Word of welcome

Since the landmark discovery of the Shiga Toxin (Verocytotoxin)–producing Escherichia coli (STEC) in the late 1970s an explosive growth in STEC and EHEC research has occurred in recent years. What binds together the manifold efforts is the common goal to expand the understanding on how this pathogen causes life-threatening diseases.

For more than two decades the engagement of researchers from all over the world has widened the knowledge on STEC and EHEC research, and the triennial International Symposia on Shiga Toxin (Verocytotoxin) – producing Escherichia coli has been held successfully in Toronto, Bergamo, Baltimore, Kyoto, Edinburgh, Melbourne and Buenos Aires. These events promote active information exchange and help form dynamic research networks.
 
Amsterdam will host the VTEC 2012 International Conference which will gather researchers in epidemiology, infectious diseases, animal and medical microbiology, immunology, pediatric nephrology, pediatric gastro-enterology, physiology and biochemistry. Underscoring the synergy of the event, two excellent, state-of-the-art symposia will be held, one of which will link up top clinical researchers in the non-STEC HUS (Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome) with their counterparts in STEC-HUS.

HUS, which causes hemolytic anemia and acute renal failure among others, is often seen (more than 90% of the cases) in children, with around 5 to 10% of non-adult patients dying in the acute phase. Although non-STEC HUS is seen in less than 10% of the pediatric HUS cases it has a worse prognosis than STEC-HUS. Thus, there remains an urgent need to improve treatment options that would aid in boosting quality of life and lowering mortality.

The second specialized symposium will focus on intestinal colonization of extracellular bacteria, particularly the enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli STEC pathogens-causing diseases in humans. The 2006 Melbourne meeting, for instance, has provided insights regarding the bacteria’s resistant nature in the human gut. Further identifying the STEC’s adherence mechanisms in the humans is therefore essential in developing treatment strategies.

Bringing together frontline researchers and clinicians in the STEC-HUS and non STEC-HUS areas will prove crucial and the VTEC conference organizers are aware of the challenges and issues that medical researchers face.

VTEC 2012 and the concurrent symposia will harness the participation of dedicated European researchers, and with the excellent support services of Congress Consultants, organizers anticipate that the 8th International Shiga Toxin (Verocytotoxin)- producing Escherichia Coli Infection 2012 Meeting will be another great success.

Help boost STEC and EHEC research efforts and join us in Amsterdam for the VTEC 2012 International Conference!