A5081068470- SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 Research
- Hepatitis B Virus Studies
- Reproductive tract infections research
- COVID-19 Clinical Research Studies
- Bacterial Infections and Vaccines
- Hepatitis C virus research
- Syphilis Diagnosis and Treatment
- HIV/AIDS Research and Interventions
- SARS-CoV-2 detection and testing
- COVID-19 epidemiological studies
- Viral Infections and Immunology Research
- HIV, Drug Use, Sexual Risk
- Pneumonia and Respiratory Infections
- Bacterial Identification and Susceptibility Testing
- HIV/AIDS drug development and treatment
- Infective Endocarditis Diagnosis and Management
- Liver Disease Diagnosis and Treatment
- Vector-borne infectious diseases
- Antimicrobial Resistance in Staphylococcus
- Cytomegalovirus and herpesvirus research
- Clostridium difficile and Clostridium perfringens research
- Viral gastroenteritis research and epidemiology
- Herpesvirus Infections and Treatments
- Immune responses and vaccinations
- Biosensors and Analytical Detection
Maastricht University Medical Centre
2015-2025
Maastricht University
2013-2025
University Medical Center
2022-2023
Sciensano (Belgium)
2022
Amsterdam UMC Location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
2017
National Institute for Public Health and the Environment
1999-2009
United Arab Emirates University
2009
University of Turku
2009
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
2007
Elisabeth-TweeSteden Ziekenhuis
2007
Abstract Before childhood vaccination was introduced in the 1940s, pertussis a major cause of infant death worldwide. Widespread children succeeded reducing illness and death. In 1990s, resurgence observed number countries with highly vaccinated populations, has become most prevalent vaccine-preventable disease industrialized countries. We present evidence that Netherlands dramatic increase is temporally associated emergence Bordetella strains carrying novel allele for toxin promoter, which...
Abstract In The Netherlands, as in many other western countries, pertussis vaccines have been used extensively for more than 40 years. Therefore, it is conceivable that vaccine-induced immunity has affected the evolution of B. pertussis. Consistent with this notion, reemerged despite high vaccination coverage. Further, a notable change population structure was observed Netherlands subsequent to introduction 1950s. Finally, we antigenic divergence between clinical isolates and vaccine...
Abstract A new methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) clone related to pig and cattle farming was detected in the Netherlands. We investigated extent of S. presence meat found 36 strains 79 samples. Two were MRSA; 1 multilocus sequence type 398, farming.
Abstract Home-based sexual health care (including self-sampling testing) could reduce barriers to clinic-based testing. This study systematically evaluated the implementation of home-based (‘Limburg4Zero’) among men who have sex with (MSM) in a mixed urban–rural region Netherlands. We assessed outcomes (contextual domains, population reached, effectiveness, adoption by providers (HCP), fidelity, and maintenance) using practical, robust sustainability model. used mixed-methods research design...
ABSTRACT Despite more than 50 years of vaccination, Bordetella pertussis has remained endemic in The Netherlands, causing epidemic outbreaks every 3 to 5 years. Strain variation may play a role the persistence B. and was studied by sequencing 15 genes coding for surface proteins, including all five components acellular vaccines: toxin (Ptx), pertactin (Prn), filamentous hemagglutinin, fimbriae (Fim2 Fim3). A low level allelic observed, confirming recent evolutionary origin . In modern...
The population structure of Bordetella pertussis in Netherlands 5 successive periods, encompassing 1949–1996, was analyzed by DNA typing ("fingerprinting"). In 10 years following the introduction wide-scale vaccination 1953, a decrease genotypic diversity (GD) observed, suggesting clonal expansion strains that were adapted to vaccine-induced immunity. subsequent GD increased prevaccination levels, probably reflecting gradual adaptation B. involving many lineages. 1990s, decreased again. This...
Molecular DNA-based diagnostics are increasingly being used for diagnosis of viral infections. For enteric viruses, PCR assays have also been developed. The aims this study were to compile and evaluate a comprehensive panel viruses causing diarrheal disease its use in largely pediatric population 750-bed university medical center. was designed include detection adenovirus, astrovirus, enterovirus, norovirus, parechovirus, rotavirus, sapovirus. results the evaluated relation conventional...
The aim of this verification study was to compare the QuantiFERON®-TB Gold Plus (QFT-Plus) In Tube (QFT-GIT). new QFT-Plus test contains an extra antigen tube which, according manufacturer additionally elicits a CD8+ T-cell response above CD4+ response. We assessed value in detecting recent latent tuberculosis infections.Between May 2015 and December 2016, 1031 subjects underwent QFT-GIT test. Overall agreement between both tests performance for different indications and/or immune states...
Many people at high risk for sexually transmitted infections (STIs), e.g., men who have sex with (MSM), are not optimally reached by current sexual health care systems testing. To facilitate testing home-based sampling or in outreach setting we evaluated dried blood spots (DBS), a method self-collected serological screening of HIV, hepatitis B (HBV) and syphilis. The aims this study were to assess the acceptability feasibility DBS compare test results HBV syphilis from drawn venous...
ABSTRACT Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) causes disease 2019 (COVID-19). Commonly used methods for both clinical diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection and management infected patients involve the detection viral RNA, but presence infectious virus particles is unknown. Viability PCR (v-PCR) uses a photoreactive dye to bind non-infectious ideally resulting in RNA only from intact virions. This study aimed develop validate rapid v-PCR assay distinguishing compromised...
Current laboratory protocols for periprosthetic joint infections (PJIs) involve a standard 10- to 14-day incubation period. However, recent evidence indicates considerable variability in the time diagnosis (TTD) between acute and chronic PJIs. TTD is also influenced by employed culture media sample types. Enriched liquid media, such as broths blood bottles, along with sonication fluid culture, are commonly used, though their incremental benefit PJI remains debated. We retrospectively...
Undetected chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) and C (HCV) infections can lead to cirrhosis liver cancer. Syrian migrants are the largest non-European migrant group in Netherlands with HBV HCV prevalence rates above 2%. This study aimed reach for testing using point-of-care tests (POCT). A multifaceted strategy was employed aged ≥16 years from two Dutch municipalities free-of-charge HBsAg anti-HCV POCT finger prick blood at regional Public Health Service. All were personally invited by Service...
Understanding immunity from previous natural SARS-CoV-2 infection is important for booster vaccination strategies. A longitudinal study conducted in 2021 within the Meuse-Rhine Euroregion, bordering Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany, aimed to assess seroprevalence of spike-directed (anti-S) nucleocapsid-directed (anti-N) antibodies demonstrate as a result both (hybrid immunity), evaluate dynamics anti-N response. Questionnaires self-finger-prick blood samples 3110 participants were collected...
ABSTRACT Background Home-based sampling could create accessible testing opportunities for men who have sex with (MSM) use pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). Blood collection is required the most reliable laboratory results HIV and syphilis testing. An innovative blood-collection method (Tasso+) creates a vacuum semi-automatically collects larger volumes of blood from upper arm. This study aims to assess acceptability feasibility this device among PrEP-using MSM performance blood-collection....
Despite the introduction of mass vaccination in 1953 The Netherlands, pertussis is currently an endemic disease with regular epidemic outbreaks. Changes Bordetella population first 20 years after were studied by indexing IS1002 fingerprint types, fimbrial serotypes and 15 genes encoding surface proteins. Three periods compared, pre-vaccination period (1949–1952) two subsequent periods, 1953–1958 1965–1972. Except for serotypes, no changes observed B. between periods. Mortality decreased...
A novel chromogenic medium for the detection of meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), MRSASelect (Bio-Rad), was evaluated with clinical samples in a public health laboratory The Netherlands. In total, 3000 were tested period January to March 2005, including 972 nose, throat, 968 perineum, and 88 wound or urine samples. Presumptive MRSA colonies appeared pink/mauve on medium. performance compared routine screening method. Evaluation colony morphology showed that all confirmed...
Background. Acyclovir resistance of varicella zoster virus (VZV) may arise in stem cell transplant (SCT) recipients with VZV disease and is usually a result mutations thymidine kinase (TK), which the target protein acyclovir. Early detection such necessary to enable timely therapy adaptation, for example, foscarnet. We aimed investigate whether TK over time, what sample types might be most useful this method. Methods. Spatially temporally distinct samples from 3 SCT unresponsive acyclovir...
Abstract Background Not all men who have sex with (MSM) at risk for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection currently receive sexual healthcare. To increase the coverage of high-quality HIV/STI care MSM, we developed a home-care programme, as extended STI clinic care. This programme included home sampling testing, combined treatment health counselling. Here, pilot implemented in hospital setting (HIV-positive MSM) to determine factors...
The CoLab score was developed and externally validated to rule out COVID-19 among suspected patients presenting at the emergency department. We hypothesized a within-patient decrease in over time an intensive care unit (ICU) cohort. Such would create opportunity potentially need for isolation when infection is overcome. Using linear mixed-effects models, data from Maastricht Intensive Care COVID (MaastrICCht) cohort were used investigate association between score. Models adjusted sex, APACHE...
Several assisted reproduction procedures, such as IVF and ICSI, are available for a variety of infertility problems. In fertility clinics, patients screened blood-borne viral infections, including hepatitis B virus (HBV). Reasons screening prevention vertical transmission laboratory safety. We present the case 26-year-old female patient with chronic HBV infection, whose husband tested negative B. She her were referred to our clinic because subfertility. Analysis husband's semen indicated...
The virulence factor pertactin (Prn) is a component of pertussis vaccines and one the most polymorphic Bordetella antigens. After introduction vaccination shifts in predominant Prn types were observed strains with vaccine type (Prn1) replaced by carrying non-vaccine (Prn2 Prn3), suggesting vaccine-driven selection. aim this study was to elucidate variants. We show that, although Prn2 Prn3 circulated similar frequencies 1970s 1980s, 1990s expanded disappeared, that vaccinated populations are...
Most primary care clinical guidelines recommend restrictive antibiotic use for childhood infections. We investigated prescription rates over time oral and topical antibiotics children (≤12 years) in the period 2000-2010.Longitudinal observational study among a large Dutch general practice database 2000-2010.Oral prescribing per year independent factors influencing prescriptions.We analysed 108 555 patient-years during 2000-2010. At least one chronic disease was recorded 15.8% of...