Scientific Program

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Scientific Program Day 1

Day :

  • Immunogenetics of Fungal Diseases | Viral Infectious Diseases | Types of Fungal Infections | Infectious Diseases | Antifungal Therapeutics | Viral Pathogenesis and Prevention | Novel Research in Clinical Virology | Viral Hepatitis

Session Introduction

Bozena Dworecka Kaszak

Warsaw University of Life Sciences, Poland

Title: Malassezia yeast and their role in atopic dermatitis in dogs

Time : 11:35-12:00

Speaker
Biography:

Bozena Dworecka-Kaszak graduated from Veterinary Medicine Faculty of Warsaw University of Life Sciences in 1979. In 1982 she finished her PhD thesis: The effect of Clostridium oncolyticum s. butyricum M55 on hematopeosis in healthy and irradiated mice” at National Institute of Hygiene in Warsaw. She did habilitation in 2002 on the topic: “Characteristics of yeast-like fungi Malassezia pachydermatis and evaluation of their immunomodulation properties in vivo and in vitro” and become Specialist in Veterinary Laboratory Diagnostics. Since 1985 till present she has been working at Veterinary Medicine Faculty of Warsaw University of Life Sciences at the Department of Precilinical Sciences. In years 2000-2012 she was the Head of Mycology Division and she become University Professor in 2004. During her career, she completed many fellowships, such as at FeInstitut fur Mikrobiologie und Tierseuchen der Tierarztlichen, Hochschule Hannover (Germany) and at Dipartimento di Sanita Pubblica Veterinaria e Patologia Animale, Universita Degli Studi di Bologna  (Italy)  as well as a Tempus Phare at  Dipartimento de Medicina y Sanidad Animale, Patologia Infecciosa, Facultad  de Veterinaria of Univesitad  Extremadura in Caceres (Spain) and  Tempus Phare, Erasmus Teacher Mobility Grant in Valencia UPV (Spain). Her field of interest is Mycology, Mallasezia dog’s infections and dermatophytes.
 

Abstract:

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic skin disorder. It is characterized by itchy skin eczema with relapsing episodes. There are a lot of scientific data concerning on mechanisms of this illness, but still pathogenesis of AD is not fully understand. It seem that in parts this skin disorder maybe genetically determined, but many other factors may contribute to the development of AD among human or animals. The main reason is impaired skin barrier function. Additionally AD is consider to be an immunoglobulin E (IgE) mediated hypersensitivity response to environmental allergens and it is suggested, that some kind of dysfunction of the adaptive immune system is involves. Yeasts of the genus Malassezia are well known as both commensal and pathogenic microorganisms on the skin. Malassezia pachydermatis is a species for which dogs are a natural host. In normal dogs with healthy skin these fungi colonizes the stratum corneum in very low numbers. In dogs with allergic skin disease the numbers of M. pachydermatis usually increase dramatically. It is hypothesized that in dogs the atopic dermatitis is a risk factor for M. pachydermatis infection, but in our opinion, contrary some factors which are favorable for abundant colonization of these yeasts are responsible for involving this increasing reactivity against members of the normal skin microbiota. The objective of this work is to provide an update on recent advances in the explanation of the role of factors like fungi as Malassezia in involving acute stage of AD lesions in dogs.

Method: Citation databases, abstracts and proceedings from symposia published in last decade.

Result: The development of canine AD in association with changing of Canine Skin Microbiome and lymphocyte responses, including the large spectrum of cytokine and noncytokine factors that appear in dermatitis will be discussed.

Huseyin Yilmaz

University of Istanbul, Turkey

Title: Emerging vector borne viral infections in animals and humans in Turkey

Time : 12:00-12:25

Speaker
Biography:

Huseyin Yilmaz has graduated from the Veterinary Faculty of University Istanbul and PhD in Immunology from the Veterinary School at University of Bristol. He later joined Department of Microbiology of Istanbul Veterinary Faculty and established the Department of Virology in the Veterinary Faculty of Istanbul. As a Principal Investigator, he has led many research projects and established research infrastructure to improve detection, epidemiology and prevention of major viral diseases and emerging viral infections affecting animals and public health. He has also established national and international collaboration with Turkish and European Union institutions through COST actions and bilateral research link between The Pirbright Institute and Department of Virology has been funded by the British Council concerning the viral livestock diseases related to food security. His recent research work is on detection and prevention of transboundary emerging infections like LSD.

Abstract:

Vector borne viral infections are global health concern affecting animals and humans. Changes in climate all over the world have an important impact on the movement of vectors like ticks and mosquitos which causes spread of infectious agents. At present, several vectors borne viral infections in both animals and humans in Turkey have been reported. We have investigated ticks, animals and humans for Tick Borne Encephalitis Virus (TBEV), mosquitos, animals and humans for West Nile Virus (WNV), Rift Valley Fever Virus (RVFV) and cattle for Schmallenberg virus and Lumpy Skin Disease Virus (LSDV). In this presentation, the results of this study and findings from other studies related to vector borne viral infections in Turkey will be discussed. 

Bor-Tau Hung

Chang Gung University, Taiwan

Title: The efficacy of 18F-FDG PET/CT and 67Ga SPECT/CT in diagnosing fever of unknown origin

Time : 12:25-12:50

Speaker
Biography:

Bor-Tau Hung has his expertise in nuclear medicine imaging interpretation. He has received his Residency training in Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and became board-certified Nuclear Medicine Attending Physician. He is active in participating international meetings with special interest in clinical applications of 18F-FDG PET/CT and Y-90 microsphere internal radiation therapy.
 

 

Abstract:

Aim: Fever of unknown origin (FUO) is a diagnostic challenge. We aimed to assess the efficacy of 18F-FDG PET/CT and 67Ga SPECT/CT in diagnosing FUO. 
Methods: A total of 68 patients with FUO underwent 18F-FDG PET/CT and 67Ga SPECT/CT from January 2013 through May 2016. Images were read independently. The imaging results were compared with the final diagnosis and categorized as helpful in diagnosis or noncontributory to diagnosis in clinical setting. The chi-square test or the Fisher’s exact test was used to evaluate associations between categorical variables. 
Results: Of 68 patients, 10 were excluded. In 23 patients, an infectious underlying disease was found. A malignant disorder was the cause of FUO in 10 patients. Non-infectious inflammatory disease was found in 11 patients. Adrenal insufficiency was the cause of FUO in 2 patients. In 12 patients, the cause of FUO was not found. High false positive rate of 44% (7/16) was observed in 18F-FDG PET/CT, while high false negative rate of 55% (23/42) was observed in 67Ga SPECT/CT. 18F-FDG PET/CT studies depicted all 67Ga-avid lesions. The sensitivity (79% vs. 45%) and clinical contribution (72% vs. 55%) of 18F-FDG PET/CT in diagnosing FUO was significantly higher than 67Ga SPECT/CT (p<0.05). 
Conclusion: Based on the study, the diagnostic performance of 18F-FDG PET/CT was superior to 67Ga SPECT/CT in the workup of patients with FUO. Because of the quick result and superior sensitivity, 18F-FDG PET/CT may replace 67Ga SPECT/ CT where this technique is available.
 

Mala V Kaneria

Topiwala National Medical College, India

Title: Mucormycosis: New frontiers and challenges

Time : 13:50-14:15

Speaker
Biography:

Mala V Kaneria has been a Faculty in Nair Hospital since the past 24 years. Her special interest is Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine and she has wide experience in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases common to the tropics like malaria, leptospirosis, dengue, typhoid, chikungunya and tuberculosis. She has expertise in the treatment of HIV/AIDS and opportunistic infections especially tuberculosis and fungal infections in these patients. She is a Member of the Advisory Board of JAPI and Member of prestigious societies like Clinical Infectious Diseases Society, Hospital Infection Society-Mumbai Forum, etc. She has more than 80 publications in peer reviewed journals and has won several awards.
 

Abstract:

During the past 2 decades, mucormycosis has emerged as an important fungal infection with high associated mortality rates. It is a life-threatening, invasive infection caused by fungi of the sub phylum Mucoromycotina, order Mucorales. The term mucormycosis was used for years and then was supplanted by zygomycosis for several decades. Based on molecular studies, mucormycosis is currently again the appropriate term. It has emerged as the third most common invasive mycosis in order of importance after candidiasis and aspergillosis in patients with hematological and allogeneic stem cell transplantation. Traditional risk factors for the development of invasive mucormycosis include uncontrolled diabetes, defects in host phagocytes, corticosteroid use, organ or stem cell transplantation and increased levels of available serum iron as a result of acidosis or administration of deferoxamine. In recent years, the disease has been increasingly seen in patients without traditional risk factors. With the advent of effective antifungal agents against Candida and Aspergillus spp., a growing population of immunecompromised hosts, improved diagnostic tools and possible selection pressure from widespread use of broad-spectrum antifungal agents, mucormycosis has emerged as an important infection. Breakthrough mucor in immune-suppressed patients empirically treated with voriconazole or caspofungin, which have no activity against Mucor, is being seen vey commonly. The relatively low frequency of mucormycosis in HIV infected patients reflects the uncommon occurrence of mucormycosis in this group compared with other immune-compromised population. Devastating rhino-orbital-cerebral and pulmonary infections are the most common syndromes caused by these fungi. Other organ involvement such as renal and gastrointestinal, are probably underdiagnosed. The need to make a rapid diagnosis is underscored by several hallmark features of mucormycosis including angioinvasion, thrombosis and tissue necrosis. These features result in poor penetration of anti-fungal agents to the site of infection, making radical de-bulking surgery essential in order to affect cure.
 

Saif Hameed

Amity University Haryana, India

Title: Magnesium as potential regulator of cellular circuitry governing drug resistance and virulence in human fungal pathogen Candida albicans

Time : 14:15-14:40

Speaker
Biography:

Saif Hameed is currently working as an Assistant Professor in Amity Institute of Biotechnology at Amity University Haryana, Gurgaon, India, since 2012. He has completed his Bachelors and Masters from University of Delhi and Hamdard University, New Delhi, respectively. He has completed his Doctoral studies in Life Sciences from Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. He is expert in the field of multidrug resistance (MDR) in pathogenic fungi with 12 years of experience. He is a Member of International Society of Infectious Diseases (ISID), successfully convened five conferences as Organizing Secretary and edited one biotechnology book along with many research papers to his credit in international journals of repute.
 

Abstract:

The debacle of invasive fungal infection diagnosis and treatment has become still more challenging with the evolution of multidrug resistance (MDR). The failure of current antifungal drug regime compels to develop novel strategies which could be more effective against most prevalent human fungal pathogen, Candida albicans. The ability of C. albicans, to sense and adapt to changes in the host environment is essential for their survival and confers the basis of their success as dreadful pathogen. One such significant environmental factor that C. albicans must surmount is magnesium (Mg) limitation. Sequestering the nutrient supply to the invading fungal pathogen could be a potential strategy as C. albicans has to struggle for the limited amount of micronutrients present in the hostile niche. In this study we deciphered the effect of Mg deprivation on the drug resistance and virulence of C. albicans. We found that Mg chelation leads to enhanced drug susceptibility of most common antifungal drug (azole). To gain insights into the possible mechanisms involved, we explored the role of Mg on membrane homeostasis. We found remarkable differences in ergosterol levels and fluorescence microscopy images of propidium iodide intake confirm the fact that Mg deprivation causes membrane perturbation. Moreover, Mg deprivation also leads to disrupted pH homeostasis and showed enhanced cell sedimentation rate. Next we tested the genotoxicity under Mg deprivation and observed enhanced DNA damage as revealed by DAPI staining confirming indispensability of Mg to sustain genotoxic stress. Furthermore, Mg deprivation inhibited potential virulence traits including morphological transition, biofilm formation and displayed diminished capacity of C. albicans to adhere both to the polystyrene surface and buccal epithelial cells. Together, considering the hindered growth of C. albicans in Mg deficient environment, approaches could be utilized to boost the effectiveness of existing antifungal drugs and thereby improving the management of fungal infections.
 

Meshal Beidas

Kuwait University, Kuwait

Title: PCR array profiling of antiviral genes in human embryonic kidney cells expressing human coronavirus OC43 structural and accessory proteins

Time : 14:40-15:05

Speaker
Biography:

Meshal Beidas has completed his MSc at the University of Leeds and he is currently pursuing PhD in Medical Microbiology at Kuwait University, Kuwait.
 

Abstract:

Background: Human coronavirus OC43 (HCoV-OC43) causes common cold and is associated with severe respiratory symptoms in infants, elderly and immunocompromised patients. HCoV-OC43 is a member of Betacoronavirus genus that includes also the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) coronaviruses. Both SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV were shown to express proteins with the potential to evade early innate immune responses. However, the ability of HCoV-OC43 to antagonize the intracellular antiviral defenses has not yet been investigated. Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate the role of HCoV-OC43 structural (membrane and nucleocapsid) and accessory (ns5a and ns2a) proteins in the modulation of antiviral gene expression profile in human embryonic kidney 293 (HEK-293) cells using PCR array analysis. 
Methods: HCoV-OC43 membrane (M), nucleocapsid (N), ns5a and ns2a mRNA were amplified and cloned into the pAcGFP1-N expression vector (Clontech), followed by transfection in HEK-293 cells. Expression of M, N, ns5a and ns2a proteins was confirmed by indirect immunofluorescence test. Three days post-transfection, the cells were challenged by Sendai virus. The human antiviral response PCR array system (Qiagen) was used to profile the antiviral gene expression in HEK-293 cells, using the fold regulation comparison and the manual normalization methods.
Results: Around 50-60 genes were down-regulated by HCoV-OC43 proteins, the most prominent genes being those critical for the activation of transcription factors involved in the antiviral response like interferon regulatory factors (IRFs) and activator protein-1 (AP-1). Among the most important down-regulated genes were those coding for Interferons (IFNs), mitogenactivated protein kinases (MAPKs), pro-apoptotic and pyroptotic proteins (Caspases, cathepsins, tumor necrosis factor), proinflammatory cytokines (interleukins), pattern recognition receptors (PRRs, toll-like receptors and NOD-like receptors) and their signaling transduction proteins (TICAM1, MAVS). Conclusion: This study shows for the first time that similarly to SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV, HCoV-OC43 could downregulate the transcription of genes critical for the activation of different antiviral signaling pathways.
 

Rushi

Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, India

Title: Quality of life in patients with fungal infection of nose and paranasal sinuses: A study from north India

Time : 15:25-15:50

Speaker
Biography:

Rushi Currently working as Associate Professor and HOD, Department of Clinical Psychology, PGIMER-Dr RML Hospital, New Delhi from 11th May 2015. Nature of work is Teaching, Clinical and Research and Administrative.Worked as Assistant Professor, rehabilitation Psychology, at National Institute for Mentally Handicapped (NIMH), Lajpat Nagar, New Delhi from 3-10-14 to 8-05-15. Nature of work consisted of-Teaching and Training & Clinical and Research Worked as Assistant Professor, Clinical Psychology, Department of Psychiatry, GMCH, Chandigarh since 18th April 2013 till 1st October 2014, where nature of work consisted of – Teaching, Research and Clinical Worked as “Clinical Psychologist” at Institute of Human Behaviour & Allied Sciences (IHBAS), Delhi, India, since 10th March 2007 to 17th April 2013, where work Experience consisted of – Clinical , Teaching, Research and administrative.Worked as Research Officer in the ICMR - Multi Site Task Force project named   “Urban Mental Health Programme”, at Institute of Human Behaviour & Allied Sciences (IHBAS), 10th Feb 2006 – 9th April 2007. Nature of work experience consisted of – Administrative, Research and Clinical.

Abstract:

Background: Fungal infections of nose and paranasal sinuses have a protracted course with frequent relapses and recurrences. Quality of life (QOL) of such patients is severely affected.
Methods: The aim of this study was to assess quality of life of patients with fungal infection of nose and paranasal sinuses. The objective was to assess disease specific QOL, health related QOL and global QOL. Cross sectional assessment was carried out on 30 patients with the diagnosis of fungal infection of nose and paranasal sinuses.
Results: The total SNOT score was indicative of moderate degree of problem. Regarding generic QOL, as assessed using WHOQOL-Bref, the sample had overall moderate QOL in all domains. On the other hand, on the SF-36, highest scores were obtained on the individual domains of physical functioning and pain with lowest scores on the domains of general health and role limitation due to physical health.
Conclusion: It can be concluded that Indian patients with fungal infection of paranasal sinuses report moderate degree of QOL on both disease specific (SNOT-20) and global (WHOQOL-Bref) scales with mild to moderate limitation on health related QOL scale (SF-36).
 

Sabiha Imran

Manav Rachna International University, India

Title: A novel approach for vaccine designing against visceral leishmaniasis

Time : 15:50-16:15

Speaker
Biography:

Sabiha Imran is a Medical Microbiologist and Associate Professor in the Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Engineering and Science, Manav Rachna University, Faridabad, INDIA. She has more than 20 years research and teaching experience She earned her PhD in Medical Microbiology from JN Medical College, Aligarh Muslim University .She published  research papers in reputed journals  and presented papers in many national and International journals .She received best paper presentation award from All India Medical Sciences .She is a gold medalist and a qualified Registered microbiologist of Canadian College of Microbiology(RMCCM). Her area of research interest is  the study on Bacteriocin as an anticancer, antiviral  agent and  an alternative to antibiotics and immunochemotherpeutic approach for  the treatment of visceral leishmaniasis.
 

Abstract:

Leishmaniasis is a vector-borne disease caused by different species of protozoan parasites of the genus Leishmania. It is a major health problem yet neglected by tropical diseases, with approximately worldwide 350 million people at risk and more than 1.5 million infections occurring each year. Leishmaniasis has different clinical manifestations, including visceral (VL or kala-azar), cutaneous (CL), mucocutaneous (MCL), diffuse cutaneous (DCL) and post kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis (PKDL). Among the three clinical forms of leishmaniasis (cutaneous, mucosal, and visceral), visceral leishmaniasis (VL) accounts for the majority of mortality and if left untreated VL is almost fatal. Infection Caused with Leishmania donovani or L. infantum & VL represents a serious public health problem in endemic regions and is rapidly emerging as an opportunistic infection in HIV patients. Now currently, the only mean to treat and control leishmaniasis is by rational medications and vector control. However, the number of available drugs is limited and even these are either exorbitantly priced, have toxic side effects or prove ineffective due to the emergence of resistant strains. On the other hand, the vector control methods are not so efficient; therefore, there is an urgent need for developing a safe, effective, and affordable vaccine for the prevention of leishmaniasis, although in recent years a large body of researchers has concentrated their efforts on this issue, but only three vaccine candidates have gone for clinical trial, until date. These are: (i) killed vaccine in Brazil for human immunotherapy; (ii) live attenuated vaccine for humans in Uzbekistan and (iii) second-generation vaccine for dog prophylaxis in Brazil. In endemic areas, the majority of infected do not develop clinical symptoms and past infection which leads to robust immunity, against reinfection. Thus, the development of vaccine for Leishmania is a realistic public health goal, hence this paper summarizes advances in vaccination strategies and challenges against VL.

Nahla Mohamed

Princess Nourah Bint Abdurrahman University, KSA

Title: Novel screening of haemorrhagic fever viruses in Shrews, Najd Desert, KSA

Time : 16:15-16:40

Speaker
Biography:

Nahla is a very interested and positive person who did her best to fulfill the project goals and succeeded in doing so. Nahla has a positive factor in all her research work, I am a very enthusiastic, active, and eager to learn. As well I am broad experienced in the development and performance of clinically useful real-time PCRs and molecular tools in clinical virology aspects.
 

Abstract:

Background & Aim: A shrew or shrew mouse (family Soricidae) is a small mole-like mammal classified in the order Eulipotyphla. This study aimed to screen wildlife shrews for certain viral hemorrhagic fever RNA’s wildlife Shrews collected from rural areas in Riyadh, Kingdom Saudi Arabia.
Methods: Shrews were sorted out from the trapped shrew-like rodents using the classical morphological keys. Viral RNA has been extracted from internal organs; lungs, livers, kidneys, and stomach using Qiagen RNeasy Mini Kit. Rift Valley Fever Virus (RVFV), Chikungunya virus (CHIKV), Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV), Alkhurma virus, Sindbis virus (SINV) and Hanta virus (HANTV) were screened using SYBR Green One step RT-PCR Master Mix (KAPA Biosystems, Boston, MA). Negative and positive controls were tested for each test to confirm the specificity of the selected primer pairs.
Results: The four groups of internal viscera of shrews were positive for the following viruses: SINV, RVFV, CHIKV, CCHFV, and HANTV. This indicated the propagation and dissemination of the viruses inside shrews’ tissues. Conclusion: The obtained results constitute first record in Kingdom Saudi Arabia and greatly extend our knowledge of wildlife reservoir of arboviruses and other hosts; especially bats are highly recommended for investigation in the upcoming researches.
 

Ahad fayyaz

University of Agriculture, Pakistan

Title: Major fungus infections and their control in Pakistan

Time : 16:40-17:05

Speaker
Biography:

Ahad Fayyaz is currently working as a Teaching Assistant, Research Fellow and also pursuing his PhD in the Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Agriculture Faisalabad. He has assisted in several MPhil and PhDs during his career and also working on fungus isolation and quantification through advanced techniques. He is also involved in the teaching and major field of specialization is the poultry and mycotoxins. He is currently In-Charge of the Toxicological Lab.
 

Abstract:

Eukaryotic organisms belonging to Kingdom Fungi, found almost in every ecosystem, out of 1.5 million species only 300 are pathogenic. Fungi include the molds, yeasts, smuts, rusts, mildews and mushrooms. Many of them live freely in soil or water, while some live in plants or animal bodies having parasitic or symbiotic relationships. Pathogenic fungus problems are mainly caused by Aspergillus, Candida, Blastomyces, Cryptococcus, Histoplasma and ringworm species. Immune compromised i.e. organ/stem cell transplant patients, cancer patients, chronically hospitalized patients, or people who use medications that weaken their immune system and people infected with HIV/AIDS people are the main victims of fungal infections, which usually emerge mainly as secondary infection. Aspergillosis caused by fungus Aspergillus spp. which usually infects human and animals with already infected with lung diseases. The blood stream, mouth, throat or vagina can be infected by yeast Candida is called Candidiasis. Blastomycosis is an infection caused by a fungus Blastomyces. The fungus prevails predominantly in humid soil and in putrefying matter such as wood and leaves and can happen to patients who are already having flu like symptoms. People infected with HIV/AIDS can have Cryptococcus infection in the brain (meningitis). The fungus Histoplasma, exists in environment/living places of birds/poultry species and causes Histoplasmosis. Ringworm is a common fungal skin infection that often looks like a circular rash. To control these fungal infections and to limit the fungi we need multifaceted approach is required to control starting from monitoring patients at hospitals for detection and decontamination to avoid dissemination to other patients in the facility. For detection various cultural as well as serological procedures can be used in the mouth, esophagus, skin, bowel, urinary tract and vagina etc. for treatment ketoconazole can be administered orally.