1. Curriculum vitae (update 26-9-2015)
Michel J.F. Walravens M.D.
Rheumatologist
Born: 12-04-1946
Address: Katelijnsesteenweg 55, 2570 Duffel, België
Education:
“Doctor in de Genees- Heel- en Verloskunde” KULeuven 1971
Internist-Rheumatologist KULeuven 1976
Professional:
• Resident Clinical Rheumatology and Laboratory Clinical Immunology University
Hospital Leuven 1976 – 1979
• Consultant Clinical Rheumatology and Laboratory Clinical Immunology University
Hospital Leuven 1979 – 1995
• Clinical Rheumatology (setting up Rheumatology Polyclinic) OLV Hospital Aalst
Belgium 1995 – 2003
• Clinical Rheumatology and Laboratory Clinical Immunology MCRZ (now
Maasstadziekenhuis) Rotterdam 2003 – 2013
• Setting up and running of Rheumatology policlinic van Weel-Bethesda hospital
Dirksland, the Netherlands, 2005- 2013
• University Hospital Maastricht Department of Rheumatology, focus on systemic auto-
immune diseases, January 2013 – ongoing (retired since January 2015, ongoing voluntary
project cooperation)
Points of major interest and realisations:
• Systemic diseases clinical
o Supervision of diagnosis and treatment of in- and outpatients University hospital
Leuven 1976-1995
o Special attention for pregnancy and prevention of neonatal Lupus and Congenital
Heart block.
o Development of database for prospective clinical follow up of systemic disease
patients
o Founding the Multidisciplinary Systemic Diseases Workgroup and monthly
clinical meeting in the Maasstadziekenhuis Rotterdam
o University Hospital Maastricht (January 2013…on-going): staff member
department of Rheumatology with focus on diagnosis and care for auto-immune
systemic diseases in close cooperation with the other departments of internal
medicine and the lab of immunology.
Special attention paid on
- systematic and prospective care and data registration
- education
• Immunology lab:
o Setting up the technology for ANA IIF (Hep2cells), anti dsDNA (Farr assay) and
ENA antibodies (CIE and Western blot) (University Leuven 1977-1995)

2. o Setting up the Western blot technique starting from self-cultured Hela-S3 cells,
extraction of proteins and separation on PAGE for detection of ENA antibodies.
Comparison with self-made Elisa’s (University Leuven 1977-1995)
o Upgrading the CIE with serum prediffusion (J Immunol Methods. 1997 Feb
14;201(1):89-98) (University Leuven 1977-1995)
o Implementation of the CIE in the lab of hematology University of the West Indies
(UWI) Kingston Jamaica (1997)
o Guidance and counceling of the lab of auto-antibodies in the MCRZ (now
Maasstadziekenhuis), Rotterdam 2007.
o Planning and starting research for reference serum bank for auto-antibodies with
counterimmunoelectrophoresis, immunofluorescence, immunoblot and Elisa,
started up in Lab Immunology, University Hasselt 1996 (Head Prof Raus).
System not deployed.
• Education
o Supervision of diagnosis and treatment of in- and outpatients University hospital
Leuven 1976-1995
o Lectures on systemic diseases for students and assistants Internal Medicine and
Rheumatology, coaching of student groups (University Leuven)
o Initiative and organisation of First (1984) and Second (1989) European Congress
on Autoantibodies Leuven Belgium.
o Startup of the Multidisciplinary Systemic Diseases Workgroup and monthly
clinical meeting in the Maasstadziekenhuis Rotterdam
o Lectures on systemic diseases for students and assistants Internal Medicine and
Rheumatology, coaching of student groups (University Maastricht)
o Introductie en terugkomdagen coassistenten cluster beschouwend
Analyse en suggesties tot vernieuwing (In samenwerking met A.Duijvestijn,
University Maastricht). Text based on analysis, experience en lit.study; in review
o Co-promoter and monitor of multiple master-theses (1981-2011) in Belgium, the
Netherlands and Jamaica, of laboratory technicians on detection, specification and
quantification of auto-antibodies
• Patient education
o Founding of the Flemish League for Connective Tissue Diseases www.cibliga.be
1981. Multiple extensive information texts on systemic diseases for patients
(www.cibliga.be, introduction booklet, patient journal, multiple lectures). Medical
advisor of the cibliga (since 1981 ongoing).
• Informatics
o Programming an interactive electronic patient record for policlinic use (used since
1992 till 2013 )
o Programming a module for prospective screening and follow up with standardised
questionnaires
o Programming a module for Bayesian calculation of the predictive value of groups
of) symptoms and/or auto-antibodies in the diagnosis of Systemic Lupus or other
auto-immune diseases.

3. o Programming an internet based self-assessment module for patients with RA and
Systemic diseases (IMIS-Remote) (application in preparation in Kingston Jamaica
for SLE)
o Guidance, counceling and field work on the ICT-Masters Thesis of
Jacco Weststrate, Sam Essa; Adoption of Sustainable Health Information Systems
in Developing Countries: root problems of achieving a sustainable telemedicine
system in Jamaica; Thesis Master Information Science, Program Business
Information Systems, University of Amsterdam, Faculty of Science and Faculty of
Economics and Business, Final version: 26th August 2012, Supervisors: drs. A.W.
Abcouwer and dr. Ard Huizing
Scientific contributions:
Posters
Is strongly elevated IgG a pathogenic and treatable factor for Complete Congenital Heart
Block in anti-Ro/SSA positive mothers?
Michel J.F. Walravens1,4 , M.E. Roquet,2 , J.M.W. Hazes,3 , E. Stevens,4
International Congress on SLE and Related Conditions
New York, may 2004
Abstract Number: 924.7830
Prospective screening of the reimbursement criteria for TNFα blocking agents in
Rheumatoid Arthritis patients in a peripheral out-patient unit in Mol Belgium. Comparison of
the criteria with the Disease Activity Score (DAS).
Walravens M.J.F., Muurling A.M.
Abstract EULAR, Lissabon, 2003
EARLY EFFECT OF STRONTIUM RANELATE ON CLINICAL VERTEBRAL
FRACTURES IN WOMEN WITH POSTMENOPAUSAL OSTEOPOROSIS
P. J. Meunier1
*, P. Marquis2
, E. M. Lemmel3
, T. J. Martin4
, A. Sawicki5
, G. Isaia6
, C.
Benhamou7
, M. Walravens8
, H. Beck-Nielsen9
, M. Diaz-Curiel10
, E. Seeman11
, J-Y.
Reginster12,13
Poster June 2003
Papers
Antinuclear antibodies and HLA class II alleles in Jamaican patients with systemic lupus
erythematosus.
Christian N, Smikle MF, DeCeulaer K, Daniels L, Walravens MJ, Barton EN.
West Indian Med J. 2007 Mar;56(2):130-3.
PMID: 17910142 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
Counterimmunoelectrophoresis with serum prediffusion: an improved method for the
detection and identification of antibodies against extractable nuclear and cytoplasmic
antigens.

4. Walravens MJ, Vanherrewegen H, Lacquet F, Godefridis G, Korevits G, Stevens E, Marien
G, Molenberghs G.
J Immunol Methods. 1997 Feb 14;201(1):89-98.
This method was independently tested and described as the best in the following papers:
- High-Quality, Cost-Effective Strategy for Detection of Autoantibodies to Extractable
Nuclear Antigens
Tri G. Phan,1,2*
Watson W. S. Ng,1
Dana Bird,2
Kara Smithers,2
Vicky Wong,2
Kerri Gallagher,2
Andrew Williams,2
and Stephen Adelstein1,2
1
Department of Clinical Immunology1
and 2
Central Sydney Immunology Laboratory,2
Royal
Prince Alfred Hospital, Camperdown, New South Wales 2050, Australia
Clin Diagn Lab Immunol. 2001May; :471-474
- Autoantibodies to Extractable Nuclear Antigens: Making Detection and Interpretation More
Meaningful
Tri Giang Phan, Richard C. W. Wong, and Stephen Adelstein
Clin Diagn Lab Immunol. 2002 January; 9(1): 1 7.
Diagnostic significance of antinuclear antibodies in neurologic patients.
Michielsens B, Walravens M, Vermylen J, Carton H.
Acta Neurol Scand. 1991 Aug;84(2):102-6.
Analysis of the stabilizing effect of epsilon-aminocaproic acid by electrophoretic techniques
and immunoblotting.
Van Hoeyveld EM, Lejoly M, Walravens MJ, Stevens EA.
J Allergy Clin Immunol. 1989 Mar;83(3):601-9.
Systemic diseases and the detection of antinuclear and anticytoplasmic antibodies. An
historical review.
Walravens M.
Clin Rheumatol. 1987 Jun;6 Suppl 1:9-17. Review. No abstract available.
Arteritis associated with hyperviscosity-like syndrome in rheumatoid arthritis, treated by
intermittent plasma-exchange for 2.5 years.
Dequeker J, Walravens M, Leys A, Pieters R.
Rheumatol Rehabil. 1981 Nov;20(4):203-7.
HLA-B27, arthritis and Yersinia enterocolitica infection.
Dequeker J, Jamar R, Walravens M.
J Rheumatol. 1980 Sep-Oct;7(5):706-10.
HLA B27 prevalence in spondylo-arthropathy syndromes.
Dequeker J, Decock T, Walravens M, Van De Putte I.
Acta Rhumatol Belg. 1979 Apr-Jun;3(2):144-55. No abstract available.
Sacroiliac disease and low backache in women.
De Roo M, Walravens M, Dequeker J.
Lancet. 1978 Oct 28;2(8096):942-3.

5. Evaluation of sacro-iliitis: comparison of radiological and radionuclide techniques.
Dequeker J, Goddeeris T, Walravens M, De Roo M.
Radiology. 1978 Sep;128(3):687-9.
[Lupus erythematosus and plasma exchange. A case report]
Schildermans F, Walravens M, Dequeker J, van de Putte I.
Acta Rhumatol Belg. 1978 Jul-Dec;2(3-4):127-31. Dutch.
[Mixed connective tissue disease]
Walravens M.
Acta Rhumatol Belg. 1978 Jul-Dec;2(3-4):109-23. Dutch.
A systematic survey of the HLA B27 prevalence in inflammatory rheumatic diseases.
Dequeker J, Decock T, Walravens M, Van de Putte I.
J Rheumatol. 1978 Winter;5(4):452-9.
Comparison of gold and orgotein treatment in rheumatoid arthritis.
Walravens M, Dequeker J.
Curr Ther Res Clin Exp. 1976 Jul;20(1):62-9. No abstract available.
International lectures:
Among others since 1977…
Auto-antibodies in the diagnosis and follow-up of systemic diseases
Predictive value of auto-antibody tests and clinical symptoms for the diagnosis and follow-up
of systemic auto-immune diseases and for prevention of exacerbation in Lupus in particular.
Regional Lupus congress Kingston, Jamaica, October 28, 2007
Autoimmunity and Ageing (+2 general lectures on auto-immunity)
COLLEGIUM INTERNATIONALE GERONTO PHARMACOLOGICUM
CONGRESS 2006
Jakarta aug 13 2006
Is elevated IgG a co-pathogenic and treatable factor for Congenital Heart Block in anti-
Ro/SSA positive mothers?
Fifth International Workshop on Neonatal Lupus Syndromes and the Ro/SSA-La/SSB System
Stresa, Palazzo dei Congressi September 20-22, 2004

6. Evaluation of sacro-iliitis: comparison of radiological and radionuclide techniques.
Dequeker J, Goddeeris T, Walravens M, De Roo M.
Radiology. 1978 Sep;128(3):687-9.
[Lupus erythematosus and plasma exchange. A case report]
Schildermans F, Walravens M, Dequeker J, van de Putte I.
Acta Rhumatol Belg. 1978 Jul-Dec;2(3-4):127-31. Dutch.
[Mixed connective tissue disease]
Walravens M.
Acta Rhumatol Belg. 1978 Jul-Dec;2(3-4):109-23. Dutch.
A systematic survey of the HLA B27 prevalence in inflammatory rheumatic diseases.
Dequeker J, Decock T, Walravens M, Van de Putte I.
J Rheumatol. 1978 Winter;5(4):452-9.
Comparison of gold and orgotein treatment in rheumatoid arthritis.
Walravens M, Dequeker J.
Curr Ther Res Clin Exp. 1976 Jul;20(1):62-9. No abstract available.
International lectures:
Among others since 1977…
Auto-antibodies in the diagnosis and follow-up of systemic diseases
Predictive value of auto-antibody tests and clinical symptoms for the diagnosis and follow-up
of systemic auto-immune diseases and for prevention of exacerbation in Lupus in particular.
Regional Lupus congress Kingston, Jamaica, October 28, 2007
Autoimmunity and Ageing (+2 general lectures on auto-immunity)
COLLEGIUM INTERNATIONALE GERONTO PHARMACOLOGICUM
CONGRESS 2006
Jakarta aug 13 2006
Is elevated IgG a co-pathogenic and treatable factor for Congenital Heart Block in anti-
Ro/SSA positive mothers?
Fifth International Workshop on Neonatal Lupus Syndromes and the Ro/SSA-La/SSB System
Stresa, Palazzo dei Congressi September 20-22, 2004