Hilde Smet

Hilde Smet is a Researcher at the Institute of Tropical Medicine Antwerp (ITM) Clinical Reference Laboratory in Belgium, with a significant research focus on sexually transmitted infections, particularly Mycoplasma genitalium and antimicrobial resistance patterns. Her work spans clinical microbiology, public health surveillance, and diagnostic methodology development, with strong international collaborations across Europe and Africa.

Her research interests center on infectious disease diagnostics, with specific expertise in antimicrobial resistance surveillance, STI epidemiology, and molecular detection methods. Dr. Smet's work has been particularly influential in understanding resistance patterns in Mycoplasma genitalium across different population groups, including men who have sex with men and populations in West Africa.

Her publication record shows consistent research activity from 2012-2024, with a notable increase in output since 2018. The research demonstrates strong methodological rigor with frequent use of molecular diagnostics, epidemiological analysis, and public health surveillance approaches. Her work on monkeypox virus detection during the 2022 outbreak contributed significantly to understanding asymptomatic transmission patterns.

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Dr. Smet collaborates extensively with researchers across multiple institutions, particularly focusing on sexual health clinics and reference laboratory networks. Her work often involves large collaborative studies like the CohMSM-PrEP ANRS 12369 study examining STIs among men who have sex with men using pre-exposure prophylaxis in West Africa. The Clinical Reference Laboratory at ITM serves as the central hub for her research activities, providing the diagnostic and methodological expertise that underpins her publications.