Course Description

Modern Trends in Infectious Diseases and Immunology: IX Training Course for Paediatric Infectious Diseases Trainees (Seville, Spain | 5–7 November 2026)

Paediatric Infectious Diseases (PID) is a recognised paediatric subspecialty within Spain and continues to grow as a highly collaborative and academically active field across Europe. The Spanish Society of Paediatric Infectious Diseases (SEIP) and the Spanish Paediatric Society (AEP) regularly organise national scientific meetings and educational activities that promote excellence in clinical care, research, and training. Over recent years, close collaboration between Spanish and European colleagues has been further strengthened through the support and engagement of European Society for Paediatric Infectious Diseases (ESPID).

The first Training Course for Paediatric Infectious Diseases Trainees was successfully launched in 2013–2014 and consisted of three educational modules held in Seville, Madrid, and Barcelona. Supported by ESPID, the course received outstanding feedback from both participants and faculty members, establishing itself as a highly valued educational initiative. Since then, annual editions have continued to take place in Seville, consistently attracting approximately 100 participants from Spain and other European countries.

The forthcoming ninth edition of the course will be held in Seville from 5–7 November 2026. In response to the excellent evaluations received in previous years, the course will maintain a highly interactive format and limit attendance to a maximum of 120 participants in order to optimise educational quality and participant engagement.

The scientific programme will focus on current and emerging topics in Paediatric Infectious Diseases and Immunology, combining state-of-the-art lectures with case-based interactive learning. A total of 12 educational clinical cases will be presented and discussed. These cases will be prepared by trainees and moderated by senior experts, encouraging active participation, clinical reasoning, and collaborative discussion.

The faculty will include leading national and international experts in infectious diseases and immunology, together with three junior infectious diseases consultants, promoting mentorship and supporting the development of future leaders in the specialty. International speakers from the United Kingdom, Israel, Luxembourg, Australia, and the United States have confirmed their participation. The official language of the course will be English.

As in previous editions, the course will be accredited by the European Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (EACCME) for 15 hours of continuing professional development for both participants and faculty members. Structured participant evaluations will continue to be incorporated to ensure high educational standards and continuous improvement.

The principal aim of this initiative is to further develop a comprehensive national training programme in Paediatric Infectious Diseases, providing equitable educational opportunities for trainees throughout Spain while fostering international collaboration and academic excellence. In the longer term, the course also seeks to contribute to the continued recognition and strengthening of PID subspecialty training within the Spanish educational framework.

The course is primarily intended for trainees in Paediatric Infectious Diseases from Spain and across Europe. Applicants are encouraged to be members of the Andalusian Group of Paediatric Infectious Diseases and Immunopathology (GAIP), SEIP, ESPID, or the European Society for Immunodeficiencies (ESID). Nevertheless, the course remains open to all clinicians with a strong interest in Paediatric Infectious Diseases and Immunology.

We are deeply grateful for the continued support provided by ESPID in previous editions of this educational initiative and sincerely hope that this successful collaboration may continue in the future.

On behalf of the Organising Committee,
Olaf Neth
Course Director

Olaf Neth MD
Lead in Paediatric Infectious Diseases and Immunodeficiency
Hospital Infantil Universitario Virgen del Rocio,
Av Manuel Siurot s/n, 41013 Sevilla, Spain
oneth-ibis@us.es

Fernando Baquero MD
President of the Spanish Society of Paediatric Infectious Diseases (SEIP)
Department of Paediatric Infectious Diseases and Immunodeficiency
Hospital La Paz, Madrid