The 33rd European Congress of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (ECCMID) took place in Copenhagen, Denmark, from April 15th to 18th, 2023. As one of the most significant conferences in the field of clinical microbiology and infectious diseases, it marked a significant gathering after a three-year hiatus due to the pandemic. Chinese experts, including Dr. Chao Zhuo from The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, were present to share their insights.
Conference Overview by Dr. Zhuo:
– Virus Session:
This year, the conference prioritized discussions on viruses, given the rampant spread of COVID-19 and other notable viruses like Monkeypox and HIV. This session covered epidemiology, diagnostics, and novel treatment approaches for these viruses.
– Bacterial and Fungal Session:
1. Infections caused by bacteria like Clostridium difficile.
2. Focus on antibiotic-resistant bacteria, such as CROs (Carbapenem-Resistant Gram-Negative Rods), with discussions on emerging treatments.
3. Infections in immunocompromised individuals, including rare opportunistic pathogens.
4. Tuberculosis-causing bacteria, a persistent global health challenge.
Dr. Chao Zhuo observed that research presented at the conference often mirrored research done in China, showcasing China’s growing prowess in the field.
Highlighted Research:
Dr. Zhuo was particularly intrigued by:
1. Changes in the Disease Spectrum: He noted the increasing cross-disciplinary collaborations, especially the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in diagnostics.
2. Two Key Studies:
– A study from Switzerland utilized bacterial nanomotion combined with machine learning to categorize antibiotic sensitivity, proving to be faster and potentially revolutionizing antibiotic sensitivity assessments (Abstract No: O0210).
– A study by Dr. Yingchun Xu’s team from China demonstrated the potential of Residual Neural Networks in the rapid identification of fungi, proving more efficient than manual methods (Abstract No: O0211).
Dr. Zhuo’s Personal Experience:
Having attended ECCMID since 2006, Dr. Chao Zhuo feels the conference is a representation of global standards in microbiology and infectious diseases. Its broad coverage and diverse presentation formats continue to attract researchers from around the world, including him.

Dr. Chao Zhuo
The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University