Publicaties
Enabling the evaluation of COVID-19 vaccines with correlates of protection Universiteit Antwerpen
In February 2023, a meeting about correlates of protection (CoPs) against COVID-19 was organized by the International Alliance for Biological Standardization, the European Plotkin Institute for Vaccinology, and Vaccinopolis. The meeting aimed at reviewing the evidence, drawing conclusions, and identifying knowledge gaps. Collection of evidence is not straightforward. Neutralizing antibodies correlate with protection and are used for ...
The elimination of hepatitis D as a public health problem Universiteit Antwerpen
Infection with hepatitis D virus leads to liver disease and cancer most rapidly of all hepatitis viruses. However, knowledge about hepatitis D remains poor and the burden and impact are underestimated, even though some 12–15 million people mainly in low‐ and middle‐income countries may be affected. Its epidemiology is changing, with increasing migration leading to increased risks of infection and disease. A recent Viral Hepatitis Prevention ...
Opportunistic screening using point-of-care testing leads to successful linkage to care of HBV-infected migrant populations in a low endemic country Universiteit Antwerpen
Background and aims In low endemic countries, screening for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) in migrants is cost-effective in reducing the disease burden of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infections, but linkage to care (LTC) remains a challenge. This study aims to guide future screening initiatives, with 3 objectives: 1. to compare LTC between different ethnic groups screened for HBsAg with POCT in an outreach setting; 2. to estimate the proportion ...
HPV-specific antibodies in female genital tract secretions captured via first-void urine retain their neutralizing capacity. Universiteit Antwerpen
Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines, primarily relying on neutralizing antibodies, have proven highly effective. Recently, HPV-specific antibodies have been detected in the female genital tract secretions captured by first-void urine (FVU), offering a minimally invasive diagnostic approach. In this study, we investigated whether HPV16-specific antibodies present in FVU samples retain their neutralizing capacity by using pseudovirion-based ...
Risk factors for human papillomavirus infection and disease Universiteit Antwerpen
Adolescents are the primary cohort for routine human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination, but unvaccinated adults may also benefit. A lack of consensus on which adults to target and the presence of reimbursement barriers likely contribute to the lag in adult vaccinations, highlighting missed prevention opportunities. Understanding factors contributing to risk of HPV infection and disease could help in decision making on vaccination. This review ...
Concentration strategies for spiked and naturally present biomarkers in non-invasively collected first-void urine Universiteit Antwerpen
Background: First-void urine (FVU) provides a non-invasive method for collecting a wide range of biomarkers found in genital tract secretions. To optimize biomarker collection in FVU, this study investigated the impact of naturally present and supplemented precipitating agents: uromodulin (UMOD) and polyethylene glycol (PEG), on the concentration of human papillomavirus (HPV) pseudovirions (PsV), cell-free DNA (cfDNA), and cellular genomic DNA ...
Global perspectives of determinants influencing HPV vaccine introduction and scale-up in low- and middle-income countries Universiteit Antwerpen
Achieving WHO cervical cancer elimination goals will necessitate efforts to increase HPV vaccine access and coverage in low-and-middle-income countries (LMICs). Although LMICs account for the majority of cervical cancer cases globally, scale-up of HPV vaccine programs and progress toward coverage targets in LMICs has been largely insufficient. Understanding the barriers and facilitators that stakeholders face in the introduction and scale-up of ...
Ad26.ZEBOV, MVA-BN-Filo Ebola virus disease vaccine regimen plus Ad26.ZEBOV booster at 1 year versus 2 years in health-care and front-line workers in the Democratic Republic of the Congo Universiteit Antwerpen
Background Health-care providers and front-line workers are at risk of contracting Ebola virus disease during an Ebola virus outbreak and consequently of becoming drivers of the disease. We aimed to assess the long-term immunogenicity of the Ad26.ZEBOV, MVA-BN-Filo vaccine regimen and the safety of and immune memory response to an Ad26.ZEBOV booster vaccination at 1 year or 2 years after the first dose in this at-risk population. Methods This ...
Longitudinal assessment of an Ebola vaccine trial understanding among healthcare providers in the Democratic Republic of the Congo Universiteit Antwerpen
Background The long-term retention of information disclosed during the informed consent in clinical trials lasting over a year cannot be guaranteed for all volunteers. This study aimed to assess the level of participants’ retention and understanding of the trial information after two years of participation in a vaccine trial. Methods In total, 699 health care providers (HCPs) and frontline workers were enrolled in the EBL2007 vaccine trial ...