Relevance of cycle threshold values in mass screening by reverse-transcription-PCR during COVID-19 pandemic in Belgium: a decision-making support?

peer reviewedAim: The Belgium’s strategy against COVID-19 was partly based on mass screening. Here, we reported the results observed in a Belgian mass screening center. Materials & methods: Between October 2020 and February 2021, 32,089 samples were collected analyzed with reverse-transcription PCR (Thermo Fisher Scientific kits and apparatus). Patients were categorized according to their contagiousness (extrapolated from the cycle threshold [Ct] values and the recommendation of Sciensano). Results: We observed association between Ct values and age, with higher Ct observed in extreme age groups (75 years). Conclusion: The analysis of the evolution of the contagiousness of these patients tested twice within a 7-day period showed the relevancy of the recommendation edited by Sciensano

Nouvelles utilisations des biomarqueurs pour le dépistage et le diagnostic de la pré-éclampsie

La pré-éclampsie qui affecte approximativement 2 % des grossesses est une cause majeure de morbidité et de mortalité maternelles et périnatales. La pathogenèse de la pré-éclampsie est de mieux en mieux comprise et de nombreux biomarqueurs ont ainsi pu être identifiés. L’utilisation de ces biomarqueurs en routine à des fins de diagnostic et de stratification du risque de pré-éclampsie chez les patientes suivies en consultations d’obstétrique, est un sujet d’actualité et de plus en plus rapporté dans la littérature. L’utilisation combinée des biomarqueurs, des données de l’anamnèse et de l’échographie obstétricale permet d’établir une estimation du risque au premier trimestre ainsi que plus tardivement. Une meilleure appréhension de ce risque permettrait un meilleur suivi obstétrical des patientes et la réduction de l’apparition de complications délétères pour celles-ci et pour le bien-être foetal.[Pre-eclampsia: overview on the role of biomarkers in 2016.] Preeclampsia which affects approximatively 2% of pregnancies is a major cause of maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. Pathogenesis of pre-eclampsia is nowadays increasingly understood. It implies multiple actors and biomarkers appear to be playing a major role. New uses of those biomarkers for risk stratification and diagnosis of predisposed preeclamptic patients followed by obstetricians is an hot topic. The combined approach of biomarkers, medical history and obstetrical ultrasounds enables risk estimation in the first quarter and later on. A better understanding of this risk would enable better monitoring of obstetrical patients and reduce the occurrence of adverse complications for them and for the fetal well-being

Restaurer un buste vandalisé, pour quoi faire? L'objet du mois du Réseau des Musées de l'ULB

info:eu-repo/semantics/nonPublishe

Evaluation of ROCHE Anti-SARS-CoV-2 ECLIA and comparison with 4 other assays. Poster at RBSLM annual meeting

editorial reviewe

Can the 72-hour rule based on "Blast/Abn Lymph" flag on Sysmex XN-10 optimize the workflow in hematology laboratory?

Despite the continuing improvement of automated blood cell counters, confirmation by blood smear examination remains the gold standard in case of anomalies. With a constant goal of standardisation, different experts committees (e.g. the French-speaking cellular hematology group (Groupe francophone d'hématologie cellulaire, GFHC and the ISLH International society for laboratory hematology) recently published criteria for microscopic analysis of blood smears. Cornet et al. evaluated the application of those criteria and propose to suppress any review for 72 hours when a "Blast/Abn lymph" flag is triggered for a sample with no abnormal cell on the microscopic review. The aims of our study were to retrospectively evaluate whether this 72-hour rule adequately operates and whether it is possible to extend the arbitrary 72-hour timeframe to 96h and 144h. To achieve this goal, 40,688 blood samples were collected from three French-speaking hospitals. 1,548 samples presented an isolated "Blast/Abn lymph" flag. Only 221 samples presented the application of the 72-hour rule at least once for our study period. We were able to extend this rule to 144 hours for 10 samples of them. All blood smears for which the rule was applied were verified and there was no abnormal cell on smears at 72 and 144 hours. In conclusion, the 72-hour rule derived from the GFHC's criteria is secure and reduces the slide review rate and thus the production costs and the turnaround time of hemogram results. Further investigations could confirm that its extension to 144 hours is also adequate

Geoarcheological non-invasive techniques (pMS, pXRF, Schmidt Hammer) to study quarrying activity of the Corsican granites and the related monuments during the Roman period

info:eu-repo/semantics/nonPublishe

VACUOLES, E1 ENZYME, X-LINKED, AUTOINFLAMMATORY, SOMATIC SYNDROME (VEXAS SYNDROME) WITH MULTIPLE THROMBOEMBOLISM EVENTS: A BELGIAN CASE REPORT

peer reviewedVEXAS syndrome, an acquired autoinflammatory syndrome, is classified within the complex of autoinflammatory diseases (AID), arising from aberrant changes in the innate immune system due to acquisition of somatic mutation of the UBA1 gene in bone marrow cells. This recently identified syndrome is characterised by systemic inflammation, chondritis, neutrophilic dermatosis, pulmonary involvement, thrombosis, macrocytosis and cytopenia in mature men. We present a case study of a 67-years-old man exhibiting multiple thrombotic manifestations without any known underlying aetiology or haemopathy. This report emphasises the crucial collaboration between clinicians, cytologists and geneticists highlighting the pivotal role of UBA1 mutation screening in the diagnostic process to confirm the final diagnosis

Clinical case of cfr-positive MRSA CC398 in Belgium

SCOPUS: le.jinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishe

The roman granite quarries of the Lavezzi Archipelago (Southern Corsica, France)

info:eu-repo/semantics/publishe