Conference Schedule

Day1: June 18, 2018

Keynote Forum

Biography

Stef Stienstra works internationally for several medical and biotech
companies as Scientific Advisory Board Member and is active Reserve-Officer of the Royal Dutch Navy in his rank as Commander (OF4). For the Dutch Armed Forces CBRNe specialist with focus on (micro) biological and chemical threats and medical, environmental functional specialist within the 1st CMI (Civil-Military Interaction) Battalion of the Dutch Armed Forces. For Expertise France, he is now managing an EU CBRN CoE public health project in West Africa. He is a Visiting Professor at the University of Rome Tor Vergata giving lectures for the CBRN Master study. In Civilian position, he at this moment developing with MT-Derm in Berlin (Germany) a novel interdermal vaccination technology as well as a new therapy for cutaneous leishmaniasis for which he has won a Canadian Grand Challenge grant. With Hemanua in Dublin (Ireland) he has developed an innovative blood separation unit, which is also suitable to produce convalescent plasma for Ebola Virus Disease therapy. He has finished his studies both in Medicine and in Biochemistry in The Netherlands with a Doctorate and has extensive practical experience in Cell Biology, Immuno-Hematology, Infectious Diseases Biodefense and Transfusion Medicine.

Abstract

Introduction: It is impossible to protect whole nations from the effects of bioterrorism by preventive vaccination. There are too many possible agents, the costs would be exorbitantly high, and the health risks associated with complex mass vaccination programs
would be unacceptable for the public health authorities. Adequate protection, however, could be provided via a combination of
rapid detection and diagnosis with proper treatment for those exposed to biological weapon agents. Preferably this should be done with therapeutics, which would be beneficial in all stages of infection to disease. Monoclonal antibodies, preferably from human origin, can be used to prevent severe complications by neutralizing or blocking the pathological elements of biological agents and these are the optimal candidates to be deployed in case of biological warfare or a bioterrorist event.
Methods: Research in aerosol challenged rabbits has shown that the application of a combination of a human monoclonal antibody against the protective antigen
(PA) and one against the lethal factor (LF) of the anthrax toxin is highly efficacious even when given 48 hours after the exposure.
Results: In these models, all animals are symptomatic around 30 hrs after exposure and all exposed but untreated rabbits have died around 90 hrs after exposure. The successful therapeutic antibodies were fully human IgG1 (κ-light chain) antibodies,
with an affinity of around 10-10 M against the protective antigen (PA) and 10-9 M against the lethal factor (LF) toxin components of Bacillus anthracis.
Conclusion: The lifesaving treatment of the animals with a normal dose has proven to still be effective when the treatment is given 48 hours after the lethal dose in a model where the mean time to death of untreated animals is around 90 hrs after exposure. This is important for the real life setting as not everybody will immediately be aware of the infection with anthrax spores, or will have access
to immediate treatment. The ability of the dual antibody approach, enabling successful treatment even when victims are clearly symptomatic, will have a significant impact on managing the anthrax threat.

Biography

Hassan A Hemeg is an Associate Professor at Taibah University, Saudi Arabia. He published several papers in Medical Microbiology. He leads several committees in health organizations related to the healthcare accreditation His new area of research interest is the Nano-Material and the Implementation in the Antimicrobial Therapy

Abstract

Despite an array of cogent antibiotics, bacterial infections, notably those produced by nosocomial pathogens still remain a leading factor of morbidity and mortality around the globe. They target the severely ill, hospitalized and immunocompromised patients with the incapacitated immune system, who are prone to infections. The
choice for antimicrobial therapy is largely empirical and is not devoid of toxicity, hypersensitivity, teratogenicity and/or mutagenicity. The emergence of multi-drug resistant bacteria further intensifies the clinical predicament as it directly impacts public health due to the diminished potency of current antibiotics. In addition, there is an escalating concern with respect to biofilm-associated infections that are refractory to the presently available
antimicrobial armory, leaving almost no therapeutic option. Hence, there is a dire need to develop alternate antibacterial agents. The past decade has witnessed a substantial upsurge in the global use of nanomedicines as innovative tools for combating the high rates of antimicrobial resistance. Antibacterial activity of
several metal and metal oxide nanoparticles has been reported. The microbes are eliminated either by microbicidal effects of the nanoparticles such as release of free metal ions culminating in cell membrane damage, DNA interactions, free radical generation, or by the microbistatic effects coupled with killing potentiated by the host's immune system. The diverse annihilative effects of
conventional and green nanomaterials on the bacteria are discussed in this review. Combinatorial therapy with metallic nanoparticles as adjunct to the existing antibiotics, may aid to restrain the mounting menace of bacterial resistance and nosocomial threat.

Biography

Lelouvier B received his PhD in Cellular and Molecular
Neurobiology from the University Pierre et Marie Curie, Paris VI, France, in 2007. After a Postdoctoral fellowship at the National
Institutes of Health (USA), he joined Vaiomer in 2012. As Cellular and Molecular biology Group Leader and Head of Biomarkers Discovery, he with his group developed the molecular tools (16S qPCR and 16S metagenomics sequencing) to study specifically the blood and tissue microbiomes, before becoming Chief Scientific Officer of Vaiomer in 2016. The study of tissue and blood microbiota allows Vaiomer to link intestinal dysbiosis and tissular inflammation for the development of biomarkers and therapeutics in the fields of cardiometabolic diseases, neurodegenerative disorders and bacterial infection.

Abstract

Diagnosis and treatment of bloodstream infection (BSI) and tissue infections will greatly benefit from sensitive and exhaustive molecular methods to detect bacterial DNA in blood, such as quantitative PCR (qPCR) and 16S metagenomics sequencing. Such approaches were already studied with the aim of reducing the turnaround time and increasing the sensitivity of the microbiota detection in suspected BSI. However, this type of molecular
diagnosis is greatly complicated by the presence of human DNA and PCR inhibitors in blood and tissue, as well as bacterial DNA contaminants present in the environment, reagents and consumables, which dramatically hamper the signal to noise ratio of qPCR and sequencing pipelines. In the course of our investigations into the role of tissue microbiota in cardiometabolic diseases we developed specific optimized pipelines of qPCR and 16S targeted metagenomic sequencing to analyze blood and tissue bacterial DNA, despite the technical difficulties associated with this sample types. Using these
molecular tools we have demonstrated the existence of a highly diversified blood microbiome in healthy human donors and shown the association between changes in the blood microbiome and liver fibrosis in obese patients. These assays were primarily designed to analyze bacterial DNA in blood and tissue of healthy donors and patients with no infectious disease, and therefore their signal to noise ratios are really high. Indeed, we demonstrated that they are also capable of detecting culture negative polymicrobial BSI and bone infection in patients at early stages of the infection.

Tracks

  • Bacterial Infections | Industrial and Applied Bacteriology|Bacteriology in Public Health | Bacterial Pathogenesis | Advanced Bacterial Identification
Location: paris
Speaker

Stef Stienstra

Royal Dutch Armed Forces, Netherlands

Chair

Speaker

Hassan A Hemeg

Taibah University, Saudi Arabia

Co Chair

Biography

Juana Ortellado-Canese, Biochemistry from the Faculty of Chemical Sciences of the Universidad Nacional de Asunción, Paraguay (UNA), Master in Clinical Mycology of the Universidad Nacional del Nordeste, Resistencia, Argentina. She is Specialist in Clinical Microbiology, University Didactics and Research
Methodology, Public Health and Hospital Administration. She is a Professor of Microbiology and Parasitology and Head of the Microbiology Department of the Central Laboratory of Hospital de Clínicas – Facultad de Ciencias Médicas-UNA. She is a PAHO/WHO Temporary Advisor. She was a Past President of the Association of Biochemists of Paraguay and the Paraguayan Society of Microbiology. She is a Member of the Leader Circle of Ambassadors of the American Society of Microbiology (ASM). She is National Representative for the International Federation of Clinical Chemistry (IFCC). She is Member of the Latin American Confederation of Clinical Biochemistry (COLABIOCLI)..

Abstract

Antimicrobial resistance spreads due to the misuse of antimicrobial drugs, low quality medicines, weak laboratory capacity and surveillance, insufficient regulation, and inadequate programs. In the last 10 years, P. aeruginosa and Acinetobacter spp. have acquired resistance mechanisms and emerged as the most problematic bacteria in the 21st century. Treatments have failed to work, resulting in patients’ longer stays in hospital settings and scientists search for novel therapeutic targets. Interest in intrinsic resistance genes has increased; these gene products may provide the emergence of new drugs. However, the impermeability of cellular envelopes and the constitutive expression of efflux pumps can lead to the mobilization of resistant genes. In Paraguay, we isolated the first regional Acinetobacter pitti, carrying a metallobeta lactamase of the NDM-1 type. Previously, molecular methods confirmed the circulation of bacteria with different resistance mechanisms, such as extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBL) and carbapenemase. Recently the circulation of mcr-1 in strains of enterobacteria was confirmed by molecular methods. The objective of the present study was to trace events concerning the discovery and emergence of the mcr-1 gene along with the presence of ESBL and carbapenemase genes. From January to April of this year, 13 strains,associated with different hospitalized patients (10 of A. baumannii and three of P.aeruginosa) were isolated from five different hospitals. The strains were submitted to the antimicrobial section of the LCSP, indicating resistance to several families of antibiotics, including colistin (with MIC between 4 and 16 ug/ml). Also, the presence of carbapenemases (NDM-1, OXA 23 and OXA 51) was confirmed, but the presence of the mcr-1 gene was discarded. It is recommended to strengthen surveillance programs and epidemiological research in all centers of the country for efficient detection of multi-drug resistant microorganisms.

Biography

Michael T Brady is a Professor of Pediatrics at The Ohio State University. He is currently an Associate Medical Director, the Medical Director of Patient Safety and the Physician Director of Epidemiology/ Infection Control at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, Ohio. He is a pediatric infectious disease, Clinician and Researcher. He is an Associate Editor of the 2015 and 2018 American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Infectious Disease Red Book. He has made presentations on Maternal Immunizations nationally and internationally. He has nearly 90-peer-reviewed publications and has contributed to more than 100 policy statements and guidelines related to infections in children.

Abstract

Many infectious diseases can adversely affect the health of pregnant women, adversely impact the fetus directly during gestation and cause infectious illnesses in newborn infants who are too young to receive benefit from available vaccines. Globally, 10-50% of still births are due to maternal fetal infections; 600,000-800,000- neonatal deaths are due toinfections.Immunization during pregnancy with vaccines targeting tetanus, pertussisand influenza have already shown evidence of providing improved maternal health during pregnancy, fewer adverse fetal events and reduced illness in young infants. The ability of these 3 vaccines to provide protection to mothers, fetuses and infants serves as a proof of concept that maternal immunization is an effective means to prevent some of the most serious bacterial and viral infections in the perinatal and postnatal periods. Many infections in the neonatal and immediate post-natal period are caused by vaccine-preventable infections which are acquired at an age prior to completion of currently available and effective vaccines , e.g. pertussis, meningococcal group B, Haemophilus influenzae type b, pneumococcus and influenza. There still are other important infections in young infants for which there are no currently approved vaccines but there are investigational vaccines, e.g. group B streptococcus and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), which show promise for reducing the impact of these infections in young infants. Utilizing vaccines more effectively during pregnancy could result in better health outcomes for the mother, her off-spring or both. Considerations that will impact successful utilization of a maternal immunization strategy include: (1) vaccine safety during pregnancy for mother, fetus and infant; (2) vaccine efficacy for mother, fetus and infant; (3) optimal timing during pregnancy to administer maternal vaccines; (4) increasing capacity and acceptance of vaccine administration by
obstetric providers; and (5) cost-effectiveness.

Biography

Anh Thi Van Nguyen has completed her PhD (2004) in Life Science from Tohoku University, Japan. Currently, she is a Lecturer at Key laboratory of Enzyme and Protein Technology, VNU University of Science, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, Vietnam. She is an expertise in diversified fields of Recombinant Protein Expression on the Surface of Bacillus subtilis Spores for Application in Vaccine and Drug Delivery, Development of Silica Coated Magnetic Nanoparticles to extract DNA/RNA from Clinical Samples for Diagnostics, and Production of Novel Probiotics and Prebiotics as Functional foods. She has published 22 papers in international referred scientific journals (ISI ranking), authored 3 contracts of Scientific Transferred Technology.

Abstract

Bacillus aquimaris SH6 spores have been proven to produce carotenoids and
exhibit beneficial effects to shrimp’s health. However, it is not clear how SH6 spores transit and interact with shrimp's gut, which is a key informationconferring its effects to the host. In this study, our data revealed that counts of SH6 spores in shrimp’s gut increased over feeding time, up to 70 CFU/gut after 28 days, indicating colonization of SH6 spores in shrimp’s gut. We measured mRNA expression coding for SH6 amylase from total RNA extracted from shrimp’s gut, we detected germination of the live SH6 spores during transition and colonization of SH6 spores in shrimp’s gut. As a result, after 14 day-feeding,SH6 spores induced Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) level nearly twice comparedto other three control groups (Negative, Carophyll, and SH6 carotenoids). After 28 day-feeding, we found that bacterial population of white-leg shrimp’s gut in SH6 spore groups were the most diversified with the presence of 6 major useful species, and that the total live counts in SH6 spore groups were about 2-fold higher (330-483 counts/gut) than that of the control groups (163-213 counts/gut). The Astaxanthin level and red color score were highest in the Carophyll and SH6 carotenoids groups (OD480 = 1.6-2.2; red color: 22), then followed by the 5 x 106 and 1 x 106 groups (OD480 = 0.81; red score: 21), which was 1.6 fold higher than the control and 5 x 105 group (OD480 = 0.37- 0.50; red score: 20). Weight gain was effective in the three groups including 5x 106, 1 x 106 and SH6 carotenoid groups compared to others. In conclusion, SH6 spores can colonize, germinate and improve useful microbiota of shrimp’s gut to show its probiotic activity to the host, and that the dose of 1 x 106 cfu/g pellet was optimal.

Biography

Dr Bushra Sultan is a devoted medical microbiologist.After completion of MBBS, she stepped in the field of Pathology as a postgraduate registrar in department of medical microbiology at Armed Forces Institute of Pathology. She became a fellow of College of Physicians and Surgeons Pakistan. Her journey of research and publications began in renowned national and international journals. She moved to UK and became associate member of Royal College of Pathologists in 2016.She holds the responsibilities of editorial board of International Journal of Infectious Diseases and Therapy. In 2017 she was attached to Basildon and Thurrock University Hospitals -Essex UK. She is an active member of British Infection Association and presented a poster in their Annual meeting 2018. Bushra finds her interest in antimicrobial stewardship, hospital infection control and clinical research. Both of her articles as first author were published in international journals. She hopes to contribute more in the fascinating field of microbiology

Abstract

Worldwide drug resistance in Acinetobacter baumannii is on rise.

Objective: We report cluster outbreak of extensively-resistant (XDR) A.baumannii in a medical intensive care unit (MICU) at a tertiary care referral

hospital in Pakistan. During subsequent survey, 10 extensively-resistant A. baumannii were isolated from 8 environmental samples and hands of 2 healthcare workers (HCWs).

Materials: In January 2013, XDR A. baumannii (Ab1, Ab2, and Ab3) were isolated from tracheal aspirate, blood and sputum of three patients with ventilator associated pneumonia.

Methods: The isolates were resistant to piperacillin, ampicillin-sulbactam, piperacillin-tazobactam,ticarcillin-clavulanic acid, ceftazidime, cefipime,ceftriaxone, imipenem, meropenem, gentamicin, amikacin, doxycycline, minocycline, ciprofloxacin and trimethoprim-sulphamethoxazole. Pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) revealed that isolates from HCWs were similar to the genotype initially isolated from patients’ samples. Control of the outbreak was attained with requisite infection control practices and fumigation of the Medical ICU unit. From February 2013 to April 2013 there were no new cases of extensively-resistant isolates in medical ICU. However, two more cases with similar antibiogram MICs and genotype of extensively-resistant isolates emerged in June 2013 from the same MICU.

Conclusion: Stringent infection control measures were implemented this time

with continuous monitoring and regular surveillance. Follow up for the next two years has been successful as no clustering of XDR A. baumannii were detected from medical and surgical ICUs

Biography

Xiaomeng Pei has received her Bachelor's degree in veterinary medicine from Nanjing Agricultural University. Presently she is pursuing PhD in Nanjing Agricultural University. Her research interest is focussed on the Pathogenesis of Streptococcus Suis and her current projects include Mechanism of Meningitis caused by S. Suis and Anti-Phagocytosis Mechanism of S. Suis. Based on the transposon mutant library, a number of invasions, transcytosis and phagocytosis related genes have been found which are significant for the further research. During her master's study and PhD period, she has got major awards.

Abstract

Streptococcus suis serotype 2 (SS2) is a worldwide causative agent of many forms of swine infection and is also recognized as a zoonotic agent causing human disease, including meningitis. An infection of SS2 could cause human meningitis, and more than 1500 human cases have been recorded worldwide. In particular, people with poor immunity are seriously threatened. By screening the TnYLB-1transposon mutant library of wild-type pathogenic strain ZY05719, a poor invasion and transcytosis serine/threonine protein kinase (stk) mutant was found. Therefore, we hypothesized that the stk gene is virulence factor related to crossing of the blood-brain barrier (BBB). Stk of SS2 is a single membrane-associated protein that is important for virulence. Adhesion and transcytosis of hBMEC by Δstk was poorer than ZY05719. Δstk and ZY05719 are equally capable of reorganizing the cytoskeleton of hBMEC and bEnd.3 which suggest that stk gene is not associated with paracellular route through the BBB. However, the level of claudin-5 in bEnd.3 cells decreased in Δstk treated group. BALB/c mice infected by ZY05719 can cause bacteremia and bacteria were detected in cerebro-spinal fluid (CSF), but Δstk was quickly cleared in the blood and there was no bacterium in CSF. In this study, we show that Stk-deficient SS2 decreased its ability to invade the brain endothelium which is not related to the alteration of the cytoskeleton organization in hBMEC. However, compared to wild-type strain, the ability of Δstk to destroy claudin-5 is weaker, by which we speculate that SS2 penetrated into BBB through a paracellular route.

Biography

Rasoul Yousefimashouf has completed his PhD in Clinical Microbiology from Department of Experimental and Clinical Microbiology, Sheffield University, England, UK in 1992. He is an Academic Staff and Microbiology Lecturer in Hamadan University of Medical Sciences Hamadan, Iran since 1985. He has published more than 40 papers in reputed journals and has been serving as Member of Bacteriology, Board of Ministry of Health and Medical Education in Iran since 2002. His research field includes Molecular Identification of Human Pathogenic Bacteria, Anaerobic Bacteria and Antibiotics Resistance Study

Abstract

Introduction & Aims: Mycoplasma hominis is a bacterium of Mycoplasmataceaefamily that does not have a cell wall and its cell membrane contains sterols. Mycoplasma hominis colonizes in the female genital tracts and can cause some genital disorders such as vaginitis, infertility, abortion, preterm delivery and other diseases related to genital tracts. Microscopy is of no diagnostic value, mycoplasmas’ stain and culture poorly because they have no cell wall.The aim of this study was to compare PCR and culture methods to determine Mycoplasma hominis in the women's endocervical samples who were referred to infertility hospital of Hamadan (west of Iran) in 2016.

Material & Methods: 234 women who had at least one of the genital disorders symptoms such as vaginitis, infertility, abortion, preterm delivery were included in study. The endocervical samples were taken, using the sterile swab. The samples were cultured in a specific Mycoplama media (PPLO) and were identified by culture results and PCR molecular techniques to detect the 16s rRNA gene. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data.

Results: From 234 samples, 14 isolates (6%) were identified as Mycoplasma hominis by culture methods and 30 isolates (12/7%) were detected by PCR method. The prevalence of Mycoplasma hominis in the studied population was 13.7% in both methods. The genital tracts of 12.3% patients with vaginitis and 10.3% with infertility were colonized by Mycoplasma hominis species. The sensitivity of PCR method was 91.82%, while the sensitivity of culture method was 85.71%.

Conclusion: The prevalence of Mycoplasma hominis in the studied population was significant, so further investigation is necessary. Our results also showed that PCR method was sensitive than culture method to detect Mycoplasma hominis, but agreement coefficient between culture and PCR method was very high (k = 0.5). Although molecular techniques such as PCR to detect these bacteria are sensitive, but the culture method is still used as a golden method in diagnostic microbiology laboratories.

Biography

Ghazy A A has completed his PhD from Alexandria University, Egypt and Post-doctoral studies from Alexandria University and Kafrelsheikh University, Egypt. She was Supervisor on more than 20 Master and PhD students. She attended more than 30 workshop and conferences; local and internationally. She has published more than 15 papers in reputed journals and has been serving as a Reviewer in many journals.

Abstract

Human infection by Acinetobacter baumannii has been increased due to its resistance against to most of the commercial antibiotics. Therefore, the aim of the present study was planned to design a vaccine against A.baumannii infection. In addition to evaluate the immunogenicity and protective efficacy of this vaccine, β-lactamase OXA-51 gene, a predominant gene in all Acinetobacter strains, and a part of this gene (1500 bp) has been detected and sequenced. The DNA sequence of OXA-51 gene showed 98% homology with A. baumannii isolate 6077/12 and also showed less homology percentage with other strains of Acinetobacter. Bacteria were evacuated after using different critical concentrations of hydrogen peroxide, sodium hydroxide and sodium carbonate leading to the ghost of Acinetobacter baumannii Ali190 with pertaining 3D structure of cell membrane. This ghost was administered to rats via different routes (IM, IP, SC, oral). All routes of ghost administration induced antibodies and showed full protection except oral administration expressed 67% protection in rats challenged with live bacteria. On the other hand, all non-vaccinated rats have died after infection with live bacteria. SDS-gel electrophoresis of the outer cellular membrane proteins of both A. baumannii and its ghost showed common protein bands with molecular weights 70, 60, and 23 KDa in both of them. Moreover, after raising the primary antibody against ABG, these bands were detected using Western Immunoblotting. In addition, Acinetobacter baumannii ghost (ABG) induced differential leukocyte count, cell viability, slide agglutination, passive hemagglutination, E-rosette test, phagocytosis, and opsono-phagocytosis. The levels of INF-γ were significantly increased in all vaccinated groups, particularly in SC and SCA, in comparison with the control group.

Conclusion: The antigenic determinants (protein bands with MW 70, 60 and 23 KDa) of Acinetobacter baumannii Ali190 were determined. Moreover, ABG vaccine may be an effective approach for preventing A. baumannii infection