Editor’s Note: The 34th European Congress of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (ESCMID Global 2024), hosted by the European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (ESCMID), concluded successfully in Barcelona, Spain. The conference, attended by over 20,000 experts and scholars worldwide, showcased the significant contributions of Chinese scholars in this field. Professor Bijie Hu and his team from ZhongShan Hospital presented several cutting-edge research findings, earning international acclaim for China in the field of infectious diseases. “Infectious Disease Frontier” had the privilege of interviewing Professor Hu at the conference, where he shared insights on his team’s research highlights, global challenges in infectious disease control, and his enthusiasm for the upcoming SIFIC conference.
Jacob Moran-Gilad, ESCMID Global program director, highlighted during the opening ceremony that Chinese scholars have for the first time made it into the Top 10 in terms of abstract submissions. This marks a growing academic influence and engagement of China in the field of infections. The global academic stage offers an opportunity to explore diagnostic and treatment strategies for various infectious diseases together with global peers, contributing to the global efforts against antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
Four Seasons of Absence, Five Years Apart Reunited on the ESCMID Global Stage
Founded in February 1983, ESCMID has traversed a 41-year journey of growth and expansion. Evolving from a biennial conference with just over a thousand attendees, ESCMID now hosts an annual meeting that attracts over ten thousand experts and professionals, receiving more than 5,000 abstract submissions in recent years. Over the years, ESCMID has launched several initiatives including the European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (EUCAST), the European Committee on Infection Control (EUCIC), as well as platforms like the CMI journal (Clin Microbiol Infect), the ESCMID Academy, and the ESCMID Library, creating a rich matrix of academic brands. To highlight its growing global role, ESCMID has renamed its conference to ESCMID Global, extending its outreach beyond Europe.
Professor Bijie Hu remarked that his last participation in the ESCMID annual meeting was five years ago. Due to the pandemic, he was unable to attend in person until now. At this year’s ESCMID Global, he experienced the vibrant enthusiasm of global scholars and the bustling event atmosphere. The conference has set a new record with over 20,000 registered participants, affirming its status alongside America’s IDWeek as one of the most influential and largest comprehensive academic events in the field of infectious diseases.
Jacob Moran-Gilad, ESCMID Global program director, highlighted during the opening ceremony that Chinese scholars have for the first time made it into the Top 10 in terms of abstract submissions. This marks a growing academic influence and engagement of China in the field of infections. The global academic stage offers an opportunity to explore diagnostic and treatment strategies for various infectious diseases together with global peers, contributing to the global efforts against antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
Fudan ZhongShan Team Delivering “China’s Voice” Globally
At the congress, Professor Bijie Hu and his team comprehensively showcased their latest research achievements. On the first day, Professor Hu was invited to give a academic speech on the epidemiology and treatment strategies of invasive fungal diseases. He emphasized that the incidence of A spergillus and Mucor infections is rising due to an increasing number of high-risk patients, and factors like COVID-19, influenza, and solid organ transplants are closely linked to the prevalence of these fungal diseases, warranting close attention from clinicians. Through specific case studies, Professor Hu shared valuable Chinese experiences and insights in managing these diseases.
Additionally, Dr. Yumeng Yao from Professor Hu’s team delivered an oral presentation (Abstract No: O1070) focused on pulmonary diseases caused by nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM-PD), particularly cases marked by isolated lesions with increased uptake of fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG). These NTM-PD cases are challenging to diagnose and are often mistakenly identified as lung cancer. Dr. Yao’s presentation provided crucial reference for accurate diagnosis, earning high praise from the conference chair. Besides the oral presentation, six abstracts from Professor Hu’s team were selected for conference discussions, covering topics from risk factors of COVID-19 among medical staff to comparative studies on antiviral drugs for influenza.
Professor Hu expressed his honor to showcase his team’s research at this international academic event. Not only does it demonstrate ZhongShan Hospital’s expertise in infectious diseases, but it also highlights the academic impact of Chinese scholars in global medical research.
A New Journey After Twenty Years: Invitation to Join the SIFIC Conference This Summer in Shanghai
According to Professor Bijie Hu, the annual Shanghai International Forum on Infection Control (SIFIC) will be held grandly from July 25 to 27 this year at the Shanghai International Convention Center. Celebrating its 20th anniversary, this academic event in the field of hospital infection control has seen two decades of outstanding achievements. The 20th SIFIC Conference is expected to draw approximately 4,000 experts and scholars from across the country specializing in infection control, infectious diseases, and microbiology, to discuss and share the latest research findings and practical experiences.
SIFIC serves as a pivotal platform for exchange in the field of hospital infection control in China and has been dedicated to advancing the cause of infection prevention and control. Over the years, SIFIC has earned widespread acclaim and recognition for its rigorous scientific approach, rich academic content, and broad impact.
This year’s conference will focus on the theme “Precision Diagnosis, Therapy, and Prevention” addressing challenging infections, precise control of drug-resistant bacteria, and the latest advancements in infection and control. The attending experts will discuss the new challenges and issues facing the field of hospital infection control, sharing the latest scientific results and practical experiences, and engaging in in-depth discussions and exchanges. Additionally, the conference will feature a series of commemorative events for the 20th anniversary of SIFIC, reviewing and summarizing its development and achievements over the past two decades and looking forward to the future of infection control in hospitals.
As the chair of the conference, Professor Bijie Hu, on behalf of the SIFIC organizing committee, extends a heartfelt invitation to experts and scholars in fields such as infection treatment and prevention, clinical microbiology, antimicrobial drug application and management, severe infections, drug-resistant bacterial infections, sterilization supply centers, medical safety and quality management departments, nursing, and disease control centers to participate in this significant event. Participants are expected to fully utilize this platform to jointly promote the continuous development and innovation of hospital infection control in China.
