A5019619911- COVID-19 Clinical Research Studies
- SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 Research
- COVID-19 epidemiological studies
- Salmonella and Campylobacter epidemiology
- COVID-19 and healthcare impacts
- Influenza Virus Research Studies
- Zoonotic diseases and public health
- Vaccine Coverage and Hesitancy
- Viral gastroenteritis research and epidemiology
- COVID-19 diagnosis using AI
- SARS-CoV-2 detection and testing
- Global Health Care Issues
- Respiratory viral infections research
- Healthcare Systems and Reforms
- Long-Term Effects of COVID-19
- Bacterial Identification and Susceptibility Testing
- Data-Driven Disease Surveillance
- Air Quality and Health Impacts
- RNA and protein synthesis mechanisms
- Animal Disease Management and Epidemiology
- Quality and Management Systems
- Health Systems, Economic Evaluations, Quality of Life
- Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Research
- Advanced Causal Inference Techniques
- Health Promotion and Cardiovascular Prevention
Sciensano (Belgium)
2018-2024
Institut Scientifique de Santé Publique
2020-2023
UCLouvain
2021-2022
National Research Institute for Veterinary Virology and Microbiology of Russia
2022
Université Libre de Bruxelles
2020
Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Saint-Pierre
2020
Collaborative Group (United States)
2020
Service Public Fédéral Technologie de l'Information et de la Communication
2020
Several studies have investigated the predictors of in-hospital mortality for COVID-19 patients who need to be admitted Intensive Care Unit (ICU). However, no data on role organizational issues patients' outcome are available in this setting. The aim study was therefore assess surge capacity organisation critically ill ICUs Belgium. We conducted a retrospective analysis Belgian ICU via national surveillance database. Non-survivors at hospital discharge were compared survivors using...
This retrospective multi-center matched cohort study assessed the risk for severe COVID-19 (combination of severity indicators), intensive care unit (ICU) admission, and in-hospital mortality in hospitalized patients when infected with Omicron variant compared to Delta variant. The is based on a causal framework using individually-linked data from national registries. population consisted 954 (of which, 445 were Omicron) above 18 years old admitted Belgian hospital during autumn winter...
Cancer seems to have an independent adverse prognostic effect on COVID-19-related mortality, but uncertainty exists regarding its across different patient subgroups. We report a population-based analysis of patients hospitalised with COVID-19 prior or current solid cancer versus those without cancer.We analysed data adult registered until 24 May 2020 in the Belgian nationwide database Sciensano. The primary objective was in-hospital mortality within 30 days diagnosis among cancer. Severe...
In response to the COVID-19 epidemic, caused by a novel coronavirus, it was of great importance rapidly collect as much accurate information possible in order characterize public health threat and support authorities its management. Hospital-based surveillance is paramount monitor severity disease population.
BackgroundSalmonellosis remains the second most common zoonosis in European Union despite a long-term decreasing trend. However, this trend has been reported to have stagnated recent years, particularly for
Abstract Background National public health agencies are required to prioritise infectious diseases for prevention and control. We applied the prioritisation method recommended by European Centre Disease Prevention Control rank diseases, according their relative importance surveillance health, inform future action in Belgium. Methods multi-criteria-decision-analysis approach. A working group of epidemiologists statisticians from Belgium ( n = 6) designed a balanced set criteria. panel Belgian...
Abstract Background Burden of disease estimates have become important population health metrics over the past decade to measure losses in health. In Belgium, burden caused by COVID-19 has not yet been estimated, although emerged as one most diseases. Therefore, current study aims estimate direct observed despite policy interventions, during 2020 and 2021, compare it from other causes. Methods Disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) are sum Years Lived with Disability (YLDs) Life Lost (YLLs)...
SARS-CoV-2 strains evolve continuously and accumulate mutations in their genomes over the course of pandemic. The severity a infection could partly depend on these viral genetic characteristics. Here, we present general conceptual framework that allows to study effect variants COVID-19 disease among hospitalized patients.A causal model is defined visualized using Directed Acyclic Graph (DAG), which assumptions relationship between (confounding) variables are made explicit. Various DAGs...
Abstract Introduction Causal inference helps researchers and policy-makers to evaluate public health interventions. When comparing interventions or programs by leveraging observational sensitive individual-level data from populations crossing jurisdictional borders, a federated approach (as opposed pooling approach) can be used. Approaching causal re-using routinely collected across different regions in manner, is challenging guidance currently lacking. With the aim of filling this gap...
Background COVID-19-related mortality in Belgium has drawn attention for two reasons: its high level, and a good completeness reporting of deaths. An ad hoc surveillance was established to register COVID-19 death numbers hospitals, long-term care facilities (LTCF) the community. adopted broad inclusion criteria notifications, also including possible cases, resulting robust correlation between all-cause mortality. Aim To document assess Belgium. Methods We described content data flows...
Introduction The pathogenesis of COVID-19 depends on the interplay between host characteristics, viral characteristics and contextual factors. Here, we compare disease severity hospitalized patients in Belgium infected with SARS-CoV-2 variant B.1.1.7 those previously circulating strains. Methods study is conducted within a causal framework to variants by merging surveillance registries Belgium. Infection (‘exposed’) was compared infection strains (‘unexposed’) terms manifestation severe...
Abstract Background The COVID-19 pandemic is affecting nations globally, but with an impact exhibiting significant spatial and temporal variation at the sub-national level. Identifying disentangling drivers of resulting hospitalisation incidence local scale key to predict, mitigate manage epidemic surges, also develop targeted measures. However, this type analysis often not possible because lack spatially-explicit health data uncertainties associated infection. Methods To overcome these...
Seasonal influenza epidemics are associated with high mortality and morbidity in the human population. Influenza surveillance is critical for providing information to national programmes making vaccine composition predictions. Vaccination prevents viral infections, but rapid evolution results emerging mutants that differ antigenically from strains. Current relies on Sanger sequencing of haemagglutinin (HA) gene. Its classification according World Health Organization (WHO) European Centre...
Abstract Background Differences in the genetic material of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants may result altered virulence characteristics. Assessing disease severity caused by newly emerging is essential to estimate their impact on public health. However, causally inferring intrinsic infection with using observational data a challenging process which guidance still limited. We describe potential limitations and biases that researchers are confronted...
We investigated effectiveness of (1) mRNA booster vaccination versus primary only and (2) heterologous (viral vector-mRNA) homologous (mRNA-mRNA) prime-boost against severe outcomes BA.1, BA.2, BA.4 or BA.5 Omicron infection (confirmed by whole genome sequencing) among hospitalized COVID-19 patients using observational data from national registries. In addition, it was whether the difference between homogenous across sub-lineages. Regression standardization (parametric g-formula) used to...
After years of significant decline, the incidence Salmonella enterica serotype Enteritidis (SE) human infections in Europe has started stagnating recent years. The reasons for this stagnation remain largely unclear and are possibly multifactorial interconnected nature. We assessed ranked several potential determinants SE trend Europe, as well different options intervention at level poultry health production, public (infra)structure, pathogen biology.A Multi-Criteria Decision-Analysis (MCDA)...
Particular matter (PM) exposure is a big hazard for public health, especially children. Serum CC16 well-known biomarker of respiratory health. Urinary (U-CC16) can be noninvasive alternative, albeit requiring adequate adjustment renal handling. Moreover, the SNP G38A influences levels. This study aimed to monitor effect short-term PM on levels, measured noninvasively in schoolchildren, using an integrative approach. We used selection urine and buccal DNA samples from 86 children stored...
Each year, seasonal influenza results in high mortality and morbidity. The current classification of circulating viruses is mainly focused on the hemagglutinin gene. Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) enables tracking mutations across all segments allowing a better understanding epidemiological effects intra- inter-seasonal evolutionary dynamics, exploring potential associations between viral genome patient's clinical data. In this study, were identified 253 Influenza A (H3N2) isolates from...
Abstract Background Pathogen genomics is increasingly being translated from the research setting into activities of public health professionals operating at different levels. This survey aims to appraise literacy level and gather opinions experts allied working in field infectious diseases Belgium concerning implementation next-generation sequencing (NGS) practice. Methods In May 2019, Belgian healthcare were invited complete an online containing eight main topics including background...
Introduction The surveillance of human salmonellosis in Belgium is dependent on the referral Salmonella isolates to National Reference Center (NRC). Knowledge current diagnostic practices and coverage national system are important correctly interpret data trends over time, estimate true burden Belgium, evaluate appropriateness implementing whole-genome sequencing (WGS) at this central level. Methods NRC was defined as proportion all diagnosed cases reported assessed for 2019 via a survey...
Abstract Background: In response to the COVID-19 epidemic, caused by a novel coronavirus, it was of great importance rapidly collect as much accurate information possible in order characterize public health threat and support authorities its management. Hospital-based surveillance is paramount monitor severity disease population. Methods: Two separate systems, Surge Capacity survey Clinical survey, were set up complementary data on from Belgium’s hospitals. The collects aggregated hospital...
We aimed to investigate vaccine effectiveness against progression severe COVID-19 (acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), intensive care unit (ICU) admission and/or death) and in-hospital death in a cohort of hospitalized patients. Mixed effects logistic regression analyses were performed estimate the association between receiving primary vaccination schedule outcomes after adjusting for patient, hospital, characteristics. Additionally, brands including mRNA vaccines mRNA-1273 BNT162b2,...