NEWSLETTER - NOVEMBER 2, 2022
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PRESIDENT'S LETTER - C. BUDDY CREECH
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It was a delight to see so many of you at IDWeek. I was grateful to meet many of you for the first time in person, to learn new things, and to step away from the routine activities of a typical day’s work (as if anything we do in infectious diseases can be considered ‘typical’).
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The schedule sometimes felt relentless, but every aspect of the week brought its own reward – except maybe the syphilis case that I missed on Fellow’s Day. The PIDS Foundation Dinner was a remarkable evening of catching up with each other, announcing awards, and celebrating four amazing individuals whose work represents the best of the best.
I also heard several conversations about what makes for a good meeting while I was in DC. My favorite adage on meetings comes from what Paul Spearman taught me years ago and has since been tweaked by Betsy Herold: If you can make one new collaboration, have one new idea, learn one new thing that fundamentally changes how you’ll approach your work, then the meeting was a success.
Therefore, I’d encourage you to follow-up with those that you met at the meeting. Carve out time in your calendar to read and begin writing about the new idea that came to you. Build on what you have learned and take some chances with how you approach your work. These are the ways we grow, both professionally and personally. Read More
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A ‘Tripledemic’? Flu, R.S.V. and Covid May Collide This Winter, Experts Say
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The New York Times reports on an expected collision of respiratory viruses this winter. With few to little restrictions in place for travelling or gathering socially or in schools, experts forecast a rise in COVID-19 cases to connect with a resurgent flu season plus an already explosion in RSV, rhinoviruses, and enteroviruses, or what is being referred to as a ‘tripledemic.’ Most cases are predicted to be mild, though taken altogether, the volume of diseases and sick patients may overwhelm hospitals.
The article notes experts urge everyone to get vaccinated for COVID and flu to protect against severe illness or death from the looming threats. It also notes the particular danger flu and RSV pose to children who, whether from waned immunity or lack of exposure during pandemic sheltering, have little immunity and the lack of a vaccine for the latter. There are, however, at least two RSV vaccine candidates in late-stage clinical trials that appear effective for older adults as well as an antiviral in development. RSV cases are already appearing in pediatric hospitals and experts are basing COVID and flu waves on happenings abroad. Read More
PIDS member Alpana Waghmare appears in the story, saying, “We’re seeing everything come back with a vengeance.” Also quoted in the story, Diego Hijano added, “As of today, we are seeing equal numbers of COVID, flu, and RSV and that’s really concerning because we are very early for flu and RSV activity. It’s going to be a rough winter.”
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WHO: TB Deaths, Disease, Treatment Resistance Continued to Increase in 2021
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In an article covering the WHO’s 2022 Global TB Report, Healio relays the fight against tuberculosis had nearly a decade of progress negatively affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Declines in cases and deaths have seen reversals of fortune beginning in 2020. As a result, the global effort to combat tuberculosis has fallen behind on nearly all projected goals.
COVID-19 disrupted every aspect of care and joined the ranks of armed conflict, food insecurity, political and economic instability, in obstructing TB treatment or diagnosis. Tuberculosis has long been a low-priority, high-morbidity infectious disease around the globe. The WHO report features data increases in incidence, mortality (including those with HIV), and resistance.
WHO estimates 10.6 million people were diagnosed with TB in 2021 (an increase of 4.5% from 2020), with 11% of those cases were in children. There were also 1.6 million deaths attributed to TB, approximately 100,000 more than in 2020, and 187,000 of those deaths in people with HIV. Read More
PIDS member and JPIDS Supplement Editor Andrew Handel commented on the story, “Tuberculosis is a devastating disease among children, leading to hundreds of thousands of avoidable deaths annually. As underscored by the WHO's report, the situation worsened substantially throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Monday’s JPIDS supplement serves as a powerful tool for clinicians, policymakers, and other stakeholders for combating TB.”
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JPIDS PEDIATRIC TB SUPPLEMENENT
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PIDS and Stop TB Partnership have partnered to create a nine-article JPIDS supplement, 'What's New in Childhood Tuberculosis.'
The supplement aims to identify the challenges in controlling childhood tuberculosis in 2022 and beyond, and the articles highlight areas that can accelerate the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of a persistent threat to children worldwide. The supplement articles articles are:
The supplement has been published as Free-to-View. Any online user may freely access the content.
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WORLD ANTIMICROBIAL AWARENESS WEEK
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Each year, the World Health Organization observes World Antimicrobial Awareness Week (November 18-24). The week is dedicated to increasing awareness of antimicrobial resistance and encouraging best practices to avoid or limit further emergence and spread of drug-resistant infections.
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The Wednesday, November 23 webinar will be from 9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. ET. This year's panelists are Dr. Jason Harris, Dr. Firdausi Qadri, and Dr. Mateusz Hasso-Agopsowicz (WHO).
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IDWeek 2022 was a rousing success. We hope everyone who was able to attend, whether in person or virtual, came away inspired and excited to continue pursuing our vision to promote the health and well-being of children through the prevention and control of infectious diseases worldwide.
That work continues with the planning for next year's IDWeek. The call for sessions is now open. The IDWeek planning committee encourages all members to create and submit sessions that weave in clinical and scientific content for consideration.
The deadline for submissions is Monday, November 14. Please review IDWeek's instructions for more.
PIDS also welcomes nominations for our two named lectures that occur during IDWeek. Additional information is available on the PIDS Foundation pages for the Caroline B. Hall Lectureship and the Stanley A. Plotkin Lecture in Vaccinology.
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ST. JUDE/PIDS PEDIATRIC INFECTIOUS DISEASES RESEARCH CONFERENCE
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Registration has opened for the 22nd Annual St. Jude/PIDS Pediatric Infectious Diseases Research Conference, March 1-3, 2023 in Memphis, TN (with hybrid online access available).
The call for Research Abstracts and Clinical Cases are both open. Submissions will be accepted until the Thursday, December 1 at 8 p.m. ET deadline.
Cases among hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients, solid organ transplant recipients, patients with primary immunodeficiencies, or other immunocompromising conditions will be considered. Cases may be submitted by infectious diseases fellows, residents, advanced practice providers (APPs), or first year faculty members. Other faculty members who wish to submit a case are encouraged to work with a trainee or APP to take the lead on the presentation.
All presenting/correspondent case authors must complete and submit a Case Submission Deck and signed Cover Letter as part of the Submission Form. These items and additional instructions can be found at the Case Requirements page.
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It is with deep sadness that we share the news that Samuel Katz, MD passed away on October 31, 2022. Dr. Katz was a world leader in pediatrics and virology. Dr. Katz is perhaps best known for his work with Nobel Laureate John Enders in the development of the first attenuated measles virus vaccine.
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In addition to measles, Dr. Katz worked extensively on a range of other vaccines, including vaccinia, polio, rubella, influenza, and Haemophilus influenzae B. He served as Chair of the Duke Department of Pediatrics for 22 years, chair of the Committee on Infectious Diseases, chair of the CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, and served on numerous international advisory committees throughout his career. In 2015 he received the Maxwell Finland Award for Scientific Achievement.
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Dr. Katz was an early member of the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society and co-led a program about measles vaccination at the first meeting of the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Club in 1978. In 2016, he was recognized for his leadership in vaccine development and immunization public policy, for his tireless activities directed toward preventing infectious diseases in children, and for his humble and gracious leadership in pediatrics, with the PIDS Distinguished Research Award.
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PIDS MEMBER HONORED BY APS
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Yvonne (Bonnie) Maldonado is the American Pediatric Society (APS) 2023 John Howland Award recipient. This prestigious award is the highest honor bestowed by APS and recognizes Dr. Maldonado for her significant contributions to advancing child health and the profession of pediatrics.
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Mark you calendars. You don't want to miss out on any of the webinars, meetings, conferences, or any of these other phenomenal PIDS-related events. We hope to see you at any one or more of these upcoming events!
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