Scientific Day 2016
Introduction
Progress in medicine is not limited solely to introducing new techniques. Within the context of our interventions, progress is also based on implementing different strategies for disease prevention, diagnosis or treatment. The first two morning sessions will address these aspects; first for HIV and tuberculosis, for which diagnosis and patient follow-up remain an operational challenge, and second for cholera and strategies for limiting its spread. How to limit the spread of disease - and the question of intervention methods in general - is a recurring question in epidemic situations. This issue is regularly discussed within the context of controlling measles hotspots in Africa. What context are we talking about specifically, how can we explain the regular resurgence of this disease, what should our operational and medical priorities be, what is the current epidemiology of the disease, and what results can we expect from interventions? These questions will be discussed during the round table at the end of the morning session.
The first afternoon session will highlight the diversity of Epicentre’s intervention fields and methods, which is a key element that distinguishes us from other research groups. In addition to widespread epidemics – we will be presenting results from a study of Ebola - we have also studied toxic syndromes that occurred on a smaller scale in the DRC and in Liberia. Some health issues do not make the headlines, despite at times significant levels of morbidity and mortality. Snakebites are another example of a topic that Epicentre would like to help draw attention to. Due to our relationship with MSF, we have a presence in crisis situations. The second afternoon session will report the results of studies conducted in these settings, involving migrant populations and displaced persons. The day will finish with the two presentations of studies of new vaccines against Ebola and rotavirus. Epicentre has made a significant contribution to the development of these two vaccines. The development model for these two vaccines may help facilitate the development of products that are better suited to the unstable contexts in which a large portion of the population worldwide still lives.
Programme
8.45 – Welcome and coffee
9.30 – Introductory remarks – Emmanuel Baron
9.45 – HIV and Tuberculosis
Moderator: Fred Eboko, Institut de Recherche pour le Développement
- Diagnosing tuberculosis in a high HIV prevalence setting. Helena Huerga
- Virological failure, drug resistance and third-line regimen requirements among patients receiving second-line ART in 3 HIV-programs in Kenya, Malawi and Mozambique. Birgit Schramm
- Implementation of Point-of-Care Viral Load testing: Outcomes from a decentralised HIV program in Malawi. Elisabeth Poulet
10.45 – Cholera
Moderator: Celestino Obua, Mbarara University of Science and Technology
- Innovative delivery strategies for oral cholera vaccine. Francisco Luquero
- Improving performance of cholera rapid diagnostic tests. Anne-Laure Page
- Use of doxycycline to prevent cholera. Francesco Grandesso
11.30 – Coffee break
12.00 – Round table discussion: Where are we with measles control in African hotspots?
Moderator: Mercedes Tatay, MSF International
- Measles in DRC: Lessons from recent epidemics. Alexandre Blake
Participants
- Matthew Ferrari, Pennsylvania State University
- Jean-Guy Vataux, MSF Operational Center Paris
- Sandra Cohuet, Epicentre Paris
- Benoît Kebela Ilunga, Ministry of Health, DRC
13.00 – Lunch on site
14.30 – General session
Moderator: Iza Ciglenecki, MSF Operational Center Geneva
- Outbreak of dystonic syndrome in Ituri, DRC. Florentina Rafael
- Acute intoxication among children in Monrovia, Liberia. Mohamad Haidar
- Treatment of snakebites in MSF programs. Matthew Coldiron
- Seroprevalence of Ebola in Monrovia, Liberia. Sybille Gerstl
15.15 – Coffee break
15.30 – Emergencies
Moderator: Cristian Casademont, MSF Operational Center Barcelona
- Estimating mortality among displaced populations in the Sahel. Brahima Touré
- Use of epidemiologic methods to estimate needs among migrants in France. Malika Bouhenia
- Developing an outcome scale for mental health: A validation study in Palestine and Colombia. Augusto Llosa
16.15 – New vaccines
Moderator: Alejandro Cravioto, Precision Global Health
- Immunogenicity and safety of an Ebola vaccine among frontline workers. Aboubacar Soumah
- Efficacy and safety of a rotavirus vaccine. Ousmane Guindo
Keynote speaker - Jean-Marie Okwo-Bele, World Health Organisation
17.30 – Farewell drinks on site, 9th floor Terrace - Institut du Monde Arabe