The 33rd European Congress of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (ECCMID) recently took place in Copenhagen, Denmark, drawing attention as one of the first major in-person events since the easing of the COVID-19 pandemic. The event, a hallmark in the world of infectious diseases and clinical microbiology, attracted numerous participants, among whom was Dr. Minggui Wang, the director of the Institute of Antibiotics, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University. Dr. Wang shared insights on the advances and experiences at the conference, with a particular focus on fungal infections.
ECCMID Experience in the Post-COVID-19 Era
Dr. Wang emphasized the significance of ECCMID as a leading conference in infectious diseases and clinical microbiology, covering bacteria, fungi, and viruses, from clinical studies to prevention strategies. Notably, the enthusiasm for in-person learning was palpable this year, with jam-packed sessions and high engagement levels. Wang highlighted the advantage of direct interactions, deep dives into research progress, and the opportunity to strengthen international research collaborations.
Diverse and Interactive Conference Formats
ECCMID’s diverse conference formats stood out to Dr. Wang. Apart from the usual keynote speeches and poster presentations, the “Quiz Show” section impressed him the most. This knowledge competition allowed teams of experts from various disciplines to tackle real-world clinical cases in a game format. The real-time, interactive nature of this format, which fostered on-the-spot decision-making and collaborative problem solving, made it a refreshing and effective learning tool. Wang suggested that such an innovative approach could be adopted in other conferences as well.
Breakthroughs in Fungal Infection Research
The conference provided in-depth coverage of fungal infections, with sessions on invasive fungal diseases (IFD) garnering significant attention. There was a focus on rare fungal infections and their increasing resistance to treatment. New anti-fungal treatments, including the derivatives of Echinocandin and innovative therapies, were presented. Novel diagnostic methods, such as the use of cell-free microbial DNA (cfmDNA) and next-generation sequencing (mNGS), were also introduced, indicating promising directions in fungal infection diagnosis and treatment.
Summary
ECCMID 2023 offered an enriching experience for attendees, shining a light on the advancements in fungal infection research and introducing novel conference formats for effective learning. As fungal infections continue to rise in prevalence, especially among immunocompromised populations, the importance of conferences like ECCMID cannot be overstated. They provide a vital platform for experts like Dr. Minggui Wang to share, collaborate, and drive forward the frontiers of medical science.
Dr. Minggui Wang
Institute of Antibiotics, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University
