Over 700 pathologists and microbiologists gathered here recently for 27th annual conference of the Indian Association of Medical Microbiologists. It was the largest attendance ever in the history of the association.

What brought them together at 'Microcon 2003' was the awareness that even as state of the art technique for diagnosis of infectious diseases, the ever changing nature of hospital infections posed an increasing challenge every year.

Also growing importance was the need for laboratories to get themselves accredited to the National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL), according to Dr Rohini Kelkar, the joint organizing secretary of the conference.

The 5-day workshop co-hosted by the Association of Practicing Pathologists of India, began with a preconference update on the 5th of November and exposed the clinicians on the need to strengthen infection control practices in the country.

The workshop also stressed on laying more emphasis on prevention aspects of the disease as nowadays importance was given only to the treatment modalities of the disease.

The unique feature of the pre-conference workshop was the innumerable scientific sessions and discussions held at 5 different medical institutions throughout the city that deliberated on topics like quality assurance, quality control, laboratory safety, recent advances in diagnosis of mycotic infections, update on HIV/AIDS and newer modalities for diagnosis of tuberculosis.

Of the several facets, the gathering was exposed to the fact that with a lot of newer emerging infections there was urgent need to be equally equipped with methods for accurate diagnosis, management techniques, prevention and control. To achieve this, it was necessary for all labs to certify and accredit themselves, which at the moment is not being implemented by many clinicians from around the country.

Some of the other highlights of the conference included presentations by Dr Elhen Jo Bavon, Editor of Manual of Clinical Microbiology, which is considered the bible for microbiologists and Dr Lance Peterson, Director of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases Research, Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine, USA.

Another highlight was the videoconferencing activity that was held between the clinicians in Mumbai and between the delegates of World Bank, Zimbabwe Aid Cell and World Bank Washington Aid Cell and was broadcasted live from their respective countries.

Some of the topics that were briefed upon at the conference include; Facing challenges of epidemics in TB, Aids and Malaria; Update on Aids/HIV; Clinical trials - Ethical and Laboratory Issues; Update on sterilization and disinfection; Quality accreditation of laboratory; Quality assurance; Laboratory automation and Teaching and learning methods in microbiology.