Genetic diversity of Echinococcus multilocularis specimens isolated from Belgian patients with alveolar echinococcosis using EmsB microsatellites analysis.

The genetic diversity of Echinococcus multilocularis (E. multilocularis) specimens isolated from patients with alveolar echinococcosis (AE), is a major field of investigation to correlate with sources of infection, clinical manifestations and prognosis of the disease. Molecular markers able to distinguish samples are commonly used worldwide, including the EmsB microsatellite. Here, we report the use of the EmsB microsatellite polymorphism data mining for the retrospective typing of Belgian specimens of E. multilocularis infecting humans. A total of 18 samples from 16 AE patients treated between 2006 and 2021 were analyzed through the EmsB polymorphism. Classification of specimens was performed through a dendrogram construction in order to compare the similarity among Belgian samples, some human referenced specimens on the EWET database (EmsB Website for the Echinococcus Typing) and previously published EmsB profiles from red foxes circulating in/near Belgium. According to a comparison with human European specimens previously genotyped in profiles, the 18 Belgian ones were classified into three EmsB profiles. Four specimens could not be assigned to an already known profile but some are near to EWET referenced samples. This study also highlights that some specimens share the same EmsB profile with profiles characterized in red foxes from north Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg and French department near to the Belgian border. Furthermore, Belgian specimens present a genetic diversity and include one profile that don't share similarities with the ones referenced in the EWET database. However, at this geographical scale, there is no clear correlation between EmsB profiles and geographical location. Further studies including additional clinical samples and isolates from foxes and rodents of south Belgium are necessary to better understand the spatial and temporal circumstances of human infections but also a potential correlation between EmsB profiles and parasite virulence.

[Facing COVID-19 : myocarditis following vaccination with mRNA SARS-CoV-2]. / Face à la COVID-19. Myocardite dans les suites d'une vaccination à mRNA SARS-CoV-2.

Myocarditis is a relatively uncommon and underdiagnosed heart disease. Its clinical presentation is variable, from pauci-symptomatic to a symptomatology of sudden chest pain. The latter mimics cardiological emergencies and must therefore be quickly discerned to guide the rest of the treatment. The treatment is mainly supportive and rarely directly etiological. This is a pathology that resurfaced with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic but also with vaccination. We present here the case of a mRNA SARS-CoV-2 vaccine-induced myocarditis whose clinical manifestations impose a rapid decision concerning the differential diagnosis with an acute coronary syndrome.

La myocardite est une pathologie cardiaque relativement peu fréquente et sous-diagnostiquée. Sa présentation clinique est variable, de paucisymptomatique à une symptomatologie de douleur thoracique brutale. Cette dernière mime les urgences cardiologiques et doit donc être rapidement diagnostiquée pour orienter la suite de la prise en charge. Le traitement est principalement supportif et peu étiologique. Il s'agit d'une pathologie qui a refait surface avec l'arrivée de la pandémie COVID-19, mais aussi avec la vaccination. Nous présentons ici le cas d'une myocardite induite par un vaccin SARS-CoV-2 à ARNm dont les manifestations cliniques imposent une décision rapide concernant le diagnostic différentiel avec le syndrome coronarien aigu.

[Evaluation of the knowledge on alveolar echinococcosis among general practitioners in the province of Liege : impact of a formative intervention]. / Évaluation des connaissances de l'échinococcose alvéolaire réalisée auprès des médecins généralistes de la Province de Liège : impact d'une intervention formative.

Alveolar echinococcosis is an indigenouszoonosis caused by the growth of the larval stage of a small tapeworm, Echinococcus multilocularis. Despite a low incidence in Belgium, with about 10 cases on average recorded per year, this parasitosis poses a real public health problem because it often remains difficult to diagnose and is potentially fatal in the absence of treatment. General practitioners are on the frontline, but they do not always know enough about the disease, which causes a delay in the diagnosis and impacts the prognosis. The present study aims to assess the level of knowledge of alveolar echinococcosis among general practitioners in the province of Liège via a questionnaire, on the one hand, and to increase their level of knowledge via a formative intervention using a video capsule, on the other hand. We have performed a randomized controlled experimental study, which showed that general practitioners in the province of Liège have limited knowledge on alveolar echinococcosis. This mainly concerns symptomatology, diagnostic tools and treatment. The formative intervention carried out allowed increasing their level of knowledge about this disease.

L'échinococcose alvéolaire est une zoonose autochtone provoquée par le développement tissulaire de la larve d'un petit ténia, Echinoccocus multilocularis. Malgré une faible incidence en Belgique, avec une moyenne de 10 cas recensés par an, cette parasitose pose un réel problème de santé publique car elle reste souvent difficile à diagnostiquer et potentiellement mortelle en l'absence de traitement. Les médecins généralistes sont en première ligne, mais ils ne connaissent pas toujours suffisamment la maladie, ce qui retarde le diagnostic et compromet le pronostic. La présente étude visait à évaluer les connaissances à propos de l'échinococcose alvéolaire des médecins généralistes de la province de Liège via un questionnaire approprié et à accroître leur niveau de connaissance via une intervention formative sous forme de capsule vidéo. Nous avons réalisé une étude à visée expérimentale randomisée contrôlée qui a montré que les médecins généralistes de la province de Liège ont des connaissances partielles sur la symptomatologie, les outils de diagnostic et le traitement. L'intervention formative réalisée a permis d'augmenter leur niveau de connaissances à propos de cette maladie.

Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 After COVID-19 Screening and Mitigation Measures for Primary School Children Attending School in Liège, Belgium.

Importance: Recent data suggest a relatively low incidence of COVID-19 among children. The possible role that children attending primary school may play in the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 remains poorly understood. Objective: To gain a better understanding of the possible role of children in the transmission of SARS-CoV-2. Design, Setting, and Participants: This prospective cohort study was conducted from September 21 to December 31, 2020, in a primary school in Liège, Belgium, among a volunteer sample of 181 children, parents, and school employees. Exposures: Participants were tested for SARS-CoV-2 infection once a week for 15 weeks through throat washing, performed with 5 mL of saline and collected in a sterile tube after approximately 30 seconds of gargling. Quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction was performed to detect SARS-CoV-2 infection. Main Outcomes and Measures: In case of test positivity, participants were asked to complete a questionnaire aimed at determining the timing of symptom onset and symptom duration. SARS-CoV-2 genetic sequencing was also performed. Confirmed cases were linked based on available information on known contacts and viral sequences. Results: A total of 181 individuals participated in this study, including 63 children (34 girls [54.0%]; mean [SD] age, 8.6 [1.9] years [range, 5-13 years]) and 118 adults (75 women [63.6%]; mean [SD] age, 42.5 [5.7] years [range, 30-59 years]). Forty-five individuals (24.9%) tested positive: 13 children (20.6%; 95% CI, 10.6%-30.6%) and 32 adults (27.1%; 95% CI, 19.1%-35.7%) (P = .34). Children were more often asymptomatic compared with adults (6 [46.2%; 95% CI, 19.1%-73.3%] vs 4 of 31 [12.9%; 95% CI, 1.3%-24.5%]; P = .04). The median duration of symptoms was shorter in children than in adults (0.00 days [IQR, 0.00-1.00 days] vs 15.00 days [IQR, 7.00-22.00 days]). A reconstruction of the outbreak revealed that most transmission events occurred between teachers and between children within the school. Of the observed household transmission events, most seemed to have originated from a child or teacher who acquired the infection at school. Conclusions and Relevance: Despite the implementation of several mitigation measures, the incidence of COVID-19 among children attending primary school in this study was comparable to that observed among teachers and parents. Transmission tree reconstruction suggests that most transmission events originated from within the school. Additional measures should be considered to reduce the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 at school, including intensified testing.

Impact of switch from tenofovir disoproxil fumarate-based regimens to tenofovir alafenamide-based regimens on lipid profile, weight gain and cardiovascular risk score in people living with HIV.

BACKGROUND: As cardiovascular diseases represent the main cause of non-AIDS related death in people living with HIV (PLWH) with undetectable viral load, we evaluated lipid profile, weight gain and calculated cardiovascular risk change after switching from tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF)-based regimens to tenofovir alafenamide (TAF)-based regimens. METHODS: For this retrospective study, we selected HIV-infected patients with suppressed viral load who fitted in one of the two groups below: First group (TDF/TDF): Patients treated continuously with TDF-based regimens. Second group (TDF/TAF): Patients treated with TDF-regimens during at least 6 months then switched to TAF-regimens while maintaining other drugs unchanged. Available data included date of birth, gender, ethnicity, lymphocyte T CD4+ count, weight, height, blood pressure, current/ex/non-smoker, diabetes mellitus, familial cardiovascular event, lipid profile, duration and nature of antiretroviral therapy. Lipid parameters, weight and calculated cardiovascular risk using 5-year reduced DAD score algorithm [Friis-Møller et al. in Eur J Cardiovasc Prev Rehabil 17:491-501, 2010] were analyzed in each groups. RESULTS: Switching from TDF to TAF resulted in a significant increase in triglycerides levels, total cholesterol and HDL cholesterol. LDL cholesterol and total cholesterol/HDL ratio did not show significant changes. Calculated cardiovascular risk increased after switch from TDF- to TAF-based therapy. CONCLUSIONS: Together with favorable outcomes at the bone and kidney levels, potential negative impact of TAF on lipid profile should be included in the reflection to propose the most appropriate and tailored ARV treatment.

Long-term clinical follow-up of patients suffering from moderate-to-severe COVID-19 infection: a monocentric prospective observational cohort study.

OBJECTIVES: Various symptoms and considerable organ dysfunction persist following infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). Uncertainty remains about the potential mid- and long-term health sequelae. This prospective study of patients hospitalized with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Liège University Hospital, Belgium aimed to determine the persistent consequences of COVID-19. METHODS: Patients admitted to the University Hospital of Liège with moderate-to-severe confirmed COVID-19, discharged between 2 March and 1 October 2020, were recruited prospectively. Follow-up at 3 and 6 months after hospital discharge included demographic and clinical data, biological data, pulmonary function tests (PFTs) and high-resolution computed tomography (CT) scans of the chest. RESULTS: In total, 199 individuals were included in the analysis. Most patients received oxygen supplementation (80.4%). Six months after discharge, 47% and 32% of patients still had exertional dyspnoea and fatigue. PFTs at 3-month follow-up revealed a reduced diffusion capacity of carbon monoxide (mean 71.6 ± 18.6%), and this increased significantly at 6-month follow-up (P<0.0001). Chest CT scans showed a high prevalence (68.9% of the cohort) of persistent abnormalities, mainly ground glass opacities. Duration of hospitalization, intensive care unit admission and mechanical ventilation were not associated with the persistence of symptoms 3 months after discharge. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of persistent symptoms following hospitalization with COVID-19 is high and stable for up to 6 months after discharge. However, biological, functional and iconographic abnormalities improved significantly over time.

Evolution of Drug Interactions With Antiretroviral Medication in People With HIV.

BACKGROUND: Polypharmacy and drug interactions are important issues for HIV-infected individuals. The number and nature of those interactions are continuously evolving with the use of new antiretroviral drugs and the aging of HIV-infected individuals. We aimed to analyze this evolution over time. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study was conducted in the University Hospital of Liège (Belgium). Treatments of HIV-infected outpatients attending Liège University Hospital were collected and analyzed in 2012 and 2016. The University of Liverpool HIV drug interactions database was used to determine drug interactions. RESULTS: We included 1038 patients in 2016, of whom 78% had 1 comedication. Polypharmacy was seen in 20% of the cohort. Four percent of the patients presented red flag interactions, and 38% had orange flag interactions. Nonantiretroviral (non-ARV) therapeutic classes involved in drug interactions were mostly cardiovascular and central nervous system drugs. They were followed by hormone drugs and dietary supplements for orange flag interactions. Two factors significantly contributed to both red and orange flag interactions: the number of non-ARV comedications and protease inhibitor-based ARV regimens. The proportion of patients with red or orange flag interactions remained stable from 2012 to 2016. CONCLUSIONS: This study highlights the persistence of an alarming number of contraindicated drug interactions and a high prevalence of potential drug interactions over time. Identification, prevention, and management of drug interactions remain a key priority in HIV care.

Detectability of HIV Residual Viremia despite Therapy Is Highly Associated with Treatment with a Protease Inhibitor-Based Combination Antiretroviral Therapy.

HIV persistence despite therapy contributes to chronic immune activation and inflammation, increasing the risk of aging-associated events in HIV-infected individuals. We sought here to better understand the complex link between clinical and treatment features and HIV persistence despite therapy. A total of 11,045 samples from 1,160 individuals under combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) with an unquantifiable viral load (VL; limit of quantification, 20 copies/ml) were categorized as detectable or undetectable depending on the detection of a PCR signal using a commercially available assay. Generalized estimating equation (GEE) regression was used to model viral load detectability and to assess the determinants of residual viremia (RV; VL detected below 20 copies/ml) despite therapy. A high VL zenith was associated with a higher probability to have a detectable viremia under cART. Conversely, the probability to have a detectable viral load below 20 copies/ml decreased with time under therapy. Of therapy regimens, protease inhibitor (PI)-based cART was associated with a significantly higher probability of detectable RV compared to nonnucleoside transcriptase inhibitor- or integrase inhibitor-based cART. We found that a PI-based treatment regimen is highly associated with an increased frequency of RV, supporting previous evidence suggesting that PI-based cART regimens could favor ongoing viral replication in some individuals.

Factors associated with late presentation for HIV care in a single Belgian reference center: 2006-2017.

Late presentation for HIV care is a major issue and the cause of higher morbidity, mortality and transmission. In this regard, we analyzed the characteristics of patients presenting for care at our center from January 2006 to July 2017 (n = 687). The majority of the studied population was of African origin (54.3%) with heterosexual women representing the main group (n = 292; 42.5%). 44% of the patients were late presenters (LP) (presenting for care with CD4 T cells <350/mm3 or an AIDS defining event) and 24% were late presenters with advanced disease (LP-AD) (presenting for care with CD4 T cells <200/mm3 or an AIDS defining event). A very high risk of being LP and LP-AD was associated with Sub-Saharan origin (OR 3.4 and 2.6 respectively). Other factors independently associated with LP or LP-AD were age (OR 1.3), male gender (OR 2.0 and 1.5 respectively) and heterosexual route of transmission (OR 2.4 and 2.3 respectively). A significant increase in HIV screening without forgetting those groups would contribute to earlier HIV diagnosis, a key element to end the HIV epidemic. To achieve this goal, addressing the specific hurdles to HIV testing in the migrant population is critical.

Campylobacter coli meningitis in a 57-year-old patient.

Campylobacter coli is a major pathogen rarely responsible for extra-intestinal infections. We report a case of Campylobacter coli bacteremia and meningitis in a 57-year-old immunocompetent Belgian man. The strain, isolated from cerebrospinal fluid, belonged to the unusual sequence type 8418 (ST8418). The patient fully recovered after meropenem treatment.

Recurrence of visceral and muco-cutaneous leishmaniasis in a patient under immunosuppressive therapy.

BACKGROUND: Leishmaniasis is a protozoan disease caused by parasites of the genus Leishmania, transmitted to humans by sandflies. The diagnosis of leishmaniasis is often challenging as it mimics many other infectious or malignant diseases. The disease can present in three ways: cutaneous, mucocutaneous, or visceral leishmaniasis, which rarely occur together or consecutively. CASE PRESENTATION: The patient was a 52 years old immunosuppressed Belgian woman with a long history of severe rheumatoid arthritis. She underwent bone marrow biopsy to explore thrombocytopenia. Diagnosis of visceral leishmaniasis was made by identification of Leishman Donovan (LD) bodies in macrophages. Treatment with liposomal amphotericin B was successful. She later developed cutaneous leishmaniasis treated with amphotericin B lipid complex. She next presented with relapsing cutaneous lesions followed by rapidly progressing lymphadenopathies. Biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of leishmaniasis. Treatments by miltefosine, amphotericin B, N-methyl-glucamine antimoniate were subsequently initiated. She later presented a recurrent bone marrow involvement treated with intramuscular paromomycin and miltefosine. She died two years later from leukemia. At the time of death, she presented with a mucosal destruction of the nose. A Leishmania-specific PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) identified L. infantum as etiological agent. CONCLUSIONS: Clinicians should be aware of the potential concomitant or sequential involvement of multiple anatomic localizations of Leishmania in immunosuppressed patients.

Estimating the economic impact of a possible equine and human epidemic of West Nile virus infection in Belgium.

This study aimed at estimating, in a prospective scenario, the potential economic impact of a possible epidemic of WNV infection in Belgium, based on 2012 values for the equine and human health sectors, in order to increase preparedness and help decision-makers. Modelling of risk areas, based on the habitat suitable for Culex pipiens, the main vector of the virus, allowed us to determine equine and human populations at risk. Characteristics of the different clinical forms of the disease based on past epidemics in Europe allowed morbidity among horses and humans to be estimated. The main costs for the equine sector were vaccination and replacement value of dead or euthanised horses. The choice of the vaccination strategy would have important consequences in terms of cost. Vaccination of the country's whole population of horses, based on a worst-case scenario, would cost more than EUR 30 million; for areas at risk, the cost would be around EUR 16-17 million. Regarding the impact on human health, short-term costs and socio-economic losses were estimated for patients who developed the neuroinvasive form of the disease, as no vaccine is available yet for humans. Hospital charges of around EUR 3,600 for a case of West Nile neuroinvasive disease and EUR 4,500 for a case of acute flaccid paralysis would be the major financial consequence of an epidemic of West Nile virus infection in humans in Belgium.

Louse-borne relapsing fever in a refugee from Somalia arriving in Belgium.

We report a case of louse-borne relapsing fever (LBRF) in a refugee from Somalia who had arrived in Belgium a few days earlier. He complained of myalgia and secondarily presented fever. Blood smears revealed spirochetes later identified as Borrelia recurrentis. LBRF should be considered in countries hosting refugees, particularly those who transit through endemic regions.

[Two spondylodiscitis due to a contamination by Brucella melitensis in a mother and daughter back from holidays]. / Deux cas de spondylodiscite a Brucella melitensis chez une mère et sa fille de retour de vacances.

We describe here a case of spondylodiscitis of brucellosis origin in one patient back from Turkey. Some weeks later, her mother, who had accompagnied her in Turkey also developped similar symptoms. A diagnosis of spondylodiscitis due to a contamination by Brucella melitensis was also proposed. Since the control of animal brucellosis in Europe, human cases are rarer. Sporadic cases still observed are mostly travellers back from aerea where animal brucellosis remains endemic. Seroprevalence of a second case of brucellosis among family members of a patient with brucellosis is significantly more elevated than in the general population. This justifies early detection among family members presenting with any medical symptom, in order to avoid chronicity. Early detection among asymptomatic family members is not clearly justified.

One-stage exchange arthroplasty for chronic periprosthetic hip infection: results of a large prospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Exchange arthroplasty of one or two stages is required for the treatment of chronic periprosthetic joint infections. Two-stage exchange is costly and has high morbidity with limited patient mobility between procedures. One-stage exchange has been promoted by several European teams as the preferred alternative. The aim of this study was to prospectively analyze the outcome of patients with a periprosthetic hip infection treated with one-stage exchange arthroplasty. METHODS: We performed a prospective cohort study in a French referral center for osteoarticular infections including all periprosthetic hip infections treated with one-stage exchange arthroplasty from November 2002 to March 2010. Direct exchange was performed in chronic periprosthetic hip infection with no or minor bone loss and preoperative identification of a microorganism from joint fluid aspirate. No antibiotic-loaded bone cement was used. Antibiotic therapy was administered for twelve weeks: intravenously for four to six weeks, followed by an oral regimen for six to eight weeks. Follow-up was a minimum of two years. The following events were noted: relapse, new infection, joint revision for mechanical reasons, and periprosthetic hip infection-related and unrelated deaths. RESULTS: One hundred and fifty-seven patients with periprosthetic hip infections with a median infection duration of 258 days (interquartile range, 120 to 551 days) prior to our index surgical procedure for infection were included. Periprosthetic hip infection occurred in ninety-nine cases of primary hip arthroplasty, twenty-seven cases of revision arthroplasty, and thirty-one cases in which the periprosthetic hip infection had been treated previously. A difficult-to-treat organism was isolated in fifty-nine cases (38%). After a median follow-up of 41.6 months (interquartile range, 28.1 to 66.9 months), two relapses, six new infections, nine revisions for mechanical reasons, two related deaths, and nineteen unrelated deaths occurred. CONCLUSIONS: One-stage exchange arthroplasty is an effective surgical procedure in patients with periprosthetic hip infection who have good bone quality. Precise identification of the microorganism(s) and prolonged administration of appropriate intravenous antibiotic therapy are key factors for successful treatment.

Exuberant inflammatory reaction as a side effect of platelet-rich plasma injection in treating one case of tendinopathy.

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) contains a large number of growth factors, which may enhance tendon healing processes. Local injection of PRP represents a relatively new treatment for tendinopathies. To date, no side effects have been reported after injection of PRP to treat tendinopathy. We report a case of exuberant inflammatory reaction after 1 injection of PRP to treat jumper's knee in a 35-year-old male type 1 diabetic patient. Injections of PRP should be proposed only after careful consideration in cases of patients with morbidity risks linked to insulin-dependent diabetes.

Procalcitonin usefulness for the initiation of antibiotic treatment in intensive care unit patients.

OBJECTIVES: To test the usefulness of procalcitonin serum level for the reduction of antibiotic consumption in intensive care unit patients. DESIGN: Single-center, prospective, randomized controlled study. SETTING: Five intensive care units from a tertiary teaching hospital. PATIENTS: All consecutive adult patients hospitalized for >48 hrs in the intensive care unit during a 9-month period. INTERVENTIONS: Procalcitonin serum level was obtained for all consecutive patients suspected of developing infection either on admission or during intensive care unit stay. The use of antibiotics was more or less strongly discouraged or recommended according to the Muller classification. Patients were randomized into two groups: one using the procalcitonin results (procalcitonin group) and one being blinded to the procalcitonin results (control group). The primary end point was the reduction of antibiotic use expressed as a proportion of treatment days and of daily defined dose per 100 intensive care unit days using a procalcitonin-guided approach. Secondary end points included: a posteriori assessment of the accuracy of the infectious diagnosis when using procalcitonin in the intensive care unit and of the diagnostic concordance between the intensive care unit physician and the infectious-disease specialist. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: There were 258 patients in the procalcitonin group and 251 patients in the control group. A significantly higher amount of withheld treatment was observed in the procalcitonin group of patients classified by the intensive care unit clinicians as having possible infection. This, however, did not result in a reduction of antibiotic consumption. The treatment days represented 62.6±34.4% and 57.7±34.4% of the intensive care unit stays in the procalcitonin and control groups, respectively (p=.11). According to the infectious-disease specialist, 33.8% of the cases in which no infection was confirmed, had a procalcitonin value>1µg/L and 14.9% of the cases with confirmed infection had procalcitonin levels<0.25 µg/L. The ability of procalcitonin to differentiate between certain or probable infection and possible or no infection, upon initiation of antibiotic treatment was low, as confirmed by the receiving operating curve analysis (area under the curve=0.69). Finally, procalcitonin did not help improve concordance between the diagnostic confidence of the infectious-disease specialist and the ICU physician. CONCLUSIONS: Procalcitonin measuring for the initiation of antimicrobials did not appear to be helpful in a strategy aiming at decreasing the antibiotic consumption in intensive care unit patients.