1st Annual Meeting of COST Action CA23142 Delve-into-Pneumocystis

The meeting gathered experts from 18 countries and multiple disciplines to review the Action’s progress, share recent findings, and define research priorities for the next Grant Period. Organised under the coordination of Dr. Marta Kicia (Vice Chair, University of Wrocław) and Dr. Enrique Calderón Sandubete (Chair, Institute of Biomedicine of Seville), the event fostered active dialogue between early-career and senior researchers, consolidating international collaboration in Pneumocystis research.

Scientific sessions covered major themes across the Action’s Working Groups:

WG1 – Clinical cohorts and epidemiology: presentations on the development of a European Pneumocystis registry, its role in COPD exacerbations, and potential maternal–infant transmission routes.

WG2 – Diagnostic innovation: updates on multicentre surveys, molecular diagnostic tools, and strain-specific infections in transplant recipients.

WG3 – Physiopathology: discussions on host–pathogen interactions, early colonisation markers, and the presence of Pneumocystis in tumour tissues.

WG4 – Communication and ethics: strategies for dissemination, stakeholder engagement, and bioethical considerations in Pneumocystis diagnosis and control.

Keynote speakers , Alexandre Alanio (Institut Pasteur, France), Solène Le Gal (University Hospital of Brest, France), and Sergio Vargas (Universidad Autónoma de Chile) provided cutting-edge insights into the molecular diagnosis, clinical impact, and epidemiology of Pneumocystis.

The meeting also served as a platform to launch the DDBIOS project (Droplet Digital PCR and BIOSensors), a collaborative initiative aiming to develop advanced diagnostic tools for Pneumocystis jirovecii.

In line with COST’s mission, the event promoted inclusiveness, capacity building, and interdisciplinary networking, strengthening research coordination and visibility within the Delve-into-Pneumocystis network.

This first Annual Meeting marked a milestone for the Action, consolidating its scientific agenda and setting the stage for new collaborative research in the study and diagnosis of Pneumocystis infections.