The Forum's program was exceptionally rich, featuring over 30 scientific sessions including plenary and sectional meetings, symposia, round tables, educational lectures, and schools. In total, more than 90 reports were delivered by leading specialists. A meeting of the Expert Commission on Infectious Diseases of the Russian Ministry of Health was also held.
Forum participants were welcomed at the opening ceremony by Inna Kulikova, Director of the Department of Emergency Medical Care and Health Risk Management of the Russian Ministry of Health; Vadim Tarasov, Vice-Rector for Scientific and Technological Development of Sechenov University; Beatrice Volel, Director of the Sklifosovsky Institute of Clinical Medicine at Sechenov University; and Vladimir Chulanov, Chief Infectious Diseases Specialist of the Russian Ministry of Health.
The Plenary Sessions of the 4th International Infectious Diseases Forum featured reports on current challenges and achievements in healthcare related to infectious diseases.
- The plenary session was opened by Inna Kulikova. In her report on current issues in healthcare organization, she emphasized the key role of infectious disease services in public health.
- The session continued with Felipe Naveca (Brazil), who presented monitoring data on new and re-emerging arboviral infections in Latin America. He stressed the constant evolution of threats and the need for global surveillance.
- Elizabeta Ristanović (Serbia), in an emotional speech, reminded the audience of the lessons from the major smallpox epidemic in Yugoslavia in 1972, urging everyone not to forget history to prepare for future challenges.
- Vladimir Chulanov provided a comprehensive overview of viral hepatitis as a current global and Russian issue, highlighting the progress of national elimination programs.
Neluka Fernando (Sri Lanka) discussed the challenges of combating leptospirosis as a neglected tropical disease. Sher Bahadur Pun (Nepal) shared experience in fighting cholera. Alexander Lukashev, in his captivating report "World Domination Strategy: What Makes a Pathogen a Global Threat?" analyzed factors contributing to pandemic potential.
Igor Stoma (Belarus) explored the topic "The Microbiome Within Us: Our Strength or Weakness?" The plenary day concluded with a report by Vladimir Chulanov on the outcomes of chronic hepatitis C treatment in Russia in 2025 and expectations for 2026.
Scientists from various countries covered a wide range of diseases in their presentations. For instance, Narina Sargsyants (Armenia) spoke on modern understandings of toxoplasmosis, Igor Karpov (Belarus) lectured on endocarditis, Erkin Rakhmanov (Tajikistan) shared data on dipylidiosis, and Mohamed Hassani (Egypt) presented Egypt's unique experience in hepatitis C elimination. Ajit Singh Bhadouria (India) and Muhammad Radzi bin Abu Hassan (Malaysia) discussed their countries' experiences in combating viral hepatitis.
Svetlana Rachina, Head of the Department of Therapy №2 at Sechenov University, spoke about the role of rapid molecular tests in the etiological diagnosis of pneumonia. Roman Polibin, Chief External Epidemiologist of the Russian Ministry of Health, presented a report on protection against meningococcal infection. Roman Kozlov, Chief External Specialist in Clinical Microbiology and Antimicrobial Resistance, discussed challenges and prospects in combating antibiotic resistance in Russia.
The Forum included numerous sectional meetings and educational schools focusing on key areas of infectology. Participants delved into laboratory diagnostics, discussed current issues in viral hepatitis and new risks of vector-borne infections. Separate sessions were dedicated to airborne infections, combating neglected parasitic diseases, and regional specifics of infectious pathology within educational schools on infections in Asian, Latin American, and African countries.
Working with young professionals was an important focus of the Forum. On the first day, December 9, students competed in the 4th Student Olympiad in Infectious Diseases with International Participation.
Winners of the 4th Student Olympiad in Infectious Diseases with International Participation:
· First Place — Team "Analgin" (Kazan Federal University, Kazan, supervisor Farida Yakupova).
· Second Place — Teams "Candidaty" (Saint Petersburg State University, Saint Petersburg, supervisor Aleksandra Nikiforova) and "Ulcus Molle" (Saint Petersburg State Pediatric Medical University, Saint Petersburg, supervisor Uliana Klys).
· Third Place — Teams "Gram Positive Vibes" (Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow, supervisor Sofya Alferova), "League Escape" (Gomel State Medical University, Gomel, Belarus, supervisor Oksana Tumash), and "Takie Pirogy" (Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, Moscow, supervisor Muhammad Saifullin).
Parallel Master Classes were held on AI in medicine, teaching, public speaking, and scientific publishing.
On the final day of the Forum, a Young Scientists Competition took place, where students, residents, and postgraduates presented their research findings.
Section "Evidence-Based Medicine: The New Generation's View"
FIRST PLACE:
Zinaida Tseiko, 1st-year postgraduate student, Department of Infectious Diseases, Gomel State Medical University, Gomel, Belarus. Topic: "The Role of Altered Gut Microbiota in Liver Fibrosis Progression in Patients with Chronic Hepatitis C."
SECOND PLACE:
Vsevolod Skvoroda, Junior Research Fellow, Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis, Pasteur St. Petersburg Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology, St. Petersburg. Topic: "Viral Hepatitis in the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela: Current Status and Challenges."
THIRD PLACE:
Kristina Levchenko, 3rd-year postgraduate student, Department of Infectious Diseases, Gomel State Medical University, Gomel, Belarus. Topic: "Predicting Lethal Outcome in Patients with Pneumonia Caused by Carbapenem-Resistant K. pneumoniae."
Section "Start in Science" (Student Clinical Cases)
FIRST PLACE:
Yulia Lakhostova and Anna Vyaznikovtseva, 6th-year students, Tyumen State Medical University, Tyumen. Topic: "The Invisible Burden of Disease: Cognitive Impairments as Consequences of Hepatitis C."
SECOND PLACE:
Anna Shumkina, 3rd-year student, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow. Topic: "HSV-1 Mediated Changes in the Cytokine Profile of Mouse Microglia."
THIRD PLACE:
Ekaterina Strazhina, 6th-year student, Samara State Medical University, Samara. Topic: "The Role of Gut Microbiota in Acute Respiratory Viral Infections."
The Forum concluded on December 12 with the key Round Table "One Step Ahead: Architecture of National Pandemic Preparedness," which gathered leading experts to develop strategic solutions.
At the round table "One Step Ahead: Architecture of National Pandemic Preparedness," leading experts discussed key lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic and necessary measures for the future.
- Natalya Pakskina shared experience in managing healthcare during the peak of the crisis, emphasizing the need for flexible regulations, rapid repurposing of hospital beds, and strengthening infectious disease service infrastructure.
- Roman Polibin detailed measures to prevent nosocomial infection spread, highlighting the importance of reorganizing patient flows, upgrading engineering systems, and implementing digital solutions for infection control.
- Dmitry Lioznov analyzed the WHO priority pathogens list, stressing the high likelihood of a new pandemic, especially involving respiratory viruses, and the necessity for continuous scientific threat monitoring.
- Elena Astapenko identified drug supply as a critically vulnerable area, pointing to the need for developing domestic pharmaceutical production, creating strategic stockpiles, and flexible drug registration mechanisms during crises.
- Vladimir Chulanov emphasized the importance of rapid development and adaptation of clinical guidelines, which should combine scientific validity, transparency, and the ability to quickly integrate new data into practice.
- Denis Logunov shared the successful experience of creating the "Sputnik V" vaccine, noting the key role of platform technologies and state support, and discussed current developments at the Gamaleya Center to counter new threats.
- Dmitry Kostiushov spoke about the prospects for creating broad-spectrum antiviral drugs capable of targeting entire virus families and related research in his laboratory.
- Evgeny Popov described the role of artificial intelligence in predicting outbreaks, modeling healthcare system load, and optimizing logistics, presenting specific developments and Yandex's experience in this field.
Round table participants agreed that sustainable pandemic preparedness requires a comprehensive approach, including enhanced surveillance, development of scientific and production capacity, digitalization, and strengthening of healthcare workforce resources.
The Forum was closed by Vladimir Chulanov. He summarized the outcomes of the 4th International Infectious Diseases Forum, noting that science knows no borders, and infectious diseases are a common challenge for humanity. Only by uniting our efforts can we stay "one step ahead."
We look forward to seeing you at the 5th International Infectious Diseases Forum in December 2026!