A5004198924- Reproductive tract infections research
- Bacterial Infections and Vaccines
- Poxvirus research and outbreaks
- Herpesvirus Infections and Treatments
- Antibiotic Resistance in Bacteria
- Bacillus and Francisella bacterial research
- Syphilis Diagnosis and Treatment
- Pneumonia and Respiratory Infections
- Salmonella and Campylobacter epidemiology
- Gut microbiota and health
- Vibrio bacteria research studies
- Streptococcal Infections and Treatments
- Bacterial Identification and Susceptibility Testing
- Bacteriophages and microbial interactions
- Infective Endocarditis Diagnosis and Management
- Virology and Viral Diseases
- Ion channel regulation and function
- Blood groups and transfusion
- SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 Research
- COVID-19 Clinical Research Studies
- vaccines and immunoinformatics approaches
- Pharmaceutical and Antibiotic Environmental Impacts
- Plant Virus Research Studies
- Yersinia bacterium, plague, ectoparasites research
- HIV Research and Treatment
Instituut voor Tropische Geneeskunde
2016-2025
University of Antwerp
2010-2022
The magnitude of the 2022 multi-country monkeypox virus (MPXV) outbreak has surpassed any preceding outbreak. It is unclear whether asymptomatic or otherwise undiagnosed infections are fuelling this epidemic. In study, we aimed to assess occurred among men attending a Belgian sexual health clinic in May 2022. We retrospectively screened 224 samples collected for gonorrhea and chlamydia testing using an MPXV PCR assay identified MPXV-DNA-positive from four men. At time sampling, one man had...
Abstract Bloodstream infections by Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium constitute a major health burden in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). These invasive non-typhoidal (iNTS) are dominated isolates of the antibiotic resistance-associated sequence type (ST) 313. Here, we report emergence ST313 sublineage II.1 Democratic Republic Congo. Sublineage exhibits extensive drug resistance, involving combination multidrug extended spectrum β-lactamase production and azithromycin resistance. lineage...
Abstract Background Monkeypox is transmitted by close contact with symptomatic cases, and those infected are assumed to be uniformly symptomatic. Evidence of subclinical monkeypox infection limited a few immunological studies which found evidence immunity against orthopoxviruses in asymptomatic individuals who were exposed cases. We aimed assess whether infections occurred among underwent sexually (STI) screening large Belgian STI clinic around the start 2022 epidemic Belgium. Methods...
Between January and August 2024, mpox cases have been reported in nearly all provinces of the Democratic Republic Congo (DRC). Monkeypox virus genome sequences were obtained from 11 cases’ samples, collected July–August 2024 several health zones Kinshasa. Characterisation showed subclades Ia Ib co-circulating Limete zone, while phylogenetic analyses suggested multiple introductions two This illustrates growing complexity Clade I outbreaks DRC.
Abstract One of the most promising new treatments for gonorrhoea currently in phase 3 clinical trials is zoliflodacin. Studies have found very little resistance to zoliflodacin circulating N. gonorrhoeae strains, and in-vitro experiments demonstrated that it difficult induce resistance. However, may emerge commensal Neisseria spp., which could then be transferred via transformation. In this study, we investigated commensal-resistance-pathway hypothesis To resistance, ten wild-type...
Mpox (formerly monkeypox) is a viral disease caused by the mpox virus (MPXV), endemic in Central and West Africa currently causing global outbreak of international concern. Much remains unknown about sample types most suited for laboratory diagnosis. While it established that high loads can be found active skin lesions (currently recommended confirmation specimen type), WHO testing guidelines encourage use oropharyngeal swabs as an additional type diagnosis suggest investigating value other...
Background Bacterial bloodstream infection (bBSI) is one of the leading causes death in critically ill patients and accurate diagnosis therefore crucial. We here report a 16S metagenomics approach for diagnosing understanding bBSI. Methodology/Principal Findings The proof-of-concept was delivered 75 children (median age 15 months) with severe febrile illness Burkina Faso. Standard blood culture malaria testing were conducted at time hospital admission. done retrospectively duplicate on all...
Horizontal gene transfer (HGT) in the penA and multidrug efflux pump genes has been shown to play a key role genesis of antimicrobial resistance Neisseria gonorrhoeae. In this study, we evaluated if there was evidence HGT coding for ribosomal proteins genus. We did collection 11,659 isolates Neisseria, including N. gonorrhoeae commensal species (N. cinerea, elongata, flavescens, mucosa, polysaccharea, subflava). Comparative genomic analyses identified events three genes: rplB, rplD, rplY L2,...
In this study, we characterized all oropharyngeal and anorectal isolates of Neisseria spp. in a cohort men who have sex with men. This resulted panel pathogenic (N. gonorrhoeae [n = 5] N. meningitidis 5]) nonpathogenic subflava 11], mucosa 3] oralis 2]). A high proportion strains were resistant to azithromycin (18/26) ceftriaxone (3/26). Whole genome sequencing (WGS) these identified numerous mutations that are known confer reduced susceptibility gonorrhoeae. The presence or absence did not...
Background: Excessive antimicrobial consumption may saturate the relationship between subsequent exposure and resistance. The ResistAZM randomised controlled trial in Belgium found that 2 g of azithromycin had no effect on prevalence macrolide resistance oral streptococci. At baseline, was, however, pervasive this population men who have sex with high to antimicrobials. Methods: authors used same sampling laboratory protocol assess if streptococcal susceptibilities study were higher than...
This perspective explores the utility of commensal Neisseria species as an early warning sign excessive antimicrobial consumption. Little is known to how prevalence and susceptibility various varies between populations around world. We compared susceptibilities oral in general population cohorts men who have sex with (MSM) four countries available data - Belgium, Italy, Japan Vietnam. In individuals where spp. were detected, N. subflava was present 70% 100% different studies. The...
Background Antibiotic tolerance is associated with failure of antibiotic treatment and accelerates the development antimicrobial resistance. The molecular mechanisms underlying remain, poorly understood. In some instances, tolerant bacteria can slow metabolism by extending lag phase without altering susceptibility. We recently induced ceftriaxone (CRO) in N. gonorrhoeae reference strain WHO P. current study, we characterized transcriptomic profiles these CRO-tolerant phenotypes. Methods To...
The resurgence of syphilis has necessitated novel prophylactic strategies, such as the use doxycycline post-exposure prophylaxis (doxy-PEP). However, potential for increased to select tetracycline resistance represents significant challenges in managing this sexually transmitted infection. This study aims identify chromosomal mutations associated with Spirochaetales inform molecular surveillance tools. Whole genome sequences (WGS) from order, including 4,355 genomes, were analyzed presence...
No randomized controlled trial (RCT) has compared the impact on resistome of ceftriaxone (CRO) plus azithromycin (AZM) vs CRO for treatment
Vaccination is important in containing the 2022 mpox (formerly monkeypox) epidemic. We describe five Belgian patients with localised severe symptoms of proctitis and penile oedema, occurring between 4 35 days after post-exposure preventive vaccination or one- two-dose off-label pre-exposure MVA-BN vaccine. Genome sequencing did not reveal evidence for immune escape variants. Healthcare workers those at risk should be aware possible infections shortly need other measures.
Recently, a
Voltage-gated potassium (Kv) and sodium (Nav) channels are key determinants of cellular excitability serve as targets neurotoxins. Most marine ciguatoxins potentiate Nav cause ciguatera seafood poisoning. Several have also been shown to affect Kv channels, we showed previously that the ladder-shaped polyether toxin gambierol is a potent channel inhibitor. likely, acts via lipid-exposed binding site, located outside K+ permeation pathway. However, mechanism by which inhibits remained unknown....
Background: In antibiotic naïve populations, there is a strong association between the use of an antimicrobial and resistance to this antimicrobial. Less evidence available as whether relationship weakened in populations highly exposed antimicrobials. Individuals taking HIV preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) have high intake We previously found that was no difference prevalence pheno- genotypic two groups PrEP clients who had, had not, taken antimicrobials prior 6 months. Both did, however,...
Background: Commensal Neisseria species are part of the oropharyngeal microbiome and important for health, but also serve as a reservoir antimicrobial resistance. Little is known about prevalence these in general population, how this varies by age susceptibility between species. Methods: We assessed commensal parents (n=38) children (n=50) 35 families Belgium.Results: Various (n=5) could be isolated from participants. Most abundant were N. subflava mucosa. was detected 77 88 (87.5%)...