Day 3 :
Keynote Forum
Glenn S Tillotson
Cempra Pharmaceuticals, USA
Keynote: New macrolides: A much needed evolution
Time : 09:00-09:30
Biography:
Glenn S Tillotson has over 30 years pharmaceutical experience in pre-clinical and clinical research, commercialization, medical affairs, scientific communications including publication planning strategic drug development, life cycle management and global launch programs. He has been instrumental in the development and launch of ciprofloxacin, moxifloxacin, gemifloxacin, fidaxomicin and several other agents. He is a SVP of Medical Affairs where he is preparing for the launch of solithromycin for community acquired bacterial pneumonia. He has published more than 170 peer-reviewed manuscripts and is on several journal Editorial Advisory Boards including the Lancet Infectious Disease, eBioMedicine, Expert Reviews in Anti-infective Therapy and F1000.
Abstract:
The macrolide class of antibiotics has been in clinical use for over 50 years being the backbone of many empirical therapies in both adults and children. The first of the class was erythromycin which was acid labile and of modest antibacterial activity thus clarithromycin was chemically modified from the parent molecule to yield a more acid stable drug with better activity. Additionally it could be given twice a day. Soon after this improvement azithromycin was developed as a once a day drug with an almost similar bacterial profile. However as these antibiotics was used extensively often as initial therapy in a broad range of respiratory infections across the globe resistance developed by two different mechanisms and thereby reducing activity against Streptococcus pneumoniae quite significantly. Indeed in some parts of Asia resistance rates of 80-90% are reported although in the USA it is currently around half of all strains are resistant to the most frequently prescribed oral drug for community acquired pneumonia. In view of this the first ketolide telithromycin was developed to be active against the resistant pneumococcal isolates. It was used very broadly in respiratory tract infections and was soon noticed to cause several severe adverse reactions including liver failure, visual disturbances, neurological events and other significant reactions. In the intervening decade solithromycin, a fourth generation macrolide and the first fluoroketolide has been developed initially for community acquired bacterial pneumonia based on its superior antibacterial activity especially against azithromycin resistant pneumococci based on a unique mode of action. The clinical dossier is with the FDA for review by end of 2016.
Keynote Forum
Eugenie Bergogne-Berezin
Centre Hospitalo-Universitaire Bichat-Claude Bernard, France
Keynote: Rationale approach to combat resistance
Time : 09:30-10:00
Biography:
Eugenie Bergogne-Berezin is a Professor of Clinical Microbiology at University Diderot, Paris. She has studied MD in Medicine and PhD in Sciences in the early 1970s. She is a Chief of Department of Clinical Microbiology and research group, University Bichat Claude-Bernard and developed research on Acinetobacter spp., (nosocomial pathogen, pathogenicity, resistance), pharmacology of antibiotics, tissue distribution (lungs, brain, bronchi), research on intestinal ecology, jejunal flora and bacterial adhesion. She is an Adviser to pharmaceutical companies, expert in pharmacology-toxicology for the Ministry of Health, expert for international journals. She has developed a journal Antibiotics, (Elsevier). She has published 6 medical books, many chapters in international infectious diseases books, 200 articles in scientific journals.
Abstract:
After 60 years of use of antibiotics, the world experienced antibiotic resistance. Dissemination of genes of resistance in hospitals, in population has imposed to experts to look for measures to combat resistance, major challenges in developed countries. Combat antibiotic resistance includes knowledge of resistance mechanisms, role of genes associated to gene cassettes, multidrug resistance with transmissible plasmids, efflux mode of resistance, role of integrons in acquisition of resistance genes. Among pharmacologic factors, antibiotic distribution in body at site of infection, low serum concentrations (sub-MICs) are factors for emergence of resistance; intracellular concentrations of macrolides, fluoroquinolones are needed to eradicate intra-cellular Legionella, chlamydia. Pharmacokinetic parameters are factors for proper use of antibiotics to combat resistance. Research for new antibiotics is developing in Biotech companies: Rehabilitation of antibiotic classes (glycopeptides, ketolides, oxazolidinones) to overcome resistant Gram positive bacteria; a renovated cyclic peptide colistin (polymyxin) active against “super-bug” Acinetobacter baumannii. β-lactamase inhibitors clavulanate, sulbactam, tazobactam did not solve resistance related to β-lactamases C, D, carbapenemases: New β-lactamase inhibitors NXL-104, MK-7655 restore activities to imipenem, 3d generation cephalospsorins. Newer drugs based on integrated new tools, combinatory chemistry, high speed parallel synthesis, genomics and proteomics, able to lead to new bacterial targets: DNA replication, target genes, cellular division, secretion of efflux pumps. Inhibition of virulence of bacterial communication systems, immunomodulatory systems are leading to new molecules: Artilysins as cell wall targets, Torezolid, active on MRSA, Iclaprim (a diaminopyridine-dihydrofolate reductase) inhibits VRSA. The current clinical development estimated in March 2015 the number of new antibiotics to 36 molecules in clinical development in the US.
Keynote Forum
Stef Stienstra
Dutch Armed Forces/Royal Dutch Navy, Netherlands
Keynote: Investing in public health gives especially in low income countries extremely impressive returns
Time : 10:00-10:30
Biography:
Stef Stienstra is a strategic and creative Consultant in Biomedical Science with a parallel career as a Commander of the reserve of the Royal Dutch Navy. For the Dutch Armed Forces he has responsibility for the counter measures in CBNRe threats and (Medical) consequence management both in a military and a civilian (terrorism) setting. He is a strategic functional specialist for “Health & Environment” of the 1-Civil-Military-Interaction Command (1-CMI) of the Dutch Armed Forces and for 2015 also in the NATO Response Force (NRF), which is in 2015 the responsibility of the 1-German-Netherlands-Corps (1-GNC). In his civil career he works internationally as Consultant or as Scientific Supervisory Board Member for several medical and biotech companies, merely involved in biodefense. He is also a Visiting Professor for Punjab University in Pakistan and Rhein-Waal University in Germany. He has completed his studies in Medicine and in Biochemistry at the University of Groningen in The Netherlands and has extensive practical experience in cell biology, immuno-hematology, biodefense and transfusion medicine. His natural business acumen and negotiation competence helps to initiate new successful businesses, often created out of unexpected combinations of technologies. His good understanding of abstract science combined with excellent skills in the communication of scientific matters to non-specialists, helps him with strategic consulting at top level management.
Abstract:
The implementation of the International Health Regulation (IHR) of WHO in 2005 for worldwide public health systems is already in its second extension phase. At the 2012 deadline only 16% of the countries were fully prepared to detect and respond to pandemics. In 2014 the Ebola Virus Disease outbreak in West Africa was another indicator that WHO’s IHR has to be taken seriously. Especially the biosecurity part of IHR is not fully in place yet for most developing countries which make the world vulnerable for bioterrorism. The returns from investing in public healthcare are extremely impressive and are not a high risk venture as with a rapid mortality decline many ‘value life years’ (VLYs) are gained. For low and middle income countries typically about a quarter of the growths full income resulted from VLYs gained and supports not only the local economy but also the world economy. Therefore several international programs help to prepare low and middle income countries to mitigate outbreaks of infectious diseases. EU CBRN CoE initiatives and the US CBEP, DTRA, CTR, GEIS, DIMO, USAID, PEPFAR and several other programs are involved in establishing public health systems and give local healthcare workers trainings in both disease outbreak mitigation and biosecurity. Zoonotic diseases are the most dangerous for outbreaks as the population does not have natural nor artificial (from vaccination) immune response to new emerging diseases. The recent Ebola Virus Disease outbreak in West Africa was such an example and with proper blood bank facilities in place, the therapy with immunoglobulins obtained from plasma donations survivors was a relatively cheap and effective therapy. International there was some criticism, as for this therapy it is extremely important that the convalescent plasma has to be safe for other blood transmissible diseases but as with other convalescent plasma therapies is feasible, the necessary safety tests can be done also in the laboratories which are installed for the outbreak diagnosis. Convalescent plasma can be obtained from a donor who has survived the disease with a novel hollow fiber blood separation technology of Hemanua and immunoglobulin concentration, which does not need have any sophisticated infrastructure. This patented and recently developed disposable device is developed in cooperation with the Irish Blood Transfusion Service.
Keynote Forum
Ashok Kapse
Mahavir Super Specialty Hospital, India
Keynote: Emerging and re-emerging infections
Time : 10:30-11:00
Biography:
Ashok Kapse is a consulting Pediatrician practicing in the city of Surat in the Gujarat state of India, besides owning a private pediatric hospital he is also the Head of the Pediatric Department at a prestigious Mahavir Super Specialty Hospital. After completing graduation (MBBS) he did MD in Pediatrics. Initially he has worked as a Professor of Pediatrics at Medical College Surat, later he opted out for private practice however pursued academic interest. He has developed special interest and skills in infectious diseases. He is a recipient of many oration awards and delivered hundreds of lectures on dengue, malaria, typhoid and antibiotic uses across India. He has decorated many posts in medical fields: President of Surat City Branch of Indian Academy of Pediatrics (IAP), President of Gujarat State Branch of IAP and National President of Infectious Diseases Branch of IAP are few of them. He is an avid Clinical Photographer; his photos figure into various books and atlases including the prestigious atlas of infectious diseases published by American Academy of Pediatrics. He has published umpteen articles in peer reviewed journals.
Abstract:
We can look forward with confidence to a considerable degree of freedom from infectious diseases at a time not too far in the future. Indeed, it seems reasonable to anticipate that within some measurable time, all the major infections will have disappeared. T. Aidan Cockburn: The Evolution and Eradication of Infectious Diseases; 1963. Five years later the U.S. surgeon general noted that it might be possible with interventions such as antimicrobials and vaccines to “close the book” on infectious diseases and shift public health resources to chronic diseases. How shoddily wrong they were; at about same time there were trickling reports about a crippling wasting disease among Africans which was noticed by missionaries. Soon world realized that these were the earliest cases of a newly emerging infectious disease: HIV/AIDS. The incidence of emerging infectious diseases in humans has increased within the recent past or threatens to increase in the near future. Over 30 new infectious agents have been detected worldwide in the last three decades; 60 percent of these are of zoonotic in origin. A newly emerging disease is a disease that has never been recognized before. HIV/AIDS is an emerging disease, so is severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and a recent H1N1 pandemic. Re-emerging, or resurging diseases are those that have been around for decades or centuries but have come back in a different form or a different location, few of the examples are emergence of microorganisms resistant to antimicrobials to which these were previously sensitive, P. vivax acquiring severity, resurgence of diphtheria & Pertussis and recent Ebola outbreak. Microbes could also be the agents of bioterrorism, they are intentionally introduced to harm mankind and thereby they become instruments of deliberately emerging diseases the most recent and important example of which is anthrax. The human species lives in a delicate balance with microbial species; there is an ever-present tension between the two. If we perturb this balance, microbes almost always figure out a way to counterbalance the effect; encroachment of human civilization on the environment and on the microbial species that inhabit our environment invariably triggers emergence or reemergence of infectious diseases. Multiple factors like forest land use for economic development, human demographics & behavior and ever increasing international travel contribute to the emergence and re-emergence of infectious diseases. Two fundamental characteristics of microbe’s namely rapid replication and mutation allow them to circumvent our attempts to control them. Their ability to replicate and mutate gives them the advantage of selectively circumventing human interventions, be they antimicrobials, vaccines or public health measures. In this battle with microbes we the humans have two important weapons in our armamentarium: an intellect and a will. We use our intellect and will to implement public health measures, biomedical research and technological advances to contain or at least strike a balance with microbial species that rely on genes, replication and mutation.“The future of humanity and microbes likely will unfold as episodes of a suspense thriller that could be titled “Our Wits versus Their Genes”; so rightly said by Dr. Joshua Lederberg.
Keynote Forum
Lalit Garg
University of Malta, Malta
Keynote: Infectious disease progression modeling
Time : 11:00-11:30
Biography:
Lalit Garg has received his PhD degree from the University of Ulster, UK in 2010. He has received his first degree in Electronics & Communication Engineering from the Barkatullah University, India in 1999 and Postgraduate degree in Information Technology from ABV-IIITM, Gwalior, India in 2001. He is currently a Senior Lecturer in Computer Information Systems at the University of Malta, Malta. He was a Researcher at the Nanyang Technological University, Singapore and at the University of Ulster, UK. His research interests include missing data handling, machine learning, data mining and their applications especially in the healthcare domain. He has published more than 60 technical papers in refereed journals and conferences.
Abstract:
Models which can predict disease progression are useful for aiding clinicians in prescribing the correct treatment at the optimal time to produce the best outcome for the patient. Positive correlations between changes in a patient’s infection state with respect to other factors of the patient’s profile such as age, gender and treatment. We utilize artificial neural networks and phase type survival trees with differing combinations of input covariates to find which ones provide the best predictor of the future state. To demonstrate the model, we used a dataset of 1,838 patients infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) which were enrolled in the Italian public structures between January 1996 and January 2008. The proposed disease progression models effectively cluster, identify and quantify the effects of these covariates and their interaction in the prediction of HIV disease progression. Our results show that antiretroviral treatment (ART) is the best prognosticator of a patient’s future state followed by the CD4+ T-lymphocyte measurement. Other covariates such as gender and age have little impact on the overall accuracy in prediction. Results improved dramatically when predicting if the patients’ next state was AIDS (Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome). These results should aid in the management of HIV and its treatment while the methods developed through this research can also be useful for modeling disease progression in patients who have other chronic conditions or diseases such as tuberculosis (TB), the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), cardiovascular disease (CVD), cancer and diabetes.
Keynote Forum
K C Santosh
University of South Dakota, USA
Keynote: Automated chest X-ray screening for the evidence of pulmonary abnormalities
Time : 11:50-12:20
Biography:
K C Santosh worked as a research fellow at the U.S. National Library of Medicine (NLM), National Institutes of Health (NIH). He worked as a postdoctoral research scientist at the LORIA research centre, Universite de Lorraine in direct collaboration with industrial partner ITESOFT, France, for 2 years. He also worked as a research scientist at the INRIA Nancy Grand Est research centre for 3 years, until 2011. K C Santosh has demonstrated expertise in pattern recognition, image processing, computer vision and machine learning with various applications in handwriting recognition, graphics recognition, document information content exploitation, medical image analysis and biometrics. He published more than 60 research articles, including a book section in encyclopedia of electrical and electronics engineering.
Abstract:
The talk is aimed at presenting an automatic chest X-rays screening system to detect pulmonary abnormalities using chest X-rays (CXR) in non-hospital settings. In particular, the primary motivator of the project is the need for screening HIV+ populations in resource-constrained regions for the evidence of Tuberculosis (TB). The system analyzes thoracic edge map, shapes as well as symmetry that exists between the lung sections of the posteroanterior CXRs. In this study, we have used two CXR benchmark collections made available by the U.S. National Library of Medicine and have achieved a maximum abnormality detection accuracy of 88.67% and the corresponding area under the ROC curve of 0.95, which outperforms the reported state-of-the-art.