Stuart Johnson, Loyola, to Present at Anti-Infectives Mtg., July 8-9, Boston

Boston, ME, June 08, 2013 --(PR.com)-- Stuart Johnson, M.D, FIDSA, DTM&H, Acting Associate Chief of Staff of Research and Development at Hines VA Hospital, and Professor at Loyola University Medical Center will give a Keynote Presentation titled “Current Epidemiological and Management Trends for C. difficile Infection” at GTC’s 10th Anti-Infectives Partnering and Deal-Making Conference on July 8–9, 2013 in Boston, MA.

The last decade has been marked by a sharp increase in the rate and severity of C. difficile infections (CDI) in North America and in Europe. This increase has paralleled the emergence of a particular strain (BI/NAP1/027) with increased virulence and epidemic potential. While recent data suggest leveling off of rates in the U.S., they remain higher than pre-epidemic rates. In contrast, a concerted national approach to controlling CDI in England has seen a decrease in CDI rates as well as prevalence of the epidemic 027 strain. In addition to infection control challenges, the clinical management of patients with CDI and remains challenging. Recurrence of CDI after discontinuation of treatment for the original infection is the most important clinical challenge and is related to the marked disruption of the normal colonic microbiota of those patients with CDI. Dr. Johnson will discuss new treatments have and are becoming available for CDI including those based on replacement of a more robust microbiota (fecal transplant), passive (mAbs to C. difficile toxins) and active (toxoid vaccines) immune therapies, biotherapeutic agents (non-toxigenic C. difficile), tapering or ‘chaser’ antibiotic regimens following vancomycin, and introduction of ‘narrow spectrum’ antibiotic agents (fidaxomicin).

Dr. Johnson is the ACOS for Research at the Hines VA Hospital and a Professor of Medicine at Loyola University Stritch School of Medicine at Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood, Illinois. His main research interest and focus has involved the epidemiology and pathogenesis of Clostridium difficile infection. He is actively studying variant strains of C. difficile and the role of the various toxins in the pathogenesis of C. difficile disease. His clinical experience in the treatment of patients with recurrent CDI has translated into studies helping to define optimal management of these infections, including the utility and pitfalls of alternative treatment agents. He also has been involved in clinical research on the parasite, Angiostrongylus cantonensis, responsible for most cases of eosinophilic meningitis, world-wide.

GTC’s 10th Anti-Infectives Partnering & Deal Making Conference is an infectious disease partnering and business development conference that gives global biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies an opportunity to network. explore potential collaborations, and learn about relevant anti-infective issues and deals that will affect the industry. This event also provides a unique venue for attendees to learn about the anti-infective business trends, infectious disease markets, and novel technologies that shape up the industry.

This conference is part of their Infectious Diseases World Summit 2013 and will be held concurrently with the following two tracks:

11th Vaccines Research and Development: All Things Considered Conference
2nd Influenza Research & Development

For more information, please visit http://www.gtcbio.com/anti-infectives