Scientific Program

Conference Series Ltd invites all the participants across the globe to attend 14th International Conference on Infectious Diseases, Prevention and Control Dubai, UAE.

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Scientific Program Day 1
Scientific Program Day 2

Day 2 :

Keynote Forum

Zulfiqar Ahmad

A T Still University, USA

Keynote: ATP synthase as a molecular drug target to combat antibiotic resistant microbial infections
Conference Series Infectious Diseases Conf 2019 International Conference Keynote Speaker Zulfiqar Ahmad photo
Biography:

Zulfiqar Ahmad has obtained his Doctorate in Biosciences from Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi and became Faculty at Hamdard University, New Delhi. In 1998, he has joined as a Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Rochester Medical Center, NY. In 2006, he was appointed Faculty Position at East Tennessee State University. In 2010, he moved to Alabama A&M University and in 2013 joined A. T. Still University. His research focus is on the role of ATP synthase in human health and diseases, using Escherichia coli as a model system. The overall goal of his research is to demonstrate ATP synthase as a viable molecular target against drug-resistant bacterial infections.
 

Abstract:

Introduction & Aim: Antibiotic resistance is posing an existential threat, as it will result in 10 million additional deaths worldwide per year by 2050. Currently, about 700,000 people die every year from microbial infections. Thus, microbial superbugs will become the top global killer, surpassing cancer. The impact of this public health crisis on the global economy is projected to cost $ 100 trillion. The World Health Organization’s global report on surveillance of antimicrobial resistance estimated the yearly cost to the US health system to reach $ 34 billion. Fast-encroaching antibiotic resistance by microbes in general and E. coli, in particular, is the main reason for this situation. Thus, finding alternative ways to kill microbes is of paramount importance. Selective inhibition of microbial ATP synthase provides an effective and efficient way to combat antibiotic-resistant microbial infections. ATP synthase is the fundamental source of cellular energy production for almost all organisms. Inhibition of ATP synthase can deprive cells of required energy leading to cell death. A wide variety of inhibitors including phytochemicals and peptides are known to bind and inhibit ATP synthase. These phytochemicals and peptides bind to the specific binding pockets on ATP synthase. These binding pockets are flanked by many variable amino acids in different organisms. Our lab is identifying and characterizing phytochemicals and peptides as potent and selective inhibitors of ATP synthase to combat the antibiotic-resistant microbial infections using E. coli as a model organism. Method: Wild type, null and mutant E. coli growth properties are being tested on fermentable glucose and non-fermentable succinate carbon sources. Wild type and mutant enzymes were isolated by harvesting cells in minimal media. Inhibitory studies are performed on membrane-bound F1Fo ATP synthase. Structural modifications of inhibitors are made through replacement or re-positioning of the functional groups (–OH, –COOH, –NH2, –NO2, –PO4) on phytochemicals or addition of positive charges on the peptides. Wild type and mutant cell growth assays are tested in the presence and absence of inhibitors along with null control. Results: We found that phytochemicals and peptides cause the variable degree of inhibition of ATP synthase. Modification of inhibitors augments the extent of inhibition. In phytochemicals, re-positioning and addition of new functional groups and for peptides, an addition of a c-terminal NH2 group enhances the inhibitory potency. We also observed that the incremental addition of positively charged residues in peptides augments the inhibitory effects of peptides by about 100-fold. The growth of E. coli strains in presence and absence inhibitors suggest that ATP synthase is a potential molecular drug target to combat microbial infections. It is also explored the synergistic inhibitory effects of phytochemicals and peptides on microbial ATP synthase. Conclusion: It is concluded that ATP synthase is a potential molecular drug target and selective inhibition of microbial ATP synthase by phytochemicals and peptides can be used to combat drug-resistant microbial infections.
 

  • Infection Prevention and Control Guidelines | Drug Interaction in Infectious Diseases | Nosocomial or Hospital Acquired Infection and Control | Infectious Diseases and Vaccines | Fungal Infections | Dental and Oral Infectious Diseases and Control | Veterinary/Animal Infectious Diseases
Location: Dubai
Speaker

Chair

John Masiye Ndaferankhande

Malawi Liverpool Wellcome Trust, Malawi

Session Introduction

Liubov Kotsiubailo & Valentyna Boyko

National Medical Academy, Ukraine

Title: Detection and clinical features of Coronavirus infections in patients with acute respiratory viral diseases in Ukraine

Time : 11:00-11:30

Speaker
Biography:

Liubov Kotsiubailo is currently working as a Teacher of Infectious Diseases and continues to work with problems of flu, coronavirus and other acute respiratory infections, their complications and immune response issues. She is the author of more than 30 scientific publications.
 
Valentyna Boyko has extensive experience in the infectious disease service as a Practitioner and Teacher at higher educational institutions from 2001 to 2011. She is the author of more than 50 scientific publications. She is interested in molecular epidemiology, clinical manifestations, differential diagnosis; new treatment protocols and prophylaxis of different infectious diseases (HIV, flu and other acute respiratory viral diseases, toxoplasmosis, tuberculosis, malaria, viral hepatitis, travel medicine, etc.).
 

 

Abstract:

Introduction & Aim: In Ukraine, the frequency of Corona Virus Infection (CVI) in the general structure of Acute Respiratory Viral Infections (ARVI) in adults has not previously been studied. But the range of clinical symptoms in CVI is much wider than the affection of only the respiratory system and intoxication syndrome. The aim of this study is to describe the clinical features in patients with CVI and to determine the frequency of confirmed cases of CVI in the general structure of ARVI. Methods: Under surveillance, there were 150 patients with ARVI. For the etiological confirmation of the diagnosis of CVI molecular biological methods were used: PCR with reverse transcription, multiplex PCR, PCR with real-time amplification product detection. Results: RNA of respiratory coronaviruses I (HCoV I AG) and II (HCoV II AG) antigenic groups were detected in 36 (24%) samples of sputum. The symptoms of the disease included febrile temperature, weakness and dry cough in 36 (100%) cases, sore throat-in 29 (80.5%) patients. HCoV I AG (229E, NL63) was isolated from 15 patients (10%), HCoV II AG (OC43, HKU1)-in 21 (14%) cases of ARVI. Such complications as pneumonia and Respiratory Distress Syndrome (RDS), bronchiolitis without affecting the upper respiratory system, the affection of the digestive system much more often occurred in patients with HCoV II AG, he meningism is more typical for HCoV I AG. Conclusion: The revealed clinical features will help the physician suspect the diagnosis of CVI and prescribe an adequate examination and treatment.

Kavita Diddi

Prime Healthcare Group, UAE

Title: Multidrug Resistant Organisms (MDROs) screening in ICUs: Required or not?
Speaker
Biography:

Kavita Diddi has completed her Post-graduation from AIIMS, New Delhi, India. She has worked in Private Tertiary Care Hospital in India. She is currently working at Prime Health Care Group in Microbiology Division and Infection Control Division. She is also the General Secretory for Emirates Society of Clinical Microbiology, UAE.
 

Abstract:

Healthcare-associated infection leads to an increase in hospital stay and cost. There are different measures recommended by various international associations to reduce the incidence of healthcare associated infections. There is no consensus regarding the pre-screening of multidrug resistance organisms at the time of admission. After the literature review, it was found that screening of Multidrug-Resistant Organisms (MDROs) will be beneficial in high-risk patients. In our hospital prevalence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is approximately 28%, on this basis we started screening for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in all the patients getting admitted in ICU. We found 6 patients out of 21 screened (29%) were a carrier for MRSA in one month. In conclusion, the decision to start pre-screening for MDRs should take based on the local prevalence of organisms. 

Bhaskar Rajakumar

Health Connect Digital, India

Title: Impact of serious games based training in reduction of nosocomial infections
Speaker
Biography:

Bhaskar Rajakumar key responsibility includes application of his medical expertise to design structured online medical education programs. He functions as the 'Chief Executive Officer' identifying the medical education market gaps, partner and develop learning pedagogies, and ensure reach and delivery to the learners (healthcare professionals). He also oversees operations. Bhaskar is a physician by academia, completed medicine at Dr B R Ambedkar Medical College, Bangalore, followed by MD in Radiology and MBA in healthcare management.  Previously worked as Chief Medical Officer, Consultant Radiologist @ Multiple Hospitals (Between 2007 - 2012). He was heading the PMO, Medical Affairs - Indegene Life Systems (2010 - 2016).

Abstract:

Hospital Acquired Infections (HAIs) or nosocomial infections are complex to treat and are a growing global burden. HAIs affect about one in 25 patients in the US and the situation is worse in resource-poor nations. A prevalence survey conducted under WHO in 55 hospitals of 14 countries showed that ~8.7% of in-patients had HAIs. At any time, over 1.4 million people worldwide suffer from infectious complications acquired in a hospital. HAIs contribute to increased economic burden, negatively affecting the quality of life and deaths. 1, 2 As per the existing methodologies direct observation is the gold standard to monitor compliance and to prevent or reduce HAIs. Frequent surveys, interviews and inspections are the other commonest methods implemented as prevention of HAIs. Indirect monitoring involves automated monitoring systems (video monitoring, real-time location systems) monitoring hand hygiene product consumption). Hospitals with sophisticated information systems are in a position to streamline surveillance process through computer-based algorithms that identify patients at highest risk of HAI.3 4 computerized surveillance helps in better implementation of preventive strategies, but lower infection rates have not been proven conclusively. Conventional training methodologies have not proved to be significantly impactful in knowledge retention and message recall. A newer approach called Gamification is a positive and effective method to change behaviour. It can engage, motivate and influence people. It is a concept that has unknowingly been applied for years through the term was widely used only after 2010. A ‘serious game’ is defined as an ‘interactive computer application, with or without significant hardware component, that has a challenging goal, is fun to play and engaging, incorporates some scoring mechanism, and supplies the user with skills, knowledge or attitudes useful in reality.5 A hand hygiene improvement campaign in Edinburgh Royal Infirmary (Scotland, UK) using the SureWash gesture recognition system (SureWash, IRL) which concluded that the senior staff noted a change in hand hygiene culture following the campaign and the good-natured competition between staff to demonstrate hand hygiene competence using the SureWash serious game. Another study conducted in Portugal wherein gamification was selected as the solution (Osyrish) to the compliance problem to engage and motivate people to achieve specific goals. An innovative indoor system, based on Beacons (iBeacon™), was used to collect data on nurses which concluded that it was opportunity to improve the performance by nurses.6 Mediknit (A HealthConnect Digital Initiative) has developed a serious game and micro-learning training methodology for coaching healthcare practitioners on Hand Hygiene, Immunisation Safety, Injection Safety and other aspects of infection prevention and control. These modules are first of its kind in the world for mixed pedagogy, knowledge mapping techniques and are implemented as a proof of concept at the Singapore General Hospital. An initial survey showed that >95% of nurses felt this to be significantly better than conventional classroom-based training and overall ~3-10% reduction HAIs was reported. A study is still ongoing. Whilst there is growing interest in using serious games in health as a valuable adjunct to conventional education, training and behaviour change interventions, due to the immaturity of the field, implementing this method still remains as a challenge and methodological aspects can generally be much improved to see a positive response in the upcoming years. 

Sulabhsinh Solanki

Sardar Patel University, India

Title: Screening of microorganisms from restaurant menu cards and their prevention by effective cleaning protocol
Speaker
Biography:

Sulabhsinh Solanki has completed Ph.D. and published papers in reputed international and national journals. He has successfully organized and conducted workshops in relevant field. Currently, he is working in the capacity of Head of the Department and Assistant Professor and has been teaching to postgraduate (MSc MT & DMLT) and undergraduate students of paramedical and science stream from last ten years. He has been invited as Visiting Faculty in various institutes.
 

Abstract:

Introduction & Aim: Few recently published data suggest that restaurant menu cards are 100 times dirtier than toilet covers and can act as a vehicle for pathogens. Many microorganisms present are associated with infection, spoilage and contamination of food in restaurant, dhabas, street stalls and other sites. Menus can act as a possible vector of certain foodborne diseases if not cleaned and disinfected on a regular basis. The main aim of the present study was to demonstrate the actual bacterial contamination present on their surface. Method: We collected swabs from different sites of menus from various restaurant, dhabas and street stalls. Then we isolated bacterial strains by using selective media, morphological characteristics, biochemical identifications, etc. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was done by the Kirby Bauer disk diffusion method using standard procedures. Result: We found potent pathogens from the distinct sites of different menus. In the antibiotics Kirby Bauer (disk diffusion) test, S. aureus displayed inhibition zone against some antibiotic and they are resistant against by Penicillin, Oxacillin, Ofloxacin, but sensitive to Erythromycin. We also tested Bacillus subtilis and Pseudomonas also, in which only a few antibiotics showed resistant against isolates. Conclusion: The study emphasizes on the microorganisms which are present on different sites of restaurant menus due to which the society is suffering from serious health hazards. The study also showed that restaurant menus may serve as vehicles for pathogens and hence present a public health issue. This result will help guide restaurant managers establish effective cleaning protocols to prevent further transmission of disease and improve food safety for the general public.
 

Samia William

Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Egypt

Title: Screening of PDE inhibitors for antischistosomal potential using In vitro Schistosoma mansoni worm killing
Speaker
Biography:

Samia William is a Professor at Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Egypt. As a Senior Scientist, she conducted several research studies in evaluating several antischistosomal drugs and spearheaded many research teams since joining TBRI in evaluation of the antischistosomal activity (in vivo) and in vitro culture assays for the effect of new drugs (synthetic & natural) on schistosome worms, in performing worm muscle tension, isotopic estimation of calcium uptake and transmission &amp and Scanning Electron Microscopy. She has shared and worked in eight research projects sponsored by international and national agencies; published more than 22 research articles in peer-reviewed international journals and supervised four MSc and three Ph.D. theses.
 

Abstract:

Background: Schistosomiasis is a worldwide health problem and Praziquantel is the only drug currently used for the treatment. There is some evidence that extensive monotherapy of Praziquantel may be leading to drug resistance in the parasite. Method: A total of 146 compounds were examined in vitro for antischistosomal potential against adult and early mature Schistosoma mansoni worms using a well-cultured medium. Worms were treated with different concentrations of phosphodiesterase inhibitors and after 5 days, a worm was assayed in terms of viability, motility, a death of worms, female ovipositing capacity and worm coupling. Result: Findings of one or two repeat experiments revealed potential antischistosomal activities against adult mature schistosomes, expressed as worm killing/and or sluggish worm movement, worm pairing and female ovipositing capacity for 52 compounds. However, the effect was recorded at high concentrations, resulting in worm killing for 26% of the compounds (13) with the survivors showing sluggish worm movement. All compounds showed worm killing at high concentrations of 100 µM and 50 µM revealed, worm uncoupling with an absence of ova. At the concentrations of 25 µM and 10 µM, 4% and 8% out of a total of 13 compounds showed the same profile. Reduction in the number of eggs was recorded for most of the compounds (34%) with less concentrations in the presence of living intact couples. 33% of the compounds showed no worm killing, uncoupling with an absence of eggs was recorded. In four out of 52 compounds (7%), no worm killing with an absence of ova was recorded despite the presence of intact couples. In 46 out of 52 promising compounds, only male worms were affected where 100% of them were killed. Meanwhile, the insult to early mature worms was more pronounced. Expression and cloning analysis of PDEs in S. mansoni adult and early mature worms revealed higher expression of Sm4A, Sm4C and Sm11 in adult and early mature male worms than in female worms. Sm9C is highly expressed in a juvenile male. Conclusion: PDE inhibitors showed potential against schistosomiasis In vitro with insult mainly targeting worm ovipositing.