Otto Bekers

Professor

Prof. Otto Bekers studied Pharmacy at the University of Leiden and graduated in 1987 with honour. He recieved his PhD degree in 1991 at the Utrecht University, title of his dissertation was 'Inclusion comlexation of cyclodextrins with some cytostatic drugs'. After this he specialised in Clinical Chemistry at the Leyenburg Hospital (now Haga Hospital) in The Hague.

Since 1997 he is working as a Clinical Chemist at the Maastricht UMC+. First as head of the unit General Clinical Chemistry and from 2014 he is professor in Clinical Chemistry and head of the Central Diagnostic Laboratory (CDL).

He is heading the cardiac marker research at the CDL and also focussed on personalised medice.

Central Diagnostic Laboratory
P. Debyelaan 25, 6229 HX Maastricht
PO Box 5800, 6202 AZ Maastricht
Room number: 5.E2.004
T: +31 (0)43 387 646 94

  • 2024
    • Drent, M., Wijnen, P. A., Jessurun, N. T., Harmsze, A. M., Bekers, O., & Bast, A. (2024). Drug-Gene Risk Stratification in Patients with Suspected Drug-Induced Interstitial Lung Disease. Drug Safety. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40264-024-01400-0
    • van Doorn, W. P. T. M., Helmich, F., van Dam, P. M. E. L., Jacobs, L. H. J., Stassen, P. M., Bekers, O., & Meex, S. J. R. (2024). Explainable Machine Learning Models for Rapid Risk Stratification in the Emergency Department: A Multicenter Study. Journal of Applied Laboratory Medicine, 9(2), 212-222. Article jfad094. https://doi.org/10.1093/jalm/jfad094
  • 2023
    • Denessen, E. J. S., Vroemen, W. H. M., Litjens, E. J. R., Henskens, Y. M. C., van der Sande, F. M., Bekers, O., de Boer, D., & Mingels, A. M. A. (2023). Cardiac Troponin T Degradation in End-Stage Renal Disease Patients Appears to Occur in Vivo. Journal of Applied Laboratory Medicine, 8(5), 1000-1002. https://doi.org/10.1093/jalm/jfad043
    • Denessen, E. J. S., Nass, S. I. J., Bekers, O., Vroemen, W. H. M., & Mingels, A. M. A. (2023). Circulating forms of cardiac troponin: a review with implications for clinical practice. Journal of Laboratory and Precision Medicine, 8(1), Article A3. https://doi.org/10.21037/jlpm-22-66
    • Heuts, S., Gollmann-Tepeköylü, C., Denessen, E. J. S., Olsthoorn, J. R., Romeo, J. L. R., Maessen, J. G., van 't Hof, A. W. J., Bekers, O., Hammarsten, O., Pölzl, L., Holfeld, J., Bonaros, N., van der Horst, I. C. C., Davidson, S. M., Thielmann, M., & Mingels, A. M. A. (2023). Cardiac troponin release following coronary artery bypass grafting: mechanisms and clinical implications. European Heart Journal, 44(2), 100-112. https://doi.org/10.1093/eurheartj/ehac604
  • 2022
    • Denessen, E. J., Heuts, S., Daemen, J. H., van Doorn, W. P., Vroemen, W. H., Sels, J.-W., Segers, P., Van't Hof, A. W., Maessen, J. G., Bekers, O., Van Der Horst, I. C., & Mingels, A. M. (2022). High-Sensitivity Cardiac Troponin I and T Kinetics Differ following Coronary Bypass Surgery: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Clinical Chemistry, 68(12), 1564-1575. Article hvac152. https://doi.org/10.1093/clinchem/hvac152
    • Mezger, S. T. P., Mingels, A. M. A., Soulié, M., Peutz-Kootstra, C. J., Bekers, O., Mulder, P., Heeren, R. M. A., & Cillero-Pastor, B. (2022). Protein Alterations in Cardiac Ischemia/Reperfusion Revealed by Spatial-Omics. International journal of molecular sciences, 23(22), Article 13847. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms232213847
    • Drent, M., Jessurun, N. T., Wijnen, P. A., Bekers, O., & Bast, A. (2022). Drug-induced comorbidities in patients with sarcoidosis. Current Opinion in Pulmonary Medicine, 28(5), 468-477. https://doi.org/10.1097/MCP.0000000000000889
    • Brouwers, M. C. G. J., Simons, N., Kooi, M. E., de Ritter, R., van Dongen, M. C. J. M., Eussen, S. J. P. M., Bekers, O., Kooman, J., van Greevenbroek, M. M. J., van der Kallen, C. J. H., Schram, M. T., Schaper, N. C., Schalkwijk, C. G., & Stehouwer, C. D. A. (2022). Intrahepatic lipid content is independently associated with soluble E-selectin levels: The Maastricht study. Digestive and Liver Disease, 54(8), 1038-1043. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dld.2022.01.130
    • Buziau, A. M., Eussen, S. J. P. M., Kooi, M. E., van der Kallen, C. J. H., van Dongen, M. C. J. M., Schaper, N. C., Henry, R. M. A., Schram, M. T., Dagnelie, P. C., van Greevenbroek, M. M. J., Wesselius, A., Bekers, O., Meex, S. J. R., Schalkwijk, C. G., Stehouwer, C. D. A., & Brouwers, M. C. G. J. (2022). Fructose Intake From Fruit Juice and Sugar-Sweetened Beverages Is Associated With Higher Intrahepatic Lipid Content: The Maastricht Study. Diabetes Care, 45(5), 1116-1123. https://doi.org/10.2337/dc21-2123
    • Stultiens, J. M. G., Top, W. M. C., Kimenai, D. M., Lehert, P., Bekers, O., Stehouwer, C. D. A., Kooy, A., & Meex, S. J. R. (2022). Metformin and high-sensitivity cardiac troponin I and T trajectories in type 2 diabetes patients: a post-hoc analysis of a randomized controlled trial. Cardiovascular Diabetology, 21(1), Article 49. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12933-022-01482-z
    • Heuts, S., Denessen, E. J. S., Daemen, J. H. T., Vroemen, W. H. M., Sels, J. W., Segers, P., Bekers, O., Hof, A. W. J. V., Maessen, J. G., van der Horst, I. C. C., & Mingels, A. M. A. (2022). Meta-Analysis Evaluating High-Sensitivity Cardiac Troponin T Kinetics after Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting in Relation to the Current Definitions of Myocardial Infarction. American Journal of Cardiology, 163, 25-31. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amjcard.2021.09.049
  • 2021
    • Jessurun, N. T., Drent, M., Wijnen, P. A., Harmsze, A. M., van Puijenbroek, E. P., Bekers, O., & Bast, A. (2021). Role of Drug-Gene Interactions and Pharmacogenetics in Simvastatin-Associated Pulmonary Toxicity. Drug Safety, 44(11), 1179-1191. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40264-021-01105-8
    • Olie, R. H., Hensgens, R. R. K., Wijnen, P. A. H. M., Veenstra, L. F., de Greef, B. T. A., Vries, M. J. A., van der Meijden, P. E. J., ten Berg, J. M., ten Cate, H., Bekers, O., & Henskens, Y. M. C. (2021). Differential Impact of Cytochrome 2C19 Allelic Variants on Three Different Platelet Function Tests in Clopidogrel-Treated Patients. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 10(17), Article 3992. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm10173992
    • van Doorn, W. P. T. M., Foreman, Y. D., Schaper, N. C., Savelberg, H. H. C. M., Koster, A., van der Kallen, C. J. H., Wesselius, A., Schram, M. T., Henry, R. M. A., Dagnelie, P. C., de Galan, B. E., Bekers, O., Stehouwer, C. D. A., Meex, S. J. R., & Brouwers, M. C. G. J. (2021). Machine learning-based glucose prediction with use of continuous glucose and physical activity monitoring data: The Maastricht Study. PLOS ONE, 16(6), Article 0253125. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0253125
    • Mezger, S. T. P., Mingels, A. M. A., Bekers, O., Heeren, R. M. A., & Cillero-Pastor, B. (2021). Mass Spectrometry Spatial-Omics on a Single Conductive Slide. Analytical Chemistry, 93(4), 2527-2533. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.analchem.0c04572
    • van Doorn, W. P. T. M., Stassen, P. M., Borggreve, H. F., Schalkwijk, M. J., Stoffers, J., Bekers, O., & Meex, S. J. R. (2021). A comparison of machine learning models versus clinical evaluation for mortality prediction in patients with sepsis. PLOS ONE, 16(1), Article 0245157. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0245157
    • de Boer, D., Streng, A. S., van Doorn, W. P. T. M., Vroemen, W. H. M., Bekers, O., Wodzig, W. K. W. H., & Mingels, A. M. A. (2021). Cardiac Troponin T: The Impact of Posttranslational Modifications on Analytical Immunoreactivity in Blood up to the Excretion in Urine. Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology, 1306, 41-59. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-63908-2_4
  • 2020
    • Kimenai, D. M., Lindahl, B., Jernberg, T., Bekers, O., Meex, S. J. R., & Eggers, K. M. (2020). Sex-specific effects of implementing a high-sensitivity troponin I assay in patients with suspected acute coronary syndrome: results from SWEDEHEART registry. Scientific Reports, 10(1), Article 15227. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-72204-2
    • Cheung, C. Y., Chan, K. M., Wong, Y. T., Chak, W. L., Bekers, O., & van Hooff, J. P. (2020). Influence of CYP3A5 Genetic Polymorphism on Long-Term Renal Function in Chinese Kidney Transplant Recipients Using Limited Sampling Strategy and Abbreviated Area Under the Curve for Tacrolimus Monitoring. Progress in Transplantation, 30(3), 249-253. Article 1526924820933823. https://doi.org/10.1177/1526924820933823
    • Martens, R. J. H., Henry, R. M. A., Bekers, O., Dagnelie, P. C., van Dongen, M. C. J. M., Eussen, S. J. P. M., van Greevenbroek, M., Kroon, A. A., Stehouwer, C. D. A., Wesselius, A., Meex, S. J. R., & Kooman, J. P. (2020). Associations of 24-Hour Urinary Sodium and Potassium Excretion with Cardiac Biomarkers: The Maastricht Study. Journal of Nutrition, 150(6), 1413-1424. https://doi.org/10.1093/jn/nxaa080
    • Jessurun, N. T., Wijnen, P. A., Bast, A., van Puijenbroek, E. P., Bekers, O., & Drent, M. (2020). Tamsulosin Associated with Interstitial Lung Damage in CYP2D6 Variant Alleles Carriers. International journal of molecular sciences, 21(8), Article 2770. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms21082770
    • van Doorn, W. P. T. M., Vroemen, W. H. M., Smulders, M. W., van Suijlen, J. D., van Cauteren, Y. J. M., Bekkers, S. C. A. M., Bekers, O., & Meex, S. J. R. (2020). High-Sensitivity Cardiac Troponin I and T Kinetics after Non-ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction. Journal of Applied Laboratory Medicine, 5(1), 239-241. https://doi.org/10.1373/jalm.2019.029785
    • Hendrix, M. L. E., Bons, J. A. P., van Haren, A., van Kuijk, S. M. J., van Doorn, W. P. T. M., Kimenai, D. M., Bekers, O., Spaanderman, M. E. A., & Al-Nasiry, S. (2020). Role of sFlt-1 and PlGF in the screening of small-for-gestational age neonates during pregnancy: A systematic review. Annals of Clinical Biochemistry, 57(1), 44-58. Article 0004563219882042. https://doi.org/10.1177/0004563219882042
    • Tas, J., van Gassel, R. J. J., Heines, S. J. H., Mulder, M. M. G., Heijnen, N. F. L., Acampo-de Jong, M. J., Bels, J. L. M., Bennis, F. C., Koelmann, M., Groven, R. V. M., Donkers, M. A., van Rosmalen, F., Hermans, B. J. M., Meex, S. J. R., Mingels, A., Bekers, O., Savelkoul, P., Oude Lashof, A. M. L., Wildberger, J., ... van Bussel, B. C. T. (2020). Serial measurements in COVID-19-induced acute respiratory disease to unravel heterogeneity of the disease course: design of the Maastricht Intensive Care COVID cohort (MaastrICCht). BMJ Open, 10(9), Article 040175. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2020-040175
  • 2019
    • Vroemen, W. H. M., van Doorn, W. P. T. M., Kimenai, D. M., Wodzig, W. K. W. H., de Boer, D., Bekers, O., & Meex, S. J. R. (2019). Biotin interference in high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T testing: a real-world evaluation in acute cardiac care. Cardiovascular Research, 115(14), 1950-1951. https://doi.org/10.1093/cvr/cvz277
    • Hendrix, M. L. E., Palm, K. C. M., Van Kuijk, S. M. J., Bekers, O., Spaanderman, M. E. A., Bons, J. A. P., & Al-Nasiry, S. (2019). Longitudinal changes in placental biomarkers in women with early versus late placental dysfunction. Hypertension in Pregnancy, 38(4), 268-277. https://doi.org/10.1080/10641955.2019.1668948
    • Hendrix, M. L. E., Bons, J. A. P., Snellings, R. R. G., Bekers, O., van Kuijk, S. M. J., Spaanderman, M. E. A., & Al-Nasiry, S. (2019). Can Fetal Growth Velocity and First Trimester Maternal Biomarkers Improve the Prediction of Small-for-Gestational Age and Adverse Neonatal Outcome?Fetal Diagnosis and Therapy, 46(4), 274-284. https://doi.org/10.1159/000499580
    • Jessurun, N. T., Drent, M., van Puijenbroek, E. P., Bekers, O., Wijnen, P. A., & Bast, A. (2019). Drug-induced interstitial lung disease: role of pharmacogenetics in predicting cytotoxic mechanisms and risks of side effects. Current Opinion in Pulmonary Medicine, 25(5), 468-477. https://doi.org/10.1097/MCP.0000000000000590
    • Damen, S. A. J., Vroemen, W. H. M., Brouwer, M. A., Mezger, S. T. P., Suryapranata, H., van Royen, N., Bekers, O., Meex, S. J. R., Wodzig, W. K. W. H., Verheugt, F. W. A., de Boer, D., Cramer, G. E., & Mingels, A. M. A. (2019). Multi-Site Coronary Vein Sampling Study on Cardiac Troponin T Degradation in Non-ST-Segment-Elevation Myocardial Infarction: Toward a More Specific Cardiac Troponin T Assay. Journal of the American Heart Association, 8(14), Article 012602. https://doi.org/10.1161/JAHA.119.012602
    • Mezger, S. T. P., Mingels, A. M. A., Bekers, O., Cillero-Pastor, B., & Heeren, R. M. A. (2019). Trends in mass spectrometry imaging for cardiovascular diseases. Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry, 411(17), 3709-3720. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00216-019-01780-8
    • Wijnen, P., Drent, M., Bekers, O., Verschakelen, J., & Bast, A. (2019). VKORC1 and CYP2C9 Polymorphisms: A Case Report in a Dutch Family with Pulmonary Fibrosis. International journal of molecular sciences, 20(5), Article 1160. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms20051160
    • Vroemen, W. H. M., Mezger, S. T. P., Masotti, S., Clerico, A., Bekers, O., de Boer, D., & Mingels, A. (2019). Cardiac Troponin T: Only Small Molecules in Recreational Runners After Marathon Completion. Journal of Applied Laboratory Medicine, 3(5), 909-911. https://doi.org/10.1373/jalm.2018.027144
    • Cheung, C. Y., Chan, K. M., Wong, Y. T., Chak, W. L., Bekers, O., & van Hooff, J. P. (2019). Impact of CYP3A5 Genetic Polymorphism on Intrapatient Variability of Tacrolimus Exposure in Chinese Kidney Transplant Recipients. Transplantation Proceedings, 51(6), 1754-1757. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.transproceed.2019.04.019
  • 2018
    • Hilderink, J. M., van der Linden, N., Kimenai, D. M., Litjens, E. J. R., Klinkenberg, L. J. J., Aref, B. M., Aziz, F., Kooman, J. P., Rennenberg, R. J. M. W., Bekers, O., Koopmans, R. P., & Meex, S. J. R. (2018). Biological Variation of Creatinine, Cystatin C, and Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate over 24 hours. Acta Bioquimica Clinica Latinoamericana, 52(4), 489-500.
    • van der Linden, N., Wildi, K., Twerenbold, R., Pickering, J. W., Than, M., Cullen, L., Greenslade, J., Parsonage, W., Nestelberger, T., Boeddinghaus, J., Badertscher, P., Gimenez, M., Klinkenberg, L. J. J., Bekers, O., Schoni, A., Keller, D. I., Sabti, Z., Puelacher, C., Cupa, J., ... Mueller, C. (2018). Combining High-Sensitivity Cardiac Troponin I and Cardiac Troponin T in the Early Diagnosis of Acute Myocardial Infarction. Circulation, 138(10), 989-999. https://doi.org/10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.117.032003
    • Stifft, F., van Kuijk, S. M. J., Bekers, O., & Christiaans, M. H. L. (2018). Increase in tacrolimus exposure after steroid tapering is influenced by CYP3A5 and pregnane X receptor genetic polymorphisms in renal transplant recipients. Nephrology Dialysis Transplantation, 33(9), 1668-1675. https://doi.org/10.1093/ndt/gfy096
    • Veugen, M. G. J., Henry, R. M. A., Brunner-La Rocca, H.-P., Dagnelie, P. C., Schram, M. T., van Agtmaal, M. J. M., van der Kallen, C. J. H., Sep, S. J. S., van Boxtel, M. P. J., Bekers, O., Meex, S. J. R., Jansen, J. F. A., Kroon, A. A., & Stehouwer, C. D. A. (2018). Cross-sectional associations between cardiac biomarkers, cognitive performance, and structural brain changes are modified by age: The Maastricht Study. Arteriosclerosis Thrombosis and Vascular Biology, 38(8), 1948-1958. https://doi.org/10.1161/ATVBAHA.118.311082
    • Kimenai, D. M., Janssen, E. B. N. J., Eggers, K. M., Lindahl, B., den Ruijter, H. M., Bekers, O., Appelman, Y., & Meex, S. J. R. (2018). Sex-Specific Versus Overall Clinical Decision Limits for Cardiac Troponin I and T for the Diagnosis of Acute Myocardial Infarction: A Systematic Review. Clinical Chemistry, 64(7), 1034-1043. https://doi.org/10.1373/clinchem.2018.286781
    • Hilderink, J. M., van der Linden, N., Kimenai, D. M., Litjens, E. J. R., Klinkenberg, L. J. J., Aref, B. M., Aziz, F., Kooman, J. P., Rennenberg, R. J. M. W., Bekers, O., Koopmans, R. P., & Meex, S. J. R. (2018). Biological Variation of Creatinine, Cystatin C, and eGFR over 24 Hours. Clinical Chemistry, 64(5), 851-860. https://doi.org/10.1373/clinchem.2017.282517
    • Streng, A., van der Linden, N., Kocken, J. M. M., Bekers, O., Bouwman, F., Mariman, E., Meex, S., Wodzig, W., & de Boer, D. (2018). Mass Spectrometric Identification of Cardiac Troponin T in Urine of Patients Suffering from Acute Myocardial Infarction. Journal of Applied Laboratory Medicine, 2(6), 857-867. https://doi.org/10.1373/jalm.2017.024224
    • de Brouwer, B., Drent, M., van den Ouweland, J. M. W., Wijnen, P. A., van Moorsel, C. H. M., Bekers, O., Grutters, J. C., White, E. S., & Janssen, R. (2018). Increased circulating desmosine and age-dependent elastinolysis in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Respiratory Research, 19, Article 45. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12931-018-0747-6
    • van Doorn, W., Vroemen, W., de Boer, D., Mingels, A., Bekers, O., Wodzig, W., & Meex, S. (2018). Clinical laboratory practice recommendations for high-sensitivity cardiac troponin testing. Journal of Laboratory and Precision Medicine, 3, 1-5. Article 30. https://doi.org/10.21037/jlpm.2018.03.09
  • 2017
    • Baumgartner, S., Mensink, R. P., Haenen, G. R., Bast, A., Binder, C. J., Bekers, O., Husche, C., Luetjohann, D., & Plat, J. (2017). The effects of vitamin E or lipoic acid supplementation on oxyphytosterols in subjects with elevated oxidative stress: a randomized trial. Scientific Reports, 7, Article 15288. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-017-15615-y
    • Vroemen, W. H. M., de Boer, D., Streng, A. S., Bekers, O., & Wodzig, W. K. W. H. (2017). Thrombin Activation via Serum Preparation Is Not the Root Cause for Cardiac Troponin T Degradation. Clinical Chemistry, 63(11), 1768-1769. https://doi.org/10.1373/clinchem.2017.279182
    • van der Linden, N., Hilderink, J. M., Cornelisa, T., Kimenai, D. M., Klinkenbergb, L. J. J., van Doorn, W. P., Litjens, E. J. R., van Suijlen, J. D. E., van Loon, L. J. C., Bekers, O., Kooman, J. P., & Meex, S. J. R. (2017). Twenty-Four-Hour Biological Variation Profiles of Cardiac Troponin I in Individuals with or without Chronic Kidney Disease. Clinical Chemistry, 63(10), 1655-1656. https://doi.org/10.1373/clinchem.2017.275107
    • van der Linden, N., Cornelis, T., Kimenai, D. M., Klinkenberg, L. J. J., Hilderink, J. M., Luck, S., Litjens, E. J. R., Peeters, F. E. C. M., Streng, A. S., Breidthardt, T., van Loon, L. J. C., Bekers, O., Kooman, J. P., Westermark, P. O., Mueller, C., & Meex, S. J. R. (2017). Origin of Cardiac Troponin T Elevations in Chronic Kidney. Circulation, 136(11), 1073-1075. https://doi.org/10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.117.029986
    • Hilderink, J. M., Rennenberg, R. J. M. W., Vanmolkot, F. H. M., Bekers, O., Koopmans, R. P., & Meex, S. J. R. (2017). Labtracker plus , a medical smartphone app for the interpretation of consecutive laboratory results: an external validation study. BMJ Open, 7(9), Article 015854. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2017-015854
    • Kimenai, D. M., Martens, R. J. H., Kooman, J. P., Stehouwer, C. D. A., Tan, F. E. S., Schaper, N. C., Dagnelie, P. C., Schram, M. T., van der Kallen, C. J. H., Sep, S. J. S., van Suijlen, J. D. E., Kroon, A. A., Bekers, O., van Dieijen-Visser, M. P., Henry, R. M. A., & Meex, S. J. R. (2017). Troponin I and T in relation to cardiac injury detected with electrocardiography in a population-based cohort - The Maastricht Study. Scientific Reports, 7, Article 6610. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-017-06978-3
    • van der Linden, N., Streng, A. S., Bekers, O., Wodzig, W. K. W. H., Meex, S. J. R., & de Boer, D. (2017). Large Variation in Measured Cardiac Troponin T Concentrations after Standard Addition in Serum or Plasma of Different Individuals. Clinical Chemistry, 63(7), 1300-1302. https://doi.org/10.1373/clinchem.2017.272435