Brucellosis seminar: what's new in diagnosis and research

The National Reference Centre for Brucellosis, directed by Massimo Scacchia and Manuela Tittarelli, has been active at Istituto G. Caporale's headquarters since 1999. It recently organised a seminar on brucellosis diagnosis and research, held in the Montecarlo Room, Hotel Sporting, Teramo on 11 and 12 October 2012.

The seminar provided the opportunity to give a broad overview of the current European epidemiological situation as well as an interesting occasion for laboratory technicians carrying out diagnostic testing to share their experiences. Istituto G. Caporale's Director-General, Fernando Arnolfo, welcomed the participants and opened the seminar, which began with an introduction by the healthcare director, Giacomo Migliorati.

The main focus over the two days was on the evolving epidemiological situation of bovine, ovine and caprine brucellosis in Italy, human brucellosis, intra-laboratory test rings, typing of field strains, the activities of the European Reference Laboratory, international cooperation, information systems and national legislation.

Speakers at the event included Bruno Garin-Bastuji, director of the EU Reference Laboratory for Brucellosis at the French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health Safety.