Conference Handbook
TM’s 2nd World Virology & Microbiology Online Conference
April 16-18, 2013
Dear colleagues
Thank you so much for taking time out of your busy schedule to participate in online
conference - TM’s 2nd World Virology & Microbiology Online Conference, which
will be held on April 16 - 18, 2013. It will be very helpful to speakers, attendees, and
other researchers. Target Meeting appreciates your attendances and generous
contribution. We hope you will enjoy the difference.
Sincerely Yours
Target Meeting Team in USA
Instructions
1. Attendees can participate in all or part of tracks (sessions). It depends on your time or
interest. All conference information is available on
http://targetmeeting.com/Modules/Meetings/MeetingDetails.aspx?Id=49.
2. Double click the track links at scheduled date & time to join the conference. The
conference component software will be downloaded and installed on your computer
automatically (about 30 seconds) when you click the track links. If not, please manually
download the component software on your computer after you click the track links.
Normally the component software will be saved in the download folder, my document,
desktop, or somewhere. It depends on your computer. Double click it to run this software
(You must have right to install software on your computer). Then you will enter the
“Conference Room”. It is completely secure.
3. If you want to talk with speakers at the Q&A sessions, please click the icon “hand” on
the conference control panel. The conference organizer will unmute your headset, then
you can discuss with them in real time. Do not close the control panel on your computer
during the sessions. Please type messages in the control panel and sent it to organizers if
you have any questions during the conference. Organizers will reply you in private.
Conference Media Partners
The International Society for Antiviral Research (ISAR) is
an internationally recognized organization for scientists
involved in basic, applied, and clinical aspects of antiviral
research. The Society main event is the annual
International Conference on Antiviral Research (ICAR), a
truly interdisciplinary meeting which attracts the interest of chemists, biologists, and
clinicians. The 26th ICAR will be held in San Francisco, CA, USA. The conference will
begin on May 11, 2013 and end on May 15, 2013. Check out the ICAR website
(http://www.isar-icar.com/) to learn more about our exciting program and speakers.
The National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID)
is a non-profit, tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization founded
in 1973 dedicated to educating the public and healthcare
professionals about the causes, treatment, and prevention
of infectious diseases. NFID carries out its mission by:
Educating the Public; Educating Healthcare Professionals;
Supporting Research and Training in Infectious Diseases; Building Coalitions; Honoring
Scientific and Public Health Achievement, Legislative Contributions, and Philanthropy in
Infectious Diseases. Visit website: www.nfid.org.
Bulgarian association of microbiologists (BAM) is the
biggest microbiological society in Bulgaria. BAM unites
medical microbiologists and general microbiologists with
other specialists whose practice is healing, researching and
teaching in the field of fighting with infectious and
infective diseases. Annually, BAM organizes the biggest National congress of
microbiology with international participation focused on diagnostics, treatment and
prevention of infections, general research in microbiology and specific topics. The goals
of BAM are: To support practicing of the microbiological profession. To assist in
approving microbiological diagnostics and etiological therapy of infectious and infective
diseases in Bulgaria.
Mabtech AB is a biotech company founded in 1986 and a
leader in development of ELISpot products and technology
and T-cell measurements. ELISpot is one of the most
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offers kits and reagents for investigations of cellular responses in human, non-human
primates, mouse, and other species. FluoroSpot was developed for a more detailed
qualitative analysis of antigen-specific T cells. With the strengths of ELISpot and
fluorescent spot visualization FluoroSpot allows simultaneous detection of more than one
cytokine. It can be used for demonstration of polyfunctional T cells and in situations with
limited cell numbers. ELISA kits are available for quantification of cytokine levels in
various samples. Mabtech strives to offer the highest quality products and technical
support to fulfill the needs from the frontline to clinical researchers. Our head office and
research laboratory are in Stockholm, Sweden with offices or distributors in countries
including Australia, China, France, Germany, Japan and the USA.
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Medical News Today is the largest independent medical
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news on Google and Yahoo!. Medical News Today is used
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advertising agencies, PR companies and vertical ad networks to deliver targeted
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Clocate.com is a leading international search engine and
directory for worldwide conferences and exhibitions. The
events cover the following areas: Industry and
manufacturing, Health and medicine, Technology and IT,
Business and finance, sciences, education, services
(banking, insurance, tourism, Hospitality and more), government, environment, life style
and arts. The details for each event include: description, dates, location, address, prices
and more.
Conference Program (All times are New York Time)
Track 1: 8:00AM – 17:00 PM, April 16, 2013
Session 1: Molecular Mechanisms of Infectious Diseases-I
8:30 AM – 10:30 AM
Session 2: Molecular Mechanisms of Infectious Diseases-II
10:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Session 3: HIV/AIDS-I
12:30 PM – 14:30 PM
Session 4: HIV/AIDS-II
14:30 PM – 17:00 PM
Track 2: 8:00AM – 17:00 PM, April 17, 2013
Session 5: Epidemiology and Microbiology-I
8:30 AM – 10:30 AM
Session 6: Epidemiology and Microbiology-II
10:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Session 7: HCV
12:30 PM – 15:00 PM
Session 8: Antibacterial Discovery & Development -I
15:00 PM – 17:00 PM
Track 3: 8:00AM – 17:00 PM, April 18, 2013
Session 9: Antibacterial Discovery & Development -II
8:30 AM – 10:30 AM
Session 10: Clinical Case Report
10:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Session 11: Infection and Immunity-I
12:30 PM – 14:30 PM
Session 12: Infection and Immunity-II
14:30 PM – 17:00 PM
Track 1: 8:00 AM– 17:00 PM, April 16, 2013 8:00 – 8:30 AM
Speakers and attendees can login the online conference.
Session 1: Molecular Mechanisms of Infectious Diseases-I
8:30 AM – 10:30 AM
Session Chair: Dr. Mutien Garigliany
8:30 – 9:00 AM
Presentation Title: “Viral Inducible Receptor”, An Alternative Concept for Viral
Vaccination.
Tirasak Pasharawipas, Microbiology Unit, Department of Medical Science, Faculty of
Science, Rangsit University, Paholyothin Rd., Pathumthani, Thailand.
Q&A Session, presenter answers questions from other speakers or attendees.
9:00 – 9:30 AM
Presentation Title: Oral azithromycin versus its combination with miltefosine for the
treatment of experimental old world cutaneous leishmaniasis.
Eglal Ibrahim Amer, MB Ch B, MSc, PhD, Lecturer in Dept. of Parasitology,
Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University, Egypt.
Q&A Session, presenter answers questions from other speakers or attendees.
9:30 – 10:00 AM
Presentation Title: Mouse models of Schmallenberg virus infection.
Mutien Garigliany, Systemic Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Liège,
Belgium.
Q&A Session, presenter answers questions from other speakers or attendees.
10:00 – 10:30 AM
Presentation Title: Viral infections in patients with hematologic malignancies and stem
cell transplant recipients.
Alessandro Busca, MD, Department of Paediatrics, University of Turin, Italy.
Q&A Session, presenter answers questions from other speakers or attendees.
Panel Discussion. This session is to provide speakers and attendees with in-depth
discussion and networking. You can discuss what you want with other speakers. All
speakers are unmuted, so speakers can talk freely during the session.
Session 2: Molecular Mechanisms of Infectious Diseases-II 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Session Chair: Dr. Arieh Zaritsky
10:30 – 11:00 AM
Presentation Title: RNA silencing mediated resistance to a quarantine virus in fruit tree.
Vincenza Ilardi, Consiglio per la Ricerca e la Sperimentazione in Agricoltura (CRA),
Italy.
Q&A Session, presenter answers questions from other speakers or attendees.
11:00 – 11:30 AM
Presentation Title: Biological Control of Insect Pests by Transgenic Organisms
Expressing Toxin Genes from Bacillus thuringiensis.
Arieh Zaritsky, Life Sciences Department, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Israel.
Q&A Session, presenter answers questions from other speakers or attendees.
11:30 – 12:00 PM
Presentation Title: Metrology for Microbiology – Microbial Surface Sampling.
Sandra M Da Silva, PhD, Researcher Chemist, Biosystems and Biomaterials Science
Division, Advanced Chemical Science Laboratory, USA.
Q&A Session, presenter answers questions from other speakers or attendees.
12:00 – 12:30 PM
Presentation Title: New Scope on the Relationship between Rotifers and Biomphalaria
alexandrina Snails.
Eglal Ibrahim Amer, MB Ch B, MSc, PhD, Lecturer in Dept. of Parasitology,
Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University, Egypt.
Q&A Session, presenter answers questions from other speakers or attendees.
Panel Discussion. This session is to provide speakers and attendees with in-depth
discussion and networking. You can discuss what you want with other speakers. All
speakers are unmuted, so speakers can talk freely during the session.
Session 3: HIV/AIDS-I
12:30 PM – 14:30 PM
Session Chair: Dr. Amanda Brown
12:30 – 13:00 PM
Presentation Title: An update in facial wasting rehabilitation strategies.
Raffaele Rauso, MD, Assistant Professor University of Foggia, Consultant Aesthetic
Plastic Surgery, Cranio-Maxillo-Facial Surgery, Naples, Rome, Milan, Italy.
Q&A Session, presenter answers questions from other speakers or attendees.
13:00 – 13:30 PM
Presentation Title: Cellular Immune Response Boost by Complement Opsonization of
HIV-1.
Doris Wilflingseder, Associate professor, Department of Hygiene, Microbiology and
Social Medicine, Section of Hygiene and Medical Microbiology (HMM), Innsbruck,
Austrian.
Q&A Session, presenter answers questions from other speakers or attendees.
13:30 – 14:00 PM
Presentation Title: Osteopontin and Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type I (HIV-1)
Interaction at the Neuroimmune Axis.
Amanda Brown, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Department of Neurology, Co-Director,
Translational Research in Neuro-AIDS and Mental Health, Co-Director, JHU NIMH
Development Core, Director, Johns Hopkins Internship in Brain Sciences, Johns Hopkins
University School of Medicine, USA.
Q&A Session, presenter answers questions from other speakers or attendees.
14:00 – 14:30 PM
Presentation Title: Application of Paraffin Metabolism for Performing Stand Alone
Conventional Isolation, ConventionalAntibiotic Sensitivity Testing, with the ability to
easily link up with Advanced Molecular Based Technologies in Concomitant TB and
Non-Tuberculous Mycobacterial Infections in HIV Patients.
Robert-A. Ollar, Assistant Professor of Neurology, New York Medical College,
Director, Molecular Biology Research Program, Biliary and Pancreatic Surgery Division,
Comprehensive Digestive Diseases Center of New York, at Beth Israel Medical Center of
New York, USA.
Q&A Session, presenter answers questions from other speakers or attendees.
Panel Discussion. This session is to provide speakers and attendees with in-depth
discussion and networking. You can discuss what you want with other speakers. All
speakers are unmuted, so speakers can talk freely during the session.
Session 4: HIV/AIDS-II 14:30 PM – 17:00 PM
Session Chair: Dr. Yuntao Wu
14:30 – 15:00 PM
Presentation Title: Role of cortical actin and chemotactic actin activity in HIV infection
of human memory and naïve CD4 T cells.
Yuntao Wu, Professor, National Center for Biodefense and Infectious Diseases Dept. of
Molecular and Microbiology George Mason University, Manassas, USA.
Q&A Session, presenter answers questions from other speakers or attendees.
15:00 – 15:30 PM
Presentation Title: Drug Screening and Structural Biology of HIV-1 fusion
glycoprotein-41.
Miriam Gochin, Principal Investigator, Department of Basic Sciences, Touro University
College of Medicine, Vallejo, CA 94592, USA.
Q&A Session, presenter answers questions from other speakers or attendees.
15:30 – 16:00 PM
Presentation Title: Kidney and HIV infection.
Mohamed G. Atta, M.D., M.P.H., Associate Professor of Medicine, Johns Hopkins
School of Medicine, Division of Nephrology, USA.
Q&A Session, presenter answers questions from other speakers or attendees.
16:00 – 16:30 PM
Presentation Title: Mechanisms for establishment of early latent HIV provirus in T
cells.
Ivan Sadowski, Professor, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology,
Molecular Epigenetics, LSI, University of British Columbia, Canada.
Q&A Session, presenter answers questions from other speakers or attendees.
16:30 – 17:00 PM
Presentation Title: HIV in global Indigenous population: data gaps and challenges.
Victor Minichiello, Professor, Pro Vice Chancellor & Dean, Faculty of The Professions,
University of New England, Australia.
Q&A Session, presenter answers questions from other speakers or attendees.
Panel Discussion. This session is to provide speakers and attendees with in-depth
discussion and networking. You can discuss what you want with other speakers. All
speakers are unmuted, so speakers can talk freely during the session.
Track 2: 8:00 AM – 17:00 PM, April 17, 2013
8:00 – 8:30 AM
Speakers and attendees can login the online conference.
Session 5: Epidemiology and Microbiology-I
8:30 AM – 10:30 AM
Session Chair: Dr. Arun Yadav
8:30 – 9:00 AM
Presentation Title: Therapeutic and toxicological evaluations of Acorus calamus Linn.,
a traditional anthelmintic plant of Northeast India.
Arun Yadav, Professor, North Eastern Hill University, India.
Q&A Session, presenter answers questions from other speakers or attendees.
9:00 – 9:30 AM
Presentation Title: From Waste to Employment Opportunities and Wealth Creation; A
Case Study of Utilization of Livestock By-Products in Hargeisa, Somaliland.
Wamalwa Kinyanjui, Food and Agriculture Organization of United Nations, Somalia,
Nairobi.
Q&A Session, presenter answers questions from other speakers or attendees.
9:30 – 10:00 AM
Presentation Title: Factors associated with death in intensive care unit patients having
ventilator associated pneumonia.
Slobodan Jankovic, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac; Clinical
Center, Kragujevac.
Q&A Session, presenter answers questions from other speakers or attendees.
10:00 – 10:30 AM
Presentation Title: Virulence Characterization of Salmonella Typhimurium 1,4,[5],12:i:-
, the new pandemic strain.
Manuela Oliveira, CIISA/Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Technical University of
Lisbon, Avenida da Universidade Técnica, 1300-477, Lisboa, Portugal.
Q&A Session, presenter answers questions from other speakers or attendees.
Panel Discussion. This session is to provide speakers and attendees with in-depth
discussion and networking. You can discuss what you want with other speakers. All
speakers are unmuted, so speakers can talk freely during the session.
Session 6: Epidemiology and Microbiology-II 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Session Chair: Dr. Kieran Jordan
10:30 – 11:00 AM
Presentation Title: Bird Flu threat again?
Firdous Jahan, Associate professor, Head of the Department, Family Medicine
(FAMCO), Oman Medical College, Al Tareef, Sohar-Sultanate of Oman.
Q&A Session, presenter answers questions from other speakers or attendees.
11:00 – 11:30 AM
Presentation Title: Biotracing – combining mathematical modelling and microbiology
in a multidisciplinary approach to food safety.
Kieran Jordan, Principal Research Officer, Teagasc, Moorepark Food Research Centre,
Fermoy, Co. Cork, Ireland.
Q&A Session, presenter answers questions from other speakers or attendees.
11:30 – 12:00 PM
Presentation Title: Human Pathogenic Viruses in the environment.
Apostolos Vantarakis, Assistant Professor, Department of Public Health, Medical
School, University of Patras, Patras, Greece.
Q&A Session, presenter answers questions from other speakers or attendees.
12:00 – 12:30PM
Presentation Title: The effects of co-infection with human parvovirus B19 and
Plasmodium falciparum on type and degree of anaemia in Ghanaian children.
Kwabena Obeng Duedu, Department of Microbiology, University of Ghana Medical
School, Korle-Bu, Accra, Ghana; Institute of Cell Biology, School of Biological
Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Scotland, UK.
Q&A Session, presenter answers questions from other speakers or attendees.
Panel Discussion. This session is to provide speakers and attendees with in-depth
discussion and networking. You can discuss what you want with other speakers. All
speakers are unmuted, so speakers can talk freely during the session.
Session 7: HCV
12:30 PM – 15:00 PM
Session Chair: Dr. Limin Chen
12:30 – 13:00 PM
Presentation Title: Persistent Elevation of Liver Enzymes during Pegylated Interferon
Therapy of Chronic Hepatitis C Virus: Role of Occult Hepatitis B.
Mohamed H Emara, Lecturer in the Department of Tropical Medicine,
(Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Infectious Diseases), Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig
University, Egypt.
Q&A Session, presenter answers questions from other speakers or attendees.
13:00 – 13:30 PM
Presentation Title: A Novel Therapeutic Strategy for Hepatitis C using Nanotechnology.
Ahmed Abd-Rabou, Assistant Professor, CAAD, l city of science and technology,
Egypt.
Q&A Session, presenter answers questions from other speakers or attendees.
13:30 – 14:00 PM
Presentation Title: Hepatitis C virus alternate reading frame suppresses type I interferon
induction through RIG-I/MDA-5 pathway.
Jinah Choi, Assistant Professor, School of Natural Sciences, University of California,
Merced, CA, USA.
Q&A Session, presenter answers questions from other speakers or attendees.
14:00 – 14:30 PM
Presentation Title: Hepatitis C Virus (HCV): a smart virus that exploits host innate
immunity to benefit its replication- implications for treatment failure.
Limin Chen, Professor, Institute of Blood Transfusion, Chinese Academy of Medical
Sciences, Peking Union Medical College, Chengdu, Sichuan 610052, PR China.
Q&A Session, presenter answers questions from other speakers or attendees.
14:30 – 15:00 PM
Presentation Title: Mechanism of Resistance of Hepatitis C Virus (HCV).
Dimas Kliemann, Pulmonary Sciences, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul,
Porto Alegre, Brazil.
Q&A Session, presenter answers questions from other speakers or attendees.
Panel Discussion. This session is to provide speakers and attendees with in-depth
discussion and networking. You can discuss what you want with other speakers. All
speakers are unmuted, so speakers can talk freely during the session.
Session 8: Antibacterial Discovery & Development -I 15:00 PM – 17:00 PM
Session Chair: Dr. Donovan C. Haines
15:00 – 15:30 PM
Presentation Title: Percutaneous antibotic delivery technique for osteomyelitis
treatment.
Jeff Karr, Lakeland Regional Medical Center, 5421 S Florida Ave, Lakeland, FL 33813,
USA.
Q&A Session, presenter answers questions from other speakers or attendees.
15:30 – 16:00 PM
Presentation Title: Xenobiotic Metabolism of Bacterial Acyl Homoserine Lactones.
Donovan C. Haines, Assistant Professor, Department of Chemistry, Sam Houston State
University, USA.
Q&A Session, presenter answers questions from other speakers or attendees.
16:00 – 16:30 PM
Presentation Title: Biosynthesis of Metallic Nanoparticles and Oxidative Stress Induced
in Microorganisms.
Dra. Paulina L. Páez, Dpto. Farmacia- Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad
Nacional de Córdoba. Haya de la Torre y Medina Allende. Ciudad Universitaria,
Córdoba, Argentina.
Q&A Session, presenter answers questions from other speakers or attendees.
16:30 – 17:00 PM
Presentation Title: Are there differences in culture results from milk samples submitted
to commercial laboratories in New Zealand and Australia?
Kiro R Petrovski1, The University of Adelaide, School of Animal and Veterinary
Sciences, Roseworthy, SA 5118, Australia.
Q&A Session, presenter answers questions from other speakers or attendees.
Panel Discussion. This session is to provide speakers and attendees with in-depth
discussion and networking. You can discuss what you want with other speakers. All
speakers are unmuted, so speakers can talk freely during the session.
Track 3: 8:00 AM – 17:00 PM, April 18, 2013
8:00 – 8:30 AM
Speakers and attendees can login the online conference.
Session 9: Antibacterial Discovery & Development -II
8:30 AM – 10:30 AM
Session Chair: Dr. Mohamed H Emara
8:30 – 9:00 AM
Presentation Title: Fabrication of medical implants: Antibacterial coatings with
preventive oral drugs against biofilm producing infectious agents.
Elayarajah Balasubramanian, Assistant Professor, Department of Microbiology and
Bioinformatics, Affiliated to Bharathiar University, India.
Q&A Session, presenter answers questions from other speakers or attendees.
9:00 – 9:30 AM
Presentation Title: In vitro efficacy of tigecycline against Metallo-β-lactamase
producing carbapenem resistant bacterial pathogens isolated from clinical specimens.
Fatima Kaleem, Assistant Professor of Microbiology at Foundation University Medical
College.
Q&A Session, presenter answers questions from other speakers or attendees.
9:30 – 10:00 AM
Presentation Title: Effect of alternative antibiotics in treatment of cefotaxime resistant
spontaneous bacterial peritonitis.
Mohamed H Emara, Lecturer in the Department of Tropical Medicine,
(Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Infectious Diseases), Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig
University, Egypt.
Q&A Session, presenter answers questions from other speakers or attendees.
10:00 – 10:30 AM
Presentation Title: Giardia lamblia: A new target for miltefosine.
Maha M. Eissa, Department of Medical Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria
University, Alexandria, Egypt.
Q&A Session, presenter answers questions from other speakers or attendees.
Panel Discussion. This session is to provide speakers and attendees with in-depth
discussion and networking. You can discuss what you want with other speakers. All
speakers are unmuted, so speakers can talk freely during the session.
Session 10: Clinical Case Report 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Session Chair: Dr. Patricia O. Ayanbadejo
10:30 – 11:00 AM
Presentation Title: Cure of HIV by Elimination of Viral Reserve from stages of CD4
Progenitors in Bone Marrow Hematopoietic Niche in Two Patients in Nairobi, Kenya.
Barasa Simon, Kenya Polytechnic University College, Nairobi, Kenya.
Q&A Session, presenter answers questions from other speakers or attendees.
11:00 – 11:30 AM
Presentation Title: Nephrotic Syndrome in previously undiagnosed HIV infection in
Lagos, Nigeria: a case report.
Theophilus Umeizudike, MBBS, FWACP, ISN Fellow., Consultant Physician /
Nephrologist, Nephrology Unit, Department of Medicine, Lagos State University
Teaching Hospital, Nigeria.
Q&A Session, presenter answers questions from other speakers or attendees.
11:30 – 12:00 PM
Presentation Title: Treatment Outcome of HIV Positive Patients to Non-surgical
Periodontal Therapy in Lagos, Nigeria.
Umeizudike Kehinde Adesola, BDS, FMCDS, Lecturer/Consultant Periodontologist,
Department of Preventive Dentistry, Faculty of Dental Sciences, College of Medicine,
University of Lagos, Nigeria.
Q&A Session, presenter answers questions from other speakers or attendees.
12:00 – 12:30 PM
Presentation Title: Verruciform xanthoma: a case report.
Patricia O. Ayanbadejo, Senior Lecturer/Consultant Periodontologist, Department of
Preventive Dentistry, Faculty of Dental Sciences, College of Medicine, University of
Lagos, Lagos, Nigeria.
Q&A Session, presenter answers questions from other speakers or attendees.
Panel Discussion. This session is to provide speakers and attendees with in-depth
discussion and networking. You can discuss what you want with other speakers. All
speakers are unmuted, so speakers can talk freely during the session.
Session 11: Infection and Immunity-I
12:30 PM – 14:30 PM
Session Chair: Dr. David H. Van Thiel
12:30 – 13:00 PM
Presentation Title: Genomics and Proteomics in Vaccine Discovery and
Immunotherapy.
Guido Grandi, Senior Project Leader, member of the Novartis Vaccines Siena Board of
Directors, Novartis Vaccines & Diagnostics, Italy.
Q&A Session, presenter answers questions from other speakers or attendees.
13:00 – 13:30 PM
Presentation Title: Cytopathology of Infectious Diseases.
Liron Pantanowitz, Associate Professor of Pathology at the University of Pittsburgh
Medical Center in the USA.
Q&A Session, presenter answers questions from other speakers or attendees.
13:30 – 14:00 PM
Presentation Title: Ascites is associated with a proinflammatory state with it origin in
the pritoncal cavity in the absence of infection.
David H. Van Thiel, M.D., Professor of Medicine / Surgery, Senior Vice President for
Academic Affairs., Medical Director of Liver Transplantation, Rush University Medical
Center and Oak Park Hospital, USA.
Q&A Session, presenter answers questions from other speakers or attendees.
14:00 – 14:30 PM
Presentation Title: Metabolic Characterization of Chronic Wound Biofilms.
Mary Cloud B. Ammons, PhD, Assistant Research Professor in the department of
Chemistry and Biochemistry at Montana State University in Bozeman, MT, USA.
Q&A Session, presenter answers questions from other speakers or attendees.
Panel Discussion. This session is to provide speakers and attendees with in-depth
discussion and networking. You can discuss what you want with other speakers. All
speakers are unmuted, so speakers can talk freely during the session.
Session 12: Infection and Immunity-II
14:30 PM – 17:00 PM
Session Chair: Dr. Suraiya Rasheed
14:30 – 15:00 PM
Presentation Title: Proteomics Analysis of HIV-Infected T-Cells in vitro Reveals Novel
Proteins Involved in the Development of Leukemia and Lymphoma.
Suraiya Rasheed, Professor of Pathology, Director, Laboratory of Viral Oncology,
AIDS and Proteomics Research, Edmondson Bldg., Department of Pathology, Keck
School of Medicine University of Southern California, USA.
Q&A Session, presenter answers questions from other speakers or attendees.
15:00 – 15:30 PM
Presentation Title: Impact of Maternal HIV Infection on Cord Blood Passive Antibody
Levels Against Protein and Polysaccharide Antigens in Exposed Uninfected Compared to
the Unexposed Infants.
Shahana Choudhury, Associate Professor, Pediatric Medicine, Meharry Medical
College, USA.
Q&A Session, presenter answers questions from other speakers or attendees.
15:30 – 16:00 PM
Presentation Title: Mylodysplastic diseases and association with ehrlichia: identification
with culture, fluorescent antibody, and polymerase chain reaction. .
Charles Kallick, Assistant Professor, Rush University Medical Center, Department of
Medicine, United States.
Q&A Session, presenter answers questions from other speakers or attendees.
16:00 – 16:30 PM
Presentation Title: SIV intra-host phylogeography and phylodynamics on the rhesus
macaque model of neuroAIDS.
Marco Salemi, Department of Pathology, Immunology, and Laboratory Medicine,
University of Florida, College of Medicine, USA.
Q&A Session, presenter answers questions from other speakers or attendees.
16:30 – 17:00 PM
Presentation Title: Temporal Chromatin Signatures Induced by Marek’s Disease
Infection.
Jiuzhou Song, Ph.D, Associate Professor, Department of Animal and Avian Sciences,
University of Maryland, College Park MD 20742-2311, USA.
Q&A Session, presenter answers questions from other speakers or attendees.
Panel Discussion. This session is to provide speakers and attendees with in-depth
discussion and networking. You can discuss what you want with other speakers. All
speakers are unmuted, so speakers can talk freely during the session.
Presentation Summaries (Alphabetical Order)
1 Ahmed A. Abd-Rabou 27 Kwabena Obeng Duedu
2 Alessandro Busca 28 Levon Abrahamyan
3 Amanda Brown 29 Limin Chen, Professor
4 Apostolos Vantarakis 30 Liron Pantanowitz
5 Arieh Zaritsky 31 Maha M. Eissa
6 Arun Yadav 32 Marco Salemi
7 Barasa Simon 33 Mary Cloud B. Ammons
8 Charles Kallick 34 Miriam Gochin
9 David H. Van Thiel 35 Mohamed G. Atta
10 Dimas Kliemann 36 Mohamed H Emara
11 Donovan C. Haines 37 Mohamed H Emara
12 Doris Wilflingseder 38 Mutien Garigliany
13 Dra. Paulina L. Páez 39 Patricia O. Ayanbadejo
14 Eglal Ibrahim Amer 40 Raffaele Rauso
15 Eglal Ibrahim Amer 41 Robert-A. Ollar
16 Elayarajah Balasubramanian 42 Rui Seixas
17 Fatima Kaleem 43 Shahana Choudhury
18 Firdous Jahan 44 Slobodan Jankovic
19 Guido Grandi 45 Suraiya Rasheed
20 Ivan Sadowski 46 Theophilus Umeizudike
21 Jayne B. Morrow 47 Tirasak Pasharawipas
22 Jeff Karr 48 Umeizudike Kehinde Adesola
23 Jinah Choi 49 Victor Minichiello
24 Jiuzhou Song 50 Vincenza Ilardi
25 Kieran Jordan 51 Wamalwa Kinyanjui
26 Kiro R Petrovski 52 Yuntao Wu
1. A Novel Therapeutic Strategy for Hepatitis C using Nanotechnology. Ahmed A. Abd-Rabou, Center for Aging and Associated diseases & Center for Genomics,
Zewail City of Science and Technology, and at Medical Research Division, National
research center, Cairo, Egypt.
Summary: End-stage of liver disease, owing to hepatitis C (HCV) infection, is a major
cause of worldwide morbidity and mortality. While, during the Early-stage of infection,
the first six months of infection, patients' self-immunity is trying to clear virus
spontaneously. Recently, authors designed a new model of 3D hydrogel structure to be
infected by HCV rapidly, so I hypothesize to be used as sponge for trapping HCV more
rapidly compared to 2D hepatocytes. Intriguingly, they found that human progenitor and
liver-derived cells can be readily encapsulated in 3D PEG-based hydrogels.
Provocatively, the diameters of these virus particles range from ∼ 50 to 100 nm, while
the calculated mesh size of the 8 k hydrogel is 44.6 ± 1.7oA. To reconcile how viral
particles can penetrate the hydrogels to infect the encapsulated cells, they propose that
microfractures/ defects of the hydrogel result in a functional pore size of up to 20 fold
greater than predicted by theoretical mesh calculations.
2. Viral infections in patients with hematologic malignancies and stem cell
transplant recipients.
Alessandro Busca, Department of Paediatrics, University of Turin, Italy.
Summary: Despite two decades of improvements made in the management of bacterial,
viral and fungal infections in immunocompromised host, these complications still
represent one of the major limiting factor to the successful treatment of patients with
hematological malignancies. The categories of patients at high risk for viral infections
include those with acute leukemia receiving induction or consolidation chemotherapy
who are at risk of herpes simplex viruses (HSV) reactivation, patients receiving
bortezomib who are at high risk of varicella zoster virus (VZV) infection, and patients
treated with alemtuzumab who are at high risk of HSV, VZV and cytomegalovirus
(CMV) infection. Also patients receiving an allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell
transplantation (HSCT) are exposed at the high risk of viruses reactivation. Viral
infections in hematological patients may result from reactivation of latent infection or,
rarely, from acquisition of a new infection. Viruses commonly involved are Herpes
viruses (CMV, HSV, HZV, EBV, HHV6), community respiratory viruses (RSV,
metapneumovirus, influenza, parainfluenza, adenovirus, rhinovirus, enterovirus,
bocavirus), polyomavirus (virus BK-JC), parvovirus and hepatitis B and C. Overall, there
are few epidemiologic studies evaluating the incidence of viral infections in
hematological patients. A recent Italian study analyzed 528 febrile episodes among 747
patients with AML receiving induction chemotherapy: only 4 episodes (0.8%) of viral
infections have been reported confirming that these infectious complications represent a
major problem in HSCT recipients rather than in hematological patients receiving
chemotherapy. Cytomegalovirus represents one of the most common viral infection that
is associated with significant morbidity and mortality in patients with hematologic
malignancies. As other herpesviruses, CMV remains in the human body after primary
infection for life, and it has been estimated that approximately 50 to 85% of young adults
in the US have encountered the virus. Cells of the granulocyte-monocyte lineage carry
CMV and these cells may be one site for latency and persistence. Immunologic control of
CMV infection involves both the innate immune and the adaptive immune response to
CMV: the role of humoral immunity is not clear, while T-cell mediated cellular immunity
(CMV-specific CD8+CTL responses, CMV-specific CD4+ responses and γδ T-cells) is
the most important factor in controlling CMV replication. Clinical symptoms of CMV
infection and disease may vary from an asymptomatic form to a systemic syndrome with
fever, leuko-thrombocytopenia, increase of hepatic transaminases and malaise or a frank
disease with signs and symptoms of organ involvement, usually GI tract, lungs, liver and
CNS. Two major categories of patients are at risk and need to be closely monitorized for
CMV reactivation: HSCT recipients and patients receiving campath, while more
controversial is autologous transplantation (with an indication CII for monitoring CMV
according to ECIL-4). Patients receiving an allograft should be monitored for at least 100
days but a longer period of surveillance is recommended in patients with severe GVHD,
and those receiving haploidentical cord blood or unrelated transplant; patients treated
with alemtuzumab should be monitorized for at least 2 months after the end of treatment.
The prevention of primary infection may be done with the selection of the right donor: If
a patient is found to be seronegative, a CMV seronegative donor should be used if
possible. In addition, CMV seronegative recipients with CMV seronegative donors
should receive leukocyte depleted or CMV seronegative blood products only. During the
last decade two major improvements had a remarkable impact on the prevention of an
infected patient from developing CMV disease. The first factor that has modified the
outcome of CMV infection is the possibility to diagnose the infection in an early phase
and with a test that has a great sensibility and specificity: CMV antigenemia and more
recently CMV quantitavive PCR are strongly recommended for diagnosis of CMV
infection in the peripheral blood. The second factor that had a remarkable impact on the
outcome of the infection is the introduction of new drugs potentially being effective
against CMV, including ganciclovir, valganciclovir, foscarnet and cidofovir. The
possibility of having rapid diagnostic tests and highly effective compounds led to the
development of new treatment strategies, namely CMV pre-emptive treatment, based on
a positive antigenemia or PCR, triggering the initiation of antiviral therapy: either
ganciclovir or foscarnet can be used for first line preemptive treatment, while
valganciclovir may be considered as an alternative therapy particularly in low-risk
patients (except those with intestinal GVHD). In the allogeneic HSCT setting 10
thousand copies may be considered as the threshold to start the preemptive treatment. 55
patients grafted from alternative donors who received rituximab 200 mg on day +5 and
were compared to 68 patients who did not receive any EBV prophylaxis: patients
receiving rituximab had a lower rate of DNAemia (56% vs 85%) and a reduced risk of
exceeding 1000 EBV copies (14% vs 49%). A preemptive approach for EVB-DNAemia
represents at the present the standard of care, based on the administration of Rituximab
associated with the reduction of systemic immunosuppression whenever possible.
Antiviral drugs are not recommended for preemptive therapy. The response to therapy
could be identified by a decrease in EBV DNAemia of at least 1 log of magnitude in the
first week of treatment. Respiratory viruses include a great variety of viruses such as
RSV, metapneumovirus, influenza, parainfluenza, adenovirus, rhinovirus, enterovirus,
bocavirus. In immunocompromized host, respiratory viruses may be associated to many
symptoms. These span from cold episodes to croup, bronchiolitis in children and
exacerbation of asthma or frank pneumonia in adults. The incidence of respiratory viruses
infections differs significantly among the studies; this observation is underscored by the
study of Ljungman et al were the incidence varied from 0 to 18% between the 37
european partecipating centers. The treatment of established CMV disease is based on the
use of ganciclovir or foscarnet with the addition of immune globulin; cidofovir or the
combination of ganciclovir and foscarnet can be use as second line therapy. Some
questions are still pending. First, drug toxicity such as nephrotoxicity and
myelosuppression represent a limiting factor to the extensive use of the medications
effective for the treatment of CMV infection. Second, drug resistance to ganciclovir
resulting from mutations in either the UL97 phosphotransferase gene (the kinase product
responsible for ganciclovir phosphorylation and activation) or in the UL54 gene coding
for the DNA polymerase or in both, may represent a clinically significant problem in
some patients. Human Herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6) is detected in the blood of 40-60% of
HSCT patients. Clinical syndromes associated with the infection include delayed
engraftment and impaired platelet recovery, fever, rash, hepatitis, pneumonitis,
gastroduodenitis and encephalitis. It should be emphasized that no disease has been
associated with HHV6 in patients with hematological malignancies who have not
undergone HSCT. Encephalitis may be considered as the most serious clinical syndrome,
although is a rare event: only 40 cases have been described in the literature so far, usually
1-2 months post-HSCT. Apparently encephalitis due to HHV-6 is more common after
cord blood or HLA-mismatched graft; clinical picture includes short-term memory loss,
seizures, hyponatraemia, CSF pleocytosis and elevated CSF protein levels. The diagnosis
of HHV-6 infection may be obtained using quantitative PCR-based evaluation of HHV6
DNA copies/mL in whole blood, plasma or serum. Nevertheless, chromosomally
integrated HHV6 should be excluded: the prevalence of vertical transmission from
mother/father is about 1% and is characterized by persistent high HHV6 DNA level (7.0
log10 copies/mL whole blood). Whether HHV6 viremia increases mortality remains to be
determined: most studies found no association between mortality and HHV6 infection,
likely because of the frequent occurrence of spontaneously resolving viremia and the
multifactorial interaction of immune deficiency, GVHD and concomitant complications
in HSCT recipients who develop HHV6 viremia. Additional prospective studies are
required to determine whether anti-HHV6 therapy clears HHV6 and influences survival.
Epstein Barr Virus (EBV). The most serious and life threatening event associated to the
EBV infection is the occurrence of post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease (PTLD),
an heterogeneous group of EBV diseases with neoplastic lymphoproliferation caused by
iatrogenic suppression of T-cell function. Major risk factors for PTLD include
unrelated/mismatched, T-cell depletion (in particular with ATG), use of cord blood, EBV
serology mismatched (recipient negative, donor positive). According to these
considerations, prospective monitoring of EBV DNAemia is strongly recommended in
high-risk patients once a week up to 3 months after the transplant or longer in those
patients with GVHD. There are very few data regarding the prophylaxis of EBV disease.
B cell depletion might potentially reduce the risk of EBV disease. A recent study
described Reactivation of latent HBV may occur in the setting of significant
immunosuppression such as HSCT recipients. Moreover, patients with B-cell lymphoid
malignancies treated with anti-CD20 monoclonal antibodies may have increased risk for
HBV reactivation and HBV disease, including are cases of fulminant hepatitis or death.
In conclusion, viral infections remain a common complication in patients with leukemia,
particularly in those receiving intensive chemotherapy, monoclonal antibodies and HSCT
recipients. Many of these infections represent reactivation of latent infection. A growing
number of antiviral medications are allowing for more effective prophylaxis and
treatment of these infections.
3. Osteopontin and Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type I (HIV-1) Interaction at
the Neuroimmune Axis. Amanda Brown, Department of Neurology, Translational Research in Neuro-AIDS and
Mental Health, JHU NIMH Development Core, Johns Hopkins Internship in Brain
Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, USA.
Summary: HIV infection of the central nervous system can lead to neuronal
degeneration and in the absence of treatment, progress to frank neuronal loss.
Osteopontin (OPN) is a multifunctional, multi-domain proinflammatory cytokine, linked
to cell-mediated immunity, cancer, inflammation, and neurodegenerative disease. More
recently elevated levels of OPN in the cerebrospinal fluid and brains of individuals
infected with HIV-1 have been reported. Whether OPN expression and function in HIV
infection is protective or deleterious remains unknown. Molecular, biochemical and
cellular approaches are being used to uncover the role of OPN in HIV infection. First,
high-throughput next generation sequencing was used to identify the genes and
investigate the signaling networks that are regulated by OPN in human monocyte-derived
macrophages. Second, a surrogate cell culture model was devised to determine the
contribution of defined motifs in the N- and C-terminal halves of OPN in upregulating
HIV replication. Third, to determine which cell (s) in the brain express OPN and whether
it is associated with neuronal degeneration, double-label immunohistochemistry on brain
tissue from HIV-infected individuals with and without cognitive impairment and controls
was performed. Our results show that in macrophages OPN regulates several key
inflammatory and chemokine pathways, and also interacts with additional signaling
networks for which a role for OPN has not been previously identified. Multiple domains
of OPN, as well as exclusively intracellular forms of the protein, can enhance HIV
replication through mechanisms that include integrin inside-out as well as outside-in
signaling. Additionally, the exposure of cell fusion inducing motifs in the C-terminal
domain of OPN also contributes to the enhancement of virus replication. In the brain,
cells other than macrophages express OPN. With our experimental approach we have
begun to reveal the molecular basis for the multifunctional abilities of OPN, a protein at
the interface of the neuroimmune axis.
4. Human Pathogenic Viruses in the environment. Apostolos Vantarakis, Department of Public Health, Medical School, University of
Patras, Patras, Greece.
Summary: Environmental factors causing risks to public health are physical, mechanical,
chemical, biological and that have known or potential impact on public health. Examples
of such environmental factors are pesticides (chemical agents), ionizing radiation
(physical agents) microorganisms such as waterborne pathogens (bacteria and viruses).
Some of these factors can be detected in the air, in the food, in the water, or in the soil.
Many environmental factors, mainly microbial agents, may cause viral gastroenteritis.
These factors may be waterborne or foodborne. Exposure to these factors can happen at
home, school, workplace, healthcare facilities and is often associated with the type of
food consumed, the type of food production and processing. Among the important factors
that could cause outbreaks are viruses that cause viral gastroenteritis such as Noroviruses,
Hepatitis A virus, enteroviruses, Rotaviruses, adenoviruses, etc. The laboratory
investigation of the presence of viruses that cause viral gastroenteritis can be performed
by molecular, cultural and immunological techniques. The development of molecular
techniques in the mid eighties provided a major tool for the detection and identification of
pathogenic viruses. Although initially, these techniques were primarily qualitative,
further development of these technologies over the past two decades has greatly increased
the ability for rapid identification, standardization and quantification in environmental
samples. This significant progress has helped substantially to treatment and control of the
main viral disease caused by environmental viruses such as epidemic viral gastroenteritis.
5. Biological Control of Insect Pests by Transgenic Organisms Expressing Toxin
Genes from Bacillus thuringiensis. Arieh Zaritsky and Eitan Ben-Dov, Ben-Gurion university of the Negev, POB 653, Be’er-
Sheva 84105, Israel.
Summary: Various subspecies of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) are considered the best
agents known so far to control insects, being highly specific and safe, easily mass
produced and with long shelf life. The para-crystalline bodies that are produced during
sporulation in the exosporium include polypeptides named δ-endotoxins, each killing a
specific set of insects. The different entomo-pathogenic toxins of these Bt ssp. can be
manipulated genetically in an educated way to construct more efficient transgenic
bacteria or plants that express combinations of toxin genes to control the pests. The
following three research projects will be described: (a) implementing ideas using cry and
cyt genes from Bt ssp. israelensis (Bti) to control mosquitos, vectors of tropical diseases,
particularly with cyanobacteria; (b) preliminary experiments to form transgenic plants to
control mosquitoes (Diptera) and certain Lepidopteran and Coleopteran agricultural pest
species; (c) exploiting a system by which genes that may be hazardous to the
environment such as coding for antibiotic resistance can be removed from the
recombinants thus alleviating procedures for obtaining permits to release them in nature.
6. Therapeutic and toxicological evaluations of Acorus calamus Linn., a traditional
anthelmintic plant of Northeast India.
Arun Yadav, North Eastern Hill University, India.
Summary: The rhizomes of Acorus calamus Linn. (family Acoraceae) have been
frequently employed to treat intestinal-worms and for other therapeutic purposes in India
and elsewhere. The aim of the present study was to investigate the in-vitro and in-vivo
anthelmintic activity and potential toxicity of a standardized methanol extract of A.
calamus (AC) rhizomes. Anthelmintic activity of AC rhizomes was investigated against a
zoonotic tapeworm species, Hymenolepis diminuta. For in vitro tests, 10, 20 and 40
mg/ml concentrations of plant extract were tested against the adult stages of parasite. For
in vivo tests, 200, 400 and 800 mg/kg doses of extract was tested against the immature
and adult stages of parasite in rats. The characterization of active principle was done
using standard chromatographic and spectroscopic methods. The acute and sub-acute
toxicity studies of the standardized methanolic extract of AC rhizomes were performed in
mice and rats. The rhizome extract of AC showed dose-dependent anthelmintic effects
against H. diminuta. In in vitro tests, exposure of worms to 40 mg/ml concentration of
extract revealed that the worms get paralysed first and than show an early mortality. In in
vivo tests, administration of 800 mg/kg dose of extract for 5 days revealed comparatively
more significant effects on adults than immature worms. In the sub-acute toxicity study, a
daily oral administration of extract at 800 mg/kg dose for 14 days to rats did not revealed
any mortality, but significant increase in serum levels of liver enzymes aspartate amino
transferase, alanine amino transferase, alkaline phosphatise and number of RBCs, WBCs
and platelet counts were evident. Similarly, the histology of liver and kidney of treated
animals also showed evidence of toxicity. In conclusion, the results indicate that A.
calamus rhizomes possesses significant anthelmintic effects against H. diminuta. The
efficacy of extract is quite comparable with that of active principle, β-asarone. In toxicity
tests, 800 mg/kg dose of rhizome extract given for 14 days did not caused any mortality,
but noticeable toxic effects were visible in liver enzymes, some haematological
parameters and histopathology of liver and kidney. Therefore, it is vital to use this plant
appropriately and judiciously in local folk medicine owing to evidence of toxicity in its
extract at concentrations of 800 kg/mg.
7. Cure of HIV by Elimination of Viral Reserve from stages of CD4 Progenitors in
Bone Marrow Hematopoietic Niche in Two Patients in Nairobi, Kenya.
Barasa Simon, Kenya Polytechnic University College, Nairobi, Kenya.
Summary: Elucidation of reverse dissemination as the true mechanism by which human
immunodeficiency virus (HIV) maintains chronic infection while discounting of the
generally accepted model of latent reserve has led to development of radical cure of HIV.
I have demonstrated the HIV cure in two people by stopping rapid expansion of
hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) within the bone marrow niche using methotraxate,
hence causing elimination of the virus from differentiating stages of CD4 T-lymphocyte
progenitor cells, and thus breaking the cross-infection between older and new cells,
achieving the first complete clinical cure case without bone marrow transplantation, using
methotraxate in combination with other agents in a methodology subject to patent. The
methodology is simple, safe, acceptable and cheap, although not scientifically competent
or validated. The prospect of eradication of HIV from the world is a real possibility if
further research conducted using more competent methodology can demonstrate veracity
of these findings. This work needs further research. Key words: HIV, clinical cure, CD4
progenitors.
8. Mylodysplastic diseases and association with ehrlichia: identification with
culture, flourescnt antibody, and polymerase chain reaction.
Charles Kallick, Rush University Medical Center, Department of Medicine, United
States.
Summary: The myelodysplastic group of hematologic disease (MG) includes aplastic
anemia, polycythemia and the extensive list of malfunction of the production of
hematologic products of the bone marrow. The Ehrlichia (EA) is an obscure bacterial
family that infects leucocytes, and presumably their precursors. Using a diagnostic
method designed for E. canis, which harvests patient monocytes to support the growth of
this extremely difficult group, we found that a 55 year old patient with AA had evidence
of EA in the Leighton culture apparatus LT) identified by cellular inclusions in the
derived macrophages, and fluorescein conjugated anti E. canis serum (FA). The
infective material from the LT was injected into a Rhesus monkey (RM), with subsequent
demonstration of infection of the RM by LT culture as before. Infective material from
the second LT was injected into a second RM, and both demonstrated infection by LT
and FA. Neither RM demonstrated hematologic abnormalities, nor became clinically ill.
The patient with AA, demonstrated evidence of inclusions in peripheral erythrocyte and
leucocytes. Another patient with PVC, had a splenectomy for splenomegaly, and her
peripheral blood demonstrated 2% erythrocyte inclusions morphologically identical to
an EA. PCR of this parent’s blood using a proprietary primer for EA, demonstrated a
single gene within 97% of Anaplasma phagocytophillium (APC). The patent with PCV
converted to a rapidly fatal acute myelocytic leukemia (AML), not uncommon in PCV.
Auer rod (AR) s are seen in AML, and FA examination of peripheral cells with AR,
showed evidence of antigens to E canis in the peripheral cells of other patients with
AML. Genera of the EA have been shown to share antigens, thus allowing use of
antibodies against of species to be used in FA identification. only part of this
investigation was conducted with appropriately controlled techniques. The authors
believe that these data suggest a possible etiological or associated role of EA in the MG.
Further studies are essential using the techniques and materials used for this study in
large controlled groups of patients to demonstrate the possible role of EA in the
myelodysplastic disorders.
9. Ascites is associated with a proinflammatory state with it origin in the pritoncal
cavity in the absence of infection.
David H. Van Thiel, Medicine / Surgery, Rush University Medical Center and Oak Park
Hospital, USA.
Summary: Background: Ascites is a common manifestation of decompensated cirrhosis
with increased risk of morbidity and mortality. Hypothesis: Ascites, evenin non-infected
cirrhotic patients, is associated with both periperitoneal and systemically derived
inflammatory cytokines. Methods: 88 non-infected cirrhotic patients were divided into
two groups, those with and without ascites. Serum and ascitic fluid levels of an array of
inflammatory markers, including procalcitonin, were measured and compared to each
other and a normal plasma panel. Results: Serum procalcitonin levels were increased in
cirrhotics with ascites compared to cirrhotics without ascites (p < 0.05), but serum levels
were similar to ascites levels within the ascites group. Additionally, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-
8, MCP-1, IFNγ and EGF serum levels were elevated (p < 0.05) in ascites patients
compared to non-ascites patients. Furthermore, many of these cytokines, but not
procalcitonin, demonstrate an ascites-to serum gradient. Serum procalcitonin does not
demonstrate any significant difference segregated by liver etiology in the ascites group;
but ascitic fluid procalcitonin is elevated significantly (p < 0.05) in cardiac
cirrhosis/miscellaneous subgroup compared to the hepatitis Cvirus and alcoholic cirrhosis
subgroups. Conclusion: (1) ascites in cirrhotic patinets is associated with increased levels
of procalcitonin and a panel of inflammatory markers; (2) the levels of many
inflammatory markers when comparing serum and ascitic fluid are consistent with a
predominantly peri-peritoneal rather than systemic origin; (3) procalcitonin in the ascitic
fluid, but not in the serum, differentiates between cirrhotic subgroups; (4) this data
documents the dynamic interplay of ascites, bacterial translocation and the peri-peritoneal
cytokine inflammatory response in non-infected cirrhotic patients. Keywords: Ascites;
Bacterial translocation; Cirrhosis; Inflammatory markers; Procalcitonin.
10. Mechanism of Resistance of Hepatitis C Virus (HCV). Dimas Kliemann, Pulmonary Sciences, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul,
Porto Alegre, Brazil.
Summary: Recent advances in molecular biology have led to the development of novel
small molecules that target specific viral proteins of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) life
cycle. These drugs, collectively termed directly acting antivirals (DAA) against HCV,
include a range of non-structural (NS) 3/NS4A protease, NS5B polymerase, and NS5A
inhibitors at various stages of clinical development. The rapid replication rate of HCV,
along with the low fidelity of its polymerase, gives rise to generations of mutations
throughout the viral genome resulting in remarkable sequence variation in the HCV
population, known as a quasispecies. The efficacy of DAAs is limited by the presence of
those mutations that give rise to amino-acid substitutions within the targeted protein, and
that affect the viral sensitivity to these compounds. Thus, due to the high genetic
variability of HCV, variants with reduced susceptibility to DAA can occur naturally even
before treatment begins, but usually at low levels. Not surprisingly then, these changes
are selected in patients either breaking through or not responding to potent DAA
treatment. In vitro or in vivo, six major position mutations in the NS3 HCV protease (36,
54, 155, 156, 168, and 170) have now been reported associated with different levels of
resistance. The amino acid composition at several of the drug resistance sites can vary
between the HCV genotypes/subtypes, resulting in different consensus amino acids
leading to a reduction in replicative fitness as well as reduced DAA sensitivity. Different
amino acid diversity profiles for HCV genotypes/subtypes suggest differences in the
position/type of immune escape and drug resistance mutations. Also, different pathways
of resistance profiles based on the chemical scaffold (linear or macrocyclic) of the
protease inhibitors have been described. Future potential therapeutic strategies to assist
patients who do develop resistance to protease inhibitors are also outlined. The challenge
developing new HCV protease inhibitors should take into consideration not only the
antiviral potency of the drugs, the occurrence and importance of side effects, the
frequency of oral administration, but also the resistance profiles of these agents.
11. Xenobiotic Metabolism of Bacterial Acyl Homoserine Lactones. Donovan C. Haines, Department of Chemistry, Sam Houston State University, USA.
Summary: Acyl homoserine lactones (AHLs) are lipid derived signals used by some
bacteria to sense their population density and possibly some features of their
environment. It has been shown that AHL degrading enzymes exist in organisms
competing with AHL-dependent bacteria, and that degradation of AHLs can be a
powerful mechanism to protect hosts from infection by AHL-dependent pathogens. We
previously reported a bacterial cytochrome P450 capable of interfering with quorum
signaling by hydroxylating AHLs near the w-end. Realizing that the bacterial P450 was
an often used model for human P450s, we have now screened for the ability of human
xenobiotic metabolizing enzymes to inactivate AHLs. Commercially available human
liver microsomes did in fact show an NADPH-dependent AHL inactivation activity
similar to the previous bacterial system. This activity is largely inhibited by the fatty acid
hydroxylase inhibitor 17-octadecynoic acid, suggesting that one or more P450s from the
CYP4 family are responsible for the observed activity. We further examined whether
glucuronidation of AHLs also occurs and see preliminary signs of UDP-glucuronic acid
dependent AHL inactivating activity in human liver microsomes, although this activity is
less than the NADPH-dependent activity. The two activities appeared to occur
independently of each other. In light of these results, cytochrome P450 and
glucuronidating enzymes (UGTs) join paraoxonases as human enzyme systems that are
capable of AHL metabolism. It appears that xenobiotic metabolizing systems may be a
previously unexplored direct part of the defense against infection.
12. Cellular Immune Response Boost by Complement Opsonization of HIV-1.
Wilflingseder D, Lass-Flörl C, Posch W, Division of Hygiene and Medical Microbiology,
Innsbruck Medical University, Innsbruck, Austria.
Summary: Persistent infections such as HIV, hepatitis B and C virus are major causes of
mortality world-wide. Dendritic cells (DC), which are essential for the generation of a
protective antiviral immune response, are exploited by the viruses to evade innate and
adaptive immunity. When HIV enters the body, virus becomes opsonized with
complement fragments and antibodies within a short time which should help to eradicate
the virions immediately by the innate immune system. The adaptive immune system
needs longer for activation, and B cells and T cell responses further assist in the immune
response against HIV. DC play a major role in this anti-viral responses but they can also
get infected and transmit HIV, thereby acting as ´Trojan Horse´. So far understanding of
HIV-1 infection and transmission was studied with non-opsonized virus, which might not
reflect the in vivo situation, where HIV-1 was found opsonized with complement
fragments and antibodies in all compartments tested so far (e.g. seminal fluid, plasma, or
stripped from tonsillar tissue). Antigen opsonization can modulate the capture of antigen,
its presentation and the priming of specific CD8+ or CD4+ T cell responses. Therefore
we investigated interactions of DC with differentially opsonized HIV-1 preparations, i.e.
non-, complement- and IgG-opsonized HIV-1, and could demonstrate that the
complement system not only induces stronger CTLs but also protective T helper cell as
well as increased antiviral responses via DCs. Thereby, specifically modifying the
complement signaling pathway could serve as a therapeutic target for HIV-1 infection.
The authors are supported by the Austrian Science Fund [FWF, P22165 and P24598 to
DW, P25389 to WP] and the Austrian National Bank [14875 to WP].
13. Biosynthesis of Metallic Nanoparticles and Oxidative Stress Induced in
Microorganisms.
Dra. Paulina L. Páez, Dra. Inés Albesa. Dpto. Farmacia- Facultad de Ciencias
Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Haya de la Torre y Medina Allende.
Ciudad Universitaria, Córdoba, Argentina.
Summary: Nanoparticles show unique physical and chemical properties and have
attracted much attention for their distinct characteristics. That’s because they represent an
increasingly important material in the development of nanotechnology and nanoparticles
which can be used in numerous applications. Microorganisms play an important role in
the eco-friendly synthesis of metal nanoparticles. Resistance of bacteria to antimicrobial
agents has increased in recent years. Nanoparticles interaction with biomolecules and
microorganisms is expanding the field of research. This study illustrates the synthesis of
silver nanoparticles (Ag-Nps) using the bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa and their
antibacterial activity. Moreover, focuses on the processes resulting in oxidative stress and
on up-to-date studies of Ag-NPs-induced intracellular changes leading to such stress in
microorganisms.
14. Oral azithromycin versus its combination with miltefosine for the treatment of
experimental old world cutaneous leishmaniasis. Eglal Ibrahim Amer, Dept. of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University,
Egypt.
Summary: Leishmaniasis is one of the neglected infectious diseases included in the
World Health Organization’s list of the top guns of antimicrobial resistance. Miltefosine
is the first and the only available oral effective therapy for leishmaniasis. For fear of its
potential resistance, identification of alternative, effective and safe drugs is urgently
needed. Therefore, in view of azithromycin promising activity against a number of
Leishmania species, this work was carried out to evaluate the efficacy of oral
azithromycin alone versus its combination with miltefosine against experimental Old
World Cutaneous leishmaniasis thus, can provide another alternative oral therapy or for
the first time an oral combination therapy for leishmaniasis. The current work
demonstrated superior activity of oral azithromycin over oral miltefosine in the treatment
of experimentally infected mice with Leishmania major (MHOM/IL/81/FEBNI).
Unfortunately, oral combination therapy of azithromycin and miltefosine for short
duration though, induced dramatic clinical improvement yet, relapse rapidly developed
after cessation of therapy. Further research is recommended to investigate the
leishmanicidal activity of oral azithromycin against other Leishmania species thus;
another alternative oral therapy for leishmaniasis can be rapidly available.
15. New Scope on the Relationship between Rotifers and Biomphalaria alexandrina
Snails.
Eglal Ibrahim Amer, Dept. of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University,
Egypt.
Summary: Occurrence of diverse organisms within snails is not surprising since the
snail's natural habitats are shared by a variety of flora and fauna. Numerous metazoa live
in close association with Biomphalaria snails.This study revealed the capability of
rotifers; Philodina spp, which naturally exist on the shells of Biomphalaria snails to
invade the tissues of laboratory-maintained Biomphalaria alexandrina snail. Their
histopathological impact on snail tissues and their effect on cercarial biology were
investigated before and after exposure to Schistosoma mansoni miracidia. Snail
contamination with Philodina, two weeks before miracidial exposure, hindered the
preliminary development of Schistosoma mansoni cercariae inside snail tissues. While,
snail contamination with rotifers, two weeks post miracidial exposure, retarded the
growth of the already established cercariae. The consequent influence of internalized
rotifers within the snail tissue was clearly reflected on cercarial emergence, activity, and
infectivity along four weeks of shedding. Correlation between snail histopathological
findings and altered cercarial biology indicated that the rotifers affected the levels of the
snail's energy reservoirs which eventually affected reproduction, growth and survival of
the parasite within the snail host, together with its performance outside the snail. From
this perspective, it is worthwhile to seriously reconsider such priceless highly
reproducible organisms in the future biological control strategies of schistosomiasis;
which continues to be parasitic scourge of humanity.
16. Fabrication of medical implants: Antibacterial coatings with preventive oral
drugs against biofilm producing infectious agents.
Elayarajah Balasubramanian, Department of Microbiology and Bioinformatics,
Affiliated to Bharathiar University, India.
Summary: Pending.
17. In vitro efficacy of tigecycline against Metallo-β-lactamase producing
carbapenem resistant bacterial pathogens isolated from clinical specimens.
Fatima Kaleem, Microbiology at Foundation University Medical College.
Summary: Background: The rapid spread of acquired Metallo-β-lactamases (MBLs)
among carbapenem resistant major pathogens and their highly resistant antibiogram is an
emerging threat and matter of particular concern all over the world. Aims and objectives:
To find out in vitro efficacy of tigecycline against metallo beta lactamase producing
carbapenem resistant organisms. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This descriptive study
was carried out over a period of one year in the department of Microbiology, Army
Medical College, National University of Sciences and Technology, Pakistan to find out in
vitro efficacy of tigecycline against metallo beta lactamase producing Gram negative rods
from clinical isolates of a tertiary care Hospital. All clinical samples were dealt by
standard microbiological methods, isolated Gram negative rods were subjected to
susceptibility testing against various antibiotics by disc diffusion method as per the
Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute guidelines. Carbapenem resistant isolates
were subjected to the detection of metallo beta lactamase production by E-test metallo
beta lactamase strip method. All metallo beta lactamase producers were subjected to
susceptibility testing of tigecycline by minimum inhibitory concentrations using E-strips.
Minimum inhibitory concentrations 50 and minimum inhibitory concentrations 90 were
calculated. RESULTS: Among 149 metallo beta lactamase producers, Acinetobacter
baumannii were the most frequent metallo beta lactamase producers followed by
Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Around 89 % of the metallo beta lactamase producers were
sensitive to tigecycline. Most of the metallo beta lactamase producers were isolated from
nasobronchial lavage followed by catheter tip samples. CONCLUSION: Our study
showed that tigecycline has good in vitro activity against metallo beta lactamase
producing organisms. Keywords: Carbapenems resistant bacteria, E-test, Metallo beta
lactamase, Sensitivity, Tigecycline.
18. Bird Flu threat again? Firdous Jahan, Department, Family Medicine(FAMCO), Oman Medical College, Al
Tareef, Sohar-Sultanate of Oman.
Summary: Avian influenza, or “bird flu”, is a contagious disease of animals caused by
viruses called H5N1.They normally infect only birds and, less commonly, pigs. Wild
birds carry the viruses but may not get sick. Domestic birds, including chickens, ducks,
and turkeys get very sick and die. Infected birds shed flu virus in their saliva, nasal
secretions, and feces. Susceptible birds become infected when they have contact with
contaminated excretions or surfaces that are contaminated with excretions. Avian
influenza viruses are highly species-specific, but have, on rare occasions, crossed the
species barrier to infect humans. Several cases of human infection with bird flu viruses
have been reported since 1997. A second risk, of even greater concern, is that the virus –
if given enough opportunities – will change into a form that is highly infectious for
humans and spreads easily from person to person. Such a change could mark the start of a
global outbreak (a pandemic). According to the World Health Organization (WHO),
Egypt, China, and Cambodia have all had cases of confirmed H5N1 in humans. This
makes ten people with the bird flu already in 2013. The one infected person in Egypt has
died and six out of the seven people infected in Cambodia have died. Of the two cases in
China, one person has died.
19. Genomics and Proteomics in Vaccine Discovery and Immunotherapy. Guido Grandi, Novartis Vaccines Siena Board of Directors, Novartis Vaccines &
Diagnostics, Italy.
Summary: Pending.
20. Mechanisms for establishment of early latent HIV provirus in T cells.
Ivan Sadowski, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Molecular
Epigenetics, LSI, University of British Columbia, Canada.
Summary: During infection of T cells with HIV-1, a population of latently infected cells
is established which produces a major barrier for eradication of the virus from patients
with AIDS. Traditionally this population of cells was thought to result from gradual
silencing, by epigenetic modification of LTR-associated chromatin, of virus that is
transcriptionally active upon initial infection. However, several observations, including
our own results using double-reporter recombinant HIV, has shown that a significant
fraction of virus in newly infected cells becomes immediately transcriptional repressed to
produce provirus. We have begun to analyze the mechanisms necessary to produce this
“early latent” virus population and find that multiple factors can contribute to the effect,
including active NF-kB levels at the time of infection, as well as the function of the
multifaceted transcriptional activator/repressor YY1. Based on our results, we propose
that establishment of early latent HIV provirus is produced stochastically as a
consequence of a balance between transcriptional activator and repressor function during
infection.
21. Metrology for Microbiology in the Age of Genomic Sequencing.
Jayne B. Morrow, Materials Measurement Laboratory, National Institute of Standards
and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD 20899, USA.
Summary: Recent innovations in genomic measurement techniques such as quantitative
polymerase chain reaction and whole genome sequencing, have led to ever increasing
accessibility and a better understanding of technique applicability across the field of
microbiology. Current measurement techniques applied to detect and characterize
microbial populations are relevant to environmental, food and clinical infectious disease
research communities alike. The broad applicability of genomic measurement techniques
has led to development of critical elements of a metrological infrastructure including
methods validation and measurement assurance in support the emerging field of
microbial genomic characterization. To further support the nascent field of metrology for
microbiology, the international metrology community formed an ad hoc Steering Group
on Microbial Measurements to advance the metrology of microbial systems and to
support international commerce and trade of food products. The Steering group under the
BIPM, Consultative Committee for Amount of Substance (CCQM) is tasked with
generating the conceptual framework for metrology that supports the field of
microbiology. The Steering Group is composed of a diverse group of stakeholders
(including Federal Agencies in the US and abroad and private institutions and standards
development organizations), and the National Metrology Institutes representing 11
countries. In order to better define the measurement challenges, two focus groups were
stood up to develop metrics for microbial identification and quantitation. Focus group
activities have generated metrological definitions for microbial identity and characterized
measurement challenges for microbial quantitation accuracy. For a pilot study to support
microbial identity, participants were asked to sequence the 16S rRNA gene of two whole
genome microbial DNA standard reference materials were used; Escherichia coli O157
strain EDL 933 (IRMM 449) and Listeria monocytogenes strain 4B, NCTC 11994
(IRMM 447). A metric was created to evaluate the confidence of the consensus base
calls for the sequencing results from each of the participating Institutes and sequences for
each of the participants were compared to the overall consensus. The results of key pilot
studies to establish metrics for both microbial identity and quantity will be presented.
22. Percutaneous antibotic delivery technique for osteomyelitis treatment.
Jeff Karr, Lakeland Regional Medical Center, 5421 S Florida Ave, Lakeland, FL 33813,
USA.
Summary: A new percutaneous antibiotic delivery surgical procedure (PAD-T) is
presented for adjunctive management of osteomyelitis. This technique involves a simple
bone cortez incision with antibiotic or antifungal delivery directly into the area of
osteomyelitis utilizing a calcium sulphate and hydroxyapatite bone void filler as the
carrier vehicle. This percutaneous antibiotic delivery technique is reviewed in detail with
outcome and case presentation.
23. Hepatitis C virus alternate reading frame suppresses type I interferon induction
through RIG-I/MDA-5 pathway. Seung Bum Park, Bhargav Koduru, Wasima Mayer, David Ojcius, and Jinah Choi, Dept.
Molecular Cell Biology, School of Natural Sciences, University of California, Merced
(UC-Merced), Merced, CA, USA.
Summary: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) actively evades the host type I interferon (IFN)
response through proteolytic inactivation of pattern recognition receptor (PRR) signaling
proteins by NS3/4A protease, among other mechanisms. However, multiple mechanisms
whereby HCV evades the host innate immunity are not yet completely understood. In this
study, we demonstrate a novel mechanism of PRR signaling modulation by HCV that can
function independently of NS3/4A. Point mutations in the HCV core protein-coding
sequence that disrupt the -2/+1 frame coding for frameshift/alternate reading frame
protein (F/ARFP) without affecting the core protein sequence or substantially altering
RNA stem loops V and VI enhanced IFNα and IFNβ induction by HCV. This effect
could be diminished by siRNAs to retinoic-acid-inducible gene inhibitor (RIG-I), by
using Huh7.5 cells that are defective in RIG-I, and by adding F/ARFP back by
transcomplementation. Comparison of HCV RNA PAMP and poly(IC)-induced type I
IFN responses in cells expressing core or F/ARFP further suggested that the suppression
can occur independently of and cooperatively with NS3/4A and that the viral element
involved is likely to be F/ARFP. Frameshift mutants, on the other hand, were not
resistant to antiviral effects of exogenous IFNα. Therefore, the HCV alternate reading
frame is likely to cooperate with other viral factors to suppress the type I IFN induction
occurring through RIG-I/melanoma differentiation associated gene-5 (MDA-5) signaling
pathway. This study suggests a biological function of the HCV -2/+1 reading frame in the
modulation of host innate immunity.
24. Temporal Chromatin Signatures Induced by Marek’s Disease Infection.
Apratim Mitra1, Juan Luo1, Yulan Gu1, Huanmin Zhang2, Keji Zhao3 & Jiuzhou Song1
1 Department of Animal & Avian Sciences, University of Maryland, College Park, MD,
USA 2 USDA, ARS, Avian Disease and Oncology Laboratory, East Lansing, MI, USA 3
Laboratory of Molecular Immunology, National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute,
National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.
Summary: Marek’s disease (MD) is a highly contagious, lymphomatous disease of
chickens induced by a herpesvirus, Marek’s disease virus (MDV) that causes major
annual losses to the poultry industry. Similar to other herpesviral infections, MD
pathogenesis involves multiple stages including early cytolytic and latency, and
transitions between these stages are governed by several host and environmental factors.
The success of vaccination strategies has led to increased virulence of MDV and selective
breeding of naturally resistant chickens is seen as a viable alternative. While multiple
gene expression studies have been performed in resistant and susceptible populations
little is known about the epigenetic effects of infection. Thus, in this study, we
investigated temporal chromatin signatures induced by MDV by analyzing early cytolytic
and latent phases of infection in the bursa of Fabricius of MD-resistant and –susceptible
birds. Several pathways that have been previously reported in connection with MD,
including apoptosis, p53 signaling and cytokine cytokine receptor-interaction, displayed
changes in histone modification marks. In addition, several novel pathways were
enriched. The neuroactive ligand receptor-interaction pathway showed marked reductions
in H3K4me3 marks, particularly in MD-resistant chickens and several genes belonging to
the spliceosome pathway showed increased H3K4me3 marks in resistant birds at the
latent stage of infection. Variations in chromatin marks suggest greater inflammation in
susceptible chickens at the early cytolytic stage of infection, while the resistant line
exhibited recuperative symptoms. During latent MD, the resistant line showed
widespread reduction in H3K4me3 marks suggesting epigenetic silencing. Our
observations regarding chromatin profiles were also largely in agreement with previous
reports. The temporal analysis of chromatin signatures, therefore, revealed further clues
about the epigenetic effects of MDV infection. Further studies are necessary to
understand the functional implications of the observed variations in histone
modifications.
25. Biotracing – combining mathematical modelling and microbiology in a
multidisciplinary approach to food safety. Kieran Jordan, Teagasc, Moorepark Food Research Centre, Fermoy, Co. Cork,
IRELAND.
Summary: In the European Union, the responsibility for food safety is put on the food
manufacturer. Food manufacturers need support to help them accomplish food safety
targets and meet this responsibility. There are a number of initiatives that support food
safety in the industry, for example Food Safety Management Systems (FSMS), Hazard
Analysis of Critical Control Points (HACCP) and Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP).
Quantitative Microbial Risk Assessment (QMRA) facilitates prediction of the
consequences of a contamination event, but there is a gap in mechanisms for identifying
the source of a contamination event. Biotracing can facilitate prediction of the source of
contamination so that a targeted approach can be taken to addressing that source. It
complements other food safety systems in a processing facility. Biotracing is a multi-
disciplinary approach to food safety, combining microbiology and mathematical
modelling. It was developed in collaboration between experts in mathematical modelling,
food and molecular microbiologists, database developers and software companies. It is
dependent on improved detection methodologies for bacterial quantification, a better
understanding of the physiology of the bacteria and a novel approach to mathematical
modelling. Biotracing can support decision making in the industry with respect to
contamination sources, and therefore reduce the costs associated with addressing these
issues, while at the same time improving food safety.
26. Are there differences in culture results from milk samples submitted to
commercial laboratories in New Zealand and Australia?
Kiro R Petrovski1*, Jeanette Perry*, Darren J Trott* 1Author for correspondence. *The
University of Adelaide, School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Roseworthy, SA 5118,
Australia.
Summary: AIMS: This study analysed data on microbial isolations from milk samples
submitted to veterinary diagnostic laboratories in New Zealand (NZ) and Australia (AU).
METHODS: The culture results of milk samples submitted to a group of veterinary
diagnostic laboratories in NZ (n=25,288; collected 2003 to 2006) and AU (n=19,400;
collected 2008 to 2012) were assembled, reviewed and summarised. RESULTS: In NZ
there were 87, whilst in AU 65 aetiological agents were identified as the most probable
cause of mastitis. A significant proportion of samples (22.9% of NZ and 47.0% of AU
samples) yielded no definitive diagnosis (either no growth, mixed growth (min 2 or 3
species per sample) or contamination). The most commonly isolated mastitis-causing
organisms from the pure cultures in NZ were: Streptococcus uberis (23.6%),
Staphylococcus aureus (23.5%), coagulase-negative staphylococci (7.2%), Strep.
dysgalactiae (6.2%), Bacillus spp. (4.0%), and coliforms (3.7%). The most commonly
isolated mastitis-causing organisms from the pure cultures in AU were: Strep. uberis
(42.9%), Staph. aureus (24.6%), Strep. dysgalactiae (7.7%), coliforms (7.6%), and Strep.
agalactiae (4.4%). CONCLUSION: The pattern of isolation of common mastitis-causing
organisms isolated from milk samples submitted to diagnostic laboratories in NZ and AU
has changed significantly over the last 5 decades years, with a substantial increase in the
proportion of isolates which are Strep. uberis and a decrease in isolates of Strep.
agalactiae. There is a clear difference in the prevalence of various mastitis-causing
organisms between the country of origin. Strep. uberis, Strep. agalactiae and coliforms
are more frequent in AU, whilst coagulase-negative staphylococci and Bacillus spp. are
more frequent in NZ (P<0.001). Although, there was a slight discrepancy in years of
collection of samples, it is most likely that the variability in the prevalence of common
mastitis-causing organisms is due to differences in dairy systems, NZ predominantly
pasture-based while AU employs both pasture-based and feedlot systems. CLINICAL
RELEVANCE: Knowledge of the aetiological agents causing bovine mastitis on a farm is
of value in determining the choice of treatment. This dataset shows that, although mastitis
aetiology in NZ and AU are relatively similar the treatment cannot be based on
presumptions only. KEY WORDS: Aetiology, mastitis, Staphylococcus aureus,
Streptococcus uberis, Streptococcus dysgalactiae, Streptococcus agalactiae.
27. Presentation Title: The effects of co-infection with human parvovirus B19 and
Plasmodium falciparum on type and degree of anaemia in Ghanaian children.
Kwabena Obeng Duedu a, b, Kwamena William Coleman Sagoe a, Patrick Ferdinand
Ayeh-Kumi a, c, Raymond Bedu Affrim d, Theophilus Adiku a; a Department of
Microbiology, University of Ghana Medical School, Korle-Bu, Accra, Ghana; b Institute
of Cell Biology, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Scotland, UK; c
Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, University of Ghana School of Allied
Health Sciences, Korle-Bu, Accra, Ghana; d Laboratory Department, Princess Marie
Louis Children's Hospital, Derby Avenue, Accra, Ghana.
Summary: Objective: To determin the extent to which parvovirus B19 (B19V) and co-
infection of B19V and malaria contribute to risk of anaemia in children. Methods: B19V
DNA and malaria parasites were screened for 234 children at the PML Children's
Hospital in Accra. The role of B19V and co-infection with B19V and malaria in anaemia
was evaluated by analysing full blood cell counts, malaria and B19V DNA results from
these children. Results: The prevalence of B19V, malaria and co-infection with B19V
and malaria was 4.7%, 41.9% and 2.6%, respectively. Malaria posed a greater risk in the
development of mild anaemia compared to severe anaemia (OR=5.28 vrs 3.15) whereas
B19V posed a higher risk in the development of severe anaemia compared to mild
anaemia (OR=4.07 vrs 1.00) from a non-anaemic child. Persons with co-infection with
B19V and malaria had 2.23 times the risk (95% CI=0.40-12.54) of developing severe
anaemia should they already have a mild anaemia. The degree of anaemia was about
three times affected by co-infection (Pillai's trace=0.551, P=0.001) as was affected by
malaria alone (Pillai's trace=0.185, P=0.001). B19V alone did not significantly affect the
development of anaemia in a non-anaemic child. Microcytic anaemia was associated with
B19V and co-infection with B19V and malaria more than normocytic normochromic
anaemia. Conclusions: B19V was associated with malaria in cases of severe anaemia.
The association posed a significant risk for exacerbation of anaemia in mild anaemic
children. B19V and co-infection with B19V and malaria may be associated with
microcytic anaemia rather than normocytic normochromic anaemia as seen in cases of
B19V infection among persons with red cell abnormalities. Keywords: Malaria; Human
parvovirus B19; Anaemia; Ghana; Children.
28. New insights into our understanding of HIV-1 Vpr-mediated cell cycle arrest.
Levon Abrahamyan, Nebraska Center for Virology, School of Biological Sciences,
University of Nebraska – Lincoln, USA.
Summary: Pending.
29. Hepatitis C Virus (HCV): a smart virus that exploits host innate immunity to
benefit its replication- implications for treatment failure.
Limin Chen 1,2, Bing Liu 1, Shilin Li 1, Xiaoqiong Duan 1, and Yujia Li1. 1 Institute of
Blood Transfusion, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences/Peking Union Medical
College, Chengdu, Sichuan 610052, China; 2 Toronto General Research Institute,
University of Toronto, Toronto M5G 1L6 Canada.
Summary: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a blood-borne pathogen that infects 170 million
people worldwide. HCV utilizes a variety of strategies to evade host immune attack,
including 1) inhibition of type I interferon (IFN) production; 2) blocking Jak/STAT
signaling pathway; and 3) modulate anti-viral activities of interferon stimulated genes
(ISGs). These strategies are so successful that up to 80% of patients develop into chronic
infections. Most recently, we found that HCV even exploits host innate immunity to
favor its replication and to blunt IFN anti-HCV activity. Using cDNA microarray gene
expression profiling, we identified an 18-gene response signature that can be used to
predict whether a given patient will respond to IFN-based therapy or not, with an
accuracy of 96%. Further investigation into these 18 genes revealed an ubiquitin-like
ISG15/USP18 signaling pathway is involved in IFN resistance. Functional studies using
HCV in vitro cell culture (HCVcc) system indicated that both ISG15 and USP18 have
pro-HCV activity and are able to blunt the anti-HCV activity of IFN. In addition to the
mechanisms employed by HCV to combat type I IFN system to evade innate immunity,
HCV is even smarter to exploit this host anti-viral innate immune response to benefit its
own production, contributing to persistent infections.
30. Cytopathology of Infectious Diseases.
Liron Pantanowitz, Pathology at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center in the USA.
Summary: Microorganisms are often encountered in cytology specimens. It may be
difficult sometimes to determine if they represent contamination, colonization or true
infection. There are also many mimics of bugs in cytology samples. Since cytological
specimens may be the primary method used to detect infectious agents, the identification
of microorganisms based upon cytomorphologic appearance can on occasion prove
difficult. This talk will focus on the utility of cytopathology in the diagnosis of infectious
diseases, and emphasize the detection of common and rare microorganisms in various
cytologic specimens.
31. Giardia lamblia: A new target for miltefosine. Maha M. Eissa, Eglal I. Amer, Department of Medical Parasitology, Faculty of
Medicine, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt.
Summary: Giardia lamblia, the causative agent of giardiasis, is an intestinal infection
with worldwide distribution and high rates of prevalence. Increased resistance of the
parasite and the side effects of the reference drugs employed in the treatment of giardiasis
make it necessary to seek new therapeutic agents. Therefore, the aim of this study was to
examine the activity of hexadecylphosphocholine (miltefosine), a membrane active
alkylphospholipid, that is licensed as an antileishmanial agent against giardiasis. The
efficacy of miltefosine was evaluated both in vitro and in vivo in Swiss albino mice.
Results of the in vitro testing revealed susceptibility of G. lamblia trophozoites to
miltefosine with the following effective concentrations: EC50s of between 20 and 40 lM,
and EC90s of between 20 and 80 lM. Immediate total lysis of the organisms was
achieved by 100 lM. In vivo testing showed that oral administration of miltefosine, in a
daily dose regimen course of 20 mg/kg for three successive days, to infected mice
resulted in total elimination of the parasite from the intestine and amelioration of
intestinal pathology. Scanning and transmission electron microscopy studies revealed that
miltefosine induced severe morphological alterations to G. lamblia trophozoites, mainly
at the level of cell membrane and adhesive disc. In conclusion, we believe that this is the
first study highlighting G. lamblia as a possible new target for miltefosine.
32. SIV intra-host phylogeography and phylodynamics on the rhesus macaque
model of neuroAIDS. Marco Salemi, Department of Pathology, Immunology, and Laboratory Medicine,
University of Florida, College of Medicine, USA.
Summary: Pending.
33. Metabolic Characterization of Chronic Wound Biofilms.
Mary Cloud B. Ammons, the department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at Montana State
University in Bozeman, MT, USA.
Summary: Hospital-acquired infections are the sixth leading cause of death in the United
States and often result in non-healing wounds. A recent trend regards hospital-acquired
infections and pressure ulcers as the result of conditions in (and thus the burden of)
healthcare facilities, causing the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to cease
paying hospitals for these “preventable complications”, resulting in a significant shift in
the burden of the cost of healthcare ultimately back to the patient, with substantial
economic and social ramifications. Studies of interest include uncovering the
mechanisms at the root of the failure of the normal healing process that results in the
development of chronic wounds and with the promise of discovering novel therapeutic
paths by manipulation of metabolic phenotypes, including bacterial biofilm.
34. Drug Screening and Structural Biology of HIV-1 fusion glycoprotein-41.
Miriam Gochin, Shidong Chu, Hardeep Kaur, Vladimir Sofiyev, Joseph Walsh,
Guangyan Zhou, Principal Investigator, Department of Basic Sciences, Touro University
College of Medicine, Vallejo, CA 94592.
Summary: The HIV-1 transmembrane glycoprotein-41 (gp41) is responsible for fusion
of viral and host cell membranes during virus entry. Inhibition of gp41 can prevent new
infections from occurring. In this presentation, we will describe our work on specific
targeting of gp41 by fragments and small molecules. Such molecules could be useful for
preventing both viral and cell-to-cell transmission of HIV, including resurgence of latent
virus, or as an alternative therapy for multidrug resistant viral strains. Small molecules
described previously have shown only moderate activity against the virus, inhibiting at
low micromolar concentrations. For many of these molecules, mechanism of action was
not entirely clear, making optimization difficult. We have adopted a structure-based
approach that provides detailed and specific knowledge of the exact location and
orientation of bound ligands, a necessary prerequisite for optimization. Furthermore, we
have developed methods for identifying concomitant binding of ligands to adjacent
pockets on gp41, which provides opportunities for fragment linking and growing. By this
approach, we hope to enhance the activity of small molecules against HIV fusion.
35. Kidney and HIV infection. Mohamed G. Atta, Medicine, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Division of Nephrology,
USA.
Summary: This lecture describes the evolving kidney disorders in HIV patients in the
era of combined antiretroviral therapies and defines the role of various mediators in the
development of these disorders.
36. Persistent Elevation of Liver Enzymes during Pegylated Interferon Therapy of
Chronic Hepatitis C Virus: Role of Occult Hepatitis B. Mohamed H Emara1*, Ehab M Darweish1, Ahmed S Bihery1 , Salem Yousef 2, Heba F
Pasha3, 1 Tropical Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University,
Zagazig, Egypt. 2 Internal Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig
University, Zagazig, Egypt. 3Medical Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Medicine,
Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt.
Summary: Background and study aim: Lack of liver enzymes normalization may
discourage patients with chronic HCV from continuing therapy and may worry the
clinician about treatment outcomes, raising the suspicion about the presence of
concomitant causes of liver damage. The decision of discontinuing treatment solely on
the basis of elevated liver enzymes in patients who are HCV-RNA-negative would result
in a substantial proportion of patients not being cured of infection. We conducted this
study to test the assumption that persistent liver enzymes elevation in patients with
chronic HCV under pegylated interferon therapy who have achieved HCV clearance may
be due to an underlying occult hepatitis B virus infection. Patients and Methods: Seventy
six chronic HCV patients under treatment with pegylated-interferon/ribavirin therapy
were included. Group I (n=38); patients with persistent liver enzymes elevation despite
therapy, while group II (n=38); patients with persistently non elevated liver enzymes. All
patients were not viremic for HCV at the time of examination to hepatitis b virus. All
patients were investigated for occult hepatitis B virus infection. Results: HBV DNA was
detected in 3 patients (3.9%), anti-HBc and anti-HBs were detected each in 14 patients
(18.4%). None of the HBV markers showed statistical significance in relation to
persistently elevated liver enzymes. Conclusions: Occult hepatitis B virus infection is not
a cause of persistent elevation of liver enzymes during pegylated-interferon therapy of
chronic HCV. Key words: Occult hepatitis B, chronic HCV, liver enzymes , pegylated-
interferon.
37. Effect of alternative antibiotics in treatment of cefotaxime resistant spontaneous
bacterial peritonitis. Mohamed H Emara, Department of Tropical Medicine,(Gastroenterology, Hepatology
and Infectious Diseases), Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Egypt, M.Sc. in
Tropical Medicine, MD in Tropical Medicine.
Summary: AIM: To evaluate effective alternative antibiotics in treatment of cefotaxime
resistant spontaneous bacterial peritonitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred
cirrhotic patients with spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (ascitic fluid polymorphonuclear
cell count (PMNLs) ≥ 250 cells/mm3 at admission) were empirically treated with
cefotaxime sodium 2 g/12 h and volume expansion by intravenous human albumin. All
patients were subjected to history taking, complete examination, laboratory tests
(including a complete blood cell count, prothrombin time, biochemical tests of liver and
kidney function, and fresh urine sediment), chest x-ray film, a diagnostic abdominal
paracentesis, and the sample subjected to total and differential cell count, chemical
examination, aerobic and anaerobic cultures. Patients were divided after 2 d by a second
ascitic PMNLs count into group I; patients sensitive to cefotaxime (n=81), group II
(n=19); cases resistant to cefotaxime (less than 25% decrease in ascitic PMNLs count).
Patients of group II were randomly assigned into meropenem (n=11) or levofloxacin
(n=8) subgroups. All patients performed an end of treatment ascitic PMNLs count.
Patients were considered improved when: PMNLs decreases to <250 cells/mm3, no
growth in previously positive culture cases, and improved clinical manifestations with at
least 5 d of antibiotic therapy. RESULTS: Age (49.4±7.74 years, 51.5±8.08 years), sex
(male/female was 59.3%/40.7% vs 57.9%/42.1%), Child classes (B/C were 21%/79% and
5.3%/94.7%) showed non significant difference between group I and group II
respectively. Fever and abdominal pain were the most frequent manifestations and were
reported in 82.7% and 80.2% of patients in group I and in 94.7% and 84.2% of patients in
group II respectively. Patients of group II had a more severe ascitic inflammatory
response than group I and this was noticed by more ascitic LDH (range: 150-1200 IU/L,
median: 540 vs range: 180-500 IU/L, median: 240, P=0.000) and PMNLs (range: 957-
23822 cell/mm3, median: 15000 vs range: 695-26400 cell/mm3, median: 3400 P=0.000)
counts. Ascitic fluid culture was positive in 32% of cases (26 in group I and 6 in group
II). Cefotaxime failed in 19% of patients, of them meropenem gave response in 11
patients (100%) and levofloxacin gave response in 6 patients (75%) and 2 patients with
failed levofloxacin therapy were treated according to the in vitro culture and sensitivity
(one case was treated by vancomycin and one case was treated by ampicillin/sulbactam).
In group II meropenem subgroup had higher LDH (range: 108-860 IU/L vs range: 120-
491 IU/l, P=0.042) and PMNLs counts (range: 957-23822 cell/mm3 vs range: 957-
15222 cell/mm3, P=0.000) at initiation of the alternative antibiotic therapy; there was no
significant difference in the studied parameters between patients responsive to
meropenem and patients responsive to levofloxacin at the end of therapy (PMNLs/mm3,
mean±SD: 316.01±104.03 vs mean±SD: 265.63±69.61, P= 0.307). The isolated
organisms of group II were; enterococci, acinetobacter, expanded-spectrum β-lactamase
producing E. coli, β-lactamase producing Enterobacter and Staphylococcus aureus.
CONCLUSION: Empirical treatment with cefotaxime is effective in 81% of cases;
meropenem is effective in cefotaxime resistant cases.
38. Mouse models of Schmallenberg virus infection.
Mutien Garigliany, Systemic Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Liège, Belgium.
Summary: Schmallenberg virus is a recently discovered arthropod-born virus of the
Orthobunyaviridae family. It targets domestic and wild ruminants and is associated with a
milk-drop syndrome in adult cattle and severe reproductive disorders in cattle and sheep.
The risk of zoonotic transmission is considered as negligible. Mice are naturally resistant
to the infection, like humans. A first model using IFNAR-/- knock-out mice has been
proposed. Recently, a new model based on temporary inhibition of the type I interferon
response in immunocompetent mice has been described and a mouse strain has been
shown to be spontaneously susceptible. These models will shed new light on the
pathogenesis of this new virus and already raise questions about the supposed
harmlessness of the virus in humans.
39. Verruciform xanthoma: a case report. Ayanbadejo PO1, Umueizudike K A1, Ameh PO2, Ibukun-Obaro OO3, 1Department of
Preventive Dentistry, Faculty of Dental Sciences, College of Medicine, University of
Lagos, Idi-Araba, Nigeria. 2Department of Preventive Dentistry, Lagos University
Teaching Hospital, Lagos State, Nigeria. 3Department of Dental and Maxillofacial
Surgery, National Hospital Abuja, Nigeria.
Summary: Verruciform xanthoma first reported by Shafer in 1971, is an uncommon
benign mucocutaneous exophytic lesion with verrucous or papillomatous appearance but
may also be polypoid or sessile. Its colour varies from reddish pink to gray. It is found
most commonly on the oral mucosa particularly the gingiva and alveolar ridge. Less
common sites are the anogenital area. The age of occurrence is from 2 – 89 years, but
most oral cases occur between 40 - 50 years, with no gender predilection. Its
characteristic distinguishing histological feature is the presence of large number of foam
cells or xanthoma cells which are lipid laden histiocytes in the connective tissue of the
papillae of the lesion. We report a rare case of recurrent verruciform xanthoma in a 29
year old female in her 2nd trimester of pregnancy.
40. An update in facial wasting rehabilitation strategies.
Raffaele Rauso, University of Foggia, Consultant Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, Cranio-
Maxillo-Facial Surgery, Naples, Rome, Milan, Italy.
Summary: Nowadays facial wasting is considered a stigma of HIV-infection; well-
known are the devastant effects on facial features of the drugs used for the higly active
anti-retroviral therapy. Years after years, several techniques and filling devices have been
proposed to restore facial features of these patients. Several authors stated that when
facial wasting is associated with trunk lipohypertrophy (another side effect related to the
drugs intake), structural fat graft is the best option achievable, because at the same time,
removing the lipohypertrophied fat of the body, and using it to fill the face, let to reach a
great improvement both at the face and the body. However, often and often, the injected
fat can be resorbed in a very high percentage, so the use of dermal filler is quite frequent
to help the physicians in treating these patients in removing facial wasting’s stigma.
Several fillers have been proposed for this purpose, however, HIV-infected patients
presenting facial wasting are not like cosmetic patients seeking a little improvement,
these patients need a treatment more reconstructive than cosmetic; this is why long
lasting or permanent fillers are often used, and in these cases the physician need different
skills. Furthermore, it is very important how these fillers act once injected, and if late side
effects can be seen; so, only long follow-up let a physician, involved in this tretament, to
really understand what works and what doesn’t. The author presents what he learned by
its own experince, in using long-lasting and non-resorbable fillers for facial wasting
rehabilitation.
41. Application of Paraffin Metabolism for Performing Stand Alone Conventional
Isolation, ConventionalAntibiotic Sensitivity Testing, with the ability to easily link
up with Advanced Molecular Based Technologies in Concomitant TB and Non-
Tuberculous Mycobacterial Infections in HIV Patients.
Robert-A. Ollar, Neurology, New York Medical College, Molecular Biology Research
Program, Biliary and Pancreatic Surgery Division, Comprehensive Digestive Diseases
Center of New York, at Beth Israel Medical Center of New York, USA.
Summary: The current global crisis involving the pathogenic duo of TB and HIV is
further complicated by Multiple Drug Resistant and Extremely Drug Resistant TB and
concomitant Non-tuberculous Mycobacteriosis. This new scenario has made life more
difficult for clinical mycobacteriologists all over the world. This is especially the case
for small rural labs. The old venerable acid-fast smear which aided the early TB
pioneers such and Erhlich and Koch, unfortunately, does not enable us to simply and
rapidly distinguish between TB and Non-Tuberculous Mycobacteria (NTM). The
problem being that classical TB and NTM are both acid-fast. A distinction between TB
and NTM organisms needs to be made since the latter group of Mycobacterial Pathogens
require different antibiotics than those effectively used against TB. In the developed
world we can use advanced and expensive molecular based technologies to overcome this
problem. But what can be done in the developing countries of Africa especially in small
rural areas where both financial resources and highly skilled manpower are often in short
supply. Thus, and effective and low cost methodology is thus required to address this
new and extremely important complication of concomitant NTM Mycobacteriosis in
seropositive. Paraffin wax sole carbon source utilization by Non-Tuberculous
Mycobacteria such as M. avium Complex organisms and the inability of Mycobacterium
tuberculosis Complex to utilize paraffin wax as a sole carbon source in basal media is a
useful and often forgotten. For a period of more than a decade we have successfully
utilized paraffin wax sole carbon source baiting in labs in the USA, UK and India to
successfully perform, isolations, antibiotic sensitivity assays, and DNA extractions in
HIV scenarios where concomitant NTM infection. This methodology could readily
utilized in the developing countries of Africa.
42. Virulence Characterization of Salmonella Typhimurium 1,4,[5],12:i:-, the new
pandemic strain. Rui Seixas1, Jorge Machado2, Fernando Bernardo1, Cristina Lobo Vilela1, Manuela
Oliveira1, 1 CIISA/Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Technical University of Lisbon,
Avenida da Universidade Técnica, 1300-477, Lisboa, Portugal. 2 The National Health
Institute Doutor Ricardo Jorge (INSA), Avenida Padre Cruz, 1649-016 Lisboa, Portugal.
Summary: Salmonella spp. is the main bacterial pathogen responsible for foodborne
mortality in the United States and Europe. It may be responsible for gastroenteritis,
bacteremia and focal infections in humans, and may also affect several animal species.
Emergence of new pathogenic strains and serotypes with increased virulence has been
observed. They can rapidly spread among production animals and humans, representing a
major public health issue. In the mid-1990s has been reported in Europe the emergence of
a monophasic variant of Salmonella Typhimurium, Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica
serotype 1,4,[5],12:i:-. In 2010, the European Food Safety Authority Panel on Biological
Hazards alerted for the increasing number of outbreaks promoted by “Salmonella
Typhimurium-like” strains. Nowadays it seems to be one of the major serotypes
responsible for human salmonellosis cases worldwide. It has been isolated from several
animal species, such as poultry, cattle, swine, and turtles, and food products, such as
poultry and pork products. This serotype is very similar to S. Typhimurium at the
molecular level, but do not express fljB. Infections pathogenesis requires colonization,
invasion and intracellular survival, and virulence factors genes already identified in S.
Typhimurium 1,4,[5],12:i:- include spvC (virulence plasmid), invE and invA (invasion),
stn (enterotoxin), slyA (cytolysin) and pho (survival within macrophages) and genes
associated with fimbriae and adhesins expression. Although S. Typhimurium
antimicrobial resistance levels have been decreasing, incidence of resistant S.
“Typhimurium-like” strains has been escalating. The most frequent multidrug resistance
pattern is the ASSuT (ampicillin, streptomycin, sulfonamides, tetracyclines)
tetraresistance pattern, isolated from 30% of the human infection cases and also from
farming animals. Genes responsible for this MDR phenotype (blaTEM, strA-strB, sul2
and tet(B) genes) are present in a chromosomal resistance island. In Portugal, this
serotype has already been reported is chicken and pig carcasses, but genotypic and
phenotypic characterization studies are lacking and should be performed.
43. Impact of Maternal HIV Infection on Cord Blood Passive Antibody Levels
Against Protein and Polysaccharide Antigens in Exposed Uninfected Compared to
the Unexposed Infants. Shahana Choudhury, Pediatric Medicine, Meharry Medical College, USA.
Summary: Introduction: Little is known on passive antibody transfer of vaccine
preventable infections (VPI) in infants of HIV infected mothers. Differential placental
transfer of IgG1 versus IgG2 subclass antibodies from mother to her infant has been
documented in the literature. The purpose of the study was to assess if maternal HIV
infection has an impact on differential placental transfer of antibodies against protein
versus polysaccharide antigens. Methods: We evaluated antibody levels to bacterial and
viral antigens including tetanus, Streptococcuc pneumoniae (SPN), Hemophilus
influenzae type b (Hib), measles and varicella in a group of HIV infected and uninfected
mothers and cord blood of their infants. Both HIV infected and uninfected pregnant
women were enrolled into the study during their first, second, or third trimesters of
pregnancy and cord blood of their infants were prospectively collected at delivery.
Protective levels of the antibodies were defined for each infection. Antibody assays
included enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for SPN, Hib, tetanus and
measles; and indirect fluorescent antibody (IFA) test for varicella. Results: Antibody
levels were considerably lower in HIV infected mothers compared to their uninfected
counterparts for measles, Hib and SPN. Cord blood antibody levels were also
considerably lower in HIV- exposed uninfected infants compared to their unexposed
counterparts for measles and SPN. Mother- infant pair analysis demonstrated
considerably lower placental transfer of antibodies for Hib and SPN in HIV unexposed
infants only. Lower maternal CD4 counts (<500/mm3) in HIV infected mothers were
associated with significantly lower cord blood antibody levels to tetanus compared to
those with higher (>500/mm3) CD4 count. Conclusions: Infants born to HIV infected
mothers who are exposed but uninfected, may have considerably lower levels of
antibodies to VPI compared to their unexposed counterparts. There is also evidence of
significantly reduced transplacental transfer of T-cell dependent antibodies (protein
antigens) but not the T-cell independent (polysaccharide antigens). Larger prospective
studies may need to be performed to conclude these findings. Maternal immunization
during pregnancy against VPI may be justifiable in areas with higher prevalence of HIV
infection.
44. Factors associated with death in intensive care unit patients having ventilator
associated pneumonia.
Slobodan Jankovic1,2, Zorana Djordevic2, 1 - Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of
Kragujevac, 2 - Clinical Center, Kragujevac.
Summary: Background. The incidence of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP)
among patients on mechanical ventilation is from 15% to 25%, and mortality ranges from
33% to 38%. Aim. The aim of our study was to analyze importance of previously un-
investigated potential risk factors for death in intensive care unit (ICU) patients with
VAP. Methods. A cross-sectional design was chosen for this study. The study population
consisted of all patients who developed ventilator associated pneumonia in the central
ICU of a tertiary care hospital (n = 65) during the period of 6 months. Cases (n=45) were
patients who died during their treatment in the ICU, if their primary cause of death was
ventilator associated pneumonia. Controls (n=20) were patients with VAP who survived
their treatment in the ICU, and were transferred to other hospital wards. Results.
Significant associations were found between death and age over 65 (ORadjusted 10.66;
CI 1.22, 93.12; p = 0.032), death and hospitalization at another hospital ward prior to
ICU (ORadjusted 1.25; CI 1.03, 1.52; p = 0.28), death and infection on admission to ICU
(ORadjusted 434.39; CI 3.07, 61449.65; p = 0.016), and death and administration of
ceftriaxone prior to VAP (ORadjusted 69.32; 1.74, 2768.92; p = 0.024). Synergistic
effect on death was found only for age over 65 and infection on admission to ICU.
Conclusions. The ICU patients with VAP have increased mortality if they receive
ceftriaxone prophylactically, if they have an infection at admission to ICU and when their
age is advanced. Key Words. Ventilator-associated pneumonia; risk factors; death;
ceftriaxone.
45. Proteomics Analysis of HIV-Infected T-Cells in vitro Reveals Novel Proteins
Involved in the Development of Leukemia and Lymphoma. Suraiya Rasheed, Pathology, Laboratory of Viral Oncology, AIDS and Proteomics
Research, Edmondson Bldg., Department of Pathology, Keck School of Medicine
University of Southern California, USA.
Summary: Chronically HIV-infected individuals develop leukemia and lymphoma at a
higher frequency than the uninfected population groups. Most of these cancers have been
associated with the progression of immunosuppression and/or co-infections primarily
with HTLV-1, Epstein-Barr virus and other environmental risk factors. To study the
effects of chronic HIV infection, we studied genome-wide proteins from HIV-infected
and uninfected T-lymphocytes by subtractive proteomics analyses at various stages of
virus and cell growth in vitro over a period of 2-years. Herein, we report that T-cells
infected with HIV produce multiple proteins (transcription factors, tyrosine kinases,
serine-threonine kinases, growth factors, adhesion molecules, and other diffusible
signaling proteins) that have been significantly associated with the development of
lymphoma and leukemia (p= 8x10¹¹).
46. Nephrotic Syndrome in previously undiagnosed HIV infection in Lagos, Nigeria:
a case report.
Theophilus Umeizudike, Nephrology Unit, Department of Medicine, Lagos State
University Teaching Hospital, Nigeria.
Summary: This is a case of a previously undiagnosed 45 year old HIV infected male
patient presenting with features of Nephrotic syndrome at the nephrology outpatient
clinic of the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), in Nigeria. Nigeria
currently ranks second in HIV prevalence in Africa. No obvious high risk behaviour for
HIV infection was elicited from his family and social history, except the habitual clipper
at the barbers’. Haematological and serum biochemistry were done for the patient.
System review revealed a pulse rate of 80 beats/min, blood pressure (BP) of 150/100
mmHg and LDL cholesterol of 164mg/dl. Serology for HIV infection, requested as part
of hospital routine protocol for nephrotic syndrome was positive, this was later confirmed
by Western blot . CD4 counts and viral load were 284 cell/mm3 and 100,000 copies/ml
respectively. Both kidneys were found to be highly echogenic following a kidney scan. A
preliminary diagnosis of HIV related kidney disease complicated by
hypercholesterolemia and hypertension was made. Renal biopsy revealed a collapsing
variant of focal segmental glomerulosclerosis with dilated tubules characteristic of HIV
associated nephropathy (HIVAN). Patient was commenced on antiretroviral,
antihypertensive and lipid lowering therapies. Remarkable improvement was observed in
the patient within 2 months of initial therapy, as reflected by regression of the pedal
oedema, normalised BP, serum creatinine and lipid profile. Patient was followed up at the
nephrology clinic 2 years after HIV diagnosis. This case highlights the importance of
routine HIV screening for nephrotic syndrome patients; particularly in countries with
high HIV prevalence such as Nigeria and the relevance of kidney biopsy in the early
diagnosis and therapy of HIV related kidney disease.
47. “Viral Inducible Receptor”, An Alternative Concept for Viral Vaccination.
Tirasak Pasharawipas, Microbiology Unit, Department of Medical Science, Faculty of
Science, Rangsit University, Paholyothin Rd., Pathumthani, Thailand.
Summary: This presentation concerns the application of the viral inducible concept
which explains that individual cell has its own mechanism to prevent the virus to enter
the cell. The viral receptor binding molecules on the cell membrane down regulate after
the primary viral infection. Accordingly, it is assumed to be a native-cellular mechanism
to prevent the secondary viral infection. So far, most of the researchers try to develop
vaccines based on immunological principles of acquired immune responses. Although
viral vaccines, theoretically, can induce acquired immune response to prevent viral
infection, in reality most of the vaccines fail to perform protection in clinical practice,
especially the subunit vaccines. In addition, there are reports that low-immune-evolved
animals, which do not possess the acquired immune response, can also be vaccinated to
prevent specific viral infection. The viral inducible receptor concept can be relevant for
viral vaccination strategy in both low and high evolved immune animals. Keys words;
Virus, Vaccine, Inducible Viral receptor.
48. Treatment Outcome of HIV Positive Patients to Non-surgical Periodontal
Therapy in Lagos, Nigeria.
Umeizudike Kehinde Adesola, Department of Preventive Dentistry, Faculty of Dental
Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Nigeria.
Summary: Since the discovery of HIV infection, numerous studies have reported an
association between HIV infection and periodontal disease. An accelerated form of
chronic periodontitis has been described in HIV positive patients when compared with
healthy controls in both developed and developing countries. There are however few
documented reports particularly from developing countries on the effect of periodontal
therapy on periodontitis in HIV positive patients. The objective of our study was to
evaluate the treatment outcome of HIV positive patients to non-surgical periodontal
therapy. Twelve HIV positive patients (7 on HAART, 5 HAART naïve) were enrolled
into our study from the HIV outpatient clinic of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital.
The following periodontal indices [Oral hygiene Index Score (OHI-S), % sites with
Bleeding on probing (BOP), and % sites with probing pocket depth (PPD) ≥ 4mm] were
recorded at baseline and 3 months after the non-surgical periodontal therapy. The CD4
counts and viral load measurements of the patients were also recorded at baseline and 3
months after therapy. Our findings revealed a significant reduction in the mean % BOP
sites from 21.1 (baseline) to 9.3 (after 3 months) (p=0.000), the mean % PPD ≥ 4mm
from 6.59 (baseline) to 3.27 (after 3 months) (p=0.025). No significant reduction was
observed in the mean OHI-S of the patients after 3 months of periodontal therapy. The
slight changes observed in the CD4 counts and viral load were not of statistical
significance. Conclusion: The non-surgical periodontal therapy improved the periodontal
health status of the HIV positive patients as shown by the reduction in the % diseased
sites (BOP and PPD ≥ 4mm) 3 months after periodontal therapy. The influence of CD4
counts and viral load measurements were minimal. Keywords: HIV infection,
periodontitis, periodontal therapy
49. HIV in global Indigenous population: data gaps and challenges. Victor Minichiello1, Dr. Saifur Rahman1, Prof. Rafat Hussain2. 1. Faculty of the
Profession, The University of New England, New South Wales, Australia; 2. Rural
Medicine, The University of New England, New South Wales, Australia.
Summary: This paper reviews the epidemiology of HIV in Indigenous communities in
various parts of the world utilizing a range of data sources. Most of the epidemiological
information on HIV in Indigenous communities is limited to developed countries.
However, even in these settings, many of the published HIV reports do not provide
disaggregated data by Indigenous status, which has resulted in serious gaps in
understanding the burden of HIV. Lack of information is a particularly worrying
concerns for countries in Asia which is home to more than half of the global Indigenous
populations. Nevertheless, available data from both developed and developing countries
shows that the prevalence of HIV is on the increase among the Indigenous communities
and, in several instances, the rate of these infections is higher in most Indigenous groups
compared to non-Indigenous populations. Much closer collaboration amongst Indigenous
communities, researchers, health service providers, other stakeholders and policy makers
at each country-level will assist in addressing the challenges to reduce burden of HIV and
promote sexual health in global Indigenous people. This review discusses the urgent need
to collect more comprehensive and reliable data at the global level across various
Indigenous communities.
50. RNA silencing mediated resistance to a quarantine virus in fruit tree.
E. Di Nicola-Negri1, S. Monticelli2, A. Gentile2, C.Damiano2, M. Tavazza3 & V. Ilardi1,
1,2 Consiglio per la Ricerca e la Sperimentazione in Agricoltura (CRA); 1 CRA-Centro
di Ricerca per la Patologia Vegetale. Rome, Italy; 2 CRA-Centro di ricerca per la
Frutticoltura. Rome, Italy; 3 ENEA-CRE Casaccia, UTAGRI. Rome, Italy.
Summary: Of the various quarantine pathogens affecting fruit trees, Plum pox virus
(PPV), the etiological agent of sharka disease, is the most detrimental virus of stone
fruits. PPV is considered a quarantine pest, for example, by European and mediterranean
Plant Pathology Organization (EPPO), InterAfrican PhytoSanitary Council (IAPSC) and
North American Plant Protection Organization (NAPPO). The best agricultural
sustainable approach to prevent viral diseases consists in developing virus-resistant
plants. In this context we report the production of transgenic plums together with a
contained and rapid evaluation in vitro for PPV resistance. Plum was transformed by
Agrobacterium tumefaciens using a PPV derived hairpin construct (h-UTR/P1) that had
previously been shown to confer high, robust and broad-spectrum PPV resistance in
model plant, also under biotic and abiotic stress conditions (Di Nicola-Negri et al., 2005,
Transgenic Res. 14:489-94; Di Nicola-Negri et al., 2010 Plant Cell Rep 29:1435-1444;
Di Nicola et al. in preparation). Two transgenic clones, St24 and St28, were obtained. In
order to assess their ability to resist PPV infection in completely contained conditions
both for transgenic plants and the quarantine virus, transgenic plum apexes were
micrografted in vitro on PPV-infected peach rootstocks. A total of 97% (47/48) of St24
and 73% (17/23) of St28 tested plants were resistant to PPV. The higher percentage of
resistant plants of St24 compared to St28 clone could be explained by a direct correlation
between the level of specific siRNAs produced and the observed resistance. The results
are of interest not only developing plum clones that are highly resistant to sharka, but also
for setting up quick and contained inoculation test procedure.
51. From Waste to Employment Opportunities and Wealth Creation; A Case Study
of Utilization of Livestock By-Products in Hargeisa, Somaliland.
Wamalwa Kinyanjui and Juddy Elizabeth Opiyo Tindi, Food and Agriculture
Organization of United Nations, Somalia, P.O Box 30470-00100, Nairobi.
Summary: The objective of the study was to investigate the involvement of vulnerable
women and youths in innovative livestock by-products value addition to create
alternative employment opportunities and diversify wealth creation livelihood activities
through DFID UKaid SEED funded programme in the security fragile state of Somaliland
that has few opportunities of formal employment. The study focused on the processes and
achievements of the SEED programme towards deriving maximum benefits from
livestock by-products instead of concentrating on meat production and consumption only.
During the programme intervention, an initial forty (40) beneficiaries of various trade
skills and academic levels were selected through SOMDA for capacity development with
competency based training (CBT) skills. One of the primary advantages of CBT was that
it focused on the success of each participant. The training focused on each trainee
attaining a small number of specific and job-related competencies in bone-craft trinkets
and laundry soap production. By the end of SEED phase I, the intervention created a total
of 120 direct jobs who were involved in soap and bone-crafts production giving the
impetus of making full use of the meat value chain and creating a viable source of
employment and income for vulnerable women and youths in Somaliland contributing to
increased Somali economy from the main lifeline of Somalia population that is anchored
on livestock production and trade. Keywords: SEED, employment creation, bonecrafts,
soap production, economic development.
52. Role of cortical actin and chemotactic actin activity in HIV infection of human
memory and naïve CD4 T cells.
Yuntao Wu, National Center for Biodefense and Infectious Diseases, Department of
Molecular and Microbiology, George Mason University, Manassas, VA 20110, USA.
Summary: Human memory and naïve CD4 T cells can mainly be identified by the
reciprocal expression of the CD45RO or CD45RA isoforms. In HIV-1 infection, blood
CD45RO memory CD4 T cells are preferentially infected and serve as a major viral
reservoir. The molecular mechanism dictating this differential susceptibility to HIV-1
remains largely obscure. Our recent studies suggest that the different susceptibility of
memory and naïve T cells to HIV may not be determined by restriction factors such as
Apobec3G or BST2. However, we observed a phenotypic distinction between human
CD45RO and CD45RA resting CD4 T cells in their cortical actin density and actin
dynamics. CD45RO CD4 T cells possess a higher cortical actin density and can be
distinguished as CD45RO+/Actin/high. In contrast, CD45RA T cells are phenotypically
CD45RA+/Actin/low. In addition, the cortical actin in CD45RO memory CD4 T cells is
more dynamic and can respond to low dosages of chemotactic induction by SDF-1,
whereas that of naïve cells cannot, despite a similar level of the chemokine receptor
CXCR4 present on both cells. We further demonstrate that this difference in the cortical
actin contributes to their differential susceptibility to HIV-1; resting memory but not
naïve T cells are highly responsive to HIV-mediated actin dynamics which promote
higher levels of viral entry and early DNA synthesis in resting memory CD4 T cells.
Furthermore, transient induction of actin dynamics in resting naïve T cells rescues HIV
latent infection following CD3/CD28 stimulation. These results suggest a key role of
chemotactic actin activity in facilitating HIV-1 latent infection of these T cell subsets.
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