All ASA financial members are reminded the Australian Society for Antimicrobials' Annual General Meeting (AGM) will be held online on Thursday, 6 November | 1630 - 1730 AEDT. A Zoom link will be emailed to all members closer to the meeting date.

 

 

The meeting agenda, 2024 AGM meeting minutes and the ASA 2023/2024 Audited Financial Report can be downloaded from the Members Area of the ASA website (https://www.asainc.net.au/members/AGM/). The ASA AGM Presentation will be available after the meeting. 

 

 

Please feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions.

 

 

• Awards are presented to ASA financial members who present a proffered paper (oral or poster) at the meeting.  
• Applicants must have current ASA membership and must have been ASA members for at least the last 12 months.
• Recipients of an Award are required to write a report on the meeting for the ASA Newsletter.  

• The applicant must have been a financial member of the ASA for at least the last twelve months.
• The award committee will consist of three ASA committee members or their nominees and will take into account the quality and originality of the flash poster presentation and the poster. 

• The applicant must be a financial member of the ASA. 
• The Award is restricted to ASA members residing in Australia or New Zealand.
• The award committee will take into account the quality and originality of the paper. 
• The award committee will consist of three ASA members.

 

• Funding is limited to ASA financial members
• The Principal Investigator (PI) must have been an ASA member for at least twelve months
• Preference will be given to stand-alone projects that align with the Society’s aims
• Preference will be given to early-career researchers
• The successful applicant will present their work at an ASA annual scientific meeting
• ASA will be acknowledged in all resulting publications and presentations
• 12 and 24 months progress reports must be submitted to the ASA committee and an article for the ASA newsletter
•  

• A copy of the PI’s CV.
• Head of Department confirmation of the application and the Department has the resources required to undertake the project.
•  

• Staphylococcus aureus
• Complex AMR Infections in Vulnerable Populations
• Better Diagnostics, Optimal Treatment
• Molecular Diagnostics
• Emerging Threats and Novel Solutions 
• Optimising Antimicrobials in Different Settings – Be Proactive!

Dear ASA member,

 

In this edition of the Breakpoints Newsletter, we highlight the three articles by the plenary speakers from our annual scientific meeting, Antimicrobials '25, held in Melbourne earlier this year. 

 

Erin McCready writes on precision antimicrobial dosing. Christian Giske discusses antibiotic-resistant Gram negative bacteria. Rachel Thomson details the complexities of managing Nontuberculous Mycobacteria. 

 

We present the shortlisted and award winning conference abstracts and posters, as well as the AGAR AMR surveillance posters. In our “In The Spotlight” article we showcase Philip Selby and the completion of their PhD exploring antimicrobials in allogeneic stem cell recipients. The Australian Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (AUSCAST) provides guidance on the important changes to the 2025 EUCAST and CLSI breakpoint tables. We also include a microbiology Photo Quiz.

 

Please click on the image of the front cover below (or share the link: www.asainc.net.au/asanewsletterissue47) to download the PDF of the Newsletter. Remember, you can also catch up on all previous issues of the newsletter on the ASA website (https://www.asainc.net.au/newsletters/) and on social media (@ausantibiotics.bsky.social).

 

Dr Iain J. Abbott  |  Editor / ASA Vice-President

Courtney Ierano  |  Associate Editor

On behalf of the Australian Society for Antimicrobials (ASA), I would like to congratulate past ASA President Associate Professor Thomas Gottlieb for being recently awarded the Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) for distinguished service to medicine as an infectious disease and microbiology specialist, author and researcher, and to professional organisations and committees including the Australian Group for Antimicrobial Resistance.

 

Kind regards

A/Prof. Louise Cooley

ASA President

 

During Antimicrobials 2025, bioMérieux will be holding a breakfast symposium on Thursday 20th February 2025 (0700 - 0845).

 

 

 

Dear ASA member,
 

In this edition of the Breakpoints Newsletter, we showcase recent outstanding infectious diseases and antimicrobial clinical trial research led by Australian researchers, including articles from SNAP, BLING and ASAP / CALIPSO research teams. We congratulate Cindy Lau on the completion of her PhD detailing linezolid and cefepime toxicity and the role of TDM. 

 

ASA recently hosted the 19th International Symposium on Staphylococci and Staphylococcal Infections (ISSSI) in Perth. Geoffrey Coombs and Shakeel Mowlaboccus provide a summary and we include the original Australian research posters that were presented at the conference. 

 

The Australian Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (AUSCAST) present their first endorsed Guidance Document, detailing anaerobic disk diffusion and how to implement this in your clinical laboratory. Finally, we welcome-back our microbiology photo quiz article.

 

Please click on the image of the front cover below (or use and share the link: www.asainc.net.au/asanewsletterissue45) to directly download the PDF of the Newsletter. We hope you enjoy the newsletter.

 

 

For our next Breakpoint newsletter, we are focusing on "Emerging Leaders in Infectious Diseases Research" and wish to highlight the achievements of our ASA members. If you were a recipient of funding in the NHMRC Investigator Grant latest round, we will be getting in contact with you.
 
Remember, you can also catch up on all previous issues of the newsletter on the ASA website (https://www.asainc.net.au/newsletters/) and on social media (https://twitter.com/AusAntibiotics).
 
Dr Iain J. Abbott
ASA Newsletter Editor / ASA Vice-President
newsletter@asainc.net.au

 

      

 

 

 

 

      

The 2025 Australian Society for Antimicrobials (ASA) Annual Keryn Christiansen Research Grant of up to $25,000 to support original research is now available.

The following conditions apply:

The research funds are to be used for the project, as per the budget application only. ASA does not support an institution’s infrastructure or overhead costs.

The application must be performed online via the ASA website Research Grant Application Form and must include:

The grant application and CV will be assessed by a panel of at least six independent reviewers using a standardised scoring system. Applicants will be informed of the decision one week before the ASA annual scientific meeting “Antimicrobials 2025”.

Applications will be accepted online up to 30 October 2024.

Click here for the Research Grant Application Form.

For further enquiries, please contact the ASA secretary at info@asainc.net.au.

 

      

 

Dear ASA member,

During ISSSI 2024, Pfizer will be holding a Lunchtime Symposium on Monday, 19th August 2024. 

 

 

 

 

Dear ASA member,

During ISSSI 2024, the ESCMID Study Group for Staphylococci and Staphylococcal Diseases (ESGS) Symposium will be holding a Lunchtime Symposium on Tuesday, 20th August 2024. 

 

 

Dear ASA member,

 
We hope you enjoy this latest issue of the ASA Breakpoint Newsletter. 

 

Inside you will find a wrap-up from the ASA24 conference, including the award winning poster presentations and posters by AGAR. We have invited articles on AMR surveillance (HOTspots & AGAR GnSOP), from the 2024 ASA Research Grant awardee, and the 'In The Spotlight' and 'Photo Quiz' sections. 

Please click on the image of the front cover below (or use and share the link: www.asainc.net.au/asanewsletterissue43) to directly download the PDF of the Newsletter.

 

You can also catch up on previous issues on the ASA website (https://www.asainc.net.au/newsletters/) and on social media (https://twitter.com/AusAntibiotics)

Dr Iain J. Abbott
ASA Newsletter Editor / ASA Vice-President
newsletter@asainc.net.au

 

      

 

 

Dear ASA member,

During ISSSI 2024, the International Society of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy will be holding a Lunchtime Symposium on Wednesday, 21st August 2024. 

 

 

 

 

The 2022 AGAR Amalgam Report is now published on the Commission’s website.

 

The Australian Group on Antimicrobial Resistance (AGAR) annually publishes data on antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and epidemiologic and genetic patterns in bloodstream infections in Australia relating to three main organisms: enterococcal species, Staphylococcus aureus and gram-negative bacteria.

 

The 2022 AGAR Report provides analyses of data on AMR associated with bloodstream infections across Australia in 2022. The Report also includes considerations and implications for patient safety and delivery of care.

 

 

        

 

Dear ASA members

 

 

In this issue...

• Antibiotic access and use in the community setting in Africa and Asia: Introducing the ABACUS project
• Prosthetic valve endocarditis following transcatheter aortic valve replacement: Insights on microbiology, prophylaxis and treatment strategies
• 5th global ministerial summit on patient safety
• ISAC project grant: Summary of research project

Dear ASA member

 

ASA has sadly become aware Professor Mary-Louise McLaws,  renowned Australian and international epidemiologist has died at the age of 70 after a long illness.

 

Highly respected by all who knew her Mary-Louise was a professor of epidemiology at the University of New South Wales for over 30 years specialising in infectious diseases. During her extraordinary career she co-wrote more than 180 research papers and supervised and supported many PhD students.  

 

Her early research included a 1995 study on HIV/AIDS in Australia, which examined women who had acquired HIV from their male sexual partners. In 2004, Mary-Louise was sent to Beijing for two months to monitor bird flu for the World Health Organization. She also consulted Hong Kong's authorities during the 2002–2004 SARS outbreak, and helped with infection-control research in Cambodia, China, Bangladesh, Mali, Indonesia, Iran, Vietnam, Taiwan and Turkey.

 

Mary-Louise became "widely known to the Australian public through her media appearances" during the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia. She was one of the first public advocates for mandatory face masks and the closure of the Australian border. She later advocated for mandatory vaccination, including the establishment of vaccination hubs to achieve herd immunity. In 2021 she was named by the Australian Financial Review as one of the ten "most culturally powerful people" in Australia. In 2022 Mary-Louise was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) for distinguished service to medical research, particularly to epidemiology and infection prevention, to tertiary education, and to health administration.

 

The ASA committee offers our sympathies to Mary-Louise’s family, friends and colleagues. We will miss her immensely for her intelligence, enthusiasm, and kindness.

 

Dear ASA member,
 
I am pleased to share with you the latest issue of the ASA Breakpoint Newsletter, which focuses on infections in children. 

 

In this themed edition of the newsletter, we present articles highlighting original research from Yara-Natalie Abo on Group A Streptococcus vaccine trials, Rachael Purcell on use of fosfomycin for UTI in children and Amanda Wilkins on individualised dosing of vancomycin in infants. Asha
Bowen and colleagues provide an update on the Skin Health in Northern Australia, and the members of the ANZPID committee provide an insight into their current priorities.
 
Please click the following link www.asainc.net.au/asanewsletterissue41 (or the front cover image below) to directly download the PDF of the Newsletter. If you need any assistance or have suggestions for future issues, please contact us at newsletter@asainc.net.au.

 

 

Dr Iain J. Abbott
ASA Newsletter Editor
newsletter@asainc.net.au

On behalf of the Australian Society for Antimicrobials, I would like to invite you to the European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (ESCMID) Postgraduate Education Course (PGEC) “Antimicrobial susceptibility testing with EUCAST criteria and methods” to be held at The Alfred Hospital and Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, on Saturday 28th to Tuesday 31st October 2023.
 
I am pleased to announce that this four-day, interactive workshop will have five speakers attending from EUCAST (Christian Giske, Gunnar Kahlmeter, Rafael Canton, Erika Matuschek and John Turnidge) who will be providing multiple talks, together with interstate and local speakers. There will also be three hands-on practical sessions, including phenotypic antimicrobial susceptibility testing, genomic analysis of resistance, and PK/PD in vitro modelling.

To promote discussion and interaction between delegates and the invited speakers, each day will have a panel discussion session and the meeting's registration includes morning teas, lunches, and the course dinner. Onsite delegate numbers are limited to 50 people to maximise interaction. Online attendance (and access to recorded sessions) will also be available for the talks.

 

IMPORTANT DATES
Apply for an attendance grant deadline: 24 July 2023
Course registration deadline: 18 September 2023
Course dates: 28 - 31 October 2023

REGISTRATION WEBSITE
Please sign up as a ESCMID member, or registered user on the ESCMID website first:
https://www.escmid.org/membership-organisation/membership/membership-application/personal-data

Afterwards, register for one of our courses. The easiest way is paying via credit card:

https://www.escmid.org/profession-career/educational-activities/2023-escmid-courses-and-workshops

Please note that a registration as a user/ member can take a couple of hours until it is validated in our system. Also, please clear your cache, or try opening the registration website in an incognito/ private window of your browser, to access the requested tickets.
 You will be informed by an automatic e-mail when the fee will arrive in our system, and your registration will be completed.

ACCOMODATION
We would recommend the following hotels:

The Cullen, Prahran
164 Commercial Road, Prahran
https://www.artserieshotels.com.au/cullen/
Book via: https://businesstravel.accor.com/gb/australia/index.shtml
Client code: SCP539543
Access code: AL695AU571

View Melbourne
562 St Kilda Rd, Melbourne
https://viewhotels.com.au/melbourne
Promo code: ALFRED

I hope you will take the opportunity to meet the EUCAST experts and be part of this interactive workshop, the first time this ESCMID PGEC has been held outside of Europe.
 
Geoff Coombs, President ASA
On behalf of the course organisers (Iain Abbott, John Turnidge and Anton Peleg)

 

Dear ASA Members,

Please find below the latest edition of ESCMID Weekly News.

 

With kind regards,
ESCMID Executive Office

 

 

 

 

Infectious disease is a major public health issue worldwide. The Institut Mérieux and its entities have been committed for many years in the fight against infectious diseases in particular the issues with Antimicrobial Resistance. In order to provide an incentive for promising young investigators working in these fields, Institut Mérieux has decided to allocate several awards worldwide to researchers or clinicians at the beginning of their carrier in recognition of a major achievement having significant impact.

 

Asia-Pacific Society of Clinical Microbiology and infection (APSCMI) is a professional society for clinical microbiologists and infectious diseases specialists in the Asia-Pacific region. Institut Mérieux and APSCMI will launch this young investigator award for researchers or clinicians in selected countries in the Asia-Pacific Region to comply with corporate governance in the European Union.

 

• Researchers and / or Clinicians who are currently serving on a full time basis in hospitals / research institutions / teaching institutions in countries of Asia-Pacific region Singapore, Malaysia, Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand.

• With less than 10 years of either clinical practice experience or < 10 years of working experience in clinical microbiology after their M.D / Ph.D.

• Involved and made significant contribution to a research work on the topics of antimicrobial resistance, antimicrobial stewardship, innovative methods in faster microbiology diagnosis, innovative methods in using clinical microbiology information for infection prevention and control, clinical education / awareness programmes (regional and / or national) for combating antimicrobial resistance, innovative approach for surveillance on infectious diseases (including MDRO but not limited to), or any similar work in the field of infectious diseases.

• Having collaboration with researchers/ clinicians from other countries of the Asia-Pacific region.

• Indicators of impact from the work could be either publication(s) in prominent international journals and / or implementation of guidelines / protocols having led to significant improvements in the relevant area.

Selection process and conditions

• Application forms can be downloaded here. The completed application along with a recommendation letter from the host institution where the nominee is working at the time of application for the award should reach APSCMI through email (secretariat@apscmi.net) on or before 31 May 2023. Use only the provided format.

• Members of executive council of APSCMI will assess the applications and will choose two or three suitable applications, which will be forwarded to the external scientific board of Institut Mérieux with their recommendations for the selection of the laureate. The external scientific board of Institut Mérieux will evaluate the candidature of applicants and choose only one as a laureate for the year 2021. The Institut Mérieux keeps the possibility not to allocate any award if none of the proposal is meeting minimum qualification for the award.

• Institut Mérieux will notify APSCMI the name of the laureate for the year 2023. APSCMI will organize an award ceremony during its 19th Asia-Pacific Congress of Clinical Microbiology and Infection (APCCMI), 6 – 8 July 2023.

• In order to receive the award money, which is not exceeding €10,000 (Euro Ten thousand), the institution hosting the laureate should engage an agreement with Institut Mérieux. The award money will be transferred only to the hosting institution of the laureate, and the institution will hold responsibility for proper utilization of the support for further research of the laureate.

Contact secretariat@APSCMI.net with any queries.

See previous awardees here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dear ASA member

 

The planning for the Australian Society for Antimicrobials’ (ASA) 22nd Annual Scientific Meeting “Antimicrobials 2023” to be held at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre on Thursday 23rd  - Saturday 25th February 2023 is now complete, and the meeting's website is now available: www.antimicrobials2023.com. 

In our twenty-one previous ASA meetings, we have had up to 400 registrants per meeting, and we hope to improve on that in 2023 as word continues to spread about the quality of our meetings.

 

 

 

Abstract Submission Deadline: Friday 23rd December 2022

 

Dear ASA members

 

 

 

Respiratory Viral Infections Seminar

 

 

RBWH Education Centre, Block 1
Cnr Bowen Bridge Rd & Butterfield St
Royal Brisbane & Women's Hospital
Herston, Queensland

 

 

 

 

Dear ASA member

 

The planning for the Australian Society for Antimicrobials’ (ASA) 22nd Annual Scientific Meeting “Antimicrobials 2023” to be held at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre on Thursday 23rd  - Saturday 25th February 2023 is now complete, and the meeting's website is now available: www.antimicrobials2023.com. 

In our twenty-one previous ASA meetings we have had up to 400 registrants per meeting, and we hope to improve on that in 2023 as word continues to spread about the quality of our meetings.

 

 

 

 

Dear all,

We are pleased to share with you the next edition of the ASA Breakpoint Newsletter, Issue 37 (May 2022). This is a special issue that presents original research E-posters and Abstracts accepted for the Antimicrobials 2022 conference, which was unfortunately cancelled at the beginning of the year. Please click the following link www.asainc.net.au/newsletterissue37 (or front cover image) to directly download the PDF of the Newsletter. 

 

All Breakpoint Newsletter issues are also available on the ASA website, which can be accessed by using your ASA membership details. If you need any assistance or have suggestions for future issues, please contact us at newsletter@asainc.net.au.
 

Dr Iain J. Abbott
ASA Newsletter Editor
newsletter@asainc.net.au

 

        

 

 

On behalf of the Australian Society for Antimicrobials (ASA) Committee, I wish to congratulate ASA member Abdullah Al Masud, University of New South Wales, for being awarded a recent International Society of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy (ISAC) project grant for his application: 

 

"Practices of antibiotic consumption and dispensing in the middle and low-income people in Bangladesh: a potential contributor to the emergence of antimicrobial resistance in the community"

Abdullah Al Masud graduated in social anthropology both in the Bachelor and Master of Social Science from Jahangirnagar University, Bangladesh, and accomplished a Master of Public Health degree at the James P. Grant School of Public Health, BRAC University, Bangladesh with the full financial support of the Fogarty Foundation International Fellowship. He has been working as Assistant Scientist at International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh, an international Center for Health and Population Research since August 2011. He has extensive experience in research and intervention designs and impact evaluation of water, sanitation and hygiene, nutrition and antimicrobial resistance. He has practical experience in implementing public health programmes in Child Health and Mortality Prevention Surveillance (CHAMPS) in Bangladesh. His social science background drives him to think about the contextual socio-cultural and political factors that impact public health.

Recently, he has been offered and accepted a University International Postgraduate Award (UIPA) to pursue a full-time PhD at the School of Population Health, University of New South Wales, Australia. His PhD research topic is Practices of antibiotic consumption and dispensing in the middle and low-income people in Bangladesh: a potential contributor to the emergence of antimicrobial resistance in the community.

 

Details of all recipients can be found on the ISAC website: ISAC Project Grants | International Society of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy

 

Geoffrey Coombs

ASA President

Dear ASA Members

 

Unfortunately, due to the surge in COVID-19 infections in most parts of Australia, the ASA Committee had made the difficult decision to postpone the Society's annual face-to-face scientific meeting. Given the excessive workload currently experienced by Australian healthcare workers the Committee has also decided a hybrid meeting at this time was not a viable alternative. 

 

Antimicrobials 2022 registered delegates will be contacted by the conference organiser to arrange refunds. In addition, we will be contacting the invited speakers, abstract authors, members who applied for travel awards, and sponsors/corporate members over the next few days.

 

On behalf the Committee I sincerely apologise for any inconvenience the cancellation of Antimicrobials 2022 may cause. 

 

The annual scientific meeting will now be held from 23 to 25 February 2023 at the Brisbane Convention Centre.

 

During 2022 ASA will provide a series of Antimicrobials Online sessions.

 

Please do not hesitate to contact ASA (info@asainc.net.au) if you have any queries.

 

Stay safe and well.

 

Geoff Coombs

ASA President 

 

 

Abstract Submission Deadline: Friday 17th December 2021

 

 

 

Dear ASA members
 
Due to the ongoing uncertainties with the Australian international and state borders, the ASA Committee has unfortunately decided not to hold the International Symposium on Staphylococci and Staphylococcal Infections (ISSSI) that was scheduled to be held in Perth, Australia from 28 - 31 August 2022.

The 2022 Symposium may be held in Europe or the USA, however, the ASA Committee will keep you updated.

Members who have registered for the Symposium will be refunded their registration and accommodation deposits.
 
We are pleased to advise that ISSSI 2024 will be held on 18 – 24 August 2024 at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre, located in the heart of the city. The Perth international and domestic airport terminals are only a short transit to the city and are serviced by numerous daily direct flights from Asia and Europe.
  
Please do not hesitate to contact ASA (info@asainc.net.au) if you have any queries.

Professor Geoffrey Coombs
President | Australian Society for Antimicrobials

 

        

Dear ASA members 

 

All financial members are reminded of the ASA's 23rd Annual General Meeting, which will be held ONLINE via Zoom from 1400 - 1500 AEDT on Friday 26th November 2021. 

 

Meeting minutes from the previous annual general meeting can be downloaded from the Members Area of the ASA website.

 

Members not able to attend the meeting may submit an apology to info@asainc.net.au.

Dear ASA Members

 

Due to the ongoing uncertainties with the Australian international and state borders, the ASA Committee has unfortunately decided not to hold the International Symposium on Staphylococci and Staphylococcal Infections (ISSSI) that was scheduled to be held in Perth, 28 to 31 August 2022.

 

It is hoped the Society will be able to host the symposium in Perth in 2024.

 

The 2022 symposium may be held in Europe or the USA.  ASA will keep you updated.

 

Members who have registered for the symposium will be refunded their registration and accommodation deposits.

 

Please do not hesitate to contact ASA (info@asainc.net.au) if you have any queries.

 

 

 

Moderator

 

 

 

 

 

 

• Implementing the new "I" in EUCAST
• Do we go genta that good night? Aminoglycoside breakpoints revisited

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    

Dear ASA members

 

As you are aware the ASA committee has decided not to hold a face to face annual scientific meeting in 2021

 

In lieu of not having an annual scientific meeting we are developing ASA Antimicrobials Online  -  an educational platform designed to facilitate the acquisition and dissemination of knowledge in the field of antimicrobials and to encourage communication and cooperation between those actively engaged. 

 

ASA Antimicrobials Online will provide monthly live educational sessions. The sessions will typically be 1 to 1.5 hours. The live format will enable delegates to participate in the questions and answers session following each presentation.  All presentations will be recorded and will be available to all ASA members. In addition to the ASA educational sessions ASA Foundation Members will be able to hold industry sessions similar to the successful breakfast and lunch industry sessions held at the Society’s annual scientific meeting. ASA Antimicrobials Online will also provide interactive poster sessions and networking opportunities for ASA members.  By having a virtual poster presentation you will be able to showcase your research, discuss your findings with colleagues, and enhance your CV.

 

 

The first educational session will be a EUCAST Workshop in November 2020. The workshop will be a 60 to 90 minute live interactive session.  Details on the workshop’s program will be available soon.

 

The ASA Committee is currently working on the program for 2021. The ASA live educational sessions will typically be held every second Tuesday of the month commencing 9 February 2021. 

 

The ASA interactive poster sessions will typically be held quarterly commencing March 2021. Posters will be available on the conference website. A call for abstracts for the March poster session will be made in December 2020   

 

The ASA Foundation Member live industry sessions will typically be held every fourth Thursday of the month commencing 25 February 2021. 

 

ASA Antimicrobials Online will be free to all ASA members. ASA members however will need to register via the ASA Antimicrobials Online portal to participate in a session. ASA non members can also participate in the sessions by becoming an ASA member (https://www.asainc.net.au/Membership).

 

I am confident that you will find the ASA Antimicrobials Online program both scientifically stimulating and informative and we look forward to your participation. 

Please contact ASA (info@asainc.net.au) if you would like to submit a session topic.

 

For further information on ASA Antimicrobials Online please contact the ASA Business Manager, Jacson Chung, info@asainc.net.au

 

Kind regards

 

Professor Geoffrey Coombs

ASA President

Dear ASA members

 

With the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic the Australian Society for Antimicrobials (ASA) committee has cancelled the Society's annual scientific meeting that was due to be held in Brisbane 25 - 27 February 2021.

 

The committee, however, believes it is essential ASA continues to facilitate the acquisition and dissemination of knowledge in the field of antimicrobials and encourages communication and cooperation between those actively engaged. After examining the options available to continue its educational activities ASA is developing "Antimicrobials Online".

 

Antimicrobials Online will provide monthly live educational sessions.  The sessions will typically be 1 to 1.5 hours. The live format will enable delegates to participate in the question and answers session following each presentation.  All presentations will be recorded and will be available to all ASA members.  

 

We are working with our conference organisers, ICMS, in developing a commercial platform that will provide the opportunity for members to submit abstracts for the poster sessions. The poster sessions will also have "live sessions" once again enabling discussion with the presenters.  We are also working closely with our Foundation Members who will be able to hold "industry sessions" similar to the successful breakfast and lunch industry sessions held at the annual scientific meeting.  The platform will also provide networking opportunities for members.   

 

We are currently putting together the sessions that will be presented over the next twelve months.  We welcome session ideas from our members. The first session is planned later this year and will be a EUCAST workshop. 

  

 

The Australian Society for Antimicrobials (ASA) congratulate the following two ASA members for being awarded the inaugural affiliated Societies to the European Society Congress for Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (ESCMID) Young Scientist Travel Grants 

 

Dr Shakeel Mowlaboccus, Post Doctoral position at Murdoch University and the University of Western Australia

Evolution of penicillin-resistant Neisseria meningitidis clone in Australia

 

Mr Ali Khalid, PhD in Medicine student at the University of Sydney 

 

Both abstracts have been accepted as oral presentations at ECCMID 2020, which takes place on 18th to 21st April 2020 in Paris, France     

 

The awards provided by ESMID covers full registration and 500 euros travel/accommodation allowance per person to attend ECCMID 2020 

 

 

 

 

Eric Pamer received his medical degree from Case Western Reserve University Medical School and completed clinical training in Internal Medicine and Infectious Diseases at UCSD Medical Center. He was a postdoctoral fellow with Charles E. Davis at UCSD, Maggie So at Scripps Research Institute, and Michael Bevan at the University of Washington. He then moved to Yale University and established a laboratory focusing on immune responses to microbial infection. In 2000, he moved his laboratory to Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York where he was the Chief of Infectious Diseases, Head of the Division of Subspecialty Medicine, and Director of the Center for Microbes, Inflammation and Cancer, which focused on the role of the microbiome in the treatment of cancer. In 2019, Dr. Pamer moved to the University of Chicago to become the Director of the Duchossois Family Institute. Dr. Pamer’s research focuses on the impact of the intestinal microbiota on resistance to Vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium, Clostridium difficile, and Klebsiella pneumoniae infections in patients receiving cancer treatment, with a specific focus on highly immunocompromised patients undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. The Pamer laboratory also investigates the role of inflammatory monocytes in defense against infection and the interaction between intestinal microbes and the mammalian immune system.
 

 

 

All financial members are invited to attend the ASA's 21st Annual General Meeting which will be held in Rooms 105 and 106 at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, Victoria from 1900 - 1930 on Friday 28th February 2020.  Please find attached the meeting's preliminary agenda.  Members who wish to add an agenda item must contact the Society's Secretary before 21st February 2020 (info@asainc.net.au)

 

Minutes from the 2019 meeting can be downloaded from https://www.asainc.net.au/Meeting

 

Members not able to attend the meeting may submit an apology to info@asainc.net.au

 

Members wishing to nominate for the 2020 to 2022 ASA Committee should complete nomination form and email to info@asainc.net.au before 5PM Monday 27th January 2020.

 

 

 

The Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care's third Australian report on Antimicrobials Use and Resistance in human health (AURA 2019) is now available on the commision's website (https://www.safetyandquality.gov.au/antimicrobial-use-and-resistance-in-australia/aura-2019/).

 

AURA 2019 increases the comprehensiveness of the picture of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), antimicrobial use and the appropriateness of antimicrobial prescribing in Australia, in hospitals, aged care, general practice and the community. AURA 2019 was released in May 2019 and builds on the earlier surveillance reports: AURA 2016 and AURA 2017.

 

 

 

Don't miss out on registration discounts to attend BacPath 15! 
Early Bird and Oral Abstract Submissions close 9th June!

 

The meeting explores the full spectrum of molecular microbiology from fundamental research to translational applications.  For more than two decades BacPath has provided an ideal forum for the Australian molecular bacteriology community to communicate their latest research findings. It provides plenty of time for career-building and networking to allow delegates to exchange ideas with their peers and to expand their professional networks.

 

 

 

The Novotel Vines Resort & Country Club, Swan Valley

The Novotel Vines Resort & Country Club is located within the Swan Valley in Perth Western Australia.

The Swan Valley in Western Australia, only 20 minutes from the centre of Perth, is Western Australia's

oldest wine growing region. The Swan Valley is where you will experience a colourful blend of history, people, art, world-class wine, gourmet goodies and fresh produce. The Swan Valley is the ideal location to escape, indulge and awaken your senses!

 

Dear Australian Society for Antimicrobials Colleagues

ISAC is now accepting applications for travel grants from your members to attend the 31st International Congress of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy - 4th Gulf Congress of Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases in Dubai from 6-9 November 2019.

A number of ISAC Young Investigator Travel Awards will be given to ISAC Member Society applicants under the age of 35. Each successful awardee will be granted 1,000 USD towards the cost of their travel to Dubai and their hotel accommodation as well as free congress registration. Visit the website <http://icc-gccmid2019.com/grants-awards/>  for more information and to register <http://icc-gccmid2019.com/register-now/> .

The deadline for abstract submissions and travel grant applications is 1 August 2019.

 

Travel Awards
 

Tom Bergan and John David Williams Memorial Awards      
The two highest scoring abstracts submitted via the ISAC Young Investigator Travel Award application process from countries with limited resources will be awarded the Tom Bergan Memorial Award and the John David Williams Memorial Award in memory of two former Presidents of ISAC.      

Professor Tom Bergan served ISAC as President (1997-2001), Secretary-General (1989-1997) and Executive Member (1985-1989). His significant contributions
included spearheading the establishment of the ISAC journal, International Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy.  

Professor John David Williams served ISAC as Associate Secretary (1977-78), Secretary-General (1979-89) and President (1989-93). He was the first Editor-in-Chief of the ISAC journal, International Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy   

 

 

The ASA Committee congratulations the following ASA members for being awarded travel grants to attend Antimicrobials 2020.

 

 

Kyra Chua

Dorevitch Pathology and Austin Health, Victoria

Individual and Community Predictors of Ceftriaxone Resistant Escherichia coli Isolates, Victoria Australia
 

 

Frances Hurren

Austin Health Victoria 

Evaluation of the Carbapenem Inactivation Method (CIM) as a Predictor for Carbapenemase-producing Gram Negative Bacteria  

 

 

 

PDFs of many of the Antimicrobials 2019 presentations and posters are now available in the members area of the ASA website. 

Thermo Fisher Lunch Symposium

During Antimicrobials 2019 the Thermo Fisher Lunch Symposium will be held on Saturday 23 February 2019.

 

 

Speaker:

Fred C. Tenover, Ph.D., D(ABMM), F(AAM), F(IDSA)

 

Dr. Tenover is Vice President of Scientific Affairs at Cepheid, Consulting Professor of Pathology at Stanford University School of Medicine, Adjunct Professor of Epidemiology in the Rollins School of Public Health at Emory University, and Consulting Professor of Biology at the University of Dayton.  He joined the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta in 1990 and served for 18 years as Associate Director for Laboratory Science in the Division of Healthcare Quality Promotion and then as Director of the Office of Antimicrobial Resistance for CDC. He joined Cepheid in California in 2008 where he focused his research studies on carbapenem resistance and the epidemiology of Staphylococcus aureus and Clostridiodes difficile. He is a Diplomate of the American Board of Medical Microbiology and a Fellow of both the American Academy of Microbiology and the Infectious Disease Society of America. He has authored over 350 peer-reviewed journal articles and has written or edited 11 books.

Antimicrobials 2019 Registration: www.antimicrobials2019.com

Antimicrobials 2019
21 - 23 February 2019
Sheraton Grand Sydney Hyde Park, Sydney
www.antimicrobials2019.com
 

 

During Antimicrobials 2019 the MSD Lunch Symposium will be held on Thursday 21 February 2019.

 

 

Early Bird Registration Deadline: Friday 4 2019
www.antimicrobials2019.com

 

 

 

Professor Karin Thursky

 

Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Healthcare (ACSQHC) Lunch Symposium

During Antimicrobials 2019 the ACSQHC Lunch Symposium will be held on Saturday 23 February 2019.

 

 

 

During Antimicrobials 2019 the BD Breakfast Symposium will be held on Friday 0700 - 0845 22 February 2019.

 

 

 

During Antimicrobials 2019 the Abbott Breakfast Symposium will be held on Saturday 0700 - 0845 23rd February 2019

 

• Understand the role of antimicrobial stewardship for provision of an OPAT service
• Understand new international recommendations around drug solution-stability characteristics suitable for OPAT
• Understand how to establish a new or optimise an existing OPAT service
• Understand the role of dose optimisation within OPAT
• Understand strengths and weaknesses of different infusor consumables

 

 

Prior to Antimicrobials 2019 ASA will be holding a EUCAST Workshop

Open to all registered Antimicrobials 2019 delegates (register via the Antimicrobials 2019 registration portal - www.antimicrobials2019.com), this Workshop is designed as an interactive forum for EUCAST users and non-users alike to hear the latest on EUCAST activities, discuss some of the more challenging areas of testing, and discuss any and all implementation issues.

Time: 14:00 pm - 17:30 pm

Date: Wednesday 20 February 2019
Venue: Pullman Hyde Park

Program
1. Update on EUCAST activities John Turnidge

 

 

Abstract Submission Deadline: Friday, 7th December 2018
Abstract Notification: Friday, 14th December 2018
Early Bird Registration Deadline: Friday, 4th January 2019
Accommodation Booking Deadline: Friday, 11 January 2019

 

The Howard Florey Oration is delivered each year during the Society's annual scientific meeting and is presented by a scientist who has made a significant contribution to a greater understanding of antimicrobials and their appropriate use. 

 

 

Professor Slavin is a Professor in the Department of Medicine at The University of Melbourne and a Research Associate at the Macfarlane Burnet Centre for Medical Research and Public Health. She received her medical degree from The University of Melbourne and trained in Infectious Diseases in Melbourne and Seattle, USA. Her major research interest is in infections in the immunocompromised, especially patients with cancer and those undergoing transplantation. Her current research focus is prevention and early treatment of invasive fungal infections in haematology patients. She has served on national steering committees for the development of antifungal and fever and neutropenia treatment guidelines and for the conduct of Australia-wide studies of epidemiology of fungal infection.

 

 

 

 

Abstract Submission Deadline: Friday, 7th December 2018
Abstract Notification: Friday, 14th December 2018
Early Bird Registration Deadline: Friday, 4th January 2019
Accommodation Booking Deadline: Friday, 11 January 2019

 

 

The Australian Society for Antimicrobials is pleased to announce Professor Jan Kluytmans will be presenting the keynote lecture "Controlling Antimicrobial Resistance by Visualising the Invisible".

 

 

 

On behalf of the Australian Society for Antimicrobials, I would like to invite you to the Society's 20th Annual Scientific Meeting, "Antimicrobials 2019", to be held at the Sheraton on the Park, Sydney Thursday 21st - Saturday 23rd February 2019.

I am pleased to announce Romney Humphries, Accelerate Diagnostics and the American Society for Microbiology, USA; Jesús Rodriguez-Baño, Saville University and President of the European Society for Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Spain; and Karin Thursky, The University of Melbourne, Australia will be participating at the meeting. Romney will be presenting the plenary "Antimicrobial susceptibility testing: Old technologies for new drugs and new technologies for old drugs", Jesús will be presenting "New antimicrobials: Can we avoid our past mistakes?" and Karin will be presenting the plenary "Antimicrobial stewardship in Australia: Leaders or laggards?". 

The 2019 Howard Florey Oration will be delivered by Monica Slavin from The University Of Melbourne, Australia. 

The programme's symposia cover many different aspects of antimicrobials and sessions include "Difficult to treat populations (Science and immunology)", "Difficult to treat/ID organisms (Laboratory and technical aspects)", "Technology and antimicrobial resistance", "Where humans and animals collide", and "AMR testing update". In addition, we will have an AMR update summit panel discussion and two pharmacy symposia titled "The drugs" and "Drugs and bugs". Two literature review sessions will also be presented, including "The year in clinical microbiology" (Tony Korman, Victoria) and "The year in AMR" (Elaine Cheong, New South Wales). Four proffered papers and two poster sessions are also planned for the meeting. 

To promote discussion and interaction between delegates and the invited speakers, the meeting's registration includes lunches, morning and afternoon teas and admission to the Howard Florey Dinner. 

I am confident that you will find the meeting's programme both scientifically stimulating and informative and we look forward to meeting you in Sydney.

Ben Howden
President ASA

Important Dates

Abstract Submission Deadline: Friday, 7th December 2018
Abstract Notification: Friday, 14th December 2018
Early Bird Registration Deadline: Friday, 4th January 2019
Accommodation Booking Deadline: Friday, 11 January 2019

 

The Australian Society for Antimicrobials congratulates the following ASA members on being awarded an ASA ISSSI Travel Scholarship to attend the 2018 International Symposium on Staphylococci and Staphylococcal Infections in Denmark.

 

 

 

The scholarship consists of $3,000 each to assist in the return economy airfare, accommodation and conference registration.  As part of the scholarship the recipients will  provide a report on the meeting for the ASA Newsletter.

I am confident that you will find the meeting's program both scientifically stimulating and informative, and we look forward to meeting you in Sydney.

 

 

Please click here for the Programme

 

For more information, please visit www.antimicrobials2019.com

 

Date: 13- 15 September 2018

Venue: Union College, University of Queensland, St Lucia Campus, Brisbane

Cost: $660pp

 

This workshop aims to build capacity in pharmacokinetic modelling and dose optimisation of antimicrobials so that attendees will be able to design and analyse clinical, in vitro or animal studies with the aim of informing robust dosing regimen selection.

 

The objectives of this workshop will be to:

-              Create PK and PK/PD datasets appropriate for population analysis

-              Fit models to data to estimate population and individual distribution of parameter values

-              Make and customize pharmacometric plots

-              Perform basic and Monte Carlo simulations for PK-PD analysis of antimicrobials

 

This 2.5-day workshop will host an International Faculty as well as delegates from a variety of backgrounds including pharmacy, infectious diseases, critical care and nephrology. Faculty includes A/ Prof Michael Neely, Dr Catherine Byrne, Dr Christina Koenig and Prof Jason Roberts.

 

To register and for more information click here.

 

Date: 20 September 2018
Venue: UQCCR, University of Queensland, Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital Campus, Brisbane
Cost: $77pp

 

The Symposium will cover a range of topics, focusing on: innovation in patient-centric sampling, applications of microsampling for drug dosing (both in the clinical and research environment), and novel bioanalytical methods. The Symposium will explore the application of these alternative sampling strategies as applied to the hospital, outpatient and community environments.

For more information click here.

 

The venue for Antmicrobials 2019 has now been confirmed and will held at the Sheraton on the Park, Sydney. The meeting website www.antimicrobials2019.com will be available in July 2018.

Please do not hesitate to contact ASA if you have any queries regarding sponsorship, meeting registration and abstract submission. 

 

 

 

 

During Antimicrobials 2018 MSD will be holding a breakfast symposium on Saturday 24th February (0700 - 0845)

 

Title: Antimicrobial Stewardship

 

Speaker: A/Prof Natalie Scellack, School of Pharmacy, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, South Africa

 

Natalie Schellack is an Associate Professor and Acting Head of the Division for Clinical Pharmacy in the Department of Pharmacy, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University. She holds three degrees, two bachelor degrees (nursing and pharmacy) and a PhD in pharmacy. She is part of the editorial team of the Journal of Hospital Administration (Canadian Journal), serves on the Gauteng Provincial Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee, and Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences Research and Ethics Committee. She is also the chairperson of the South African Society of Clinical Pharmacy.

 

She serves on the Gauteng Provincial Pharmacy and Therapeutics committee and nationally she serves as a member of the Paediatric Essential Medicine List, she is a cofounder and currently the chairperson of the South African Society of Clinical Pharmacy (SASOCP), she is a member of the South African Global Antimicrobial Resistance Partnership (GARP) and the  Federation of Infectious Diseases Societies of Southern Africa (FIDSSA).

 

 
The MSD breakfast session is available to all registered Antimicrobials 2018 delegates. An email inviting delegates to attend the breakfast will be circulated closer to the meeting.

 

 

During Antimicrobials 2018 Cepheid will be holding a breakfast symposium on Saturday 24th February (0700 - 0845)

 

Title: Next Generation Xpert MTB/RIF Ultra: Early Experince in a Low Burden Setting
 

Speaker: Dr Sushil Pandey, Queensland Mycobacterium Reference Laboratory, Pathology Queensland

 
The Cepheid breakfast session is available to all registered Antimicrobials 2018 delegates. An email inviting delegates to attend the breakfast will be circulated closer to the meeting

Antimicrobials 2018 Important Dates:
Accommodation Booking Deadline: Friday, 19 January 2018

 

Antimicrobials 2018 Important Dates
Accommodation Booking Deadline: Friday, 19 January 2018

 

 

 

 

 

 

The ASA Committee congratulates the following ASA members  who have received an ASA Travel Award to attend Antimicrobials 2018:

• Daniel Knight. Murdoch University, Western Australia. Antimicrobial resistance in zoonotic lineages of Clostridium difficle  

• Terence Lee. Murdoch University, Western Australia.Characterization of ST173 vanB E. faecium from the first VRE outbreak in Western Australia

 

 

The Australian EUCAST National AST Committee (AusNAC) was established in 2011 to provide expert advice and further the cause of skill development in the area of antimicrobial susceptibility testing. It is the affiliated national committee within the European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (EUCAST) network (http://www.eucast.org/organization/nac/). EUCAST now has national advisory committees (NACs) in 37countries, including 9 outside Europe, and continues to expand its membership. Its Terms of Reference are listed below.

 

The Australian Society for Antimicrobials is calling for expressions of interest to joint AusNAC from those with a strong interest in the laboratory and clinical aspects of phenotypic antimicrobial susceptibility testing, and willing to make an active contribution to its activities.

 

AusNAC is keen to update and expand its areas of activity and expertise in the area of phenotypic antimicrobial susceptibility testing, and focus on the promotion of the EUCAST AST system across Australia. EUCAST currently addresses all aspects on phenotypic AST of antibacterial and antifungal agents in human medicine. It is currently working to develop methods and breakpoints for veterinary agents (VetCAST - http://www.eucast.org/ast_of_veterinary_pathogens/), and antimycobacterial agents (AMST - http://www.eucast.org/mycobacteria/), both of which now have working subcommittees.

 

Expressions of interest should be forwarded to John Turnidge (jturnidge@gmail.com) by November 30, 2017. Include in your email a brief statement of your area of expertise and the contribution that you can make.

The Office of Health Protection  are pleased to announce that the Minister for Health and Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources have released the new One Health AMR website: https://www.amr.gov.au

 

The website includes a research and activity directory which aims to collect and share information about AMR-related initiatives that are being undertaken across Australia. The Office of Health Protection encourages submission of any AMR-related research and activities you are undertaking in the Directory.

On behalf of the Australian Society for Antimicrobials, I would like to invite you to the Society's 19th Annual Scientific Meeting "Antimicrobials 2018" to be held at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre, Brisbane, on Thursday 22nd - Saturday 24th February 2018. 

 

I am pleased to announce Lance Price, George Washington University, USA; Matthew Holden, University of St Andrews, UK; and Greg Cook, University of Otago, New Zealand will be participating at the meeting. Lance will be presenting the plenary "Food Producing Animals as a Source of Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR)", Matthew will be presenting "Using Genomics to AMR in Hospitals", and Greg will be presenting the plenary "Targeting mycobacterial energetics to fight drug-resistant tuberculosis".

 

The 2018 Howard Florey Oration will be delivered by John Turnidge, University of Adelaide, South Australia.

 

The programme's symposia cover many different aspects on antimicrobials and sessions include "Drug Discovery and Therapeutic Options", "The Environment as a Source of AMR", "Rise of the Superbugs", "The Immunocompromised Host", "Linking Antimicrobial Stewardship (AMS) and Laboratory Diagnostics: The Role of the Laboratory in AMS", and "The Future of the Diagnostic Microbiology Laboratory". In addition, we have two pharmacy symposia on Saturday afternoon titled "AMS" and "Drugs and Bugs". Three literature review sessions will also be presented, including "The Year in Clinical Microbiology" (Sally Roberts, New Zealand), "The Year in AMS" (Kirsty Buising, Victoria), and "The Year in AMR and Therapy" (Trent Yarwood, Queensland). Six proffered papers and two poster sessions are also planned for the meeting.

 

To promote discussion and interaction between delegates and the invited speakers, the meeting's registration includes lunches, morning and afternoon teas and admission to the Howard Florey Dinner.

 

I am confident that you will find the meeting's program both scientifically stimulating and informative, and we look forward to meeting you in Brisbane.

 

 

 

ASA has made funds available for travel awards to assist Members wanting to attend the Society's annual scientific meeting. Awards are made to ASA financial members presenting a proffered paper (oral or poster) at the meeting.  Applicants must have current ASA membership and must have been ASA members for at least the last 12 months. Recipients of  an Award are required to write a report on the meeting for the ASA Newsletter.  

 

The awards consists of a return economy airfare, accommodation and conference registration up to the value of AUD2,500. 

 

ASA members who wish to apply for this award are invited to submit their application to the ASA Secretary Denise Daley at info@asainc.net.au.  The application should include a copy of the abstract and for abstracts with more than one author, a letter stating the relative contribution of the applicant towards the research.

 

This is awarded to an individual on the basis of a poster presented during the ASA's Annual Scientific Meeting. 

 

The applicant must be a financial member of the ASA. The Award is restricted to ASA members residing in Australia or New Zealand.  The award committee will take into account the quality and originality of the poster.

 

The awards consists of a return economy airfare, accommodation and conference registration up to the value of AUD2,500 for the recipients to attend Antimicrobials 2019. The award committee will consist of three ASA committee members.

 

 

In conjunction with abstract submission, the ISC is currently accepting applications for its grants to attend the International Congress of Chemotherapy and Infection 2017 (ICC 2017) which will take place 24-27 November in Taipei, Taiwan.   Application criteria for each grant can be found in the links below and applications are welcomed from members of ISC Member Societies.

 

 

A number of ISC Young Investigator Travel Awards (YITA) will be given to applicants under the age of 35 attending the 30th ICC. The award will cover the airfare to the ICC and hotel accommodation as well as free registration.  Priority will be given to applicants from low resource countries.  All eligible young investigators who are submitting abstracts are encouraged to apply.  Click here for more information.

 

 

This ISC grant has been established in memory of Tom Bergan, Past President of the ISC. The grant will cover the airfare to the ICC and hotel accommodation as well as free registration.  Priority will be given to applicants from low resource countries.  All eligible young investigators who are submitting abstracts are encouraged to apply.  Click here for more information.

 

 

The JD Williams Memorial grant is established in memory of John David Williams, Past President of the ISC.  The grant will cover the airfare to the ICC and hotel accommodation as well as free registration.  Priority will be given to applicants from low resource countries.  All eligible young investigators who are submitting abstracts are encouraged to apply.  Click here for more information.

ISC Member Societies can advertise meetings on the ISC’s website by contacting secretariat@ischemo.org or by submitting details via the Contact page of the website.

The Australian Society for Antimicrobials (ASA) congratulate the following ASA members on receiving an ASA Travel Award to attend Antimicrobials 2017: 

 

 

The Lancefield International Symposium on Streptococci and Streptococcal Diseases is a 3-yearly meeting that is the world’s premier meeting on streptococci and streptococcal diseases, especially Streptococcus pyogenes.

 

The 20th LISSSD will continue the tradition of linking laboratory excellence with high quality clinical and epidemiologic studies of streptococcal infections, but will bring a fresh and forward-looking approach with a focus on cutting-edge science, and on streptococcal disease in endemic regions. The meeting will especially encourage up-and-coming researchers by providing special opportunities for these researchers to attend at a lower cost as well as presenting in a dedicated session.

 

The agreement follows a worldwide campaign led by the Chief Medical Officer Professor Dame Sally Davies and Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt to highlight the threat posed to modern medicine by antimicrobial resistance (AMR).

Every signatory has agreed that drug resistant infections must be tackled as a priority. The nations have committed to:

·         develop surveillance and regulatory systems on the use and sales of antimicrobial medicines for humans and animals

·         encourage innovative ways to develop new antibiotics, and improve rapid diagnostics

·         raise awareness among health professionals and the public on how to prevent drug resistant infections

 

For further information: 

The AGAR 2014 antimicrobial resistance surveillance reports are now available in the Communicable Diseases Intelligence Volume 40 Number 2 June 2016 issue

 

 

Australian Group on Antimicrobial Resistance Australian Enterobacteriaceae Sepsis Outcome Programme annual report, 2014
Jan M Bell, John D Turnidge, Geoffrey W Coombs, Denise A Daley, Thomas Gottlieb, Jenny Robson, Narelle George 
Full text [HTML] | Full text [PDF 430 KB]

 

Australian Group on Antimicrobial Resistance Australian Enterococcal Sepsis Outcome Programme annual report, 2014
Geoffrey W Coombs, Denise A Daley, Yung Thin Lee, Stanley Pang, Julie C Pearson, J Owen Robinson, Paul DR Johnson, Despina Kotsanas, Jan M Bell, John D Turnidge for the Australian Group on Antimicrobial Resistance
Full text [HTML] | Full text [PDF 430 KB]

 

Australian Group on Antimicrobial Resistance Australian Staphylococcus aureus Sepsis Outcome Programme annual report, 20145
Geoffrey W Coombs, Denise A Daley, Yung Thin Lee, Julie C Pearson, J Owen Robinson, Graeme R Nimmo, Peter Collignon, Benjamin P Howden, Jan M Bell, John D Turnidge for the Australian Group on Antimicrobial Resistance

Full text [HTML] | Full text [PDF 537 MB]  

An Annual grant of up to $25,000 to support original research ha been made available by the Australian Society of Antimicrobials (ASA). The following conditions apply:

 

• Funding is limited to ASA financial members.
• The Principal Investigator (PI) must have been an ASA member for at least twelve months
• The successful applicant will present their work at an ASA annual scientific meeting
• If applicable the PI will submit an article for the ASA newsletter and website
• ASA will be acknowledged on all resulting publications and presentations
• 12 and 24 month progress reports must be submitted to the ASA committee

 

The research funds are to be used for the project, as per the budget application only. ASA does not support an institution's  infrastructure or overhead costs.

 

The application must be performed on line via the ASA website Research Grant Application Form and must include:

 

• A copy of the PI's CV.
• Head of Department confirmation of the application and the Department has the resources required to undertake the project.

 

The grant application and CV will be assessed by a panel of at least six independent reviewers using a standardised scoring system. Applicants will be informed of the decision one week before the ASA annual scientific meeting "Antimicrobials 2016".

 

Applications will be accepted online from 15 August to 31 October 2016.

 

Click here for the Research Grant Application Form.

 

For further enquiries please contact the ASA secretary on info@asainc.net.au

 

Antimicrobials 2017 and StaphPath 2017 

Adelaide Convention Centre and Intercontinental Hotel

23 - 25 February and 25 - 26 February 2017

www.antimicrobials2017.com

 

On behalf of the Australian Society for Antimicrobials (ASA), I invite you to the Society’s 18^th Annual Scientific Meeting “Antimicrobials 2017” and to the inaugural “StaphPath 2017” meeting to be held at the Adelaide Convention Centre and the Intercontinental Hotel, Adelaide, on Thursday 23^rd – Sunday 26^th February 2017.

 

“Antimicrobials 2017” and “StaphPath 2017” will share joint symposia on Saturday 25^th February 2017. A discounted “StaphPath 2017” registration fee is available to Antimicrobials 2017 delegates.

 

The ASA are pleased to offer Australian Society for Microbiology (ASM) and Australasian Society for Infectious Diseases (ASID) members, who are non-ASA members, the ASA members registration fee to attend “StaphPath 2017”.

 

Abstract submission and meeting registration is now available on the meeting website www.antimicrobials2017.com 

 

Important Dates

 

Abstract Submission Deadline: Friday, 9 December 2016

 

Abstract Notification: Friday, 16 December 2016

 

Early Bird Registration Deadline: Friday, 6 January 2017

 

Accommodation Booking Deadline: Friday, 20 January 2017

 

The meetings’ programme is available on www.antimicrobials2017.com

 

On behalf of the Australian Society for Antimicrobials I would like to invite you to the Society’s 18^th Annual Scientific Meeting “Antimicrobials 2017” and to the inaugural “StaphPath 2017” to be held at the Adelaide Convention Centre and the Intercontinental Hotel, Adelaide, on Thursday 23^rd – Sunday 26^th February 2017.

 

“Antimicrobials 2017” and “StaphPath 2017” will share joint symposia on Saturday 25^th February 2017. 

 

Antimicrobials 2017 (Thursday 23^rd – Saturday 25^th February 2017)

 

I am pleased to announce William Hope, The University of Liverpool, UK; Stefan Schwarz, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Germany; and Geraint Rogers, Flinders University, South Australia will be participating at the meeting.  William will be presenting the plenary “PK/PD in Everyday Antimicrobial Treatment”, and Stefan will be presenting “One Health Aspects of Antimicrobial Resistance in Gram Negative Bacteria and Enterococci".  Geraint’s plenary will be “Antimicrobial Resistance and the Human Genome”.

 

The 2017 Howard Florey Oration will be delivered by Tim Walsh, Cardiff University, Wales.  

 

The program’s symposia cover many different aspects on antimicrobials and symposium sessions include “Mycology”, “The Cutting Edge: Resistance Detection and Management, “New Frontiers: The Human Resistome and Metagenomics”, “Enterococci”, “Staphylococcal Topics”, “Global MRSA Epidemiology” and “Antibiotic Resistance and Staphylococcal Mobile Genomic Elements”.   In addition, we have two pharmacy symposia on Saturday afternoon titled “System wide Initiatives” and "From Theory to Bedside”.  Six proffered papers and two poster sessions are also planned for the meeting.

 

To celebrate the 100^th anniversary of the birth of Howard Florey the “Antimicrobials 2017” registration will include a formal dinner at the Adelaide Town Hall.

 

StaphPath 2017 (Saturday 25^th – Sunday 26^th February 2017)

 

 

In addition to the “Staphylococcal Topics”, “Global MRSA Epidemiology” and “Antibiotic Resistance and Staphylococcal Mobile Genomic Elements” symposia StaphPath 2017 will have four plenary sessions including “Staphylococcal Virulence: What does WGS tell us” (Ruth Massey, University of Bath, UK), “S. aureus and the Ecology of the Nasal Microbiome (Robert Skov, Statens Serum Institute, Denmark), “What’s new in Staphylococcal Pathogenesis” (Jodi Lindsay, St Georges’ University of London, UK), and “The Emergence of cfr in Human and Animal Staphylococci” (Stefan Schwarz).  Three additional symposia are also scheduled including “ST93 and Beyond”, “Multi-resistant Staphylococci in the Australian Veterinary Setting” and “Novel Anti-staphylococcal Approaches” A poster session is also planned for the meeting.   

 

A discounted registration will be provided for delegates attending both meetings

 

To promote discussion and interaction between delegates and the invited speakers the meetings’ registration will include lunches, morning and afternoon teas.

 

The meetings website which will include registration and abstract submission will be available in July.  

 

I am confident that you will find both meetings’ programs both scientifically stimulating and informative and we look forward to meeting you in Adelaide.

 

Ben Howden
President ASA

On behalf of the ASA Committee I would like to congratulate the following ASA members for being awarded an ASA travel grant to attend Antimicrobials 2016:

 

 

Each awarded has been provided with a complementary ASA registration, return economy airfares and a three day per diem

The Australian National Antimicrobial Resistance Strategy has been released by the Minister for Health and Sport and the Minister for Agriculture. A copy of the strategy is available at the following links:

 

www.health.gov.au/amr and www.agriculture.gov.au

 

The Australian Society for Antimicrobials is a member of the Australian Strategic and Technical Advisory Group on Antimicrobial Resistance (ASTAG) and has been heavily engaged in the development of this national strategy.