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John La Montagne, Ph.D.,
Director, DMID
Dr. La Montagne opened the session by highlighting three activities in which the Division is involved. The Division is working with the Fogarty Center, the Pasteur Institute, the MRC, the Wellcome Trust and others to plan a meeting on malaria with a focus in Africa. Approval by the Food and Drug Administration for acellular pertussis vaccines, the subject of clinical trials supported by the Institute which established the validity of these vaccines to prevent whooping cough, is expected soon. Finally, a conference on emerging diseases will be held in Kyoto, Japan in July 1996 in conjunction with the U.S.-Japan Cooperative Medical Science Program.
Concept Clearances: The Subcommittee reviewed concepts for two proposed initiatives: the Streptococcus Initiative and the Sexually Transmitted Diseases Clinical Study Group (STD CSG). The Subcommittee questioned combining Group A and Group B streptococcal infections in one initiative. However, it was noted that investigators who are strong in each area may need to collaborate from different institutions to bring the needed expertise to this combined effort. The STD CSG seeks to support clinical facilities and laboratories to conduct clinical studies of sexually transmitted diseases with particular emphasis on Pelvic Inflammatory Disease. The contract would include a central coordinating center and satellite sites which focus on areas of interest. The Subcommittee enthusiastically endorsed both concepts.
Meeting Updates: Staff provided summaries of selected meetings sponsored by the Division since the preceding Council: NAFTA Conference on Emerging Diseases, Pneumococcal Vaccines in the Elderly, Animal Models for Research on Lyme Borreliosis, and Pandemic Influenza: a Re-Emergent Threat. |