Media Advisory - Canadian and European Experts Join Forces to Discuss Infectious Diseases in Upcoming National Conference

    Vancouver Set to Host AMMI Canada - CACMID Annual Conference 2008

    OTTAWA, Feb. 12 /CNW/ - Organizers of AMMI Canada - CACMID Annual
Conference, Canada's largest Infectious Diseases and Medical Microbiology
gathering, announced today that the conference will be held in Vancouver from
February 27 - March 1, 2008, at the Sheraton Vancouver Wall Centre Hotel.
    This year, participants of the conference will look at innovative trends
in prevention and control of infections and ways to bridge the gap that
divides academic learning and real-world practice. They will also explore
strategies for continued mobilization and collaboration for actions to reduce
the harms associated with global Tuberculosis; recent trends and controversies
in tick and mosquito-borne infections; and the increased resistance of
microbes to diverse therapeutics and antibiotic misuse.
    The conference will offer over 35 sessions, meetings and workshops
featuring important scientific advances and discussion of current issues among
medical experts. An estimated 500 delegates including health care providers,
educators, policy makers, and health care leaders from Canada, United States
and Europe are expected to attend the conference to share current knowledge on
a full spectrum of issues about Infectious Diseases and Medical Microbiology.
    "Infection prevention and control is a national issue, requiring national
solutions. This conference will be an opportunity for those of us fighting
Infectious Diseases in their communities to share knowledge and develop new
strategies to prevent and treat infection at a nation's level," said Dr.
Michel Laverdière, President, Association of Medical Microbiology and
Infectious Disease (AMMI) Canada.
    "The program is designed to harness the knowledge, skills and commitment
of the dedicated medical microbiologists and infectious diseases experts from
across Canada, and internationally. We are eager to join forces with other
communities to build support for infectious disease prevention, diagnosis,
treatment and care," said Dr. Graham Tipples, President, Canadian Association
for Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (CACMID).

    Conference at a Glance-The Sheraton Vancouver Wall Centre Hotel,
    Vancouver

    Thursday, February 28

        -  Lyme Disease: Recent Trends and Controversies. A session dedicated
           to describing the epidemiology of Lyme disease in the US, the
           controversies associated with the condition and the prospects for
           control and prevention.

        -  A Canadian perspective of the Mosquito-Borne Viral Pathogens will
           describe the public health impact of Canadians encountering travel
           associated arboviruses, and detail the latest developments in the
           diagnosis and treatment of arbovirus-associated illnesses.

        -  Nosocomial UTI and Urosepsis - A review of the burden, morbidity
           and risk factors of nosocomial urinary tract infection. But what
           can we improve?

        -  An approach to wound assessment. What to do with what lurks
           beneath the bandage: Is it science or witchcraft?

    Friday, February 29

        -  Global epidemiology of Tuberculosis (TB), the epidemiology of
           active and latent TB infections and the potential impact of
           extremely drug resistant TB.

        -  New diagnostics in TB and Interferon Gamma Release Assays.

        -  Novel strategies for resistance testing in TB.

    Saturday, March 1

        -  Are we misusing antibiotic? What are the tools available in Canada
           that would help us optimize antimicrobial use?

        -  Students, Saliva and Swelling: A perfect storm for the sharing of
           Mumps in Canada. A session focusing on the epidemiology of Mumps
           in Nova Scotia, how it has spread throughout Canada, and what are
           the possible reasons of current Mumps outbreaks.

        -  How close are we to a drug treatment for Hepatitis B, and would
           the new therapeutics calm the storm?

        -  Where do we stand on the development of new classes of
           antiretrovirals? Is there light at the end of the dark HIV tunnel?

        -  Understanding the non-traditional pulmonary infections in Cystic
           Fibrosis: It's not just the usual suspects.

    About AMMI Canada - CACMID Annual Conference

    The Annual Conference 'Where Canada's experts in Clinical Microbiology
and infectious diseases meet', is a conjoint meeting between the Association
of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Disease (AMMI) Canada (www.ammi.ca) and
the Canadian Association for Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases
(CACMID) (www.cacmid.ca). The meeting is also an approved Accredited Group
Learning Activity as defined by the Maintenance of Certification program of
the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.

    For more information about the AMMI Canada - CACMID Annual Conference
2008 go to http://www.ammi.ca/annual_conference/index.php. The sessions are
open to the media.

For further information: To pre-register for the conference or to
request an interview with participating infectious diseases and medical
microbiology experts, please contact: Grace Elasmar, AMMI Canada, Tel. (905)
820-4922, Cell. (416) 452-4624, jel-asmar@sympatico.ca