%0 Report %D 2018 %T Epidemiologische surveillance van rabiës - 2017 %A Javiera Rebolledo %A Bernard Brochier %A Sanne Terryn %A Steven Van Gucht %I Sciensano %C Brussel %P 3 %8 2018 %G eng %0 Report %D 2018 %T Surveillance épidémiologique de la rage - 2017 %A Javiera Rebolledo %A Bernard Brochier %A Sanne Terryn %A Steven Van Gucht %P 3 %8 2018 %G eng %0 Journal Article %J Transbound Emerg Dis %D 2017 %T Belgian Wildlife as Potential Zoonotic Reservoir of Hepatitis E Virus. %A Thiry, D %A Mauroy, A %A Saegerman, C %A Licoppe, A %A Fett, T %A Isabelle Thomas %A Bernard Brochier %A Thiry, E %A Linden, A %X

Hepatitis E is an acute human liver disease in healthy individuals but may become chronic in immunocompromised patients. It is caused by the hepatitis E virus (HEV) and can have a zoonotic origin, particularly in high-income countries. In this study, 383 sera from wild boars were selected for serology; for virological analyses, 69 sera and 61 livers from young wild boars were used. A total of 189 and 235 sera of, respectively, red deer and roe deer were collected for serological analysis. For virological analyses, 84 and 68 sera and 29 and 27 livers from, respectively, red and roe deer were sampled. An apparent seroprevalence of 34% (95% CI 29.71-39.46) was found in wild boars, of 1% (95% CI 0-2.4) in red deer and 3% (95% CI 0.8-4.2) in roe deer. To assess the ELISA screening prevalence, Western blot (WB) analyses were carried out, a receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was performed and different scenarios with varying ELISA specificities relative to WB were analysed. Seroprevalence remained high whatever the scenario in the wild boar population. In wild boar, 4 of 69 sera and 4 of 61 livers were detected as positive for HEV RNA. All sequences obtained from sera belonged to genotype HEV-3. HEV RNA, belonging to genotype HEV-3, was detected in one of 29 red deer livers. Wild boar can be considered as a host reservoir of the virus in Belgium. However, in contrast to the epidemiological role played by them in other countries, the low prevalence in deer makes these species an unlikely reservoir. This evidence needs further investigation to determine in which situation deer can serve as reservoir. These results also raise the question of the dynamics of HEV infection between wild fauna, domestic pigs and humans.

%B Transbound Emerg Dis %V 64 %P 764-773 %8 2017 Jun %G eng %N 3 %1 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26518619?dopt=Abstract %R 10.1111/tbed.12435 %0 Journal Article %J Vet Res %D 2017 %T Oral vaccination of wildlife using a vaccinia-rabies-glycoprotein recombinant virus vaccine (RABORAL V-RG(®)): a global review. %A Maki, Joanne %A Guiot, Anne-Laure %A Aubert, Michel %A Bernard Brochier %A Cliquet, Florence %A Hanlon, Cathleen A %A King, Roni %A Oertli, Ernest H %A Rupprecht, Charles E %A Schumacher, Caroline %A Slate, Dennis %A Yakobson, Boris %A Wohlers, Anne %A Lankau, Emily W %K oral vaccination %K Rabies %K raboral %K Vaccinia %K wildlife %X

RABORAL V-RG(®) is an oral rabies vaccine bait that contains an attenuated ("modified-live") recombinant vaccinia virus vector vaccine expressing the rabies virus glycoprotein gene (V-RG). Approximately 250 million doses have been distributed globally since 1987 without any reports of adverse reactions in wildlife or domestic animals since the first licensed recombinant oral rabies vaccine (ORV) was released into the environment to immunize wildlife populations against rabies. V-RG is genetically stable, is not detected in the oral cavity beyond 48 h after ingestion, is not shed by vaccinates into the environment, and has been tested for thermostability under a range of laboratory and field conditions. Safety of V-RG has been evaluated in over 50 vertebrate species, including non-human primates, with no adverse effects observed regardless of route or dose. Immunogenicity and efficacy have been demonstrated under laboratory and field conditions in multiple target species (including fox, raccoon, coyote, skunk, raccoon dog, and jackal). The liquid vaccine is packaged inside edible baits (i.e., RABORAL V-RG, the vaccine-bait product) which are distributed into wildlife habitats for consumption by target species. Field application of RABORAL V-RG has contributed to the elimination of wildlife rabies from three European countries (Belgium, France and Luxembourg) and of the dog/coyote rabies virus variant from the United States of America (USA). An oral rabies vaccination program in west-central Texas has essentially eliminated the gray fox rabies virus variant from Texas with the last case reported in a cow during 2009. A long-term ORV barrier program in the USA using RABORAL V-RG is preventing substantial geographic expansion of the raccoon rabies virus variant. RABORAL V-RG has also been used to control wildlife rabies in Israel for more than a decade. This paper: (1) reviews the development and historical use of RABORAL V-RG; (2) highlights wildlife rabies control programs using the vaccine in multiple species and countries; and (3) discusses current and future challenges faced by programs seeking to control or eliminate wildlife rabies.

%B Vet Res %V 48 %8 2017 Sep 22 %G eng %N 1 %R 10.1186/s13567-017-0459-9 %0 Book %B TBE in Belgium %D 2017 %T TBE in Belgium %A Vanessa Suin %A Bernard Brochier %A Steven Van Gucht %A Sophie Roelandt %K Belgium %K TBE %B TBE in Belgium %I Global Health Press Pte Ltd %C Singapore %P 3 %8 2017 %@ 978-981-1903-3 %G eng %9 TBE - The Book %) Dobler, G.; Erber, W.; Schmitt H.J. %R https://id-ea.org/tbe %0 Journal Article %J Infect Ecol Epidemiol %D 2016 %T First TBEV serological screening in Flemish wild boar. %A Sophie Roelandt %A Vanessa Suin %A Yves Van der Stede %A Lamoral, Sophie %A Sylvie Marché %A Marylène Tignon %A Saiz, Juan Carlos %A Escribano-Romero, Estela %A Casaer, Jim %A Bernard Brochier %A Steven Van Gucht %A S. Roels %A Vervaeke, Muriel %X

In the frame of a Flemish wildlife surveillance in 2013, a serological screening was performed on sera from wild boar (Sus scrofa; n=238) in order to detect tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV)-specific antibodies. Neutralising antibodies were titrated with a seroneutralisation test (SNT), using two cut-off titres (1/10-1/15). Seven wild boars were found TBEV-seropositive and showed moderate (>1/15) to high (>1/125) SNT-titres; three individuals had borderline results (1/10-1/15). This study demonstrated the presence of TBEV-specific antibodies in wild boar and highlighted potential TBEV-foci in Flanders. Additional surveillance including direct virus testing is now recommended.

%B Infect Ecol Epidemiol %V 6 %P 31099 %8 2016 %G eng %1 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27087689?dopt=Abstract %R 10.3402/iee.v6.31099 %0 Generic %D 2016 %T The Rabies ONEDAY Study: Results of an alternative single visit intradermal pre-exposure vaccination schedule in an open-label randomized clinical trial on rabies boostability %A Soentjens,P. %A Andries,P. %A DeKoninck,K. %A C. Maussen %A Bernard Brochier %A Steven Van Gucht %A P. Van Damme %A E. Bottieau %K alternative %K an %K Clinical %K clinical trial %K conference %K European %K intradermal %K Medicine %K ON %K Rabies %K result %K results %K study %K Travel %K Vaccination %B Northern European Conference on Travel Medicine %8 0/0/2016 %G eng %N . %1 37204 %2 06/2016 %0 Report %D 2016 %T Zoönosen en vectoroverdraagbare ziekten. Samenvattend jaaroverzicht 2015 %A Javiera Rebolledo %A Tinne Lernout %A Amber Litzroth %A Dominique Van Beckhoven %A Bernard Brochier %A Delaere, B %A David Fretin %A Hing,M. %A Jacobs,J.A. %A B Kabamba Mukadi %A Marcella Mori %A Patteet,S. %A Saegeman,V. %A Vanessa Suin %A Truyens,C. %A Vanrompay, D %A Van Esbroeck, Marjan %A Steven Van Gucht %A P Wattiau %K 2015 %K Surveillance %K vectoroverdraagbare ziekten %K zoonosen %I WIV-ISP %C Brussel, België %P 17 %8 Okt 2016 %G eng %M D/2016/2505/39 %0 Report %D 2016 %T Zoonoses et maladies à transmission vectorielle. Surveillance épidémiologique en Belgique - Synthèse annuelle 2015 %A Javiera Rebolledo %A Tinne Lernout %A Amber Litzroth %A Dominique Van Beckhoven %A Bernard Brochier %A Delaere,B. %A David Fretin %A Hing,M. %A B Kabamba Mukadi %A Marcella Mori %A Patteet,S. %A Saegeman,V. %A Vanessa Suin %A Truyens,C. %A Vanrompay, D %A Van Esbroeck, Marjan %A Steven Van Gucht %A P Wattiau %K 2015 %K Belgique %K maladies à transmission vectorielle %K Surveillance %K Zoonoses %I WIV-ISP %C Bruxelles, Belgique %P 22 %8 Oct 2016 %G eng %M D/2016/2505/38 %0 Generic %D 2015 %T First operational use of V-RG in Europe. %A Cliquet,F. %A M. Aubert %A Bernard Brochier %K conference %K Europe %K Rabies %K use %B Rabies in the Americas (RITA) - XXVI Conference %I NA %C NA %8 0/0/2015 %G eng %N RITA %1 39153 %2 4/10/2015;8/10/2015 %0 Journal Article %J J.Anim Physiol Anim Nutr.(Berl) %D 2015 %T Impact of a trace element supplementation programme on health and performance of cross-breed (Bos indicus x Bos taurus) dairy cattle under tropical farming conditions: a double-blinded randomized field trial36964 %A Dermauw,V. %A Dierenfeld,E. %A Du Laing,G. %A Buyse,J. %A Bernard Brochier %A Steven Van Gucht %A Luc Duchateau %A Janssens,G.P. %K 0 %K a %K Animal %K antibodies %K Antibody %K Antioxidant %K article %K AS %K Belgium %K Benefit %K blood %K Cattle %K composition %K conditions %K d %K Deficiency %K effect %K electronic %K farms %K Field %K Group %K health %K i %K immune response %K Impact %K Increase %K intervention %K IS %K journal %K Laboratories %K milk %K n %K NUTRITION %K observed %K ON %K parameters %K performance %K plasma %K present %K programme %K protein %K Proteins %K Rabies %K response %K Score %K serum %K status %K study %K Supplementation %K Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances %K time %K treatment %K Universities %K university %K urban %K Vaccination %K Yield %X Small-scale urban dairy farms (n = 16) in and around Jimma, Ethiopia with cross-bred (Bos indicus x Bos taurus) cows were enrolled in a double-blinded intervention study to investigate the effect of a trace element supplementation programme on trace element status and milk concentrations as well as performance [body condition score (BCS), milk yield, leptin], milk composition, antioxidant status (ferric-reducing ability of plasma (FRAP), thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS)], blood biochemistry, serum proteins and immune response (antibody titre upon rabies vaccination). The farms were allocated to a (1) placebo or (2) Cu, Zn, Se, Co and I supplementation treatment for 150 d. On days 0 and 120, four lactating cows per farm were sampled for milk and plasma, and on day 150 for serum, following primo-vaccination. Cu deficiency was present in 17% and marginal Se deficiency in 30% of initially sampled cows, while no Zn shortage was detected. Over 120 days, trace element supplementation caused a bigger increase in plasma Se and Cu concentrations, but also a larger decrease of plasma Fe concentrations. A larger increase in milk Se concentrations was observed in the supplemented group, whereas none of the other elements were affected. BCS decreased more over time in the supplemented group. None of the other parameters of performance and antioxidant status nor milk composition or blood biochemistry was affected by treatment. Antibody response to rabies vaccination did not differ between groups, whereas alpha1-globulins tended to be lower and beta-globulins tended to be higher in the supplemented group. In conclusion, despite improved Cu and Se status and Se concentrations in milk, cows on tropical urban dairy farms did not seem to benefit from trace element supplementation, with respect to the parameters investigated %B J.Anim Physiol Anim Nutr.(Berl) %V 99 %P 531 - 541 %8 0/6/2015 %G eng %N 3 %1 39159 %& 531 %R http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/jpn.12209 %0 Journal Article %J Infect Ecol Epidemiol %D 2015 %T Serologic screening for 13 infectious agents in roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) in Flanders. %A Tavernier, Paul %A Sys, Stanislas U %A Kris De Clercq %A Ilse De Leeuw %A Ann Brigitte Cay %A Miet De Baere %A Nick De Regge %A David Fretin %A Virginie Roupie %A Govaerts, Marc %A Heyman, Paul %A Vanrompay, Daisy %A Yin, Lizi %A Kalmar, Isabelle %A Vanessa Suin %A Bernard Brochier %A Alexandre Dobly %A Stéphane De Craeye %A Sophie Roelandt %A Goossens, Els %A S. Roels %X

INTRODUCTION: In order to investigate the role of roe deer in the maintenance and transmission of infectious animal and human diseases in Flanders, we conducted a serologic screening in 12 hunting areas.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Roe deer sera collected between 2008 and 2013 (n=190) were examined for antibodies against 13 infectious agents, using indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, virus neutralisation, immunofluorescence, or microagglutination test, depending on the agent.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: High numbers of seropositives were found for Anaplasma phagocytophilum (45.8%), Toxoplasma gondii (43.2%) and Schmallenberg virus (27.9%), the latter with a distinct temporal distribution pattern following the outbreak in domestic ruminants. Lower antibody prevalence was found for Chlamydia abortus (6.7%), tick-borne encephalitis virus (5.1%), Neospora caninum (4.8%), and Mycobacterium avium subsp paratuberculosis (4.1%). The lowest prevalences were found for Leptospira (1.7%), bovine viral diarrhoea virus 1 (1.3%), and Coxiella burnetii (1.2%). No antibodies were found against Brucella sp., bovine herpesvirus 1, and bluetongue virus. A significant difference in seroprevalence between ages (higher in adults >1 year) was found for N. caninum. Four doubtful reacting sera accounted for a significant difference in seroprevalence between sexes for C. abortus (higher in females).

CONCLUSIONS: Despite the more intensive landscape use in Flanders, the results are consistent with other European studies. Apart from maintaining C. abortus and MAP, roe deer do not seem to play an important role in the epidemiology of the examined zoonotic and domestic animal pathogens. Nevertheless, their meaning as sentinels should not be neglected in the absence of other wild cervid species.

%B Infect Ecol Epidemiol %V 5 %P 29862 %8 2015 %G eng %1 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26609692?dopt=Abstract %R 10.3402/iee.v5.29862 %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 Journal Article %J Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis %D 2014 %T Autochthonous tick-borne encephalitis virus-seropositive cattle in Belgium: a risk-based targeted serological survey. %A Sophie Roelandt %A Vanessa Suin %A Riocreux, Flavien %A Lamoral, Sophie %A Van der Heyden, Sara %A Yves Van der Stede %A Bénédicte Lambrecht %A Ann Brigitte Cay %A Bernard Brochier %A S. Roels %A Steven Van Gucht %K Animals %K Antibodies, Viral %K Arachnid Vectors %K Belgium %K Cattle %K Cattle Diseases %K cross-sectional studies %K Encephalitis Viruses, Tick-Borne %K Encephalitis, Tick-Borne %K Female %K Humans %K Ixodes %K mice %K risk %K Sentinel Surveillance %K Seroepidemiologic Studies %K Zoonoses %X

The risk of tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) introduction into Belgium remains high, and the presence of infected wildlife in Belgium is suspected. Domestic animals can serve as excellent sentinels for TBEV surveillance to install an early warning surveillance component for this emerging zoonotic disease of public health importance. In a targeted, risk-based and cross-sectional sampling design, serological screening was performed on Belgian cattle (n=650), selected from the 2010 Belgian national cattle surveillance serum bank. All samples were subjected to a gold standard TBEV seroneutralization test (SNT), based on the rapid fluorescent focus inhibition test (RFFIT) protocol. Seventeen bovines were seropositive (titer >1/15) and six had borderline results (1/10 < titer < 1/15). The accuracy of the RFFIT-SNT was confirmed in a mouse inoculation test. The overall bovine TBEV seroprevalence in the targeted area was estimated between 2.61% and 4.29%. This confirms for the first time the presence of infected foci in Belgium. Further surveillance in cattle, other sentinels, ticks, and humans at risk is recommended to further determine the location and size of endemic foci and the risk for public health.

%B Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis %V 14 %P 640-7 %8 2014 Sep %G eng %N 9 %1 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25229702?dopt=Abstract %R 10.1089/vbz.2014.1576 %0 Government Document %D 2014 %T Connaissez-vous le virus de l'encéphalite à tiques?36937 %A Vanessa Suin %A Bernard Brochier %K de %K LE %K VIRUS %X NA %B Médisphère %V 451 %8 19/8/2014 %G eng %1 39206 %0 Journal Article %J Vet Microbiol %D 2014 %T Estimation of hepatitis E virus (HEV) pig seroprevalence using ELISA and Western blot and comparison between human and pig HEV sequences in Belgium. %A Thiry, Damien %A Mauroy, Axel %A Saegerman, Claude %A Isabelle Thomas %A Wautier, Magali %A Miry, Cora %A Czaplicki, Guy %A Berkvens, Dirk %A Praet, Nicolas %A van der Poel, Wim %A Cariolet, Roland %A Bernard Brochier %A Thiry, Etienne %K Animals %K Belgium %K Blotting, Western %K Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay %K Genotype %K Hepatitis E %K Hepatitis E virus %K Humans %K Phylogeny %K Sensitivity and Specificity %K Seroepidemiologic Studies %K Swine %K Swine Diseases %X

Zoonotic transmission of hepatitis E virus (HEV) is of special concern, particularly in high income countries were waterborne infections are less frequent than in developing countries. High HEV seroprevalences can be found in European pig populations. The aims of this study were to obtain prevalence data on HEV infection in swine in Belgium and to phylogenetically compare Belgian human HEV sequences with those obtained from swine. An ELISA screening prevalence of 73% (95% CI 68.8-77.5) was determined in Belgian pigs and a part of the results were re-evaluated by Western blot (WB). A receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was performed and scenarios varying the ELISA specificity relative to WB were analysed. The seroprevalences estimated by the different scenarios ranged between 69 and 81% and are in agreement with the high exposure of the European pig population to HEV. Pig HEV sequences were genetically compared to those detected in humans in Belgium and a predominance of genotype 3 subtype f was shown in both swine and humans. The high HEV seroprevalence in swine and the close phylogenetic relationships between pig and human HEV sequences further support the risk for zoonotic transmission of HEV between humans and pigs.

%B Vet Microbiol %V 172 %P 407-14 %8 2014 Aug 27 %G eng %N 3-4 %1 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24975642?dopt=Abstract %R 10.1016/j.vetmic.2014.06.004 %0 Journal Article %J J.Anim Physiol Anim Nutr.(Berl) %D 2014 %T Impact of a trace element supplementation programme on health and performance of cross-breed (Bos indicus x Bos taurus) dairy cattle under tropical farming conditions: a double-blinded randomized field trial %A Dermauw,V. %A Dierenfeld,E. %A Du Laing,G. %A Buyse,J. %A Bernard Brochier %A Steven Van Gucht %A Luc Duchateau %A Janssens,G.P. %K 0 %K Animal %K antibodies %K Antibody %K Antioxidant %K article %K AS %K Belgium %K Benefit %K blood %K Cattle %K composition %K conditions %K d %K Deficiency %K effect %K electronic %K farms %K Field %K Group %K health %K i %K immune response %K Impact %K Increase %K intervention %K IS %K journal %K Laboratories %K milk %K n %K NUTRITION %K observed %K ON %K parameters %K performance %K plasma %K present %K programme %K protein %K Proteins %K Rabies %K response %K Score %K serum %K status %K study %K Supplementation %K Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances %K time %K treatment %K Universities %K university %K urban %K Vaccination %K Yield %X Small-scale urban dairy farms (n = 16) in and around Jimma, Ethiopia with cross-bred (Bos indicus x Bos taurus) cows were enrolled in a double-blinded intervention study to investigate the effect of a trace element supplementation programme on trace element status and milk concentrations as well as performance [body condition score (BCS), milk yield, leptin], milk composition, antioxidant status (ferric-reducing ability of plasma (FRAP), thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS)], blood biochemistry, serum proteins and immune response (antibody titre upon rabies vaccination). The farms were allocated to a (1) placebo or (2) Cu, Zn, Se, Co and I supplementation treatment for 150 d. On days 0 and 120, four lactating cows per farm were sampled for milk and plasma, and on day 150 for serum, following primo-vaccination. Cu deficiency was present in 17% and marginal Se deficiency in 30% of initially sampled cows, while no Zn shortage was detected. Over 120 days, trace element supplementation caused a bigger increase in plasma Se and Cu concentrations, but also a larger decrease of plasma Fe concentrations. A larger increase in milk Se concentrations was observed in the supplemented group, whereas none of the other elements were affected. BCS decreased more over time in the supplemented group. None of the other parameters of performance and antioxidant status nor milk composition or blood biochemistry was affected by treatment. Antibody response to rabies vaccination did not differ between groups, whereas alpha1-globulins tended to be lower and beta-globulins tended to be higher in the supplemented group. In conclusion, despite improved Cu and Se status and Se concentrations in milk, cows on tropical urban dairy farms did not seem to benefit from trace element supplementation, with respect to the parameters investigated %B J.Anim Physiol Anim Nutr.(Berl) %V 99 %P 531 - 541 %8 3/7/2014 %G eng %N 3 %1 37412 %& 531 %R http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/jpn.12209 %0 Journal Article %J J Wildl Dis %D 2014 %T No evidence of coronavirus infection by reverse transcriptase-PCR in bats in Belgium. %A Steven Van Gucht %A Nazé, Florence %A El Kadaani, Karim %A Bauwens, Danielle %A Aurélie Francart %A Bernard Brochier %A Françoise Wuillaume %A Isabelle Thomas %K Animals %K Belgium %K Chiroptera %K Coronavirus %K Coronavirus Infections %K Feces %K Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction %X

No coronavirus was detected by PCR in lung and intestine samples of 100 bats, mostly common pipistrelles (Pipistrellus pipistrellus), collected dead between 2008 and 2013 for rabies surveillance in Belgium. The negative results contrast with the high prevalence of coronaviruses detected in fecal pellets from live-captured bats in some European countries.

%B J Wildl Dis %V 50 %P 969-71 %8 2014 Oct %G eng %N 4 %1 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25098304?dopt=Abstract %R 10.7589/2013-10-269 %0 Government Document %D 2014 %T Pourquoi encore se préoccuper de la rage ?36936 %A Bernard Brochier %K de %K rage %X NA %B Medisphère %V 05/2014 %8 0/0/2014 %G eng %1 36936 %0 Generic %D 2013 %T Emergence of the deadly Middle East Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus: are bats to blame? %A Steven Van Gucht %A Françoise Wuillaume %A K. El Kadaani %A A. Francart %A Bernard Brochier %A Naze,F. %A Isabelle Thomas %K bat %K bats %K Belgian %K Congresses %K Coronavirus %K disease %K Middle East %K Respiratory %K Societies %K Society %B Fifth Belgian Wildlife Disease Society (BWDS) Congress %I NA %C NA %8 18/10/2013 %G eng %N Belgian Wildlife Disease Society (BWDS) %1 38421 %2 18/10/2013 %0 Journal Article %J Acta Clin Belg %D 2013 %T Favourable outcome in a patient bitten by a rabid bat infected with the European bat lyssavirus-1. %A Steven Van Gucht %A Verlinde, R %A Colyn, J %A Jean Vanderpas %A Vanhoof, R %A S. Roels %A Francart, A %A Bernard Brochier %A Vanessa Suin %K Animals %K Belgium %K Bites and Stings %K Chiroptera %K Cross Protection %K Europe %K Genotype %K Humans %K Lyssavirus %K Male %K Post-Exposure Prophylaxis %K Rabies %K Rabies Vaccines %K Rhabdoviridae Infections %K Treatment Outcome %K Vaccination %X

The classic rabies virus (genotype 1) has been eliminated in Western Europe, but related lyssaviruses still circulate in local bats. In August 2010, a Belgian photographer was bitten upon provocation of a disoriented Eptesicus serotinus bat in Spain. The bat was infected with European bat lyssavirus-1 (genotype 5). The isolate proved highly neurovirulent in mice. The patient had received preventive rabies immunisations years before the incident and received two boosters with the HDCV rabies vaccine afterwards. Available vaccines are based on the classic rabies virus, which is significantly divergent from the European bat lyssavirus-1. Fortunately, the patient's serological immune response demonstrated satisfactory neutralisation of the 2010 EBLV-1 isolate, using an intracerebral challenge model in mice. Most likely, the patient's life was saved thanks to vaccination with the classic rabies vaccine, which proved sufficiently protective against European bat lyssavirus-1. This case highlights the need for preventive rabies vaccination in people, who come in contact with bats and to seek medical council after a scratch or bite from a bat.

%B Acta Clin Belg %V 68 %P 54-8 %8 2013 Jan-Feb %G eng %N 1 %1 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23627196?dopt=Abstract %R 10.2143/ACB.68.1.2062721 %0 Report %D 2013 %T Favourable outcome of a bite incident by a rabid bat infected with the European bat lyssavirus-1 %A Steven Van Gucht %A Colyn,J. %A Jean Vanderpas %A R. Vanhoof %A A. Francart %A Bernard Brochier %A Vanessa Suin %K a %K bat %K bite %K European %K incident %K Lyssavirus %K outcome %I WIV-ISP %C Brussels %P - %8 0/0/2013 %G eng %1 38420 %0 Journal Article %J Microbes Infect %D 2013 %T Infectivity of rabies virus-exposed macrophages. %A Nazé, Florence %A Vanessa Suin %A Lamoral, Sophie %A Aurélie Francart %A Bernard Brochier %A S. Roels %A Jan Mast %A Kalai, Michael %A Steven Van Gucht %K Animals %K Antibodies, Neutralizing %K Antibodies, Viral %K Antibody Formation %K Antigens, Viral %K Bone Marrow %K brain %K Cell Death %K Immunity, Humoral %K Injections, Intramuscular %K Macrophages %K mice %K Mice, Inbred C57BL %K Microscopy, Electron %K Nose %K Rabies %K Rabies virus %K RNA, Viral %K Spleen %K Viral Load %K Virus Cultivation %X

Rabies virus distributes widely in infected mice, including lymphoid tissues and spleen macrophages. The infection characteristics in murine macrophages and the infectivity of virus-exposed macrophages were examined upon inoculation in mice. In vitro, Mf4/4 spleen macrophages supported mild virus production (10(4)-fold less than neuroblastoma), with formation of typical virions. Bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMM) were most efficient to capture virus, but new virus production was not detected. Virus-induced cell death was significantly stronger in BMM, which might have eliminated BMM with productive infection. Still, viral RNA remained detectable in the remaining BMM for at least 4 weeks. Injection of in vitro-infected Mf4/4 in the nose or brain proved efficient to propagate infection in mice, even when cells were pre-incubated with neutralizing antibodies. Surprisingly, injection of ex-vivo-infected BMM in the brain also led to lethal infection in 8 out of 12 mice. Injection of infected Mf4/4 in the muscle mostly favoured a protective antibody response. Despite that macrophages are less fit to support virus production, they can still act as a source of infectious virus upon transfer in mice. This may be relevant for screening donor organs/cells, for which RT-PCR should be preferred over the traditional antigen or virus isolation assays.

%B Microbes Infect %V 15 %P 115-25 %8 2013 Feb %G eng %N 2 %1 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23159243?dopt=Abstract %R 10.1016/j.micinf.2012.10.018 %0 Government Document %D 2013 %T La rage des chauves-souris, petit rappel bien nécessaire avant la saison estival33960 %A Bernard Brochier %K chauve-souris %K de %K rage %X x %B Echos des Rhinos %V 79 %P 4 - 5 %8 1/6/2013 %G eng %1 38090 %& 4 %0 Journal Article %J PLoS ONE %D 2013 %T A step forward in molecular diagnostics of lyssaviruses--results of a ring trial among European laboratories33977 %A M. Fischer %A Wernike,K. %A Freuling,C.M. %A Muller,T. %A Aylan,O. %A Bernard Brochier %A Cliquet,F. %A Vazquez-Moron,S. %A Hostnik,P. %A Huovilainen,A. %A Isaksson,M. %A Kooi,E.A. %A Mooney,J. %A Turcitu,M. %A Rasmussen,T.B. %A Revilla-Fernandez,S. %A Smreczak,M. %A Fooks,A.R. %A Marston,D.A. %A Beer,M. %A Hoffmann,B. %K 2010 %K a %K accuracy %K ALL %K an %K application %K article %K AS %K assessment %K at %K bat %K Combination %K Comparison %K Concordance %K conventional %K detection %K detection method %K diagnostic accuracy %K Diagnostics %K differences %K disease %K diversity %K dye %K electronic %K ET %K European %K Evolution %K Genetic %K genomic %K Germany %K im %K improve %K Institute %K International %K IS %K IT %K journal %K KNOWLEDGE %K Laboratories %K LEVEL %K Lyssavirus %K method %K methods %K Molecular %K ON %K PARTICIPANTS %K performance %K polymerase chain reaction %K Rabies %K Rabies virus %K Research %K Research Support %K result %K Rna %K Sample %K Samples %K SB - IM %K SENSITIVITY %K STANDARD %K standards %K System %K Systems %K Test %K TESTING %K use %K varieties %K variety %K Version %K virology %K VIRUS %X Rabies is a lethal and notifiable zoonotic disease for which diagnostics have to meet the highest standards. In recent years, an evolution was especially seen in molecular diagnostics with a wide variety of different detection methods published. Therefore, a first international ring trial specifically designed on the use of reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for detection of lyssavirus genomic RNA was organized. The trial focussed on assessment and comparison of the performance of conventional and real-time assays. In total, 16 European laboratories participated. All participants were asked to investigate a panel of defined lyssavirus RNAs, consisting of Rabies virus (RABV) and European bat lyssavirus 1 and 2 (EBLV-1 and -2) RNA samples, with systems available in their laboratory. The ring trial allowed the important conclusion that conventional RT-PCR assays were really robust assays tested with a high concordance between different laboratories and assays. The real-time RT-PCR system by Wakeley et al. (2005) in combination with an intercalating dye, and the combined version by Hoffmann and co-workers (2010) showed good sensitivity for the detection of all RABV samples included in this test panel. Furthermore, all used EBLV-specific assays, real-time RT-PCRs as well as conventional RT-PCR systems, were shown to be suitable for a reliable detection of EBLVs. It has to be mentioned that differences were seen in the performance between both the individual RT-PCR systems and the laboratories. Laboratories which used more than one molecular assay for testing the sample panel always concluded a correct sample result. Due to the markedly high genetic diversity of lyssaviruses, the application of different assays in diagnostics is needed to achieve a maximum of diagnostic accuracy. To improve the knowledge about the diagnostic performance proficiency testing at an international level is recommended before using lyssavirus molecular diagnostics e.g. for confirmatory testing %B PLoS ONE %V 8 %P e58372 %8 0/0/2013 %G eng %N 3 %1 38192 %& e58372 %R http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0058372 %0 Generic %D 2013 %T Tick-borne encephalitis virus - seropositive cattle in Belgium: a risk-based screening for (TBEV) antibodies in bovine sera %A Sophie Roelandt %A Vanessa Suin %A Riocreux,F. %A S. Lamoral %A Yves Van der Stede %A Steven Van Gucht %A Bernard Brochier %A S. Roels %E Technical University of Denmark %K a %K antibodies %K Antibody %K association %K Belgium %K Cattle %K conference %K International %K SCREENING %K serum %K TBEV %K VIRUS %B MedVetNet Association International Scientific Conference 2013 %P 49 - 49 %8 24/6/2013 %G eng %N Technical University of Denmark %1 38336 %2 24-25/06/2013 %& 49 %0 Generic %D 2013 %T Tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) - Seroprevalence study for TBEV antibodies in bovine sera in Belgium: a risk-based screening %A Vanessa Suin %A Sophie Roelandt %A S. Lamoral %A Riocreux,F. %A Yves Van der Stede %A Bernard Brochier %A S. Roels %A Steven Van Gucht %K a %K antibodies %K Antibody %K Belgium %K SCREENING %K serum %K study %K TBEV %K VIRUS %B Epizone %I NA %C NA %8 0/10/2013 %G eng %N Epizone %1 38361 %2 October 2013 %0 Journal Article %J Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis %D 2012 %T Viral aetiology of influenza-like illness in Belgium during the influenza A(H1N1)2009 pandemic. %A Hombrouck, A %A Martine Sabbe %A Viviane Van Casteren %A Françoise Wuillaume %A D Hue %A Reynders, M %A Gérard, C %A Bernard Brochier %A Van Eldere, J %A Van Ranst, M %A Isabelle Thomas %K ADOLESCENT %K Adult %K Age Distribution %K Aged %K Aged, 80 and over %K Belgium %K Child %K Child, Preschool %K Female %K Humans %K Infant %K Infant, Newborn %K Male %K middle aged %K Respiratory Tract Diseases %K Virus Diseases %K Viruses %K Young adult %X

The purpose of this investigation was to determine the proportion of influenza-like illness (ILI) attributable to specific viruses during the influenza A(H1N1)2009 pandemic and to describe the demographic and clinical characteristics of ILI due to respiratory viruses in Belgium. Nasopharyngeal swabs were collected from ILI patients by general practitioners (GPs) and paediatricians (PediSurv) and analysed for viruses. Of 139 samples collected from children <5 years of age by PediSurv, 86 were positive, including 28 influenza (20%), 27 respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) (19%), 21 rhinovirus (17%), 12 human metapneumovirus (hMPV) (9%) and ten parainfluenza virus (PIV) (7%). Of 810 samples received from GPs, 426 were influenza (53%). Of 312 influenza-negative samples, 41 were rhinovirus (13%), 13 RSV (4%), 11 PIV (4%) and three hMPV (1%). Influenza mostly affected the 6-15 years old age group. Other respiratory viruses were commonly detected in the youngest patients. Similar clinical symptoms were associated with different respiratory viruses. Influenza A(H1N1)2009 was the most detected virus in ILI patients during the 2009-2010 winter, suggesting a good correlation between ILI case definition and influenza diagnosis. However, in children under 5 years of age, other respiratory viruses such as RSV were frequently diagnosed. Furthermore, our findings do not suggest that the early occurrence of the influenza A(H1N1)2009 epidemic impacted the RSV epidemic in Belgium.

%B Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis %V 31 %P 999-1007 %8 2012 Jun %G eng %N 6 %1 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21901635?dopt=Abstract %& 999 %R 10.1007/s10096-011-1398-4 %0 Journal Article %J Nephrol.Dial.Transplant. %D 2011 %T Immunogenicity of an adjuvanted 2009 pandemic influenza A (H1N1) vaccine in haemodialysed patients %A Labriola,L. %A Hombrouck,A. %A Marechal,C. %A Steven Van Gucht %A Bernard Brochier %A Isabelle Thomas %A Jadoul,M. %A Goubau,P. %K 0 %K 2009 %K Adjuvants,Immunologic %K administration & dosage %K Adult %K Aged %K Aged,80 and over %K an %K antibodies %K Antibody %K article %K AS %K at %K Belgium %K Brussels %K Case-Control Studies %K Comparative Study %K Control %K de %K electronic %K Female %K Follow-Up Studies %K GM %K Hemagglutination Inhibition Tests %K High risk %K HIGH-RISK %K Humans %K im %K immunology %K Increase %K INFLUENZA %K Influenza A Virus,H1N1 Subtype %K Influenza Vaccines %K Influenza,Human %K IS %K journal %K Kidney Failure,Chronic %K LEVEL %K Male %K males %K method %K methods %K middle aged %K observed %K ON %K p %K pandemic %K Pandemics %K Patient %K patients %K prevention & control %K Prognosis %K Prospective Studies %K Renal Dialysis %K result %K results %K SB - IM %K Still %K study %K Survival Rate %K Therapy %K Vaccination %K vaccine %K vaccines %K Young adult %X BACKGROUND: The 2009 pandemic of influenza A (H1N1) prompted an urgent worldwide vaccination campaign, especially of high-risk subjects, such as maintenance haemodialysis (HD) patients. Still the immunogenicity of the pandemic A (H1N1) vaccine in HD patients is unknown. METHODS: We prospectively studied the immunogenicity of a monovalent adjuvanted influenza A/California/2009 (H1N1) vaccine (Pandemrix, GSK Biologicals, Rixensart, Belgium) in HD patients and controls. Antibody level was measured using a seroneutralization assay before (D(0)) and 30 days after (D(30)) a single 3.75 mug vaccine dose. Specimens were tested in quadruplicates. Geometric mean (GM) antibody titers were determined in each subject at D(0) and D(30). Seroconversion was defined as an increase in GM titers by a factor 4 or more. RESULTS: Fifty-three adult HD patients [aged 71 +/- 10, 58.5% males, on HD for a median of 38 (3 - 146) months] and 32 control subjects (aged 47.3 +/- 14, 31.3% males) were analyzed. Baseline GM titers were similar in HD patients and controls [7.9 (6.6 - 9.6) vs 10 (6 - 17); p = 0.69]. Seroconversion was observed in 30 (93.8%) controls and 34 (64.2%) HD patients (p = 0.002). In addition, GM titers at D(30) were significantly higher in controls than in HD patients [373 ( %B Nephrol.Dial.Transplant. %V 26 %P 1424 - 1428 %8 1/4/2011 %G eng %N 4 %1 36552 %& 1424 %R http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/ndt/gfq782 %0 Journal Article %J Clin.J.Am.Soc.Nephrol. %D 2011 %T Influenza A/H1N1 vaccine in patients treated by kidney transplant or dialysis: a cohort study36521 %A Broeders,N.E. %A Hombrouck,A. %A Lemy,A. %A Wissing,K.M. %A Racape,J. %A Gastaldello,K. %A Massart,A. %A Steven Van Gucht %A Weichselbaum,L. %A De Mul,A. %A Bernard Brochier %A Isabelle Thomas %A Abramowicz,D. %K 0 %K 2009 %K a %K administration & dosage %K Adult %K adverse effects %K Aged %K Agent %K Agents %K alpha-Tocopherol %K Analysis of Variance %K antibodies %K Antibodies,Neutralizing %K Antibodies,Viral %K Antibody %K Antigens %K article %K Belgium %K blood %K Brussels %K Case-Control Studies %K Chi-Square Distribution %K Class %K clinic %K Cohort Studies %K Cohort study %K Combination %K Confidence Intervals %K Control %K data %K Design %K disease %K DRUG %K Drug Combinations %K electronic %K Female %K GM %K Histocompatibility Antigens Class I %K Histocompatibility Antigens Class II %K hospital %K Humans %K i %K im %K Immunization %K immunology %K Immunosuppressive Agents %K improve %K Increase %K INFLUENZA %K Influenza A Virus,H1N1 Subtype %K Influenza Vaccines %K Influenza,Human %K interval %K IS %K journal %K Kidney %K Kidney Failure,Chronic %K Kidney Transplantation %K Luminex %K Male %K measurement %K measurements %K middle aged %K objectives %K ODDS RATIO %K p %K pandemic %K PARTICIPANTS %K Patient %K patients %K Polysorbates %K POPULATION %K Populations %K prevalence %K prevention & control %K proportion %K Ratio %K Ratios %K recommendation %K Recommendations %K regression analysis %K RENAL %K Renal Dialysis %K Research %K Research Support %K response %K result %K results %K SB - IM %K serum %K Squalene %K study %K surgery %K technology %K Therapy %K Time Factors %K Treatment Outcome %K Vaccination %K vaccine %K vaccines %K virology %X BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: In 2009, the pandemic influenza A/H1N1 accounted for worldwide recommendations about vaccination. There are few data concerning the immunogenicity or the security of the adjuvanted-A/H1N1 vaccine in transplanted and hemodialyzed patients. DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS, & MEASUREMENTS: Sera from 21 controls, 53 hemodialyzed (HD) patients, and 111 renal transplant recipients (RT) were sampled before (T0) and 1 month after (T1) a single dose of Pandemrix(R) vaccine (GSK Biologicals, AS03-adjuvanted). We measured the neutralizing antibodies against A/H1N1/2009, the geometric mean (GM) titers, the GM titer ratios (T1/T0) with 95% confidence intervals, and the seroconversion rate (responders: >/=4-fold increase in titer). The HLA and MICA immunization was determined by Luminex technology. RESULTS: The GM titer ratio was 38 (19 to 78), 9 (5 to 16), and 5 (3 to 6) for controls, HD patients, and RT patients, respectively (P < 0.001). The proportion of responders was 90%, 57%, and 44%, respectively (P < 0.001). In RT patients, the prevalence of histocompatibility leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I, histocompatibility leukocyte antigen class II, and MHC class I-related chain A immunization, was, respectively, 15%, 14%, and 14% before and 14%, 14%, and 11% after vaccination (P = 1, 1, and 0.39). CONCLUSIONS: The influenza A/H1N1-adjuvanted vaccine is of limited efficacy but is safe in renal disease populations. The humoral response is lower in transplanted versus hemodialyzed patients. Further studies are needed to improve the efficacy of vaccination in those populations %B Clin.J.Am.Soc.Nephrol. %V 6 %P 2573 - 2578 %8 1/11/2011 %G eng %N 11 %1 38093 %& 2573 %R http://dx.doi.org/10.2215/CJN.04670511 %0 Journal Article %J Vet.Res. %D 2011 %T A survey of the transmission of infectious diseases/infections between wild and domestic ungulates in Europe %A Martin,C. %A Pastoret,P.P. %A Bernard Brochier %A Humblet,M.F. %A Saegerman,C. %K abstract %K additional %K analysi %K analysis %K Animal %K Animals %K Area %K Areas %K article %K AS %K authors %K Belgium %K Countries %K de %K disease %K Diseases %K Domestic %K EPIDEMIOLOGICAL %K epidemiology %K Establish %K Europe %K European %K European countries %K factors %K Faculty %K global %K im %K INFECTION %K infections %K Infectious %K Infectious diseases %K interaction %K interactions %K IS %K journal %K List %K measure %K measures %K Medicine %K Multiple %K Objective %K ON %K Order %K Paper %K prevent %K Print %K Research %K risk %K Risk factor %K Risk Factors %K Risk-factor %K Risk-factors %K Role %K SB - IM %K Science %K study %K Surveillance %K survey %K time %K Transmission %K Universities %K university %K veterinary %K Veterinary Medicine %X ABSTRACT: The domestic animals/wildlife interface is becoming a global issue of growing interest. However, despite studies on wildlife diseases being in expansion, the epidemiological role of wild animals in the transmission of infectious diseases remains unclear most of the time. Multiple diseases affecting livestock have already been identified in wildlife, especially in wild ungulates. The first objective of this paper was to establish a list of infections already reported in European wild ungulates. For each disease/infection, three additional materials develop examples already published, specifying the epidemiological role of the species as assigned by the authors. Furthermore, risk factors associated with interactions between wild and domestic animals and regarding emerging infectious diseases are summarized. Finally, the wildlife surveillance measures implemented in different European countries are presented. New research areas are proposed in order to provide efficient tools to prevent the transmission of diseases between wild ungulates and livestock %B Vet.Res. %V 42 %P 70 %8 0/1/2011 %G eng %N 1 %1 37256 %& 70 %R http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/1297-9716-42-70 %0 Journal Article %J Rev Sci Tech %D 2010 %T Alien invasive birds. %A Bernard Brochier %A Vangeluwe, D %A Thierry van den Berg %K Animal Migration %K Animals %K Behavior, Animal %K Birds %K Ducks %K Geese %K Humans %K Introduced Species %K Passeriformes %K Psittacula %K Starlings %X

A bird species is regarded as alien invasive if it has been introduced, intentionally or accidentally, to a location where it did not previously occur naturally, becomes capable of establishing a breeding population without further intervention by humans, spreads and becomes a pest affecting the environment, the local biodiversity, the economy and/or society, including human health. European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris), Common Myna (Acridotheres tristis) and Red-vented Bulbul (Pycnonotus cafer) have been included on the list of '100 of the World's Worst Invasive Alien Species', a subset of the Global Invasive Species Database. The 'Delivering Alien Invasive Species Inventories for Europe' project has selected Canada Goose (Branta canadensis), Ruddy Duck (Oxyura jamaicensis), Rose-ringed Parakeet (Psittacula krameri) and Sacred Ibis (Threskiornis aethiopicus) as among 100 of the worst invasive species in Europe. For each of these alien bird species, the geographic range (native and introduced range), the introduction pathway, the general impacts and the management methods are presented.

%B Rev Sci Tech %V 29 %P 217-25 %8 2010 Aug %G eng %N 2 %1 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20919578?dopt=Abstract %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 BMC.Fam.Pract. %D 2010 %T Computerized general practice based networks yield comparable performance with sentinel data in monitoring epidemiological time-course of influenza-like illness and acute respiratory illness36889 %A Truyers,C. %A Lesaffre,E. %A Bartholomeeusen,S. %A Aertgeerts,B. %A Snacken,R. %A Bernard Brochier %A Yane,F. %A F.J. Buntinx %K a %K acute %K article %K AS %K Belgium %K Computer Communication Networks %K contribution %K data %K detection %K Diagnosis %K disease %K Disease Outbreaks %K Diseases %K electronic %K Electronic Mail %K Environmental Monitoring %K epidemic %K Epidemics %K EPIDEMIOLOGICAL %K epidemiology %K Europe %K European %K Family Practice %K Frequency %K general %K General practice %K General-practice %K health surveys %K Humans %K illness %K illnesses %K im %K Increase %K Increases %K INFECTION %K infections %K INFLUENZA %K Influenza A Virus,H1N1 Subtype %K Influenza,Human %K Instrument %K instrumentation %K IS %K isolation & purification %K journal %K method %K methods %K Monitoring %K morbidity %K Network %K networks %K organization & administration %K outbreak %K outbreaks %K performance %K POPULATION %K Population Surveillance %K Practice %K Public Health Informatics %K region %K registration %K Research %K Research Support %K Respiratory %K Respiratory disease %K respiratory diseases %K Respiratory Tract Infections %K result %K results %K Risk Assessment %K SB - IM %K Seasons %K sentinel %K Sentinel Surveillance %K Spread %K statistics & numerical data %K Surveillance %K System %K Systems %K time %K trend %K trends %K Virus Diseases %K Yield %X BACKGROUND: Computerized morbidity registration networks might serve as early warning systems in a time where natural epidemics such as the H1N1 flu can easily spread from one region to another. METHODS: In this contribution we examine whether general practice based broad-spectrum computerized morbidity registration networks have the potential to act as a valid surveillance instrument of frequently occurring diseases. We compare general practice based computerized data assessing the frequency of influenza-like illness (ILI) and acute respiratory infections (ARI) with data from a well established case-specific sentinel network, the European Influenza Surveillance Scheme (EISS). The overall frequency and trends of weekly ILI and ARI data are compared using both networks. RESULTS: Detection of influenza-like illness and acute respiratory illness occurs equally fast in EISS and the computerized network. The overall frequency data for ARI are the same for both networks, the overall trends are similar, but the increases and decreases in frequency do not occur in exactly the same weeks. For ILI, the overall rate was slightly higher for the computerized network population, especially before the increase of ILI, the overall trend was almost identical and the increases and decreases occur in the same weeks for both networks. CONCLUSIONS: Computerized morbidity registration networks are a valid tool for monitoring frequent occurring respiratory diseases and the detection of sudden outbreaks %B BMC.Fam.Pract. %V 11 %P 24 %8 0/0/2010 %G eng %1 38404 %& 24 %R http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/1471-2296-11-24 %0 Conference Proceedings %D 2010 %T De ontwikkeling en het in de handel brengen van een recombinant vaccine tegen rabiës %A Bernard Brochier %K bioveiligheid %K de %K EN %K GGO %K Rabies %K recombinant %K vaccin %K vaccine %I Wetnschapelijk Instituut Volksgezondheid %C Brussels %8 0/0/2010 %@ D/2010/2505/42 ISBN 9789074968270 %G eng %1 36857 %0 Journal Article %J Int J Infect Dis %D 2010 %T Oral fluid for the serological and molecular diagnosis of measles. %A Veronik Hutse %A Van Hecke, K %A De Bruyn, R %A Samu, O %A Tinne Lernout %A Muyembe, J J %A Bernard Brochier %K ADOLESCENT %K Adult %K Antibodies, Viral %K Body Fluids %K Child %K Child, Preschool %K Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay %K Female %K Humans %K Immunoglobulin M %K Infant %K Male %K Measles %K Measles virus %K middle aged %K Molecular Diagnostic Techniques %K Nasopharynx %K Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction %K RNA, Viral %K Saliva %K Sensitivity and Specificity %K serum %K Young adult %X

OBJECTIVES: Since measles presents mostly in children, a non-invasive sample collection technique such as oral fluid sampling would be very useful in the early detection of measles RNA and antibodies. The aim of this study was to validate the detection of anti-measles IgM and measles virus RNA in oral fluid and to make a comparison with the gold standard methods of ELISA using serum (Enzygnost(®) anti-Measles IgM) and in-house nested reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) using nasopharyngeal secretions.

METHODS: Three samples each from 73 measles-positive and 44 measles-negative subjects (serum, oral fluid, and nasopharyngeal secretions) were analyzed.

RESULTS: The anti-measles IgM ELISA (MicroImmune) on oral fluid was validated against the IgM ELISA (Siemens) for serum and this resulted in a sensitivity of 92% and specificity of 100%. A molecular nested RT-PCR using oral fluid was validated against the standard assay on nasopharyngeal secretions and gave a sensitivity of 100% and specificity of 100%.

CONCLUSIONS: The results confirm that both serological and molecular oral fluid assays are suitable for routine use. The use of oral fluid samples for the detection of measles virus may encourage patients, general practitioners, and pediatricians to participate in the Belgian measles surveillance system and other epidemiological studies in the framework of the World Health Organization elimination program.

%B Int J Infect Dis %V 14 %P e991-7 %8 2010 Nov %G eng %N 11 %1 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20851015?dopt=Abstract %R 10.1016/j.ijid.2010.06.009 %0 Journal Article %J Ann.Méd.Vét %D 2010 %T Revue du risque zoonotique, de l'impact vétérinaire et de la surveillance des virus influenza porcins dans le cadre de l'émergence du virus pandémique influenza A/H1N1 (2009).36859 %A S. Cardoen %A Etienne Thiry %A Van Reeth,K. %A Ann Brigitte Cay %A Dewulf,J. %A Hooyberghs,J. %A P. Houdart %A Saegerman,C. %A Dirk Berkvens %A Goubau,P. %A Desmecht,D. %A Bernard Brochier %A Maes,D. %A G. Czaplicki %A Castryk,F. %A Thierry van den Berg %K 2009 %K de %K ET %K INFLUENZA %K LE %K Surveillance %K VIRUS %X Not available %B Ann.Méd.Vét %V x %8 0/0/2010 %G eng %1 38105 %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 Acta Clin.Belg. %D 2009 %T Influenza outbreak in a well-vaccinated nursing home population in Belgium36822 %A Burette,P. %A Bouuaert,C. %A Melin,P. %A Yane,F. %A Bernard Brochier %A Giet,D. %K 0 %K a %K Absolute %K administration & dosage %K Aged %K Aged,80 and over %K an %K article %K Belgium %K community %K Comparative Study %K de %K Disease Outbreaks %K ELDERLY %K elderly people %K epidemiology %K factors %K Female %K Humans %K im %K INFECTION %K infections %K INFLUENZA %K Influenza Vaccines %K Influenza,Human %K IS %K journal %K Male %K measure %K methods %K middle aged %K nursing %K nursing homes %K occurrence %K outbreak %K People %K POPULATION %K present %K prevention & control %K Print %K protection %K report %K Retrospective Studies %K Rural Population %K SB - IM %K statistics & numerical data %K strain %K study %K Type %K Vaccination %K vaccine %K vaccines %K VIRUS %X Elderly people in nursing home communities are vulnerable to contagious infections, including the influenza virus. Systematic anti-influenza vaccination is an important preventive measure; however, vaccination does not provide absolute protection. We report an outbreak of influenza A infection in a well-vaccinated nursing home population. Several factors can facilitate the occurrence of this type of outbreak. This report mainly addresses the discrepancy between the circulating viral strain and strains present in the recommended vaccine %B Acta Clin.Belg. %V 64 %P 324 - 328 %8 0/7/2009 %G eng %N 4 %1 38098 %& 324 %0 Journal Article %J Bull.Mem.Acad.R.Med.Belg. %D 2009 %T Virologic surveillance of influenza, and of influenza A/H1N1 in particular, in Belgium36843 %A Isabelle Thomas %A Gerard,C. %A Françoise Wuillaume %A Viviane Van Casteren %A Bernard Brochier %K abstract %K Animals %K article %K Belgium %K Bruxelles %K de %K epidemiology %K Grippe %K History,21st Century %K Humans %K im %K INFLUENZA %K Influenza A Virus,H1N1 Subtype %K Influenza A Virus,H3N2 Subtype %K Influenza,Human %K IS %K journal %K national %K pathogenicity %K Print %K SB - IM %K Seasons %K Surveillance %K Swine %K Swine Diseases %K virology %X abstract %B Bull.Mem.Acad.R.Med.Belg. %V 164 %P 268 - 274 %8 0/0/2009 %G eng %N 10 %1 38397 %& 268 %0 Journal Article %J J Med Virol %D 2008 %T Distribution of hepatitis C virus genotypes among injecting drug users in contact with treatment centers in Belgium, 2004-2005. %A Micalessi, M I %A Gérard, C %A Ameye, L %A Plasschaert, S %A Bernard Brochier %A Vranckx, R %K Adult %K Belgium %K Female %K Genotype %K Hepacivirus %K Hepatitis C %K Humans %K Male %K Molecular Epidemiology %K prevalence %K Risk-Taking %K RNA, Viral %K Substance Abuse, Intravenous %X

The aim of this study was to determine the current prevalence of HCV genotypes in injecting drug users recruited at treatment centers all over Belgium, and to analyze if the distribution of genotypes was correlated with demographic characteristics, at-risk behaviors, and co-infection with other viruses. Therefore 147 anti-HCV-positive serum samples were selected for subsequent HCV RNA detection and genotyping. HCV RNA could be detected in 98 (67%) of the 147 serum samples. Genotype 1 (38%) and 3 (49%) were the most common genotypes followed by genotype 4 (9%) and genotype 2 (2%). One mixed infection (1%) was detected. The subtype could be determined in 80 cases: genotype 3a was the most prevalent (49%), followed by genotype 1a (16%) and genotype 1b (15%). No significant difference was found between the distribution of genotypes and the location of treatment centers, at-risk behaviors and co-infection with other viruses. Nevertheless, a slight variation over time could be identified (P = 0.06): one in two genotype 3 drug users started with their injecting drug use in the last 10 years (33% in the period 1995-1999 and 21% in the period > or =2000) compared to only one in four genotype 1 drug users (20% in the period 1995-1999 and 9% in the period > or =2000).

%B J Med Virol %V 80 %P 640-5 %8 2008 Apr %G eng %N 4 %1 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18297717?dopt=Abstract %R 10.1002/jmv.21145 %0 Report %D 2008 %T La grippe en Belgique: importance de la surveillance %A Isabelle Thomas %A Viviane Van Casteren %A Gerard,C. %A Bernard Brochier %K Belgique %K de %K EN %K Grippe %K Surveillance %I WIV-ISP %C Brussels %P 4 %8 0/0/2008 %@ D/2009/2505/55 %G eng %1 38396 %0 Journal Article %J Prev Vet Med %D 2007 %T Echinococcus multilocularis and Toxocara canis in urban red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) in Brussels, Belgium. %A Bernard Brochier %A De Blander, H %A Hanosset, R %A Berkvens, D %A Losson, B %A Saegerman, C %K Animals %K Bayes Theorem %K Belgium %K Disease Reservoirs %K Echinococcosis %K Echinococcus multilocularis %K Female %K Foxes %K Humans %K Male %K Sensitivity and Specificity %K Toxocara canis %K Toxocariasis %K Urban Population %K Zoonoses %X

During the last decades, European red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) have been implicated in the transmission of several viral or parasitic pathogenic agents to domestic animals and humans. In urban areas, risks of zoonoses transmission are likely to increase as a result of a higher rate of intra- and inter-species contacts. Foxes occur on 35% of the Brussels-Capital Region area and local densities reach up to 4 family groups per square kilometre. According to the directive 2003/99/ECC, a first survey for the presence in foxes of Echinococcus multilocularis and Toxocara canis was conducted in Brussels from 2001 to 2004. None of 160 foxes were found to be infected with E. multilocularis and 24 of 134 foxes were found to be infected with T. canis. Considering numbers of examined foxes, the sensitivity and the specificity of tests used for diagnosis, the 95% credibility intervals for the true prevalence of E. multilocularis and T. canis were estimated in a Bayesian framework to be 0 to 1.87% (median value of 0%) and 12.7 to 26% (median value of 18.7%), respectively. For T. canis, a significantly higher risk to be a carrier occurs in cubs and a significantly lower risk in adults.

%B Prev Vet Med %V 80 %P 65-73 %8 2007 Jun 15 %G eng %N 1 %1 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17324480?dopt=Abstract %R 10.1016/j.prevetmed.2007.01.004 %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 J Clin Microbiol %D 2005 %T Population-level retrospective study of neurologically expressed disorders in ruminants before the onset of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) in Belgium, a BSE risk III country. %A Saegerman, C %A Berkvens, D %A Claes, L %A Dewaele, A %A Coignoul, F %A Ducatelle, R %A Cassart, D %A Bernard Brochier %A Costy, F %A S. Roels %A Deluyker, H %A Vanopdenbosch, E %A Thiry, E %K Animals %K Belgium %K Cattle %K Cattle Diseases %K Encephalopathy, Bovine Spongiform %K Goat Diseases %K Goats %K incidence %K Nervous System Diseases %K Retrospective Studies %K Ruminants %K Sheep %K Sheep Diseases %X

A retrospective epidemiological study (n = 7,875) of neurologically expressed disorders (NED) in ruminants before the onset of the bovine spongiform encephalopathy epidemic (years studied, 1980 to 1997) was carried out in Belgium. The archives of all veterinary laboratories and rabies and transmissible spongiform encephalopathy (TSE) epidemiosurveillance networks were consulted. For all species, a significantly higher number of NED with virological causes (rabies) was reported south of the Sambre-Meuse Valley. During the period 1992 to 1997, for which the data were complete, (i) the predicted annual incidence of NED varied significantly as a function of species and area (higher numbers in areas where rabies was present) but was always above 100 cases per million, and (ii) the mean incidence of suspected TSE cases and, among them, those investigated by histopathological examination varied significantly as a function of species and area. The positive predictive value of a presumptive clinical diagnosis of NED ranged from 0.13 (game) to 0.63 (sheep). Knowledge of the positive predictive value permits the definition of a reference point before certain actions (e.g., awareness and training campaigns) are undertaken. It also shows the usefulness of a systematic necropsy or complementary laboratory tests to establish an etiological diagnosis. TSE analysis of a small, targeted historical sampling (n = 48) permitted the confirmation of one case and uncovered another case of scrapie. The results of the present study help to develop and maintain the quality of the worldwide clinical epidemiological networks for TSE, especially in countries that in the past imported live animals, animal products, and feedstuffs from countries with TSE cases.

%B J Clin Microbiol %V 43 %P 862-9 %8 2005 Feb %G eng %N 2 %1 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15695693?dopt=Abstract %R 10.1128/JCM.43.2.862-869.2005 %0 Government Document %D 2004 %T Biosafety risk assessment of the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) coronavirus and containment measures for the diagnostic and research laboratories %A Philippe Herman %A Verlinden,Y. %A Didier Breyer %A Van Cleemput,E. %A Bernard Brochier %A Myriam Sneyers %A Snacken,R. %A Hermans,P. %A Pierre Kerkhofs %A Liesnard,C. %A Rombaut,B. %A Marc Van Ranst %A van der Groen,G. %A Goubau,P. %A William Moens %K Activity %K Africa %K ALL %K an %K AS %K assessment %K at %K Belgium %K biosafety %K Case %K containment %K Control %K Coronavirus %K Countries %K disease %K environment %K Europe %K Guidelines %K health %K Human %K INFECTION %K International %K investigation %K IS %K Laboratories %K LEVEL %K levels %K measure %K measures %K ON %K Order %K organization %K POPULATION %K Practice %K PRACTICES %K production %K recommendation %K Recommendations %K Research %K Respiratory %K response %K risk %K Risk Assessment %K SAFETY %K SARS %K SBB %K Spread %K use %K VIRUS %K WHO %K work %K world %K World Health Organization %X At the end of 2002, an outbreak of a new viral respiratory illness, called SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome virus) occurred in China. The disease spread over Asia, North America, Europe and Africa. In response to the SARS outbreak, the World Health Organization (WHO) coordinated an international collaboration that included clinical, epidemiologic and laboratory investigations, and initiated efforts to control the spread of SARS. As in other countries it has been decided to establish biosafety guidelines and recommendations in Belgium with particular emphasis on handling clinical specimens associated with SARS for research, production and clinical laboratories. Taking into account that there is so far no SARS case reported in Belgium as well as in other countries in the world, and based on a scientific risk assessment related to the contained use of biological agents, the SARS-CoV was classified as a Risk Group 3 agent. In relation to the reported biosafety assessment, the SARS-CoV should be handled in appropriate biosafety containment levels in order to avoid laboratory acquired infections and spread of the disease in the human population and the environment. Therefore, diagnostic activities with inactivated clinical specimens associated with SARS cases and specimens originating from countries where SARS is documented but not associated with SARS cases, should be performed under Biosafety Level 2 (BSL-2) conditions. Diagnostic activities involving non-inactivated clinical specimens associated with SARS should be carried out under BSL-2 containment with BSL-3 safety equipment and work practices. Culture of SARS-CoV and all research activities involving SARS-CoV require a BSL-3 containment %B Appl.Biosaf. %V 9 %P 128 - 142 %8 0/0/2004 %G eng %N 3 %1 360 %& 128 %0 Journal Article %J Emerg Infect Dis %D 2002 %T Behavioral, physiologic, and habitat influences on the dynamics of Puumala virus infection in bank voles (Clethrionomys glareolus). %A Escutenaire, Sophie %A Chalon, Patrice %A De Jaegere, Florence %A Karelle-Bui, Lucie %A Mees, Georges %A Bernard Brochier %A Rozenfeld, Francine %A Pastoret, Paul-Pierre %K Age factors %K Animals %K Arvicolinae %K Behavior, Animal %K Belgium %K Disease Susceptibility %K environment %K Female %K Hantavirus Infections %K Locomotion %K Male %K Population Dynamics %K prevalence %K Puumala virus %K reproduction %K Rodent Diseases %K Seasons %K sex factors %K Wounds and Injuries %X

Populations of bank voles (Clethrionomys glareolus) were monitored during a 4-year study in southern Belgium to assess the influence of agonistic behavior, reproductive status, mobility, and distribution of the rodents on the dynamics of Puumala virus (abbreviation: PUUV; genus: Hantavirus) infection. Concordance was high between data from serologic testing and results of viral RNA detection. Wounds resulting from biting or scratching were observed mainly in adult rodents. Hantavirus infection in adults was associated with wounds in the fall, i.e., at the end of the breeding season, but not in spring. In addition, sexually active animals were significantly more often wounded and positive for infection. Hantavirus infection was associated with higher mobility in juvenile and subadult males. Seroconversions observed 6 months apart also occurred more frequently in animals that had moved longer distances from their original capture point. During nonepidemic years, the distribution of infection was patchy, and positive foci were mainly located in dense ground vegetation.

%B Emerg Infect Dis %V 8 %P 930-6 %8 2002 Sep %G eng %N 9 %1 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12194769?dopt=Abstract %R 10.3201/eid0809.010537