Experience of maternal immunization among women living with HIV in Belgium: A mixed-methods study.

Objective: Maternal immunization during pregnancy has benefits for both women living with HIV (WLWH) and their HIV-exposed uninfected newborns. Vaccine hesitancy may hamper vaccine acceptability during pregnancy. We aimed to assess the experience of WLWH with a history of pregnancy with maternal immunization.

Immunogenicity and safety of two versus three doses of 9-valent vaccine against Human papillomavirus (HPV) in women with HIV: the Papillon randomized trial.

Background: WHO recommends 2 doses of HPV vaccine for adults without HIV but 3 doses in persons with HIV. There are no immunogenicity data on the 2 doses schedule in women with HIV (WWH).

Methods: Prospective study comparing 2 (month (M) 0,6) versus 3 (M 0,2,6) doses of 9-valent (9v) vaccine (Gardasil9®MSD) in WWH (15-40 years), on antiretrovirals with HIVRNA<400cp/ml; enrollment 2018-2021.

Prevalence of Neisseria meningitidis carriage among men who have sex with men at a sexual health clinic in Brussels, Belgium: a cross-sectional study.

To assess the prevalence of Neisseria meningitidis (Nm) carriage among men who have sex with men (MSM) and examine potential risk factors associated with colonization. This was an observational, cross-sectional, monocentric study. Inclusion criteria were asymptomatic adult MSM.

A characterization of the HIV population with limited/exhausted treatment options: a multicenter Belgian study.

Objective: Describe the prevalence and characteristics of people living with HIV (PLWH) in Belgium with limited/exhausted treatment options.

Methods: A cross-sectional, multicenter study involving adult treatment-experienced individuals with limited/exhausted treatment options defined as having a multi-drug resistant HIV-1 or a history of multiple treatment changes. The primary outcome was to determine the prevalence of these individuals and classify them based on their two most recent consecutive HIV-1 viral loads (VLs): suppressed (2 VLs < 50 copies/mL), intermediate (≥1 VL between 50-200 copies/mL), or unsuppressed (2 VLs > 200 copies/mL).

Efficacy, durability, and tolerability of bictegravir/emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide for the treatment of HIV in a real-world setting in Belgium.

Objectives: Our objective was to evaluate the efficacy, durability, and tolerability of bictegravir/emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide (BIC/FTC/TAF) in a real-world setting in Belgium.

Methods: This was a retrospective, multicentre cohort study involving adult treatment-naïve (TN) and treatment-experienced (TE) people living with HIV receiving BIC/FTC/TAF between 1 January 2019 and 30 September 2020. The primary outcome was rate of virological suppression (plasma HIV-1 viral load <50 copies/mL; on-treatment analysis) at weeks 24 and 48.

Do people living with HIV travel safely? Assessment of travel patterns and advice-seeking behaviour in a cohort of people living with HIV in Belgium.

Objectives: Pre-travel counselling has demonstrated its efficacy in decreasing travel-related health complications. The current profile of people living with HIV (PLWH) in Europe [increasing age, visiting friends and relatives (VFR)] makes pre-travel counselling crucial. We aimed to survey the self-reported travel patterns and advice-seeking behaviour among PLWH followed up at the HIV Reference Centre (HRC) of Saint-Pierre Hospital, Brussels.

Incidence and clinical and microbiological features of invasive and probable invasive streptococcal group A infections in children and adults in the Brussels-Capital Region, 2005-2020.

Assess the incidence, risk factors, clinical and microbiological features, and outcome of both probable invasive and invasive group A Streptococcus (GAS) infections in children and adults in the BrusselsCapital Region between 2005 and 2020. A retrospective, multicentric study was performed in three university hospitals in Brussels. Patients were identified through the centralized laboratory information system.

Seroconversion and persistence of neutralizing antibody response after yellow fever vaccination in patients with perinatally acquired HIV infection.

Objectives: To describe the dynamics of neutralizing antibody (NAbs) response after yellow fever (YF) vaccine in young adults and adolescents with perinatally acquired HIV (pHIV).

Design: A retrospective cross-sectional study at three time points around YF vaccination and a matched case-control comparison of NAbs titers several years after YF vaccination.

Methods: We selected patients who had both documented YF vaccination and perinatally acquired HIV (n = 46).

Epidemiology, comorbidities at diagnosis and outcomes associated with HIV late diagnosis from 2010 to 2019 in a Belgian reference centre: A retrospective study.

Objectives: Our objective was to investigate the demographic factors, comorbidities, and outcomes of patients with a late diagnosis (LD) of HIV in a Belgian HIV reference centre.

Methods: All patients with HIV who presented for care between 2010 and 2019 were included. They were excluded if time between diagnosis and presentation or first CD4 count exceeded 6 months or if they had previously received antiretroviral therapy (ART).

HPV genotyping in biopsies of HSIL and invasive cervical cancers in women living with HIV: A cohort- and a nested -case control study.

Objective: To characterize HPV genotype distribution in HSIL and ICC- biopsies, of WLWH, in Europe, as compared to HIV-negative women.

Design: Cohort- and nested -case control study.

Method: We characterized HPV genotype distribution by performing PCR on HSIL and ICC biopsies from WLWH (n = 170); 85 cases were compared to 85 HIV-negative matched controls.

Efficacy, durability, and tolerability of dolutegravir/lamivudine and dolutegravir/rilpivirine for the treatment of HIV in a real-world setting in Belgium.

Objectives: A paradigm shift from three-drug regimens to two-drug regimens (2DRs) is currently taking place in real-world clinical practice. This study aimed to describe the efficacy, durability, and tolerability of dolutegravir (DTG)/lamivudine (3TC) and DTG/rilpivirine (RPV) in a real-world setting.

Methods: This was a retrospective, observational, multicentre (ten centres in Belgium) study involving adult treatment-naïve and treatment-experienced people living with HIV on DTG/3TC or DTG/RPV between 1 January 2019 and 30 September 2020.

Seroconversion and antibody persistence after yellow fever vaccination in people living with HIV: impact of baseline HIV viral load and yellow fever seropositivity.

Background: Data on seroconversion rates following yellow fever (YF) vaccine and effect of revaccination in people living with HIV (PLWH) are scarce. We aimed at determining key factors for seroconversion after YF vaccine in PLWH and the role of preexisting neutralizing antibodies (NAbs) at vaccination.

Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional study at several timepoints in two Belgian AIDS Reference Center.

Durability of tetanus seroprotection in people living with HIV.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to estimate the durability of tetanus toxoid specific seroprotection in a cohort of people with HIV (PWH).

Design: A cross-sectional study.

Methods: PWH with a last date of tetanus toxoid booster available were identified.

ImmunoStart: preparing patients for immunosuppression.

Objectives: Patients with immune-mediated inflammatory disease (IMID) present an increased risk of infection. Here, we present the concept of a preventive consultation called ImmunoStart and the first results of its implementation in the care pathway of patients with IMID.

Methods: Relevant information about vaccination history, tuberculosis exposure and other infectious risks were collected through blood sampling, complete anamnesis, chest X-ray and Mantoux test.

Primary antibiotic resistance of Helicobacter pylori isolates is twofold more frequent in HIV-positive than HIV-negative individuals: A descriptive observational study.

The antimicrobial susceptibility of Helicobacter pylori strains isolated from HIV-positive individuals is not well characterized. This study aimed to measure the prevalence and long-term trends associated with primary H. pylori antibiotic resistance, evaluate correlations with antibiotic consumption, and compare predictors for H.

Tetanus seroprotection in people living with HIV: Risk factors for seronegativity, evaluation of medical history and a rapid dipstick test.

Objectives: Tetanus is a vaccine-preventable disease. Booster immunization is required in order to induce long-lived tetanus-toxoid (TT) specific antibody response. We investigated the prevalence and risk factors of TT seronegativity in a cohort of people living with HIV (PWH) in Belgium along with the respective performance of vaccine history and a rapid dipstick test (Tetanus Quick Stick ® or TQS) compared to ELISA testing.

Clinical characteristics and outcomes of COVID-19 in people living with HIV in Belgium: A multicenter, retrospective cohort.

The aim of this study was to describe the clinical characteristics and outcomes of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) among people living with HIV (PLWH) in Belgium. We performed a retrospective multicenter cohort analysis of PLWH with either laboratory-confirmed, radiologically diagnosed, or clinically suspected COVID-19 between February 15, 2020 and May 31, 2020. The primary endpoint was outcome of COVID-19.

Invasive group B Streptococcus among non-pregnant adults in Brussels-Capital Region, 2005-2019.

To assess the incidence, clinical, microbiological features and outcome of invasive Streptococcus agalactiae (GBS) infections in non-pregnant adults in three tertiary hospitals of the Brussels-Capital Region. All bacterial cultures positive for GBS, from 2005 to 2019 from 3 hospitals of the Brussels-Capital Region, were extracted, and only cases of invasive diseases were included. Medical files were retrospectively retrieved for risk factors, clinical manifestations and outcome and also antibiotic-susceptibility testing and GBS serotypes.

Model informed dosing of hydroxycholoroquine in COVID-19 patients: Learnings from the recent experience, remaining uncertainties and gaps.

Aims: In the absence of a commonly agreed dosing protocol based on pharmacokinetic (PK) considerations, the dose and treatment duration for hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) in COVID-19 disease currently vary across national guidelines and clinical study protocols. We have used a model-based approach to explore the relative impact of alternative dosing regimens proposed in different dosing protocols for hydroxychloroquine in COVID-19.

Methods: We compared different PK exposures using Monte Carlo simulations based on a previously published population pharmacokinetic model in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, externally validated using both independent data in lupus erythematous patients and recent data in French COVID-19 patients.

Effectiveness of dolutegravir-based antiretroviral therapy in a real-world setting in a Belgian cohort of 4101 HIV patients.

Objective: To describe the treatment outcomes of patients receiving dolutegravir (DTG) in a 'real-world setting' in Belgium.

Design: Retrospective, observational, multicenter cohort.

Methods: Inclusion criteria: HIV-1 patients at least 18 years old having received DTG as part of their combined antiretroviral therapy (cART) between 1 April 2014 and 1 December 2017.

Infections due to carbapenemase-producing bacteria, clinical burden, and impact of screening strategies on outcome.

Objectives: To characterize the risk factors, impact of screening, and clinical burden of colonization and/or infection by carbapenemase-producing bacteria (CPB) in hospitalized patients.

Method: Retrospective study in a tertiary care hospital between 2008 and 2016.

Results: Among 88 included patients, 41% were colonized, 59% developed an infection, and 69% of all cases were hospital-acquired.

High rate of rubella seronegativity in perinatally-infected HIV women of childbearing age: A case-control study.

Rubella infection is a vaccine preventable disease. Maternal infection during pregnancy may lead to congenital infection and severe foetal malformations. Thanks to antiretroviral therapy, perinatally HIV-infected women have better prognosis and are now experiencing pregnancy.

Epidemiology and clinical management of HIV-HBV coinfected patients in a large AIDS Reference Center in Belgium.

: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis B virus (HBV) are both worldwide health concerns with similar routes of transmission and no curative treatment to date. Coinfection is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. We aim to provide epidemiological data about HIV-HBV coinfected patients and asses if management of patients following European recommendation (EACS) was achieved in a large AIDS Reference Center in Belgium.