Program Description

This interactive, enduring, multimedia activity is based on the third and final component of the ICAAC 2013 satellite symposium, Invasive Mycoses: Consider the Source, Consider the Host. In  Invasive Fungal Infections After Solid Organ Transplantation, Barbara D. Alexander, MD, MHS, FIDSA, discusses a case highlighting the management of an invasive mold infection in a patient post lung transplantation. In this activity, Dr Alexander reviews fungal epidemiology based on type of organ transplanted and time from transplantation, explores the performance characteristics of fungal diagnostics specifically in the SOT setting, reviews the guidelines for management of fungal infections in SOT, and discusses genomics and other host defense issues impacting response to therapy. The activity will also include bonus material about current and emerging antifungal therapy and diagnostic options (developed by Peter G. Pappas, MD, FACP). 

 

CME Information

Title: Invasive Fungal Infections After Solid Organ Transplantation

 

RELEASE DATE: 03/31/2014
EXPIRATION DATE: 03/30/2015
ESTIMATED TIME TO COMPLETE THIS ACTIVITY: 0.5 Hours

 

MEDIA: Interactive presentation

 

Statement of Need

 

Invasive fungal infections (IFIs) remain a substantial source of morbidity and mortality. While the increasing burden of IFIs is generally seen as a byproduct of modern medicine and an increasing net state of immunosuppression, emerging data on genomics and the immunologic response of the host are informing a deeper understanding of what happens at the level of the patient. There are differences in IFIs among pediatric patients, solid organ transplant (SOT) patients, and hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) patients in terms of causative pathogens (the source), the host response to the pathogens, diagnostic considerations, and response to therapeutic interventions.

This activity will explore whether our increased understanding of these interrelated factors can lead to personalized therapy for IFIs, as is occurring in oncology. Against this backdrop, we have documented gaps in managing IFIs per evidence-based society guidelines, such as in initiating prophylactic, preemptive, and empiric therapy (when appropriate) and definitive treatment across these host types. Finally, as emerging diagnostics and therapeutics are developed, their efficacy in these varied host populations as well as their interactions with host factors are key considerations. This third activity in the series focuses specifically on antifungal strategies specific to SOT as well as emerging genomic factors being evaluated  for their impact on host response.

 

Learning Objectives

 

After completing this activity, the participants will be better able to:

• Define IFI epidemiology  in SOT patients vs other populations

• Describe the current understanding of the host response to IFIs such as Candida spp, Aspergillus spp, Cryptococcus spp, and Mucorales and the impact on response to current therapeutics

• Choose appropriate IFI diagnostic and treatment strategies in the post SOT setting

 

Target Audience

 

This activity is directed to infectious disease physicians, hematologists/oncologists, critical care physicians, transplant physicians, pathologists, pediatricians, and other healthcare providers responsible for the management of invasive mycoses. 

 

Accreditation

 

The University of Nebraska Medical Center, Center for Continuing Education is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians. 

This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the Essential Areas and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education through the joint sponsorship of  the University of Nebraska Medical Center, Center for Continuing Education and Terranova Medica.

The University of Nebraska Medical Center, Center for Continuing Education designates this enduring material for a maximum of 0.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.  

 

Disclosure Declaration

 

As a provider accredited by ACCME, the University of Nebraska Medical Center, Center for Continuing Education must ensure balance, objectivity, independence, and scientific rigor in its educational activities. Faculty are encouraged to provide a balanced view of therapeutic options by utilizing either generic names or the trade names of several to ensure impartiality.

All speakers, planning committee members and others in a position to control continuing medical education content participating in a University of Nebraska Medical Center, Center for Continuing Education activity are required to disclose relationships with commercial interests. A commercial interest is any entity producing, marketing, re-selling, or distributing health care goods or services consumed by, or used on, patients. Disclosure of these commitments and/or relationships is included in these activity materials so that participants in the activity may formulate their own judgments in interpreting its content and evaluating its recommendations.

This activity may include presentations in which faculty may discuss off-label and/or investigational use of pharmaceuticals or instruments not yet FDA-approved. Participants should note that the use of products outside currently FDA-approved labeling should be considered experimental and are advised to consult current prescribing information for FDA-approved indications.

The following indicates the disclosure declaration information and the nature of those commercial relationships.

All materials are included with the permission of the authors. The opinions expressed are those of the authors and are not to be construed as those of the University of Nebraska Medical Center, Center for Continuing Education

 

Faculty Disclosures

 

BARBARA D. ALEXANDER, MD, MHS
RESEARCH SUPPORT:
Astellas Pharma US; Charles River Laboratories; Pfizer, Inc.

 

PETER G. PAPPAS, MD, FACP
RESEARCH SUPPORT:
Astellas Pharma US; Gilead; Merck & Co; Pfizer, Inc; T2 Biosystems
ADVISORY BOARD:
Astellas; Gilead; Merck & Co; T2 Biosystems
INVESTIGATIONAL/OFF-LABEL USE OF DRUGS DISCLOSURE:
New therapeutics for invasive mycoses, including isavuconazole, ravuconazole, and posaconazole tablet formulation

 

Planning Committee Disclosures

 

LOIS COLBURN
No conflicts to disclose.

BRENDA C. RAM, CMP, CCMEP
No conflicts to disclose.

ALISON FREIFELD, MD
No conflicts to disclose.

LISA A. TUSHLA, PHD, H(ASCP)
No conflicts to disclose.

 

Instructions for Participation

 

To receive a CME certificate of participation, participants should:

• Follow instructions to register or log in with your professional information.
• Complete the on-line activity, ensuring they answer all pre-test and polling questions.
• Complete and submit the online posttest and evaluation. You must answer 70% of the posttest questions correctly to earn credit.
• A certificate of participation will be available for download/printing immediately following your successful completion of the posttest and evaluation.

 

System Requirements

 

To participate, you will need access to a computer (either MAC or PC) with a Chrome (version 22.0.1229.94 or greater) web browser, Firefox (version 3.6 or greater) web browser or an Internet Explorer (version 8.0 or greater) web browser, Javascript enabled, connected to the Internet (high speed connection preferred). 

 

Privacy Policy

 

Privacy policy
Terranova Medica, LLC and UNMC CCE are committed to protecting the privacy of those who choose to participate in activities on funguscme.org. This information below describes our security policies for safeguarding personal information as well as the rationale for collection and use of personal information.

Security/safeguarding personal information
This website has physical and procedural safeguards in place to prevent unauthorized access to personal information used to access this website.

Collection and use of personal information
To earn CME credits using the website, the UNMC CCE requires submission of certain personally identifiable information. The required items include: first name, last name, degree, and e-mail address. These items are necessary to award and track the credits that participants may earn after completing the program. To obtain credit, learners must complete an evaluation of the CME activity.  This information is used in a continuous improvement process to enhance the learning experience of future programs

 

Terranova Medica, LLC, and UNMC CCE do not transfer, sell, or share personal information with outside parties. We will not disclose the information unless required in a legal proceeding.

 

Disclaimers

 

The opinions or views expressed in this continuing education activity are those of the faculty and do not necessarily reflect the opinions or recommendations of the University of Nebraska Medical Center, Center for Continuing Education; the Mycoses Study Group Education & Research Consortium; and Terranova Medica, LLC.

Healthcare professionals and other individuals should review and consider other publications and materials on the subject before relying solely upon the information contained within this educational activity.

 

Additional Information

 

There is no charge for this activity.

This activity is supported by independent educational grants from Astellas Scientific and Medical Affairs Inc.; Merck; Gilead Sciences Europe, Ltd; IMMY; Viracor-IBT; T2 Biosystems; and MiraVista Diagnostics.

This event is neither sponsored nor endorsed by the American Society for Microbiology.

For further information, contact Tom Davis by telephone 877-276-4523, fax 805-648-8070, or email (tdavis@terranovamedica.com).

 

Copyright 2014 UNMC CCE, Terranova Medica, LLC, and MSG-ERC.