Primary immunodeficiency disorders – new aspects addressed by pediatricians

Pediatricians of various specialties met at a national conference to address issues of primary immunodeficiency, and COVID-19 infection in children. The event has been organized by the Pneumology Clinic of the Pediatrics Department of Nicolae Testemitanu State University of Medicine and Pharmacy of the Republic of Moldova in collaboration with the Academy of Sciences of Moldova (ASM) under JProject for Central and Eastern European Countries in the field of research and familiarization with primary immunodeficiencies.

The scientific event was moderated by academician Eva Gudumac, professor at Natalia Gheorghiu Pediatric Surgery, Orthopedics and Anesthesiology Chair, deputy coordinator of Life Sciences Department of ASM, who reported on the importance of meeting in the context of the last year COVID-19 pandemic and the need to continue research on the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Professor Gudumac also referred to the subject of the immune system and the knowledge of its pathologies, especially in the case of innate diseases such as primary immunodeficiency.

Academician Ion Tighineanu, President of the Academy of Sciences of Moldova, also present at the conference, welcomes the activities aimed at promoting knowledge in this field as they provide relevant information for building awareness of the genetic dimension, clinical, cellular and biochemical aspects of primary immunodeficiency, while the participation of well-known foreign and local specialists, but also of young researchers, raises the significance of the event.

Mihail Todiras, Head of Health and Biomedicine Research Center of Nicolae Testemitanu University has informed that current activities focus on implementing the 2020-2030 Strategy for strengthening the field of research and innovation, which is based on "education through research, research culture and intelligence”, and the conference is integrated in this context, representing an exceptional opportunity to familiarize specialists with the general practice. Professor Svetlana Sciuca, Head of Pneumology Clinic, believes that this event is an occasion for the country's medical community, family doctors, pediatricians and immunologists to find out information about the diagnosis of primary immunodeficiency and about the collaboration of Moldovan doctors with specialists from Hungary, Ukraine and Belarus – project partners.

Professor László Maródi from Hungary, Director and founder of JProject, has greeted the conference participants, emphasizing that the project includes 32 countries and that the Republic of Moldova has an important contribution to research, diagnosis and educational processes, actively participating in the dissemination of information on primary immunodeficiency, especially on early diagnosis, treatment methods at different stages of care.

Professor Anastasia Bondarenko, Pediatric Infectious Diseases and Pediatric Immunology Department, P.L. Shupika National University of Health of Ukraine, provided information on the epidemiological aspects and progress in the field of primary immunodeficiency in Ukraine, making a comprehensive presentation on cutaneous manifestations of immunodeficiency.

Most of the topics addressed at the conference focused on the respiratory system damage, early manifestations, and signs of respiratory system injuries and complications in primary immunodeficiency disorders. The event ended with a question and answer session, discussions and generalizations concerning the topicality of the tackled issue and its scientific-practical impact.