Day 2 :
Keynote Forum
Mahin Khatami
National Cancer Institute, USA
Keynote: Accidental Discoveries on Systematic Studies of Tumorigenesis and Angiogenesis: Perspectives for Prevention and Therapy of Antigen (Virus)-Causing Cancers.
Time : 9:30-10:15
Biography:
Mahin Khatami received her PhD in Molecular Biology from Univ. PA (1980). She was a research faculty at Univ. PA, involved in cell biology of diabetes complications and ocular inflammatory diseases. In 1998, at NCI/NIH extension of her discoveries and efforts to promote role of inflammation in cancer research met with serious opposition. Currently, topic of inflammation in cancer research and therapy is the focus of numerous funded projects. She authored over 100 articles, book chapters and proceedings. She has lectured internationally; was President/VP- GWIS; member of scientific and editorial organizations. In 2012, she edited 2 books on inflammatory diseases, aging, cancer and therapies.
Abstract:
Factors responsible for extremely slow progress in cancer research and failed therapies include absence of systematic studies on multistep tumorigenesis and ongoing controversies and misunderstanding on the roles that inflammation play in carcinogenesis and angiogenesis. In 1980’s our experimental models of acute and chronic ocular inflammatory diseases resulted in tumorigenesis and angiogenesis. Recent analyses of original data became ‘accidental’ discoveries on systematic identification of time-course kinetics of interaction and synergies between host immune cells (e.g., mast, goblet and B cells) and recruiting cells (e.g., eosinophils, macrophages) during acute, intermediate and chronic phases of inflammatory responses and induction of hyperplasia of conjunctival-associated lymphoid tissues. Results are the first systematic studies on sequential alterations of immunity toward tissue growth. Acute inflammation was defined as balance between two biologically opposing arms (Yin-Yang) of immune and non-immune (e.g., vasculature, neurodegenerative and metabolic) responses. Chronic inflammation or loss of balance in Yin and Yang of immunity was hypothesized as common link in genesis of all age-associated chronic diseases or cancer. Future efforts to promote immunity should include systematic understanding of host-pathogen interactions in susceptible tissues. Outcomes are expected to hold real promises in understanding how cancer cells become threat to body and how translate cancer biology into cost-effective drug designs and clinical trials.
Keynote Forum
Amr Mohamed
Umm Al-Qura University, Saudi Arabia
Keynote: Drug resistant tuberculosis, are we aware enough?
Biography:
Amr Mohamed Abdel Fattah Mohamed has completed his PhD at the age of 35 years from University of Nebraska Medical Center, USA at 2004. He worked as\r\nassociate professor of molecular diagnostics of infectious diseases at School of veterinary medicine, Assiut University, Egypt. Currently he is a full time professor\r\nof Laboratory Medicine at Umm Al-Qura University, Saudi Arabia. He is the director of Molecular Diagnostic Research Laboratory at the Central Laboratories of\r\nCollage of Applied Medical Sciences, Umm Al-Qura University. He has published more than 20 papers in reputed journals and has been serving as an editorial board member of many reputed Journals
Abstract:
Tuberculosis (TB), the second highest cause of death from infectious diseases worldwide, is a major global health problem.Infection with strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC), the causative agent of TB, is responsible for approximately 1.4 million deaths annually. TB remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality throughout the world with major challenges facing the global effort for controlling the disease. One of the major challenges is the worldwide emergence of drug resistant strains of MTB. The greatest challenge that still facing TB-patient is that the organisms, through selection of mycobacterial mutants that result from spontaneous chromosomal alterations, become resistant to one or more of the\r\nstandard anti-TB drugs. The efforts for TB control and treatment were critically hindered by the emergence of multidrugresistance.Multidrug-resistance (MDR) is defined as the resistance of the bacillary strains to at least isoniazid (INH) and rifampicin (RMP), the two key first-line anti-tuberculosis drugs. Nevertheless, MDR-TB is not incurable, a fluoroquinolone [e.g. levofloxacin (Lfx), moxifloxacin (Mfx), ofloxacin (Ofx)], if used properly alongside other second-line injectable drugs [e.g. capreomycin (Cm), amikacin (Am) or kanamycin (Km)] could cure the majority of MDR-TB patients; with a low risk of relapse in long-term follow up. However, the challenge became even worse by the recent emergence of the extensively drugresistant (XDR) bacillary strains. The term XDR-TB used to describe a severe form of disease,which is a case of MDR-TB with additional bacillary resistance to any of the fluoroquinolone and at least one of three second-line injectable drugs: Cm, Km and Am. Recently, the WHO estimated 650.000 cases (including 150,000 deaths) of MDR-TB with an estimated XDR-TB rate of 9% in 2010. The emergence of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB), due to clinical, biological, or social factors, is now estimated to account for half a million new cases each year. The treatment of MDR-TB requires prolonged and expensive chemotherapy using second-line drugs of heightened toxicity. WHO have recently reported the highest global levels of drug\r\nresistance ever documented with 3.6% of new TB patients and 20% of previously treated cases having MDR-TB. With regard to XDR-TB, WHO in its 2011 report estimated 650.000 cases (including 150,000 deaths) of MDR-TB with an estimated XDR-TB\r\nrate of 9% in 2010. More recently, The WHO report of 2013 revealed that 92 countries had reported XDR-TB globally by the end of 2012. In conclusion, the worldwide emergence of MDR or XDR strains of MTBC pose a serious challenge for global TB control and make successful treatment difficult or even impossible. The aim of the current talk is to through the light on\r\nthe most recent WHO figures and to discuss the current methods and tools for diagnosis and treatment of tuberculosis and to elaborate the recommended preventive measurements for successful control of the global drug resistant tuberculosis.
- Clinical Veterinary Microbiology
Session Introduction
Amr M Mohamed
Umm Al-qura University, Saudi Arabia
Title: Title: In vitro characterization of five potential antigenic proteins that elicited specific immune reaction using pmbc from sensitized guinea pig models of both tuberculous and non-tuberculous mycobacterium species
Biography:
Amr Mohamed Abdel Fattah Mohamed has completed his PhD at the age of 35 years from University of Nebraska Medical Center, USA at 2004. He worked as associate professor of molecular diagnostics of infectious diseases at School of veterinary medicine, Assiut University, Egypt. Currently he is a full time professor of Laboratory Medicine at Umm Al-Qura University, Saudi Arabia. He is the director of Molecular Diagnostic Research Laboratory at the Central Laboratories of Collage of Applied Medical Sciences, Umm Al-Qura University. He has published more than 20 papers in reputed journals and has been serving as an editorial board member of many reputed Journals.
Abstract:
A replacement antigen for PPD that improve skin test specificity has been a long-standing research goal. Description of a new reagent – of either single or multiple antigens – to replace PPD remains challenging. In response, the current study attempted to fractionate home-made short term-culture filtrate (ST-CF) of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, using HPLC. All obtained fractions were subjected to in vitro evaluation of their antigenicity by both LPA and γ - INF assay using PMBC from guinea pig models sensitized by heat killed M. tuberculosis. Fractions that elicited positive antigenic reactions were analyzed for its protein contents using SDS-PAGE. Multi-protein fractions were re-fractionated using shallower gradient HPLC. Obtained proteins were re-subjected to in vitro evaluation of their antigenic specificity using PMBC from guinea pig models sensitized by both heat killed tuberculous Mycobacterium (M. tuberculosis and M. bovis) and non-tuberculous Mycobacterium (M. intercellularae, M. avium, M. kansasi and M. fortuitum). Five proteins that elicited variable degrees of specific antigenicity only against tuberculous Mycobacterium-sensitized PMBC were characterized. On SDS-PAGE analysis, selected proteins ranged between ~ 5 kDa up to ~30 KDa. N-terminus sequencing of these proteins were carried out by Edman degradation using automated Gas Phase Sequencing (GPS). Obtained sequences of the N-terminus of selected proteins were used for search analysis for related Mycobacterium proteins using NCBI-Protein Blast. At this stage we were able to define the ORFs of the genes coding those proteins and currently we are working on the cloning of these genes for mass production of corresponding proteins for further evaluation. The future plan is to use these proteins either individually or in different combinations for in vivo skin testing of guinea pig models.
Aryati
Airlangga University, Indonesia
Title: Diagnosis of dengue virus infection with IgA anti dengue rapid test
Time : 11:30-11:55
Biography:
Aryati is presently working at Airlanga University in Indonesia.Her research interest include virology, pathology and diagnosis of infectious diseases.
Abstract:
There is an urgent need for highly sensitive, specific, rapid, economical tools for early diagnosis of dengue infection that can be used for clinical management, surveillance and outbreak investigations. The acquired immune response to dengue virus infection consists of the production of immunoglobulins (IgM, IgG and IgA) that are mainly specific for the virus envelope (E) protein. The intensity of the response varies depending on whether the individual has a primary or secondary dengue infection. During a primary dengue infection, the IgM response is typically higher titer and more specific than during secondary infections. IgM is detected 5 or more days after the onset of illness and IgG is detected from 10-15 days. The titer of the IgG response is higher during secondary infection than during primary infection. IgA-based assays have also been used as markers for the sero-diagnosis of dengue infections and also higher during secondary dengue infection. The maximum diagnosis of NS1 antigen can be obtained between days 3 and 5 in both kinds of primary and secondary infections. Dengue diagnostic tests comprise both laboratory-based and point-of-care tests. The laboratory-based tests comprise non-commercial assays such as NAATs, ELISAs, HAI tests and neutralization assays. Point-ofcare tests for dengue diagnosis based on immune-chromatographic assays in the dengue endemic regions are the great importance. Immunochromatographic tests (ICT) for IgM, IgG or IgA antibodies or NS1 antigen detection have been existed in different forms. Dengue IgA rapid test based on reverse flow technology demonstrated highly sensitivity and specificity especially in secondary dengue infection. The capability of dengue IgA rapid test in detecting dengue infection in terms of day of illness was comparable to reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction and was found better than in-house IgM ELISA, also dengue IgA persists for a shorter period of time. Compared with in-house IgM ELISA, dengue IgA rapid test also detected similar number of dengue virus (DENV) 1, DENV 2, and more DENV 3 and DENV4 cases. The overall performance thus suggested its usefulness as one of the dengue early diagnostic tools where diagnostic facility is limited.
John G Thomas
West Virginia University, USA
Title: Workshop on A walk with Louis Pasteur in the laboratories: His (1880), Ours (2015) and future (2025)
Time : 11:55-12:55
Biography:
John G Thomas is recognized as an “International Educator and Global Microbiologistâ€; being lectured in more than 43 countries whiles a Clinical Microbiologist in Pathology, Dentistry and Medicine for 51 years. His research emphasizes bio-films and medical devices including endotrachs and the connection between oral diseases, VAP and wound infections (“Intellectual Designâ€) with the recent integration of micro 3-D- bio printing using bio-plastics and unique prebiotics (Therapeutic Bacteria) for intervention. He has over 50 publications, multiple book chapters, significant grant support, pending patents and over 100 posters/abstracts at national and international meetings. His sabbatical at Cardiff University, Wales, UK (2007) was a driving influence. He has been a member of the ADA Scientific Advisory Committee for the last 8years. As Faculty at 6 Universities during his career, he has received Alumni and University awards for research and International Student Mentoring; retiring from WVU in 2013 after 23 years as Professor Emeritus, he presently is expanding his research/teaching utilizing the advanced resources of the Allegheny Health Network in Pittsburgh, PA, Carnegie–Mellon University and Mass. Gen. Hospital, Boston, MA.
Abstract:
“We live in a microbial world†was visibly unmasked by the Dutch Microscopist, Van Leeuwenhoek in 1674 and later correlated with diseases by Louise Pasteur in 1865 and Robert Koch’s postulates in 1884, emphasizing “one bug, one diseaseâ€, their laboratories providing signicant insight into viable, culture-able microbes. The Russian scientist of the time held a different focus, “survival of the fittest†supporting co-operation rather than competition; Peter Kropotkin (1865) described an anti- Darwin theory of “We†and the importance of community (pre-Bio-films), while Elie Metchnikoff unmasked the importance of selected gut microbes in maintaining health (Lactobacillus) and the concept that colonizing viable microbes were important in prolonging life (pre-Probiotics). But the explosion of non -culture techniques in 1988, emphasized by environmentalist, initially, catalyzed a redefinition of our microbial co-ecosystem “Dual Citizenshipâ€, the incredible diversity of non cultureable microbes while highlighting their genetic strength, the disruption due to antibiotics and the emerging Theme of “One Health : Animals, Humans, and the Globe . In all three phases, the impact upon diagnostic microbiology has been relentless, demanding new approaches and strategies. Diagnostic laboratories are emerging from Dr Pasteur with an “anti-Koch†theme, implementing new rapid technologies employing MALDT-TOF, BIO-FIRE and other molecular methods incorporating the laboratory focus of “Culture-OMICsâ€, reporting both viable and non-viable detection and simultaneous evaluation of a microbiota signature and patient health status. Here, we will compare and contrast with Dr Pasteur the explosion in diagnostic methods, describe the future laboratory and gather his insight focusing on two bio-film associated diseases: VAP and chronic wounds.
- Clinical Immunology
Session Introduction
Puspa Wardhani
Airlangga University, Indonesia
Title: Genotype I and IV of dengue virus DEN-1 and its clinical manifestasions in Surabaya
Biography:
Puspa Wardhani is a Medical Doctor, finished Clinical Pathologist brevet from Airlangga University and PhD degree in 2013. She is Lecturer in Airlangga University and Medical Staff in Dr. Soetomo General Hospital in Surabaya. She is currently undergoing subspecialized brevet of microbiology and infectious disease. She has international journal publication and has been serving as an Editor Chief of local journal in Indonesia.
Abstract:
Previous studies showed there were a Dengue Virus (DENV) distribution shift from DENV-2 to DENV-1 in Surabaya. This study analyzed genetic characteristics of DENV-1 and clinical manifestations. This was an analytical observational study with prospective cohort setting. The study was conducted in Dr. Soetomo General Hospital, from February to August 2012. DENV serotyping was done by real-time PCR using SimplexaTM 3M RT-PCR instrument. Viral load examination was done by two step real-time PCR in Applied Biosystem 7500 instrument. Positive samples were cultured in C6/36 cells. Positive culture samples were genotyped using envelope gene sequence. Dengue serotype distributions in 2012 were DENV-1 (67.9%), DENV-2 (9.5%), DENV-3 (4.8%), DENV-4 (7.1%), mixed DENV-1 & 2 (2.4%), DENV-1 & 3 (5.9%), and DENV-1 & 4 (2.4%). DENV-1 consisted of genotype I (66.7%) and IV (33.3%), genotype II, III and V were not detected. Comparation among DENV serotypes or DENV-1 genotype showed no significant differences in DF and DHF manifestations. In the children group, red blood cell count (RBC) was higher in DENV-1 genotype I than IV, but mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), lymphocytes and albumin level were lower in genotype I. Viral load level was higher in genotype I than IV,unfortunately it was not significant. By analyzing E gene nucleotids sequences, each DENV-1 strain showed individual nucleotides and amino acid changes. From E gene sequences analysis, amount of amino acid subtitutions had no implication in DF and DHF manifestations.
Ghada A. Abou El-Ella
Umm Al-qura University, Saudi Arabia
Title: Molecular evaluation of idexx paratuberculosis screening elisa as a rapid tool for detection of johne’s disease among suspected small ruminants
Time : 13:25-13:50
Biography:
Ghada A Abou El-Ella has completed her PhD from Creighton University, Omaha, Nebraska, USA in 2003. She worked as Assistant Professor of Clinical Laboratory Diagnosis at School of Veterinary Medicine, Assiut University, Egypt. Currently, she is an Associate Professor of Laboratory Medicine at Umm Al-Qura University, Saudi Arabia. She is the Director of Tissue Culture Research Laboratory at the Central Laboratories of College of Applied Medical Sciences, Umm Al-Qura University. She has published more than 15 papers in reputed journals.
Abstract:
The present study aimed to utilize molecular tools to evaluate the reliability of IDEXX paratuberculosis Screening ELISA versus traditional microscopic examination of acid fast-stained-fecal smear for rapid detection of Johne’s disease among clinically suspected small ruminants. For this purpose, three different genetic targets, including 16S r-DNA, IS900 and IGS, were used for molecular diagnosis as golden standard for the evaluation study. Out of investigated 2660 animals, 41 cases were selected as being suspected of JD infection based on the associated clinical symptoms. Fecal and blood samples were collected from all suspected animals. Fecal samples were subjected to both conventional microscopic examination and molecular examination. Blood samples were used for serum separation and conduction of immunologic assay using IDEXX paratuberculosis screening ELISA. The results showed that out of the 41 suspected cases, 14(34.1%) and 15(36.6%) cases were positive for JD using microscopic examination and ELISA, respectively. On the other hand molecular evaluation of JD infection among suspected cases revealed an initial infection rate of 43.9% based on the amplification of both bacterial 16SrDNA and Mycobacterium genus-specific IGS targets. However, further investigation of suspected samples by detection of MAP-specific IS900 and sequence analysis of the Mycobacterium species-specific IGS targets confirmed MAP infection among only 34.1% of the suspected cases. Using molecular results as a standard, higher sensitivity (85.7% vs. 50%), specificity (88.9% vs. 70.4%), PPV (80% vs. 46.7%), NPV (92.3% vs. 73.1%) and AI (87.8% vs. 63.4%) were recorded for ELISA as compared to microscopic detection of AF bacilli in fecal smear, respectively. In conclusion the study revealed the feasibility of the IDEXX paratuberculosis screening ELISA as a reliable tool for rapid detection of Johne’s disease among suspected cases of small ruminants.
- Microbial Genomics And Cellular Microbiology
Session Introduction
Eman Abdel Rahman
National Research Centre, Egypt
Title: Anti-parasitic activity of propolis
Time : 14:15-14:40
Biography:
Eman Hussien Abdel-Rahman is currently working as Professor in National Research Center-Dokki, Cairo, Egypt since 2005. In 1990, she was appointed as Assistant Researcher, in 1995, as Researcher, in 2000, as Associate Professor, in 2005, as Professor at the National Research Center-Dokki, Cairo, Egypt. She received her B Sc in Zoology in 1981 and M Sc & PhD in Immunoparasitology in 1990 and 1995 respectively, both from Cairo University, Egypt. Her current research interests are immunoparasitology, biological control, DNA technology, glycoprotein antigens and parasitology.
Abstract:
Propolis (bee glue) is a resinous hive product, collected from various plant sources. It has been long used in folk medicine of different nations as early in Egypt as 3000 BC. It has attracted much attention as a useful material applied in medicine due to its pharmacological and biological activities. Researchers have been interested in the investigation of isolated compounds responsible for propolis action; since propolis containing products have been marketed and humans have used propolis for different purposes. The efficacy of propolis in different protocols in vitro and in vivo suggests its therapeutic properties. Recently, attention is being focused on the anti-parasitic activity of propolis, the goal of this review is to discuss the potential of propolis for the development of new drugs, by comparing data from the literature that suggest candidate areas for the establishment of drugs against parasites.
Ahmed Hegazi
National Research Centre, Egypt
Title: Symposia on Antimicrobial activity on bee products or medical importance of bee products
Time : 15:50-17:15
Biography:
Ahmed Hegazi is currently a Professor of Microbiology and Immunology in the National Research Center, Egypt. He received his Master’s degree in 1979 and his PhD in 1981. His research work has been focused lately on bee products and their therapeutic effects. He organized and contributed to national and international research projects since 1977 and up till now; he has been the Principal Investigator on multiple research projects within the National Research Center. He has published 207 scientific papers and articles in national and international journals. He is also the President of the Egyptian Environmental Society for Uses and Production of Bee Products, Secretary of the Egyptian Society of Apitherapy, Secretary General of the African Federation of Apiculture Associations and a Member of the International Apitherapy Commission (APIMONDIA). He also received many awards.
Abstract:
Apitherapy had been well documented in traditional medicine for treating systemic immune diseases, allergic diseases, viral diseases and organic-specific inflammatory diseases since more than one thousand years. Apitherapy or the medical uses of honeybee products are range from royal jelly to bee venom. It was used by the ancient Egyptians as a homeopathic remedy for arthritis. The history of apitherapy extends back to ancient Egypt, China and Greece. Apitherapy (the term comes from the Latin apis, which means “bee”), or bee therapy, is the use of honeybee venom for therapeutic purposes. Bee venom, bee pollen, raw honey, royal jelly, wax, propolis, and bee broad are products from bees that are generally considered to have medicinal effects. These products are effective against a wide range of ailments, from arthritis and chronic pain to multiple sclerosis and cancer, although few scientific studies have proved their benefits. Medical importance of honeybee products has been take the interest of medical and biologist scientists.
- Vaccines Against Infectious Diseases
Session Introduction
Mariappan Premanathan
College of Science
Majmaah University
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Title: Retrospective epidemiological study of Hepatitis C Virus infection among the population of Saudi Arabia
Biography:
Mariappan Premanathan is presently working as a professor in College of Science, Majmah University in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. His research interest include virology,bacteriology and diagnosis of infectious diseases.
Abstract:
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is one of the major etiological agent for liver cirrhosis and liver cancer. Hepatitis C, an infection of high prevalence worldwide, is insidiously progressive.. According to world health organization more than 185 million people worldwide are infected with hepatitis C virus and, of these, about 0.35 million die every year. HCV screening is an obligatory procedure in Saudi Arabia for blood donors, pre marriage screening, preoperative cases, Medical check-ups, predisposed cases of out-patient (OP) as well as in-patient (IP) care. For this epidemiological survey, cases from Government General Hospital at Zulfi, Majmaah, Hefer Al Batin were included. Data from 2009 to 2014 were analysed. During 6 years of study period, totally 174504 blood serum samples were screened by ELISA, among 407 (0.23%) cases were positive. Highest incidence was observed in IP cases (0.8%) and the lowest in medical checkup group (0.2%). OP cases were the second least group with 0.21% of positive cases. Pre-marriage screening is the second highest incidence group with 0.33% of positive cases. The voluntary blood donors were also considerably positive with 0.28% with 68 positive cases of 24490 screened. The retrospective study proved that the commendable population found to be positive for HCV while screening in predisposition IP cases, pre marriage testing and blood donation. It suggests that the screening tests are to be increased and intensified as a mandatory test for all the cases who steps into medical laboratory.
Biography:
Ahmed Hegazi is currently a Professor of Microbiology and Immunology in the National Research Center, Egypt. Prof. Hegazi received his master’s degree in 1979, and his PhD in 1981. Hegazi's research work has been focused lately on bee products and their therapeutic effects. Hegazi organized and contributed to national and international research projects since 1977 and up till now; he has been the principal investigator on multiple research projects within the National Research Center. He has published 207 scientific papers and articles in national and international journals. He also served on the board of multiple national and international scientific journals. Dr. Hegazi is also the president of the Egyptian Environmental Society for Uses and Production of Bee Products, secretary of the Egyptian Society of Apitherapy, secretary general of the African Federation of Apiculture Associations, and a member of the International Apitherapy Commission (APIMONDIA). Dr. Hegazi awards; First Class Decoration of Excellence, Egypt, 1995, The Senior Scientist Prize of National Research Center, Cairo, Egypt, 1996, The National Scientific Prize In Biological Sciences, Egypt, 1990, The Scientific Prize of The National Research Center, Cairo, Egypt, 1989, The Second Best Research Paper Award, International Congress of Propolis, Bones Airs, Argentina, 2000, Main Speaker Award,10th Academic Conference, PRA and NAS (Nippon Apitherapy Soc.) Japan, 2006, 2 Bronze medals from The International Innovation Fair of the Middle East, Kuwait, 2007 Awarded of Ghazi Wad Allah Salon Prize, 2008 and have 4 patents. Patents
Abstract:
Bee venom is very complex mixture of active peptides, enzymes, and amines. The composition of the venom produced by the glands of Apis mellifera has been well documented. The therapeutic application of bee venom, has been used in traditional medicine to treat diseases. It has biological activity as inhibit mammary carcinoma cell proliferation), cytotoxic to malignant cells both in vitro, arthritis, rheumatism, pain, cancerous tumors, and skin diseases, rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. Honey bee (Apis mellifera) venom therapy (apitherapy) has been elucidated therapeutic value for bacterial diseases and reported to be as effective as antibacterial drugs. Antimicrobial activity on some Gram-negative bacteria as Escherichia coli and Salmonella spp., Enterobacter cloacae, Escherichia coli and Citrobacter freundii and Staphylococcus aureus, Coagulase-negative Staphylococcus and E. coli. The aim of this review was, therefore, to evaluate the data from antimicrobial activity of bee venom.
PatrÃcia Puccinelli Orlandi
Assistant Professor
Brazil.
Title: Virulence factors associated with pediatric shigellosis in Brazilian Amazon
Biography:
PatrÃcia Puccinelli Orlandi is an assistant professor at Oswaldo Cruz Institute,Brazil.Her research interest include Immunology,microbiology and molecular microbiology.
Abstract:
Shigellosis is a global human health problem and the incidence is highest among children. In present work, main Shigella virulence genes was examined by PCR and compared to symptoms of pediatric shigellosis. Thirty Shigella isolates were identified from an etiologic study at which 1,339 children ranging 0-10 years old were enrolled. S. flexneri was the most frequent species reaching 60.0% of isolates, 22.2% were S. sonnei, and 6.6% were both S. dysenteriae and S. boydii. All Shigella infected children had diarrhea but not all were accompanied by others symptoms of bacillary dysentery. Among major virulence genes, the PCR typing revealed ipaBCD was present in all isolates, followed by IpaH7.8, set-1A, set-1B, sen/ospD3, virF and invE. The pathogenic potential of the ShET-1B subunit was observed in relation to dehydration (p<0.001) and ShET-2 related to the intestinal injury (p=0.033) evidenced by the presence of bloody diarrhea. Our results show associations among symptoms of shigellosis and virulence genes of clinical isolates of Shigella spp.
- Genome Plasticity And Infectious Diseases
Session Introduction
Fadwa Abd El Reheem
Fayoum University, Egypt
Title: Role of T regulatory cells in severity of pulmonary TB
Biography:
Fadwa Abdel Reheem is working as a Lecturer in faculty of medicine, Fayoum University, Egypt. She has been graduated from faculty of Medicine from Cairo University in 2001. She completed her Master Degree in Clinical Pathology from Cairo University in 2008 and received Medical Doctorate Degree in Clinical Microbiology from Fayoum University in 2013.She has many contributions in teaching at organization of the International Course for Clinical Immunology for Infectious Disease in 2009, 2010 and 2011 in Faculty of Medicine, Fayoum University.
Abstract:
Introduction: Tuberculosis due to Mycobacterium tuberculosis is 1 of the 3 major killers among infectious diseases. Deciphering the interactions between M. tuberculosis and the innate and adaptive immune compartments of the host is critical for understanding the pathogenesis of tuberculosis and for designing effective immunotherapeutic interventions. Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the hematological parameters (HB level, differential leukocyte count), ESR, lymphocyte subpopulations {CD4+, CD8+ T-cell, CD4+/CD8+ ratio, CD19+ (B-lymphocytes), CD4+25+ (T-reg)}, CD14+ (monocytes), and CD3− CD(16+56)+ natural killer (NK) populations in 50 patients with active pulmonary tuberculosis (APTB) compared to 30 healthy subjects (HCs). The results also compared the correlation between these subpopulations percentages and disease severity in patients with APTB according to X-ray findings. Methods & Materials: Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were isolated from EDTA anti-coagulated blood samples obtained from healthy donors and patients with pulmonary tuberculosis. These patients had clinical symptoms of tuberculosis and positive tuberculin skin test results; the presence of acid-fast bacilli was verified in sputum samples and positive TB culture by automated BACTEC 960 TB culture system. Blood samples were collected after obtaining written informed consent, using protocols approved by our institutional ethics committee. Results: There was a significant decrease (P<0.01) in the HB level and the lymphocytic count. While the neutrophil count (P<0.001) and ESR (P<0.0001) were significantly higher in the APTB patients. The CD4+/CD8+ ratio was significantly lower (P<0.05) in APTB patients. The percentages of CD3−CD19+ cells were significantly lower (P<0.01) in APTB patients than in HCs. The percentages of CD4+, CD8+, CD3−CD19+, CD14+, and CD3−CD (16+56)+ cells showed no significant difference in different groups of disease severity of APTB patients. However, there was a significant increase in the CD4+25+ cells in the group of APTB patients with advanced disease than in the mild disease severity group. (P<0.05) Conclusion: Tuberculosis remains one of the most deadly diseases in the world affecting an astonishing number of the world’s population. It is estimated that each year more than 9 million new cases of tuberculosis occur and approximately 2 million persons die from the disease. Ninety-five percent of the tuberculosis cases occur in developing countries.
Naveen Saleh
National Organization for Drug Control and Research, Egypt
Title: Bacterial infection from burns and overcomes by synergistic combination of antibiotics and essential oils
Biography:
Neveen Mohamed Saleh has completed her PhD from Ain-Shams University in 2012. Currently she is a Researcher in National Organization for Drug Control and Research, Egypt and is a Visiting Scholar for Post-doctoral studies in Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts University for nanotechnology research. She published more than 10 papers in reputed journals.
Abstract:
Hospital-acquired infections represent a major problem worldwide which result in many dramatic morbidity, mortality among hospitalized patients. The present study aims at evaluation of hospital acquired infections from burns among different hospitals and design a new therapeutic strategy to overcome this problem by determining the combined effect of both antibiotics and essential oils of plants. Out of isolates, 60 bacterial isolates were collected from burns units from two hospitals in Egypt in period from November 2013 to November 2015. Our results showed that 16(26.6%) isolates were Gram positive cocci and 44(73.3%) isolates were Gram negative Bacilli. According to microbiological and biochemical identification method and confirmed using MALDITOF, Pseudomonas aeruginosa was the most dominant organism 23(38%), followed by S. aureus 16(27%), Klebsiella spp. 11(18%), Acinetobacter spp. 4(7%). Species of E. coli 3(5%) and Proteus spp. 3(5%) also grown. Antimicrobial susceptibility showed that the resistance level of Gram negative bacteria against tested antibiotics varied from 50% to 100%. Meanwhile, S. aureus showed ninety four percent (94%) multi drug resistance. In comparative study of using nineteen essential oils, Cinnamon oil was the most potent oil against all resistant isolates. On the other hand, synergistic interaction of antibiotics and essential oils against multi drug resistant isolates enhancement the activity from 22.8% to 44% as compared with the most active disk alone. Cefoxitin antibiotic and peppermint oil considered as the most active combination against S. aureus, thyme oil and imipenem or piperacillin-tazobactam, were the most active combinations against Enterobacteriaceae, cinnamon oil with piperacillin or ciprofloxacin antibiotics were the most active combinations against Pseudomonas. Synergism in Acinetobacter baumanii strains was reported in 37 combinations tested. In conclusion, study revealed the importance of using essential oil and antibiotics combination to overcome hospital acquired infection
- Insights and Trends in Microbiology
Chair
John G Thomas
West Virginia University
Session Introduction
John G Thomas
West Virginia University, USA
Title: Unlearning the learned about wound management and biofilms: Reestablishing the microbial library within
Biography:
John G Thomas is recognized as an “International Educator and Global Microbiologistâ€; being lectured in more than 43 countries whiles a Clinical Microbiologist in Pathology, Dentistry and Medicine for 51 years. His research emphasizes bio-films and medical devices including endo trachs and the connection between oral diseases, VAP and wound infections (“Intellectual Designâ€) with the recent integration of micro 3-D- bio printing using bio-plastics and unique prebiotics (Therapeutic Bacteria) for intervention. He has over 50 publications, multiple book chapters, significant grant support, pending patents and over 100 posters/abstracts at national and international meetings. His sabbatical at Cardiff University, Wales, UK (2007) was a driving influence. He has been a member of the ADA Scientific Advisory Committee for the last 8years. As Faculty at 6 Universities during his career, he has received Alumni and University awards for research and International Student Mentoring; retiring from WVU in 2013 after 23 years as Professor Emeritus, he presently is expanding his research/teaching utilizing the advanced resources of the Allegheny Health Network in Pittsburgh, PA, Carnegie–Mellon University and Mass. Gen. Hospital, Boston, MA.
Abstract:
Chronic wounds are one of the most costly health care issues, affecting 6.5 million patients at an annual cost of US $25 billion, focusing on a growing aged population. Multiple interventions emphasizing silver gauze have not altered QOL issues or reduced significant collateral damage of MDR sepsis and C. difficile. In 2012, we introduced and evaluated the SMarT probiotics matrix concept, where a bi-phasic strategy harmonizes an ecologic approach of Minimal Intervention (MI) disruption while restoring microbial architecture and tissue engineering. The emergence of Probiotic therapy had been catalyzed by recent advances in microbiota and metagenomics, particularly dentistry where we initially evaluated probiotics in endodontic. In the discovery (in vitro) phase 2013/4, 3 pools of probiotics were evaluated for anti bio-film, anti-planktonic activity, ultimately creating a “designer symbiotic†combination against 3 wound pathogens: Staph. aureus, C. albicans and P. aeruginosa. In application (in vivo) phase (2015/16), the “designer symbiotic†is being evaluated using a rabbit wound mode infected with the same strains, complimenting bio-burden wound reduction and site closure/tissue regeneration bellow “critical colonization†with a combined silver dressing/silver gels “suite platform†enforcing “site-saturationâ€. The wound/tissue environment will be strengthened utilizing delivery of the symbiotic via biodegradable, bio-plastic scaffolding with barrier activity enhanced by form fitting gauze individually constructed with 3-D printing using plasma as the ink.
Biography:
Joanna S Brooke is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biology at DePaul University. She holds Doctorate and Masters’ degrees in Microbiology and Immunology from the University of Western Ontario, with focus on bacterial lipopolysaccharide assembly and bacterial cell ultrastructure, respectively. Her Post-doctoral research at University of Texas, Southwestern Medical Center investigated the interactions of diphtheria toxin with its receptor. Her current research examines S. maltophilia and its bio-films. She also studies other potential bacterial pathogens. She has published 18 papers in peer-reviewed journals. She is a Guest Associate Editor for a Frontiers Research Topic on S. maltophilia.
Abstract:
Stenotrophomonas maltophilia is a global human opportunist which is associated with infections that include those of the respiratory tract, bloodstream, soft tissue and bone, eye, heart and brain. S. maltophilia infection is of significant concern in immunocompromised patients and a high mortality rate has been reported. This bacterium is found in water, washed foods, plant roots and soils and animals. Hospital-acquired and community-acquired infections of S. maltophilia have been reported. Antimicrobial resistance surveillance monitoring networks worldwide report a steady rise in the number of drug-resistant strains of S. maltophilia recovered from patients. S. maltophilia is resistant to a wide range of antimicrobials, including beta-lactams, fluoroquinolones, aminoglycosides, polymyxins, macrolides, carbapenems, tetracylines, chloramphenicol and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. Intrinsically drug-resistant strains of S. maltophilia have been recovered from environments outside of the clinical setting. New strategies are needed to prevent/challenge S. maltophilia infections. S. maltophilia forms biofilms on medical devices and on living tissues. One of the goals of our laboratory is to study the molecular mechanisms used by this pathogen to form biofilms and subsequently identify suitable targets for treatment strategies to prevent/inhibit S. maltophilia growth, biofilms, and cell survival. We have observed that S. maltophilia is able to form biofilms on polyvinyl chloride, polystyrene and glass. We have screened various chemicals and observed that the growth and biofilm formation of S. maltophilia can be hindered. We will report on recent studies that examine the effects of select chemicals on the growth, biofilm development and survival of S. maltophilia
- Track-2 Clinical Bacteriology
Session Introduction
Radjin Steingrover
Analytical Diagnostic Centre, Netherlands
Title: 5 year analysis of bacterial resistance in the Dutch Carribean Island of curacao and implications for antimicrobial stewardship
Time : 14:25-14:50
Biography:
Radjin Steingrover is a MD specialized in Clinical Microbiology and has recently joined ADC in Curacao to bring top-notch clinical microbiology to Curacao and Sint-Maarten, to coordinate antimicrobial stewardship and hospital hygiene and to implement tele-microbiology in collaboration with the Dutch Academic Medical Center. He has a background in Clinical Microbiology and international HIV-research. He is the head of the department of clinical microbiology at ADC and leads the department of Hospital Hygiene on Curacao. He has published papers in peer-reviewd journals and serves as an Editorial Board Member of a Dutch Journal on Infectious Diseases
Abstract:
Introduction: The Carribeannation of Curacao has experienced the burden of antibiotic resistance with outbreaks of MRSA and KPC. Curacao lacks comprehensive data on antimicrobial resistance to guide antibiotic poly-makers. This study presents an overview of the last 5years of susceptibility trends for the primary pathogens. The method of analysis facilitates the choice of empirical therapies and allows comparisons with The Netherlands, a country with which Curacao and its health-care system holds strong ties. Methods: The ADC laboratory information system was queried for all positive cultures from 2010 up to 2015. Susceptibility testing was done with the VITEK 2 AST cards with only a minority of tests having been done by disk diffusion. The results were filtered for bacterial results and the Curacao area. Identical to the Dutch resistance register (Neth Map) only the first isolate per patient per year was entered into the analysis to exclude bias from repeated sampling. Results: The results show extensive resistance overall. MRSA increases in blood cultures from 0% to 9%. The introduction of KPCpositive K. pneumoniae was shown as well as extensive overall resistance to all classes of antibiotics. Discussion: The high-rates of resistance are markedly different from the data in Neth Map. The data support the choice of a cephalosporin combined with an amino-glycoside as empirical sepsis regimens. The rise in MRSA and the introduction of KPC warrant an effective anti-microbial stewardship program to counter the spread and reduced option for antibiotic therapy.
Anand Ramasubramanian
University of Texas, USA
Title: Chips for antimicrobial drug discovery and diagnosis
Time : 14:50-15:15
Biography:
Anand Ramasubramanian is an Associate Professor of Biomedical Engineering and a Member of the South Texas Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases at the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA). His current research interests are in microbial bio-engineering and vascular mechano-biology. His lab focuses on developing microscale tools for understanding and combating infection and inflammation and in improving platelet storage modalities for transfusion. Prior to joining UTSA, he received his PhD in Bio-engineering from Rice University and Post-doctoral training in Chemical Engineering at UC Berkeley.
Abstract:
We are interested in the development of microscale technologies for applications in drug development and diagnostics for infectious diseases. We have developed a high-density microarray platform (‘chips’) consisting of nano-liter volumes of microbial pathogens on chemically modified glass slides using a robotic microarrayer. We have successfully grown 1200 individual cultures of 30 n-L volume on a standard glass slide consisting of either single or polymicrobial cultures of Candida albicans, Pseudomonas aeruginosa or Staphylococcus aureus as biofilms. These nano bio-films display morphological complexity, three dimensional architecture and drug resistance similar to conventional cultures in well-plates or flasks. I will demonstrate the suitability of the chip for single and combinatorial screening of small molecule libraries. I will also demonstrate an adaptation of the chip as a diagnostic tool for pathogen identification and antimicrobial susceptibility testing in clinical samples of MRSA. In summary, our chip platform cuts reagent use and analysis times, minimizes or eliminates labor intensive steps and dramatically reduces assay costs and thus opens a new chapter in microbial culture.
- Track-3 Clinical Virology
Session Introduction
Mervat G Elanany
Cairo University, Egypt
Title: Zoonotic endocarditis.Ten years experience: 2005-2015
Biography:
Mervat G A El-Anany is a Professor of Clinical Microbiology at Cairo University Medical School. She is also a Microbiology & Infection control Consultant. She is the Director of Infective Endocarditis Laboratory committee and is the Head of infection control team of medical hospital. The research activities included different clinical microbiology subjects including molecular typing of resistant organisms, diagnosis of brucellosis and diagnosis of infective endocarditis. He has published more than 30 papers in national and international journals.
Abstract:
Infective endocarditis (IE) is a life-threatening disease. Zoonotic bacteria can cause blood culture–negative endocarditis (BCNE). Zoonotic IE is prevalent in North Africa. The study aimed to diagnose IE caused by the zoonotic pathogens Brucella spp., Bartonella spp. and Coxiella burnetii in BCNE by PCR and serology. The study prospectively followed up all patients with suspected IE referred to the Endocarditis Service, Cardiology Department, Cairo University from February 2005 to February 2015. Three sets of blood culture were withdrawn on admission. Resected surgical material was cultured whenever available. Serologic testing was performed for detection of Brucella antibodies using standard agglutination test, IgG titers for Bartonella and IgG, IgM and IgA antibody titers for Coxiella burnetii using IFA on the sera of all referred patients. A patient was considered to have endocarditis caused by Brucella when antibody titers exceeded 1/320, Bartonella when IgG titers >1:800, and Coxiella when IgG phase I titer >1:800. Broad range bacterial 16S rRNA from blood culture bottles and surgical materials followed by sequencing for identification of positive cases was done. IE was classified as definite or possible in 400 patients; 50% of them had BCNE. Zoonotic endocarditis was diagnosed in 28(7%) patients including 16 cases of Brucella spp. 8 cases of Bartonella spp. and 4 cases of Coxiella burnetii. Zoonotic agents were a cause of 11% of BCNE. Zoonotic agents are important cause of IE in Egypt.
- Track-4 Parasitology And Mycology
Session Introduction
Moyra Machado Portilho
Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Brazil
Title: Usefulness of saliva samples for hepatitis B virus DNA (HBV DNA) detection
Biography:
Moyra Machado Portilho is a Biomedic with Master degree in Tropical Medicine Program from Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) and currently is a PhD student of the same institutional program. She has expertise on molecular diagnosis of HBV infection, conducting studies to evaluate the effectiveness of alternative fluids, such as saliva samples, for HBV diagnosis.
Abstract:
Worldwide, hepatitis B virus is responsible for 240 million chronic cases of infection and diagnosis is made by detection of antigens, antibodies and genome in sera samples. But HBV DNA can be detected in other biological fluids of infected individuals in smaller concentrations, such as seminal fluid, urine, oral fluid and tears. Saliva samples have been studied as alternative sample for molecular diagnosis of HBV since collection is cheaper, less invasive and less painful when compared to blood collection. Some studies have shown that the HBV DNA can be detected or quantified in saliva samples using different protocols (“in house†or commercial quantitative ones) where varied values of sensibility and specificity are observed, however no protocol had yet been described or optimized for use in saliva samples. So, in order to evaluate the usefulness of saliva samples for HBV DNA detection, extraction and detection methods for HBV DNA detection were investigated. In this study from our group it was possible to detect HBV DNA 200 copies/mL in artificially contaminated saliva samples using “in house†molecular methods and according to the literature, we could realize the importance of saliva collector for the success of PCR, since samples obtained by spontaneous salivation and commercial collectors with mechanical friction principle generates more satisfactory results in molecular studies, so we are now evaluating the efficiency of four different collection devices of oral fluid samples, a non commercial one (spitting) and three commercial assays.
Asho Ali
King Abdulaziz University, Saudi Arabia
Title: Association of gyrA mutation in Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates with phenotypic ofloxacin resistance detected by resazurin micro-titer assay
Biography:
Asho Ali has completed her PhD at the age of 44 years from the Aga Khan University. She is Assistant Professor, Microbiology at the King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. She has extensive academic and research experience. Her research interests are infectious diseases; particularly tuberculosis, drug resistance in bacteria and molecular mechanisms of drug resistance. In her post-doctoral research work she has worked on molecular detection of drug resistance in Extensively Drug Resistant (XDR)-TB isolates. She has published more than 20 papers in reputed journals and has been serving as reviewer in many reputed journals.
Abstract:
Background: Ofloxacin (OFX) is an important second-line anti-tuberculosis drug for the treatment of MDR-TB. This study aimed to compare mutations in quinolone-resistance determining regions (QRDR) of the gyrA and gyrB genes of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) isolates with MICs of OFX determined by resazurin micro-titer assay (REMA) on OFX resistance in isolates. Methods: Thirty-nine MTB isolates collected during 2009 at the MTB bank were selected. This included 25 XDR, 3 MDR+OFX resistant and 11 OFX susceptible isolates (non-MDR). MICs for OFX were determined in duplicates by REMA method for the 39 MTB isolates as well as for control H37Rv strain. The presence of mutations in QRDR of the gyrA and gyrB genes was determined by sequencing. Then type of mutation identified on each codon was compared with MIC determined for OFX. The findings were also compared with the drug susceptibility results obtained by the proportion method. Result: Mutations were observed in the gyrA gene of 18 out of 28 OFX resistant MTB isolates. Frequency of mutations were 14% (n=4), 4% (n=1) and 39% (n=11) on codons 90, 91 and 94 respectively. In addition, two isolates showed concurrent mutation i.e. on 90 plus 91 and 90 plus 96 codons. Codon 94 showed more high level (4-8 μg/mL) OFX resistance as compared to codons 90 and 91. None of the OFX resistant isolates exhibited mutation in gyrB gene. Mutations were not observed in gyrA and gyrB gene in all the OFX susceptible as well as in control MTB strain. Agreement between phenotypic and genotypic OFX susceptibility testing was 64%. Conclusion: Results of this study supports the use of rapid, simple and inexpensive REMA method for OFX susceptibility testing particularly for MDR-TB isolates in resource limited settings. No significant association could be linked between type of mutated codon in gyrA gene and level of OFX resistance.