Hepatitis: Van Loock F

Bossi P, Tegnell A, Baka A, Van Loock F, Hendriks J, Werner A, Maidhof H, Gouvras G, Anonymous00206. · Task Force on Biological and Chemical Agent Threats, Public Health Directorate, European Commission, Luxembourg. · Euro Surveill. · Pubmed #15677840 links to  free full text

Abstract: Q fever is a zoonotic disease caused by Coxiella burnetii. Its interest as a potential biological weapon stems from the fact that an aerosol of very few organisms could infect humans. Another route of transmission of C. burnetii could be through adding it to the food supply. Nevertheless, C. burnetii is considered to be one of the less suitable candidate agents for use in a bioterrorist attack; the incubation is long, many infections are inapparent and the mortality is low. In the case of an intentional release of C. burnetii by a terrorist, clinical presentation would be similar to naturally occurring disease. It may be asymptomatic, acute, normally accompanied by pneumonia or hepatitis, or chronic, usually manifested as endocarditis. Most cases of acute Q fever are asymptomatic and resolve spontaneously without specific treatment. Nevertheless, treatment can shorten the duration of illness and decrease the risk of complications such as endocarditis. Post-exposure prophylaxis is recommended after the exposure in the case of a bioterrorist attack.

Van Damme P, Thyssen A, Van Loock F. · Epidemiologie en Sociale Geneeskunde, Centrum voor de Evaluatie van Vaccinaties, Universitaire Instelling Antwerpen. · Acta Gastroenterol Belg. · Pubmed #12148442 No free full text.

Abstract: Based on currently available epidemiological data, Belgium appears to belong to the low endemicity countries for hepatitis C, with an estimated annual incidence of 3/100,000 clinical cases; a survey among the Flemish population showed an overall seroprevalence of 0.87% (1993-1994). There was no statistically significant difference in anti-HCV prevalence between men and women. A significant increase of the anti-HCV prevalence with increasing age was observed. In the French Community there was an overall seroprevalence of 0.6%. Developing surveillance for hepatitis C has proven to be difficult, since it requires confirmation tests. Techniques detecting hepatitis C antibodies in saliva will replace the need for serum samples, making prevalence studies more accessible.

Quoilin S, Hutse V, Vandenberghe H, Claeys F, Verhaegen E, De Cock L, Van Loock F, Top G, Van Damme P, Vranckx R, Van Oyen H. · Unit of Epidemiology, Scientific Institute of Public Health, Juliette Wytsmanstreet 14, 1050 Brussels, Belgium. · Eur J Epidemiol. · Pubmed #17356926 No free full text.

Abstract: Ten years after the first seroprevalence study performed in Flanders, the aim of this cross sectional study was to follow the evolution of hepatitis A, B and C prevalence. The prevalence of hepatitis A antibodies, hepatitis B surface antigen and hepatitis C antibodies was measured in oral fluid samples collected by postal survey. Using the National Population Register, an incremental sampling plan was developed to obtain a representative sampling of the general population. A total of 24,000 persons were selected and 6,000 persons among them contacted in a first wave. With 1834 participants a response rate of 30.6% was achieved. The prevalence was weighted for age and was 20.2% (95% CI 19.43-21.08) for hepatitis A, 0.66% (95% CI 0.51-0.84) for hepatitis B surface antigen and 0.12% (95% CI 0.09-0.39) for hepatitis C. The prevalence of hepatitis A and C in the Flemish population is lower in 2003 compared with the results of the study performed in 1993. The difference may be due to a real decrease of the diseases but also to differences in the methodology. The prevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen remains stable. Considering the 30% response rate and the high quality of the self-collected samples as reflect of a good participation of the general population, saliva test for prevalence study is a good epidemiological monitoring tool.