Dataset Information

Coverage of the national surveillance system for human Salmonella infections, Belgium, 2016-2020.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

The surveillance of human salmonellosis in Belgium is dependent on the referral of human Salmonella isolates to the National Reference Center (NRC). Knowledge of current diagnostic practices and the coverage of the national Salmonella surveillance system are important to correctly interpret surveillance data and trends over time, to estimate the true burden of salmonellosis in Belgium, and to evaluate the appropriateness of implementing whole-genome sequencing (WGS) at this central level.

Methods

The coverage of the NRC was defined as the proportion of all diagnosed human Salmonella cases in Belgium reported to the NRC and was assessed for 2019 via a survey among all licensed Belgian medical laboratories in 2019, and for 2016-2020 via a capture-recapture study using the Sentinel Network of Laboratories (SNL) as the external source. In addition, the survey was used to assess the impact of the implementation of culture-independent diagnostic tests (CIDTs) at the level of peripheral laboratory sites, as a potential threat to national public health surveillance programs.

Results

The coverage of the NRC surveillance system was estimated to be 83% and 85%, based on the results of the survey and on the two-source capture-recapture study, respectively. Further, the results of the survey indicated a limited use of CIDTs by peripheral laboratories in 2019.

Conclusion

Given the high coverage and the limited impact of CIDTs on the referral of isolates, we may conclude that the NRC can confidently monitor the epidemiological situation and identify outbreaks throughout the country. These findings may guide the decision to implement WGS at the level of the NRC and may improve estimates of the true burden of salmonellosis in Belgium.

SUBMITTER: Van Goethem N

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8389443 | biostudies-literature |

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

ACCESS DATA

Similar Datasets

Project description:BACKGROUND:Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination has been routinely recommended at age 11-12?years in the United States for females since 2006 and males since 2011. Coverage can be estimated using self/parent-reported HPV vaccination collected in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) for a wider age range than other national surveys. We assessed vaccination coverage in 2015-2016, temporal trends by age, and the validity of self/parent-reported vaccination status. METHODS:Participants aged 9-59?years completed an interview collecting demographic and vaccination information. Weighted coverage was estimated for two-year NHANES cycles by age group for 2007-2008 to 2015-2016 for females (N?=?14318) and 2011-2012 to 2015-2016 for males (N?=?7847). Temporal trends in coverage were assessed from 2007-2008 to 2011-2012 for females and from 2011-2012 to 2015-2016 for both sexes. Sensitivity and specificity of self/parent-reported vaccination were assessed using provider-verified vaccination records from a pilot study in 14-29?year-olds. RESULTS:In 2015-2016, ?1 dose coverage among females was highest in 14-19 (54.7%) and 20-24 (56.0%) year-olds and lower in successively older age groups. Among males, ?1 dose coverage was highest in 14-19?year-olds (39.5%) and lower at older ages. Coverage was similar in 9-13?year-old females and males. Between 2007-2008 and 2011-2012, there were increases among females younger than 30?years. Between 2011-2012 and 2015-2016, there were increases among female age groups including 20-39?year-olds; male coverage increased among ages 9-13, 14-19, and 20-24?years. Self/parent-reported receipt of ?1 dose had a sensitivity and specificity of 87.0% and 83.3%. Performance was lower for 3 doses. CONCLUSIONS:While overall HPV vaccination coverage remains low, it is higher in females than males, except in 9-13?year-olds. There have been increases in coverage among many age groups, but coverage has stalled in younger females. Adequate validity was demonstrated for self/parent-reported vaccination of ?1 dose, but not 3 doses, in a pilot study.