Infectious Disease Expert to Highlight Emerging Diagnostic Strategies to Support C. difficile Infection Control

LabRoots will host the webinar, sponsored by Roche Diagnostics, on March 22, in which participants will learn about the challenges surrounding C. difficile and novel strategies employed by the microbiology lab to support accurate diagnosis and prevention.

(PRWEB) March 12, 2018

Clostridium difficile (C. diff) is a highly problematic healthcare-associated infection that is easily spread and often results in poor outcomes and high costs. Furthermore, the epidemiology of C. diff is changing, with increases in both incidence and severity in recent years. According to CDC, C. diff caused nearly half a million infections in the United States in 2011, and 29,000 deaths within 30 days of the initial diagnosis.1

To manage this challenging infection, a multi-faceted approach involving contact precautions, environmental cleaning, rapid diagnostics, and related strategies is required. In this Roche-sponsored webinar, participants will learn from an industry expert about the epidemiology and impact of C. diff from a clinical and cost perspective. He will also demonstrate the role of the microbiology lab in diagnosis and prevention.

The speaker for this event will be Dr. Lance R. Peterson, Director of Microbiology and Infectious Disease Research Program and Director of Medical Microbiology Fellowship at North Shore University Health System. Peterson earned his doctorate of medicine from the University of Minnesota. Some of his current research activities focus on using molecular testing methods to enhance infection control activities; understanding the regulation of antimicrobial agent resistance in staphylococci and Enterobacteriaceae; and developing new diagnostic tests for rapidly detecting antibiotic resistant bacterial pathogens.

LabRoots will host the webinar on Thursday, March 22, 2018, beginning at 7:00am PDT, 10:00am EDT. To learn more about this event and the continuing education credits offered, or to register for free, click here.

1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "Clostridium difficile infection." Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/hai/organisms/cdiff/cdiff_infect.html. (accessed January 31, 2018).

About Roche
Roche is a global pioneer in pharmaceuticals and diagnostics focused on advancing science to improve people's lives. The combined strengths of pharmaceuticals and diagnostics under one roof have made Roche the leader in personalised healthcare – a strategy that aims to fit the right treatment to each patient in the best way possible.

Roche is the world's largest biotech company, with truly differentiated medicines in oncology, immunology, infectious diseases, ophthalmology and diseases of the central nervous system. Roche is also the world leader in in vitro diagnostics and tissue-based cancer diagnostics, and a frontrunner in diabetes management.

Founded in 1896, Roche continues to search for better ways to prevent, diagnose and treat diseases and make a sustainable contribution to society. The company also aims to improve patient access to medical innovations by working with all relevant stakeholders. Thirty medicines developed by Roche are included in the World Health Organization Model Lists of Essential Medicines, among them life-saving antibiotics, antimalarials and cancer medicines. Roche has been recognised as the Group Leader in sustainability within the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences Industry nine years in a row by the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices (DJSI).

The Roche Group, headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, is active in over 100 countries and in 2017 employed about 94,000 people worldwide. In 2017, Roche invested CHF 10.4 billion in R&D and posted sales of CHF 53.3 billion. Genentech, in the United States, is a wholly owned member of the Roche Group. Roche is the majority shareholder in Chugai Pharmaceutical, Japan. For more information, please visit http://www.roche.com.

About LabRoots
LabRoots is the leading scientific social networking website, which provides daily scientific trending news, as well as produces educational virtual events and webinars, on the latest discoveries and advancements in science. Contributing to the advancement of science through content sharing capabilities, LabRoots is a powerful advocate in amplifying global networks and communities. Founded in 2008, LabRoots emphasizes digital innovation in scientific collaboration and learning, and is a primary source for current scientific news, webinars, virtual conferences, and more. LabRoots has grown into the world's largest series of virtual events within the Life Sciences and Clinical Diagnostics community.

For the original version on PRWeb visit: http://www.prweb.com/releases/2018/03/prweb15305450.htm