24 Sep 2019
The 2019 Australasian Sexual Health Conference
Last week, the 2019 Australasian Sexual Health Conference held in Perth saw several Doherty Institute staff members in attendance. Darren Lee, a Research Support Officer from the Doherty Institute presented a poster at the event and here, shares his insights.
Associate Professor Deborah Williamson tackling on questions about the issue of antimicrobial resistance in Neisseria gonorrhoeae alongside other speakers.
For the eleventh year in a row, the Australasian Sexual Health Conference has successfully attracted experts in the field to learn, share insights and collaborate on a wide range of sexual health-related issues such as infections with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and the national frameworks used for action.
University of Melbourne Associate Professor Deborah Williamson, Deputy Director of the Microbiological Diagnostic Unit Public Health Laboratory at the Doherty Institute presented two very outstanding talks, the first being Molecular epidemiology of antibiotic resistance in gonorrhoeae and its role in gonorrhea control. Associate Professor Williamson also briefly spoke about her recent publication in Nature Communications with her collaborators from the Melbourne Sexual Health Centre investigating the complex transmission networks of gonorrhea in Victoria.
Her other presentation focused on how bacterial genomics can be linked to STI epidemiology. Deborah used an example from one of her research projects where she looked at the re-emergence of Shigella as a sexually transmitted antimicrobial resistant infection in Victoria. I was also selected to present a poster on this topic.
Other issues discussed included the use of PrEP, the rise of syphilis, and preventative methods taken to reduce STIs in both an urban setting and amongst Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. The three-day conference came to an end with a witty debate between Professor Christopher Fairley, Director of the Melbourne Sexual Health Clinic and Professor Basil Donovan, Program Head of the Kirby Institute, UNSW Sydney on the use of doxycycline for syphilis prophylaxis in those at high risk.
Look out for next year’s Australasian Sexual Health Conference in Melbourne – it’s going to be the best one ever!