RIVM Publications Repository

Each year the Dutch National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) produces numerous reports and publications on all aspects of public health, nutrition and food, health care, disaster management, nature and the environment. 
In addition, RIVM employees publish scientific articles in national and international journals.

Elk jaar brengt het Rijksinstituut voor Volksgezondheid en Milieu (RIVM) talloze rapporten en adviezen uit over volksgezondheid en gezondheidszorg, voeding, natuur en milieu en rampenbestrijding. 
Daarnaast publiceren RIVM-medewerkers wetenschappelijke artikelen in (inter-)nationale tijdschriften.

We are constantly working to improve the Repository. Please contact our administrator if you have any further questions or remarks. 

Recent Submissions

  • PublicationMetadata only
    Activation phenotypes defined by the coordinated expression of activation markers discriminate TCR-mediated and bystander T cell responses
    (2025-12-29) Schenk, Tamara JC; Vos, Martijn; van Sleen, Yannick; van Baarle, Debbie; Guichelaar, Teun
    Studying activation of antigen-specific T cells is essential for understanding adaptive immune response to pathogens, tumors, and vaccines. Flow cytometry is commonly used to identify antigen-specific T cells based on the induction of activation-induced markers (AIMs). However, these markers are also expressed on bystander T cells activated by cytokines produced by antigen-activated T cells. This complicates the distinction between true T cell receptor (TCR)-activated- and bystander T cells. We developed an approach to differentiate between these types of cells. We stimulated human PBMCs with anti-CD3 antibody (TCR-mediated) or supernatant of activated T cells, IL-2, or IL-15 (bystander activation). We analyzed AIM co-expression patterns on CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, and defined activation phenotypes that distinguish TCR-activated from bystander-activated T cells. In anti-viral responses, peptide stimulation mainly induced bystander activation, yet bystander T cells contributed minimally to cytokine production. Our findings provide a framework for identifying T cell response types in diverse clinical contexts.
  • PublicationMetadata only
    Despite good intentions, the regulation on in vitro diagnostic medical devices (IVDR) in Europe could impact negatively on preparedness and response for the next pandemic
    (2026-01) Molenkamp, Richard; Presser, Lance D; Baize, Sylvain; Pannetier, Delphine; Reusken, Chantal Bem; Drosten, Christian; Koopmans, Marion
    Currently, there is concern and uncertainty in the European and North American markets for in vitro diagnostics regarding the regulation of in vitro diagnostic tests. In the European Union, starting from May 2022, the regulation on vitro diagnostic medical devices (IVDR) has replaced the directive on in vitro diagnostic medical devices (IVDD). The IVDR, while written with the good intentions to ensure patient safety and health while supporting innovation and transparency, has resulted in uncertainty, instances of disruption of diagnostic development, and concerns related to pandemic preparedness and response. We here outline the history, current situation and concerns regarding pandemic preparedness in Europe. Finally, we make recommendations that could improve the IVDR while supporting pandemic preparedness.
  • PublicationMetadata only
    Correction: Dutch participatory surveillance framework for evaluating evolutionary changes on SARS-CoV-2 affecting rapid diagnostic test sensitivity in 2022 - 2023
    (2026-01-13) Kozanli, Eva; Han, Wanda; Smit, Tara; de Bakker, Jordy; Elahi, Mansoer; Jaarsma, Ryanne; Carstens, Gesa; van Hoek, Albert Jan; Eggink, Dirk
  • PublicationMetadata only
    Are Behavioral Ecotoxicity Endpoints Relevant at the Population Level? Evidence-Based Insights for Environmental Protection
    (2025-12-23) Bertram, Michael G; Ågerstrand, Marlene; Balshine, Sigal; Brand, Jack A; Brooks, Bryan W; Dang, ZhiChao; Ford, Alex T; Hollert, Henner; LeFauve, Matthew K; Manera, Jack L; Martin, Jake M; Michelangeli, Marcus; Moiron, Maria; Moore, Eleanor R; Puglis, Holly J; Sih, Andrew; Steevens, Jeffery A; Thoré, Eli SJ; Wong, Bob BM; Zink, Lauren; Brodin, Tomas
    A substantial body of evidence exists demonstrating that exposure to environmental contaminants can alter animal behavior. Moreover, methodological and technological advancements, as well as increasing standardization, mean that behavioral ecotoxicity studies are more rigorous and reliable than ever before. Despite this, behavioral data are still seldom used in the risk assessment and regulation of chemicals. This is partly due to a lack of clarity among some stakeholders about whether changes in behavior at the individual level result in population-level outcomes. To address this, we first consider the state of evidence within the field of behavioral ecotoxicology linking individual-level behavioral alterations with population-level consequences. We then assess the evidence from behavioral ecology and other neighboring fields that supports this link. Further, we evaluate whether some behavioral endpoints are more easily tied to population-level changes than others. In this regard, we propose combining insights from two complementary ecological frameworks─the functional trait framework and the limiting traits framework─to evaluate which behaviors should be prioritized in ecotoxicological research and regulatory efforts. We contend that the link between behavioral changes and population-level outcomes is evident, with behavioral endpoints representing a highly valuable yet so far underutilized line of evidence in applied environmental protection.
  • PublicationMetadata only
    Modeling effect: How treatment intensity and duration impact depression recurrence
    (2025-12-17) Li, Fang; Shi, Qingyang; Visser, Ellen; Schoevers, Robert A; Feenstra, Talitha; Jörg, Frederike
    BACKGROUND: Optimizing depression treatment intensity and duration is crucial, given an overburdened mental healthcare system. However, decision-making is challenged by heterogeneous treatment effects. We aimed to investigate these effects, accounting for confounders and population heterogeneity, in a real-world dataset from specialized mental healthcare. METHODS: The study included 36,946 participants from mental healthcare providers in the Northern Netherlands. We measured the effects of treatment duration and intensity on time to depression recurrence, using monthly costs as a proxy for treatment intensity. An accelerated failure time model was used, adjusting for confounding via entropy weighting. Non-linear effects were examined using restricted cubic splines to identify turning points, after which linear analyses were stratified. Population heterogeneity was explored through K-means clustering analyses, followed by cluster-specific analyses. RESULTS: In the high-intensity group (above €360/month), a €1000/month increase in treatment intensity may reduce time to recurrence by 16% (acceleration factor [AF] 0.84, 95% CI 0.77-0.92). Conversely, the same increase in the low-intensity group might prolong recurrence-free time by 9.6-fold (AF 9.6, 95% CI 2.18-42.31). Extending treatment duration by 6 months may reduce time to recurrence by 7% (AF 0.93, 95% CI 0.89-0.97) in the long-duration group, with no significant effect in the short-duration group. Five clusters emerged, three of which comprised only women, with AFs of 0.67, 0.80, and 0.81, respectively, under high treatment intensity. CONCLUSIONS: Increasing treatment intensity appears worthwhile only in the low-intensity group, though residual confounding remains possible.
Show more

Communities in RIVM Publications Repository

Select a community to browse its collections.

Now showing 1 - 2 of 2