Booklet Symposium covid 19

LHUB-ULB ANNUAL SYMPOSIUM
COVID-19
Clinical and Laboratory Medecine United Against the Pandemic
Program & Abstract Book
17-10-2020
Dear participants,
On behalf of the Scientific Committee, I wish you a warm welcome to this third edition of
LHUB-ULB symposium meeting.
The program of this year is entirely focused on COVID 19. As you all know, the number of
patients has kept on increasing dramatically and the disease not yet released all its secrets
despite advances in the comprehension of its physiopathology and some progress made in
terms of treatment.
The program is really exciting but quite busy. It is divided in 4 Sessions of approximately 90
min, each of them starting with a main topic presented by renowned experts in the field.
Those mains topics will cover several aspects of the disease, starting with still unresolved
mysteries of the disease (Leïla Belkhir), KCE trials program and challenges (Frank Hulstaert),
real-time epidemiology (Marius Gilbert) and lockdown exit strategy (Erika Vlieghe).
The symposium will also highlight the contribution of specialists (or candidates specialists) in
laboratory medicine to the field. They will share with you the experience they acquired during
these last months of the pandemia, each in their own discipline, whether it be microbiology,
clinical chemistry, hematology, immunology, microbiology or molecular diagnostics.
Due to sanitary conditions, this symposium will only be presented online, which unfortunately
limits the possibilities of exchange between participants, but our moderators will concentrate all
their efforts to simplify interactions between participants.
I hope you will have a very pleasant and instructive day.
Finally, I would like to thank all the sponsors for their generous contribution and of course all
the speakers and participants.
A. Demulder
President of the Scientific Committee
Prologue
08:30 · Welcome
08:55 · Introduction | Anne Demulder (LHUB-ULB, academic unit)
Session 1 - Chairman: Frédéric Cotton (LHUB-ULB)
09:00 · The COVID-19 puzzles and mysteries | Leïla Belkhir (UCL St-Luc, infectious diseases)
09:45 · Contribution of rapid tests as frontline diagnostic tool in a pandemic context | Marie Hallin &
Nicolas Yin (LHUB-ULB, microbiology)
10:05 · The diagnostic trap of haematological abnormalities | Anne Demulder & Omar Kamel (LHUB-ULB, haematology)
10:25 · Pro-calcitonin, contra-SARS-CoV-2 | Frédéric Cotton (LHUB-ULB, clinical chemistry)
Break (10:45-11:15)
Session 2 - Chairwoman: Marie Hallin (LHUB-ULB)
11:15 · The KCE Trials program and challenges associated with COVID-19 | Frank Hulstaert (KCE)
12:00 · Cytokine response over the course of the disease | Carole Nagant (LHUB-ULB, immunology)
12:20 · COVID-19-associated coagulopathy from the lab side | Laurence Rozen & Isabelle Ruth (LHUB-ULB, haematology)
12:40 · Hydroxychloroquine from the lab point of view | Anne-Sophie Adam & David Fage (LHUB-ULB, clinical chemistry)
Break (13:00-14:00)
Session 3 - Chairwoman: Béatrice Gulbis (LHUB-ULB)
14:00 · Real-time epidemiology: from data-analysis to communication and decision-making | Marius Gilbert
(ULB, spatial epidemiology lab)
14:45 · Impact of anti-A and anti-B natural antibodies on the disease transmission | Marie Deleers &
Valéry Daubie (LHUB-ULB, immunology)
15:05 · Assessment of SARS-CoV-2 infections among healthcare workers | Carlota Montesinos &
Olivier Vandenberg (LHUB-ULB, microbiology)
Break (15:25-15:45)
Session 4 - Chairman: Olivier Vandenberg (LHUB-ULB)
15:45 · Lockdown exit strategy: from the concept to the reality | Erika Vlieghe (UZA, internal medicine)
16:30 · Lessons from the pandemic experience for the implementation of the IVDR | Nathalie De Vos (RBSLM/LHUB-ULB) &
Pieter Vermeersch (RBSLM/UZ Leuven)
16:50 · Adapting the lab to a pandemic : the LHUB-ULB experience | Béatrice Gulbis &
Delphine Martiny (LHUB-ULB, microbiology)
17:10 · Highlights of the day and conclusion | Nathan Clumeck (CHU Saint-Pierre)
University Laboratory of Brussels (LHUB-ULB)
The Laboratoire Hospitalier Universitaire de Bruxelles / University Laboratory of Brussels
(LHUB-ULB) is the result of a partnership between 5 University Hospitals located in the
Brussels-Capital Region (Academic Erasme Hospital, Jules Bordet Institute, Queen Fabiola
Children's University Hospital, CHU St Pierre and CHU Brugmann), which decided in 2015
to consolidate their clinical lab activities.
The LHUB-ULB’s mission is to offer high quality laboratory medicine services to its hospital
partners, located in 3 geographical poles, i.e. Center, North and West of Brussels and
representing 3,000 beds. Their hinterland covers a population of 700,000 inhabitants.
Beyond routine activities (which includes expert advice from 50 clinical biologists to
clinicians) in clinical chemistry, hematology, microbiology, immunology and molecular
diagnostics, the LHUB-ULB aims at becoming a reference in 3 areas: post graduate
teaching, groundbreaking research and technology development. The LHUB-ULB employs
500 highly qualified professionals, representing 400 FTE’s, and performs 18 million
tests/year.
THE COVID-19 PUZZLES & MYSTERIES
In December 2019, an outbreak of mysterious pneumonia
emerged in the city of Wuhan, in China. The etiology was
first unknown but a novel coronavirus later named SARSCoV-2 was quickly identified as the pathogen responsible.
Ten months later, this COVID-19 (for CoronaVIrus Disease)
pandemic has become the worst public-health crisis in a
century.
What do we know about the virus and its disease? From
LEÏLA BELKHIR
pangolins to humans, from pneumonia to dramatic and
multiple
organ
damages,
from
infectious
disease
to
inflammatory disease, from immunity to the role of genetics,
Leïla Belkhir is an internal medicine and infectious
we
diseases (ID) specialist as well as an HIV attending
are
still
pathogenicity.
learning
about
SARS-CoV-2
and
its
The clinical picture varies considerably and
physician
in
the
division
of
ID
at
the
Cliniques
we don’t know exactly what determines different patient
Universitaires St Luc (CUSL) in Brussels, Belgium. She
profiles.
is currently an associate head of clinic in the internal
Scientists and physicians world-over are still racing to solve
medicine
some mysteries about this virus. We will try to provide some
medicine at Université Catholique de Louvain UCLouvain
answers to the many questions that still surround the Covid-
(UCLouvain).
19.
department
and
associate
professor
of
Dr L. Belkhir graduated in 2003 as a
medical doctor at the UCLouvain.
From 2003 to 2009,
she completed her training in internal medicine and
i n f e c t i o u s d i s e a s e s . T h e f o l l o w i n g y e a r, s h e j o i n e d t h e
AIDS
reference
physician.
center
of
the
CUSL
as
attending
I n 2 0 1 2 , i n a d d i t i o n t o h e r c l i n i c a l a c t i v i t y,
she began her thesis to explore the clinical impact of
host
genetic
pharmacology
(UCLouvain).
polymorphisms
and
completed
interfering
her
PhD
with
A RV
in
2017
She was further nominated as Associate
Professor at the UCLouvain.
D r B e l k h i r ’s c u r r e n t r e s e a r c h a c t i v i t i e s r e m a i n f o c u s e d
on
the
study
of
factors
explaining
the
diversity
of
p h a r m a c o l o g i c a l r e s p o n s e s t o A RV d r u g s . C o n c u r r e n t l y,
she continues to ensure the follow up of HIV infected
patients and is committed to her various clinical duties.
CONTRIBUTION OF RAPID TESTS AS FRONTLINE DIAGNOSTIC TOOL
IN A PANDEMIC CONTEXT
The COVID-19 crisis underlined the need for fast and
sensitive solutions in the management of infected patients.
As inpatients should be isolated to prevent any nosocomial
spread of the disease, specific COVID-19 units were created
in most hospitals. Furthermore, specific treatments such as
remdesivir were only available in limited quantity, increasing
the need for a reliable diagnostic. Nevertheless, before the
result
of
the
hospitalized
in
test,
COVID-19-negative
COVID-19
units
based
patients
on
their
may
be
MARIE HALLIN
clinical
presentation, increasing their risk of exposure and delay
their diagnostic and treatment. Overall, the routine molecular
Prof. Marie Hallin, currently head of the Microbiology
methods allow laboratory to fill the need for mass testing
Department of the LHUB-ULB, is medical microbiologist
with the best analytical performance. However the results
are usually not available before 24 hours. Point-of-Care
solutions are now proposed based on antigenic, serologic or
molecular detection with a result available in less than 1
hour. We will present a review of the different method
currently
available
and
inpatients management.
their
potential
impact
on
the
since 2006. She has developed an extensive expertise in
molecular
m i c r o b i o l o g y.
Her
main
research
interests
f o c u s o n e p i d e m i o l o g y, m o l e c u l a r c h a r a c t e r i z a t i o n a n d
genetic
bacterial
population
pathogens,
structure
quality
of
hospital-acquired
assessment
of
in-vitro
diagnostic tools and evaluation of the clinical impact of
r a p i d d i a g n o s i s m e t h o d s i n m i c r o b i o l o g y.
NICOLAS YIN
D r. N i c o l a s Yi n i s a m e d i c a l m i c r o b i o l o g i s t s i n c e 2 0 1 5 .
His main areas of competence are clinical bacteriology
a n d r a p i d d i a g n o s i s m e t h o d s i n m i c r o b i o l o g y. Wo r k i n g a t
the LHUB-ULB since 2019, he is in charge of the “24/7
urgent”
sector
of
the
Microbiology
Department,
and
develops and organizes the implementation of on-site
and point-of-care rapid microbiologic diagnosis methods.
HEMATOLOGICAL
TRAP?
ABNORMALITIES
IN
COVID-19:
A
DIAGNOSTIC
Symptoms of presentation of hemato-oncological diseases
may
be
similar
to
those
of
COVID-19,
this
diagnosis
differential must be kept in mind. Our present communication
will focus on the current state of biomarker analysis in
COVID-19 infection, with an emphasis on markers derived
from the hematology laboratory and possible differential
diagnosis. Apart from RT-PCR testing for the organism,
laboratory tests have not been assessed with regard to their
sensitivity or specificity for the diagnosis of COVID-19,
ANNE DEMULDER
although their value as prognostic indicators has been
established. During the incubation period and during the
early phase of the disease, when non-specific symptoms are
Anne DEMULDER is responsible for Education and R &
present, peripheral blood leukocyte and lymphocyte counts
D at LHUB ULB and Chair of the scientific committee of
are normal or slightly reduced. As the disease progresses,
this institution. She is head of clinic at the hematology
massive inflammatory mediators and cytokines are released
l a b o r a t o r y. H e r m a i n i n t e r e s t a n d a r e a s o f r e s e a r c h
(so called cytokine storm) and at this point, lymphopenia
focus on the physiology and disorders of hemostasis.
appears.
She graduated in Laboratory Medicine in 1987 and
The
multifactorial:
apoptosis
etiology
direct
induced
of
lymphopenia
infection
by
the
of
the
cytokine
cell
is
probably
by
storm,
the
virus,
atrophy
of
lymphoid organs by inflammatory mediators. Interestingly,
patients with a low lymphocyte count showed a reactive
lymphocyte
population
including
a
lymphoplasmacytoid
subset. Concerning neutrophilia, the available data suggest
presented her PHD Thesis in Biomedical Sciences in
1996. Since 2014, she is Master of conferences at the
Faculty of Medicine of the ULB (Physiopathology of
hemostasis course) and responsible since 2015 of a
teaching unit entitled Physiopathology
of Hematology
and Hemostasis for Biomedical students.
that it could be an expression of the cytokine storm and
hyperinflammatory
state.
Cytoplasmic
and
nuclear
morphological anomalies, from hyposegmented nuclei to
apoptosis have been described in circulating granulocytes at
the
time
of
hospital
admission.
Very
first
Chinese
publications report that the risk of ARDS during the disease
course
was
significantly
associated
with
increased
neutrophils, decreased lymphocytes. Later, scoring systems
like Paris score for diagnosis and NLR (lymphocyte-to-
OMAR KAMEL
neutrophils ratio) to predict severity were proposed. These
scores use basic blood count and help clinicians to avoid
diagnostic tests in patients with a low-probability score and
Omar Kamel graduated from the ULB Medical School in
conversely keep on testing individuals with high-probability
2016. He is currently training in the master's degree of
score but negative RT-PCR or CT. It could also be helpful in
Laboratory Medicine and is entering his 4th year of
countries with a low availability of PCR and/or CT during the
training. The fields he mainly explored in his last years
current period of pandemic.
are
red
blood
cell
pathologies in general.
biochemistry
and
hematological
PRO-CALCITONIN, CONTRA-SARS-COV-2
Procalcitonin (PCT) is the 116-amino acid precursor of the
hormone calcitonin. While its serum levels are low in viral
infections, localized bacterial infections and inflammation of
non-infectious origin, severe generalized bacterial infections
are
associated
with
high
serum
PCT.
This
increase
is
frequently reflecting the severity of the disease. However,
PCT has not been shown helpful in detecting bacterial
infection in intensive care unit (ICU) patients because of
FRÉDÉRIC COTTON
high baseline levels.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, PCT has become more
popular. Initially, high serum levels were considered as
indicating a low probability of infection by SARS-CoV-2.
Frédéric
Later, they were shown to be associated with severe forms
Université
of the disease, raising the question of possible secondary
bacterial infections. This hypothesis remains controversial.
Cotton
libre
graduated
de
as
a
Bruxelles
pharmacist
(ULB)
in
at
1992
the
and
specialized in laboratory medicine in 1997. He then
entered the clinical chemistry department of the Erasme
Hospital - ULB, where he developed an interest for the
therapeutic drug monitoring of anti-infective agents. He
obtained
sciences
a
in
biochemistry
PhD
in
2003.
and
biomedical
He
is
coordinator
and
pharmaceutical
professor
of
of
medical
laboratory
medicine
studies at the Faculty of Pharmacy – ULB and the head
of the clinical chemistry department of the LHUB-ULB.
THE KCE TRIALS PROGRAM AND CHALLENGES ASSOCIATED WITH
COVID-19
In response to the pandemic an initiative was taken March
16, 2020 to bring together Sciensano, RIZIV-INAMI, FAGGAFPMS,
the
cabinet,
interested
investigators
and
volunteering trial specialists/reviewers to discuss and plan
(non-commercial) clinical trials on therapeutic interventions
for COVID-19. A first video call took place March 19,
followed by weekly calls.
Not surprisingly, the first trials focussed on repurposing of
existing drugs. Clinical development requires speed, quality
and
budget,
be
it
a
non-commercial
or
FRANK HULSTAERT
commercial
development. Sound preclinical work remains essential. In
contrast to international clinical development headed by a
pharmaceutical company, academic initiatives typically lack
leadership
and
coordination
within
a
country
and
internationally. Interventions by politicians having their own
agenda and governments blocking borders for export hamper
scientific progress. For example, it was nearly impossible to
access
to
generic
TMPRSS2
inhibitors
camostat
and
Frank Hulstaert studied medicine in Ghent (MD, 1985),
informatics in Brussels (MSc) and biostatistics at Hasselt
U n i v e r s i t y, B e l g i u m . H e s t a r t e d a r e s i d e n c y i n i n t e r n a l
m e d i c i n e b u t s o o n t u r n e d t o i n d u s t r y, w h e r e h e w o r k e d
at
Applied
Artificial
Intelligence,
IBM,
Becton
and
Dickinson, Sandoz/Novartis and Innogenetics. He was
mainly
involved
in
the
development
of
in
vitro
nafamostat for clinical trials outside Japan and South Korea.
diagnostics, pharmaceuticals and biopharmaceuticals, as
Hospitals were surprisingly well prepared to start clinical
m e d i c a l e x p e r t a n d l a t e r a s m e d i c a l d i r e c t o r. H e j o i n e d
trials in very difficult times. In addition to the multiple arm
the Belgian Health Care Knowledge Centre (KCE) in
Discovery trial for which UZA was initially taking the lead, a
2 0 0 4 a s a s e n i o r r e s e a r c h e r. H e w a s m a i n l y i n v o l v e d i n
first multicentre trial suggestion concerned the blocking of
health technology assessments and since 2016 also in
IL6. This idea was picked up by UZGent and a factorial
KCE
design resulted studying the effect of blocking IL6 and/or IL1
oriented trials.
in cytokine storm patients. Access to the marketed drugs
proved to be a challenge as some hospitals in Belgium and
abroad were stockpiling these drugs for compassionate use
rather
than
use
pharmaceutical
in
a
trial.
companies
After
the
discussions
study
with
medication
the
was
purchased by UZGent on Sunday March 29 as the
shortage on the market was increasing. No COVID-19 trial
funding programme was available in Belgium at that time.
The study protocol was finalized March 30, submitted and
approved in a few days using a fast track review procedure.
This way patients in the first wave of the pandemic could
still be recruited. Federal funding through KCE and a KCE
Trials call to cover COVID-19 multicentre trials followed.
Tr i a l s ,
a
program
of
publicly
funded
practice-
CYTOKINE RESPONSE OVER THE COURSE OF THE DISEASE
A
score
combining
early
detection
of
cytokines
accurately predicts COVID-19 severity and intensive care
unit transfer
Background: The pandemic situation due to SARS-CoV-2
involves rapid change in hospital workflow and mobilization
of medical resource for adequate patient’s treatment and
care. Early identification of reliable markers to assess
disease progression and need for intensive care is crucial.
Objective; We aimed to explore cytokine profile in patients
CAROLE NAGANT
related to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) severity
and to establish a predictive cytokine score to discriminate
severe from non-severe cases and provide a prognosis
Professional experience
parameter for patients that will require intensive care unit
Clinical Biologist, Immunology Department, LHUB-ULB,
(ICU) transfer.
Brussels
Methods; Serum samples of 63 patients diagnosed with
SARS-CoV-2 infection were collected early after hospital
Academic training
admission (median day 1.7). Patients were categorized in
2019
five
ULB
groups
PaO2/FiO2
based
ratio
on
and
the
the
clinical
presentation,
requirement
of
the
mechanical
ventilation.
Results:
Three
cytokines,
IL-6,
IL-8
and
IL-10
were
markedly higher in severe forms (n=44) than in non-severe
forms (n=19) (p<0.005). A score combining levels of these
three
cytokines
(IL-6*IL-8*IL-10)
had
the
highest
performance to predict severity: sensitivity of 86.4% (95%
CI, 72.4-94.8) and specificity of 94.7% (95% CI, 74.0-99.9)
for a cutoff value of 2068 pg/mL.
Elevated levels of IL-6, IL-8 and IL-10 were also found in
critically ill patients. The combination of IL-6*IL-10 serum
levels allowed the highest predictability for ICU transfer:
AUC of 0.898 (p<0.0001).
Conclusion:
The
combinatorial
IL-6*IL-8*IL-10
score
at
presentation was highly predictive of the progression to a
severe form of the disease and could contribute to improve
patients triage and to adapt therapeutic strategy within
clinical trials more accurately and efficiently.
Immunology-Allergology University Certificate,
2017
M a s t e r i n C l i n i c a l B i o l o g y, U L B
2013
Ph.D.
in
Biomedical
and
Pharmaceutical
Sciences, ULB
2009
Master in Pharmaceutical Sciences, ULB
COVID-19 ASSOCIATED COAGULOPATHY FROM THE LAB SIDE
Covid-19
coagulopathy
is
a
multifactorial
and
highly
complex process as stated by most recent publications and
as the understanding of the disease progresses. Numerous
LAURENCE ROZEN
reports conducted early at the start of the epidemic have
been challenged. The very first Chinese reports stated that
the procoagulant state observed in COVID-19 patients was
associated
with
the
development
of
disseminated
intravascular coagulation (DIC) as defined by the validated
International
Society
on
Thrombosis
and
Haemostasis
(ISTH) by the DIC score. This is now challenged.
Indeed, DIC could appear
Pharmacist,
laboratory
Medecine-
subdivision
H e m a t o l o g y ( L H U B - U L B ) . Va l i d a t i o n a n d s u p e r v i s i o n o f
c y t o l o g y,
h e m a t o l o g y,
Tr o p i s m
in
hemostasis,
hemostasis,
pharmaceutical
“Contribution
flow
pursuing
of
a
global
c y t o m e t r y.
PhD
in
coagulation
in severe ill patients but seems
techniques to the understanding of the pathology of
to be more associated with a secondary bacterial infection.
hemostasis: clinical applications” under the supervision
The
o f P r o f e s s o r A . D e m u l d e r. A u t h o r o f
coagulopathy
observed in patients hospitalized with
peer reviewed
COVID-19 is characterized by elevations in fibrinogen and
articles including 5 as first author in the field of both
D-Dimers
hematology and coagulation.
(DD)
levels
and
should
rather
not
be
misinterpreted as DIC. Unlike the pattern seen in classic
DIC
triggered by other sepsis or trauma, prolongation of
the aPTT and/or PT is minimal, and thrombocytopenia is
mild.
The
same
specific
procoagulant
profile
with
a
major
increase in DD and fibrinogen has been confirmed in recent
publications.
correlation
Moreover,
between
the
that
authors
demonstrated
procoagulant
profile
and
a
an
increase of IL-6. As the disease progresses, the explosive
and uncontrolled release of
ISABELLE RUTH
pro-inflammatory cytokines
(cytokine storm) results in a significant increase in the
biological parameters of inflammation (CRP, fibrinogen,
Pharmacist, trainee in Laboratory Medicine (4th year
ferritinemia, LDH), and
Master
affects coagulation and fibrinolysis
in several ways and amplifies hypercoagulability.
Pathophysiology
challenged
hypotheses
by
of
new
discuss
the
coagulopathy
relevant
the
insights
possible
and
is
constantly
most
involvement
recent
of
the
relevance as currently available anti-complement therapies
could be potentially efficacious in COVID-19, especially
since no antiviral treatment is currently available.
This presentation is an attempt at a critical approach of
publications
coagulopathy.
focusing
on
COVID-19
Laboratory
Medicine-ULB).
Currently
in
U L B ) . Tr o p i s m i n s e v e r a l f i e l d s o f h e m a t o l o g y i n c l u d i n g
complement system. This could be of major potential clinical
relevant
in
internship in the immunohematology laboratory (LHUB-
associated
cytology and hemostasis.
HYDROXYCHLOROQUINE FROM THE LAB POINT OF VIEW
During the “first wave” of the COVID-19 pandemic, the
absence of robust treatments against SARSCoV-2 has urged
the World Health Organization (WHO) to search potential
drug candidates.
Chloroquine (CQ), an anti-malarial with immunomodulatory
effects, shows antiviral properties against both SARS-CoV
and
SARS-CoV-2
in
vitro.
Hydroxychloroquine
(HCQ)
displays a similar antiviral activity but has a more favourable
safety
profile
and
fewer
concerns
about
ANNE-SOPHIE ADAM
drug-drug
interactions. However, retinal and cardiac adverse effects
have been described to be associated with high plasma
levels.
Moreover, while HCQ has been suspected to give haemolytic
Anne-Sophie Adam studied pharmacy at the Université
Libre de Bruxelles (ULB). After her graduation in 2014,
she
followed
a
specialization
in
Clinical
Laboratory
Medicine. In 2019, she joined the clinical chemistry
crises in G6PD deficient patients, systematic screening
department of the LHUB-ULB where her main clinical
before administration of HCQ was not recommended in the
activities
Belgian guidelines.
including the newborn screening of sickle cell disease
A few months later, multicentre trials and meta-analysis
and
studies about HCQ against COVID-19 were published with
LHUB-ULB became the National Reference Laboratory in
highly controversial conclusions about its efficacy. However,
2019. She is also a member of the Red Blood Cell
there is a lack of data in the literature describing blood
Disorder Committee of the Belgian Hematology Society
concentrations and the attainment of therapeutic targets in
(BHS).
the
are
hereditary
erythrocyte
red
blood
cell
membranopathies
for
disorders,
which
the
patients treated with the recommended posology (400 mg bid
the first day, then 200 mg bid).
We present the therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) results of
patients hospitalized in Brugmann and Erasme hospitals.
The quantification of HCQ in whole blood was performed by
LC-MS/MS. Among 66 patients, 35 (53%) showed infratherapeutic levels (<700 mg/L) and 6 patients (9%) had
DAVID FAGE
toxic levels.
We also observed a few cases of haemolysis.
Our data confirm the inter-individual variability of HCQ blood
concentrations in COVID-19 patients as seen in patients
treated for autoimmune disorders. More studies are needed
to correlate these results with the adverse effects observed.
David Fage graduated as pharmacist at Université Libre
de
Bruxelles
(ULB)
in
2 0 11
and
obtained
the
c o m p l e m e n t a r y m a s t e r ’s d e g r e e i n c l i n i c a l b i o l o g y i n
2017. Then he joined the clinical chemistry department
of the LHUB-ULB. He is one of the medical managers of
the
special
activities
biochemistry
are
the
lab
therapeutic
and
his
drug
main
clinical
monitoring,
the
biochemical diagnosis of porphyrias and the method
d e v e l o p m e n t u s i n g m a s s s p e c t r o m e t r y. H i s r e s e a r c h i s
focused
on
the
pharmacokinetics
and
TDM
of
anti-
infective agents as colistin and anti-tuberculosis drugs.
H e i s a l s o i n v o l v e d i n t h e c l i n i c s o f e n d o c r i n o l o g y.
REAL-TIME
EPIDEMIOLOGY:
FROM
COMMUNICATION AND DECISION-MAKING
DATA-ANALYSIS
TO
Conventional epidemiology deals with the integration and
analysis of health data to contribute the scientific knowledge
about the factors influencing health outcomes. However, in
the context of the fast evolving COVID-19 pandemic, this
conventional practice has been challenged by the need for
near real-time analysis of data to inform decision making at
the highest governmental level. In parallel, the general
public
has
been
showing
a
strong
interest
for
MARIUS GILBERT
epidemiological data and analysis. This has had several
major consequences. First, the time usually used to carefully
implement
analyses,
go
through
several
checks,
peer-
reviewing and exchanges with colleagues to consolidate
results
has
been
considerable
shortened,
generating
a
Marius
Gilbert
Université
Agricultural
is
Libre
and
FNRS
de
Research
Bruxelles.
Applied
Director
He
Biological
at
graduated
Sciences
at
the
in
the
significant risk of errors and misinterpretations of results.
Université Libre de Bruxelles in 1995. He was then a
Second, results that are generally discussed within scientific
visiting researcher for two years at the department of
circles have become exposed to the public and challenged
Z o o l o g y, U n i v e r s i t y o f O x f o r d a n d d i d a P h D o n i n i n s e c t
by a number of stakeholders lacking basic experience with
pest ecology at the ULB in 2001. He then worked on the
epidemiological data analysis. Third, communication with
invasion ecology of several insect pests before moving
policy-makers has become critically important, with strong
the
implications on the complexity and extent of the proposed
epidemiology of animal and human diseases. In 2006, he
analyses.
was awarded a permanent academic position with the
focus
Belgian
of
FNRS.
his
research
Since
2015,
toward
he
to
leads
the
the
spatial
Spatial
e p i d e m i o l o g y L a b . ( S p E L L ) w h i c h s t u d i e s t h e e ff e c t o f
spatial factors on the emergence, spread, persistence
and evolution of diseases and invasive species .
IMPACT OF ABO BLOOD GROUP ANTIBODIES ON COVID-19
Background
ABO
blood
disease
group-related
2019
(Covid-19)
susceptibility
has
been
to
coronavirus
reported
in
several
studies, and most showed lower infection rates in patients
with the O blood type. However, the mechanism underlying
this association has not been elucidated. It has also been
shown in vitro that natural anti-A, and by extension, anti-B
blood group antibodies could block the interaction between
MARIE DELEERS
the virus and its receptor. Therefore, in this prospective
observational study, we aimed to test the hypothesis that
patients with symptomatic Covid-19 might have lower levels
Marie Deleers has been working as a clinical biologist in
of ABO antibodies than asymptomatic individuals.
the laboratory of immunology (and more precisely in the
Methods
immuno-hematology laboratory) of the LHUB-ULB and in
We
enrolled
290
patients
with
Covid-19
and
276
asymptomatic controls. The primary outcome was the level
the department of transfusion of the CHU Brugmann
since 2017.
of IgM anti-A + anti-B, IgM anti-B, or IgM anti-A antibodies
(expressed in agglutination scores) for individuals with blood
type O, A, or B, respectively.
Results
For blood group O, we found a significantly lower IgM anti-A
+
anti-B
agglutination
score
in
patients
with
Covid-19
compared to controls (76.93 vs. 88.29, P-value=0.034).
Moreover, for blood groups A and B, we found lower levels
of anti-B (24.93 vs. 30.40, P-value=0.028) and anti-A (28.56
vs.
36.50,
P-value=
0.048)
antibodies,
respectively,
patients with Covid-19 compared to controls.
Conclusion
In this study, we showed that ABO antibody levels were
significantly lower in patients with Covid-19 compared to
controls. These findings suggested that patients with low
levels of ABO antibodies are at high risk of infection.
VALÉRY DAUBIE
in
Va l e r y
b i o l o g y.
Daubie
is
Before
a
physician
Medicine,
in
he
training
graduated
in
clinical
Master
in
Sciences of Engineer (Faculté Polytechnique de Mons).
After few years in the automotive and aeronautics area,
he reoriented his career and defended a PhD dissertation
(Université
Libre
Pharmaceutical
de
Bruxelles)
Sciences
on
the
in
role
Biomedical
of
and
intracellular
calcium in bone cells stimulated with serine proteases of
t h e c o a g u l a t i o n . I n 2 0 11 , h e s t a r t e d a t h i r d d e g r e e i n
medicine (Université Libre de Bruxelles).
ASSESSMENT OF SARS-COV-2
WORKERS
INFECTIONS AMONG HEALTHCARE
This year 2020 started with the emergence of a novel respiratory
v i r u s ( S A R S - C o V- 2 ) t h a t c a u s e s f o r t h e t i m e b e i n g a p a n d e m i c
coronavirus disease (COVID-19). After the emergence of SARSC o V- 2 i n t h e r e g i o n o f Wu h a n ( C h i n a ) d u r i n g D e c e m b e r 2 0 1 9 , t h e
infection has rapidly spread all over the world. At the time of this
writing (September 21, 2020), a cumulative total of 102,295
confirmed COVID-19 cases with 9,948 deaths were reported by
CARLOTA MONTESINOS
the national authorities1. Besides elderly people and patients
with co-morbidities, healthcare workers (HCW) are considered as
this
Carlota Montesinos is a microbiologist at LHUB-ULB. She has
perspective, the LHUB-ULB firstly contributed in the development
a diploma in Medicine and Surgery from the "Universidad de
and the validation of several serological antibody assays of
La Laguna" (ULL), Spain, and holds a Master's degree in
a
high-risk
population
for
S A R S - C o V- 2
acquisition.
In
d i ff e r e n t f o r m a t s ( E L I S A , C L I A , a n d l a t e r a l f l o w t e s t s ) 2 , 3 . T h e
s e n s i t i v i t y a n d t h e s p e c i f i c i t y o f t h e d i ff e r e n t t e s t s r a n g i n g f r o m
C l i n i c a l B i o l o g y. I n 2 0 0 1 , s h e p r e s e n t e d a P h D t h e s i s i n
Biomedical
Sciences
(ULL)
evaluating
the
assessment
of
molecular markers in the epidemiology and control of MRSA
8 7 t o 9 3 % , a n d 9 6 % t o 1 0 0 % r e s p e c t i v e l y, w e r e c o n s i d e r e d
infections. After 15 years working as a microbiologist in the
compatible with an application in specific clinical contexts and in
l a b o r a t o r y o f " H o s p i t a l U n i v e r s i t a r i o d e C a n a r i a s " i n Te n e r i f e ,
determining
Spain,
epidemiological
strategies
for
the
COVID-19
she
came
to
Brussels
to
join
the
Microbiology
pandemic.
Department of "Hopital Erasme" (ULB). Since 2018, Carlota is
To b e t t e r s u p p o r t t h e o r g a n i z a t i o n o f t h e h o s p i t a l r e s p o n s e t o t h e
the Head of the Serology and Mycology Units at LHUB-ULB.
COVID-19 pandemic, the LHUB-ULB in collaboration with SaintPierre University Hospital launched in April 2020 a serological
a n d S A R S - C o V- 2 c a r r i a g e s u r v e y a s s e s s i n g t h e r i s k f o r S A R S C o V- 2 i n f e c t i o n a m o n g f r o n t l i n e h e a l t h c a r e p e r s o n n e l . S i x m o n t h s
a f t e r t h e s t a r t o f t h e s t u d y, o u r f i r s t r e s u l t s s h o w t h a t 4 1 S A R S C o V- 2 i n f e c t i o n s w e r e c o n f i r m e d b y RT- P C R a n d / o r s e r o l o g y i n
326
participants
(overall
infection
rate=12.6%)4.
Having
OLIVIER VANDENBERG
comorbidity or symptoms at the time of collection was a risk
factor for infection but not working as a physician/ nurse. This
Olivier
universal screening in high-risk units irrespective of symptoms
Development
allowed asymptomatic and potentially contagious infected workers
Microbiologist in 2001. In 2006, he presented a PhD thesis in
to be self-isolated for 7 days.
Biomedical Sciences in 2006. From 2008, he is appointed
Besides the scientific results, this lecture also discusses the
lessons learned and recommendations that have emerged from
this
s t u d y.
The
opportunities
to
study
natural
infection
in
asymptomatic/pauci-symptomatic subjects are also presented.
VA N D E N B E R G ,
Unit,
of
Innovation
and
Business
LHUB-ULB
Head
graduated
as
Clinical
Professor of Microbiology in the Public Health School and in
the Faculty of Medicine of the Université Libre de Bruxelles
(ULB).
Most of his researches focus on emerging pathogens and
antimicrobial resistance. Since 2000, he has supervised the
consolidation of several microbiology laboratories in high and
low resource settings. Besides this, he also collaborates with
1. COVIS-19- Bulletin épidémiologique du 21 Septembre 2020. https:/covid-19.sciensano.be
2. Montesinos I, Gruson D, Kabamba B, et al. Evaluation of two automated and three rapid lateral flow
immunoassays for the detection of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. J Clin Virol. 2020;128 104413.
doi 10.1016/j.jcv.2020.104413
3. Wolff F, Dahma H, Duterme C, et al. Monitoring antibody response following SARS-CoV-2 infection:
diagnostic efficiency of 4 automated immunoassays [published online ahead of print, 2020 Jul 12]. Diagn
Microbiol Infect Dis. 2020;98(3) 115140. doi 10.1016/j.diagmicrobio.2020.115140
4. Martin C, Montesinos I, Dauby N, et al. Dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR positivity and seroprevalence
among high-risk healthcare workers and hospital staff. J Hosp Infect. 2020;106(1) 102-106.
doi 10.1016/j.jhin.2020.06.028
d i ff e r e n t
manufacturers
and
research
institutes
in
the
development of new approaches for the diagnosis and control
of infectious diseases. That led him to join the Division of
I n f e c t i o n & a m p ; I m m u n i t y, U n i v e r s i t y C o l l e g e L o n d o n ( U C L ) a s
H o n o r a r y S e n i o r L e c t u r e r. H e h a s p u b l i s h e d m o r e t h a n 6 0
peer-reviewed papers, approximately 80% reporting research
on
new
diagnostic
tools
contributed to book chapters.
and/or
enteric
pathogens
and
LOCKDOWN EXIT STRATEGY : FROM THE CONCEPT TO THE REALITY
T h e c o v i d - 1 9 e p i d e m i c h a s h i t B e l g i u m h a r d , s o f a r, w i t h a f i r s t
important wave in March-May 2020 and subsequent smaller or
larger resurgences over summer and fall.
Until
date,
134.291
persons
have
been
diagnosed
with
the
disease in Belgium (the total number of people infected is
p r o b a b l y m u c h h i g h e r ) , o f w h o m 2 0 . 8 11 w e r e h o s p i t a l i z e d a n d
10.092 died, which lead to significant excess mortality in 2020.
M a n y p a r a m e t e r s o f t h e e p i d e m i c ’s i m p a c t a r e l a r g e l y u n k n o w n ,
such as the true burden of disease among the survivors, and the
ERIKA VLIEGHE
exact impact of the lockdown on increased morbidity and mortality
due to non-COVID-related pathologies. On the other side, the
impact
on
the
economy
and
on
p e o p l e ’s
wellbeing
is
also
Professor Erika Vlieghe is an Infectious Diseases clinician
with professional experience within and outside Belgium (UK,
considerable and needs to be taken into account when designing
U g a n d a , E c u a d o r, C a m b o d i a ) . S h e s t u d i e d m e d i c i n e a t t h e
a strategy for the country to (1) exit from the original lockdown
Leuven
and to (2) deal with subsequent viral resurgences while trying to
course
p r e s e r v e a s m u c h a s p o s s i b l e t h e ‘ n o r m a l ’ f u n c t i o n i n g o f s o c i e t y.
Tr o p i c a l
Without a concrete perspective on the end of this pandemic e.g.
t h r o u g h t h e a v a i l a b i l i t y o f a n e ff e c t i v e v a c c i n e a n d / o r a n t i v i r a l
treatment, a solid strategy needed to be developed to balance
the
control of the virus with the restart of the economic
Catholic
in
U n i v e r s i t y,
Tr o p i c a l
Medicine
Diseases
(ITM)
and
followed
by
a
Postgraduate
at
the
Antwerp
a
specialization
Institute
in
of
internal
medicine and infectious diseases at the Leuven Catholic
U n i v e r s i t y.
F r o m 2 0 0 4 t o 2 0 1 7 s h e h a s b e e n w o r k i n g a s a s e n i o r s t a ff
member and researcher at the ITM. Since 2017 she is heading
the
Department
of
General
Internal
Medicine,
Infectious
activities, education, social/societal needs and the international
D i s e a s e s a n d Tr o p i c a l M e d i c i n e a t t h e U n i v e r s i t y H o s p i t a l o f
d i m e n s i o n , a l l w h i l e s a f e g u a r d i n g t h e h e a l t h c a r e s e c t o r.
Antwerp
This proved to be a very challenging task, particularly in a
medicine and infectious diseases at various undergraduate
country at the crossroads of Europe, with a fragmented state
s t r u c t u r e , w i t h i n a d i ff i c u l t p o l i t i c a l l a n d s c a p e a n d w i t h o n l y
stepwise understanding of the virus.
(UZA);
she
teaches
capita
selecta
of
tropical
and postgraduate courses at the University of Antwerp and
the ITM.
Over the past few years she has been involved in research
and capacity building in the field of antibiotic resistance in
The prolonged duration of the pandemic, with a lack of a clear
low and middle income countries; she obtained a Phd in this
and maintained national communication and motivation strategy
field in 2014.
and the increasing polarization of the public debate led to public
From
confusion, demotivation and loss of adherence to preventive
temporarily appointed 'National Ebola-coördinator' in Belgium.
measures. This, combined with the progressive re-opening of
societal sectors lead subsequently to new viral upsurges.
The pendulum of interventions and preventive measures has thus
October
2014
–
October
2015
Erika
Vlieghe
was
Within this function she has worked in close collaboration with
the national health authorities and many other partners to
prepare the country for possible Ebola-infections.
Since the beginning of the COVID-19 crisis she has been
m o v e d f r o m o n e e x t r e m e t o t h e o t h e r, a n d b a c k a g a i n , a n d n e e d s
involved in several advisory bodies on the management of the
to find a safe and feasible equilibrium. Possible solutions include
crisis: the Scientific comité advising the federal MoH, Celeval,
the
the GEES and the COVID-commissariat.
formulation
of
clear
epidemiological
goals,
consistent
motivational communication, harmonized measures, sharing of
best practices and positive examples.
LESSONS FROM THE BELGIAN EXPERIENCE DURING THE PANDEMIC
FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE IVDR
An overview will be given of the lessons learned during the first
wave of the COVID-19 pandemic from a regulatory perspective.
1.
European IVD Regulation 2017/746 (IVDR)
IVDR
represents
strengthened
criteria
for
validation
of
kits
including clinical performance study and risk assessment: for
commercial kits but also for in-house tests. The aim of this new
regulation was to enhance the patient safety with traceability
w i t h i n a E u r o p e a n m e n t a l i t y d e f e n d i n g t h e f r e e m a r k e t . We s t i l l
A f t e r t h e s t u d i e s o f P h a r m a c y, s h e o b t a i n e d a M a s t e r o f S c i e n c e i n
have 1,5 year before the date of application.
2.
Clinical Biology and oriented herself in the field of Management for
the Hospital Professional (at EHSAL Management School Brussels
The IVDR in Belgium
The Belgian competent authority is Federal Agency for Medicines
and
Health
Products
( FA M H P ) ,
since
the
royal
decree
of
21/7/2017. Its role is described in the legislation. Since 2018 the
Commission of Clinical Biology created a working group ‘IVDR
W G ’ a t S c i e n s a n o f o r c o n c e r t a t i o n w i t h FA M H P.
3.
Lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic
A timeline of COVID-19 period will show an overview of the
development of diagnostic tests during the first wave of the
pandemic. Important facts on Belgian, European and Global level
will
be
highlighted.
Lab-developed
tests
NATHALIE DE VOS
( L D Ts )
have
been
e s s e n t i a l f o r t h e d i a g n o s i s o f S A R S - C o V- 2 s i n c e c o m m e r c i a l t e s t s
only started becoming available on the market end of March 2020.
and Vlerick Leuven-Gent Management School). Now she is Head of
Clinic at University Medical Center of Saint-Pierre Hospital, at the
Laboratory
of
the
Free
University
of
Brussels
LHUB-ULB,
D e p a r t m e n t o f M e d i c a l B i o c h e m i s t r y, S e c t i o n B i o c h e m i s t r y C o r e L a b .
She actively participates in 24h/7d permanency and in achieving
ISO15189 Accreditation (Belac) in the clinical lab. During ten years
of experience as a medical responsible for the biochemistry lab, she
took the initiative of leading concertation groups within the hospital:
communication platform between general practitioners and medical
specialist at Heilig Hartziekenhuis Mol and in the Ethical Committee.
On the extra-hospital level she participates in the board of the Royal
Belgian Society of Laboratory Medicine (RBSLM) and the Point-ofC a r e - Te s t i n g ( P O C T ) w o r k i n g g r o u p a t S c i e n s a n o . I n a r e c e n t
publication in Frontiers of Medicine she reflected on the eventual
setting
of
a
rapid
COVID-19
Ag
test
as
POCT
(https://doi.org/10.3389/fmed.2020.00225 ; impact factor 3.9).
After May 2022, IVDR will have major impact on clinical labs and
r e s t r i c t t h e u s e o f L D Ts .
4.
Future perspectives
B e c a u s e o f a v a c u u m d u r i n g t h e l a s t 6 m o n t h s w h e n a l l e ff o r t s
faced the pandemic, nobody advanced in the implementation of
t h e I V D R . T h e Ta s k F o r c e ‘ E u r o p e a n R e g u l a t o r y A ff a i r s ’ o f t h e
European Federation of Laboratory Medicine (EFLM) will try to
obtain a postponement of IVDR, with the help of BioMed Alliance
to reach the European Commission. On national level, the IVDR
WG
and
the
Royal
Belgian
Society
of
Laboratory
Medicine
(RBSLM) joined their forces to draw up an opinion for the EFLM
asking for postponement of the date of application of the IVDR.
In conclusion, the pandemic learned us how important it is to
develop rapidly in-house tests for emerging infections. Clinical
labs can’t lose their expertise to develop such in-house tests
because
of
strengthened
regulation.
This
is
crucial
for
the
continuity in patient care.
Concertation on national and international level stays the best
option to move forward and find consensus.
PIETER VERMEERSCH
A f t e r f i n i s h i n g m e d i c a l s c h o o l i n 2 0 0 1 , P i e t e r Ve r m e e r s c h s t a r t e d
his clinical training in laboratory medicine and did a PhD at the
Ve s a l i u s R e s e a c h C e n t e r i n L e u v e n o n p u l m o n a r y h y p e r t e n s i o n . H e
is professor of medicine at KU Leuven and is a fundamental clinical
investigator of the FWO-Vlaanderen. He is working as a clinical
pathologist at the Department of Laboratory Medicine of the
University Hospitals Leuven since 2008 where he is the head of the
clinical mass spectrometry platform. His main areas of clinical
expertise are cardiovascular disease and metabolic diseases. He
has a special interest in the pre-analytical phase and quality
m a n a g e m e n t a n d i s a B E L A C a u d i t o r. H e i s p a s t p r e s i d e n t o f t h e
RBLSM and chairs the working group or rare diseases of the
c o m m i s s i o n o f c l i n i c a l b i o l o g y.
ADAPTING THE LABTO THE PANDEMIC: THE LHUB-ULB EXPERIENCE
Since
the
early
phase
of
the
pandemic,
as
other
health
professionals departments, clinical laboratories had to face an
unprecedented
situation
but
also
to
play
a
crucial
role
in
combatting the COVID-19.
At the beginning of March, a multidisciplinary coordination unit
was
set
up
within
the
LHUB-ULB.
For
facing
that
never
encountered situation the coordination team brought together all
the necessary skills i.e.
heads
of
the
Medical and managerial departments,
various
clinical
lab
departments,
several
microbiologists and heads of support departments like information
t e c h n o l o g y, h u m a n r e s o u r c e s , e t c .
T h e m a i n o b j e c t i v e o f t h i s u n i t w a s t h e a r t i c u l a t i o n o f d i ff e r e n t
actors around common ambitions: to ensure high-quality COVID19
diagnosis
to
the
increasing
number
of
patients
while
maintaining the same quality of all laboratory services to the
entire patient population.
"Primum non nocere" also applies to the lab teams. In the
pandemic context, one our challenge was to identify the risks,
characterize the hazards and finally implement - in a context of
shortage of personal protective equipment - the appropriate
preventive biosafety measures. The general lab organization has
been profoundly modified.
In
addition
to
the
necessary
fast
track
validation
BÉATRICE GULBIS
Béatrice Gulbis is a physician specialized in Clinical Biology and
presented a PhD thesis in fundamental research in oncology in 1994
(Université Libre de Bruxelles). She acquired experience in clinical
chemistry and laboratory information management system. She has
developed a reference laboratory centre for the diagnosis,
prevention and follow-up of patients with hereditary red blood cells
disorders. She has contributed to the implementation of a national
network of health professionals on non-oncological red blood cells
d i s o r d e r s t h r o u g h t h e B e l g i a n H e m a t o l o g y S o c i e t y ( w w w. b h s . b e ) a n d
since March 2017 is the co-coordinator of the ERN EuroBloodNet
( w w w. e u r o b l o o d n e t . e u ) . H e r e x p e r i e n c e h a s a l s o b e e n b a s e d o n
grants for research projects in Africa i.e. Burkina Faso and
Democratic Republic of Congo.
She is currently the Medical Director of the LHUB-ULB (The Brussels
Academic Hospital Lab) working for 5 university hospitals in
Brussels.
and
implementation of new tests and diagnostic platforms, the LHUBULB had to cope with multiple shortages (sampling material,
reagents, etc.) and to find B plans. In collaboration with clinical
biologists, hospital pharmacists and engineers, logistics services
had to be creative in validating alternative approaches. The
preparation of homemade hydro-alcoholic solutions, culture media
for viruses or the validation of 3D swabs are some examples.
To r e a s s u r e a n d t o i n f o r m t h e l a b t e a m s , t o i n f o r m o n t i m e a l l o u r
partners in the hospitals but also to share our experiences were
m a n d a t o r y.
To
meet
those
goals,
the
LHUB-ULB
deployed
c o m m u n i c a t i o n e ff o r t s i n t e r n a l l y t h r o u g h w e e k l y b r i e f i n g s a n d
"minute" meetings, and externally through conferences call, daily
newsletters, and towards the outside world, through the media.
Another
aspect
that
was
essential
and
still
is,
was
the
participation in meetings organized at hospital, inter-hospital and
federal level. This participation has allowed the entire laboratory
sometimes to anticipate or be the driving force behind decisions,
b u t m a i n l y t o a d a p t a s e ff e c t i v e l y a s p o s s i b l e a s t h e h e a l t h c r i s i s
evolves.
DELPHINE MARTINY
Delphine Martiny is Clinical Microbiologist at the LHUB-ULB. In
2013, she presented a PhD thesis in Pharmaceutical and Biomedical
Sciences, evaluating the impact of MALDI-TOF MS on the
microbiological and clinical management of infected patients. Since
2014, Delphine is Head of the R&D Unit in Microbiology and,
since 2018, Head of the Bacteriology clinic. In addition, she
manages two National Reference Centres (Campylobacter and
Haemophilus influenzae) and works in close collaboration with the
infection control teams of three of our five hospital partners. In this
context, she was rapidly involved in the management of the sanitary
crisis and coordinated the multi-disciplinary COVID19 unit of the
LHUB-ULB. When lab’s lights are off, Delphine discovers the
underwater as she’s fan of scuba diving.
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE DAY AND CONCLUSION
NATHAN CLUMECK
Nathan Clumeck is Emeritus Professor of Medicine and
Infectious Diseases at the Free University of Brussels,
Belgium.
He
is
also
Honorary
Head
of
Infectious
Diseases at Saint-Pierre Hospital and President of the
AIDS Research Centre.
Professor Clumeck has been involved in clinical research
in
Infectious
Diseases
and
HIV/AIDS
since
1983.
P r o f e s s o r C l u m e c k ’s a c a d e m i c a n d r e s e a r c h i n t e r e s t s
include AIDS in Africa, heterosexual transmission of
AIDS
and
treatment
of
HIV
infection
and
related
conditions. He reported, in 1983, the first cases of AIDS
among African heterosexual patients. He is principal
investigator
clinical
or
trials
co-investigator
on
antiretroviral
in
many
therapy
multicentre
(new
drugs,
s t r a t e g i c t r i a l s ) i n c l u d i n g a s t r a t e g i c t r i a l a m o n g A RVnaïve patients in the Democratic Republic of Congo
(DRC).
Professor
scientific
Clumeck
has
communications
presented
and
has
more
than
300
written
over
250
journal articles in international scientific reviews and
book chapters dealing with the study of HIV infection. He
serves on a number of Editorial Boards of peer-reviewed
journals on HIV and infectious diseases.
Professor
Clumeck
is
a
founding
member
and
first
Chairman (from 1998 to 2002) of the “European AIDS
Clinical Society” (EACS). He is the Chair of the YING.
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