Quenia dos Santos

Immune dysfunction resulting from allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (aHSCT) predisposes one to an elevated risk of cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection. Changes in metabolism have been associated with adverse outcomes, and in this study, we explored the associations between metabolic profiles and post-transplantation CMV infection using plasma samples collected 7–33 days after aHSCT. We included 68 aHSCT recipients from Rigshospitalet, Denmark, 50% of whom experienced CMV infection between days 34–100 post-transplantation. First, we investigated whether 12 metabolites selected based on the literature were associated with an increased risk of post-transplantation CMV infection. Second, we conducted an exploratory network-based analysis of the complete metabolic and lipidomic profiles in relation to clinical phenotypes and biological pathways. Lower levels of trimethylamine N-oxide were associated with subsequent CMV infection (multivariable logistic regression: OR = 0.63; 95% CI = [0.41; 0.87]; p = 0.01). Explorative analysis revealed 12 clusters of metabolites or lipids, among which one was predictive of CMV infection, and the others were associated with conditioning regimens, age upon aHSCT, CMV serostatus, and/or sex. Our results provide evidence for an association between the metabolome and CMV infection post-aHSCT that is independent of known risk factors.

Post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease (PTLD) is a well-recognized complication after transplant. This study aimed to develop and validate a risk score to predict PTLD among solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients. Poisson regression identified predictors of PTLD with the best fitting model selected for the risk score. The derivation cohort consisted of 2546 SOT recipients transpanted at Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen between 2004 and 2019; 57 developed PTLD. Predictors of PTLD were high-risk pre-transplant Epstein–Barr Virus (EBV), IgG donor/recipient serostatus, and current positive plasma EBV DNA, abnormal hemoglobin and C-reactive protein levels. Individuals in the high-risk group had almost 7 times higher incidence of PTLD (incidence rate ratio (IRR) 6.75; 95% CI: 4.00–11.41) compared to the low-risk group. In the validation cohort of 1611 SOT recipients from the University Hospital of Zürich, 24 developed PTLD. A similar 7 times higher risk of PTLD was observed in the high-risk group compared to the low-risk group (IRR 7.17, 95% CI: 3.05–16.82). The discriminatory ability was also similar in derivation (Harrell’s C-statistic of 0.82 95% CI (0.76–0.88) and validation (0.82, 95% CI:0.72–0.92) cohorts. The risk score had a good discriminatory ability in both cohorts and helped to identify patients with higher risk of developing PTLD.

Post-transplant diabetes mellitus (PTDM) is associated with a higher risk of adverse outcomes. We aimed to describe the proportion of patients with diabetes prior to solid organ transplantation (SOT) and post-transplant diabetes mellitus (PTDM) in three time periods (early-likely PTDM: 0–45 days; 46–365 days and >365 days) post-transplant and to estimate possible risk factors associated with PTDM in each time-period. Additionally, we compared the risk of death and causes of death in patients with diabetes prior to transplant, PTDM, and non-diabetes patients. A total of 959 SOT recipients (heart, lung, liver, and kidney) transplanted at University Hospital of Copenhagen between 2010 and 2015 were included. The highest PTDM incidence was observed at 46–365 days after transplant in all SOT recipients. Age and the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI Score) in all time periods were the two most important risk factors for PTDM. Compared to non-diabetes patients, SOT recipients with pre-transplant diabetes and PTDM patients had a higher risk of all-cause mortality death (aHR: 1.77, 95% CI: 1.16–2.69 and aHR: 1.89, 95% CI: 1.17–3.06 respectively). Pre-transplant diabetes and PTDM patients had a higher risk of death due to cardiovascular diseases and cancer, respectively, when compared to non-diabetes patients.

Background: In Europe, HIV disproportionately affects men who have sex with men (MSM), people who inject drugs (PWID), prisoners, sex workers, and transgender people. Epidemiological data are primarily available from national HIV case surveillance systems that rarely capture information on sex work, gender identity or imprisonment. Surveillance of HIV prevalence in key populations often occurs as independent studies with no established mechanism for collating such information at the European level. Aim: We assessed HIV prevalence in MSM, PWID, prisoners, sex workers, and transgender people in the 30 European Union/European Economic Area countries and the United Kingdom. Methods: We conducted a systematic literature review of peer-reviewed studies published during 2009–19, by searching PubMed, Embase and the Cochrane Library. Data are presented in forest plots by country, as simple prevalence or pooled across multiple studies. Results: Eighty-seven country- and population-specific studies were identified from 23 countries. The highest number of studies, and the largest variation in HIV prevalence, were identified for MSM, ranging from 2.4–29.0% (19 countries) and PWID, from 0.0–59.5% (13 countries). Prevalence ranged from 0.0–15.6% in prisoners (nine countries), 1.1–8.5% in sex workers (five countries) and was 10.9% in transgender people (one country). Individuals belonging to several key population groups had higher prevalence. Conclusion: This review demonstrates that HIV prevalence is highly diverse across population groups and countries. People belonging to multiple key population groups are particularly vulnerable; however, more studies are needed, particularly for sex workers, transgender people and people with multiple risks.

Post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease (PTLD) is a well-recognized complication after transplant. This study aimed to develop and independently validate a risk score to predict PTLD among solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients (kidney, liver, lung and heart). Poisson regression identified predictors of PTLD with the best fitting model selected for the risk score, where each predictor contributed with a risk coefficient to the risk score, dividing patients in high vs low risk of having a PTLD. For both cohorts, most of the patients were male, aged more than 16 years old, kidney recipients and with a low-risk pre-transplant Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) IgG donor/recipient serostatus. The derivation cohort consisted of 2546 SOT transplanted at Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen between 2004-2019; 57 developed PTLD. Predictors of PTLD were high-risk pre-transplant Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) IgG donor/recipient serostatus, and current plasma EBV DNA positive, abnormal hemoglobin and C-reactive protein levels. A positive EBV DNA was the strongest parameter for the PTLD risk score (figure 1), although the model was able to predict the risk of PTLD cases in both EBV positive and EBV negative individuals. Individuals in the high-risk group had almost 7 times higher incidence of PTLD compared to the low risk group (table 1). In the validation cohort of 1611 SOT recipients between 2008-2018 from University Hospital of Zürich, 24 developed PTLD. A similar seven times higher risk of PTLD was observed in the high-risk group compared to the low risk group (table 1). The discriminatory ability was also similar in derivation (Harrell’s C-statistic of 0.82 95%CI (0.76-0.88) and validation (0.82, 95% CI:0.72-0.92) cohorts. An explanation about how the risk for PTLD is calculated for the SOT recipients; in this example the risk of developing PTLD is calculated in the next 180 days Performance of the PTLD score in the derivation and validation cohorts (low-risk group: score<=17 points; high-risk group: score>17 points) The risk score had a good discriminatory ability in both cohorts and helped to identify patients with higher risk of developing PTLD, so they can be monitored more often. This is the first risk-score developed and externally validated to predict risk of PTLD among SOT recipients. All Authors: No reported disclosures

Objectives: Complementary feeding should provide a healthy diet with critical nutrients for growth and development. Information is limited on child and infant feeding recommendations within the World Health Organization (WHO) European Region.Methods: The WHO Regional Office for Europe and the European Society for Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition (ESPGHAN) performed a survey of national recommendations on infant and young child nutrition aimed at national government departments of health and national paediatric experts. Questions addressed national recommendations on breast‐feeding and complementary feeding.Results: Information was available from 48 of the 53 Member States. Forty‐five of 48 countries (94%) have national recommendations on infant and young child feeding, of which 41 are endorsed by official public health authorities. Regarding introduction of complementary feeding, 25 countries (out of 34, 74%) recommend 6 months of age as the ideal age. The earliest age of introduction recommended varies from 4 to 5 months in (31/38 countries, 82%) to 6 months (6/38, 16%) and 7 months (1/38, 2.6%). The recommended meal composition varies widely; introduction of iron‐rich foods (meat, fish, eggs) at the age of 6 months is recommended in 30 out of 43 countries, whereas 13 (30%) recommend later introduction.Conclusions: National infant feeding recommendations vary widely between studied countries and partly differ from international recommendations. Too early introduction of complementary feeding can reduce duration of exclusive breast‐feeding (EBF). Too late introduction of iron‐rich complementary foods might increase anemia risk and adversely affect child development. A review and further harmonization of national recommendations appears desirable.

Identifying a need for developing a conceptual framework for the future development of Food-Based Dietary Guidelines (FBDG) in Europe, The Federation of European Nutrition Sciences established a Task Force for this purpose. A workshop was held with the specific objective to discuss the various dimensions considered as particularly relevant. Existing frameworks for FBDG were discussed, and presentations from various countries illustrated not only several commonalities but also a high degree of heterogeneity in the guidelines from different countries. Environmental aspects were considered in several countries, and dimensions like food safety, dietary habits and preparation were included in others. The workshop provided an overview of the use of FBDG – both in developing front-of-pack nutrition labels and for reformulation and innovation. The European FBDG dimensions were described with examples from the close connection between FBDG and European Union (EU) policies and activities and from the compilation of a database of national FBDG. Also, the challenges with communication of FBDG were discussed. Considering the current scientific basis and the experiences from several countries, the Task Force discussed the various dimensions of developing FBDG and concluded that environmental aspects should be included in the future conceptual framework for FBDG. A change in terminology to sustainable FDBG (SFBDG) could reflect this. The Task Force concluded that further work needs to be done exploring current practice, existing methodologies and the future prospects for incorporating other relevant dimensions into a future Federation of European Nutrition Societies conceptual framework for SFBDG in Europe and working groups were formed to address that.

To test the impact of a nudge strategy (dish of the day strategy) and the factors associated with vegetable dish choice, upon food selection by European adolescents in a real foodservice setting.