 Journal Article %J Archives of Public Health %D 2020 %T Rapid establishment of a national surveillance of COVID-19 hospitalizations in Belgium %A Nina Van Goethem %A Aline Vilain %A Chloé Wyndham-Thomas %A Jessika Deblonde %A Nathalie Bossuyt %A Tinne Lernout %A Javiera Rebolledo %A Sophie Quoilin %A Vincent Melis %A Dominique Van Beckhoven %B Archives of Public Health %V 78 %8 Jan-12-2020 %G eng %N 1 %R 10.1186/s13690-020-00505-z %0 Report %D 2020 %T Surveillance des infections sexuellement transmissibles - Données pour la période 2014-2016 %A Wim Vanden Berghe %A Irith De Baetselier %A Dieter Van Cauteren %A S Moreels %A André Sasse %A Sophie Quoilin %K Chlamydia Infections %K Gonorrhea %K seksueel overdraagbare aandoeningen %K Syphilis %I Sciensano %C Brussels, Belgium %G eng %M D/2020/14.440/1 %0 Report %D 2020 %T Surveillance environnementale des Poliovirus en Belgique - Etude de faisabilité %A Marie Lesenfants %A Chloé Wyndham-Thomas %A Sophie Quoilin %X

La surveillance environnementale est proposée comme l’une des solutions possibles à l’amélioration la qualité de la Surveillance Polio en Belgique.

Dans ce sens, une étude de faisabilité relative à la Surveillance environnementale Polio a été commanditée à Sciensano, par le cabinet de la ministre de la Santé publique. L’étude a été finalisée en janvier 2020.

La surveillance environnementale envisagée par l’étude a pour objectif de démontrer l’absence de poliovirus (PV) circulants, ainsi que de détecter rapidement, le cas échant, toute réintroduction du virus. La présence d’établissements « PEF », détenteurs de poliovirus en Belgique (GSK Rixensart et Fri-pharma), renforce l’importance de disposer d’un tel outil.

La plus-value d’une surveillance environnementale réside aussi dans sa complémentarité à la surveillance actuelle. Elle offre notamment l’avantage de jouer un rôle d’avertissement précoce, avec une détection plus rapide du PV après son introduction dans la population. Un autre avantage est que le système permet de couvrir préférentiellement les personnes et les zones les plus à risque de PV.

Le système de surveillance environnementale proposé dans l’étude de faisabilité  offre une flexibilité  de mise en œuvre. Concrètement, le système pourra être intensifié en cas d’incident relatif au PV (p.ex déversement accidentel dans l’environnement), ou étendu à la surveillance d’autres pathogènes (p. ex. norovirus, rotavirus…), et ce, selon les priorités de santé publique.

Le design proposé assure aussi une sensibilité de détection suffisante.

Le réseau de surveillance se composerait des sites suivants : le site GSK Rixensart, en tant que « would-be-PEF » le plus critique, le centre d’accueil pour demandeurs d’asile « Petit Château » et le quartier congolais « Matonge » de Bruxelles. Pour assurer une bonne représentativité de la population, deux stations d’épuration des eaux usées, une à Bruxelles, et la seconde à Anvers, seraient également incluses au réseau de surveillance.

L’étude réalisée confirme la faisabilité technique de contrôler ces différents endroits du réseau d’assainissement belge (égouts et stations d’épuration des eaux usées), propose un plan d’échantillonnage adapté, le tout décliné en un projet sur 4 ans, avec réévaluation annuelle.

Le coût annuel pour le projet de surveillance environnementale est estimé entre 143 000 € et 166 500 € pour la période de 4 ans, selon le scénario choisi. La part principale de ce budget (~70%) revient à l’analyse des échantillons (ressources humaines, matériel de laboratoire, et coûts des analyses).

%P 68 %8 01/2020 %G eng %0 Report %D 2020 %T Surveillance van seksueel overdraagbare aandoeningen - Gegevens voor de periode 2014-2016 %A Wim Vanden Berghe %A Irith De Baetselier %A Dieter Van Cauteren %A S Moreels %A André Sasse %A Sophie Quoilin %K Chlamydia Infections %K Gonorrhea %K seksueel overdraagbare aandoeningen %K Syphilis %I Sciensano %C Brussels, Belgium %P 23 %8 01/2020 %G eng %M D/2020/14.440/2 %0 Journal Article %J BMC Public Health %D 2019 %T Incidence estimation from sentinel surveillance data; a simulation study and application to data from the Belgian laboratory sentinel surveillance %A Toon Braeye %A Sophie Quoilin %A Hens, Niel %B BMC Public Health %V 19 %8 Jan-12-2019 %G eng %N 1 %R 10.1186/s12889-019-7279-y %0 Journal Article %J BMC Public Health %D 2019 %T Low hepatitis C prevalence in Belgium: implications for treatment reimbursement and scale up. %A Amber Litzroth %A Vanessa Suin %A Chloé Wyndham-Thomas %A Sophie Quoilin %A Gaetan Muyldermans %A Thomas Vanwolleghem %A Kabamba-Mukadi, Benoît %A Vera Verburgh %A Marjorie Meurisse %A Steven Van Gucht %A Veronik Hutse %X

BACKGROUND: Prevalence data of chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection are needed to estimate the budgetary impact of reimbursement of direct-acting antivirals (DAAs). In Belgium, the restricted reimbursement criteria are mainly guided by regional seroprevalence estimates of 0.87% from 1993 to 1994. In this first Belgian nationwide HCV prevalence study, we set out to update the seroprevalence and prevalence of chronic HCV infection estimates in the Belgian general population in order to guide decisions on DAA reimbursement.

METHODS: Residual sera were collected through clinical laboratories. We collected data on age, sex and district. HCV antibody status was determined with ELISA and confirmed with a line-immunoassay (LIA). In specimens with undetermined or positive LIA result, HCV viral load was measured. Specimens were classified seronegative, seropositive with resolved infection, indicative of chronic infection and with undetermined HCV status according to the test outcomes. Results were standardized for age, sex and population per district, and adjusted for clustered sampling.

RESULTS: In total 3209 specimens, collected by 28 laboratories, were tested. HCV seropositivity in the Belgian general population was estimated to be 0.22% (95% CI: 0.09-0.54%), and prevalence of chronic HCV infection 0.12% (95% CI: 0.03-0.41). In individuals of 20 years and older, these estimates were 0.26% (95% CI: 0.10-0.64%) and 0.13% (95% CI: 0.04-0.43), respectively. Of the total estimated number of HCV seropositive individuals in Belgium, 66% were between 50 and 69 years old.

CONCLUSIONS: Prevalence of HCV seropositivity and chronic infection in the Belgian general population were low and comparable to many surrounding countries. These adjusted prevalences can help estimate the cost of reimbursement of DAAs and invite Belgian policy makers to accelerate the scaling up of reimbursement, giving all chronically infected HCV patients a more timely access to treatment.

%B BMC Public Health %V 19 %8 2019 Jan 08 %G eng %N 1 %R 10.1186/s12889-018-6347-z %0 Report %D 2019 %T Surveillance van congenitale infecties in Vlaanderen %A Eline De Jonghe %A Nathalie Bossuyt %A Sophie Quoilin %K congenital infections %K congenitale infecties %K infections %K infections congénitales %I Sciensano %C Brussel %8 15/09/2019 %G eng %M D/2020/14.440/26 %0 Generic %D 2019 %T Suspected Kingella Kingae outbreak in a Belgian Day-Care Center %A Chloé Wyndham-Thomas %A Myriam Boreux %A Schirvel, Carole %A Jean-Marc Senterre %A Sigrid C.J. De Keersmaecker %A Sophie Quoilin %A Julie Frère %K Clustering %K Kingella Kingae %K Osteoarthritis %X

With the improvement of culture and molecular techniques, infections by the fastidious gram-negative coccobacillus Kingella kingae are increasingly diagnosed. The pathogen is now recognized as a major cause of osteoarticular infections in children. K.kingae clusters in day-care facilities have been previously reported, but in limited numbers, and outbreak control measures to apply remain unclear. Here we describe a cluster of 3 acute osteo-articular infections in a Wallonia-based day-care center occurring within a 15 days interval in 2018.

%B ESPID %G eng %0 Journal Article %J BMC Public Health %D 2019 %T The value of seroprevalence data as surveillance tool for Lyme borreliosis in the general population: the experience of Belgium %A Tinne Lernout %A Benoît Kabamba-Mukadi %A Saegeman, Veroniek %A Marie Tré-Hardy %A Morgane de Laveleye %A Tommi Asikainen %A Ram Benny Dessau %A Sophie Quoilin %A Amber Litzroth %B BMC Public Health %V 19 %8 Jan-12-2019 %G eng %N 1 %R 10.1186/s12889-019-6914-y %0 Journal Article %J PLoS One %D 2018 %T Distribution of HCV genotypes in Belgium from 2008 to 2015. %A Lobna Bouacida %A Vanessa Suin %A Veronik Hutse %A Michaël Boudewijns %A Reinoud Cartuyvels %A Laurent Debaisieux %A Emmanuel De Laere %A Hallin, Marie %A Nicolas Hougardy %A Lagrou, Katrien %A Els Oris %A Padalko, Elizaveta %A Marijke Reynders %A Gatien Roussel %A Jean-Marc Senterre %A Michel Stalpaert %A Dominique Ursi %A Carl Vael %A Vaira, Dolorès %A Van Acker, Jos %A Walter Verstrepen %A Steven Van Gucht %A Kabamba, Benoît %A Sophie Quoilin %A Gaetan Muyldermans %K hepatitis C virus %X

BACKGROUND: The knowledge of circulating HCV genotypes and subtypes in a country is crucial to guide antiviral therapy and to understand local epidemiology. Studies investigating circulating HCV genotypes and their trends have been conducted in Belgium. However they are outdated, lack nationwide representativeness or were not conducted in the general population.

METHODS: In order to determine the distribution of different circulating HCV genotypes in Belgium, we conducted a multicentre study with all the 19 Belgian laboratories performing reimbursed HCV genotyping assays. Available genotype and subtype data were collected for the period from 2008 till 2015. Furthermore, a limited number of other variables were collected: some demographic characteristics from the patients and the laboratory technique used for the determination of the HCV genotype.

RESULTS: For the study period, 11,033 unique records collected by the participating laboratories were used for further investigation. HCV genotype 1 was the most prevalent (53.6%) genotype in Belgium, with G1a and G1b representing 19.7% and 31.6%, respectively. Genotype 3 was the next most prevalent (22.0%). Further, genotype 4, 2, and 5 were responsible for respectively 16.1%, 6.2%, and 1.9% of HCV infections. Genotype 6 and 7 comprise the remaining <1%. Throughout the years, a stable distribution was observed for most genotypes. Only for genotype 5, a decrease as a function of the year of analysis was observed, with respectively 3.6% for 2008, 2.3% for 2009 and 1.6% for the remaining years. The overall M:F ratio was 1.59 and was mainly driven by the high M:F ratio of 3.03 for patients infected with genotype 3. Patients infected with genotype 3 are also younger (mean age 41.7 years) than patients infected with other genotypes (mean age above 50 years for all genotypes). The patients for whom a genotyping assay was performed in 2008 were younger than those from 2015. Geographical distribution demonstrates that an important number of genotyped HCV patients live outside the Belgian metropolitan cities.

CONCLUSION: This national monitoring study allowed a clear and objective view of the circulating HCV genotypes in Belgium and will help health authorities in the establishment of cost effectiveness determinations before implementation of new treatment strategies. This baseline characterization of the circulating genotypes is indispensable for a continuous surveillance, especially for the investigation of the possible impact of migration from endemic regions and prior to the increasing use of highly potent direct-acting antiviral (DAA) agents.

%B PLoS One %V 13 %8 2018 %G eng %N 12 %R 10.1371/journal.pone.0207584 %0 Report %D 2018 %T Infectieziekten bij kinderen die voorkomen kunnen worden door vaccinatie | Jaaroverzicht 2016 %A Elise Mendes da Costa %A Tine Grammens %A Amber Litzroth %A Gaetan Muyldermans %A Tessa Braeckman %A Sophie Quoilin %A Martine Sabbe %A Nele Boon %P 97 %8 03/2018 %G eng %M D/2018/2505/8 %0 Report %D 2018 %T Maladies infectieuses à prévention vaccinale. Synthèse annuelle 2016 %A Mendes da Costa, Elise %A Tine Grammens %A Amber Litzroth %A Gaetan Muyldermans %A Tessa Braeckman %A Sophie Quoilin %A Martine Sabbe %A Nele Boon %8 03/2019 %G eng %M D/2018/2505/7 %0 Report %D 2018 %T Virological Surveillance of Influenza in Belgium Season 2017-2018 %A Isabelle Thomas %A Cyril Barbezange %A Steven Van Gucht %A Jeannine Weyckmans %A Ilham Fdillate %A Reinout Van Eycken %A Assia Hamouda %A Nathalie Bossuyt %A Sophie Quoilin %A Viviane Van Casteren %A Yolande Pirson %V ISSN number: D/2018/14.440/40 %G eng %0 Journal Article %J Euro Surveill %D 2017 %T Burden of salmonellosis, campylobacteriosis and listeriosis: a time series analysis, Belgium, 2012 to 2020. %A Maertens de Noordhout, Charline %A Brecht Devleesschauwer %A J A Haagsma %A A. H. Havelaar %A Sophie Bertrand %A Vandenberg, Olivier %A Sophie Quoilin %A Brandt, Patrick T %A Speybroeck, Niko %K burden %K Campylobacter %K Listeria %K Salmonella %X

Salmonellosis, campylobacteriosis and listeriosis are food-borne diseases. We estimated and forecasted the number of cases of these three diseases in Belgium from 2012 to 2020, and calculated the corresponding number of disability-adjusted life years (DALYs). The salmonellosis time series was fitted with a Bai and Perron two-breakpoint model, while a dynamic linear model was used for campylobacteriosis and a Poisson autoregressive model for listeriosis. The average monthly number of cases of salmonellosis was 264 (standard deviation (SD): 86) in 2012 and predicted to be 212 (SD: 87) in 2020; campylobacteriosis case numbers were 633 (SD: 81) and 1,081 (SD: 311); listeriosis case numbers were 5 (SD: 2) in 2012 and 6 (SD: 3) in 2014. After applying correction factors, the estimated DALYs for salmonellosis were 102 (95% uncertainty interval (UI): 8-376) in 2012 and predicted to be 82 (95% UI: 6-310) in 2020; campylobacteriosis DALYs were 1,019 (95% UI: 137-3,181) and 1,736 (95% UI: 178-5,874); listeriosis DALYs were 208 (95% UI: 192-226) in 2012 and 252 (95% UI: 200-307) in 2014. New actions are needed to reduce the risk of food-borne infection with Campylobacter spp. because campylobacteriosis incidence may almost double through 2020.

%B Euro Surveill %V 22 %8 2017 Sep 21 %G eng %N 38 %1 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28935025?dopt=Abstract %R 10.2807/1560-7917.ES.2017.22.38.30615 %0 Journal Article %J Journal of Business Continuity & Emergency Planning %D 2017 %T Health crisis due to infectious and communicable diseases: European preparedness and response tools in an international context %A Patrick Mahy %A Jean Marc Collard %A Jean-Luc Gala %A Philippe Herman %A Dirk De Groof %A Sophie Quoilin %A Myriam Sneyers %K communicable %K crisis %K Diseases %K health %K Infectious %K preparedness %X

The combination of changes in eating habits, ways of living, globalisation, extensive travelling and the migration of millions of people around the world may be contributing to increased health risks. Certainly, health crises today are proving highly complex. More and more people are travelling and may carry with them unexpected virus vectors such as mosquitoes. Preparedness is challenging and there is a need for action plans to safeguard the growing at-risk population. Health crises can potentially affect a large proportion of the population and may lead to a significant increase in mortality or to an abnormally high death rate. This should be integrated into the general concept of national and international surveillance in order to provide a prepared response in the event of crisis. This paper provides an inventory of the relevant laws, guidelines and tools in Europe (and to a lesser degree, beyond), and proposes answers to the health crisis problems associated with infectious and communicable diseases. In crisis management, communication is an important factor to consider. This paper can serve as a tool for people involved in crisis preparedness.

%B Journal of Business Continuity & Emergency Planning %V 10 %8 2017-06-01 %G eng %N 4 %& 353 %R http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/hsp/jbcep/2017/00000010/00000004/art00007 %0 Report %D 2017 %T Seasonal influenza surveillance (Belgique/België/Belgium) : Résumé saison 2016-2017 - Overzicht seizoen 2016-2017 - Overview season 2016-2017 %A Isabelle Thomas %A Cyril Barbezange %A Steven Van Gucht %A Nathalie Bossuyt %A Natalia Bustos Sierra %A Sophie Quoilin %A Viviane Van Casteren %A Y. Pirson %K 2016 %K 2017 %K Belgium %K overview season %K Seasonal influenza surveillance %I WIV-ISP %C Brussels, Belgium %P 27 %8 06/2017 %G eng %M D/2017/2505/11 %0 Report %D 2016 %T Consumptie-gerelateerde infectieziekten, 2014, België. Epidemiologische trends. %A Toon Braeye %A Sophie Bertrand %A Wesley Mattheus %A Martiny, Delphine %A Piérard, Denis %A De Rauw, Klara %A Jan Verhaegen %A Delmée, Michel %A Laurence Delbrassinne %A Sarah Denayer %A Katelijne Dierick %A Melin,P. %A Van Esbroeck, Marjan %A Vandenberg, Olivier %A N Botteldoorn %A Veronik Hutse %A Sophie Quoilin %K 2014 %K België %K Consumptie-gerelateerde infectieziekten %K trends %I WIV-ISP %C Brussel, België %P 162 %8 feb 2016 %G eng %M D/2016/2505/41 %0 Report %D 2016 %T Infectieziekten bij kinderen, die voorkomen kunnen worden door vaccinatie. Jaarrapport 2015 %A Mendes da Costa,E. %A Tine Grammens %A Amber Litzroth %A Virginie Maes %A Gaetan Muyldermans %A Sophie Quoilin %A Martine Sabbe %A Sophie Bertrand %A Marie-Luce Delforge %A I Desombere %A Veronik Hutse %A Helena Martini %A Martiny, Delphine %A Wesley Mattheus %A S Moreels %A Denis Piérard %A Carole Schirvel %A Béatrice Swennen %A Heidi Theeten %A Geert Top %A Jean-Marie Tremerie %A Viviane Van Casteren %A Steven Van Gucht %A Van Ranst, M %A Jan Verhaegen %K 2015 %K Infectieziekten %K kinderen %K vaccinatie %I WIV-ISP %C Brussel, België %P 108 %8 dec 2016 %@ 2507-0274 %G eng %M D/2016/2505/47 %0 Report %D 2016 %T Infectieziekten bij kinderen die voorkomen kunnen worden door vaccinatie. Jaarrapport 2014 %A Martine Sabbe %A Mendes da Costa,E. %A Sophie Quoilin %A Sophie Bertrand %A Dediste,A. %A Marie-Luce Delforge %A Heymans,C. %A K Huygen %A Veronik Hutse %A Stéphanie Jacquinet %A Mak,R. %A Wesley Mattheus %A S Moreels %A Muyldermans,C. %A Denis Piérard %A Carole Schirvel %A Béatrice Swennen %A Heidi Theeten %A Geert Top %A Jean-Marie Tremerie %A Viviane Van Casteren %A Marc Van Ranst %A Jan Verhaegen %A Zinnen,V. %K Infectieziekten %K kinderen %K vaccinatie %I Johan Peeters/WIV-ISP %C Bruxelles %P . %8 0/0/2016 %@ D/2015/2505/75 %G eng %1 37182 %0 Report %D 2016 %T Maladies infectieuses pédiatriques à prévention vaccinale. Rapport annuel 2015 %A Mendes da Costa,E. %A Tine Grammens %A Amber Litzroth %A Virginie Maes %A Gaetan Muyldermans %A Sophie Quoilin %A Martine Sabbe %A Sophie Bertrand %A Marie-Luce Delforge %A I Desombere %A Veronik Hutse %A Helena Martini %A Martiny, Delphine %A Wesley Mattheus %A S Moreels %A Denis Piérard %A Carole Schirvel %A Béatrice Swennen %A Heidi Theeten %A Geert Top %A Jean-Marie Tremerie %A Viviane Van Casteren %A Steven Van Gucht %A Van Ranst, M %A Jan Verhaegen %K 2015 %K Maladies infectieuses pédiatriques %K Vaccination %I WIV-ISP %C Bruxelles, Belgique %P 108 %8 12/2016 %@ 2507-0266 %G eng %M D/2016/2505/46 %0 Report %D 2016 %T Rapport thématique. Maladies infectieuses liées à la consommation, 2014, Belgique. Tendances épidémiologiques. %A Toon Braeye %A Sophie Bertrand %A Wesley Mattheus %A Martiny, Delphine %A Denis Piérard %A De Rauw, Klara %A Jan Verhaegen %A Delmée, Michel %A Laurence Delbrassinne %A Sarah Denayer %A Katelijne Dierick %A Melin,P. %A Van Esbroeck, Marjan %A Vandenberg, Olivier %A N Botteldoorn %A Veronik Hutse %A Sophie Quoilin %K 2014 %K Belgique %K Maladies infectieuses liées à la consommation %K tendances %I WIV-ISP %C Bruxelles, Belgique %P 164 %8 sep 2016 %G eng %M D/21016/2505/42 %0 Journal Article %J Arch Public Health %D 2015 %T Epidemiological situation of Lyme borreliosis in Belgium, 2003 to 2012. %A Corinne Bleyenheuft %A Tinne Lernout %A Nicolas Berger %A Javiera Rebolledo %A Mathias Leroy %A Robert, Annie %A Sophie Quoilin %X

BACKGROUND: Some studies show that the incidence of Lyme borreliosis is increasing in different European countries. In order to evaluate if this is also the case in Belgium, different data sources were consulted to describe the epidemiology of Lyme borreliosis in the country during the last decade.

METHODS: Data from two databases were analyzed for the time period 2003-2010 and 2003-2012 for respectively: the registration of minimal clinical data from Belgian hospitals (principal and secondary diagnosis), and a sentinel laboratory network reporting positive laboratory results.

RESULTS: The number of hospitalized cases per year remained stable between 2003 and 2010, ranging from 970 (in 2008) to 1453 (in 2006), with a median of 1132.5 cases per year. Between 2003 and 2012, yearly fluctuations in the number of positive tests were reported by the sentinel laboratory network (with a minimum of 996 positive tests in 2007 and a maximum of 1651 positive tests in 2005), but there is no increasing trend over the study period (median = 1200.5 positive tests per year). The highest incidence rates of hospitalization and the highest reported incidence of positive laboratory results are registered in the provinces of Luxemburg, Limburg, Flemish Brabant and Antwerp, with a typical seasonal pattern (peak in September). The age groups affected most are those from 5 to 14 years and 45 to 69.

CONCLUSION: Based on hospital records and laboratory results, no increasing trend in Lyme disease was observed over the 2003-2012 period in Belgium. These results are in line with the stable incidence of erythema migrans reported by a sentinel network of general practitionners between 2003 and 2009. Multi-source surveillance of vector-borne diseases should be further implemented.

%B Arch Public Health %V 73 %8 2015 %G eng %N 1 %R 10.1186/s13690-015-0079-7 %0 Report %D 2015 %T Infectieziekten bij kinderen die voorkomen kunnen worden door vaccinatie. Jaarrapport 2013 %A Tine Grammens %A Toon Braeye %A Corinne Bleyenheuft %A Sophie Quoilin %A Sophie Bertrand %A Dediste,A. %A Detemmerman,L. %A K. De Schrijver %A Goubert,P. %A Heymans,C. %A K Huygen %A Veronik Hutse %A Stéphanie Jacquinet %A Mak,R. %A Wesley Mattheus %A S Moreels %A Gaetan Muyldermans %A Denis Piérard %A Carole Schirvel %A Béatrice Swennen %A Heidi Theeten %A Geert Top %A Jean-Marie Tremerie %A Viviane Van Casteren %A Steven Van Gucht %A Marc Van Ranst %A Jan Verhaegen %A Waegenaere,J. %A Zinnen,V. %K Infectieziekten %K kinderen %I WIV-ISP %C Brussel %P 156 %8 0/0/2015 %@ D/2015/2505/05 %G eng %1 39200 %0 Report %D 2015 %T Infectieziekten bij kinderen, die voorkomen kunnen worden door vaccinatie. Jaaroverzicht 2014 %A Martine Sabbe %A Tine Grammens %A Toon Braeye %A Corinne Bleyenheuft %A Mendes da Costa, Elise %A Sophie Quoilin %A Sophie Bertrand %A Dediste, Anne %A Delforge, Marie-Luce %A Heymans,C. %A Huygen, Kris %A Veronik Hutse %A Stéphanie Jacquinet %A Mak, Ruud %A Wesley Mattheus %A S Moreels %A Gaetan Muyldermans %A Denis Piérard %A Carole Schirvel %A Béatrice Swennen %A Heidi Theeten %A Top, Geert %A Jean-Marie Tremerie %A Viviane Van Casteren %A Van Ranst, M %A Verhaegen, J. %A Zinnen,V. %K 2014 %K Infectieziekten %K kinderen %K vaccinatie %I WIV-ISP %C Brussel, België %P 62 %8 dec 2015 %G eng %M D/2015/2505/75 %0 Journal Article %J Front Public Health %D 2015 %T Landscape and regional environmental analysis of the spatial distribution of hantavirus human cases in europe. %A Zeimes, Caroline Brigitte %A Sophie Quoilin %A Henttonen, Heikki %A Lyytikäinen, Outi %A Vapalahti, Olli %A Reynes, Jean-Marc %A Reusken, Chantal %A Swart, Arno N %A Vainio, Kirsti %A Hjertqvist, Marika %A Vanwambeke, Sophie O %X

BACKGROUND: In Europe, the most prevalent hantavirus, Puumala virus, is transmitted by bank voles and causes nephropathia epidemica in human. The European spatial distribution of nephropathia epidemica is investigated here for the first time with a rich set of environmental variables.

METHODS: The influence of variables at the landscape and regional level is studied through multilevel logistic regression, and further information on their effects across the different European ecoregions is obtained by comparing an overall niche model (boosted regression trees) with regressions by ecoregion.

RESULTS: The presence of nephropathia epidemica is likely in populated regions with well-connected forests, more intense vegetation activity, low soil water content, mild summers, and cold winters. In these regions, landscapes with a higher proportion of built-up areas in forest ecotones and lower minimum temperature in winter are expected to be more at risk. Climate and forest connectivity have a stronger effect at the regional level. If variables are staying at their current values, the models predict that nephropathia epidemica may know intensification but should not spread (although southern Sweden, the Norwegian coast, and the Netherlands should be kept under watch).

CONCLUSION: Models indicate that large-scale modeling can lead to a very high predictive power. At large scale, the effect of one variable on disease may follow three response scenarios: the effect may be the same across the entire study area, the effect can change according to the variable value, and the effect can change depending on local specificities. Each of these scenarios impacts large-scale modeling differently.

%B Front Public Health %V 3 %P 54 %8 2015 %G eng %1 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25874194?dopt=Abstract %R 10.3389/fpubh.2015.00054 %0 Report %D 2015 %T Maladies infectieuses pédiatriques à prévention vaccinale. Synthèse annuelle 2014 %A Martine Sabbe %A Tine Grammens %A Toon Braeye %A Corinne Bleyenheuft %A Mendes da Costa,E. %A Sophie Quoilin %A Sophie Bertrand %A Dediste,A. %A Marie-Luce Delforge %A Heymans,C. %A K Huygen %A Veronik Hutse %A Stéphanie Jacquinet %A Mak,R. %A Wesley Mattheus %A S Moreels %A Gaetan Muyldermans %A Denis Piérard %A Carole Schirvel %A Béatrice Swennen %A Heidi Theeten %A Geert Top %A Jean-Marie Tremerie %A Viviane Van Casteren %A Van Ranst, M %A Jan Verhaegen %A Zinnen,V. %K 2014 %K Maladies infectieuses pédiatriques %K Vaccination %I WIV-ISP %C Bruxelles, Belgique %P 63 %8 12/2015 %G eng %M D/2015/2505/76 %0 Journal Article %J BMC Neurol %D 2015 %T Overview and evaluation of 15 years of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease surveillance in Belgium, 1998-2012. %A Amber Litzroth %A Cras, Patrick %A De Vil, Bart %A Sophie Quoilin %K Attitude of Health Personnel %K Autopsy %K Belgium %K Creutzfeldt-Jakob Syndrome %K Epidemiological Monitoring %K Humans %K incidence %K Neurology %K PHYSICIANS %X

BACKGROUND: In 1998, following the detection of variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (vCJD) in the UK, Belgium installed a surveillance system for Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD). The objectives of this system were to identify vCJD cases and detect increases in CJD incidence. Diagnostic confirmation of CJD is based on autopsy after referral by neurologists. Reference centres perform autopsies and report to the surveillance system. The aim of this study was to assess whether the system met its objectives and to assess its acceptability.

METHODS: For 1999-2010, we linked surveillance data with hospital discharge data. We calculated the proportion of CJD suspected patients who died in hospitals and were captured by the surveillance system. We surveyed stakeholders on knowledge of the surveillance system, referral practices and acceptability. We compared proportions using the chi-square test and investigated variables associated with capture using a multivariable logistic regression model.

RESULTS: On average 60 % of hospitalised patients who died with suspected CJD were captured by the surveillance system. This proportion did not significantly differ over the years (p = 0.1). The odds of capture significantly decreased with every 1 year increase in age (OR = 0.95, 95 % CI 0.92-0.98, p = 0.001). Eleven percent of surveyed neurologists would not refer suspect vCJD cases for autopsy, nor contact a reference centre for diagnostic support. Sixty-one percent of surveyed neurologists were not familiar with the surveillance system. Awareness of the existence of the system did not impact referral behaviour (p = 0.18). CJD and vCJD surveillance were considered important by the majority of stakeholders.

CONCLUSIONS: Although 40 % of the suspect CJD cases were not referred for autopsy, our data suggest that the Belgian CJD surveillance system meets one of its main objectives: it can detect changes in CJD incidence. However, we do not have sufficient evidence to conclude that the system meets its second objective of detecting vCJD cases arising in Belgium. Although not well known, the system was considered acceptable by its stakeholders.

%B BMC Neurol %V 15 %P 250 %8 2015 Dec 02 %G eng %1 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26630984?dopt=Abstract %R 10.1186/s12883-015-0507-x %0 Generic %D 2015 %T Vaccine effectiveness estimates in preventing laboratory-confirmed mild and moderate-to-severe influenza in the Belgian population during the last 3 seasons. %A Hombrouck,A. %A Viviane Van Casteren %A Steven Van Gucht %A Sophie Quoilin %A Françoise Wuillaume %A Isabelle Thomas %A Nathalie Bossuyt %K Belgian %K Belgian population %K de %K ET %K INFLUENZA %K Laboratory-confirmed %K Maladies infectieuse %K Mild %K POPULATION %K Seasons %K Surveillance %K vaccine %B Séminaire Diagnostic et surveillance des maladies infectieuses. %I NA %C NA %8 0/0/2015 %G eng %N WIV-ISP %1 38230 %2 21/05/2015 %0 Report %D 2015 %T Zoönosen en Vector-Overdraagbare Ziekten. Epidemiologische surveillance in België, 2013 en 2014 %A Javiera Rebolledo %A Tinne Lernout %A Amber Litzroth %A Dominique Van Beckhoven %A Bernard Brochier %A Delaere,B. %A David Fretin %A Heuninckx,W. %A Hing,M. %A Jacobs, J. %A B Kabamba Mukadi %A Maes,P. %A Marcella Mori %A Patteet,S. %A Sophie Quoilin %A Saegeman,V. %A Vanessa Suin %A Truyens,C. %A Vanrompay, D %A M. Van Esbroeck %A Steven Van Gucht %A P Wattiau %K 2013 %K 2014 %K jaarrapport %K overdraagbare ziekten %K Vector %K zoonosen %I WIV-ISP %C Brussel, België %P 114 %8 Dec 2015 %G eng %M D/2015/2505/74 %0 Report %D 2015 %T Zoonoses et maladies à transmission vectorielle. Surveillance épidémiologique en Belgique, 2013 et 2014 %A Javiera Rebolledo %A Tinne Lernout %A Amber Litzroth %A Dominique Van Beckhoven %A Bernard Brochier %A Delaere,B. %A David Fretin %A Heuninckx,W. %A Hing,M. %A Jacobs,J.A. %A B Kabamba Mukadi %A Maes,P. %A Marcella Mori %A Patteet,S. %A Sophie Quoilin %A Saegeman,V. %A Vanessa Suin %A Truyens,C. %A Vanrompay, D %A Van Esbroeck, Marjan %A Steven Van Gucht %A P Wattiau %K 2013 %K 2014 %K maladies à transmission vectorielle %K Surveillance %K Zoonoses %I WIV-ISP %C Bruxelles, Belgique %P 116 %8 12/2015 %G eng %M D/2015/2505/73 %0 Generic %D 2014 %T Evaluation de la surveillance épidémiologique belge en santé animale. %A S. Cardoen %A Depoorter,P. %A Hendrikx,P. %A Hooyberghs,J. %A Hein Imberechts %A Dewulf,J. %A G. Czaplicki %A Yves Van der Stede %A Katelijne Dierick %A Thierry van den Berg %A Stoop,S. %A Hubaux,M. %A Sophie Quoilin %A Saegerman,C. %E FAVV-AFSCA %K Belge %K de %K EN %K EVALUATION %K santé %K Surveillance %K surveillance,maladies animales,organisation,recommandations %B Evaluation de la surveillance épidémiologique belge en santé animale. %V 66 %P 27 - 42 %8 0/0/2014 %G eng %N AFSCA %1 39149 %2 19/03/2014 %& 27 %0 Report %D 2014 %T Infectieziekten bij kinderen die voorkomen kunnen worden door vaccinatie. Trends en Ontwikkelingen in België en de Gemeenschappen, 2012 %A Toon Braeye %A D Hue %A Tine Grammens %A Sophie Quoilin %K België %K de %I WIV-ISP %C Brussel %P 104 %8 0/1/2014 %@ D/2014/2505/03 %G eng %1 35187 %2 2014-003 %0 Journal Article %J Arch Public Health %D 2014 %T Lessons learned from a textbook outbreak: EHEC-O157:H7 infections associated with the consumption of raw meat products, June 2012, Limburg, Belgium. %A Toon Braeye %A Sarah Denayer %A De Rauw, Klara %A Forier, Anmarie %A Verluyten, Jurgen %A Fourie, Ludo %A Katelijne Dierick %A N Botteldoorn %A Sophie Quoilin %A Cosse, Pascale %A Noyen, Jeannine %A Piérard, Denis %X

BACKGROUND: On 5 June 2012 several enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli, EHEC, O157:H7 infections were reported to the public health authorities of Limburg.

METHODS: We performed a case-control study, a trace back/forward investigation and compared strains isolated from human cases and food samples. A case was defined as anyone with a laboratory-confirmed E. coli O157:H7-infection in North-East Limburg from May 30 2012 till July 15 2012. Family members with bloody diarrhea were also included as cases. E. coli O157 was isolated by culture and the presence of the virulence genes was verified using (q)PCR. Isolates were genotyped and compared by Pulsed Field Gel Electrophoresis (PFGE) and insertion sequence 629-printing (IS629-printing).

RESULTS: The outbreak involved 24 cases, of which 17 were laboratory-confirmed. Five cases developed Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS) and fifteen were hospitalized. Cases reported a significantly higher consumption of "steak tartare", a raw meat product (OR 48.12; 95% CI; 5.62- 416.01). Cases were also more likely to buy meat-products at certain butcheries (OR 11.67; 95% CI; 1.41 - 96.49). PFGE and IS629-printing demonstrated that the vtx1a vtx2a eae ehxA positive EHEC O157:H7 strains isolated from three meat products and all seventeen human stool samples were identical. In a slaughterhouse, identified by the trace-back investigation, a carcass infected with a different EHEC strain was found and confiscated.

CONCLUSION: We present a well described and effectively investigated foodborne outbreak associated with meat products. Our main recommendations are the facilitation and acceleration of the outbreak detection and the development of a communication plan to reaches all persons at risk.

MESH: Foodborne diseases, Shiga-toxigenic Escherichia coli, Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli, Meat products, Case control studies, Electrophoresis, Gel, Pulsed-Field.

%B Arch Public Health %V 72 %P 44 %8 2014 %G eng %N 1 %1 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25810911?dopt=Abstract %R 10.1186/2049-3258-72-44 %0 Report %D 2014 %T Maladies infectieuses pédiatriques à prévention vaccinale. Tendances et développements en Belgique et dans les Communautés, 2012 %A Toon Braeye %A D Hue %A Tine Grammens %A Sophie Quoilin %K Belgique %K LE %K Maladies infectieuse %I WIV-ISP %C Bruxelles %P 104 %8 0/1/2014 %@ D/2014/2505/04 %G eng %1 35188 %2 2014-002 %0 Generic %D 2013 %T A local outbreak of infections with EHEC-O157:H7 associated with the consumption of raw meat products, June 2012, Limburg, Belgium333 %A Toon Braeye %A Sarah Denayer %A A. Forier %A J. Verluyten %A Fourie,L. %A K. De Rauw %A Katelijne Dierick %A N Botteldoorn %A Sophie Quoilin %A P. Cosse %A J. Noyen %A Denis Piérard %K 2012 %K a %K Belgium %K conference %K CONSUMPTION %K INFECTION %K infections %K Meat %K Meat Products %K ON %K outbreak %K PRODUCTS %B 18 th conference on foodmicrobiology %I NA %C NA %8 13/9/2013 %G eng %N BSFM %1 38087 %2 12-13 september 2013 %0 Generic %D 2013 %T National surveillance of nosocomial infections in neonatal intensive care units in Belgium (Neo-KISS) %A Mahieu,L. %A Cossey,V. %A Karl Mertens %A Haumont,D. %A Naulaers,G. %A Sophie Quoilin %K 2010 %K additional %K adjustment %K age %K an %K analysi %K analysis %K Antibiotic %K AS %K Belgian %K Belgium %K Benchmarking %K birth %K Bloodstream infection %K Bloodstream infections %K care %K Case mix %K Coagulase %K confounder %K Confounding %K data %K Data collection %K density %K Development %K differences %K EN %K factors %K Germany %K improve %K incidence %K Indicator %K Indicators %K Infant %K Infants %K INFECTION %K infections %K Infectious %K intensive care %K intensive care unit %K intensive care units %K intervention %K interventions %K IS %K IT %K M %K method %K methods %K Monitoring %K morbidity %K mortality %K national %K NEONATAL %K neonatology %K nosocomial %K nosocomial infection %K Nosocomial infections %K Objective %K ON %K Patient %K patients %K period %K pilot %K Pneumonia %K prevention %K Primary bloodstream infection %K protocol %K Quality %K RATES %K report %K Respiratory %K result %K results %K risk %K Risk Factors %K Score %K study %K Surveillance %K use %K utilization %K VAP %K ventilation %K Weight %X

The national college of "Mother and Newborn" has the objective to improve the quality of care, by development of quality indicators, reporting and benchmarking. A significant heterogenity in morbidity and mortality between NICUs was found during the national intensive care benchmarking 2004-2008 report (NICAUDIT), which might have been due to differences in nosocomial infection rates. Indeed, nosocomial infections are more frequent in preterm infants than in pediatric patients, especially in very low birth weight infants (<1500 gram). Studies in Germany have shown that surveillance of infections, and benchmarking can result in a significant decrease in the incidence of infections. Another aim of the surveillance is to find risk factors for nosocomial infections which can be used to prevent nosocomial infections. Primary bloodstream infections especially those related to vascular lines and nosocomial pneumonia related to the use of respiratory devices are the primary focus of this surveillance. For this surveillance the German national surveillance protocol Neo-KISS (Krankenhaus-Infektions-Surveillance-System) is used. Both incidence densities (per patient days as numerator) and device associated infection rates (per catheter or ventilator days as numerator) are calculated. Also the device utilization and antibiotic utilization (per 100 patient days) were calculated. To standardize the infectious risk for each NICU, potential confounding factors and additional risk factors were measured and the (adjusted) standardized infection rates (SIR) are calculated for each unit. A SIR of 1 means that the infection rate is in accordance to the expected rate for the case-mix of the unit. The analysis was supported by WIV-ISP (K. Mertens) and BICS (M. Gérard).After a pilot phase in 2010, 7 out of 19 NICUs participated in the surveillance period 2011voluntary via web-based data collection forms. During this study period, 441 patients responsible for 14990 patient days were entered in the study. The mean gestational age was 28.8 weeks and mean birth weight was 1095 g with a mean surveillance duration of 33.6 days. Surveillance was ended because of patient transfer (26.5%), bodyweight of 1800 g reached (62.1%) or mortality (11.3%). The ventilation utilization (CPAP and/or intubation) and central line utilization were 62.7 days and 51.9 days per 100 patient days. Antibiotic utilization was 25.8 days per 100 patient days on average.

%B Diagnose en surveillance van infectieuze aandoeningen %I NA %C NA %8 21/11/2013 %G eng %N Quoilin,S. %1 35289 %2 21/11/2013 %0 Generic %D 2012 %T Contribution of respiratory pathogens to consultations of influenza-like illness %A Bollaerts,K. %A Jérôme Antoine %A Viviane Van Casteren %A Ducoffre,G. %A Sophie Quoilin %K Activity %K analysis %K Belgian %K Belgium %K consultation %K contribution %K data %K illness %K illnesses %K INFLUENZA %K IS %K Laboratories %K measure %K measures %K MODEL %K models %K Objective %K ON %K parameters %K pathogen %K POISSON %K Poisson regression %K Ratio %K regression %K relative %K Respiratory %K seasonal %K seasonality %K series %K time %K Time series %K Time-series %K Underreporting %K variation %K VIRUS %K Viruses %X

Objective

%B 3rd SIMID workshop %I NA %C NA %8 0/4/2012 %G eng %N UHasselt %1 33050 %2 25-27/04/2012 %0 Journal Article %J Epidemiol.Infect. %D 2012 %T Contribution of respiratory pathogens to influenza-like illness consultations %A Bollaerts,K. %A Jérôme Antoine %A Viviane Van Casteren %A Ducoffre,G. %A N. Hens %A Sophie Quoilin %K Activity %K article %K Belgian %K Belgium %K Clinical %K consultation %K contribution %K data %K electronic %K health %K illness %K illnesses %K INFLUENZA %K Institute %K IS %K journal %K Laboratories %K measure %K measures %K MEDV %K method %K methods %K MODEL %K models %K ON %K Paper %K parameters %K pathogen %K POISSON %K Poisson regression %K public %K public health %K Public-health %K Ratio %K Ratios %K regression %K relative %K Respiratory %K result %K results %K seasonal %K seasonal variation %K seasonality %K series %K summary %K Surveillance %K time %K Time series %K Time-series %K Underreporting %K variation %K VIRUS %K Viruses %K WIV-ISP %X SUMMARY Influenza-like illnesses (ILIs) are caused by several respiratory pathogens. These pathogens show weak to strong seasonal activity implying seasonality in ILI consultations. In this paper, the contribution of pathogens to seasonality of ILI consultations was statistically modelled. Virological count data were first smoothed using modulation models for seasonal time series. Second, Poisson regression was used regressing ILI consultation counts on the smoothed time series. Using ratios of the estimated regression parameters, relative measures of the underreporting of pathogens were obtained. Influenza viruses A and B, parainfluenza virus and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) significantly contributed to explain the seasonal variation in ILI consultations. We also found that RSV was the least and influenza virus A is the most underreported pathogen in Belgian laboratory surveillance. The proposed methods and results are helpful in interpreting the data of clinical and laboratory surveillance, which are the essential parts of influenza surveillance %B Epidemiol.Infect. %V 141 %P 2196 - 2204 %8 6/12/2012 %G eng %N 10 %1 437 %& 2196 %R http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0950268812002506 %0 Report %D 2012 %T Infectieziekten bij kinderen die voorkomen kunnen worden door vaccinatie. Trends en Ontwikkelingen in België en de Gemeenschappen, 2011. %A Toon Braeye %A D Hue %A Tine Grammens %A Sophie Quoilin %A Sophie Bertrand %A Bots,J. %A Ducoffre,G. %A Goubau,P. %A Heymans,C. %A Denis Piérard %A Carole Schirvel %A Béatrice Swennen %A Geert Top %A Viviane Van Casteren %A Vandenberg,O. %A Steven Van Gucht %A Marc Van Ranst %A Vanthomme,K. %A Jan Verhaegen %A Françoise Wuillaume %K België %K de %K EN %K trend %K trends %I WIV-ISP %C Brussel %P 84 %8 1/12/2012 %@ D/2012/2050/80 %G eng %1 30418 %0 Generic %D 2012 %T A local outbreak of infections with EHEC-O157:H7 associated with the consumption of raw meat products, June 2012, Limburg, Belgium36436 %A Toon Braeye %A Sarah Denayer %A Fourier %A J. Verluyten %A Fourie,L. %A K. De Rauw %A Katelijne Dierick %A N Botteldoorn %A Sophie Quoilin %A P. Cosse %A J. Noyen %A Denis Piérard %K 2012 %K a %K Belgium %K CONSUMPTION %K INFECTION %K infections %K Meat %K Meat Products %K outbreak %K PRODUCTS %B ESCAIDE 2012 %I NA %C NA %8 10/10/2012 %G eng %N ECDC %1 38086 %2 24 october 2012 %0 Report %D 2012 %T Maladies infectieuses pédiatriques à prévention vaccinale. Tendances et évolutions en Belgique et dans les Communautés, 2011. %A Toon Braeye %A D Hue %A Tine Grammens %A Sophie Quoilin %A Sophie Bertrand %A Bots,J. %A Ducoffre,G. %A Goubau,P. %A Heymans,C. %A Denis Piérard %A Carole Schirvel %A Béatrice Swennen %A Geert Top %A Viviane Van Casteren %A Vandenberg,O. %A Steven Van Gucht %A Marc Van Ranst %A Vanthomme,K. %A Jan Verhaegen %A Françoise Wuillaume %K Belgique %K EN %K ET %K LE %K Maladies infectieuse %K pédiatrique %K trends %I WIV-ISP %C Bruxelles %V 2012-44 %P 84 %8 1/12/2012 %@ D/2012/2050/81 %G eng %1 30419 %0 Journal Article %J Emerg Infect Dis %D 2011 %T Q fever in Woolsorters, Belgium. %A P Wattiau %A Boldisova, Eva %A Toman, Rudolf %A Van Esbroeck, Marjan %A Sophie Quoilin %A Hammadi, Samia %A Tissot-Dupont, Hervé %A Raoult, Didier %A Henkinbrant, Jean-Marie %A Van Hessche, Mieke %A David Fretin %K Animals %K Antibodies, Bacterial %K Belgium %K Cohort Studies %K Communicable Diseases, Emerging %K Coxiella burnetii %K Goats %K Humans %K Occupational Diseases %K Occupational Exposure %K Q Fever %K Seroepidemiologic Studies %K Sheep, Domestic %K wool %B Emerg Infect Dis %V 17 %P 2368-9 %8 2011 Dec %G eng %N 12 %1 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22172399?dopt=Abstract %R 10.3201/eid1712.101786 %0 Journal Article %J Epidemiol.Infect. %D 2011 %T Shigellosis outbreak linked to canteen-food consumption in a public institution: a matched case-control study36545 %A I. Gutierrez Garitano %A Naranjo,M. %A A. Forier %A Hendriks,R. %A K. De Schrijver %A Sophie Bertrand %A Katelijne Dierick %A Robesyn,E. %A Sophie Quoilin %K 2009 %K a %K ADOLESCENT %K Adult %K Aged %K Aged,80 and over %K an %K article %K association %K at %K Belgium %K Case %K Case-Control Studies %K Cluster Analysis %K CONSUMPTION %K Control %K detection %K disease %K Disease Outbreaks %K Dysentery,Bacillary %K electronic %K epidemiology %K Etiology %K European %K Feces %K Female %K Flemish %K food %K Food Handling %K Food Services %K Foodborne Diseases %K Humans %K im %K implement %K institution %K interval %K intervention %K IS %K isolation & purification %K journal %K Laboratories %K Laboratory-confirmed %K Logistic Models %K Male %K measure %K measures %K microbiology %K middle aged %K Morocco %K Occupational Exposure %K ODDS RATIO %K ON %K outbreak %K prevention %K profile %K Profiles %K programme %K public %K Questionnaires %K Ratio %K Retrospective Studies %K Sample %K Samples %K SB - IM %K Shigella %K Shigella sonnei %K study %K Sweden %K Test %K time %K training %K Transmission %K WATER %K Young adult %X On 13 November 2009, the authorities of Flemish Brabant, Belgium, received an alert concerning a potential outbreak of Shigella sonnei at a public institution. A study was conducted to assess the extent, discover the source and to implement further measures. We performed a matched case-control study to test an association between shigellosis and canteen-food consumption. Water samples and food handlers' faecal samples were tested. The reference laboratory characterized the retrospectively collected Shigella specimens. We found 52 cases distributed over space (25/35 departments) and time (2 months). We found a matched odds ratio of 3.84 (95% confidence interval 1.02-14.44) for canteen-food consumption. A food handler had travelled to Morocco shortly before detection of the first laboratory-confirmed case. Water samples and food handlers' faecal samples tested negative for Shigella. Confirmed cases presented PFGE profiles, highly similar to archived isolates from Morocco. Foodborne transmission associated with the canteen was strongly suspected %B Epidemiol.Infect. %V 139 %P 1956 - 1964 %8 0/12/2011 %G eng %N 12 %1 38215 %& 1956 %R http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0950268810003110 %0 Journal Article %J Archives of Public Health %D 2010 %T Case finding of Influenza A(H1N1)2009 in a non-exposed population in the early pandemic36885 %A Sophie Quoilin %A Isabelle Thomas %A Gerard,C. %A Bernard Brochier %A Bots,J. %A Lokietek,S. %A Robesyn,E. %A Françoise Wuillaume %A Gaetan Muyldermans %K a %K Case %K INFLUENZA %K pandemic %K POPULATION %X Not available %B Archives of Public Health %V 68 %P 53 - 61 %8 0/0/2010 %G eng %1 38328 %& 53 %R http://dx.doi.org/10.1186%2F0778-7367-68-2-53 %0 Journal Article %J Archives of Public Health %D 2010 %T Confirmation diagnosis of Influenza A(H1N1)2009 by Belgian sentinel laboratories during the epidemic phase36883 %A Gaetan Muyldermans %A Ducoffre,G. %A Isabelle Thomas %A Clement,F. %A De Laere,E. %A Y. Glupczynski %A Hougardy,N. %A K. Lagrou %A P.E. Léonard %A Meex,C. %A Denis Piérard %A Raymaekers,M. %A Reynders,M. %A Stalpaert,M. %A Verstrepen,W. %A Sophie Quoilin %K Belgian %K Diagnosis %K epidemic %K INFLUENZA %K Laboratories %K sentinel %X Not available %B Archives of Public Health %V 68 %P 76 - 82 %8 0/0/2010 %G eng %1 38306 %& 76 %R http://dx.doi.org/10.1186%2F0778-7367-68-2-76 %0 Journal Article %J Archives of Public Health %D 2010 %T Virological surveillance of the Influenza A (H1N1)2009 pandemic: the role of the Belgian National Influenza Centre %A Gerard,C. %A Bernard Brochier %A Sophie Quoilin %A Françoise Wuillaume %A Viviane Van Casteren %A Isabelle Thomas %K a %K Belgian %K INFLUENZA %K Influenza A Virus,H1N1 Subtype %K national %K pandemic %K Role %K Surveillance %X

Not available

%B Archives of Public Health %V 68 %P 68 - 75 %8 0/0/2010 %G eng %N 2 %1 31233 %& 68 %R http://dx.doi.org/10.1186%2F0778-7367-68-2-68 %0 Journal Article %J Euro.Surveill %D 2009 %T Cluster of hepatitis A cases among travellers returning from Egypt, Belgium, September through November 200836837 %A Robesyn,E. %A Micalessi,M.I. %A Sophie Quoilin %A Naranjo,M. %A Isabelle Thomas %K 2008 %K a %K an %K article %K Belgian %K Belgium %K Brussels %K care %K Case %K Cluster %K Common %K Control %K Countries %K disease %K Disease Outbreaks %K Egypt %K electronic %K epidemiology %K European %K Flemish %K France %K health %K Hepatitis %K Hepatitis A %K Humans %K Hypothesis %K im %K incidence %K Infectious %K investigation %K IS %K journal %K methods %K need %K outbreak %K POLICIES %K POLICY %K Population Surveillance %K public %K public health %K Public-health %K Risk Assessment %K Risk Factors %K SB - IM %K statistics & numerical data %K Surveillance %K Travel %K Vaccination %X Following a European alert by France, we detected a hepatitis A cluster in Belgian travellers returning from Egypt. Our investigation supports the hypothesis of a common source outbreak, linked to Nile river cruises. The outbreak also suggests the need to consider an intensification of the vaccination policy for travellers to hepatitis A endemic countries %B Euro.Surveill %V 14 %P pii=19095 %8 22/1/2009 %G eng %N 3 %1 38334 %& pii=19095 %0 Journal Article %J Foodborne.Pathog.Dis. %D 2009 %T Evidence-based semiquantitative methodology for prioritization of foodborne zoonoses36823 %A S. Cardoen %A Van Huffel,X. %A Dirk Berkvens %A Sophie Quoilin %A Ducoffre,G. %A Saegerman,C. %A Niko Speybroeck %A Hein Imberechts %A Herman,L. %A R. Ducatelle %A Katelijne Dierick %K 0 %K a %K Agent %K Agents %K an %K Animal %K Animals %K application %K applications %K article %K AS %K bacteria %K Belgium %K Blood-Borne Pathogens %K bovine spongiform encephalopathy %K Brussels %K Campylobacter %K classification %K Clinical %K Clostridium %K Clostridium botulinum %K consequences %K Control %K Countries %K criteria %K data %K Databases,Factual %K disease %K Echinococcus multilocularis %K ECONOMIC %K electronic %K epidemiology %K Escherichia coli %K Establish %K evidence based %K evidence-based %K Evidence-Based Practice %K Exercise %K Field %K food %K Food Chain %K Food Microbiology %K Food Parasitology %K Food Safety %K Foodborne Diseases %K general %K Group %K hazard %K health %K Health Priorities %K Help %K Human %K Humans %K identify %K im %K INFORMATION %K IS %K IT %K journal %K KNOWLEDGE %K LEVEL %K levels %K List %K Listeria %K Listeria monocytogenes %K method %K methodology %K methods %K microbiology %K Monitoring %K Mycobacterium %K Mycobacterium bovis %K objectives %K occurrence %K ON %K Parasites %K pathogen %K pathogenicity %K POLICIES %K POLICY %K prion %K Prions %K PROGRAM %K public %K public health %K Public-health %K questions %K Ranking %K relative %K Research %K Research Support %K result %K results %K risk %K SAFETY %K Salmonella %K SB - IM %K Score %K severity %K specific %K staphylococcus %K Staphylococcus aureus %K statistics & numerical data %K Toxoplasma %K Viruses %K Water Microbiology %K Yersinia %K Yersinia enterocolitica %K Zoonoses %X OBJECTIVES: To prioritize an extended list of food- and water-borne zoonoses to allow food safety authorities to focus on the most relevant hazards in the food chain. METHODS: An evidence-based semiquantitative methodology was developed. Scores were given by 35 scientific experts in the field of animal and public health, food, and clinical microbiology and epidemiology to 51 zoonotic agents according to five criteria related to public health (severity and occurrence in humans), animal health (severity of disease coupled with economic consequences and occurrence in animals), and food (occurrence in food). The scoring procedure was standardized and evidence-based as experts were provided, for each zoonotic agent, a same set of up-to-date help information data related to the five criteria. Independently, the relative importance of the five criteria was weighted by seven food chain risk managers. The zoonotic agents were ranked based on overall weighted scores and were grouped in four statistically different levels of importance. RESULTS: The following foodborne zoonotic pathogens were classified as "most important": Salmonella spp., Campylobacter spp., Listeria monocytogenes, and verocytotoxigenic Escherichia coli. A second group of "significant importance" included Toxoplasma gondii, the agent of bovine spongiform encephalopathy, Clostridium botulinum, Staphylococcus aureus, Cryptosporidium parvum, Mycobacterium bovis, Echinococcus granulosus, Streptococcus spp., Echinococcus multilocularis, Yersinia enterocolitica, Mycobacterium avium, Fasciola hepatica, Giardia intestinalis, and Rotavirus. CONCLUSIONS: This methodology allowed to rank 51 zoonotic agents with objectivity and taking account of a combined input from risk assessors and risk managers. APPLICATIONS: These results support food safety policy makers to establish the multiannual monitoring program of foodborne zoonoses. They also enable to identify knowledge gaps on specific zoonotic agents and to formulate key research questions. Principally, this method of prioritization is of general interest as it can be applied for any other ranking exercise and in any country %B Foodborne.Pathog.Dis. %V 6 %P 1083 - 1096 %8 1/12/2009 %G eng %N 9 %1 38104 %& 1083 %R http://dx.doi.org/10.1089/fpd.2009.0291 %0 Journal Article %J Eur J Epidemiol %D 2007 %T A population-based prevalence study of hepatitis A, B and C virus using oral fluid in Flanders, Belgium. %A Sophie Quoilin %A Veronik Hutse %A Vandenberghe, Hans %A Claeys, Françoise %A Verhaegen, Els %A De Cock, Liesbet %A Van Loock, Frank %A Top, Geert %A Van Damme, Pierre %A Vranckx, Robert %A Herman Van Oyen %K ADOLESCENT %K Adult %K Aged %K Belgium %K Child %K Child, Preschool %K cross-sectional studies %K Female %K Hepatitis A %K Hepatitis A Antibodies %K Hepatitis B %K Hepatitis B Surface Antigens %K Hepatitis C %K Hepatitis C Antibodies %K Humans %K Infant %K Infant, Newborn %K Male %K middle aged %K Population Surveillance %K prevalence %K Saliva %X

Ten years after the first seroprevalence study performed in Flanders, the aim of this cross sectional study was to follow the evolution of hepatitis A, B and C prevalence. The prevalence of hepatitis A antibodies, hepatitis B surface antigen and hepatitis C antibodies was measured in oral fluid samples collected by postal survey. Using the National Population Register, an incremental sampling plan was developed to obtain a representative sampling of the general population. A total of 24,000 persons were selected and 6,000 persons among them contacted in a first wave. With 1834 participants a response rate of 30.6% was achieved. The prevalence was weighted for age and was 20.2% (95% CI 19.43-21.08) for hepatitis A, 0.66% (95% CI 0.51-0.84) for hepatitis B surface antigen and 0.12% (95% CI 0.09-0.39) for hepatitis C. The prevalence of hepatitis A and C in the Flemish population is lower in 2003 compared with the results of the study performed in 1993. The difference may be due to a real decrease of the diseases but also to differences in the methodology. The prevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen remains stable. Considering the 30% response rate and the high quality of the self-collected samples as reflect of a good participation of the general population, saliva test for prevalence study is a good epidemiological monitoring tool.

%B Eur J Epidemiol %V 22 %P 195-202 %8 2007 %G eng %N 3 %1 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17356926?dopt=Abstract %R 10.1007/s10654-007-9105-6 %0 Journal Article %J Euro Surveill %D 2006 %T Management of potential human cases of influenza A/H5N1: lessons from Belgium. %A Sophie Quoilin %A Isabelle Thomas %A Gérard, C %A Maes, S %A Haucotte, G %A Gerard, M %A Van Laethem, Y %A Snacken, R %A Hanquet, G %A Bernard Brochier %A Robesyn, E %K Belgium %K Communicable Disease Control %K Diagnosis, Differential %K Disease Outbreaks %K Guidelines as Topic %K Humans %K Influenza A Virus, H5N1 Subtype %K Influenza, Human %K Male %K Practice Patterns, Physicians' %K Risk Assessment %B Euro Surveill %V 11 %P E060126.1 %8 2006 Jan 26 %G eng %N 1 %1 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16801712?dopt=Abstract %0 Journal Article %J Euro Surveill %D 2006 %T Soft tissue infections in Belgian rugby players due to Streptococcus pyogenes emm type 81. %A Sophie Quoilin %A Lambion, N %A Mak, R %A Denis, O %A Lammens, C %A Struelens, M %A Maes, S %A Goossens, H %K ADOLESCENT %K Adult %K Belgium %K Contact Tracing %K Disease Outbreaks %K Female %K Football %K Humans %K Hygiene %K Malaysia %K Male %K middle aged %K Soft Tissue Infections %K Soft Tissue Injuries %K Streptococcal Infections %K Streptococcus pyogenes %K Surveys and Questionnaires %K Travel %K wound infection %B Euro Surveill %V 11 %P E061221.2 %8 2006 Dec 21 %G eng %N 12 %1 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17213570?dopt=Abstract %0 Journal Article %J J Med Virol %D 2005 %T Oral fluid as a medium for the detection of hepatitis B surface antigen. %A Veronik Hutse %A Verhaegen, Els %A De Cock, Liesbet %A Sophie Quoilin %A Vandenberghe, Hans %A Horsmans, Yves %A Michielsen, Peter %A Van Damme, Pierre %A Van Vlierberghe, Hans %A Claeys, Françoise %A Vranckx, Robert %A Herman Van Oyen %K Hepatitis B %K Hepatitis B Antibodies %K Hepatitis B Surface Antigens %K Hepatitis B virus %K Humans %K Saliva %K specimen handling %X

Currently viral antigens and antibodies are detected by traditional serological tests. However, the introduction of oral fluid as an alternative medium would allow other alternatives. The collection of oral fluid is, in comparison with venepuncture, less invasive, less painful, less expensive (i.e., no trained personal required), and safe (prevention of needle stick injuries). Also large numbers of samples can be collected easily for epidemiological purposes. Forty-three HBsAg positive and seventy-three HBsAg negative paired serum/oral fluid samples were tested. They were collected from patients attending university hospitals. The oral fluid samples were collected using the Oracol collection device and they were subjected to an IgG quantification assay to ensure their quality and quantity. The detection of HBsAg in oral fluid was carried out using a modified ETI-MAK-4 ELISA. The validation of this oral fluid test gave a sensitivity and specificity of 90.7% and 100%, respectively. The modified ETI-MAK-4 ELISA is a suitable test for oral fluid samples collected by the Oracol collection device for epidemiological purposes.

%B J Med Virol %V 77 %P 53-6 %8 2005 Sep %G eng %N 1 %1 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16032713?dopt=Abstract %R 10.1002/jmv.20413 %0 Journal Article %J J Virol Methods %D 2004 %T Detection of HCV antibodies in oral fluid. %A De Cock, L %A Veronik Hutse %A Verhaegen, E %A Sophie Quoilin %A Vandenberghe, H %A Vranckx, R %K Antibodies, Viral %K Blood Specimen Collection %K Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay %K Hepacivirus %K Hepatitis C %K Hepatitis C Antibodies %K Humans %K Saliva %X

Although conventionally the detection of HCV antibodies is carried out on serum, the collection of oral fluid is non-invasive, safe and cost effective. In this study, the efficacy of the detection of HCV antibodies in oral fluid was assessed. 73 anti-HCV positive and 73 anti-HCV negative paired serum/oral fluid samples, drawn from patients visiting a Belgian academic hospital, were tested using the modified Ortho HCV 3.0 and LIA confirmation assay. Performing the test on oral fluid with the modified protocol, 61/73 anti-HCV positive samples were tested positive, while 73/73 anti-HCV negative samples were tested negative, giving a sensitivity and specificity of 83.6% (95% CI: 72.7-90.9%) and 100.0% (95% CI: 93.8-100.0%), respectively. Comparing S/CO of concordantly positive and negative samples, the cut-off point was lowered by 30% resulting in a sensitivity of 89.0% (95% CI: 79.0-94.8%) while the specificity remained 100.0% (95% CI: 93.8-100.0%). The confirmation assay was carried out as described by the manufacturer, diluting the oral fluid 1:10. Testing paired samples gave a concordance of 85.6% (125/146), yielding no more accurate results. These findings suggested that the modified ELISA method for anti-HCV detection in oral fluid can be used for epidemiological surveys.

%B J Virol Methods %V 122 %P 179-83 %8 2004 Dec 15 %G eng %N 2 %1 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15542142?dopt=Abstract %R 10.1016/j.jviromet.2004.09.001 %0 Journal Article %J Acta Clin Belg %D 2000 %T A Campylobacter coli foodborne outbreak in Belgium. %A Ronveaux, O %A Sophie Quoilin %A Van Loock, F %A Lheureux, P %A Struelens, M %A Butzler, J P %K Acute Disease %K Adult %K Belgium %K Campylobacter coli %K Campylobacter Infections %K Disease Outbreaks %K Enterocolitis %K Food Microbiology %K Humans %K middle aged %X

In May 1995, the Scientific Institute of Public Health was informed of an outbreak of gastrointestinal illness in a congregational school in the Brussels area. The field investigation identified 24 cases with mild to severe gastrointestinal and general symptoms of acute bacterial enterocolitis. Campylobacter coli was detected in the stools of 5 patients. A retrospective cohort study suggested that a mixed salad (containing ham and feta cheese) was the probable source of infection, but the route of contamination remained unknown. The rapid investigation of such episodes of collective foodborne infections is essential for the implementation of adequate control measures.

%B Acta Clin Belg %V 55 %P 307-11 %8 2000 Nov-Dec %G eng %N 6 %1 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11484421?dopt=Abstract %0 Report %D 0 %T Virological Surveillance of Influenza in Belgium: season 2018-2019 %A Isabelle Thomas %A Cyril Barbezange %A Steven Van Gucht %A Weyckmans,J. %A Ilham Fdillate %A Reinout Van Eycken %A Assia Hamouda %A Nathalie Bossuyt %A Sophie Quoilin %A Dieter Van Cauteren %A Sarah Denayer %A François Dufrasne %G eng