Plenary Session 4 - APRC 2024

Home / Program / 4/28 (Sun) / Plenary Session 4

Plenary Session 4：COVID-19

Date: Sunday, April 28, 2024 | Time: 10:10-11:10 (GMT+8)

Moderator: Prof. Guy Marks (Australia) | Prof. Kuo-Chin Kao (Taiwan)

Time (GMT+8)	Topic	Speaker	Country / Region
10:10-10:40	Challenges of emerging infectious diseases on tuberculosis prevention and care	Dr. Jae-Joon Yim	South Korea
Time (GMT+8)	Topic	Speaker	Country / Region
10:40-11:10	Prevalence, risk factor, and prognosis of long COVID: now and feature	Dr. Jia-Yih Feng	Taiwan

Challenges of emerging infectious diseases on tuberculosis prevention and care

Abstract :
Emerging infectious diseases, including severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS), influenza A (H1N1)pdm.09, and COVID-19, could significantly impact the control of tuberculosis (TB). The substantial global impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, with reported cases exceeding 770 million worldwide, highlights the profound effects of emerging infectious diseases on TB in terms of epidemiology, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the number of newly diagnosed TB cases decreased from 7.1 million in 2019 to 5.8 million in 2020, marking an 18% decline back to 2012 levels. Additionally, there were substantial reductions (-15%) in the number of patients treated for drug-resistant TB and (-21%) for TB prevention in 2020, potentially attributed to COVID-19-related disruptions in access to TB diagnosis and treatment. Compounding the challenges, the clinical presentation of COVID-19 and TB often overlaps, and co-infection is not uncommon. Although the treatment for each disease remains standard, aside from potential drug-drug interactions, TB patients co-infected with COVID-19 exhibited higher rates of treatment failure, loss to follow-up, and in-hospital mortality. Moreover, pulmonary sequelae from both COVID-19 and TB may overlap, leading to prolonged respiratory symptoms. While the COVID-19 pandemic wanes, the reported global number of newly diagnosed TB patients surged to 7.5 million in 2022—the highest since WHO began global TB monitoring in 1995. This resurgence is attributed to the disruption of TB services during the pandemic. To prevent such setbacks in the future, there is a critical need to strengthen essential TB services and prepare effective strategies against emerging infectious diseases.

Jae-Joon Yim

Professor | Seoul National University College Of Medicine
South Korea

Dr. Jae-Joon Yim is a professor in the Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Republic of Korea. He graduated from Seoul National University College of Medicine and was trained in Seoul National University Hospital as a resident and pulmonary fellow in department of internal medicine. From 2001 to 2002, he worked as a postdoctorial fellow in the laboratory of host defenses, NIAID, NIH, US, with the visiting fellowship award.

Since 2002, he has been working as Assistant professor, Associate professor, and Professor in Seoul National University College of Medicine. He has been very active in terms of researches on various aspects of tuberculosis and non-tuberculous mycobacterial lung disease. After getting master’s degree on ‘Patient-Oriented research’ from Mailman’s School of Public Health, Columbia University in 2009, he has focused on clinical researches for tuberculosis and non-tuberculous mycobacterial lung disease.

Prevalence, risk factor, and prognosis of long COVID: now and feature

Long COVID-19, also known as Post-Acute Sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC), represents a significant and evolving challenge in the landscape of global health. Characterized by persistent symptoms and health issues that continue for weeks or months after the acute phase of COVID-19 has resolved, long COVID affects patients regardless of the severity of their initial infection. Its impact is broad, affecting multiple organ systems, and has profound implications for individuals, healthcare systems, and societies.

The spectrum of symptoms associated with long COVID is diverse, including but not limited to chronic fatigue, shortness of breath, chest pain, cognitive disturbances often referred to as “brain fog,” joint pain, and neurological symptoms. It also encompasses psychological sequelae such as depression and anxiety, underscoring the mental health impact of the condition. Importantly, long COVID can occur even in individuals who experienced mild initial COVID-19 symptoms, making it a concern for a significant portion of the infected population.

The pathophysiology behind long COVID is not fully understood, but several hypotheses include persistent immune activation, residual organ damage, and microvascular injury. These ongoing symptoms not only reduce the quality of life but also have socio-economic implications, as they can affect an individual’s ability to return to work and perform daily activities.

The prevalence of long COVID has prompted new clinical guidelines and rehabilitation strategies, aiming to address the complex, multi-systemic nature of the condition. Healthcare providers are adapting to manage this new chronic condition, which often requires a multidisciplinary approach involving general practitioners, specialists, and allied health professionals. Research is ongoing to understand the long-term consequences of the infection and to identify effective treatments.

Jia-Yih Feng

Visiting Staff| Taipei Veterans General Hospital
Taiwan

Dr. Jia-Yih Feng is a distinguished medical professional currently serving as the Chief of the Division of Respiratory Infection and Immunology in the Department of Chest Medicine at Taipei Veterans General Hospital. Concurrently, he holds the position of Associate Professor at the School of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University in Taipei, Taiwan.

With an extensive background in respiratory medicine, Dr. Feng has made significant contributions to the field through his research and clinical expertise. His work encompasses critical aspects of infectious diseases, particularly focusing on respiratory infections caused by Gram-negative bacteria. Dr. Feng’s commitment to advancing medical knowledge is evident in his involvement as a corresponding author in publications addressing the progression of nontuberculous mycobacterial lung disease, the efficacy of nebulized colistin in nosocomial pneumonia, and the clinical effectiveness of tigecycline in combination therapy for nosocomial pneumonia caused by carbapenem-resistant Gram-negative bacteria. Dr. Jia-Yih Feng’s multifaceted contributions reflect his commitment to improving respiratory health and advancing medical science.

Prof. Guy Marks

President | The Union
Australia

Guy Marks AO FAHMS is Scientia Professor at UNSW Sydney and Physician in the Department of Respiratory Medicine at Liverpool Hospital, Sydney. He was elected a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences in 2020 and appointed Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) in 2022. He is a respiratory physician (pulmonologist), public health physician and epidemiologist. Since 2019, he has been President of the International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease. His clinical practice at Liverpool Hospital includes clinical and public health management of people with TB. His research, both in Australia and in Vietnam, focuses on public health approaches to ending tuberculosis as well as the health effects of air pollution, safe air, and chronic respiratory disease.

Prof. Kuo-Chin Kao

Professor| Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou
Taiwan

Dr. Kuo-Chin Kao is President of Taiwan Society of Critical Care Medicine (TSCCM) and Professor of Department of Thoracic Medicine, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou and Department of Respiratory Therapy, College of Medicine, Chung Gung University. His interests are focused on the Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) including clinical, basic and translational research to investigate new approach for ARDS through a systems medicine method. He is one of the leaders of Lung Transplantation Team in Chang Gung Memeorial Hospital, Linkou, which is most lung transplantation cases performed in Taiwan recently. Professor Kao is the reviewers of several critical care and respiratory journals and has published more than 150 scientific articles.

Plenary Session 4：COVID-19

APRC 2024 Secretariat

CONTACT US