Molecular Microbiology has obtained a very significant position in the diagnosis and management of infectious diseases across all ages today. This joint symposium with the European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases will focus on two important aspects of the contemporary role of the Microbiology Laboratory: a) the role that the whole genome sequencing plays in the precise diagnosis and optimal management of serious infectious diseases in patients, including neonates and children, and b) how the Micro Lab contributes in the antibiotic stewardship of the neonatal and pediatric unit by its precise and early diagnostic approach.

• New Diagnostic Tools in Molecular Microbiology: Which May Impact the Diagnosis of Infections in Children?
  Mario Poljak (Slovenia)
• Impact of NGS in The Diagnosis and Management of Infectious Diseases
• How to Implement New Diagnostic Tools in the Micro Lab: The Diagnostic Stewardship Approach
  Maurizio Sanguinetti (Italy)
• Live Q&A

Host–pathogen interaction is considered a highly dynamic process between diverse microbial pathogens and hosts in all stages of pathogenic infection, from invasion to dissemination. This interaction is vital to our understanding of infectious disease, as well as its treatment and prevention and there are some recent fascinating advances in this era. The presentations in this session will guide the audience through the infectious complications as well as new diagnostics of New Inborn Errors of Immunity and will also summarize the evidence of the literature on type I Interferon defects in COVID-19 infections. Join ESPID and ESID, the European Society of Immunodeficiencies for:

• Type I Iterferon Defects in COVID-19
  Paul Bastard (France)
• Infectious Complications of New Inborn Errors of Immunity
  Isabelle Meyts (Belgium)
• New Diagnostics for Inborn Errors of Immunity
  Alain Fischer (France)
• Live Q&A

The role of the microbiome in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease is increasingly investigated and  now we know that the microbiota has a considerable role in IBD and that exploring the  interactions between intestinal microorganisms and the host may reveal new horizons to prevent and treat the disease. The prevalence of chronic hepatitis C is lower in children than adults, however millions of children worldwide have chronic HCV infection. Newer antiviral regimens have now been developed, although much remains to be elucidated regarding age of treatment initiation and treatment choice for particular HCV genotypes. Join ESPID and The European Society for Paediatric Gastroenterology Hepatology and Nutrition (ESPGHAN) for:

• Paediatric IBD and the Role of the Microbiome
  Johan Van Limbergen (Netherlands)
• Hepatitis C in Children: Update on Management
  Giuseppe Indolfi (Italy)
• Live Q&A

Epidemiological data indicate that SARS-CoV-2 is the trigger for MIS-C, a rare but potentially severe hyperinflammatory condition. The presentations in this session will guide the audience through the challenges of diagnosis and treatment and the opportunities to address unresolved questions about MIS-C including genetic contributors, pathophysiology and mid- or long-term adverse outcomes. Join ESPID and PIDS, the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society for:

• Michael Levin (United Kingdom)
• Adriana H. Tremoulet (United States of America)
• Live Q&A