CONTENTS
· Faculty
· Scientific Agenda
· Invitation
· Continuing
  Medical Education
· Who Should Attend?
· Objectives
· Call for Abstracts
· Registration
· General Information
· Hotel Accommodations
· Organizer

Elias J. Anaissie, MD
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Little Rock, Arkansas

Mark Bresnik, MD*
Gilead Sciences, Inc.
Foster City, California

Donald Buell, MD*
Astellas Pharma US, Inc.
Deerfield, Illinois

Leslie M. Dalton, DVM
Sea World of San Antonio
San Antonio, Texas

Lorraine F. Dowdy, DO, FACP
University of Miami
Miami, Florida

Annette W. Fothergill, MA, MBA
University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
San Antonio, Texas

Mahmoud Ghannoum, PhD, EMBA
Case Western Reserve University School
of Medicine
Cleveland, Ohio

John R. Graybill, MD
University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
San Antonio, Texas

Catherine J. Hardalo, MD*
Schering-Plough Research
Kenilworth, New Jersey

Duane R. Hospenthal, MD, PhD
Brooke Army Medical Center
Fort Sam Houston, Texas

Ana Espinel-Ingroff, PhD
Virginia Commonwealth University
Richmond, Virginia

Nicholas Kartsonis, MD*
Merck & Company
Blue Bell, New Jersey

Dimitrios P. Kontoyiannis, MD
MD Anderson Cancer Center
Houston, Texas

Kieren A. Marr, MD
Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center
University of Washington
Seattle, Washington

Leonel Mendoza, PhD
Michigan State University
East Lansing, Michigan

Stephen A. Moser, MD
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Birmingham, Alabama

Nova Najarian, RN*
Indevus Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Lexington, Massachusetts

M-Hong T. Nguyen, MD
University of Florida College of Medicine
Gainesville, Florida

Luis Ostrosky-Zeichner, MD, FACP
University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston
Houston, Texas

Brent T. Page, PhD
Agricultural Research Service
US Department of Agriculture
Peoria, Illinois

Thomas F. Patterson, MD, FACP
University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
San Antonio, Texas

John R. Perfect, MD
Duke University Medical Center
Durham, North Carolina

Michael A. Pfaller, MD
University of Iowa College of Medicine
Iowa City, Iowa

Sanjay G. Revenkar, MD
University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center
Dallas, Texas

Michael G. Rinaldi, PhD
University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
San Antonio, Texas

Jerry D. Smilack, MD
Mayo Clinic
Scottsdale, Arizona

Deanna A. Sutton, PhD
University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
San Antonio, Texas

Robert Swanson, PhD*
Pfizer Inc.
New York, New York

Lisa A. Tell, DVM
University of California-Davis
Sacramento, California

Thomas J. Walsh, MD
National Cancer Institute
National Institutes of Health
Bethesda, Maryland

Michael J. Weickert, PhD*
Nektar Therapeutics
San Carlos, CA

John R. Wingard, MD
University of Florida College of Medicine
Gainesville, Florida

* Denotes those speakers who are researchers employed by pharmaceutical companies. The learner must determine if this affiliation has had any influence on their presentation. Full disclosure information will be given at the conference.

Due to a printing error, Dr. Elias J. Anaissie was inadvertently identified in the printed program announcement as a speaker employed by a pharmaceutical company. Imedex would like it to be known that this association is completely inaccurate and to be disregarded. Imedex apologizes for this error.

Wednesday, March 8, 2006

2:00 pm Mycology workshop
Deanna A. Sutton, PhD
Annette W. Fothergill, MA, MBA

4:00 pm
Satellite symposium
Suppoted by Schering-Plough

6:00 pm
Reception and poster viewing
Suppoted by Schering-Plough

Thursday, March 9, 2006
8:00 am
Welcome and introductory remarks
Michael G. Rinaldi, PhD

8:10 am
Special Introductory Lecture: The status quo of medical mycology and fungal infections:
A look back and a future vision
John R. Perfect, MD
Introduction by Michael G. Rinaldi, PhD

Session I: Laboratory assistance for the clinician: What’s new in the clinical mycology lab?
Moderator: Stephen A. Moser, MD
9:00 am
Rapid identification of clinically-significant yeasts
Brent T. Page, PhD

9:20 am
A novel new species of Aspergillus: Approaches to identification and susceptibility testing
Kieren A. Marr, MD

9:40 am
Current status of rapid methods for diagnosis and identification of agents causing invasive mycoses
Michael A. Pfaller, MD

10:00 am
Panel discussion

10:15 am
Break

Session IIA: The current state of antifungals (recent developments and happenings): The company research perspective
Moderator: Elias J. Anaissie, MD
10:35 am
Antifungal Susceptibility Testing: Latest Thoughts and Developments
Ana Espinel-Ingroff, PhD

10:55 am
Echinocandins: Current applications
Nicholas Kartsonis, MD

11:15 am
Micafungin alone and in combination
Donald Buell, MD

11:35 am
Emerging echinocandin therapies
Nova Najarian, RN

11:55 am
Panel discussion

12:10 pm
Satellite symposium and lunch
Suported by Merck and Co.

2:10 pm
Novel combinations
Robert Swanson, PhD

2:30 pm
Azoles
Catherine J. Hardalo, MD

2:50 pm
Unique forms of amphotericin B
Mark Bresnik, MD
Michael J. Weickert, PhD

3:10 pm
Questions

3:20 pm
Break

Session IIB: The current state of antifungals (recent developments and happenings): The academic perspective
Moderator: Michael A. Pfaller, MD
3:40 pm
Thoughts from two Texas academicians
John R. Graybill, MD
Thomas F. Patterson, MD, FACP

4:10 pm
Panel discussion

Session III: Presentation of awards and awards for winning posters
Moderators: Elias J. Anaissie, MD and Michael G. Rinaldi, PhD
4:20 pm
Presentation of awards:
• Thomas J. Walsh Mycology Astellas Pharma US, Inc.
• Merck Young Investigator Award

4:30 pm
Poster viewing

7:00 pm
Social event - A Las Vegas Party

Friday, March 10, 2006
8:00 am
Welcome
Elias J. Anaissie, MD

Session IV: Special Session: Our feathered and not-so-feathered animal friends: Some considerations of mycoses in animals
Moderator: Invited
8:10 am
Aspergillosis in animals: Impacts on veterinary medicine
Lisa A. Tell, DVM

8:30 am
A tale of dolphins, killer whales, and other sea creatures: Mycological woes
Leslie M. Dalton, DVM

8:50 am
Panel discussion

Session V: Miscellaneous fungal and related entities: Current thoughts
Moderator: Luis Ostrosky-Zeichner, MD, FACP
9:00 am
Human infections incited by the genus Pythium
Leonel Mendoza, PhD

9:20 am
Human infections caused by the genus Basidiobolus
Jerry D. Smilack, MD

9:40 am
Phaeohyphomycosis: Infections due to darkly-pigmented molds
Sanjay G. Revankar, MD

10:00 am
Questions

10:10 am
Break

Session VI: Stump the stars: Interactive case reports: Diagnosis and management
Moderator: Mahmoud Ghannoum, PhD, EMBA
10:30 am
Case 1
Duane R. Hospenthal, MD, PhD

10:45 am
Case 2
M-Hong T. Nguyen, MD

11:00 am
Case 3
Dimitrios P. Kontoyiannis, MD

11:15 am
Case 4
Lorraine F. Dowdy, DO, FACP

11:30 am
Satellite symposium and lunch
Supported by Astellas Pharma US, Inc.

1:30 pm Special Lecture:
Are we making genuine progress in the diagnosis and therapy of invasive mycoses in the bone marrow transplant population?
John R. Wingard, MD
Introduction by
Elias J. Anaissie, MD

Session VII: Another year passes: Current reflections concerning combination antifungal therapy
Moderator: Kieren A. Marr, MD
2:15 pm
The case for combination antifungal therapy
Thomas J. Walsh, MD

2:45 pm
The case for non-excitement about combination therapy
Luis Ostrosky-Zeichner, MD, FACP

Session VIII: Hurricanes, fungi, scams, and morality: An amazing interplay
Moderator: Michael G. Rinaldi, PhD

3:15 pm
The interface of Hurricane Katrina and medical mycology
Thomas J. Walsh, MD

3:45 pm
Tales of bogus docs and labs, clean-up scams, mycotoxin fears, and very “mouldy” lawyers
Michael G. Rinaldi, PhD

4:00 pm
Conclusion and adjourn
Elias J. Anaissie, MD

Dear Colleague:

It is with great pleasure and enthusiasm that we invite you to attend “Focus on Fungal Infections 16” scheduled for March 8-10, 2006 in Las Vegas, Nevada. What began as a small meeting of US-based specialists discussing the latest developments in antifungal therapy, “Focus” has become an international forum for world leaders in mycology and infectious disease management to share and increase their knowledge of fungal infections and how to optimize patient care. This year again draws on the experiences of expert academicians, private practice physicians, laboratory specialists, and, as a new twist this year, specialized veterinarians.

Focus recognizes both the clinical and the laboratory aspects of antifungal therapy and offers a variety of educational tools to instruct its diverse audience. The meeting utilizes a combination of lectures, case studies, poster abstracts and a mycology workshop to maximize educational benefit for attendees. The Scientific Committee annually recognizes the efforts of researchers who make significant contributions in medical mycology through esteemed and highly competitive awards for both established and young investigators. In a timely session, the role of antifungal treatment in the aftermath of natural disasters will be discussed.

The latest installment in this series will occur in Las Vegas, Nevada. We know you will enjoy the backdrop of this culturally diverse and friendly city, which is a fitting location for this highly diverse and friendly conference. We hope you complement your meeting experience with a trip to the casinos, a night out to a theme park, musical review, a play, or try one of the many excellent restaurants.

We invite you to join us for two and half days of learning at Focus on Fungal Infections 16. We know you will thoroughly enjoy this meeting!

Sincerely,
Elias J. Anaissie, MD
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Little Rock, Arkansas

Michael G. Rinaldi, PhD
University of Texas Health Science
Center at San Antonio
San Antonio, Texas

Imedex^®, Inc. is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

Imedex, Inc. designates this educational activity for a maximum of 13.75 category 1 credits toward the AMA Physician's Recognition Award. Each physician should claim only those hours of credit that he/she actually spent in the activity.

P.A.C.E. Accreditation
Imedex, Inc. is in the process of applying for continuing education credits for clinical laboratory science personnel through the ASCLS P.A.C.E.^® program.

This educational program is intended for physicians, laboratory technologists and other healthcare professionals trained in microbiology or infectious diseases who are interested in the identification, diagnosis, and management of invasive fungal infections.

Click here to register for this program

After successful completion of this program participants should be able to:

• List and identify the most important newly emerging fungal pathogens
• Discuss the relevance of clinical laboratory findings for the diagnosis and management of patients with invasive fungal infections
• Recommend treatment for invasive fungal infections in normal and at-risk populations\
• Summarize the characteristics of the newer antifungal agents and clinical trial results utilizing these agents
• Comment on fungal infections in non-human species
• Comment on challenges in diagnosis and management of fungal infections through challenging case examples
• Comment on the ecological and economic impact of the aftermath of natural disasters

Participants interested in presenting data should submit abstracts online here by Thursday, February 2, 2006. Abstracts are subject to acceptance by the Scientific Committee. Once accepted, abstracts will be published in the final program book and scheduled for poster presentation.

Acceptance notifications and guidelines for poster presentation will be sent on Monday, February 13, 2006. Authors of accepted abstracts who have not registered will have until Wednesday, February 22, 2006 to do so at the rate of $275. After this date, abstracts without registered presenters will be disregarded.

Abstract Guidelines

• Follow the online instructions
• Abstracts must be written in English
• Accepted format: Word document format, 9 point Arial font, 500 word count limit
• Use a concise title
• List affiliations of author(s) as briefly as possible, with city, state and country
• Use standard and well-accepted abbreviations
• When using references, use standard and well-accepted formats
• Abstract content should be single-spaced, typed in lower case and contain:
  • Purpose of the study
  • Summarized description of the project
  • Results and conclusions

Submit abstracts online here. Submission Deadline: Thursday, February 2, 2006

Merck Young Investigator Award
This award is available to assist with meeting-related travel expenses for fellows in training. The first author must meet the following requirements:

• The candidate for the award must be in training at an approved Infectious Disease post-graduate medical education program
• Candidate must show original research of major importance in the field of medical/clinical mycology conducted by themselves and co-investigators (if any)
• Candidate must show relevance of the work to a current problem in patients involving fungal infections (in the broadest sense) in contemporary medicine/veterinary medicine
• Candidate must submit a well-written, concise and accurate abstract
• Candidate must be registered for the meeting and agree to be present during the scheduled poster presentation times
• Candidate must provide a letter of support from his/her Program Director indicating their eligibility for the award

Check Merit Award box during abstract submission

The Thomas J. Walsh Mycology Award by Astellas Pharma US, Inc.
The Thomas J. Walsh Mycology Award was established to encourage and recognize scientific research excellence. The award will be presented to the best overall abstract presented at Focus on Fungal Infections 16. The recipient will be awarded a research grant of $15,000 for utilization in their professional work. The first author must meet the following requirements:

• Candidate must show original research of major importance in the field of medical/clinical mycology conducted by themselves and co-investigators (if any)
• The selected abstract should not have been presented previous to Focus 16
• Candidate must show relevance of the work to a current problem in patients involving fungal infections (in the broadest sense) in contemporary medicine
• Candidate must submit a well-written, concise and accurate abstract
• Candidate must be registered for the meeting and agree to be present during the scheduled presentation times

Click here to register for this program

REGISTRATION FEES
Physician and Other:
Regular (If received by March 1, 2006) . . . $375
Full (If received after March 1, 2006) . . . $475
Group Discount . . . –$50

Pharmacists*:
Regular (If received by March 1, 2006) . . . $200
Full (If received after March 1, 2006) . . . $250
Group Discount . . . n/a
* Proof of pharmacist status required

Social Event Ticket For guests of attendees . . . . . . $95

To Register: You may register online or call Imedex at +1 (770) 751 7332. Registration confirmations will be issued before the meeting.

To qualify for special registration fees, registration and full payment must be received by Imedex by the dates specified. *To qualify for pharmacist registration fees, proof of pharmacist status required.

Group Discounts
Multiple registrants from the same institute or practice each receive a $50 discount off the published registration fees, provided all registration forms and payments are received together. Only one discount will apply per physician.

Payment
Registration fees and hotel reservation guarantees can be remitted by credit card, check, or wire transfer. Checks should be payable to Imedex. To pay via wire transfer, you must add $25 to the registration fee to cover bank charges. Include the full name of the attendee and the name of the conference: Focus on Fungal Infections 16 #248. Attendee is not registered until full payment is received.

Wire to: Bank of America, ABA: 0260.0959.3, Account Info: Imedex, Inc., Account: 0000.0106.3308. If the wire originates outside the United States, please add this additional information: Clearing Bank: Bank of America, New York, Swift Code: BOFAUS3N, Clearing Account: 6550305831.

Registration Fee Inclusions
Registration fees include admittance to scientific sessions, conference materials and all functions as specified in the program.

Cancellation
For registration fees to be refunded, written notice of cancellation must be received at Imedex by Wednesday, March 1, 2006. The amount of registration fees remitted, minus a $75 administrative charge, will be refunded after the conference. Substitutions are accepted with written notification. After Wednesday, March 1, 2006, no refunds will be made.

For hotel deposits to be refunded, written notice of cancellation must be received at Imedex no later than 5 business days prior to your scheduled arrival date. All refunds will be processed after the conference.

DISCOUNTED AIRFARES
Contact conference travel agent, Age of Travel, for assistance with your travel needs. Age of Travel can also accommodate pre- and post-conference extensions.
Tel.: (800) 523 4954 or +1 (404) 591 7120
Email: Imedex@ageoftravel.com

CONFERENCE LOCATION AND REGISTRATION HOURS
The Aladdin Resort & Casino,
soon to be Planet Hollywood Hotel
3667 Las Vegas Boulevard South
Las Vegas, Nevada 89109
Tel.: +1 (702) 785 5555
Fax: +1 (702) 785 5511

The Registration and Information Desk will be staffed:
Wednesday, March 8 . . . . . 12:00 pm -7:00 pm
Thursday, March 9 . . . . . 7:00 am – 5:00 pm
Friday, March 10 . . . . . 7:00 am – 4:30 pm

THE CONFERENCE HOTEL IS SOLD OUT. PLEASE CONTACT THE REGISTRAR FOR FURTHER ASSISTANCE AT +1 (770) 751 7332.

The Aladdin Resort & Casino
soon to be Planet Hollywood Hotel
3667 Las Vegas Boulevard South
Las Vegas, Nevada 89109
Tel.: +1 (702) 785 5555
Fax: +1 (702) 785 5511

Located in the epicenter of the Las Vegas Strip, The Aladdin Resort & Casino, soon to be Planet Hollywood Hotel, features diverse dining, retail, entertainment and gaming options. Facilities include a beautiful wedding chapel, spacious convention and meeting rooms, a business center, golf concierge, two outdoor pools, an expansive pool deck resting six stories above the Las Vegas Strip and a relaxing experience like no other at the world-class Elemis Spa. For those attendees who like to shop, there are over 130 shops at Desert Passage in the hotel.

Live it up Las Vegas style at The Aladdin Resort & Casino, soon to be Planet Hollywood Hotel!
For the convenience of attendees, a limited number of rooms has been reserved at a rate of $145.00, single or double occupancy, plus tax, currently at 9%. This rate is not guaranteed outside the conference dates.

For individual reservations, please submit a completed hotel reservation form. For group hotel reservations, groups should contact Imedex directly. Imedex will attempt to meet all accommodation requests, however it reserves the right to change the requested hotel to one of a similar category if unable to confirm the hotel described in this brochure.

          4325 Alexander Drive
          Alpharetta, GA 30022-3740 USA
          Tel.: +1 (770) 751 7332
          Fax: +1 (770) 751 7334
          Email: meetings@imedex.com
          Web: www.imedex.com