Athanasios Michos (Greece)

National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece First Pediatric Department
Professor Athanasios Michos is a Professor of Pediatrics and Pediatric Infectious Diseases at the First Pediatric Department of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece. Professor Michos completed his pediatric residency in Athens and Boston, followed by a postdoctoral fellowship in pediatric infectious diseases, at Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA. Professor Michos divides his work between consulting in paediatric infectious diseases at the largest tertiary Greek pediatric hospital (“Aghia Sophia” Children’s Hospital) and directing the Research and Diagnostic Infectious Disease Laboratory, Choremeion Research Laboratory, at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. Professor Michos’ research activities focus on the molecular epidemiology of bacterial and viral pathogens, immunology studies of children with severe infections and COVID-19 infection, antibiotic stewardship and nosocomial infections. He has won several awards, including the recent second place award from the Infectious Diseases Society of America in the IDea Incubator competition.

Author Of 9 Presentations

Expert

Date
Thu, 12.05.2022
Session Time
07:00 - 07:50
Session Type
Meet The Experts
Room
DIMITRIS MITROPOULOS HALL
Lecture Time
07:00 - 07:00

Moving forward – male HPV vaccination programs in Europe

Date
Mon, 09.05.2022
Session Time
11:30 - 13:00
Session Type
Sponsored Symposium
Room
ALEXANDRA TRIANTI HALL
Lecture Time
11:58 - 12:18

Welcome and introduction

Date
Mon, 09.05.2022
Session Time
19:00 - 20:30
Session Type
Sponsored Symposium
Room
ALEXANDRA TRIANTI HALL
Lecture Time
19:00 - 19:05

Reflection points and close

Date
Mon, 09.05.2022
Session Time
19:00 - 20:30
Session Type
Sponsored Symposium
Room
ALEXANDRA TRIANTI HALL
Lecture Time
20:25 - 20:30

CHARACTERISTICS OF CHILDREN HOSPITALIZED WITH MIS-C DURING THREE PANDEMIC WAVES IN GREECE

Date
Wed, 11.05.2022
Session Time
13:40 - 15:10
Session Type
Joint Symposium
Room
BANQUETING HALL
Lecture Time
14:50 - 14:58

Abstract

Backgrounds:

The Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C) is a rare but potentially severe complication of COVID-19.

Methods

This is a retrospective observational study of children aged <18 years hospitalized with MIS-C in 10 tertiary hospitals in Greece during three pandemic waves characterized by different SARS-CoV-2 variant: i. from August 2020 to January 2021 (EU1-B.1.177), ii. from February 2021 to July 2021 (Alpha-B.1.1.7) and iii. from August 2021 to December 2021 (Delta-B.1.617.2). The aim of the study was to document the incidence over time, clinical characteristics and outcome of children admitted with MIS-C in Greek hospitals during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Results:

table 1.jpg

In total, 119 patients were included, 91.6% (109/119) met the WHO criteria of MIS-C diagnosis: 26.9% (32/119), 39.5% (47/119) and 33.6% (40/119) were hospitalized during the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd study period, respectively. Demographic and clinical characteristics are shown in Table 1. No cases were found before October 2020. The incidence of MIS-C significantly decreased over the three waves from 3.3/1000 to 0.25/1000 confirmed COVID-19 cases (P <0.0001). No other significant difference was observed in the clinical manifestations and disease severity of children hospitalized with MIS-C over the three waves.

Conclusions/Learning Points:

This study indicates that the incidence of MIS-C may vary according to the predominant variant. Outcome remains favourable regardless of the variant leading to MIS-C. Larger studies are needed to clarify if clinical characteristics and/or disease severity may differ, as well.

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IMMUNOGENICITY OF THE BNT162B2 COVID-19 VACCINE IN PEDIATRIC AND YOUNG ADULT PATIENTS WITH CYSTIC FIBROSIS

Date
Thu, 12.05.2022
Session Time
10:00 - 11:30
Session Type
Oral Presentations Session
Room
BANQUETING HALL
Lecture Time
11:02 - 11:12

Abstract

Backgrounds:

Cystic fibrosis (CF) patients constitute a high-risk group for severe COVID-19. We prospectively measured total (TAbs-RBD; U/ml) and neutralizing (NAbs-RBD; %) antibodies of SARS-CoV-2 spike-RBD protein before immunization, 20 days after the 1st and 30 days after the 2nd dose of the BNT162b2 vaccine in CF patients and healthy controls.

Methods

Serum samples were tested using the Elecsys® Anti-SARS-CoV-2 S reagent. Values of ≥0.8 U/ml are positive. The determination of anti-RBD neutralization titers was carried out using the Food and Drug Administration(FDA) approved blocking ELISA cPassTM SARS-CoV-2 neutralization antibody detection kit. Percentages of ≥ 30% were positive. A statistical analysis was performed for the comparison of the two groups and the possible association of antibody levels with epidemiological and clinical parameters.

Results:

A total of 33 patients with CF and 66 healthy controls were included in the study. The median age (IQR) of the CF group was 19.6 (17.6-24.3) years and 18 (54.5%) were females. CF patients had statistically significant higher antibody responses regarding TAbs-RBD and NAbs-RBD after both doses (P-value<0.001). One month after the 2nd dose, CF and controls had TAbs-RBD (IQR): 3396 (2443) and 1452 (1231) U/ml, respectively. Similarly, the NAbs-RBD (%) were: 97.30 (1.00) and 95.70 (3.71) (%), respectively. Among CF patients no statistically significant differences were detected for TAbs-RBD or NAbs-RBD regarding gender, pancreatic status, CFTR genotype of CF, use of CFTR modulators and chronic Pseudomonas Aeruginosa infection.

Conclusions/Learning Points:

The BNT162b2 vaccine was more immunogenic in patients with CF patients compared to healthy controls regardless of the CFTR genotype, related comorbidities, treatment type or severity of disease. Longitudinal studies regarding the kinetics of antibodies will be important to determine the appropriate timing for a booster dose in this population.

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TOTAL AND NEUTRALIZING SARS-COV-2 SPIKE ANTIBODIES ONE, FOUR AND EIGHT MONTHS AFTER BNT162B2 IMMUNIZATION IN HEALTHCARE WORKERS FROM A MAJOR TERTIARY PEDIATRIC HOSPITAL

Date
Fri, 13.05.2022
Session Time
10:00 - 11:30
Session Type
Oral Presentations Session
Room
BANQUETING HALL
Lecture Time
10:12 - 10:22

Abstract

Backgrounds:

Long-term data regarding the association of antibody levels after immunization with the BNT162b2 mRNA COVID-19 vaccine with epidemiological and clinical parameters are limited. We prospectively measured the total(TAbs) and neutralizing antibodies(NAbs) against the receptor binding domain(RBD) of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein in healthcare workers(HCWs) 1, 4 and 8 months after the 2nd dose of the BNT162b2 vaccine.

Methods

Serum samples from 462 HCWs of ‘‘Aghia Sophia’’ Children’s Hospital, Greece were collected and tested for TAbs-RBD using the Elecsys® Anti-SARS-CoV-2 S reagent and for NAbs-RBD using the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved blocking ELISA cPassTM SARS-CoV-2 neutralization antibody detection kit. A statistical analysis for possible association of antibodies’ levels with epidemiological and clinical parameters was performed.

Results:

The mean age (±SD) of the participants was 48.33 years (± 12.98) and 361(77.1%) were females. No significant differences in TAbs-RBD and NAbs-RBD were detected regarding gender and history of autoimmune diseases. A statistically significant negative association of NAbs-RBD was detected for age (β=-0.046, P<0.001). Smokers had significantly lower TAbs-RBD and NAbs-RBD (P<0.05) than non-smokers in each time-point of the study. TAbs-RBD in HCWs with underlying diseases significantly declined in all time points (P=0.005). HCWs with allergies showed higher TAbs-RBD in 1 and 4 months after the 2nd dose (P=0.003 and P=0.008 respectively). HCWs with AB blood type had lower TAbs-RBD than the other blood types in all time-points (P=0.044), especially 4 months after the 2nd dose (P=0.014).

Conclusions/Learning Points:

A significant gradual decline in TAbs and NAbs was detected within the first 8 months after the 2nd dose. Our findings support that older age and smoking negatively affect antibody levels, thus the administration of a booster dose in those groups is highly recommended.

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Presenter of 6 Presentations

Moving forward – male HPV vaccination programs in Europe

Date
Mon, 09.05.2022
Session Time
11:30 - 13:00
Session Type
Sponsored Symposium
Room
ALEXANDRA TRIANTI HALL
Lecture Time
11:58 - 12:18

Welcome and introduction

Date
Mon, 09.05.2022
Session Time
19:00 - 20:30
Session Type
Sponsored Symposium
Room
ALEXANDRA TRIANTI HALL
Lecture Time
19:00 - 19:05

Reflection points and close

Date
Mon, 09.05.2022
Session Time
19:00 - 20:30
Session Type
Sponsored Symposium
Room
ALEXANDRA TRIANTI HALL
Lecture Time
20:25 - 20:30

Expert

Date
Thu, 12.05.2022
Session Time
07:00 - 07:50
Session Type
Meet The Experts
Room
DIMITRIS MITROPOULOS HALL
Lecture Time
07:00 - 07:00

Moderator of 3 Sessions

Session Type
Sponsored Symposium
Date
Mon, 09.05.2022
Session Time
19:00 - 20:30
Room
ALEXANDRA TRIANTI HALL
Session Description
Leading with data: Understanding where contemporary antibiotics fit in the treatment paradigm – Supported by Pfizer.

Session Description:

This symposium aims to highlight recent therapeutic advances in the management of bacterial infections in paediatric patients. Throughout this pragmatic session, through patient case studies, our expert faculty will highlight the urgent need for safe and effective treatment options to address the current and anticipated burden of bacterial disease. While one speaker will address the growing threat of multidrug-resistant (MDR) Gram-negative infections and explore how alternative treatment options could improve patient outcomes, another expert will challenge the current standard of care used to treat community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) and complicated skin and soft tissue infections (cSSTIs), reviewing the potential role of therapeutic advances in meeting a clinical unmet need. The symposium will close with a panel discussion, where our esteemed faculty will discuss topics including the need for right-first-time treatment decisions, risk factors for infection in paediatric patients and the role of the multidisciplinary team in effective patient management. Additionally, there will be an opportunity for the audience to engage with the faculty by submitting pressing questions during the discussion for the panel to address.

Session Type
Oral Presentations Session
Date
Wed, 11.05.2022
Session Time
10:00 - 11:10
Room
NIKOS SKALKOTAS HALL
Session Type
Parallel Symposium
Date
Fri, 13.05.2022
Session Time
11:40 - 13:10
Room
DIMITRIS MITROPOULOS HALL

Facilitator Of

Session Type
Sponsored Symposium
Date
Mon, 09.05.2022
Session Time
19:00 - 20:30
Room
ALEXANDRA TRIANTI HALL
Session Description
Leading with data: Understanding where contemporary antibiotics fit in the treatment paradigm – Supported by Pfizer.

Session Description:

This symposium aims to highlight recent therapeutic advances in the management of bacterial infections in paediatric patients. Throughout this pragmatic session, through patient case studies, our expert faculty will highlight the urgent need for safe and effective treatment options to address the current and anticipated burden of bacterial disease. While one speaker will address the growing threat of multidrug-resistant (MDR) Gram-negative infections and explore how alternative treatment options could improve patient outcomes, another expert will challenge the current standard of care used to treat community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) and complicated skin and soft tissue infections (cSSTIs), reviewing the potential role of therapeutic advances in meeting a clinical unmet need. The symposium will close with a panel discussion, where our esteemed faculty will discuss topics including the need for right-first-time treatment decisions, risk factors for infection in paediatric patients and the role of the multidisciplinary team in effective patient management. Additionally, there will be an opportunity for the audience to engage with the faculty by submitting pressing questions during the discussion for the panel to address.

Poster Author Of 12 e-Posters