An overview on Cytomegalovirus, its transmission modes, infection and disease. Also covered is CMV’s burden on solid organ transport, treatment strategies, viral load monitoring and the importance of standardization.

GBS infections are caused by the bacteria Streptococcus agalactiae. GBS can cause disease in newborns, pregnant women, the elderly, and adults with other medical conditions such as diabetes or liver disease. GBS is the most common cause of life-threatening illness in newborns. GBS is carried in the bowels, vagina, bladder, or throat of adults and is part of the normal flora of the gastrointestinal tract. There are 9 known serotypes of GBS identified: Ia, Ib, II, III, IV, V, VI, VII, and VIII.

Speaker: Nicole Robinson, Ph.D, Roche Diagnostics

A diversity of MRSA isolates are circulating in your local hospital and community. MRSA have sophisticated mechanisms for virulence in human hosts. Patients positive for MRSA must be isolated and treated aggressively to prevent secondary infections and spread. Recent advances in molecular diagnostics provide the sensitivity and turn around time necessary to identify carriers.

Speaker: John C. Osiecki, Ph.D., Roche Diagnostics

An overview of CT/NG, including bacteriology and disease burden, infection epidemiology and diagnosis, screening guidelines, treatment, and prevention.

Areas of discussion include Overview of Group A streptococcus (GAS), Epidemiology of GAS, Clinical symptoms of GAS infections, Detection methods for GAS infections, and Treatment for GAS infections.

Speaker: Art Braden, Ph.D., Roche Diagnostics

An introduction to the Human Papillomavirus disease state including incidence and disease progression. The interrelationship of HPV to cervical cancer and the diagnostic applications to cervical cancer screening are also included.

Areas of discussion include Overview of nucleic acid amplification technologies, and Overview of Select Hospital Acquired Infections (Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus, Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci, and Clostridium difficile).

Microbial resistance to Vancomycin, once the antibiotic of last resort, highlights increasing concern with hospital acquired infections. Brought to you by Roche Molecular Diagnostics.

Areas of discussion include Epidemiology and genotype (Natural History; Mode of Transmission and Types of Infections), Virology of HBV (Characteristics of the Hepatitis B Virus; Replication and Viral Infection), Molecular Detection of an HBV Infection (Serology vs. Molecular), Management of an HBV infection, and Molecular testing and real-time PCR.

Speaker: Bryan Cobb, Ph.D., F.A.C.M.G., Roche Diagnostics

Areas of discussion include Epidemiology (Natural History and Prevalence of HCV, Mode of Transmission, and Types of Infections), Virology of HCV (Characteristics of the Hepatitis C Virus (HCV), and Replication and Viral Infection), Diagnosis of HCV Infection (Serology, Molecular, and Screening), Management of an HCV infection, and Co-infection of HCV and HIV.

Speaker: Denise Heaney, Ph.D., Roche Diagnostics