On October 20-21, 2014 in Cracow took place an international conference and workshop ''Primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) – modern diagnostic approaches”. The conference was organized within the European multi-centered project BESTCILIA, whose partner in Poland is Prof. Michał Witt.

The project aims at improvement of methods of PCD diagnostics and dissemination of knowledge on PCD among scientists and medical professionals. The primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) is a rare genetic disease caused by impairment of the motility of cilia present on the surface of respiratory airways, Fallopian tubes and in the flagella of sperm cells. The disorder can cause recurrent respiratory infections, bronchiectasis, situs inversus (reversal of the symmetry of inner organs) and infertility, and when diagnosed too late, leads to a severe lung dysfunction.

During the conference, lectures of internationally-recognized PCD experts were presented and a unique hands-on workshop on the most important methods used in PCD diagnostics was organized. The conference was attended by 65 participants from Europe and USA, including 35 clinicians from Poland.

More information about BESTCILIA project can be found under: www.bestcilia.eu

Participants of the conference