Date: October 29, 2025
Format: Online
Organizer: IRC – Impact Research Communications
The Global Virtual Symposium on Pneumonia and Pneumococcal Diseases 2025 convened leading scientists, clinicians, and public health experts to address one of the most pressing infectious disease challenges worldwide. The one-day online event provided a platform for sharing cutting-edge research on bacterial variability, host-pathogen interactions, vaccine impact, and novel therapeutic approaches.
The symposium opened with introductory remarks, followed by Juan Jose Calix (University of Alabama at Birmingham, USA), who discussed capsule variability in pneumococci and its implications for disease persistence. Jing Ren Zhang (Tsinghua University, China) presented innovative findings on capsule receptor–based mechanisms used by pneumococci to invade lung and blood tissues. Martin Antonio (MRC Gambia / LSHTM, UK) highlighted pneumococcal outbreaks in West Africa and the unique epidemiological challenges in the region. Xue Liu (Shenzhen University, China) introduced CRISPRi-seq–based findings identifying FprB as a synergistic target for gallium therapy in Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
The mid-morning session featured John M. Leong (Tufts University, USA), who examined age-associated susceptibility to bacterial pneumonia through the lens of neutrophil and epithelial interactions. Later, Daniel C. Nelson (University of Maryland, USA) discussed the promise of endolysin therapeutics against S. pneumoniae, while Norberto Gonzalez Juarbe (University of Maryland, USA) revealed how influenza-pneumococci interactions lead to bacterial reprogramming. Feroze A. Ganaie (University of Alabama at Birmingham, USA) presented the discovery of a novel pneumococcal capsule type with potential to evade vaccine-induced immunity, and Hansol Im (Marshall University, USA) explored carbon utilization and metabolic adaptation of pneumococci in the lung environment.
The final session included Jonathan Zintgraff (ANLIS, Argentina), who assessed the impact of vaccine implementation on circulating serotypes in Argentina, providing valuable insights into how immunization programs shape pathogen dynamics.
The symposium concluded with remarks emphasizing the importance of integrating molecular research, epidemiology, and clinical practice to strengthen global strategies against pneumonia and pneumococcal diseases. By uniting experts from diverse regions, the event reinforced the urgency of continued innovation in vaccines, therapeutics, and surveillance to reduce the global burden of respiratory infections.
Argentina, Brazil, Chile, China, Denmark, Germany, Italy, Portugal, Spain, United Kingdom, USA.