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The 13th International Workshops on Opportunistic Protists (IWOP13)
Enrique J Calderon1, Melanie T Cushion2,3, Lihua Xiao4
1Department of Internal Medicine, Center of Biomedical Research Network in Epidemiology and Public Health, Virgen del Rocío University Hospital, Seville, Spain.
The Journal of Eukaryotic Microbiology
|April 30, 2015
Summary
The 13th International Workshops on Opportunistic Protists (IWOP-13) convened researchers to discuss opportunistic pathogens. Discussions focused on advancing knowledge of these microbes and addressing declining expertise in the field.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Immunology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- The 13th International Workshops on Opportunistic Protists (IWOP-13) addressed pathogenic eukaryotic microorganisms linked to immunodeficiency, particularly in AIDS patients.
- These microorganisms include free-living amoebae, Pneumocystis, Cryptosporidium, Toxoplasma, Microsporidia, and kinetoplastid flagellates.
Framework:
- The IWOP meetings serve as a crucial forum for researchers to exchange information on the biology, genetics, immunology, biochemistry, pathogenesis, and epidemiology of opportunistic protists.
- A key objective is to encourage new and young investigators to enter these under-researched scientific domains.
Implementation:
- IWOP-13 facilitated discussions on progress in understanding the biology and disease-causing roles of these pathogens in both immunocompromised and immunocompetent hosts.
- The conference highlighted insights into emerging and reemerging opportunistic pathogens.
Implications:
- A significant concern is the diminishing scientific expertise and diversity within the research community due to the field's small size and limited recognition.
- The sensitivity of these research communities to funding fluctuations poses a challenge to sustained progress in understanding and combating these pathogens.
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