1st EuroFlow PID Course, Ghent Belgium
The EuroFlow consortium is proud to present the 1st EuroFlow PID Course, taking place in Ghent, Belgium on June 2nd and 3rd, 2025.
The EuroFlow PID course is an advanced course on the application of flow cytometry in the diagnosis and classification of Primary Immunodeficiencies (PID). It offers in-depth training on the analysis and interpretation of standardized flow cytometry data in the context of PID. The program builds upon the EuroFlow PID algorithm, published by van Dongen et al. (2019), a widely adopted tool for screening PID disorders using flow cystometry. Centrally in this algorithm stands the PID orientation tube (PIDOT), used for general screening of immunodeficiencies. For investigation of antibody deficiencies, additional IgH isotype tubes are recommended, whereas for excluding (severe) combined immunodeficiency (S)CID, a specialized SCID/RTE tube is advised. Such detailed level of analysis of T- and B-cell compartments contributes to early and accurate diagnosis and classification of PID patients.
Requirements for participation:
> 5 years experience in clinical Flow-Cytometry
> 2 years experience in issuing reports on patients with Primary Immunodeficiencies
Basic knowledge of the InfinicytTM Software.
This course is designed for participants with a strong background in clinical Flow-cytometry; knowledge of basic immunology and experience with diagnosing immunodefiencies is a prerequisite. Participants not used to BD InfinicytTM software or without daily routine of using it, please refer to the introductory cytognos videotutorials which can be found on the Cytognos YouTube channel. A demo version of Infinicyt can be downloaded here (Infinicyt™ Try now – Cytognos, S.L.) for practising.
To prepare for the course in advance, FCS files of healthy control cases will be distributed amongst participants as training material. For the duration of the course, access to BD InfinicytTM software will be provided.
Short presentations will detail the three most relevant tubes of the PIDOT algorithm (PIDOT, SCID/RTE and IgH). Through live gating demonstrations, special attention will be given to help recognize key (maturation) patterns and defects within the lymphoid compartment, associated with PID. In interactive sessions, participants will be challenged to analyze more complex PID patient cases (such as common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) or (SCID)) with BD InfinicytTM software (using manual as well as automated analysis). These sessions will provide participants the opportunity to gain more hands-on experience with standardized EuroFlow PID gating strategy approaches and will support the identification of rare but clinically relevant immunophenotypic patterns of PID. Throughout the course, interactive quizzes will evaluate the comprehension of key concepts.
During the course, some time is reserved to introduce the PIDOT External Quality Assessment Program. This scheme is specifically designed for laboratories that incorporated the EuroFlow PIDOT panel in their routine diagnostics and is organized biannually. Consisting of both a wet and dry part, it provides feedback on the quality (i.e., accuracy, reproducibility and result interpretation) of individual laboratories adhering to the standardized EuroFlow approach (Neirinck et al. 2024).
Beyond its educational content, the course creates an environment for participants to network with leading experts and exchange insights with professionals in the field, promoting collaboration and enhancing diagnostic practices.
Program
Venue:
Yalo Hotel
Brabantdam 33
9000 Ghent
Travel info:
By Car:
The Yalo hotel can easily be reached by car.
Address of underground parking: Vlaanderenstraat 26
Please note: The Yalo Hotel is located in the low-emission zone. This means that vehicles have to meet certain conditions before they’re allowed to enter this zone. Check your car here. The Center of Ghent has only a few possibilities to reach. Please take your time to get into the restricted zone and the hotel.
By Air and train
Nearest Airport: Brussels Airport Zaventem https://www.brusselsairport.be/en/passengers
Arriving in Brussels airport (Zaventem), you go to floor level -1 and buy a train ticket for Ghent. You have to switch trains once (in Brussels South).
On average, there is a train from Brussels to Ghent every half hour. See www.belgiantrain.be.
You switch at station Brussels South (‘midi’, or ‘zuid’), to a train (IC) in the direction of Gent De Panne or Oostende. Step out at Gent Sint Pieters. From here, take Tram 3 Gentbrugge Moscou. Leave the tram at Gent Vogelmarkt. From there the Yalo hotel is a 2 minute walk (see picture below, total travel time app. 1,5 – 2 hours).
By International Train
The Eurostar train travels to Brussels from which you can make a connection to Gent Sint Pieters. See above)
From Gent Sint Pieters, take Tram 3 Gentbrugge Moscou. Get out at Gent Vogelmarkt. The Yalo hotel is a 2 minute walk.
Faculty
University of Ghent, Belgium
Prof. Dr. Carolien Bonroy
Dr. Mattias Hofmans
Dr. Jana Neirinck
Malicorne Buysse
Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
Prof. Dr. Tomas Kalina
University of Salamanca, Spain
Dr. Martín Pérez-Andrés
Costs
Participation in the two-day course costs € 700,-. This includes materials, lunches and break and a network event. Payment needs to be made upon registration.
NB: Employees of academic laboratories (University or public hospitals) get a 50% discount. Please tick the box on registration!
You need to bring your own laptop computer. Access to analysis software (BD InfinicytTM) will be provided
Registration
You can register here!
For more information please mail campus@EuroFlow.org