IPVS was delighted to support and endorse the 4th Latin American Human Papillomavirus Symposium on April 26-27 in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
The Symposium was organized by two local scientific societies: the Argentine Association of Microbiology (AAM) and the Argentine Society of Genital Tract Pathology and Colposcopy (SAPTGI&C), with the support of the IPVS.
The 8th Seminar of the National Cervical Cancer Prevention Program, reporting to the National Cancer Institute of Argentina, was organized as a Satellite activity.
The Scientific Programme provided a broad spectrum of topics related to human papillomavirus (HPV) and its associated diseases, including anogenital and oropharyngeal lesions and cancers. Emphasising a multidisciplinary approach, experts from various specialties were invited, e.g. virology, colposcopy, pathology, cytology, infectious disease, immunology, epidemiology, and public health.
The agenda included five Plenary Conferences and six Round Table presentations, that included illustrious Argentine and foreign speakers, e.g. John Doorbar (Cambridge University, UK), Rolando Herrero (IARC, France), Patti Gravitt (George Washington University, USA), Silvia de Sanjosé (Current IPVS President, PATH, USA, and ICO, Spain), Laura Sichero (University of Sao Paulo, Brazil), and Luisa Villa (Translational Research Centre in Oncology, Brazil).
About 500 attendees from Argentina and Latin American countries including Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Brazil, Ecuador, Honduras, Mexico, Paraguay, Peru and Uruguay participated in the Symposium. This resulted in a fruitful conversation that should lead to further contacts facilitating collaborative studies, updates, academic interactions and laboratory diagnostic activities.
According to early feedback, the symposia were successful. The meeting took place in a friendly and pleasant atmosphere, enhanced by the enthusiasm of participants and the excellence of the faculty.
Furthermore, there were opportunities to disseminate information about the “International HPV Awareness Day”, established on March 4 by the IPVS. This initiative, shared by local organizers, promotes global actions to actively fight HPV and the diseases caused by HPV infections.
Argentina plays a leading role in HPV prevention and control in Latin America through activities including a national vaccination and screening prevention program (supported by the National and Regional HPV Reference Laboratory), all of whom report to the Ministry of Health. This event has certainly strengthened current actions, and promoted their support and improvement.
This Symposium was an excellent opportunity to bring together many Latin American scientists and clinicians and open channels to disseminate knowledge leading to making the right decisions in line with global priorities and regional resources.
