AGENDA
The aim of the symposium is to provide a broad overview of the current state of research on polymicrobial infections in gynecology.
Roundtable I
Currently, the vaginal microbiome is studied using different methods that are not directly comparable (light microscopy, Cell-FISH, multiplex PCR, sequencing). I think we will dedicate the second and third roundtables specifically to the special issue in Pathogens. I am not sure that the scientific community is ready for polymicrobials. We should start with "Polymicrobial Infections & Novel Diagnostics in Vaginal Diseases". But let us wait until the end of the symposium. I think we will dedicate the second and third roundtables specifically to the special issue in Pathogens. I am not sure that the scientific community is ready for polymicrobials. We should start with "Polymicrobial Infections & Novel Diagnostics in Vaginal Diseases". But let us wait until the end of the symposium.possible to extrapolate results from one method to another.
The roundtable discussion should clarify whether it would be possible to create a textbook based on the atlas “Phase contrast microscopy of cervicovaginal discharge" (Werner Mendling et al.). The idea is that for each photo in the atlas, the typical Cell-FISH, multiplex PCR and NGS results are generated and provided with explanations.
The roundtable discussion should clarify whether it would be possible to create a textbook based on the atlas “Phase contrast microscopy of cervicovaginal discharge" (Werner Mendling et al.). The idea is that for each photo in the atlas, the typical Cell-FISH, multiplex PCR and NGS results are generated and provided with explanations.
Roundtable II
The current studies and publications on the subject of the vaginal microbiome and bacterial vaginosis come from very few labs in the world.
In the majority of the studies, either Amsel or Nugent criteria are used as the “gold standard” for the diagnosis of bacterial vaginosis. Both criteria are directly incomparable and their results depend on the personal interpretations and skills of the investigator. Even more, since the studies are generally carried out by the researchers themselves, no external control of what the authors actually mean by this and how they carry it out is possible.
The discussion in this session will aim at exploring the possibility of establishing an international reference center in which the same vaginal discharge sample is evaluated by different examiners using different methods.
In the majority of the studies, either Amsel or Nugent criteria are used as the “gold standard” for the diagnosis of bacterial vaginosis. Both criteria are directly incomparable and their results depend on the personal interpretations and skills of the investigator. Even more, since the studies are generally carried out by the researchers themselves, no external control of what the authors actually mean by this and how they carry it out is possible.
The discussion in this session will aim at exploring the possibility of establishing an international reference center in which the same vaginal discharge sample is evaluated by different examiners using different methods.
Roundtable III
Vaginal diseases and imbalances (dysbiosis) have significant consequences beyond its anatomical location, for instance in fertility, sexuality, risk of sexually transmited infections, obstetrical complications (including preterm labor) – therefore having an impact even at a more global level. In roundtable III it will be discussed the role of International Society for Polymicrobial Infections and Novel Diagnostics (iSPIN) in the global world.
