Acta Clinica Belgica最新文献

{"title":"Preoperative joint aspiration culture results and causative pathogens in total hip and knee prosthesis infections: mind the gap.","authors":"Peter Declercq,&nbsp;Jeroen Neyt,&nbsp;Melissa Depypere,&nbsp;Stefanie Goris,&nbsp;Eric Van Wijngaerden,&nbsp;Jan Verhaegen,&nbsp;Joost Wauters,&nbsp;Isabel Spriet","doi":"10.1080/17843286.2019.1611718","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/17843286.2019.1611718","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>In prosthetic joint infections (PJIs), there is no consensus about the utility of the preoperative joint aspiration culture to guide antimicrobial treatment. The main objective of this retrospective study was to investigate the value of these preoperative samples to narrow immediate postoperative empirical antimicrobial treatment in patients with a knee or hip PJI.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Adult patients admitted for an exchange procedure between June 2007 and July 2016 for whom a preoperative joint aspiration within 6 months prior to the procedure was available and with an antibiotic-free interval before sampling, were eligible. Per PJI, taking both preoperative joint aspiration and intraoperative deep samples into account, causative pathogen(s) were assessed by the current Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) guidelines. Per PJI, agreement of preoperative joint aspiration cultures corresponding to the causative pathogen(s) was investigated both on species and on Gram/fungi level.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>From the 85 PJIs, on species level, the total agreement was found in 58 (68%) PJIs. On Gram/fungi level, when preoperative joint aspiration cultures yielded exclusively Gram-positive microorganisms (n = 61), a 100% predictive value for Gram positive causing pathogens was attained. Insufficient predictive value was observed in PJIs with preoperative joint aspiration yielding Gram-negative microorganisms (n = 4), a fungus (n = 1) or with sterile results (n = 19).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>In the immediate postoperative setting, the treating team might consider a broad spectrum empirical antibiotic regime, guided by the local epidemiology and susceptibility, which can be narrowed to Gram-positive coverage if preoperative joint aspiration cultures yield exclusively Gram-positive microorganisms.</p>","PeriodicalId":48865,"journal":{"name":"Acta Clinica Belgica","volume":"75 4","pages":"284-292"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2020-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1080/17843286.2019.1611718","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"37389677","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Left atrium size and red cell distribution width predict atrial fibrillation progression from paroxysmal or persistent to permanent.","authors":"Ivana Jurin,&nbsp;Irzal Hadžibegović,&nbsp;Ivan Durlen,&nbsp;Sandra Jakšić Jurinjak,&nbsp;Domagoj Mišković,&nbsp;Marko Ajduk,&nbsp;Helena Jerkić,&nbsp;Tomislav Letilović","doi":"10.1080/17843286.2019.1599173","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/17843286.2019.1599173","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Objective</b>: Stratifying patients with paroxysmal or short-term persistent atrial fibrillation (AF) who are at greater risk of developing permanent AF is challenging. Aim of our prospective study was to evaluate association of laboratory parameters (biochemistry and complete blood count (CBC)) together with standard demographic, clinical and echocardiography parameters, with AF progression.<b>Methods</b>: We prospectively recruited 579 patients with AF and divided them into two groups at index hospitalization: paroxysmal or persistent (non-permanent AF), and long-term persistent or permanent AF patients (permanent AF). Clinical, echocardiographic, and relevant CBC parameters were collected. Non-permanent AF patients were selected for follow-up, with a median follow-up time of 21 months. Endpoint was progression to permanent AF.<b>Results</b>: Out of 409 patients with non-permanent AF, 109 (26.6%) progressed within follow-up. In a multivariate Cox regression model only increased left atrium (LA) diameter (HR 2.16, 95% CI 1.20-3.87, <i>p</i> = 0.010), and increased red cell distribution width (RDW; HR 1.19, 95% CI 1.03-1.39, <i>p</i> = 0.022) showed significant independent association with progression. There were 221/409 patients with both LA ≤45 mm and RDW level ≤14.5% who progressed at a rate of only 17.6%, and showed relative risk of AF progression of 0.47 (95% CI 0.34-0.67; p < 0,001).<b>Conclusion</b>: Together with LA size, RDW was independently associated with AF progression. Patients with both LA size ≤45 mm and RDW level ≤14.5% are most probably the best candidates for rhythm control strategies.</p>","PeriodicalId":48865,"journal":{"name":"Acta Clinica Belgica","volume":"75 3","pages":"205-211"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2020-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1080/17843286.2019.1599173","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"37286220","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Overlooked guide wire: a multicomplicated Swiss Cheese Model example. Analysis of a case and review of the literature.","authors":"Henri Thonon,&nbsp;Florence Espeel,&nbsp;Ficart Frederic,&nbsp;Frédéric Thys","doi":"10.1080/17843286.2019.1592738","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/17843286.2019.1592738","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Objectives</b>: Central venous catheter (CVC) implementation is now usual in emergency department. The most common complications are misplacement, bleeding, pleural perforation, thrombosis and sepsis. Forgetting a guide wire in the patient's body after catheterization is an underestimated complication of this procedure; only 76 cases are described. Even if the majority of patients remained asymptomatic, severe complications can happened even years later. This article's aim is to identify the sequence of elements that led to the event occurrence and to suggest recommendations of good practice to minimize complications related to central catheter placement.<b>Method</b>: After reviewing all the complications related to central venous catheterization and their frequencies, we analyse from a case report and a review of the literature the sequence of elements that led to the medical error. We use an Ishikawa diagram to show our results and the links between them.<b>Results</b>: Our Ishikawa diagram shows that material, human resources, procedural and radiological involvement factors are the main elements on which we can act to reduce the complications rate after central venous catheterization. We advocate for the establishment of standardized procedures before, during and after the technical gesture.<b>Conclusions</b>: Because of human nature, errors will always be possible when taking care of a patient. However, we propose good practice recommendations to avoid the repetition of a forgetting guide wire after central venous catheterization.</p>","PeriodicalId":48865,"journal":{"name":"Acta Clinica Belgica","volume":"75 3","pages":"193-199"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2020-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1080/17843286.2019.1592738","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"37108759","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"An important problem in an aging country: identifying the frailty via 9 Point Clinical Frailty Scale.","authors":"Cemile Özsürekci,&nbsp;Cafer Balcı,&nbsp;M Cemal Kızılarslanoğlu,&nbsp;Hatice Çalışkan,&nbsp;Rana Tuna Doğrul,&nbsp;Gözde Şengül Ayçiçek,&nbsp;Fatih Sümer,&nbsp;Erdem Karabulut,&nbsp;Burcu Balam Yavuz,&nbsp;Mustafa Cankurtaran,&nbsp;Meltem Gülhan Halil","doi":"10.1080/17843286.2019.1597457","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/17843286.2019.1597457","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>Frailty is a geriatric syndrome which develops as a result of cumulative decline in many physiological systems and results in an increased vulnerability and risk of adverse outcomes. The Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS) was validated as a predictor of adverse outcomes in community-dwelling older people and evaluates items such as comorbidity, cognitive impairment and disability. We aimed to study the concurrent and construct validity and reliability of the 9 point CFS in Turkish Population.<b>Methods</b>: This study was designed as a cross-sectional study. Participants, who were admitted to a geriatric medicine outpatient clinic, were included. Validity of 9 point CFS was tested by its correlation with the assessment and opinion of an experienced geriatric medicine specialist and Fried frailty phenotype. Test-retest and inter-rater reliability analyses were also performed.<b>Results</b>: Median age of the 118 patients was 74.5 years (min: 65 max: 88) and 64.4 % were female. The concordance of CFS and experienced geriatric medicine specialist's opinion was excellent (Cohen's <i>K</i>: 0.80, <i>p</i> < 0.001).The concordance of CFS and Fried Frailty phenotype was moderate (Cohen's <i>K</i>: 0.514, <i>p</i> < 0.001).CFS inter-rater reliability and test-retest reliability was very strong (Cohen's <i>K</i>: 0.811, <i>p</i> < 0.001 and Cohen's <i>K</i>: 1.0, <i>p</i> < 0.001, respectively).<b>Conclusions</b>: CFS appears to be a quick, reliable and valid frailty screening tool for community-dwelling older adults in the Turkish population.</p>","PeriodicalId":48865,"journal":{"name":"Acta Clinica Belgica","volume":"75 3","pages":"200-204"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2020-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1080/17843286.2019.1597457","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"37097323","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The effect of selenium and zinc on CD4(+) count and opportunistic infections in HIV/AIDS patients: a randomized double blind trial.","authors":"Azar Hadadi,&nbsp;Afshin Ostovar,&nbsp;Behnaz Edalat Noor,&nbsp;Mehrnaz Rasoolinejad,&nbsp;Mahboobeh Haji Abdolbaghi,&nbsp;Sahar Yousefi,&nbsp;Hossein Khalili,&nbsp;Gita Manshoori,&nbsp;Patricia Khashayar,&nbsp;Zahra Alipour,&nbsp;Narges Safari","doi":"10.1080/17843286.2019.1590023","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/17843286.2019.1590023","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Objectives</b>: We assessed the effect of selenium and zinc supplementation on CD4 cell count and the risk of developing opportunistic infections.<b>Methods</b>: In a double blind clinical trial, 146 HIV(+) patients receiving combination antiretroviral therapy with CD4(+) >200/cubic millimeter were screened for comorbidities and opportunistic infections, and randomized to receive daily selenium (200 µg), zinc (50 mg) or placebo for 6 months, before a 3-month follow-up period. CD4 cell counts were measured in the 3^th, 6^th and 9^th months. The serum selenium and zinc were measured in the 6^th month. The incidence of opportunistic infection was assessed monthly for 6 months and at the end of the 9^th month.<b>Results</b>: The final incidence of supplement deficiency for placebo, zinc and selenium were 46.7%, 44.7% and 50.0%, respectively. Overall compliance with supplementation was 99.42%. Although the changes from baseline were not statistically significant, zinc supplementation was significantly associated with reduced risk of opportunistic infections.<b>Conclusion</b>: Development of the opportunistic infections after zinc supplementation significantly decreased; however, significant improvement in CD4 count was not observed in this group.</p>","PeriodicalId":48865,"journal":{"name":"Acta Clinica Belgica","volume":"75 3","pages":"170-176"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2020-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1080/17843286.2019.1590023","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"37070248","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Past, present and future of university hospitals.","authors":"Kasper Raus,&nbsp;Eric Mortier,&nbsp;Kristof Eeckloo","doi":"10.1080/17843286.2019.1590024","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/17843286.2019.1590024","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Objectives</b>: Health care systems worldwide are changing and taking new forms. The old, more hierarchically oriented, model with individual institutional and bilateral interactions between primary, secondary, tertiary and quaternary care is being replaced by an integrated and dynamic network model. We aim to look at what role university hospitals will play in this future organization of health care.<b>Method</b>: In this paper, we look at the relevant literature on the history of academic medicine and university hospitals. Subsequently, we look at the challenges university hospitals are facing according to contemporary literature on the topic.<b>Results</b>: Our current model of academic medicine with its university hospitals finds its origin in the institutionalization of the academic mission in the late 18^th century. Currently, the sustainability of the model is under immense pressure. University hospitals are facing economic challenges, teaching challenges and research challenges. However, there is reason to believe that they can continue to play a role of importance in tomorrow's medicine. The organization of health care is undergoing two important changes. The first is the evolution towards a more dynamic and integrated network model. University hospitals can become an important hub within this network. The second change is an evolution towards evidence based medicine and translational research.<b>Conclusion</b>: Due to their unique tripartite mission, we argue that university hospitals can continue to play an important and critical role in promoting evidence-based medicine and speedy translation of new evidence.</p>","PeriodicalId":48865,"journal":{"name":"Acta Clinica Belgica","volume":"75 3","pages":"177-184"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2020-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1080/17843286.2019.1590024","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"37077408","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Clinical and biochemical differences between hantavirus infection and leptospirosis: a retrospective analysis of a patient series in Belgium.","authors":"Emma Bakelants,&nbsp;Willy Peetermans,&nbsp;Katrien Lagrou,&nbsp;Wouter Meersseman","doi":"10.1080/17843286.2019.1591654","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/17843286.2019.1591654","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Objectives</b>: Hantavirus infection and leptospirosis are infectious diseases transmitted by rodents. The clinical picture is nonspecific, often involving the kidneys but other organs can be affected too. Clinical and biochemical clues to make a difference between these two entities will be described.<b>Methods</b>: A retrospective analysis was performed on a database of patients presenting between January 2012 and September 2017 at the emergency department of the university hospital Leuven, Belgium. Patients were selected on the basis of a compatible clinical picture, biochemistry, and microbiological evidence. Presenting complaints and clinical examination were compared. Blood, taken at presentation, was used for hematological and biochemical analysis.<b>Results</b>: Sixteen patients with hantavirus infection and eight patients with leptospirosis were identified. All patients complained about general malaise and fever. Other frequent complaints were myalgia and a headache. Patients with leptospirosis often experienced photo- or sonophobia.Looking for neck stiffness and eye lesions might help to diagnose leptospirosis.Differences in biochemistry between viral and bacterial disease could be recognized; high C-reactive protein (CRP) and leukocytosis with left shift favor leptospirosis, elevated lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) favors viral infection. Abnormal liver function with raised total bilirubin is often seen in cases with leptospirosis.<b>Conclusion</b>: This study demonstrates some subtle clues that may help to differentiate between hantavirus infection and leptospirosis in patients presenting to a hospital in a nonendemic region of the world. Because of small number of patients, we could not identify significant clinical or biochemical tests. Serology remains the gold standard.</p>","PeriodicalId":48865,"journal":{"name":"Acta Clinica Belgica","volume":"75 3","pages":"185-192"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2020-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1080/17843286.2019.1591654","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"37066462","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A model-based economic evaluation of four newborn screening strategies for cystic fibrosis in Flanders, Belgium.","authors":"Masja Schmidt,&nbsp;Amber Werbrouck,&nbsp;Nick Verhaeghe,&nbsp;Elke De Wachter,&nbsp;Steven Simoens,&nbsp;Lieven Annemans,&nbsp;Koen Putman","doi":"10.1080/17843286.2019.1604472","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/17843286.2019.1604472","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Objectives</b>: The most cost-effective newborn screening strategy for cystic fibrosis (CF) for Flanders, Belgium, is unknown. The aim of this study was to assess the cost-effectiveness of four existing newborn screening strategies for CF: IRT-DNA (immunoreactive trypsinogen, cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (<i>CFTR</i>) gene mutation analysis), IRT-PAP (pancreatitis-associated protein), IRT-PAP-DNA, and IRT-PAP-DNA-EGA (extended <i>CFTR</i> gene analysis).<b>Methods</b>: Using data from published literature, the cost-effectiveness of the screening strategies was calculated for a hypothetical cohort of 65,606 newborns in Flanders, Belgium. A healthcare payer perspective was used, and the direct medical costs associated with screening were taken into account. The robustness of the model outcomes was assessed in sensitivity analyses.<b>Results</b>: The IRT-PAP strategy was the most cost-effective strategy in terms of costs per CF case detected (€9314 per CF case detected). The IRT-DNA strategy was more costly (€13,966 per CF case detected), but with an expected sensitivity of 93.4% also the most effective strategy, and was expected to detect 2.2 more cases of CF than the IRT-PAP strategy. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of IRT-DNA vs. IRT-PAP was €54,180/extra CF case detected. The IRT-PAP-DNA strategy and the IRT-PAP-DNA-EGA strategy were both strongly dominated by the IRT-PAP strategy.<b>Conclusion</b>: The IRT-PAP strategy was the most cost-effective strategy in terms of costs per CF case detected. However, the strategy did not fulfil the European Cystic Fibrosis Society guidelines for sensitivity and positive predictive value. Therefore, the more costly and more effective IRT-DNA strategy may be the most appropriate newborn screening strategy for Flanders.</p>","PeriodicalId":48865,"journal":{"name":"Acta Clinica Belgica","volume":"75 3","pages":"212-220"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2020-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1080/17843286.2019.1604472","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"37170355","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A practical approach towards the evaluation of aberrant thyroid function tests.","authors":"Barbara Vandendriessche,&nbsp;Bruno Lapauw,&nbsp;Jean Marc Kaufman,&nbsp;Tom Fiers","doi":"10.1080/17843286.2019.1577531","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/17843286.2019.1577531","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Objective</b>: To provide insight in patterns and causes of aberrant thyroid function tests (TFT) and to propose a practical approach for clinicians.<b>Methods</b>: Starting from an illustrative case report, an extensive literature search was performed, resulting in a narrative literature review.<b>Results</b>: TFT that cannot be explained by the negative feedback principle of the hypothalamo-pituitary-thyroid axis are a challenge for every clinician. Various alternative explanations for these TFT should be considered before drawing the conclusion of thyroid disorder, since incorrect diagnosis and treatment can have severe consequences for the patient.For example, the combination of elevated or normal TSH with elevated free T4 or T3 levels may result from the use of certain drugs or lab interference, while low or normal TSH with low T3 or T4 can often be explained by non-thyroidal illness or central hypothyroidism due to pituitary failure. Correct identification of these clinical situations requires understanding thyroid hormone metabolism and action, knowledge of some laboratory techniques, and a multistep evaluation process.<b>Conclusion</b>: To avoid incorrect diagnosis and thus treatment, clinicians should be aware of the existence of aberrant TFT and know how to decipher them.</p>","PeriodicalId":48865,"journal":{"name":"Acta Clinica Belgica","volume":"75 2","pages":"155-162"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2020-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1080/17843286.2019.1577531","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"37000978","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Human psittacosis: a review with emphasis on surveillance in Belgium.","authors":"Joanna Rybarczyk,&nbsp;Charlot Versteele,&nbsp;Tinne Lernout,&nbsp;Daisy Vanrompay","doi":"10.1080/17843286.2019.1590889","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/17843286.2019.1590889","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><i>Chlamydia psittaci</i> causes psittacosis in humans, mainly in persons in contact with birds in either the setting of occupational or companion bird exposure. Infection is associated with a range of clinical manifestations from asymptomatic infection to severe atypical pneumonia and systemic disease. This paper reviews new knowledge on psittacosis, its legal and regulatory aspects and presents epidemiological data on psittacosis in Belgium. In Belgium, the number of reported positive laboratory results increased slowly since 2010, and in 2017, the number almost doubled compared to the two previous years. The number of psittacosis cases in Belgium, as in other countries, is probably highly underestimated, because of underdiagnoses and underreporting. Over the 3-year period, the mandatory notification system registered 24% only of all reported positive laboratory result. Therefore, increased awareness among general and occupational physicians, clinicians and the public is needed. Policies aimed at reducing psittacosis disease burden are justified, nevertheless national health authorities should provide more legal and financial support to implement more adequate <i>C. psittaci</i> diagnostic tools.</p>","PeriodicalId":48865,"journal":{"name":"Acta Clinica Belgica","volume":"75 1","pages":"42-48"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2020-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1080/17843286.2019.1590889","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"37066467","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}