Biography:

Qingzhong Kong has completed his PhD at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst and postdoctoral studies at Yale University. He is currently an Associate Professor of Pathology, Neurology and Regenerative Medicine, Associate Director, National Prion Disease Pathology Surveillance Center, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine. He has published over 50 original research papers in reputable journals (including Science Translational Medicine, Journal of Clinical Investigations, PNAS, Cell Reports, and Plant Cells) and has been serving as an Editorial Board Member on multiple scientific journals.

Abstract:

Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is the prion disease found in several cervid species (mule deer, white-tailed deer, American elk, moose, and reindeer). CWD prions are among the most infectious and highly transmissible between cervids. It has reached epidemic levels in many regions of USA and parts of Canada. Recent detection of CWD in wild moose and reindeer in Norway confirmed its spread to the European continent. The continued spread of CWD and popular hunting and consumption of cervid meat and other products raise serious public health concerns. The discovery of novel CWD strains further complicates the issue since prion strains are known to influence prion transmission barrier between species. However, human susceptibility to CWD prions is still unclear, especially on the difference in zoonotic potential among various CWD prion strains. We have been working to address the CWD zoonosis question for well over a decade. We used CWD samples from multiple cervid species collected at various geographic locations to inoculate transgenic mice expressing human or elk prion protein (PrP). We found infectious prions in the spleen or brain in a small fraction of CWD-inoculated transgenic mice expressing human prion protein, which is consistent with a recent report of CWD transmission in macaques (a nonhuman primate model) and indicates that humans are not completely resistant to CWD prions. This finding has significant ramifications on the public health impact of CWD prions. The influence of key cervid prion protein polymorphisms, the prion strain dependence of CWD-to-human transmission barrier, and the characterization of experimental human CWD prions will be discussed. Preliminary examination of human prion cases with a history of cervid hunting and/or consumption will be presented.

Biography:

Maria José Figueras is a PhD from University of Barcelona in 1986. Since 1979, she is a Lecturer at the Medical School of the University Rovira i Virgili, Reus, Spain and Professor of Microbiology since 2001. She has been working in the microbiological contamination of water since 1990. She is the advisor on the management of the risk derived from contaminated bathing water to the World Health Organization (WHO), the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP), and the European Commission. She is involved in the European research projects aqua-chip, healthy-water, epibathe and aquavalens. Director of 8 PhDs on the taxonomy and epidemiology of the emerging pathogens Aeromonas and Arcobacter and author of 170 papers.

Abstract:

At least 10 of the species included in the genus Aeromonas can be considered emerging pathogens to humans because they are able to produce a broad spectrum of infections. Since the earlier association of aeromonads with human disease, gastroenteritis, bacteremia and wound infections have remained the dominating presentations. The role of Aeromonas as etiological agent of diarrhea has been questioned for several years. However, recenty using dose response models of microbial infection we estimated that the median Aeromonas dose required for producing diarrhoeal cases (1%) ranged from 1.24 x 104 cfu to 0.9 cfu for low and highly susceptible individuals, repectively. Cases of mixed infections have been investigated and reveal important interactions among the recovered strains that impact the development of the infection. New findings evidenced that Aeromonas activate a strong immune response in a human monocytic cell line (THP-1) producing cell damage. Aeromonas are associated to other infections that can affect the respiratory tract, the bone and/or joints, the urinary tract and also necrotizing fasciitis mainly in patients with cirrhosis or hepatobiliary disease. We can predict that Aeromonas infections will remain a health problem in the near future considering the increase on the life span that will result in more elderly persons with potential undelaying diseases. Recognition of the Aeromonas infections at the clinical setting have and will improve with the used of the MALDI-TOF identification system, avoiding classical errors like the overestimation of Aeromonas hydrophila. However, there is a strong need for improving the database.

Biography:

Sheikh Ajaz Rasool, Professor, Chairman, Dean Faculty of Science (August 2006 – February 2007) and has been a senior most Professor of Karachi University in the department of Microbiology, University of Karachi. He pursued his M.Sc. in Microbiology, PhD in Bacterial-Molecular Genetics from Moscow State University and Post-doc. from England. He has been awarded with many awards like British Council Postdoc. Award 1990, Best Karachi University Scientist Award 1996, Best University Teacher HEC-Award 2004 and Presidential Award of Academic Excellence 2007. He has supervised more than 50 research thesis, published more than 120 research papers and holds a membership of more than 20 Scientific/Academic bodies.

Abstract:

Biography:

Lisa Becherer studied chemistry (BSc and MSc) and is currently working on her PhD in Microsystems Engineering at the University of Freiburg at the Laboratory for MEMS Applications, IMTEK. Her research involve nucleic acid analysis with focus on isothermal amplification and digital amplification on centrifugal microfluidic cartridges.

Abstract:

Nucleic acid amplification tests (NAAT) are not only a powerful tool for early diagnosis of HIV infections, NAAT are also a reliable method for HIV viral load measurements during the monitoring of antiretroviral therapy. Additionally, NAAT allow simultaneous (multiplex) detection of different targets enabling the detection of HIV/HTLV co infections. Loopmediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) [1, 2] emerges as a convenient alternative to polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for rapid amplification of target DNA and RNA. As an isothermal NAAT, LAMP does not require expensive equipment for thermo cycling and is therefore especially suitable for point-of-care testing [3]. However, available multiplex detection techniques for LAMP suffer from elaborate assay design as well as time-consuming optimization work. Here we present the first multiplex reverse transcription (RT) LAMP for identification of HIV/HTLV co-infections [4]. The quantitative real-time assay is based on universal mediator and reporter molecules [5] generating a fluorescence signal in the presence of target sequences. During amplification of target DNA the mediator is displaced (step 1, Figure 1). The released mediator hybridizes to the reporter generating a fluorescence signal (step 2, Figure 1) which can be detected.

Biography:

Sharwani Vijayshree Lal is currently working as a Medical Officer at a Central Government Hospital in the capital of India. She has developed sharp acumen and insight in effective clinical judgement. Her passion for meticulous and comprehensive management of a case has matured during her rewarding exposure to healthcare in hospitals and educational institutions over the years. This study, capturing profile of opportunistic infections in patients with HIV, effectively demonstrates the significance of sound assessment and diligent handling of a case.

Abstract:

Statement of the Problem: 40 years old male with fever and constitutional symptoms for ≥2 months who concealed his diagnosis of HIV/AIDS and developed zidovudine induced lactic acidosis with pancreatitis and myopathy. Methodology: Patient presented with c/o weakness, body ache, weight loss (8 kg), pain abdomen since ≥2 months, and intractable vomiting and breathlessness since last 1 week. He was prescribed antibiotics, PPIs, prokinetics earlier by previous doctors but to no relief. Findings: General physical examination was unremarkable expect for toxic looks, dehydration and extensive oral thrush. HIV testing was advised but he refused to consent. On repeated counseling and questioning his wife accepted the patient being a case of HIV/AIDS on ART (zidovudine, lamivudine and nevirapine) for past one year. This fact was willingly concealed by patient to all previous doctors. CECT head and abdomen, and routine laboratory reports were normal except serum amylase which was 350U/L (Normal: 30-125 U/L), serum lipase was 210 U/L (Normal: 10-150 U/L) serum lactate was 7 mmol/L (Normal: 0.5-1.0 mmol/L), CPK was 320 U/L (Normal: 25-200 U/L), CD4 cell counts were 224/µL. ABG was suggestive of high anion gap metabolic acidosis. A provisional diagnosis of AIDS with zidovudine induced lactic acidosis with pancreatitis and myopathy was made. ART was immediately stopped and appropriate treatment was started. He was discharged after 10 days in satisfactory condition on tenofovir, lamivudine and efavirenz. Conclusion & Significance: This case explains the importance of detailed history taking (including concomitant medicine exposure) and vigilant physical examination (oral candidiasis in our case) especially in India to reach a diagnosis where HIV/ AIDS is a social stigma and its status is not willingly disclosed by the patient. Other fact being that zidovudine can also cause lactic acidosis and pancreatitis (which is more commonly associated with stavudine) and that too with no bone marrow toxicity (more often a hallmark of zidovudine).

Biography:

Shih Yen Chen is currently a Chief of Department of Pediatrics, Taipei Medical University, Shuang Ho Hospital, Taiwan. He received his Doctor of Medicine degree from Taipei Medical College, and Doctor of Philosophy degree from Chang Gung University College of Medicine.

Abstract:

Background: Norovirus (NoV) is an emerging enteric pathogen worldwide. NoV plays an increasingly important role in enteric infections. The rapid transmission of NoV via person-to-person contact makes infection control difficult. A quantitative method is even more important in the management of NoV infection in immunocompromised hosts, including transplant and cancer patients. Materials & Methods: Fecal specimens were collected from previously healthy children with NoV gastroenteritis confirmed by RT-PCR. The transcript of VP2 gene was reverse transcribed into cDNA and dissolved in DNase-free distilled water. The cDNA quantity was equivalent, approximately, to 4.12×1012 copy numbers according to EndMemo number calculation. The standard curve using 10-fold serial dilution of the cDNA was obtained (10-1-10-10). The equivalent copy numbers in 53 fecal samples from NoV-infected patients were counted. The clinical presentations of the patients were retrospectively collected and analyzed by GraphPad Prism 6.0 (GraphPad Software, Inc.). The NoV was also genotyped using methods as described earlier. Fisher exact test was used to determine differences between clinical features. Statistical significance was analyzed using a nonparametric Mann-Whitney U test for two independent samples. Results: A total of 53 fecal samples from NoV-infected hospitalized children age range, 8 months to 5 years were collected for analysis of viral load with the time for sample collection varied from day 1 to day 19 after the onset of the illness. We identified a longer shedding period in 21 febrile patients (6.75±3.14 days after disease onset) than in 32 afebrile ones (5.7±3.4 days after disease onset) (p=0.03); however, there is no significant difference between the 37 older patients (≥1 years old, 6.5±3.9 days after illness onset) and the 16 younger ones (<1 years old, 5.8±2.6 days after illness onset) in terms of viral shedding. Furthermore, we found a significantly longer shedding period in patients infected by NoV GII.4 Sydney strain (30 cases; 6.9±3.1 days after illness onset) than those infected by non-GII.4 Sydney strains (23 cases; 5.7±3.7 days after disease onset) (p<0.01). Discussion: In this study, we used the SYBR green-based real-time RT-PCR to measure NoV viral load in the feces of patients with NoV infection. SYBR green real-time RT-PCR showed a higher sensitivity in viral load calculation as the detection limit of the technique was at 50 RNA copies/ml in a previous study. With this method, we found febrile NoV GII.4 Sydney strain-infected children have a longer viral shedding. In the previous study indicate that Norovirus infection induced immune response in the patients, and inflammation may drive viral replication, leading to a longer shedding period following the onset of the illness. Conclusion: In conclusion, we devised a sensitive method for quantification of NoV viral load in patients and successful established the model of NoV viral shedding. This method is useful for devising efficient infection control measures for NoV infection, investigating outbreaks, and monitoring viral transmission and evolution.

Biography:

Dibyendu Banerjee completed his MBBS from J S S Medical College and Hospital, Mysore and MD in Medical Microbiology from Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research, Kolkata in 2006. He was trained from SGPGI, Lucknow. He is presently an Associate Professor in Department of Medical Microbiology, CNMC with many PGTs doing thesis work under him. He acted as external examiners in different parts of the country. He has 15 research papers published in indexed medical journals, including one review article on anthrax and is Reviewer of three indexed journals including Indian Journal of Public Health (indexed in MEDLINE).

Abstract:

Acinetobacter baumannii is now a formidable emerging pathogen. It is being increasingly isolated in clinical settings and from a wide range of infections. It is known that A. baumannii shows presence of dormant cells, a characteristic feature rarely found in other gram negative bacteria. This explains its environmental persistence as well as its ability to survive for a long time on abiotic surfaces under desiccated conditions. This ability to colonise and to grow as a biofilm has an important role in its persistence and spread in hospital environment. But whether the level or strength of biofilm formation varies with infection of different organs is not yet known. If an association can be found out between strength of biofilm formation and its variation according to different sites of infection, it can give a clue that pathogenesis of biofilm formation may have an intimate link with organotropism of different isolates. Multiple isolates of A. baumannii were taken from different clinical materials. Biofilm forming reference strains of A. baumannii (ATCC19606) and non biofilm forming reference strains of E. coli (ATCC25922) were used as positive and negative controls respectively. The strength of biofilm forming capacity (high/ medium/none) of each isolate was measured by microtitre plate method with primary filter of ELISA plate reader set at 570 nm. It was found that strength of biofilm formation varied for different sources of infection. The present study was a hospital based observational cross sectional study.

Biography:

Usman Lodhi is a Provincial MDR-TB Coordinator/Focal Person for DRTB/PTP-Punjab, Pakistan. Currently he is involved in two more research studies related to DRTB in Punjab. He also supported implementation of National Guidelines for PMDT in Punjab along with technical assistance regarding regimen selection especially on new drugs and short term regimen for MDR-TB. Before joining PTP, he also worked with Association for Social Development as a Regional Coordinator and MDR Physician. Since 2013 he is working in public health intervention program related to Drug Resistant TB.

Abstract:

Tuberculosis still the deadliest infectious disease among all communicable infections and drug resistant tuberculosis patients (DRTB) remains an evil for low income countries like Pakistan. Irrational use of second line drugs including fluoroquinolones and second line injections along with lack of proper awareness to both level community and treatment provider, less number of diagnostic and treatment centers, poor adherence to treatment, primary default, infection prevention and lack of technical resources in Punjab may lead to rise in incidence of DRTB. To find out treatment outcomes and their associations with type of resistance among DRTB patients in Punjab, retrospective cohort analysis was done. Of the total bacteriologically confirmed DRTB registered patients at various programmatic management of drug resistant tuberculosis (PMDT) sites across Punjab, n=2046 patient’s records were analyzed. Bivariate analysis shows a significant positive association (relative risk [RR] 1.7 & p-value ≤ 0.001) between type of resistance and treatment outcome in DRTB patients. Overall treatment success rate for DRTB in Punjab was 61.14% and favorable outcomes including cured and treatment completed were 59.4% and 1.7% respectively. While the unfavorable treatment outcomes including died, LTFU, not evaluated, treatment failure were 22.3%, 9.7%, 3.5%, and 2.7% respectively. Scale up DRTB surveillance activities, contact screening, integration of DRTB with other public health programs, active case finding among populations will have a positive impact on drug resistance tuberculosis case notification and control over spread of diseases.

Biography:

Kristina Miller holds a PhD from Stanford University (1992) and is currently the Head of Genetics and Genomics at Fisheries and Oceans Canada.  She is also an adjunct professor at UBC.  Dr. Miller is on the editorial board for Immunogenetics, Facets and Coastal Marine Fisheries Journal.  She has over 120 primary publications in the fields of genetics, genomics, immunogenetics, and diseases.

Abstract:

Piscine orthoreovirus Strain PRV-1 is the causative agent of heart and skeletal muscle inflammation (HSMI) in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar). Given its high prevalence in net pen salmon, debate has arisen on whether PRV poses a risk to migratory salmon, especially in British Columbia (BC) where commercially important wild Pacific salmon are in decline. Various strains of PRV have been associated with diseases in Pacific salmon, including erythrocytic inclusion body syndrome (EIBS), HSMI-like disease, jaundice syndrome, and jaundice/anemia in Japan, Norway, Chile and Canada. Herein, we examine the developmental pathway of HSMI and jaundice/anemia associated with PRV-1 in farmed Atlantic and Chinook (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) salmon in BC, respectively. A molecular viral disease development (VDD) biomarker panel differentiated fish that were merely viral carriers from those in an active viral disease state, and  In situ hybridization (ISH) localized PRV-1 within developing lesions in both diseases. The two diseases showed dissimilar pathological pathways, as indicated by the preponderance of inflammatory lesions in heart and skeletal muscle in Atlantic salmon, and the development of degenerative-necrotic lesions in kidney and liver in Chinook salmon. However, our data indicate that a species-related difference in PRV load tolerance in red blood cells can explain these differences. Moreover, complete viral genome sequencing revealed no consistent differences in the sequence of PRV-1 variants intimately involved in the development of both diseases, suggesting that migratory Chinook salmon may be at more than a minimal risk of disease from exposure to the high levels of PRV occurring on salmon farms.

Biography:

Paulo Antonio Rodrigues Gouveia is currently working as a Project Director Mutamba MGU against HIV, Brazil. He is graduated from the Science Center: ITPAC - Institute Tocantinense. President Antonio Carlos (ITPAC), from Araguaina in 2007, as Doctorate in medicine. He worked at Regional Hospital of Araguaína from 2007 to 2011. From 2011 to the present, he is an active member of ITPAC Medical University Institute. His research mainly focuses on HealthCare, Biological/Pharmacology Sciences.

Abstract:

This study aims to analyze the therapeutic use of Guazulma ulmifolia lam extract as an AIDS treatment, describing the management of treatment performed in a clinical report. This work was a literature review. The case reported was a 35-year-old Mozambican, diagnosed with HIV virus in 2008. In March of 2017, she started using Guazulma ulmifolia lam extract for 30 days, and has since received successive negative HIV test results. It was concluded that the efficacy of Guazulma ulmifolia has been increasingly proven for the treatment of AIDS, with the advantages being a natural remedy, without any side effects, and there is no ethical-moral impediment to be applied in infected population.

Biography:

Nebiyu Ler Alaro is a graduate of Texila America University Guyana PHD Public Health 2018 July. He took up Education as a career after majoring in Nursing. He completed Master’s education 2015 and starting PHD Public Health 2016. I am currently living and working South Sudan Doctors with Africa CUAMM as Health Project Manager.

Abstract:

As one of the main goals of the partnership framework (PF) between the Government of Ethiopia (GoE) and the US Government (USG), Ethiopia has set a national target of reducing new HIV infections by 50% by the end of 2014 (National Target). Funded by the USG, The PF provides a five-year joint strategic plan (2010-2014) for cooperation to support Ethiopia’s national HIV/AIDS response (PEPFAR, 2010). Ethiopia has an estimated adult prevalence of 1.5% and about a million people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) (ECSA & IFC, 2012), among countries most affected by the epidemic. The International Labor Organization (ILO) projection for 2015 indicates that as much as 8.5% of the Ethiopian labor force loss will be due to HIV/AIDS deaths (World Learning, 2012). On the other hand, Since the PF took effect, USG funding to the program has been in constant decline. Moreover, the PF does not fully take into account context and development barriers due to the prevailing social, political, economic and development policies in the country. Participation of the private sector, independent civil societies and media in the development process has been severely curtailed. Contextual factors have been seriously challenging the prevention of mother-to-child transmissions (PMTCT) efforts. Furthermore, the country lacks a comprehensive strategy to fully address the issue of most-at-risk population (MARP) as drivers of the HIV epidemic; and the HIV/AIDS response excludes men who have sex with men (MSM), A “Significant Unacknowledged” but fast growing transmission route of HIV (Tadele, 2008). Drawing from literature review and practicum experience in Ethiopia, this paper examines the feasibility of Ethiopia’s national target. The main problem in the HIV/AIDS discourse in Ethiopia appears to be behavioral change, but not lack of knowledge. In addition, contrary to the widespread public belief that homosexuality is not Ethiopian; there exists a flourishing underground male-sex trade in Addis Ababa.