Dr Renu Vohra
Presentation Title
Fungal Names in Flux: “Mastering the Game of Change"?
Presentation Description
Recent molecular advances have revolutionized fungal taxonomy, prompting significant nomenclatural updates that directly impact clinical microbiology. Among the most affected are medically important yeasts within the Candida genus. These revisions underscore the need for laboratories to adopt standardized, up-to-date nomenclature to enhance diagnostic accuracy and inter-laboratory consistency. Concurrently, the epidemiology of vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) is evolving, with an increasing prevalence of non-albicans Candida species—particularly C. glabrata (Nakaseomyces glabrata)—which pose diagnostic and therapeutic challenges due to reduced antifungal susceptibility. Advances in molecular diagnostics now enable rapid and precise species identification. Emerging antifungal agents such as oteseconazole and ibrexafungerp demonstrate promise for recurrent VVC (RVVC), while novel immunotherapeutic and peptide-based treatments are under investigation. This presentation integrates updates in fungal nomenclature, diagnostic strategies, and therapeutic innovations, emphasizing the importance of continuous adaptation and interdisciplinary collaboration in managing fungal diseases effectively.
Biography
Dr Renu Vohra obtained a Doctor of Medicine in Microbiology from the University of Delhi, India in 1994 and commenced training as a Pathologist in Australia in 1997. In 2000, she gained her fellowship with the Royal College of Pathologists Australasia (FRCPA). Dr Vohra worked in private pathology in Queensland, progressing from a Registrar position to a Consultant in Microbiology, between 1999 and 2002. From 2002 to 2004, she worked as a Clinical Microbiologist for Pathology Queensland.
Dr Vohra joined QML Pathology as a Clinical Microbiologist in 2004, before being appointed as Head of Microbiology and Immunology in 2009. She was appointed as the Chief Medical Officer for Healius Pathology in June 2021 and appointed as the Medical Director for QML Pathology in 2024.
Special Interests:
Antibiotic resistance
Infection control
Molecular diagnosis of infectious diseases
Professional commitments: She has served on many professional and advisory committees and her current commitments are:
- RCPA Examiner
- Member of RCPA Microbiology Advisory Committee
- RCPA Overseas trained specialist’s subcommittee member
- Member of Infection control and antimicrobial stewardship committees in hospitals
- NATA assessor
Iceberg Events | PO Box 1179, Milton QLD Australia | Phone +61 7 3876 4988
© Iceberg Events Conference & Event Management
ANZVS acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the lands on which we work, live and gather. We pay our respects to all of Australia's First Peoples, their ancestors and Elders and to our shared future.