Biography:

Iva Christova is a Professor of Microbiology at the National Center of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases (NCIPD), Sofi a, Bulgaria. She is the Deputy Director of NCIPD and Head of National reference vector-borne pathogens laboratory. She published more than 65 papers in reputed journals. Her research interest is focused on ecology, epidemiology, laboratory diagnosis and clinical manifestations of tick-borne and mosquito-borne pathogens. For her outstanding research, she was awarded Morrison Rogosa Award for 2003 from American Society for Microbiology and numerous Bulgarian awards, e.g. award for the most successful young scientist, award for the best research work and award for contribution in medicine. Her area of research interest includes vector-borne.

Abstract:

Located in Southeastern Europe, Bulgaria is an endemic country for Lyme borreliosis and Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF) and is aff ected by West Nile virus (WNV). In addition, sporadic cases of Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) have been also reported. About 500 cases of Lyme borreliosis are detected annually in Bulgaria. Two peaks in the seasonal distribution of cases and more frequent presentation of neuroborreliosis than of Lyme arthritis appear to be characteristics of Lyme borreliosis in the country. With sporadic cases or small outbreaks, CCHF appeared every year. More than 1600 CCHF cases were offi  cially recorded since 1952. Genetic investigations showed that CCHF virus strains causing disease in the country belong to lineage Europe 1. However, two CCHF virus lineages, Europe 1 and Europe 2, are present in ticks in Bulgaria. CCHF seroprevalence among healthy population is 3.7%. In 2018, number of detected WNV human cases in Bulgaria exceeded the total number in the previous seven years, following the same trend in the other aff ected EU countries. WNV lineage 2 was confi rmed as a cause of the human cases. Overall WNV seroprevalence in human population in the country is 1.5%. Tick-borne encephalitis is very unusual. Only a few cases of TBE have been detected. Overall seroprevalence of 0.6% for TBE virus was found in humans. 

Biography:

Francisco José Sanz Santaeufemia works as a pediatrician in one of the oldest children hospital in Western Europe located in Madrid. His expertise skills include General Pediatrics and children infectious diseases. Nowadays mycobacterial, parasitic or sexual transmitted infections are his preferred topics. 

Abstract:

Biography:

Yury A Tyulenev has completed his Graduation at Moscow State Academy of Veterinary Medicine and Biotechnology named after K I Skryabin in 2009; PhD from The Institute of Virology named after D.I. Ivanovsky, Moscow, Russia in 2013 and his Postdoctoral studies from Calgary University, Calgary, Canada. Since 2017, he has been working on sexually transmitted infections epidemiology among MSM. 

Abstract:

Biography:

Faiza A Fattouh has completed her PhD at Purdue University, USA. She is currently an Emeritus Professor of Virology at Alexandria University. She has served as a Head of the Botany and Microbiology Department of the Faculty of Science, Alexandria-University, Egypt. She has over 35 publications in National and International reputable journals. She has acted as Principle Investigator in over 10 International Cooperative projects in the field of Plant Virology. She is on the Editorial Board and served as Reviewer to several scientific publications. Her research interest includes Identification, molecular characterization and phylogenetic studies on plant viruses of economically important hosts in Egypt. 

Abstract:

Potato is the second most important food crop in Egypt in terms of yield and cash value. Virus infection is a major factor which aff ects production and tuber quality. Detection of several different potato viruses has been reported in some studies; yet, few limited studies addressed the genetic characterization of such viruses. PVY is a major virus affecting potato and is of worldwide distribution. Th e aim of this work is to elucidate more information on PVY genetic diversity in Egypt. Following several surveys for the detection of major viruses affecting potato in different geographic governorates, some PVY isolates were subjected to molecular characterization by means of immunocapture RT-PCR and also full genome sequencing. Multiple recombinant types of PVY were distinguished. At least 3 recombinant strains previously associated with potato tuber necrotic ringspot disease (PTNRD), including a novel recombinant were identified. These findings suggest the presence of PTNRD-inducing virus strains infecting potato. 

Biography:

Khaled A Habeb has experience in teaching and supervision on both undergraduate and post graduate students. He has taught different subjects belonging to microbiology such as medical microbiology, clinical mycology, microbial toxins and microbial physiology. He has experience in evaluation and improving of probiotics application. 

Abstract:

Biography:

Ashley Shay Duncan is a Registered Nurse who has a critical care back ground, whilst having a great interest in HIV care. She has presented her BSc Adult nursing dissertation at the National HIV Nurses Association Conference in 2016 regarding HIV related stigma. She is currently working for the East Midlands Ambulance Service assessing and triaging the 999 emergencies whilst undertaking a Masters in Advanced Nursing with the University of Nottingham. During her Msc course, she has completed a literature review regarding the benifi ts of testing critically ill patients for HIV. 

Abstract:

Biography:

Abstract:

An estimate of 36.9 million people globally was living with HIV in 2017. Out of which 21.7 million people were accessing antiretroviral therapy in 2017. Furthermore, 1.8 million people became newly infected with HIV in 2017. Moreover 940,000 people died from AIDS-related illnesses in 2017. About 77.3 million people have become infected with HIV since the start of the epidemic and 35.4 million people have died from AIDS-related illnesses since the start of the epidemic. Th e most frequent route of HIV transmission is sexual contacts. Th e majority of all infections are transmitted through heterosexual contacts. HIV particularly affects adolescents and young people (15 to 24 years old). Men who have sex with men are at a higher risk of HIV transmission if there is no use of protection as it may involve anal sex. Sex between men is stigmatized, offi cially denied and criminalized in various parts of the world. Sex workers may be stigmatized in the same way as MSM, they usually have multiple sexual partners. HIV prevalence amongst prisoners is between 2 and 50 times those of general adult populations. Prisons are at highrisk environment for HIV transmission with drug use, and needle sharing, tattooing with homemade and unsterile equipment and high-risk sex and rape. Every year, over 500 million people acquire one of the following four sexually transmitted diseases (STIs): chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis or trichomonas. HIV-related stigma and discrimination aff ect a pregnant woman's decision to enroll in PMTCT programs and interrupt adherence to treatment and retention in care. It has been estimated that over 50 percent of vertical HIV transmissions from mother-to-child globally, can be attributed to the cumulative eff ect of stigma when accessing PMTCT services

Biography:

Paulo Antonio Rodrigues Gouveia work in the Government of the State of Tocantins in 1990. He worked as a doctor at the Regional Hospital of Araguaína till 2007. he worked as a volunteering to help in medical attention in 2011. Currently he works as a doctor in the Government of the State of Tocantins since 2015). Laboratory Experience: Scientific expert laboratory technician at the Hospital of Diseases and Tropical Diseases (HDT), Brazil - State of Tocantins 

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. Th is 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 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:

Abstract:

Eswatini is a small landlocked country in the world with 27.4% of adults living with HIV. In 2017, 7,000 adults were newly infected with HIV and 3,500 people died of an AIDS related illness. Over the last decade Eswatini has made significant progress on its HIV epidemic. HIV prevalence is stabilizing and the number of new infections among adults has newly halved since 2011, an achievement largely made possible and by rapidly scaling up the number of people accessing antiretroviral treatment. At 85%, it has one of the highest rates of antiretroviral treatment coverage in Sub-Saharan Africa, and it has also increased its own domestic investment and funding for the HIV response. Nevertheless, the huge amount of people living with HIV in Eswatini means it is still the country’s biggest public health concern. According to 2015 estimates, life expectancy in the country is 57 years for men and 61 years for women. Mbabane government hospital is the biggest hospital in Eswatini with the highest number of patients with HIV. Its laboratories are working hard for supporting patients with HIV. Medical laboratories have always played an essential role in determining clinical decisions and providing clinicians with information that assists in the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and management of diseases in the developed world. Mbabane central laboratory is a referral laboratory operating at Mbabane government hospital under ministry of health in Eswatini. Th e central laboratory provide service routinely to all facilities with limited or without the capacity to perform simple or complex tests, it also serve a national back up for laboratory services. Th e scope of testing includes: Serology, Immunochemistry, Chemistry and Flowcytometry. Th e central laboratory runs about 45,356 tests in a year with an average of 3,779 tests per month. Flowcytometry is a biophysical technology in cells counting, cells sorting, biomarkers detection, by suspending them in the stream of fl uids and passing them to the electronically detection. It is the department which is monitoring patients with HIV by counting their CD4 before starting the antiretroviral treatment or when they are under treatment. Th is department can receive more than 2,500 samples of blood per month for CD4 Count or more than 30,000 samples per year. And all the results are sent to the clinicians for a good care of patients with HIV. 

Biography:

Kiyemba Ronald Coach for Uganda National cycling, holding a Degree in Sports Science. President, KITANDA CARE for HIV/AIDS & UTI infections control. Company Owner, Bike 2 Bike tours (U) LTD. 

Abstract:

In Uganda, research made in 2016 show that 1.4 million people live with HIV and other related UTI. 52000 people get infected newly. 28,000 die of HIV/AIDS and other related illness. Research has shown that HIV is one of the important outcomes of poverty in Uganda having more than 35% of Ugandans living below poverty line of 1US$ daily. As a result of this, people especially women indulge into risky behaviour such as commercial sex which can provide them with basic survival resources for themselves and their dependents. Commonest behaviour that has increased the spread of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections include: Cultural poverty that results in forced teenage marriages by their parents for material gain. Women do commercial sexual transaction to raise basic needs and most of them being widows left  alone with children who need feeding, hospital bills etc. House helps being seduced by their bosses, employers demanding for sex in exchange for jobs. Institution bosses abusing young less privileged girls for sex in exchange for admissions and also teachers demanding for sex in exchange for marks Muslim culture of polygamy which has increased the risk of multiple cross infections. Much as information through health education and counseling about the risks has reached the poor, it sometimes seems irrelevant given the reality of their poor standards of living. Th erefore, luck of incentive resources has made it diffi  cult for the poor communities to adapt to the recommend behaviour. Government should provide employment opportunities within the communities, restrictions should be put on alcohol and observed within the local communities, health and education care.

Biography:

Mohammad Mir did his PhD from Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics, Department of Atomic Energy of India in 2003. He then Moved to University of New Mexico for his Postdoctoral training in Virology, where he worked with hemorrhagic fever viruses. Hea then joined the University of Kansas, School of Medicine as Assistant Professor in Virology in the year 2009. In 2015, he joined the Western University of Health Sciences, California, as Associate Professor in Virology. His research program at Western University is focused on replication and therapeutic intervention of emerging negative strand RNA viruses

Abstract:

The hantavirus RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) snatches 5' capped mRNA fragments from the host cell transcripts and uses them as primers to initiate transcription and replication of the viral genome in the cytoplasm of infected cells. Hantavirus nucleocapsid protein (N protein) binds to the 5' caps of host cell mRNA and protects them from the attack of cellular decapping machinery. N protein rescues long capped mRNA fragments in cellular P bodies that are later processed by an unknown mechanism to generate 10- to 14-nucleotide-long capped RNA primers with a 3' G residue. Hantavirus RdRp has an N-terminal endonuclease domain and a C-terminal uncharacterized domain that harbors a binding site for the N protein. The purified endonuclease domain of RdRp nonspecifi cally degraded RNA in vitro. It is puzzling how such nonspecifi c endonuclease activity generates primers of appropriate length and specificity during cap snatching. We fused the N-terminal endonuclease domain with the C-terminal uncharacterized domain of the RdRp. The resulting NC mutant, with the assistance of N protein, generated capped primers of appropriate length and specifi city from a test mRNA in cells. Bacterially expressed and purifi ed NC mutant and N protein required further incubation with the lysates of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) for the specific endonucleolytic cleavage of a test mRNA to generate capped primers of appropriate length and defined 3' terminus in vitro. Our results suggest that an unknown host cell factor facilitates the interaction between N protein and NC mutant and brings the N protein-bound capped RNA fragments in close proximity to the endonuclease domain of the RdRp for specific cleavage at a precise length from the 5' cap. These studies provide critical insights into the cap-snatching mechanism of cytoplasmic viruses and have revealed potential new targets for their therapeutic intervention.