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The «Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus 2» (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic has disrupted medical care and intra-hospital organization during 2020, both in Belgium and throughout the world. Solid organ transplantation was not spared and in Belgium, the number of organ donors and transplants overall decreased by 20 % for livers and by 33 % for hearts between 2019 and 2020. The aim of this article is to summarize the experience acquired in 2020 and 2021 on the organizational and medical implications of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic with regard to the care of patients transplanted or awaiting for organ transplants, and to draw conclusions both for the aftermath of COVID-19 but also for future pandemics. Vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 is highly recommended and particularly important in organ transplant recipients, even if the response rate is lower than in the non-transplanted population. A third injection is now advised in immunosuppressed patients.La pandémie de «Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus 2» (SARS-CoV-2) a bouleversé les soins médicaux et l’organisation intra-hospitalière durant l’année 2020 en Belgique et dans le monde. La transplantation d’organes ne fut pas épargnée. En Belgique, le nombre de donneurs d’organes et de transplantations a globalement diminué de 20 % pour les foies et de 33 % pour les cœurs entre 2019 et 2020. Le but de cet article est de résumer l’expérience acquise en 2020 et 2021 sur les implications organisationnelles et médicales de la pandémie de «coronavirus disease 2019» (COVID-19) quant à la prise en charge des patients transplantés ou en attente de greffe d’organes, et d’en tirer les conclusions à la fois pour les suites de la COVID-19, mais aussi pour les éventuelles futures pandémies. La vaccination anti-SARS-CoV-2 est recommandée et particulièrement importante chez les patients transplantés d’organe, même si le taux de réponse est inférieur à la population non transplantée. Une troisième injection est conseillée chez les patients immunodéprimés.

Inborn errors of metabolism (IEM) represent a vast group of orphan genetic disorders associated with enzyme deficiencies, substrates accumulation and products depletion. For several decades, the cornerstone of life-saving therapies in IEM was based on extreme manipulations of the nutritional intakes. Such outstanding dietary engineering is still relevant today, but new therapeutic avenues have emerged last years, based on better pathophysiological understanding and technological advances. In this paper, we summarize current and new therapeutic options in the field of IEM.Les erreurs innées du métabolisme (EIM) représentent un groupe de conditions génétiques associées à une déficience enzymatique causant une accumulation du substrat en amont de la réaction et une déficience du produit en aval. Pendant des décennies, la pierre angulaire du traitement de ces affections a été basée sur des régimes drastiquement restrictifs. Ces manipulations diététiques extrêmes sont encore aujourd’hui d’actualité, mais l’arsenal thérapeutique s’est considérablement élargi ces dernières années, basé sur de meilleures connaissances physiopathologiques et sur des progrès technologiques et pharmacologiques. Dans cet article, nous résumons les différentes stratégies et nouveautés thérapeutiques dans le domaine des erreurs innées du métabolisme.

A successful transplantation implies that immunosuppressive drugs will have to be taken during the whole patient's life. Poor drug compliance is a multifactorial problem, that is particularly dangerous in organ transplantation as it can lead to loss of graft function and return to dialysis treatment. The medical doctor must stimulate the patient's adherence to the strict therapeutic drug protocol. The patient must also be reminded at each medical consultation of the importance of such rigorous drug intake. This bad (or non) compliance is particularly well demonstrated a long time after transplantation. The medical staff, all the health participants, but also the family members must continuously fight against non compliance, which is inherent to any chronic disease.

Renal transplantation is the best treatment for end-stage renal disease, but requires efficient immunosuppressive therapy. The latter has evolved over recent years with the development of more powerful drugs and of monoclonal antibodies with very specific target. The first monoclonal antibodies, acting against the interleukin 2 receptor, named basiliximab and daclizumab, have showed an excellent tolerance profile and efficacy to reduce acute graft rejection. However, in spite of these properties, the development of delayed graft function or the graft and patient survivals at 1 year were not modified by the use of such specific treatment. One potential advantage could yet be a decreasing need for corticosteroids and sometimes calcineurin inhibitors which could provide some long term benefits for the renal graft, but also the patient. Alemtuzumab, another monoclonal antibody, aimed at the membrane glycoprotein CD52, can also decrease the incidence of acute rejection and the depth of the required immunosuppressive therapy. Other antibodies are still in development with some interesting preliminary results which however demand confirmation in larger studies.

Hypertension frequently accompanies diabetes mellitus, as it is present in 50% of diabetic patients. Hypertension can sometimes preceed diabetes. In type 2 diabetes, insulin resistance plays a major role in the hypertensive risk. In type 1 diabetes, nephropathy is often noted as soon as hypertension is present. Both hypertension and diabetes increase the risk for cardiovascular and renal complications. For their prevention, first of all, modification of the diet with increasing exercise must be proposed, associated to antihypertensive agents with a blood pressure target lower than 130/80 mmHg. Renin-angiotensin blockers constitute the main drug therapy in such patients associated with diuretics or betablocker if angina pectoris is present or even calcium channel blocker when large arteries abnormalities exist. A frequent evaluation of the cardiovascular risk is required together with research of renal dysfunction or microproteinuria.

Diabetic nephropathy is a constantly increasing pathology in western countries. The trend is more pronounced in type 2 diabetic patients than in type 1 diabetic patients. Among individuals with type 2 diabetes, kidney disease is often multifactorial. This paper reviews recent developments in the pathophysiology, epidemiology and treatment of diabetic nephropathy.

Diabetic nephropathy is one of the leading causes of end-stage renal failure in western countries. This disease develops over several years. Early stages, if they are detected in time, can lead to preventive treatment at a moment when the disease is still reversible. This paper reviews the main primary and secondary preventive measures that have been proven efficacious. Those are essentially the optimal treatment of hyperglycaemia and hypertension, and probably the use of agents that specifically block the renin-angiotensin axis. We briefly discuss the results of the main studies that have led to those conclusions.

Nephropathy associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus is a rising cause of end-stage renal disease and is a major public health problem. If blocking of the renin angiotensin system has a well established nephroprotective effect in type 1 diabetic nephropathy, this remained to be shown for type 2 diabetes. Two large outcome trials using angiotensin II receptor antagonists (ARA's) in proteinuric chronic renal impairment and hypertensive type 2 diabetic patients have now closed this gap: the Irbesartan Diabetic Nephropathy Trial (IDNT) and the Reduction of Endpoints in NIDDM with Angiotensin II Antagonist Losartan (RENAAL) trial. Both trials showed a significant reduction in the primary pre-specified end-point of death, or worsening of renal function (doubling of serum creatinine) or the development of end-stage renal disease. This effect goes beyond the reduction in blood pressure and makes of ARA's one of the important tools in the treatment of type 2 diabetic nephropathy.

The main objective of the CALM (Candesartan And Lisinopril Microalbuminuria) study is to assess the effect of a dual blockade of the renin-angiotensin system--using both an angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor (ACE-I) and an angiotensin II type 1 receptor blocker--in patients with type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and microalbuminuria. The study included 200 patients randomized to receive candesartan 16 mg or lisinopril 20 mg for 12 weeks, followed by 12 weeks of the same monotherapy or a combination treatment. Main outcomes are the reduction of microalbuminuria and blood pressure. All three of the treatments are effective, but the dual blockade is respectively 18%, 8 mmHg and 5 mmHg more effective in reducing microalbuminuria, systolic and diastolic blood pressure. No comparison is made between this "new" association and the more frequently used biotherapy (i.e. ACE-I plus thiazidic diuretic) and therefore its usefulness in regular practice is still to be determined.

The aim was to investigate the fate of injection and monitoring material after its use by diabetic patients in different countries (France, Belgium, Luxemburg, Switzeland and Tunisia). Some suitable containers are available for disposal but little is known about the attitudes of patients and physicians to them. 1 070 questionnaires were completed by patients (age: 50 +/- 18 years; diabetes duration: 15 +/- 11 years; 2.8 +/- 1.1 injections per day) visiting 109 doctors. Injections were done at home (72.6%), or both at home and at work (26.6%). At home: needles, syringes, lancets and reagent strips were thrown directly into the bin in 46.9%, 49.9%, 52.2% and 67.6% of cases, respectively; and in a closed plastic bottle in 29. 6%, 28.5%, 28.9% and 19.9% of cases, respectively. Specific containers were used in 8.6% and 6.3% of cases for needles and syringes, respectively. 62% of the bottles and containers were thrown directly into the bin, whereas 15.5% were returned to a pharmacy (4.5% taken to hospitals, 2.9% were burned). At work: 63% of the patients brought their needles and syringes home for disposal, 6.9% kept suitable containers at work and 30% threw their materials directly into local bins. We conclude that awareness should be increased and the organization of the collection of used material improved.

Coronary Risk Profile (CRP), assessed according to the Framingham equation takes the presence of diabetes into account, but not the glycaemic control or the body overweight. We have performed an observational survey to study the respective roles of changes in body weight or glycaemic control on calculated CRP, in a given subject, by an effect on several items of the CRP equation (systolic blood pressure, total and HDL cholesterol) which can be modified by blood glucose or weight. We have studied the CRP of 179 type 1 and 208 type 2 diabetes patients, admitted in the department of diabetology of the Angers Hospital, twice (interval3 years; 1.6 +/- 0.8 yr). The patients yielded no coronary heart disease, their age ranged from 30 to 74 yr (mean +/- SD: 53 +/- 13), they were not on antihypertensive or lipid lowering medication. Glycaemic control was assessed by glyco-haemoglobin (HbA1c), systolic blood pressure (SBP) was measured with an automatic device (Dinamap). Total and HDL cholesterol were determined by an enzymatic method, in fasting patients. Only age at first examination was taken into account to compute CRP. Initially, SBP was 131 +/- 17 mmHg, total and HDL cholesterol were 2.20 +/- 0.47 et 0.56 +/- 0.20 g/L, respectively. SBP was positively correlated with body weight (Rho = 0.310; p0.0001), but not with HbA1c. Median 5 yr CRP was 5% (range:1%-25%). Between both admissions, mean change in body weight, HbA1c and 5 yr CRP was +1.0 kg (range: -27 à +29), -0.2% (range: -4.5 à +7.6) et -0.01% (range: -10 à +13) respectively. Change in CRP between both admissions was associated with change in HbA1c (Rho = 0.109; p = 0.0315) but not in body weight (Rho = 0.072; p = 0.1588). This result was explained by the effect of the change in HbA1c on total cholesterol (Rho = 0.151; p = 0.003), (no effect on SBP or HDL cholesterol: Rho = 0.008 and Rho = 0.019; NS, respectively). These results suggest that, in diabetic patients, changes in glycaemic control affect their CRP by an effect on total cholesterol, but the changes in body weight do not affect their CRP.

Diabetes mellitus is frequently associated with arterial hypertension and the combination of the two entities markedly increases the cardiovascular risk and accelerates the progression of microangiopathy (more particularly nephropathy) in both type 1 and type 2 diabetic patients. Numerous international guidelines have been published during the last few years to help the practitioner in targeting ideal arterial blood pressure levels (lower in diabetic than in non-diabetic patients) and in selecting first-choice antihypertensive agents. We will concisely summarize the main messages of these recommendations and insist upon the persistence of uncertainties, or even the existence of inconsistencies, more particularly regarding preferential indications of antihypertensive agents in diabetic patients.

Diabetes mellitus is frequently associated with arterial hypertension and the combination of both entities markedly increases the vascular risk. In type 2 diabetes, hypertension appears very early, especially in the presence of obesity, is part of the insulin resistance syndrome, and contributes to high cardiovascular morbidity and mortality rates in this population. Appropriate regulation of blood pressure is crucial in order to reduce not only microangiopathy (nephropathy and retinopathy) but also macroangiopathy (coronary heart disease and stroke) in hypertensive type 2 diabetic patients. Target blood pressure values have been decreased in recent years and should be130/85 mmHg, and may be even lower according to recent data. The optimal modalities of pharmacological treatment remain controversial, but obviously several medications are required to reach such objectives in most hypertensive patients with type 2 diabetes.

Hypertension is a major cardiovascular risk factor in diabetic subjects. Recent trials have suggested that blood pressure objectives should beor = 140/80 mmHg. However, there is currently no evidence supporting any particular preferential drug strategy for this treatment objective.

The natural history of diabetic renal disease can be divided into different stages according to the degree of albuminuria and the level of glomerular filtration rate (GFR). Assessment of the early hyperfiltration state, as well as determination of the rate of decline in kidney function at a later stage require precise and accurate methods to measure GFR. In this article, we briefly remind the reader of the physiological basis of GFR. We then review the different techniques for the monitoring of kidney function (inulin clearance, endogenous creatinine clearance, plasma disappearance of a radiolabelled tracer) and discuss the pro and cons of each of them in different clinical settings. Finally, we try to define a rational use of these techniques in everyday clinical practice.

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) appears in about 30% of patients with type 1 diabetes (D1) and 15 to 60% of patients with type 2 diabetes (D2). It is preceded by microalbuminuria. Microalbuminuria is defined as an albumin excretion rate between 30 and 300 mg/24 h (on a 24-hour urine collection) or between 20 and 200 micrograms/min (on an overnight collection) in at least two out of three consecutive collections made within a 6-month period. Alternative screening techniques use either dipstick (Micral-Test II) or the albumin to creatinine ratio on an early morning urine sample (30-300 mg/g creatinine). Once persistent microalbuminuria is confirmed, 80% of type 1 diabetic patients and 20 to 50% of type 2 diabetic patients will progress to DN. In D2, microalbuminuria also represents a powerful predictor of early mortality from cardiovascular disease. Macroalbuminuria (AER300 mg/24 h, corresponding to a total protein excretion500 mg/24 h) will eventually lead to a end-stage renal insufficiency within 10 to 20 years. In D2, numerous patients will die from cardiovascular disease before reaching end-stage renal failure. Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors can slow down the evolution toward DN when prescribed when microalbuminuria appears. Screening for microalbuminuria should therefore be a part of the annual clinical assessment in every diabetic patient.

IN 1942 we recommended the use of nonperforating cyclodiathermy in treatment of various forms of intraocular hypertension. Since then, we have endeavored to improve this operation and to determine its indications and the mechanism of its hypotensive effect. 1 During this period, while all scientific exchanges between the United States and Belgium were cut off, Albaugh and Dunphy 2 described a similar operation. This, however, differs from ours in several points, which we shall comment on later. NONPERFORATING THERMOMETRIC CYCLODIATHERMY Diathermy Apparatus. —A diathermy electrode is applied to the eyeball at the posterior edge of the ciliary body, and the heating of the tissues (fig. 1) is effected with the high frequency current. The apparatus has two circuits: One, the diathermy circuit, generates the high frequency current and produces the heating of the tissues; the other, the thermometer circuit, provides for the measurement of the tissue temperature. It is not

Etude des symptomes du glaucome „capsulaire”: en plus des alterations biomicroscopiques bien connues, les auteurs decrivent les caracteres a) des deficits du champ visuel, b) de l'hypertension intraoculaire, c) de l'excavation papillaire, d) des veines aqueuses. Cette etude montre que le symptomatologie du glaucome “capsulaire” est identique a celle du glaucome chronique simple. Etude de l'evolution du glaucome “capsulaire”. Cette etude montre que dans certains cas, l'hypertension intraoculaire precede l'exfoliation de la capsule. Dans d'autres cas, le glaucome atteint un stade avance, alors que l'exfoliation est encore tres discrete. Contrairement a l'opinion souvent admise, l'hypertension intraoculaire ne peut pas etre attribuee a l'obstruction du canal de Schlemm par les produits de l'exfoliation capsulaire. Celle-ci resulte d'une alteration vasculaire de l'uvee anterieure et doit etre consideree comme un symptome du glaucome chronique.

This paper, written by Professor Weekers while serving with the Belgian Army and unable to consult the literature of the subject, presents his method of producing sterilization of corneal ulcers and his experimental demonstrations of the possibility of effecting such sterilization without extending the destruction of corneal tissue.

Observations on the hemeralopia of soldiers seem to throw light on the pathology of miners' nystagmus, indicating that both these and similar conditions arise largely from over-fatigue.