Day 1 :
Keynote Forum
Ivana Haluskova Balter
French society of Immunology, France
Keynote: Innovative path to tackle neglected diseases : Restoring functionality of host immune system
Biography:
Haluskova Balter Ivana , MD,MBA, France, French/Slovak active medical professional specialised in infectious diseases, internal medicine covering various therapeutic axes, certified in Immunology and Pediatric, MBA in vaccinology. Lived multi-country medical “field “experience in Southeast Asia, West/Central/East Europe and Middle East. Speaking French, English, Russian, Italian, Czech, and Slovak with notion of Mandarin. Over 15 years of experience in pharmaceutical research and development for European and USA companies as Medical lead /Director of R&D in various therapeutic areas and as Scientific and Medical independent consultant for various academic and private stakeholders globally. Active member of French immunology society (SFI) administrative board and several international academic societies with focus on R&D innovation and partnership highlighting role immunology/immune-metabolism and genetics for innovative treatment, prevention and diagnostic. Member of advisory Health concern (India) and think tank group in order to attract attention to role of accessible medical care, education and awareness along with accurate diagnostic and innovative partnership in this area. Years of expertise to work globally but recently more focused on BRICS as Medical advisor for scientific partnership, bringing new innovative concepts alive and getting them endorsed.
Abstract:
Diseases neglected or omitted and neglected worth growing attention and new innovative immune/metabolic paths show real potential and overlapping approach to be undertaken. The fight against the Neglected Tropical Diseases receiving increased worldwide attention after the recent attribution of the 2015 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine to William Campbell and Satoshi ÅŒmura for their development of a novel therapy against infections caused by roundworm parasites. Recently, WHO’s efforts to address growing global AMR (27th Feb 2017) and it highlighted, in particular, the threat of gram-negative bacteria but initially “neglected” growing world urgency of tuberculosis – XDR/MDR and latent in particular. Based on recent works natural defenses to infection are mediated by intrinsic/innate and adaptive immune responses. While our understanding is considerable it is incomplete and emerging areas of research such as those related to the immune-metabolic axis are started to be appreciated. Macrophages play a frontline role in this process connecting immunity, infection and lipid biology, and collaterally are a central target for infection by a wide range of pathogens including viruses and bacteria, especially intracellular bacteria such as mycobacteria. Clinical manifestations of disease severity in the infected host are likely to pay tribute to perturbations of the metabolic-immune phenomena found in lymphocytes and myeloid cells. Historically and consistent with this notion, vitamin D based oxysterols have had a long association with promoting clinical improvements to patients infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis. M. tuberculosis has invested considerable genomic real estate to encode enzymes capable of exploiting and catabolizing these host-derived immune metabolites (1) Similarly, it appears that L (Leishmania ) parasites by decreasing membrane cholesterol during their intracellular life cycle may have altered the conformation of MHC-II molecules with direct bearing on the compromised agonist affinity leading to faster dissociation of cognate peptide from the peptide-MHC-II complex which could be corrected by liposomal cholesterol delivery. Several new paths to understanding host immune system interactions during L infection are looked at. Phagocytosis, a process known to be subverted by parasites like Leishmania (L). Indeed, the intracellular development of L amastigote relies on the biogenesis and dynamic remodeling of a phagolysosome, termed the parasitophorous vacuole. (2) It appears that L parasites by decreasing membrane cholesterol during their intracellular life cycle may have altered the conformation of MHC-II molecules with direct bearing on the compromised agonist affinity leading to faster dissociation of cognate peptide from the peptide-MHC-II complex which could be corrected by liposomal cholesterol delivery(4) Additionally or consequently CD8 T cells are driven to energy/exhaustion in human VL, which affect their ability to contribute to protective immune responses. (3) Effective approach capable of constraining the visceralizing parasites to the skin holds much promise as it would block colonization of the viscera, where these species are perfectly adapted for survival and subversion of the immune response. Based on recent works natural defenses to infection are mediated by intrinsic/innate and adaptive immune responses. Understanding the role of early metabolic mediators of inflammatory responses to infection, principles of immuno-metabolism will aid in the development of urgently needed HOST directed therapeutic, preventive (Vaccines) and diagnostic innovations knowing limitations of existing tools.
Keynote Forum
Cdr Dr.Stef Stienstra
Royal Dutch Navy, The Netherlands
Keynote: The threat of zoonotic diseases and ebola virus disease specifically
Biography:
Dr. Stef Stienstra works internationally for several medical and biotech companies as the scientific advisory board member and is also an active reserve-officer of the Royal Dutch Navy in his rank as Commander (OF4). For the Dutch Armed Forces, he is CBRN specialist with the focus on (micro)biological and chemical threats and medical- and environmental functional specialist within the 1st CMI (Civil-Military Interaction) Battalion of the Dutch Armed Forces. For Expertise France he is now managing an EU CBRN CoE public health project in West Africa. He is visiting professor for the University of Rome Tor Vergata in Italy for the CBRN Masters Course and lecturer for the NATO School in Oberammergau in Germany and the Joint NATO CBRN-Defense Center of Excellence in Vyskov in the Czech Republic. In his civilian position, he is at this moment developing with MT-Derm in Berlin (Germany) a novel intradermal vaccination technology as well as a new therapy for cutaneous leishmaniasis for which he has won a Canadian ‘Grand Challenge’ grant. With Hemanua in Dublin (Ireland) he has developed an innovative blood separation unit, which is also suitable to produce convalescent plasma for Ebola Virus Disease therapy. He has finished both his studies in Medicine and in Biochemistry in The Netherlands with a doctorate and has extensive practical experience in cell biology, immuno-hematology, infectious diseases, biodefense, and transfusion medicine. His natural business acumen and negotiation competence help to initiate new successful businesses, often generated by unexpected combinations of technologies.
Abstract:
Public health systems are not always prepared for outbreaks of infectious diseases. Although in the past several public health institutes, like the French ‘Institut Pasteur’ and the Dutch ‘Tropeninstituut‘, were prominent surveyors of infectious diseases, the investments in worldwide public health have decreased. Now more attention is given to curative healthcare compared to preventive healthcare. The recent Ebola Virus Disease outbreak in West Africa initiated a new wave of interest to invest in Worldwide Public Health to prevent outbreaks of highly contagious diseases. Zoonotic diseases are threatening as the population does not have natural or artificial (from vaccination) immune response to new diseases like in the Ebola Virus Disease outbreak in 2014. The new strain of the Ebola Virus in West Africa was slightly less lethal, compared to other Ebola Virus strains, but the threat of spreading was far bigger as it had a longer incubation time. Most public health systems are not trained well enough to mitigate highly infectious and deadly disease outbreaks. NGO’s helping to fight the outbreak are often better trained in curative treatments and have less experience with biological (bioweapon) threats for which the military are trained for. The UNMEER mission was unique in this. It was a setting in which military and civilian actors cooperate in fighting a biological threat. Protection is essential for health workers. Smart systems have to be developed to prevent further spreading of the disease, but it is not only the biosafety, which has to be considered but also the biosecurity, as misuse of extremely dangerous strains of microorganisms cannot be excluded. Several zoonotic infectious diseases, like anthrax, smallpox and hemorrhagic fevers are listed as potential bioweapons. Therefore both biosafety and biosecurity have to be implemented in all measures to fight outbreaks of highly infectious diseases.
Keynote Forum
Eugenie Bergogne Berezin
Paris University, Europe
Keynote: Pharmacotherapeutics of anti-infectives in the respiratory tract
Biography:
Deanna Mulvihill has her expertise in evaluation and passion for improving the health and wellbeing. Her open and contextual evaluation model based on responsive constructivists creates new pathways for improving healthcare. She has built this model after years of experience in research, evaluation, teaching, and administration both in hospital and education institutions. The foundation is based on fourth-generation evaluation (Guba & Lincoln, 1989) which is a methodology that utilizes the previous generations of evaluation: measurement, description and judgment. It allows for value-pluralism. This approach is responsive to all stakeholders and has a different way of focusing.
Abstract:
Antibiotic levels in tissues and fluids of the respiratory tract have been seen as significant for therapeutic efficacy: Using appropriately chosen drugs in localized infections due to pathogenic microorganisms, concept of “tissue pharmacokinetics” has become controversial, taking into account multiple factors limiting the significance of antibiotic tissue kinetics and “high tissue antibiotic levels”. Multiple anatomic sites constitute human respiratory tract and can be diversely infected. Some have been explored in terms of antibiotic local concentrations, like bronchial secretions; many data on a variety of antibiotic local levels have been published: but inflammatory conditions, purulence, edema influencing the variable permeability of tissue barriers to drugs tested are factors leading to a doubtful value of data established. Similarly in terms of concentrations in pulmonary tissues and fluids, collected directly from lungs, or in surgical conditions or exploratory conditions, local transfer of antibiotics through lung membranes, alveolar structures, levels of antibiotics can be reached. In respiratory tract infected sites the potential antibiotic distal course of antibiotics has been explored, with however methodological and interpretive remaining questions, and potential therapeutic efficacy. Other pharmacotherapeutic models have been used such as Epithelial lining fluid (ELF), Alveolar Macrophages (AM), Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL), reflecting the potential improvement in the respiratory tract infections: in most respiratory tract infected sites the potential antibiotic distal course of antibiotics has been explored with interpretive remaining questions
Keynote Forum
Peter F. Billingsley
Sanaria Inc. for the International PfSPZ Consortium, USA
Keynote: PfSPZ vaccines: Developing a malaria vaccine to prevent infection, protect individuals and eliminate malaria in areas with intense transmission
Biography:
Peter F. Billingsley PhD is Vice President of International Projects and Strategy at Sanaria Inc. He has over 25 years’ experience working on malaria, in particular the biology of transmission of malaria through the mosquito from the molecular level in the laboratory right through to the ecology and epidemiology of transmission. He was awarded a prestigious Royal Society University Research Fellowship in 1988 which he held at Imperial College and then later was senior lecturer, head of Zoology and director of post-graduate studies for life sciences at the University of Aberdeen in Scotland. At Sanaria, Dr. Billingsley has been part of the core team taking the PfSPZ Vaccine and PfSPZ Challenge from R&D right through to major clinical trials in USA, Africa and Europe. Until recently, he was Senior Director of Quality Systems at Sanaria and retains a functional QA role with respect to international site visits and training, while stilll acting as PI on grants for vaccine R&D.
Abstract:
Cases and deaths caused by malaria worldwide increased in 2016. Prevalence of Plasmodium falciparum (Pf) by RDT was ~11% in 2-14-year olds on Bioko Island, Equatorial Guinea (EG) in 2017 compared to ~45% in 2004. Between 2004 and 2017, a national and international team supported by a technical advisory group instituted intense malaria control measures funded by one of the largest per capita investments in malaria control in the world. Consistent with prevalence reduction, malaria related mortality was reduced by ~85% and the EIR and basic case reproduction number (R0) by >90%. However, the prevalence as measured by RDT has remained stable recently (14% and 11% in 2012 and 2016), and qPCR studies in EG indicate prevalence is 3-fold higher. This situation is common in Africa. New tools are needed to move toward an R0 <1 and elimination. R0 has two components, vectorial capacity of mosquitoes and the chance an individual bitten by an infected mosquito will transmit: the majority of investment in malaria control is aimed at reducing vectorial capacity. Case management and other treatment strategies reduce the chance an exposed individual will transmit in the short term. A vaccine with significant efficacy against infection could have an enormous additional impact on the probability an exposed individual can transmit, directly protecting many and indirectly protecting many more through herd immunity if administered to an entire community. PfSPZ Vaccine induced sterile protection for 6 months against intense Pf transmission in 3 clinical trials in Mali and Burkina Faso. Protection by time to event and proportional analyses reached 52% and 38% respectively, opening the possibility of mass vaccination programs to regionally eliminate Pf. The results of clinical trials including >5,000 injections to >2,000 subjects of PfSPZ products and plans for Phase 3 and 4 trials and elimination campaigns will be presented.
- Infectious Diseases | Neglected Tropical Diseases: Facts and Figures | Most common NTDs: Causes and Treatments | Ebola Virus Epidemic | Emergent Arboviruses: Dengue and Chikungunya | Infectious Diseases Epidemiology | Emerging Infectious Diseases | Viral, Bacterial and Fungal Infections | Global Trends in Emerging Neglected Tropical Diseases
Location: Crowne Plaza Boston-Newton 320 Washington Street, Newton, MA 02458, USA
Chair
Stef Stienstra
Royal Dutch Navy, Netherlands
Co-Chair
Elizabeth Bergogne Berezin
Paris University, France
Session Introduction
Bin Gong
University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston
Title: Novel small molecules as broad-spectrum therapeutics for high consequence viral and bacterial pathogens
Biography:
Dr. Bin Gong is an Associate Professor of Pathology, the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, TX. Dr. Gong’s laboratory is active in the determination of novel pathogenic mechanisms focusing on the interface between the endothelium and highly virulent intracellular pathogens, in particular the highly invasive bacterial genus Rickettsia and the viral family Filoviridae. Dr. Gong is being the P.I. of active R01 project R01AI121012 and the co P.I. of active R01 projects R01AI111464.
Abstract:
Kagimu Enock
Makerere University, Uganda
Title: Evaluating the gaps in cryptococcal antigen (CrAg) screening in the reduction of HIV associated cryptococcal meningitis in Uganda
Biography:
Kagimu Enock is 25 years, completed his bachelor’s degree in medicine and surgery at Makerere university, college of health sciences (MAKChs), principal investigator of study on evaluation of CrAg screening program in reduction of HIV associated cryptococcal meningitis in Uganda, research assistant of the study on determining effectiveness of vitamin-c in management of tetanus, and an active member of Day of lung science on implementation science MAKChs.
Abstract:
Cryptococcus neoformans is the most common cause of meningitis among HIV infected adults in sub-Saharan Africa, and it is responsible for approximately 20-25% of AIDS-related deaths in the region (Uganda HIV ART Addendum report 2014). The 6-month case fatality rate for cryptococcal meningitis (CM) in Uganda is 40%, compared to 9% the US, Oceania, and Western Europe, thus more fatal than HIV/TB co-infection. Asymptomatic patients with a positive cryptococcal antigen (CrAg) test in the blood (antigenemia) typically develop meningitis in approximately 3 weeks. This provides a window of opportunity in which treatment with fluconazole as pre-emptive therapy can prevent progression to cryptococcal meningitis. Unlike T.B, Cryptococcus routine screening hasn’t been emphasised or evaluated much in number of facilities despite its inclusion in guidelines 1 year back by MoH, HIV positive patients are indeed presenting with meningitis even shortly after ART initiation, with 57% 10 week survival even with effective treatment (article by Boulware DR et al.) and incurring the expensive treatment strategy for cryptococcal meningitis. Through review of Crag registers and patient open MRS (chats), and doing in-depth interviews with the Nurse in-charges ART clinic and infectious disease wards, lab personnel concerned with Crag testing, in 7 sample facilities in Kampala city and 7 from the rural setting, plan to assess, how many; facilities are currently using a standard Crag register, do patients who are ART naive or CD4 <100 go through the Crag screening cascade, how many complete it, how long it takes to know their results, and the final outcome of whether they developed the CM or not. Through the interviews we intend to assess whether there was any CME on HIV/CM, Staffing of the facility, and supplies of CrAg kits, follow up the process of patients, and any gaps and successes of the screening program. There is clear evidence of cost-effectiveness and straightforward recommendations for the integration of CrAg screening and CM pre-emptive therapy into routine HIV care. Results of the study will be used to generate a standardized tool for evaluating the screening by Uganda Ministry of Health and groups that may be involved in funding the program, including but not limited to CDC. Our goal is to improve clinical practice and thus, reduce morbidity and mortality among HIV/CM patients.
Ngomtcho Claudine Sen Henriette
University of Ngaoundere, Cameroon
Title: Molecular screening of tsetse flies and cattle reveal different Trypanosoma species including T. grayi and T. theileri in northern Cameroon
Biography:
Sen Claudine Henriette Ngomtcho has completed her Master at the age of 28 years from the University of Ngaoundéré. She won a DAAD grant for a two year Ph. D sandwich Program at the University of Bremen. She has been working on the coinfection of human by human and animal trypanosomes. Back to Cameroon 4 months ago, she will be defending her thesis very soon. She has published 1 paper in a reputed journal. She is a former medical lab technologist who worked for the ministry of public health of Cameroon. She is interested in doing careers in Research.
Abstract:
African trypanosomes are mainly transmitted through the bite of tsetse flies (Glossina spp.). The present study investigated the occurrence of pathogenic trypanosomes in tsetse flies and cattle in tsetse fly-infested areas of northern Cameroon. Trypanosomes were identified using nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis of internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS1) region, both by size estimation and sequencing of PCR products. Trypanosoma prevalence infection rate for the tsetse fly gut (40%) and proboscis (19%) were recorded. Among the flies where trypanosomes were detected in the gut, 41.7% were positive for T. congolense and 14.6% for T. brucei ssp., whereas in the proboscis 36% harbored T. congolense and 62% contained T. vivax. T. grayi was highly prevalent in tsetse fly gut (58%). Trypanosome prevalence rate in cattle blood was 6%. Surprisingly, in one case T. grayi was found in cattle, providing its first evidence in mammals. The mean packed cell volume (PCV) of cattle positive for trypanosomes was significantly lower (24.1 ± 5.6%; P < 0.05) than that of cattle in which trypanosomes were not detected (27.1 ± 4.9%). Interestingly, the occurrence of T. theileri or T. grayi DNA in cattle also correlated with low PCV at pathological levels. This molecular epidemiological study of Trypanosoma species in northern Cameroon revealed active foci of trypanosomes in Dodeo and Gamba. These findings are relevant in assessing the status of trypanosomosis in these regions and will serve as a guide for setting the priorities of the government in the control of the disease.
Jose Miguel De Angulo & Luz Stella Losada
MAP International Georgia, USA
Title: Community based chagas control
Biography:
Dr. Jose Miguel De Angulo is the Regional Director for Latin America for MAP International. He has worked with the MAP for over 30 years in the area of maternal and child health. He has worked internationally in various public health programs, community health programs, and grass-roots community organization projects, including TDs control programs. Dr. De Angulo earned his Medical Degree from Universidad del Cauca in Colombia. He received a Masters of Public Health (MPH) from John Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland, and holds a Masters of Arts in Religion (MAR) from Eastern Baptist Seminar in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Abstract:
Over the last three decades, MAP International has used a Community Based strategy to resolve many public health problems in Bolivia. For two decades, we have implemented Community Based Chagas Control Programs focused on building community capacity to understand and diagnose Chagas, treat and follow-up patients, overcome myths that reproduce conditions for Chagas, prevention measures such as changing the vector's (vinchucas) ecosystem niche, introduce sanitary and hygiene practices, and building local capacity of the local health system for diagnosis, treatment and follow up of patients, among others. The Chagas control program uses a set of indicators to establish an epidemiological map of the presence of the disease, presence of risk factors, including the presence of the vector (vinchuca), and identified patients and support provided to complete their Chagas treatment. Community authorities and members play a central role in building local capacity to engage the Health System and synergically make the program sustainable. The presentation will describe the program and how to engage communities and government officials. It also will present the indicators used to for surveillance and monitoring achievements and impact. This presentation will show a variety of integrated community-based activities for Chagas control, such as training families, health promoters, and local authorities; environmental changes and home improvement to eradicate the vector; how we screen populations in the communities, confirm diagnoses, and follow up with patients; family and community support for patients; fostering networks between government agencies and grassroots organizations; mobilization for Chagas control, and other related subjects.
Ephrem Abiy Ejigu
Vector control Abt projects, Ethiopia
Title: Ethiopia schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminthes control programme: progress and prospects
Biography:
Ephrem Abiy Ejigu has completed his MSc at the age of 25 years from Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia. He was NTD program officer at RTI International Ethiopia office and currently working as Senior Project Coordinator at Vector control Abt projects in Ethiopia. He has about 7 publications that have been cited over 6 times and has been serving as an editorial board member of Siftdesk, OMICS Ebooks, and Sokoto Journal.
Abstract:
Schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminths are among seventeen WHO prioritized neglected tropical diseases that infect humans. These parasitic infections can be treated using single-dose and safe drugs. Ethiopia successfully aped the distribution of these infections nationwide. According to the mapping, there are an estimated 37.3 million people living in schistosomiasis endemic areas, and 79 million in schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminths endemic areas. The Federal Ministry of Health successfully scaled up Schistosomiasis and schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminths intervention in endemic areas and treated over 19 million individuals in 2015. The Ministry of Health has made a huge effort to establish neglected tropical diseases, including schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminths program in the health system which helped to map majority of the worlds and initiate nationwide intervention. The National control programme is designed to achieve elimination for those diseases as a major public health problem by 2020 and aim to attain a transmission break by 2025. The programme focuses on reaching those school-aged children who are not attending school, integration between neglected tropical diseases programme, and further collaboration with the WASH actors.
Mebrahtu G Tedla
The University of Melbourne, Australia
Title: Recognition of Schistosoma mansoni egg-expressed ovalbumin by OT-II T cell receptor transgenic T cells
Biography:
Abstract:
Human schistosomiasis is one of the neglected tropical parasitic diseases affecting nearly 200 million people worldwide, which is endemic in more than 70 countries with five known species causing the disease. Schistosoma mansoni is one of the common species existing in tropical countries. It is known to modulate the host’s immune system with the help of soluble egg proteins such as omega-1 and kappa-5, but most of these mechanisms have only been unraveled in vitro. Going towards, developing effective tools for the study of how S. mansoni influences T cells, we have developed S. mansoni eggs expressing chicken egg ovalbumin (OVA), using a lentiviral transduction system. Indeed, OVA is a “neutral antigen” and can be used to activate T cell from T cell receptor transgenic mice. The expression was confirmed by real-time RT-PCR of OVA-specific mRNA and western blotting using polyclonal antibodies specific for OVA. T cells from OT-II transgenic mice, mice expressing a T cell receptor specific for the OVA323-339 peptide, recognized the OVA expressed by transduced S. mansoni eggs. Using flow cytometry on CFSE-labelled OT-II splenocytes, we demonstrated that OVA-transduced eggs elicit higher OT-II T cell proliferative responses than untransduced eggs. The OT-II T cells also produced TNF and IFN-γ following exposure to OVA-transduced eggs. In addition, moderate amounts of IL-6 and IL-17A were also detected. In contrast, no IL-10, IL-4, and IL-2 were detected in cultures, whether the cells were stimulated with transduced or untransduced eggs. Thus, the cytokine signatures showed the transfected eggs induced a mixed type of Th1 and Th17 responses, with a small amount of IL-6. This study was further extended to analyze the degree of OVA detection by OT-II T cells in vivo following adoptive transfer and showed a considerable proliferation of T cells by OVA-transduced eggs comparing to untransduced eggs. Hence, the present finding signifies a detail investigation of the mechanism of parasite manipulation in vivo.
Human schistosomiasis is one of the neglected tropical parasitic diseases affecting nearly 200 million people worldwide, which is endemic in more than 70 countries with five known species causing the disease. Schistosoma mansoni is one of the common species existing in tropical countries. It is known to modulate the host’s immune system with the help of soluble egg proteins such as omega-1 and kappa-5, but most of these mechanisms have only been unraveled in vitro. Going towards, developing effective tools for the study of how S. mansoni influences T cells, we have developed S. mansoni eggs expressing chicken egg ovalbumin (OVA), using a lentiviral transduction system. Indeed, OVA is a “neutral antigen” and can be used to activate T cell from T cell receptor transgenic mice. The expression was confirmed by real-time RT-PCR of OVA-specific mRNA and western blotting using polyclonal antibodies specific for OVA. T cells from OT-II transgenic mice, mice expressing a T cell receptor specific for the OVA323-339 peptide, recognized the OVA expressed by transduced S. mansoni eggs. Using flow cytometry on CFSE-labelled OT-II splenocytes, we demonstrated that OVA-transduced eggs elicit higher OT-II T cell proliferative responses than untransduced eggs. The OT-II T cells also produced TNF and IFN-γ following exposure to OVA-transduced eggs. In addition, moderate amounts of IL-6 and IL-17A were also detected. In contrast, no IL-10, IL-4, and IL-2 were detected in cultures, whether the cells were stimulated with transduced or untransduced eggs. Thus, the cytokine signatures showed the transfected eggs induced a mixed type of Th1 and Th17 responses, with a small amount of IL-6. This study was further extended to analyze the degree of OVA detection by OT-II T cells in vivo following adoptive transfer and showed a considerable proliferation of T cells by OVA-transduced eggs comparing to untransduced eggs. Hence, the present finding signifies a detail investigation of the mechanism of parasite manipulation in vivo.
Biography:
Ryen MacDonald completed her PhD in Neurosciences from McGill University and works as a Product Manager for CTK Biotech, Inc located in San Diego, California.
Abstract:
The increasing burden of dengue virus infection continues to impact populations across the globe, highlighting the importance of multi-parameter dengue diagnostic technologies. Market and literature reviews show that since 2016, there is a soaring demand for early diagnosis of dengue infection, disease discrimination from other flaviviruses such as Zika, and development of accurate serological standards. As a point-of-care IVD company developing and manufacturing dengue antigens, antibodies, and IVD assays for the past decade, CTK Biotech has first-handedly witnessed the extreme limitations in undersourced and remote areas. Thus, as a company, CTK aims to address the issues of quality, ease-of-use, and pricing in an array of dengue products. For early detection of actively replicating virus, CTK offers a real-time PCR test that distinguishes between dengue and related viruses Zika and Chikungunya, and a serotyping assay that identifies dengue types 1-4. For qualification of dengue infection status, they have developed an IgM/IgG antibody test that determines an early or late stage active infection, and an IgG antibody test that identifies past infection only. These products were clinically evaluated in endemic regions, which include Brazil, Venezuela, Colombia, Peru, Mexico, Malaysia, India, and Bangladesh. Because serological standardization and controls for dengue diagnostics remain a challenge, CTK has developed recombinant dengue murine-human chimeric IgM and IgG antibodies, and are currently developing a quantification method using WHO standards for IgG and IgM. As each technology has its advantages, CTK is committed to the fight against dengue infection and aims to contribute from every angle.
Aung Tun
Ministry of Health and Sports, Myanmar
Title: Epidemiological surveys of, and research on, soil-transmitted helminths in Southeast Asia: A systematic review
Biography:
Aung Tun has over 25 years’ experiences as a researcher working in the field of NTD control in Myanmar and South-East Asia countries particularly focusing on the elimination of Lymphatic Filariasis and STH through mass drug administration. He is a former Director of National NTD Control Programme, Myanmar.He completed his MBBS from University of Medicine 2, Yangon, Myanmar and MPH in MCH from Boston University School of Public Health,Boston, USA. Currently, he is a Technical Advisor of Ministry of Health and Sports, Myanmar. He is conducting NTD research studies in collaboration with the London Center for NTD Research, UK and WHO.
Abstract:
This review analyses published data on STH prevalence and intensity in Southeast Asia over the time period of 1900 to the present to describe age-related patterns in these epidemiological measures. This is with a focus on the four major parasite species affecting humans. Data were also collected on the diagnostic methods used in the published surveys and how the studies were designed to facilitate comparative analyses of recorded patterns and changes therein over time. PubMed, Google Scholar, EMBASE, ISI Web of Science, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews and the Global Atlas of Helminth Infections search engines were used to identify studies on STH in Southeast Asia with the search based on the major keywords, and variants on, “soil-transmitted helminth” “Ascaris” “Trichuris” “hookworm” and the country name. A total of 280 studies satisfied the inclusion criteria from 11 Southeast Asian countries. It was concluded that the epidemiological patterns of STH infection by age and species mix in Southeast Asia are similar to those reported in other parts of the world. In the published studies there were a large number of different diagnostic methods used with differing sensitivities and specificities, which makes the comparison of the results both within and between countries difficult. There is a clear requirement to standardize the methods of both STH diagnoses in fecal material and how the intensity of infection is recorded and reported in future STH research and in monitoring and evaluation (M&E) of the impact of continuing and expanding mass drug administration (MDA) programmes.
Mammar Khames
University of Medea, Algeria
Title: Isolation and molecular characterization of Brucella strains in cattle from Algeria
Biography:
Mammar Khames has completed his Ph.D. at the age of 31 years from the Higher National Veterinary School of Algiers, Algeria. He worked about animal and human brucellosis in Algeria, where he characterized a new lineage of Brucella abortus distinct from European and sub-Saharan Africa strains. He did all the experimental work of his Ph.D. in the Institute of tropical health, Pamplona, Spain. He is working as an assistant professor in the department of biology, faculty of sciences, University of Medea, Algeria. He is now looking for a postdoctoral position. He has published two papers in reputed journals, one in Parasitology and the other one in Microbiology.
Abstract:
Brucellosis is a zoonosis caused by bacteria of the genus Brucella that causes important economic losses and human suffering worldwide. Brucellosis control requires an understanding of the Brucella species circulating in livestock and humans and, although prevalent in African countries of the Mediterranean basin, data for this area are mostly restricted to isolates obtained from humans and small ruminants. Here, we report the characterization of twenty-four Brucella strains isolated from Algerian cattle. Bruce-ladder multiplex PCR and conventional biotyping showed that Algerian cattle are infected mostly by B. abortus biovar 3, and to less extent by B. abortus biovar 1 and B. melitensis biovar 3. Extended AMOS-ERY PCR showed that all Algerian B. abortus biovar 3 strains were of the subgroup 3b. Although by multilocus variable number of tandem repeats analysis (MLVA) most isolates were closer to the European counterparts, five strains displayed characteristics distinct from the European isolates and those of countries across the Sahara, including three repetitions of marker Bruce55. These five strains, plus an earlier isolate from an Algerian human patient, may represent an autochthonous lineage not described previously. These data provide the basis for additional molecular epidemiology studies in northern Africa and indicate that further bacteriological and molecular investigations are necessary for a complete understanding of the epidemiology of cattle brucellosis in countries north and south of the Sahara.
Stef Stienstra
Royal Dutch Navy, The Netherlands
Title: Investing in public health gives especially in low income countries extremely impressive returns
Biography:
The implementation of the International Health Regulation (IHR) of WHO in 2005 for worldwide public health systems is already in its second extension phase. At the 2012 deadline, only 16% of the countries were fully prepared to detect and respond to pandemics. In 2014 the Ebola Virus Disease outbreak in West Africa was another indicator that WHO’s IHR has to be taken seriously. Especially the biosecurity part of IHR is not fully in place yet for most developing countries, which makes the world vulnerable for bioterrorism. According to the World Bank, the returns from investing in public health are extremely impressive and is not a high-risk venture as with a rapid mortality decline many ‘value life years’ (VLYs) are gained. For low- and middle-income countries typically about a quarter of the growth in full income resulted from VLYs gained and supports not only the local economy but also the world economy. Therefore several international programs help to prepare low- and middle-income countries to mitigate outbreaks of infectious diseases. EU CBRN CoE initiatives and the US CBEP, DTRA, CTR, GEIS, DIMO, USAID, PEPFAR and several other programs are involved in establishing public health systems and give local healthcare workers training in both disease outbreak mitigation and biosecurity. Zoonotic diseases are the most dangerous for outbreaks as the population does not have natural or artificial (from vaccination) immune response to new emerging diseases. Zoonotic diseases are often neglected in the first instance in developing countries. The recent Ebola Virus Disease outbreak in West Africa was such an example. Still, there is hope to find fast and supportive therapies with proper blood bank facilities in place. The therapy with immunoglobulins obtained from plasma donations from survivors is a relatively cheap and effective therapy. International there was some criticism of this method, as for this therapy it is extremely important that the convalescent plasma has to be safe for other blood transmissible diseases. But as it is feasible with other convalescent plasma therapies, the necessary safety tests can be done in the laboratories, which are installed for the outbreak diagnosis. Convalescent plasma can be obtained from a donor, who has survived the disease, with a novel hollow fiber blood separation technology. This results in an immunoglobulin concentration, which does not need for its production any sophisticated infrastructure. This patented and recently developed disposable device is developed in cooperation with the Irish Blood Transfusion Service.
Dr. Stef Stienstra works internationally for several medical and biotech companies as the scientific advisory board member and is also an active reserve-officer of the Royal Dutch Navy in his rank as Commander (OF4). For the Dutch Armed Forces, he is CBRN specialist with the focus on (micro)biological and chemical threats and medical- and environmental functional specialist within the 1st CMI (Civil-Military Interaction) Battalion of the Dutch Armed Forces. For Expertise France he is now managing an EU CBRN CoE public health project in West Africa. He is visiting professor for the University of Rome Tor Vergata in Italy for the CBRN Masters Course and lecturer for the NATO School in Oberammergau in Germany and the Joint NATO CBRN-Defense Center of Excellence in Vyskov in the Czech Republic. In his civilian position, he is at this moment developing with MT-Derm in Berlin (Germany) a novel intradermal vaccination technology as well as a new therapy for cutaneous leishmaniasis for which he has won a Canadian ‘Grand Challenge’ grant. With Hemanua in Dublin (Ireland) he has developed an innovative blood separation unit, which is also suitable to produce convalescent plasma for Ebola Virus Disease therapy. He has finished both his studies in Medicine and in Biochemistry in The Netherlands with a doctorate and has extensive practical experience in cell biology, immuno-hematology, infectious diseases, biodefense, and transfusion medicine. His natural business acumen and negotiation competence help to initiate new successful businesses, often generated by unexpected combinations of technologies.
Abstract:
Dr. Stef Stienstra works internationally for several medical and biotech companies as the scientific advisory board member and is also an active reserve-officer of the Royal Dutch Navy in his rank as Commander (OF4). For the Dutch Armed Forces, he is CBRN specialist with the focus on (micro)biological and chemical threats and medical- and environmental functional specialist within the 1st CMI (Civil-Military Interaction) Battalion of the Dutch Armed Forces. For Expertise France he is now managing an EU CBRN CoE public health project in West Africa. He is visiting professor for the University of Rome Tor Vergata in Italy for the CBRN Masters Course and lecturer for the NATO School in Oberammergau in Germany and the Joint NATO CBRN-Defense Center of Excellence in Vyskov in the Czech Republic. In his civilian position, he is at this moment developing with MT-Derm in Berlin (Germany) a novel intradermal vaccination technology as well as a new therapy for cutaneous leishmaniasis for which he has won a Canadian ‘Grand Challenge’ grant. With Hemanua in Dublin (Ireland) he has developed an innovative blood separation unit, which is also suitable to produce convalescent plasma for Ebola Virus Disease therapy. He has finished both his studies in Medicine and in Biochemistry in The Netherlands with a doctorate and has extensive practical experience in cell biology, immuno-hematology, infectious diseases, biodefense, and transfusion medicine. His natural business acumen and negotiation competence help to initiate new successful businesses, often generated by unexpected combinations of technologies.
Biography:
Abstract:
Lesotho is one of the countries in the world with a high burden of HIV, with a prevalence of 23% and this condition still a challenge for the entire population and the government of the kingdom of Lesotho. Many kinds of neglected disease are developing also in this area. A study on a specific group of population which is the pregnant women and their babies’ birth weight was conducted in Scott hospital with is one of the district hospitals In Lesotho. Before conducting the study many literatures on different sources including PubMed were reviewed The cases were babies born from HIV positive mothers on only one drug( zidovudine) during pregnancy time as a prophylaxis (option A) and the control which was the group of babies born from HIV positive mothers on full antiretroviral therapy(3 drugs) during the pregnancy time( B and B+) . After analysis of data, we find that the mean weight in option A was 3010, 416 with a stand error of 302106 at 95% CI: 2950,923 – 3069,909. The mean weight in option B or B+ was 298,578 with the standard error of 41, 61805 at 95% CI: 2899,224 ¬- 3063,224. the combined mean weight was 2, 8838 with a standard error of 3, 72099 at 95%. CI: 21, 51773 – 36, 15827.the calculated T value was 7, 7457 with 383 degrees of freedom. Therefore we realize that the mean weight in option A was superior compared to the mean weight in option B/ B+. 310,416 > 298,578. It means when Zidovudine is used in pregnancy as the prophylaxis it doesn’t have a negative effect on the weight (low birth weight) but when several anti-retroviral therapy drugs are combined during pregnancy there may have an effect on the baby’s weight. (Low birth weight.) Presently the prevention mother to child transmission of HIV, (PMTCT) in Lesotho still on-going successfully with a positive result (reduce in a number of babies congenital HIV) and must be strengthened because of it a strong strategy in the fight of this pandemic viral infectious disease (HIV). I would like in the near future to conduct more research on the specific antiretroviral therapy regimen and their effect on pregnancy and extend the research to same neglected tropical diseases associated with HIV.
Amin Kamali
Health Center of Khuzestan Province, Iran
Title: Hydatid cyst epidemiology in Khuzestan, Iran: A 15-years evaluation
Biography:
Abstract:
Background: Hydatid cyst disease is a well-known parasitic disease globally. It develops in humans after ingestion of Echinococcus granulosus eggs. It is important to identify the epidemiologic aspects of this parasitic infection in order to better prevent and control hydatid cyst disease.
Objectives: The current study aimed to evaluate the epidemiology and features of this disease in a livestock-raising area in Khuzestan, southwest of Iran.
Materials and Methods: This present study was a descriptive-analytical study conducted on 360 patients from different areas of Khuzestan Province, southwest of Iran, with a diagnosis of hydatid cyst disease, during a period of 15 years between 2000 and 2015. Data were gathered by reviewing the patient’s records. Demographic data, laboratory findings, clinical features, the need for surgical debridement, and the outcome were collected. Data were summarized and analyzed using descriptive and analytical statistical methods, respectively.
Results: Findings showed that 158 males (43.9%) and 202 females (56.1%) were recorded. The mean age of the patients was 37.36±15.2 years. Results of the study showed that most patients were in the over-50-years-old age group [103 (28.6%)], and the less-than-10-years-old age group had the lowest number [19 (5.3%)]. Most of the cysts were detected in the liver [234 (65%)]. There was no statistically significant association between sex, residing area, and animal contact and the number of the cysts (p=0.12, 0.36, and 0.95, respectively); however, a significant association was found between sex and the body organ involved (p=0.007), so that liver involvement was mostly detected in females (79.9%), while involvement of the lung was mostly found in males (66.4%). No statistically significant association was found between age and the number of the cysts or the body organ involvement (p=0.35 and 0.61, respectively).
Conclusions: Our study showed that hydatid cyst disease could be surprisingly common in apparently low-risk populations, such as those living in urban areas or without direct contact with dogs and farm animals. So, the identification of the populations most at risk and educating the community about the most common modes of acquisition could be helpful for the control and prevention of this disease.
Biography:
Abstract:
Background: Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is a public health problem of the 21st century and has been a pandemic disease that threatens the world’s population since it was documented as a separate new disease entity in 1981.
Objectives: This study sought to evaluate knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions about human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and AIDS among pharmacists in Erbil, Iraq.
Methods: A cross-sectional pilot study was conducted using previously developed and modified questionnaires. A hundred and twenty pharmacists were approached to take part in the study including those working in government hospitals and private pharmacies as well as academic pharmacists at Hawler Medical University/College of Pharmacy. The data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences software (SPSS) version 20. Results: Most of the participants were female (62%) and 73.8% ranged from 20 to 29 years old. Additionally, 80.3% graduated from Hawler Medical University /College of Pharmacy. Most pharmacists (65%) had adequate knowledge about HIV/AIDS.
Conclusion: The present results showed moderate knowledge about HIV/AIDS treatment, methods of HIV transmission, and educational information about HIV/AIDS among Erbil pharmacists. The curriculum offered should incorporate correct information about HIV/AIDS, thereby minimizing fear, misconceptions, and negatives attitudes towards the infection.
Smita Yadav
Banaras Hindu University, India
Title: Macrofilaricidal activity of silver nanoparticle synthesized from a plant andrographis paniculata
Biography:
Smita Yadav pursuing her Ph.D. from Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India. She completed her masters in Biochemistry. Her research area is to find the drug target and drug designing to eliminate lymphatic filariasis. She has published one paper as a co-author in a reputed journal of parasitology research.
Abstract:
Lymphatic filariasis is a neglected tropical disease, causing a major health hazard in the developing world. WHO has ranked the disease as one of the world’s leading causes of permanent and long-term disability. The currently available anti-filarial drugs are most effective against microfilaria. Therefore there is urgent need of drug that are macrofilaricidal. Nanoparticles have gained significance in medical fields due to their high surface-area-to-volume ratio. In this study, we synthesize AgNPs from a medicinally important plant Andrographis paniculata. The plant have been reported for their antimicrobial, cytotoxicity, anti-protozoan, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, and antiparasitic activities. This nanocomposite was characterized by UV-visible spectroscopy, FT-IR, XRD, SEM, and TEM. Nanocomposite anti-filarial activity was evaluated using motility and viability assay as well as by measuring ROS generation, antioxidant level, and apoptotic markers. The exposure of the nanocomposite to the worms caused a significant decrease in motility and viability leading to their death. Down-regulation of the antioxidant enzymes, as well as alteration in Ca2+ signaling, suggested the ER stress-induced mitochondrial-mediated apoptosis. The proteome analysis of treated parasites showed the marked alteration in the protein expression in comparison to the control. In conclusion, the nanocomposite synthesized using plant A. paniculata showed strong anti-filarial activity.