2009-Present : PhD in Medical Sciences, FRS-FNRS Research Fellow, Institute for Medical Immunology. 2007-Present : Internal Medicine, Université Libre de Bruxelles. 2007 : MD, Université Libre de Bruxelles.
Abstract: Chronic infections during pregnancy are highly prevalent in some parts of the world. Infections with helminths, Trypanosoma cruzi, Plasmodium spp, and HIV might affect the development of fetal immunity and susceptibility to postnatal infections independently of in-utero transmission of the pathogens. Fetal adaptive immune responses are common in neonates who have been exposed to maternal infection during pregnancy but not infected themselves. Such responses could affect the development of immunity to the homologous pathogens and their control during the first few years of life. Fetal innate and regulatory responses might also affect immunity to unrelated pathogens and responses to vaccines. Strategies to improve child health should integrate the possible clinical implications of in-utero exposure to chronic maternal infections.
Abstract: We describe the case of a 54-year old woman with breast cancer who was treated by vancomycin for febrile neutropenia due to a methicillin-resistant Staphyloccocus epidermidis infection of a surgically implanted catheter. She developed an hypersensitivity reaction to vancomycin associating neutropenia, fever, skin rash and elevated liver enzymes following re-challenge with vancomycin after having been misdiagnosed with septic thrombophlebitis. Following this re-challenge, neutrophils count fell dramatically but promptly resolved after cessation of vancomycin.
Abstract: Cryptosporidium outbreaks in day-care centers (DCCs) occur commonly. However, controlling spread of infection in these settings is difficult, and data about effectiveness of different control strategies are sparse. In this study, a Cryptosporidium outbreak in a large DCC located in Brussels is described with evaluation of hygienic and therapeutic interventions.
Abstract: The combination of meropenem with clavulanate has high antimycobacterial activity in vitro against extensively drug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains. We report the successful use of this combination in association with linezolid in the management of an advanced extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis disease with complex second-line drug resistance in a 14-year-old teenager.
Abstract: Non-AIDS-defining malignancies (NADM) are becoming a major cause of mortality in the era of highly active antiretroviral therapy. We wished to investigate the incidence, risks factors and outcome of NADM in an urban cohort.
Abstract: We previously showed that newborns congenitally infected with Trypanosoma cruzi (M+B+) display a strong type 1 parasite-specific T cell immune response, whereas uninfected newborns from T. cruzi-infected mothers (M+B-) are prone to produce higher levels of proinflammatory cytokines than control neonates (M-B-). The purpose of the present study was to determine if such fetal/neonatal immunological environments could alter the response to standard vaccines administered in early life.
