docs.healthdata.beProject name
Surveillance Infection Diseases by National Reference Centres Human Microbiology: Mycobacterium spp.
Project abbreviation
NRC Mycobacterium
Project code
HDBP0337
Primary organization that oversees implementation of project
Partner organization participating in project
Organization that commissioned this project
Organization providing monetary or material support
Brief project description
Since 2011, Sciensano's Infectious Diseases Epidemiology Department, which is responsible for monitoring infectious diseases, has been coordinating a network of human microbiology reference laboratories, known as National Reference Centres (NRCs).
Each NCRC, made up of one or more laboratories, is designated as such for a pathogen or group of pathogens according to well-defined criteria as part of a procedure that is repeated at intervals of no more than 5 years. The Royal Decree of 9/2/2011 defines the legal and financial framework within which the NCRCs operate and the tasks they must perform. The activities of the NCRCs focus on 41 pathogens or groups of pathogens identified as priorities because of their needs in terms of diagnosis, quality of care and public health. The CNRs provide support to healthcare providers and epidemiologists by transmitting microbiological and epidemiological data to Sciensano once a year.
The role of the CNRs is to contribute to the confirmation and/or diagnosis of certain pathogens (rare or difficult to identify) in samples sent by peripheral laboratories and to characterise the strains referred (genotyping, antigen examination, study of antibiotic resistance and other tests). Strain characterisation is important for detecting the emergence of new pathogens and observing changes in virulence and the distribution of circulating strains. These data also help to assess the effectiveness of health policies such as vaccination and the efficacy of antibiotics. The NRCs are also required to provide support to laboratories for laboratory techniques and to the authorities for managing health threats.
This project concerns the NRC "Mycobacterium spp.".
Regulatory framework of this project
Consult the regulatory framework information published on the fair.healthdata.be pages.