The Anaerobe Society of the Americas (ASA) hosted its 9th biennial Congress--ANAEROBE 2008--June 24-27. 2008, at the Renaissance Hotel in Long Beach, CA, USA. ANAEROBE 2008 consisted of invited speakers, oral presentations, and poster presentations, representing work by 445 researchers from 30 countries, addressing both the clinical and microbiological aspects of anaerobic infections, their diagnosis, and their therapy.

In conjunction with the recently-released guidelines, special emphasis was placed of Clostrdium difficle, with sessions covering the pathogenesis, epidemiology, diagnosis, and management. Other sessions include Intestinal Flora & Intra-Abdominal Infections, Obstetric & Gynecologic Infections, Oral & Periodontal Infections, Rapid Diagnosis of Anaerobic Infections, The Other Clostridia, Veterinary Infections, Anaerobic Infections: Diagnosis & Management, Mechanisms of Antimicrobial Resistance, and New Antibiotics to Treat Anaerobic Infections.

Target Audience
Researchers, clinicians, and technicians from around the world are invited to attend and participate in this Congress to engage in presentations, exchanges, and dialogue on issues related to the study of anaerobes. We particularly hope to attract bench hospital microbiologists, offering a Pre-Congress Workshop on Anaerobic Identification Using Conventional Techniques and Sequencing of 16S rDNA and Susceptibility Testing Methods.

Objectives
Upon completion of this activity, participants will be able to:
1. Demonstrate knowledge of the latest developments in the field of anaerobe research.
2. Apply new recommendations in the diagnosis, screening, and treatment of clostridial, obstetric and gynecological, periodontal, intestinal, and other anaerobic infections.
3. Understand the role of anaerobic infections in veterinary medicine.
4. Understand the pros and cons of using probiotics for the prevention of antibiotic-associated diarrhea and C. difficile disease.
5. Incorporate better utilization of the microbiology laboratory into the delivery of patient care.

Program
The Congress program consists of a Pre-Congress Workshop (see below) and 16 general sessions consisting of invited speakers and oral presentations from the submitted abstracts. Further reseach will be presented as posters, during three sessions: Student Presentations (Wed.), Poster Session I (Wed.), and Poster Sesson II (Thurs.).

Pre-Congress Workshop -- Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Techniques for identifying anaerobes based on phenotypic characteristics will be presented. These methods will include appearance on gram-stain, growth on selective media, susceptibility to special potency antibiotic disks, preformed enzyme reactions, and classical biochemical reactions. A discussion on sequencing 16s rDNA for difficult strains will be included. The Anaerobe Educator software program will be used to present test reactions and to allow for active audience participation in the identification of organisms. Susceptibility testing methods, including agar dilution, broth microdilution, and Etest will be discussed. Each student will receive a copy of the Anaerobe Educator. This workshop is accredited for 7.0 continuing education contact hours for clinical laboratory scientists.

The Setting
Overlooking the Pacific Ocean, Long Beach is Southern California's newest coastal destination, combining big city conveniences with the relaxed atmosphere of an ocean-side community. The scenic downtown and waterfront marina offer a variety of shopping, restaurants, and entertainment options. Among the attractions are The Queen Mary ocean liner, the Aquarium of the Pacific, The Pike at Rainbow Harbor, the Museum of Latin American Art, the Long Beach Museum of Art, cruises of Long Beach Harbor, and gondola rides of the Naples canals. Long Beach is also known for hosting the Toyota Grand Prix race in the Spring. Free shuttles offer transportation around the city, and the attractions of downtown Los Angeles are a short train-ride away.

For more information about Long Beach, visit the web site: www.visitlongbeach.com .

Accommodations
The Congress hotel is the Renaissance Long Beach, located in the heart of the Long Beach entertainment district. Fresh from a spectacular $11 million dollar renovation, the Renaissance reflects a chic, casually elegant ambience from plush new beds and soft colors, to marble bathroom counters and modern desk chairs. The hotel offers a fantastic restaurant, heated pool and whirlpool with ocean view, a fitness center, and high speed Internet. More information on the hotel is available at: www.renaissancelongbeach.com.

Social Activities
Tuesday, June 24 -- Pre-Congress Tour: Aquarium of the Pacific.

Wednesday, June 25 -- Congress Reception. The opening day of sessions concludes with a Wine & Cheese Reception for delegates to socialize.

Thursday, June 26 -- Congress Banquet at The Sky Room.

Friday, June 27 -- Dinner Aboard the Queen Mary.


Accreditation
PHYSICIAN ACCREDITATION
This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the Essentials Areas and Policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint sponsorship of Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine and Anaerobe Society of the Americas. The Loyola University Chicago, Stritch School of Medicine is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians and takes responsibility for the content, quality, and scientific integrity of this CME activity.

The Loyola University Chicago, Stritch School of Medicine designates this educational activity for a maximum of 18.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)(tm). Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

CLINICAL LABORATORY SCIENTIST ACCREDITATION
Microbiology Educational Services is accredited by the California Department of Health Services to provide continuing education for clinical laboratory scientists. Microbiology Educational Services designates this educational activity for a maximum of 18.5 continuing education contact hours upon completion of the program and 7.0 continuing education contact hours upon completion of the workshop. Clinical laboratory scientists should claim only those hours of credit that they actually spent in the educational activity.

Patrons & Exhibitors
The Anaerobe Society of the Americas would like to thank the following organizations in support of the organization and ANAEROBE 2008:

Platinum Patrons: Merck & Company, Ortho-McNeil Pharmaceuticals

Gold Patrons: Cubist Pharmaceuticals, Optimer Pharmaceuticals, Salix Pharmaceuticals, The Dannon Company, ViroPharma, Inc., Wyeth Pharmaceuticals.

Silver Patrons Spiral Biotech, Inc.

Bronze Patrons & Exhibitors: AB Biodisk, Anaerobe Journal, Anaerobe Systems, BD GeneOhm, Biocodex, Hardy Diagnostics, Microbiology International, Neu-Tec Group, Inc., R.M. Alden Research Laboratory, Schering-Plough, TechLab