Antifungal Resistance in Dermatophytes: Genetic considerations, Clinical Presentations and Alternative Therapies

Numerous reports describe the emergence of resistance in dermatophytes, especially in T. rubrum and T. mentagrophytes/indotineae strains. We here present a review of the current status of resistance in dermatophytes worldwide. Resistance to terbinafine is mainly discussed, with dif-ferent mutations found in the squalene epoxidase gene also considered. Resistance to azoles is also approached. Clinical presentations caused by resistant dermatophytes are presented, to-gether with alternative therapies that help to better manage these kind of infections

Cryptococcosis in people living with HIV in Kinshasa (DRC): Epidemiological and molecular study

Cryptococcose chez les personnes vivant avec le VIH à Kinshasa : contribution à l'étude épidémiologique et moléculair

National cartography of water points for the presence of Vibrio spp. in Belgium

peer reviewedIntroduction: Most Vibrio spp. are environmental and non-pathogenic, but they can also cause illnesses such as wound infections and gastroenteritis. Invasive clinical cases of vibriosis have also been described in Belgium after water contact (De Keukeleire et al., 2018). These recent years, an universal increase occurred in the number of reports of human infections involving non-O1, non-O139 V. cholerae and other Vibrio spp. Waters for recreational use such as lakes and sea water are not yet monitored for Vibrio spp. That is why the Belgian national reference center conducted a study, by doing a cartography of Belgian water points for the presence of Vibrio spp. to evaluate its possible impact on public health. Methods: Sampling of waters was performed monthly between May and September 2021. These were done in different areas in Wallonia (Butchenbach, Robertville, Warfaaz lakes) and in Flanders (Blaarmeersen, Donk, Donkvijver, Boerenkreek lakes) including samplings in the North Sea (Knokke). The temperature and pH of the water were systematically recorded. The collected water was then filtrated, cultured and the “most probable number” method was used for bacterial quantification. The growing colonies were identified by Maldi-Tof and multiplex PCR. Results: No Vibrio spp. was found in the screened water points in Wallonia. However, several Vibrio spp. (Non -O1, Non-O139 Vibrio cholerae, Vibrio alginolyticus and Vibrio parahaemolyticus) were isolated at notable concentrations from different water points of Flanders (Blaarmeersen, Donkvijverand and Boerencreek) and from the North Sea. The monthly calculated concentration of Vibrio spp. was correlated with an increase of the water temperature as in June (22°C) the Vibrio cholerae concentration was evaluated at 110 CFU/ml while in August (24.2°C), the concentration reached >11000 CFU /ml. No impact of the pH was observed. Conclusion: Our study demonstrate the presence of Vibrio spp. at concentrations able to cause human infections in different water points mostly in the North of Belgium. This study supports the recommendation to include Vibrio spp. in water quality controls in order to define if water recreational activities are harmless for humans in Belgium

Dengue and chikungunya: future threats for Northern Europe?

peer reviewedArthropod-borne viral diseases are likely to be affected by the consequences of climate change with an increase in their distribution and intensity. Among these infectious diseases, chikungunya and dengue viruses are two (re)emergent arboviruses transmitted by Aedes species mosquitoes and which have recently demonstrated their capacity for rapid expansion. They most often cause mild diseases, but they can both be associated with complications and severe forms. In Europe, following the establishment of invasive Aedes spp, the first outbreaks of autochtonous dengue and chikungunya have already occurred. Northern Europe is currently relatively spared, but climatic projections show that the conditions are permissive for the establishment of Aedes albopictus (also known as the tiger mosquito) in the coming decades. It is therefore essential to question and improve the means of surveillance in northern Europe, at the dawn of inevitable future epidemics

Isolated pelvic bone involvement as a presentation of alveolar echinococcosis.

peer reviewe

Evaluation of the knowledge on alveolar echinococcosis among general practitioners in the province of Liege : impact of a formative intervention

editorial reviewedL’échinococcose alvéolaire est une zoonose autochtone provoquée par le développement tissulaire de la larve d’un petit ténia, Echinoccocus multilocularis. Mal- gré 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 réa- lisée a permis d’augmenter leur niveau de connaissances à propos de cette maladie.Alveolar echinococcosis is an indigenouszoo- nosis caused by the growth of the larval stage of a small tapeworm, Echinococcus multilocularis. Despite a low inci- dence in Belgium, with about 10 cases on average recorded per year, this parasitosis poses a real public health pro- blem because it often remains difficult to diagnose and is potentially fatal in the absence of treatment. General prac- titioners 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 echino- coccosis 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

Prospective survey of digestive tract colonization with enterobacteriaceae that produce ESBLs in intensive care units

peer reviewe

Occurrence of Vibrio spp. in Selected Recreational Water Bodies in Belgium during 2021 Bathing Season.

peer reviewedIn recent years, a global increase in the number of reports of human vibriosis involving V. cholerae non-O1/O139 (NOVC) and other Vibrio spp. has been observed. In this context, the Belgian National Reference Center for Vibrio conducted an assessment of the presence of Vibrio spp. in recreational waters. Water sampling was performed monthly in different lakes in Wallonia and Flanders, including the North Sea. The collected water was then filtrated and cultured, and Vibrio spp. was quantified according to the Most Probable Number (MPN). Presumptive colonies were confirmed via MALDI-TOF, and PCR for virulence genes was applied if justified. No Vibrio spp. was found in the analyzed water bodies in Wallonia. However, NOVC was isolated from three different lakes in Flanders and from coastal water. In addition, V. alginolyticus and V. parahaemolyticus were also detected in coastal water. No clear impact of the pH and temperature was observed on Vibrio spp. occurrence. Our study demonstrates the presence of Vibrio spp. in different bathing water bodies, mostly in the north of Belgium, and supports the recommendation to include Vibrio spp. as a water quality indicator for bathing water quality assessment to ensure the safety of water recreational users in Belgium