Training Doctors and Empowering Communities as AMR Guardians

Participant:

Liyana Azmi – Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (USIM) & East Asia University Network (SEAOHUN), Malaysia/Thailand

Photo Story (15 mins)

ISID/BMGF Research Grants: Updates from the First Cohort

Speakers:

Chair
Neelika – University of Sri Jayewardenepura, University of Oxford

Co-chair
lkin Bermudez, ISID

Speakers:

Evaluating the transmission patterns of schistosomiasis and geohelminthiasis in the Ndikinimeki district of Central-Cameroon
Bienvenu Balifeli– University Of Yaoundé I/oceac, Cameroon

Resistance and virulence factors of Salmonella spp. strains isolated from cholera endemic waters.
Boya Bawa – Laboratoire de Biologie et de Typage moléculaire en Microbiologie, Benin

Prevalence of antibiotic self-medication and knowledge of antimicrobial resistance among community members in rural Malawi: a cross-sectional study.
George Dalitso Limwado –Partners in Health/ Abwenzi Pa Za Umoyo

Antibiogram and molecular characterization of Vancomycin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus among in-patients in a teaching hospital in Nigeria
Hilary Nosa Okunbor– Babcock University, Nigeria

Identifying the genetic relatedness of Carbapenem-resistant A. baumanni (CRAB) isolated from pregnant mothers, newborns and hospital environments in Bangladesh.
Kazi Injamamul Hoque– Laboratory of Food Safety and One Health, Nutrition Research Division, icddr,b, Bangladesh

Molecular characterization and phylogenetic analysis of human leptospirosis infection among agro- pastoral communities in northern Tanzania
Monica Fredrick Francis – National Public Health Laboratory, Tanzania

WHO session on optimizing diagnosis and treatment of STIs

Speakers:

Clinical management of genital discharge syndrome
Remco Peters

Current and future treatment of Neisseria gonorrhoeae
David Lewis

Enhanced gonococcal antimicrobial resistance surveillance (EGASP) programme in South Africa
Venessa Maseko

Updates on syphilis screening, diagnosis and treatment
Remco Peters

Diagnostic testing of patients with presumptive syphilis
Mandisa Mdingi

Syphilis testing and treatment experiences in Cape Town, South Africa
Alex de Voux

Hot Topics Abstracts (O10): Hot Topics

Speakers:

Addressing the Silent Epidemic of Hepatitis B Virus: Awareness, Screening and Vaccination Efforts in Abuja, Nigeria
Ogechukwu Akabuike – Nigeria Centre For Disease Control And Prevention, Nigeria

“Injectable ARVs will give me more peace than swallowing tablets”: Women’s acceptability and attitudes towards injectable Antiretroviral therapy in prevention of HIV vertical transmission in Uganda
Deborah Ekusai-Sebatta – Makerere University, Uganda

Investigating an agnostic metagenomic virus discovery tool and evaluating the performance of Ion Torrent versus Oxford Nanopore Technology sequencing
Tshegofatso Mahlangu – Stellenbosch University, South Africa

The re-emergence and evolution of lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus in Germany
Calvin Mehl - Friedrich-loeffler Institut, Germany

Screening for MPXV, VZV, HSV-1 and HSV-2, viruses responsible for mucocutaneous vesicular rashes, by multiplex HRM-PCR in the Democratic Republic of Congo and France
Nadège Nziza - Afyia Diagnostics, France

Identification of Novel Antigens as Diagnostic Biomarkers for Detection of Tuberculosis Directly from Patient Samples
Amit Singh - Central University Of Punjab, India

Monkeypox virus (MPXV) isolation from longitudinal samples of 11 patients to infer risk of onwards transmission
Helen Callaby - University Of Aberdeen, UK

Establishment of a clinical helpline for mpox: comparison of the 2022 and 2024 experience in the UK
Helen Callaby - University Of Aberdeen, UK

Debate: Vaccines & Compulsory Licensing

Moderator
Sasheela Ponnampalavanar - University Malaya Medical Centre, Malayisa

Vaccines & Compulsory licensing: Yes
Titiano Pinto - Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro

Vaccines & Compulsory licensing: No
Laura Oliveira - Universidade Federal Do Rio De Janeiro, Brazil

Empowering Communities to Address AMR Through Outreach and Creativity

Participant:

CAMO-Net – South Africa

Video (20 mins)

Eh!woza: informing and gathering perspectives on infectious diseases

Participant:

Anastasia Koch – Ehwoza, South Africa

Video & Presentation (45 mins)

Perceived Risk and Misconceptions Towards HIV and AIDS Among Adolescent Boys Attending Community Secondary Schools

Participant:

Edna Mandala – Kamuzu University of Health Sciences, Malawi

Presentation (15 mins)

Gesundheit für Benin – Bénin Santé

Participant:

Silvia Cvekova – “Gesundheit für Benin – Bénin Santé” Czech / Doctors of Benin

Presentation (15 mins)

Intersecting Crises: Addressing Gender-Based Violence and HIV/AIDS in Vulnerable Communities

Participant:

Callas Foundation – South Africa

Innovative Strategies to Increase TPT Uptake Among High-Risk Groups

Participant:

Candy Jacobs – TB Proof, South Africa

Presentation (15 mins)

Differentiating NTM from TBC infections in population of Southeast Asian immigrants & Protecting patients, colleagues and community when sensitive situations related to HIV misdiagnosis arise 

Participant:

Marija de La Marnierre – University Hospital for Infectious Diseases in Zagreb, Croatia

Spoken Word (30 mins)

Strengthening antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) through a nurse-led approach in Mukono District Hospital, Uganda

Participant:

Irene Wobusobozi – Mukono General Hospital, Uganda

Photo Story (15 mins)

HIA: Health Impact Assessment 

Participant:

EQUINET HIA – East and Southern Africa

Presentation (30 mins)

Title TBD

Participant:

Nosimilo Mlangeni – National Institute for Occupational Health, South Africa

Presentation (30 mins)

Key lessons learned from developing and implementing the national multisectoral SBC campaign addressing antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and zoonotic diseases in Tanzania

Participant:

Mark Lwakatare – Johns Hopkins Center for Communication Programs - USAID Breakthrough ACTION, Tanzania

Presentation & Live Band (25 mins & 30 mins)

Professor Michael Moore AM PhD – Chair, International Immunisation Task Force

Professor Michael Moore AM PhD is currently Chair of the World Federation of Public Health Associations (WFPHA) International Taskforce on Immunization as well as a number of other health networks. He is the former CEO of the Public Health Association of Australia and is a Past President of the WFPHA. Michael was Rotary International District 9705 Governor for 2020-21. He is a Distinguished Fellow at The George Institute for Global Health, an Adjunct Professor at the University of Canberra and is a Visiting Professor at the University of Technology Sydney and was formerly a teacher and consultant. Michael served four terms as an elected member of the ACT Legislative Assembly from 1989 to 2001 and was Australia’s first independent Minister when he was appointed as Minister of Health and Community Care. In 2017 he was honoured by being made a Member of the Order of Australia (AM).

David Sinclair – Chief Executive, International Longevity Centre-UK (ILC-UK)

David Sinclair holds the role of Chief Executive of the International Longevity Centre in the UK. David has worked in policy and research on ageing and demographic change for 20 years. He holds honorary positions at UCL and Newcastle University.  He was a leading member of the SAATI (Supporting Active Ageing Through Immunisation) coalition and is a board member of the Coalition for Life Course Immunisation. He has worked as an expert for the pan-European Age Platform for 15 years and is the former Vice-Chair of the Government’s Consumer Expert Group for Digital Switchover. For ten years he chaired a London based charity (Open Age) which enables older people to sustain their physical and mental fitness, maintain active lifestyles and develop new and stimulating interests.

Prior to joining the ILC, David worked as Head of Policy at Help the Aged where he led a team of 8 policy advisors. David has also worked for environmental and disability organisations in policy and public affairs functions. His other experience includes working as a VSO volunteer in Romania, in Parliament for a Member of Parliament, and with backbench committees.

Professor Charles Feldman – Emeritus Professor, Department of Internal Medicine, University of the Witwatersrand

Professor Charles Feldman is currently an Emeritus Professor at the Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa. He was previously a Professor of Pulmonology and Chief Physician of the Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital and the University of the Witwatersrand from 1995 to 2017. Professor Feldman’s research interest is in the field of community-acquired pneumonia, particularly pneumococcal pneumonia. He was elected as a Fellow of the European Respiratory Society and the American Thoracic Society in recognition of his contributions to the field of respiratory medicine. In 2018 he received the Platinum Gold Medal from the South African Medical Research Council for a lifetime of research in the human health. In 2021, the University of Pretoria (UP) bestowed an honorary Doctorate of Medicine (honoris causa) on Professor Feldman for his significant contribution to the field of pneumococcal respiratory infections.

Dr. Jane Barratt – Global Advisor, International Federation on Ageing (IFA)

Dr. Jane Barratt is the Global Advisor and former Secretary General of the International Federation on Ageing (IFA) an international NGO with general consultative status at the United Nations and non-State actor of the World Health Organization (WHO) representing some 78 million older people in 74 countries.  In various roles her leadership continues to help drive the agenda for the world’s ageing population in many intergovernmental agendas including the UN Decade of Healthy Ageing and the WHO Immunisation Agenda 2030 across sectors and disciplines.

Among her many current positions Jane is a member of the WHO World Hearing Forum, Vision Academy, Director, Baycrest Health Sciences, Co-Chair, Baycrest Academy Research and Education, Associate Scientist, Sinai Health System, Member, Co-Chair Vaccine Virtual Days 2024, WFPHA International Council for Adult Immunisation Taskforce, Member, IA2030 Strategic Priority Life course and Integration Working Group and Member of the European Interdisciplinary Council on Ageing Assembly.

Renowned for exceptional leadership and advocacy skills her strategic vision and collaborative approach have has been recognized internationally, earning her numerous awards and accolades including a member of the WHO Health Ageing 50, being awarded the Queen Elizabeth Jubilee Medal and the Churchill Fellowship.

Samkele Mkumbuzi

Samkele is a Research Pharmacist at the University of Cape Town Division of Infectious Diseases & HIV Medicine, with more than 3 years of experience in enhancing healthcare systems through effective medicine management & good clinical practice. Samkele holds a Bachelor of Pharmacy from Wits University.

Before joining the University of Cape Town, Samkele has been recognized for his strong leadership qualities whilst holding multifaceted experience in coordinating Antimicrobial Stewardship operations at hospital and district level. Samkele has served as a member of a Provincial Pharmacovigilance Committee where he contributed to the introduction of an Adverse Events Following Immunisation programme and contributed to primary and tertiary care formulary development in the public sector.

Samkele leads research projects in science communication & health education extending his expertise in Antimicrobial Stewardship through public awareness campaigns & training programs for healthcare professionals. As a Master’s in Public Health candidate, Samkele’s research interest is in optimizing the use of antibiotics by enhancing the adoption & utility of antimicrobial resistance surveillance data systems and policy implementation.

Malcolm Miller

Specialist anaesthetist, qualified at University of Cape Town in 2004., Completed my medical training at University of Stellenbosch in 1994
Sub-specialized in Critical Care at Groote Schuur Hospital in 2006 and obtained the Certificate in Critical care medicine in 2008 through the College of Medicine of South Africa.

Currently working as a senior specialist in Anaesthesia and Critical Care at Groote Schuur Hospital. Past Chairperson of the Critical Care Society of South Africa, Western Cape Branch. Also, the course director of the BASIC course (a two-day course introducing doctors to caring for seriously ill patients).

Interests include Trauma, Abdominal compartment syndrome, Nutrition in critical illness and Antibiotic stewardship

Publications:
Numerous papers on Thromboelastography , Intra-abdominal hypertension and Gut dysfunction.

Research:
The role of a bio-artificial liver in a porcine model of ischaemic liver failure.
Coagulation studies using Thromboelastography

Renier Coetzee

Renier Coetzee is an associate professor at the University of the Western Cape's (UWC) School of Public Health (SOPH). His work focuses on antimicrobial stewardship, with a particular emphasis on improving antibiotic use in low- and middle-income countries, specifically in primary healthcare settings. In addition to his research, Renier is dedicated to community engagement and empowerment. He works closely with local communities to develop and implement sustainable health interventions, promoting health equity and social justice. Through his work, Renier seeks to bridge the gap between academia and community, ensuring that research is translated into meaningful action. His commitment to antimicrobial stewardship and community engagement has made a significant impact in the field, and his work continues to inspire and inform public health initiatives.

Recognized for his outstanding contributions, Renier has been honored with prestigious awards, including the University of the Western Cape Community Engagement Award and the Distinguished Teacher of the Year Award from the Academy of Pharmaceutical Sciences. In addition to his academic and community work, he serves as the Deputy President of the Pharmaceutical Society of South Africa, furthering his influence in the field.

Esmita Charani

She is an honorary Associate Professor at the University of Cape Town, a visiting Researcher at Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway, and an Adjunct Professor at Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences, Kerala, India, where she is involved in helping implement and investigate national antibiotic stewardship programmes.

After completing her post-graduate training in Cambridge University Hospitals and ten years of experience as a clinical pharmacist in hospitals, Esmita began her research career. In her academic career the focus of her research has been behaviour change interventions in the field of antimicrobial stewardship, and the application of social science research methods to develop contextually relevant solutions. She is an investigator on an NIHR Invention for Innovation award investigating the development and use of a point-of-care personalised clinical decision support tool for antimicrobial prescribing, and is co-investigator on the ESRC award: “Optimising antibiotic use along surgical pathways: addressing antimicrobial resistance and improving clinical outcomes” (in England, Scotland, Rwanda, India & South Africa; 2017-2021).

Her work in antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has been recognised through an Academy of Medical Sciences UK-India AMR Visiting Professor award. She is an expert advisor to the Commonwealth Pharmacy Association and a Global Health Fellow with the Office of the Chief Pharmaceutical Officer, England. She is involved in mentoring and supporting clinical pharmacists to implement antimicrobial stewardship interventions across different healthcare settings and economies. Her doctoral thesis investigated antimicrobial stewardship in India, Norway, France, Burkina Faso and England. She is also the Research Lead for Practice, Design and Engineering at the NIHR Health Protection Research Unit for Healthcare Associated Infections and Antimicrobial Resistance within the Faculty of Medicine at Imperial College London.
Esmita completed her Masters (MPharm Hons) in Pharmacy at University College London, her MSc in Infectious Diseases at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, and read for her PhD at Imperial College London.

Adrian Brink

Professor Adrian Brink is Head of the Division: Medical Microbiology, and member of the Institute of Infectious Disease & Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town and the National Health Laboratory Services, Groote Schuur hospital, Cape Town, South Africa.

Prof Brink was founding President of the Federation of Infectious Diseases Societies of Southern Africa and is the founder and currently co-chairs the South African Antibiotic Stewardship Program (SAASP).

His is main research interests are the clinical and molecular epidemiology of antibiotic-resistant infections, the mechanisms of resistance as a confounder in antibiotic stewardship, the design and implementation of large-scale antibiotic stewardship, diagnostic stewardship and infection prevention and control interventions in low and middle-income countries. The current focus alsoincludes the protective, metabolic and immune functions of the gastro-intestinal and - vaginal biome Inc. the resistome and metabolome.

Dena van den Bergh

Dr Dena van den Bergh is an honorary research associate at UCT Dept. of Medicine Division of Infectious diseases and HIV and has led and published multiple large-scale collaborative AMS and IPC implementation studies across private and public sector hospitals. She has served as a healthcare executive leader with large multinational hospital and healthcare organisations in South Africa where she spearheaded large-scale change to improve healthcare systems and patient outcomes. Dena’s expertise spans a unique blend of clinical know-how, leadership competencies and a doctorate in systems engineering. In addition to her research in AMS implementation, Dena works independently with leaders, teams, and organisations to successfully implement health systems improvement co-designed with stakeholders. Her goal is to empower accomplished and emerging healthcare leaders to make a powerful impact in shaping the future of health systems globally while inspiring them to thrive in their lives and their careers.

Anastasia (Tasha) Koch

Dr Anastasia Koch co-founded Eh!woza together with conceptual artist Ed Young in 2013. The organisation operates at the intersection of public engagement, youth advocacy, science communication and skills development to merge the biology of infectious disease with its social impact.
Anastasia graduated with a PhD from the University of Cape Town in 2015 and in 2017 was awarded a Carnegie Corporation DEAL fellowship under the mentorship of Prof. Digby Warner in the MMRU lab at UCT.

In 2020, Eh!woza was awarded a Wellcome Trust Discretionary Award and was established as an independent NPO. Anastasia shifted focus to work on Eh!woza full-time while maintaining a position in the MMRU as an Honorary Lecturer. She has a strong interest in translating complex biomedical concepts into relatable media and developing collaborations that can facilitate impactful public engagement work.

Oral Abstract Presentations (O6): Outbreaks, Infectious Disease Surveillance and Epidemiology

Chair
Richard Alm

Speakers:

Estimating transmission heterogeneity and case ascertainment from variations in case counts in surveillance data
Christian Althaus – University Of Bern, Switzerland

Continental Strategic Framework to Strengthen Cross-Border Surveillance, Coordination and Information Sharing in Africa
Mallion Kangume – Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), Ethiopia

“An outbreak investigation of diphtheria in Jalalabad, Sylhet, Bangladesh, in December 2023: might indicate declining immunity in late childhood.”
Mainul Hassan – Institute Of Epidemiology, Diseases Control & Research (iedcr), Bangladesh

Cholera case trends in Eastern Africa using surveillance data, 2007-2024
Joy Ebonwu – Africa CDC, Kenya

Cholera Outbreak in Chienge District, Luapula Province, Zambia- 31st May – 9th June 2023: Re-emerging threat
Tebello Kolobe – Ministry Of Health, Lesotho

A multijurisdictional healthcare-associated outbreak of Ralstonia pickettii from contaminated saline, Australia 2023
Anthea Laura Katelaris – NSW Health, Australia

Integral Scientific Advice for Outbreak Response: Lessons learned from an Avian Influenza Simulation in the Netherlands
Anja Schreijer – Pandemic And Disaster Preparedness Center, Erasmus Medical Center Rotterdam, Netherlands

A comparative analysis of the impact of climate change on emergence of infectious diseases and outbreaks in remote areas of Sindh, Pakistan
Hafsa Faruqui – Dow University Of Health Sciences, Pakistan

Oral Abstract Presentations (09): Social Context Infectious Diseases and Respiratory Infections

Speakers

Detection of COVID-19 Outbreaks with Whole Genome Sequencing by Oxford Nanopore Technology in a Tertiary Centre, Malaysia
Siti Farah Alwani Mohd Nawi – Universiti Teknologi Mara (uitm), Malaysia

Social Contexts and Public Health Control: Addressing Vaccine Hesitancy: The TRUST Study on SARS-CoV-2 Booster Uptake in Individuals Aged 50+ in the UK
Silvia Riva – St. Mary's University, UK

Assessing inequalities in risk of invasive group A streptococcal infections according to residential setting, England 2015-2023
Theresa Lamagni – UK Health Security Agency, UK

Societal values for health inequality aversion via vaccine and non-vaccine interventions in Canada – a benefit trade-off analysis
Beate Sander – University Health Network, Canada

Relative diagnostic yield of tests for disseminated tuberculosis among inpatients living with HIV
Phiona Namale – Groote Schuur Hospital, South Africa

Bedside Thwaites’ score in the diagnosis, cerebro-spinal fluid biochemistry in predicting severity and outcomes of TB meningitis in Sri Lanka
Nimasha Ekanayaka - National Hospital Sri Lanka, Sri Lanka

Oral Abstract Presentations (07): Parasitology & Vector-Borne Infections

Speakers:

Pushing Forward West Nile Virus Understanding: An Integrated One Health Genomic Surveillance Journey in Romagna (Italy)
Irene Zaghi – Galway University Hospital, Ireland

Bionomics of Aedes mosquito species in three eco-epidemiological settings of Cameroon and their susceptibilities profiles to insecticides
Bertille Carine Theno Djapoum – University of Yaounde I, Cameroon

The resistance status of Anopheles gambiae s.l. in Chikwawa district, Southern Malawi
Shupikai Kambiring'oma – Lilongwe University of Agriculture & Natural Resources, Malawi

Prevalence of schistosomiasis and associated risk factors among residents of Ndikinimeki district, Central Cameroon Region
Bienvenu Balifeli – University Of Yaoundé I/oceac, Cameroon

Evaluation of real-time polymerase chain reaction for detection of Strongyloides stercoralis in immunocompromised patients in North India
Abhishek Mewara - Postgraduate Institute Of Medical Education And Research, Chandigarh, India

Molecular epidemiology of urinary schistosomiasis and characterization of Human and Animal infective schistosome species in endemic areas, Ogun State, Nigeria
Sammy Sam-Wobo – Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta, Nigeria

Machine learning algorithm for the rapid and accurate detection of Plasmodium falciparum
Andrew Hill – Australia

Oral Abstract Presentations (05): One Health

Chair
Mohamed Sirdar - ISID, South Africa

Speakers:

Climate change-driven vector-borne diseases spread to temperate climate territories: The frying pan theory
Miguel Angel Jimenez-Clavero – Animal Health Research Center (CISA-INIA), CSIC, Spain

Plasmid profile analysis of escherichia coli isolates recovered from the beef production chain
Libby Onyeka – Michael Okpara University Of Agriculture, Umudike, Nigeria

Innovative methodological approach to assess dengue transmission: findings from the SERODEN study in Africa
Anna Vicco – Imperial College London, Italy

Seroprevalence of dengue in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ghana and Senegal: results of the SERODEN study
Anthony Afum-adjei Awuah – Kumasi Centre For Collaborative Research In Tropical Medicine, Ghana

First seroprevalence study of West Nile Virus (WNV) infection in blood donors after abrupt increase in West Nile Neuroinvasive Disease (WNND) cases in Southern Italy in 2023
Francesca Centrone – Hygiene Unit, AOUC Policlinico of Bari, Italy

Current Knowledge of Exposure to Tick-borne Pathogens among Rural Population in Cambodia
Janin Nouhin – Institut Pasteur Du Cambodge, Cambodia

Impact of the LGBT+ rights on reporting cases and deaths of Mpox globally: Relationships with the LGBT+ rights index during 2022-2024 epidemics
Alfonso J. Rodriguez-Morales – Faculty of Medicine, Fundacion Universitaria Autonoma de las Americas, Colombia

One Health intervention for elimination of animal to human disease transmission of Anthrax in an endemic district of Odisha: A baseline and endline study
Debaprasad Parai – ICMR-Regional Medical Research Centre, Bhubaneswar, India

Relationships between morbidity and mortality from Mpox and the human development index (HDI) globally during 2022-2024 epidemics
Alfonso J. Rodriguez-Morales – Faculty of Medicine, Fundacion Universitaria Autonoma de las Americas, Colombia

Unraveling Algerian bat coronaviruses: from initial detection to genome recovery and co-infection discovery
Safia Zeghbib – National Laboratory Of Virology: University Of Pécs, Hungary

Deadly dengue epidemic outbreak in Burkina Faso in 2023
Armel Poda - Ministry of Health and Public Hygiene, Burkina Faso

Oral Abstract Presentations (04): Microbes, Pathogenesis & Host Immunity

Chair
Stefan Opperman (NHLS) TBC

Speakers

Evaluating the probiotic potential of Lactobacilli from yoghurts and their antagonistic activity against multidrug-resistant enteric bacteria, Yaounde, Cameroon
Rhoda Bughe – Higher Teacher Training College, University Of Yaounde, Cameroon

Spatial and temporal diversity of Simulium damnosum s.l. gut microbiota and association with Onchocerca volvulus infection in Cameroon
Arnauld Efon Ekangouo – Higher Institute for Scientific and Medical Research (ISM), Cameroon

Use of murine model to study virulence of epidemically significant Mycobacterium tuberculosis genotypes and to evaluate effectiveness of chemotherapy
Igor Mokrousov – St. Petersburg Pasteur Institute, Russia

Whole genome analysis reveals the major pathotypes and predominant antimicrobial resistance genes in Escherichia coli strains from India
Punit Kaur – All India Institute Of Medical Sciences, India

Targeting cytokine signaling in mice infected with bunyaviruses provides protection from severe disease and death
Joseph Golden – Usamriid, USA

PD-1/PD-L1 Axis Downregulation in Guillain-Barré Syndrome: A Potential Mechanism Driving the Autoimmune Pathogenesis
Rasel Ahmed – International Centre For Diarrheal Disease Research, Bangladesh (icddr,b), Bangladesh

Oral Abstract Presentations (03): Innovations in Infectious Diseases, Prevention & Control

Chair
Alison Holmes TBC

Speakers

Surveillance of H. pylori prevalence and antibiotic resistance in the urban Chinese population: a nationwide multi-center study
Liang Wang – Southern Medical University Affiliated Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, China

Effectiveness of a clinical decision support algorithm (ePOCT+) in improving quality of care for sick children in primary health facilities in Tanzania (DYNAMIC project): results from a cluster randomized trial
Caroline Enos – Nimr-mmrc, Tanzania

Prospective and End User Evaluation of an AI-based Clinical Decision Support System for Individualized Antimicrobial Stewardship
William Bolton – Imperial College London, UK

Analysing Open-source Images to Assess Face Mask Usage for Epidemiological Studies
Ashley Quigley – The Kirby Institute, Australia

Dragonfly Molecular Diagnostic Platform: A Rapid Point-of-Care Solution for Monkeypox and Skin Lesion Pathogens
Kenny Malpartida-Cardenas – Imperial College London, UK

Oral Abstract Presentations (02): HAIs, Antimicrobials & Bacteremia

Chair
Prof Neelika Malavige

Speakers

Electronic Pillbox-enabled Self-administered Therapy Versus Standard Directly Observed Therapy for Tuberculosis Medication Adherence and Treatment Outcomes in Ethiopia: a Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial
Manyazewal Tsegahun – Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia

Redox-responsive peptidosomes: A promising strategy for expanding vancomycin antibiotic spectrum and efficacy against resistant bacterial infections
Calvin Omolo – United States International University-africa, Kenya

Transient Expression of Recombinant Antimicrobial Peptide Meucin18 in Nicotiana tabacum and its Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing
Parthiban Subramanian – Bharathiar University, India

Integrating Deep Learning with Computational Methods for Dual Inhibition of Mycobacterium tuberculosis Pantothenate Kinase and CTP Synthetase: A Novel Approach to Combat Multi-Drug Resistance
Prakash Jha – University of Delhi, India

Species distribution, antibiotic susceptibility and clinical characteristics in Enterococcal bacteremia; experience from South India
Vettakkara Kandy Muhammed Niyas – Kimshealth, Thiruvananthapuram, India

Epidemiological assessment of trends and health inequalities in rates of Group C and G Streptococcal bacteraemia in England, 2015 to 2022
Jamie Thomas Rudman – Ukhsa, UK

The hidden burden of enteric infections in British Columbia, Canada, 2005-2014
Eleni Galanis – University of British Columbia, Canada

Impact of hospital participation in national surveillance in prevention of surgical site infection, England
Theresa Lamagni – UK Health Security Agency, UK

Tracking the Evolution and Antibiotic Resistance Patterns of Streptococcus pneumoniae in Indian Adult Populations through High-Throughput Genome Sequencing
Varun Shamanna – Central Research Laboratory, India

Improving Infection Prevention and Control Systems using Quality Improvement Initiatives in selected Health Facilities in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria
Usen Daniel – Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Health, Nigeria

Working Group (WG1): Guide to Infection Control Working Group

Participants:

Review/Update current status of Guide
Gonzalo Bearman – Virginia Commonwealth University, USA

Guide materials that were published in IJID as review articles
Angela Dramowski – Stellenbosch University, South Africa

New content areas
Arifa Parker – Stellenbosch Univeristy, South Africa

Policy Discussion (PD2): Pandemic Centers

Moderator:

Paul Brown – University of the West Indies, Jamaica

Discussants:

Jide Idris – Nigeria Centre for Disease Control & Prevention, Nigeria
Mohammed Abdulaziz – Africa CDC, Ethiopia

Scientific (S9): Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation - Maternal Immunization: New Products and a Pathway to Introduction

Chair: 

Keith Klugman – Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, USA

Speakers:

Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)
Heather Zar – University of Cape Town, South Africa

Group B Streptococcus (GBS)
Ziyaad Dangor – University of Witwatersrand, South Africa

Maternal Immunization Readiness Network for Africa and Asia
Michelle Groome – University of Witwatersrand, South Africa
Hellen Barsosio – Kenya Medical Research Institute, South Africa

Scientific (S8): Perspectives from ISID Emerging Leaders – AMR Under One Health

Chair: 

Fatima Aziz – University of Karachi, Pakistan

Co-Chair: 

Elita Jauneikaite – Imperial College London, UK

Speakers:

Surveillance of AMR in One Health
Elita Jauneikaite – Imperial College London, UK

The intersection of the social determinants of health and climate change with AMR
Vrinda Nampoothiri – Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences, India

Emerging technologies
Laura Oliveira – Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Scientific (S22): Antimicrobials and Vaccines – Equitable Global Access

Chair:
Helena Maltezou – National Public Health Organization, Greece (TBC)

Speakers:

Why Equity Matters for the Global South
Fatima Hassan – Health Justice Initiative (HJI), South Africa

Global production and supply through the lens of common pool resources
Tom Ashfield – The Sign Post, UK

Accelerating access to antibiotics – a model to address existing and new antibiotics
Kim Faure – Global Antibiotic R&D Partnership (GARDP), South Africa

Plenary (P1): The Polycrisis and Policy Failure: a Perfect Storm for AMR

Chair:

Paul Tambyah – Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore

Speaker:

Sabiha Essack – South African Research Chair in Antibiotic Resistance & One Health & Professor in Pharmaceutical Sciences, South Africa

Plenary (P2): Tuberculosis

Chair:

Jaffar Al-Tawfiq – Johns Hopkins Aramco Healthcare, Saudi Arabia

Speaker:

Alex Pym – Wellcome Trust, UK

Plenary (P3): Updates on AMR

Chair:

Alison Holmes – University of Liverpool, UK

Speaker:

Anna Levin – University of São Paulo, Brazil

Workshop (W4): The Pharmacist’s Role in the Infectious Diseases Team

Facilitators:

Oluchi Mbamalu – University of Cape Town, South Africa
Angeliki Messina – Netcare Group, South Africa
Debra Goff – The Ohio State University College of Pharmacy, USA

Workshop (W3): Clinical Microbiology – the Future is Here

Facilitators:

Adrian Brink – University of Cape Town, South Africa
Margaret Ip – Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
Yahaya Mohammed – Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Nigeria

Workshop (W2): AMR Stewardship – What the ID Professional Needs to Know!

Facilitators:

Afreenish Amir – National Institute of Health, Pakistan
Esmita Charani – University of Cape Town, South Africa
Sasheela Ponnampalavanar – University Malaya Medical Centre, Malaysia

Workshop (W1): Epidemiologic Intelligence and Forecasting Approaches

Facilitators:

Rokhaya Diagne – Afyasense, Senegal
Auss Abbood – Robert Koch Institute, Germany
Jake Hightower – Ruvos, USA

Meet-the-Expert (M5): Urinary Tract Infections

Experts:

Sally Roberts – Health New Zealand, Te Whatu Ora, New Zealand
Paul Tambyah – National University Hospital, Singapore

Meet-the-Expert (M4): Surgical Infections and Antibiotic Use

Experts:

Sasheela Ponnampalavanar – University Malaya Medical Centre, Malaysia
Bruce Biccard – University of Cape Town, South Africa

Plenary (P4): Research from Africa for Africa: Global Health Solutions from African Researchers

Speaker:

Tumani Corrah – Africa Research Excellence Fund, Gambia

Scientific (S21): Current Updates in Tuberculosis

Chair:

Sean Wasserman – University of London, UK

Co-Chair:
Dr Stefan Opperman

Speakers:
Optimising therapy for TB meningitis
Sean Wasserman – University of London, UK

Host macrophage diversity as a driver of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection outcome
Henry Mwandumba – Malawi Liverpool Wellcome Research Programme, Malawi

Better and shorter treatments for tuberculosis: an advancing frontier
Graeme Meintjes – University of Cape Town, South Africa

Scientific (S20): Point of Care Testing

Chair:

Adeeba Kamarulzaman – Monash University, Malaysia

Speakers:

Innovative Molecular Diagnostics: Revolutionizing Infectious Disease Detection and Combating Antimicrobial Resistance
Jesus Rodriguez Manzano – Centre for Antimicrobial Optimisation (CAMO), UK

Latest advances on POCTs for STIs
Yuka Manabe – Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, USA

Human Helminth Infections: Improving Diagnostics for Control and Elimination Programs
Sitara Swarna Rao – The Wellcome Trust Research Laboratory, Christian Medical College, India

Scientific (S19): Hepatitis B and C – Global Opportunities

Speakers:

The pathway to Viral Hepatitis Elimination – Where are we in Africa?
Wendy Spearman – University of Cape Town, South Africa

Scientific (S18): Biomedical Interventions on STI Prevention

Speakers:

Chair
David Lewis - University of Sydney

Co chair
Jaffar Al-Tawfiq - Johns Hopkins Aramco Healthcare

Prevention of Haemophilus ducreyi infections: one organism, two stories
Stan Spinola – Indiana University School Of Medicine, USA

Advances in biomedical prevention for STIs
Sinead Delany-Moretlwe – University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa

Scientific (S17): Hospital-Acquired Infections – How Much Can We Prevent

Chair:

Gonzalo Bearman – Virginia Commonwealth University, USA

Co Chair
Jaffar Al-Tawfiq – Johns Hopkins Aramco Healthcare, Saudi Arabia

Speakers:

Leadership in Healthcare Epidemiology and Medicine: A football (Soccer) Enthusiasts Perspective
Gonzalo Bearman – Virginia Commonwealth University, USA

Striving for Zero: Reducing Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAI) - A Target, Vision, or Philosophy
Jaffar Al-Tawfiq – Johns Hopkins Aramco Healthcare, Saudi Arabia

Reducing Healthcare-Associated Infections: Strategies for Prevention
Tari Papavarnavas – University of Cape Town, South Africa - pop up wrong on website

Scientific (S16): Pediatric infectious diseases - Challenges and Opportunities

Chair: 

Helena Maltezou – National Public Health Organization, Greece

Co Chair
Asha Bowen – Telethon Kids Institute, Australia

Speakers:

Involving children in platform trials for infectious diseases across the life course: SNAP and STRAP Trials
Asha Bowen – Telethon Kids Institute, Australia

Advances in vaccine-preventable diseases
Helena Maltezou – National Public Health Organization, Greece

Closing the equity gap – opportunities and challenges in unlocking the value of immunising childr