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This article reports the first case of Verbena latent virus (VeLV) infecting giant goldenrod (Solidago gigantea) in Belgium. Giant goldenrod is an invasive plant species that was introduced to Europe in the 18th century. A survey conducted in Belgium found VeLV infection in one site out of ten surveyed in 2023. VeLV has a wide host range and can be transmitted through various means, making it important to understand its biology and potential impact. This is the first documented case of VeLV infecting S. gigantea worldwide, and the plant may serve as an asymptomatic reservoir for the virus. [Extracted from the article]

Abstract: Bovine cysticercosis is an important food safety issue that is of economic concern. In Belgium, in the last years an increase in the number of cases, mostly light infections, was observed. The role of contact with contaminated surface water has been hypothesized as the main route of transmission. Based on abattoir records from 2001 till 2003 the distribution and risk factors of bovine cysticercosis among dairy and mixed farms were studied in four provinces, using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and questionnaires. The risk factors were analysed using a case–control study design. The case group consisted of herds from which homebred cattle with cysticercosis had been detected at the abattoir; the control group was composed of herds where no cases had been detected. Case herds were distributed over the study area. A logistic regression analysis revealed that the location (province), the number of slaughtered cattle, the flooding of pastures, free access of cattle to surface water and the proximity of wastewater effluent were significant explanatory variables for bovine cysticercosis to be recorded in a herd. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background: A considerable social stigma is attached to many types of psychiatric disorders. However, research also shows that there are differences in the degree of social stigma attached to psychiatric disorders. There is evidence that the portrayal of schizophrenia in the media is particularly negative., Aim: To compare the degree of stigma in reporting of autism and schizophrenia in the Flemish daily newspapers., Method: Via the websites of the seven Flemish daily newspapers, we searched for all articles published between 2008 and 2012 containing the keywords autism/autist(ic) and schizophrenia/schizophrenic. The collected articles (n = 4,181) were then graded to their stigmatising content., Results: In the collected articles the coverage of autism was mostly positive, whereas the coverage of schizophrenia was predominantly negative. The contrast between the reporting on autism and on schizophrenia was very substantial (p < 0.0001) and the negative coverage of both disorders increased over time., Conclusion: The social stigma attached to schizophrenia is poignantly reflected in the Flemish newspapers. The fact that a disorder such as autism, which has many features in common with schizophrenia, is depicted in a much more favourable way than schizophrenia indicates that a more positive image of schizophrenia is not only desirable but also achievable.

Objective: A recent consensus conference has proposed guidelines for the monitoring for diabetes in patients with schizophrenia and also identifies the need of long-term prospective studies., Method: A large scale prospective study on metabolic risks of antipsychotic medication is currently ongoing. At baseline, patients get a full laboratory screening, ECG and an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). Baseline data on 100 non-diabetic patients at study inclusion and stable on medication for at least 6 months are presented., Results: Glucose abnormalities are found in 22% of patients at baseline. A monitoring protocol based only on fasting glucose would not have detected 63.6% of these patients with classifiable glucose abnormalities in our sample. Fasting insulin and measures for insulin resistance have a high predictive value for abnormalities late in the OGTT., Conclusion: Already at baseline, metabolic problems are frequently present in patients with schizophrenia treated with antipsychotics. Adding assessment of fasting insulin in a monitoring protocol improves detection of glucose abnormalities late in an OGTT.

Schizophrenia generates a great deal of cost and burden. The aim of this study was to assess the direct costs for schizophrenia patients receiving standard treatment in different settings in Belgium. Costs were calculated for patients and for the Belgian insurance system. Data from Belgium's largest sickness fund were used to estimate health expenditures for all schizophrenia patients in Belgium. The mean direct treatment cost was $12,050 per patient per year, or $304 million for all schizophrenia patients per year. This cost constitutes 1.9 percent of the Belgian Government's total health expenditure. Government expenditure per schizophrenia patient is 10 times that of an average citizen.

This paper describes the Brussels Nighthospital, which has offered partial hospitalization to young chronic psychiatric patients since 1978. The hospital's rehabilitation program provides evening treatment and nighttime accommodations to approximately 44 individuals, who live in the facility for about a year. During the day patients are engaged in useful activities outside the facility. The night hospital has developed a network of such placements. Psychotherapy and family support groups are also offered. A follow-up study of 120 patients (mean time after discharge = 4.2 years) showed that most maintained their achieved level of adaptation and continued to live in the community engaged in useful activities.