Scientific Sessions

The ESCMID Global Programme is organized into five main pillars: three academic and two industrial. The academic pillars of Education, Science and Research form the core of the programme dedicated to advancing knowledge, innovation, and expertise in the fields of clinical microbiology and infectious diseases. The Pipeline and Industry pillars instead focus on the application of the latest scientific developments by enterprises within the field of infection. Here you can explore each pillar, and which sessions fall under each as well as special interest sessions. 

Scientific

ESCMID Global is first and foremost dedicated to expanding knowledge in the fields of clinical microbiology and infectious diseases. This pillar is the foundation upon which ESCMID Global invites you to step into the world of cutting edge. Invited speakers, keynote lecturers, and ESCMID awardees bring their expertise to attendees with these classic session types which provide the basis for your scientific discovery.

60’: 45’ talk + 15’ Q&A
1 speaker
2 chairpersons

Targeting a broad audience of specialists and non-specialists, these sessions feature key opinion leaders who present a state-of-the-art review of a specific cutting-edge topic, including summarising their own scientific achievements in the field.

60’ interactive conversation with audience
1 speaker (keynote speaker)
1-2 chairpersons

Open sessions, taking place right after the Keynote Lecture/Interview and aiming at generating informal discussions with ESCMID trainees and early career members.

1-hour Symposium:
2 talks of 25’ + 5’ Q&A each
2 speakers
2 chairpersons 

2-hour Symposium:
4 talks of 25’ + 5’ Q&A each
4 speakers
2 chairpersons 

Symposia convene renowned speakers from around the world and cover the range of topics being covered at ESCMID Global. They are tailored to give an overview of recent developments and research results, review the literature, or present as pro/con debates.

“Year in ...” and “Top papers in ...” sessions are 1-hour symposia where speakers present a common review on the topic based on the published literature since the last ESCMID Global. In each session, two speakers present a maximum of 10 papers, followed by a final discussion, focused on future research, ongoing controversies and take-home messages.

This year, the sessions include:

  • Year in infectious diseases
  • Year in clinical microbiology
  • Year in infection control
  • Year in public health
  • Top 10 papers in Infections in Solid Organ Transplantation, Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapy

60’: variable format
3-5 speakers
1 chairperson

During lunch break in designated open spaces (Arenas), speakers discuss with the audience a particular issue, typically with controversy and policy-related aspects.

At ESCMID Global 2025, the winners of the society’s awards for 2025 will be presented in dedicated sessions:

Young Investigator Award for Research in CM and ID

The ESCMID Young Investigator and Emerging Young Investigator Award winners will receive their awards and present their research during the session “Young Investigator Awards for Research in CM and ID ”.

ESCMID Award of Excellence in CM and ID

The ESCMID Excellence Awardee will receive the award and give a keynote lecture during a dedicated session.

ESCMID TAE Outstanding Trainee Award

The TAE Outstanding Trainee Award is intended to recognise and reward multi-skilled trainees with extracurricular activities in teaching, networking and collaboration for trainees in CM and ID. The winners for 2024 will be announced in November 2024 and will receive their awards during the TAE Day at ESCMID Global.

ISF-ESCMID Sepsis Award

The International Sepsis Forum (ISF) is a non-profit public American charity with the mission to improve outcomes for patients with sepsis. Its award gives the recipient 500 USD ($) and the opportunity to present their work during a session jointly organised by ISF and ESCMID.

The symposium “Sepsis Global 2025” is scheduled Monday 14 April 2025, 08:30 - 10:30. 

Education

Education is all about the exchange of knowledge and the growth of young professionals. Session types under this pillar focus on educating attendees in a combination of classic and innovative methods to give a rich learning experience. Meet-the-expert sessions allow for interaction with top experts and case sessions feature real-world clinical experience from which trainees can greatly benefit. Special sessions under this pillar feature alternative methods to engage audiences in new and exciting ways. 

60’: 15’ introduction by speakers followed by discussions with the audience
2 speakers

Informally known as “How Best to…” sessions, these educational sessions commonly target smaller audiences. The topics addressed should have practical relevance and include exchange of personal views, discussion of cases and experiences on a matter with the audience.

120’: 4 talks of 20’ each + 40’ panel discussion
4 speakers
2 chairpersons In special circumstances, 3h sessions are allocated

These sessions are review talks and/or case studies that lend themselves to discussions and educate on CM/ID. The goal of this format is education while focusing on core topics in CM/ID and as such formats can involve case discussions and be interactive.

60’: 5 talks of 11’ minutes each including discussion + 5’ commentary by chairperson
5 speakers
1 chairperson

Case Sessions feature case reports or small case series selected from submitted abstracts, which are discussed to highlight clinical lessons or share clinical experience within a common topic.

The very popular Clinical Grand Round pits the wits of six internationally renowned physicians against seven difficult clinical cases involving patients with infectious diseases. It is co-organised with the Infectious Disease Society of America (IDSA). In a 2-hour Session, cases are presented by trainee ID physicians from ESCMID and IDSA and discussed with the senior Professors. The presenting trainees and their cases are selected in a competitive process in the months leading up to the congress.

This competitive quiz first took place at the congress in 2023, and we are thrilled to welcome back this interactive session for a third edition with an improved layout and more prizes to win for everyone. Groups of four persons can apply for participation. The moderator of the session is Prof. Jesús Rodriguez-Bano.

Selective Pressure 2025 Group Sign-up

Selective Pressure is an interactive session at ESCMID Global 2025, where groups of four will compete as a team in a competitive quiz show on CM/ID. Please fill out the form below including information of your team to apply to be a part of this session during ESCMID Global.

All participants are welcome to attend this session. It will be an interactive, educational and entertaining experience, taking place on Sunday, 13 April 2025 from 13:30 to 15:30 CET, Hall 1. All team members must be present onsite to participate.

Deadline has been extended until 28 February 2025.

Apply here

The Judges

Jacob Moran-Gilad, Josh Nosanchuk, Jose Ramon Paño Pardo, Anja Šterbenc, Suzanne van Asten, David van Duin

FAQ

Please find all information in the downloadable file:

Selective Pressure FAQ

ESCMID Global continues to innovate and invest in the education of early-career scientists and physicians which is highlighted this year with a new onsite hands-on training experience. These 2-hour sessions will take place in the ESCMID Mobile Lab which will be parked outside the congress centre in front of Foyer A. 

It will be a microscopy-based training, organised and led by Claire Rogers, from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, United Kingdom. The topics will be centred around blood and faecal parasitology exploring specific parasites and diseases which can be found using microscopy. 

Due to the small group nature of the sessions, each one is only open for maximum of 14 participants and pre-registration is necessary. There is also an additional registration fee of 50 EUR + 20%VAT., but registration to the congress is not required. 

Register Now

If you have already registered for ESCMID Global 2025, please add a mobile lab ticket to your existing registration by following these instructions.

Programme

Day

Time

Title

Description

Focus

Saturday, 12 April

8.30-10.30 CET

Malaria differential diagnosis (beginners) Session 1

Basic knowledge required (eg life cycle stages, previous experience of examining thin blood films)

Pf, Pv, Po, Pm and % parasitaemia

 

13.30-15.30 CET

Malaria differential diagnosis (advanced) Session 1

Experience of looking at thin blood films for malaria

Pf, Pv, Po, Pm and Pk, anti-coagulant effects

 

16.15-18.15 CET

Morphological diagnosis of faecal protozoa Session 1

No previous knowledge required

Morphological features of protozoal cysts

Sunday, 13 April

8.30-10.30 CET

Faecal examination (eggs and cysts-advanced) Session 1

Previous experience of examination of faeces for ova, cysts and parasites

Examination of faecal specimens and differential diagnosis of protozoal cysts and helminth eggs and larvae

 

13.30-15.30 CET

Malaria differential diagnosis (beginners) Session 2

Basic knowledge required (eg life cycle stages, previous experience of examining thin blood films)

Pf, Pv, Po, Pm and % parasitaemia

 

16.15-18.15 CET

Malaria differential diagnosis (advanced) Session 2

Experience of looking at thin blood films for malaria

Pf, Pv, Po, Pm and Pk, anti-coagulant effects

Monday, 14 April

8.30-10.30 CET

Diagnosis of malaria by thick film

Previous experience of diagnosing malaria from thin blood films

Benefits of thick films, identification of malaria parasites, basic differential diagnosis

 

13.30-15.30 CET

Morphological diagnosis of faecal protozoa Session 2

No previous knowledge required

Morphological features of protozoal cysts

 

16.15-18.15 CET

Faecal examination (eggs and cysts -advanced) Session 2

Previous experience of examination of faeces for ova, cysts and parasites

Examination of faecal specimens and differential diagnosis of protozoal cysts and helminth eggs and larvae

Tuesday, 15 April

8.30-10.30 CET

Stained preparations for faecal diagnosis

Some experience of examination of faecal specimens (eg formol ether concentrates) for intestinal protozoa

Examination of Iron-haematoxylin stained faecal smears for protozoal cysts and trophozoites, examination of ZN smears for coccidian oocysts, examination of strong trichrome stained faecal smears for Microsporidia

 

13.30-15.30 CET

Morphological diagnosis of Leishmania, Trypanosomes and Microfilariae

No previous knowledge required

Examination of tissue smears for the presence of amastigotes Examination of thin and thick blood films for the presence of trypomastigotes. Differential diagnosis of Tb vs Tc Examination of thick blood films for microfilariae. Differential diagnosis of common microfilariae species

Get ready for an exciting blend of entertainment and education at ESCMID Global - where science meets cinema. Join us for the captivating movie session featuring the medical disaster thriller film Contagion from 2011.

What's a movie without popcorn? Indulge in a cinematic treat, courtesy of ESCMID, as you enjoy the show.

Education Friday

New educational format developed by the Educational Subcommittee.

Discover more

Research

ESCMID Global is a hub for cutting edge science in the field of infection. The research pillar is built up mainly of original research abstracts accepted for presentation after a rigorous review. These abstracts are either grouped and incorporated into oral sessions or displayed as posters presented directly by the authors. This programme is then complemented by journal sessions featuring the latest and greatest papers that were published within the last year.

1-hour Oral Session:
5 talks of 12’ each including discussion
2 chairpersons

2-hour Oral Session:
10 talks of 12’ each including discussion
2 chairpersons

Oral sessions feature a range of selected abstracts covering a specific topic, bringing the most recent scientific findings forward.

60’: 9 presentations of 6’ each + discussion
9 abstract presenters
1 chairperson

Speakers are selected by their submitted abstracts and will present the highlights of their research work using their ePosters.

Accepted abstracts that have not been assigned to oral sessions are then presented in the poster sessions that take place every day over lunch. The sessions are organised by subcategory and posters are available also electronically on the content platform.

Pipeline

Focused on innovation and the future, the pipeline pillar features brand new session types to showcase the research and development highlights of the past year and what’s to come. Meeting new innovators, and discussing in the forums allow for maximum engagement and networking among key leaders pushing the boundaries. Keep up with the cutting-edge and beyond with this pillar. 

1-hour sessions
2 speakers, 2 chairpersons
20-25`+5-10`Q&A

2-hour sessions
4 speakers, 2 chairpersons
20-25`+5-10`Q&A

Scientific symposia convene renowned speakers from around the world and cover a wide range of topics in clinical microbiology, infectious diseases, and infection control. Symposia are tailored to give an overview of recent developments and research results, review the literature, or present as pro/con debates. 

1-hour sessions
2 speakers’ “innovators” (no chairperson)
10-12` talks each

MTIs are educational in nature. Both speakers deliver a short presentation, 10-12’ max. elaborating on a common topic followed by interactive discussion and audience engagement which are the core of this session format.

These educational sessions commonly target a smaller audience to facilitate interaction. The topics have practical relevance pertaining to R&D processes, including discovery and development methodologies, technology assessment, clinical studies, policy and planning, economics, etc. It also allows for discussion with the speakers and includes the exchange of personal views, direct interaction, discussion of cases and experiences on a matter.

1-hour sessions
1 presentation 15` max
3-4 panelists plus 2 chairpersons

The session will open with a short presentation to introduce the topic, followed by a panel discussion where experts in the field will debate with the audience ideas and views on a particular issue. 

1-hour session
5-7 speakers 
8-10` each, including Q&A

The Pipeline Corner has become a regular and popular session at ESCMID Global where small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) from Europe and overseas present their research projects and product pipeline in different fields: therapeutics, diagnostics, bioinformatics, vaccines.

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