Chandigarh : Prof. Oliver Cornely, Professor of Internal Medicine, attending physician and Head of the clinical Trials Unit of Infectious Disease at the Klink I fur Innere Medizin, Universitatsklinikum Koln, cologne, Germany delivered the 2nd Dr. Pushpa Talwar Memorial Oration on ‘How can I change medical mycology?’.
Prof. Pallab Ray of Microbiology department outlined life sketch of Dr. Pushpa Talwar, who was pioneer in the field of medical mycology. Prof. Arunaloke Chakrabarti, Head Medical Microbiology introduced the orator. Prof. Cornely is the President of European Confederation of Medical Mycology and chief Editor of prestigious journal ‘Mycoses’. He made significant contribution in development of guidelines for the management of invasive fungal infections.
Prof. Cornely in his oration highlighted the shortcomings in management of fungal infections. His contribution in prophylaxis trial has significantly reduced the rate of invasive fungal infections in leukemia patients from 22% to 4%. He has developed global interdisciplinary cooperation, ‘FungiScope’. FungiQuest helps in advocacy. Recently with the cooperation of PGI mycology laboratory he developed the management guideline of mucormycosis and rare fungal infections. Lastly he emphasized that having few laboratories in fungal infections in India, we need to develop good diagnostic laboratories at every corner of the country. He appreciated the role of Medical Mycology division of PGI, the national reference laboratory in this country in running training courses and helping in development of mycology laboratories across country.
Prof. Yogesh Chawla, Director of PGIMER welcomed the delegates and he conferred Dr. Cornely with the oration award. Dr. Jyotsna Wig, Sub-Dean, PGI proposed the vote of thanks.