Schedule

Program and Events Schedule in pdf format

Sessions
The structure of the 10th ICP sessions will be to lead off with a keynote speaker followed by 5-7 oral presentations and concluding with a perspectives talk that summarizes the current state of the field in the area in which the session covers.  The scope of each session is presented below.  Each session will be approximately 3.5 hours in length, excluding breaks for lunch or coffee. 

Session summaries
Diagnostics and genotyping:
Covers all diagnostic tools to detect MAP including sampling strategies, molecular or conventional culture-based MAP detection and use of biomarkers or host responses to detect subclinical infection. This section will also cover old and new genotyping tools that have been used to detect and differentiate MAP. Any genotyping tools used to differentiate MAP from closely related mycobacteria are appropriate to be included in this section.  Development of new genotyping tools that can be useful in areas of evolution and epidemiology will also be considered in this section.

Host Response and Immunology:
Covers all immunological aspects of infection with MAP, including factors responsible for host resistance or susceptibility.  Host can be any animal including mice, cattle, sheep or goats.  Measurement of cytokine profiles and antibody levels are also appropriate.

Epidemiology:
The topics under this section will include approaches to understand the transmission, studies involving clinical or vaccine trials to prevent and control transmission or progression of MAP pathogenesis, application of molecular tools to track MAP within or between herds and within or between states. Molecular epidemiology studies involving transmission cycles among several hosts will also be considered under this section.

International Johne's Disease Initiatives:
Will focus exclusively on national consortiums, either starting up or in progress, that deals with all aspects of Johne's disease.  Consortium leaders or project leaders especially are encouraged to submit abstracts to this session.  The scientific committee is specifically looking for highlights of programmatic successes as opposed to programmatic structure/overview talks.

Pathogenomics and MAP biology:
Abstracts describing the molecular or microbiological basis for infection as well as mechanisms of pathogenicity should be submitted to this session.  All aspects surrounding the growth and survival of MAP in all conditions are also appropriate.  Functional genomic presentations also fit the scope of this session.    

Control Programs:
This section will cover topics that include state, national, or international control programs for Johne's disease. This section will also include topics that cover smaller studies that have originated from large-scale control programs.

Public Health: 
Encompasses all aspects of the zoonotic potential of MAP including presence/absence in milk, Crohn's disease studies, prevalence of MAP in humans.  Epidemiology studies with a focus on Crohn's disease are appropriate here, but may be moved to the Epidemiology session for scheduling purposes.

Program and Events Schedule in pdf format