General
The AI&I Infectious diseases and APH Global Health programs are organizing a joint symposium called: 'Aerosol transmission in respiratory infections'.
Background
Bioaerosols—airborne particles containing microorganisms such as viruses and bacteria—play a central role in the transmission of respiratory infectious diseases. The COVID-19 pandemic underscored their significance in disease spread, driving renewed attention to airborne transmission dynamics. Emerging evidence has also revealed a substantial burden of asymptomatic tuberculosis, highlighting the potential role of subclinical disease in sustaining transmission. These insights emphasize the need to rethink and strengthen strategies to reduce transmission and better control airborne infections.
Objectives
In this symposium we will give an overview of the evidence surrounding the role of bioaerosols in the transmission of respiratory infectious diseases, and of the various new methodologies to detect and study these bioaerosols. During the panel discussion we will discuss the implications of these findings for clinical practice.
Target audience
Researchers from the Amsterdam Infection and Immunity Institute and the Amsterdam Public Health Institute, as well as practitioners working in the field of respiratory infectious diseases and infection prevention in the Netherlands.
Acceditation request has been made to the ABAN.
Programme
Chair: Dr. Sabine Hermans, Amsterdam UMC
| 10:00 | Opening & welcome | |
| 10:05 | A leap forward. Advances in understanding tuberculosis transmission | Em. Prof. Robin Wood Desmond Tutu HIV Centre, Cape Town, South Africa |
| 10:25 | Spit, sneeze and sing. Aerosol transmission in viral infections. | Prof. Colin Russell Amsterdam UMC |
| 10:40 | A paradigm shattered? Detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in respiratory bioaerosol | Dr. Benjamin Patterson Amsterdam UMC and Desmond Tutu HIV Centre, Cape Town, South Africa |
| 11:00 | Break | |
| 11:15 | A new tool for field research. Face mask sampling of respiratory pathogens. | Prof. Michael Barer University of Leicester, Leicester, UK |
| 11:35 | Beware of the walking well. Subclinical transmission in respiratory infections. | Prof. Frank Cobelens Amsterdam UMC |
| 11:55 | Panel discussion - Q&A | |
| 12:15 | Closure |
Date and Location
Costs and registration
Access is free. For registration we kindly ask you to complete this form.
Note: Accreditation assigned by ABAN (2 points).