Surveillance Infection Diseases by National Reference Centres humane microbiology: Hepatitis A, B, C, D en E virus

Since 2011, Sciensano’s Infectious Diseases Epidemiology Service, responsible for the surveillance of infectious diseases, has been coordinating a network of reference human microbiology laboratories, known as the National Centres of Reference (CNR). Each CNR, composed of one or more laboratories, shall be designated as such for a pathogen or group of pathogens according to well-defined criteria in a procedure which is repeated at intervals of up to 5 years. The Royal Decree of 9/2/2011 defines the legal and financial framework within which CNRs operate and the tasks they must perform. CNR activities cover 41 pathogens or groups of pathogens identified as priorities due to diagnostic, quality of care and public health needs. CNRs therefore support healthcare providers and epidemiologists by transmitting microbiological and epidemiological data to Sciensano once a year. The role of RCNs is to contribute to the confirmation and/or diagnosis of certain pathogens (rare or difficult to identify) in the samples sent by peripheral laboratories and to perform the characterisation of the traced strains (genotyping, antigen examination, antibiotic resistance study and other tests). Strain characterisation is important for detecting the emergence of new pathogens, observing virulence trends and distribution of circulating strains. This helps to assess the effectiveness of health policies such as vaccination and antibiotic efficacy. CNRs are also required to provide support to laboratories for laboratory techniques and to authorities in the management of health threats. This project concerns CNRC “Hepatitis A, B, C, D in E virus”.