Dear Colleagues and Friends,

It is a great pleasure and privilege to welcome you to Milan, Italy, on behalf of ESCMID and ISC and to the 21st ECCMID / 27th ICC, the second joint meeting of both organising societies. As the result of what seems like a Renaissance mathematical cabala, both ESCMID and ISC held their 12th congresses in Italy, ESCMID 9 years ago in spring 2002 in Milan and the ISC 30 years ago in summer 1981 in Florence. For the second time we experience a joint ECCMID/ICC congress. In these years ECCMID has steadily grown in importance while ICC has become a classic worldwide biennial meeting for antimicrobial chemotherapy since 1961.

We are pleased to offer you an excellent scientific programme, running over four days, with stimulating keynote lectures and symposia on parallel tracks with the involvement of a high number of internationally-renowned experts. The programme provides an unique opportunity for debate, discussion and the exchange of important ideas and information in the fields of clinical microbiology, antimicrobial chemotherapy and infectious diseases.
In addition, your contributions were highly welcomed and are presented in oral sessions or poster exhibitions that undoubtedly increase the knowledge of the latest scientific developments in these fields. Many great scientists and experts from all over the world are taking part in this important joint meeting, where both clinical and experimental research are showcased.

The Milano Convention Centre (MIC), located right in the centre of town, has been recently completely renewed and is an even more attractive venue to meet old friends and to establish new and interesting contacts. The warm hospitality of this northern Italian city undoubtedly enhances the enjoyment of your stay. Milan is a sprawling metropolis, but most of its attractions are concentrated in the city centre, between the Duomo (cathedral) and the Castello Sforzesco. Milan is renowned throughout the world for its fine arts, grand music and, of course, it is one of the most important fashion capitals. Immediately north of the Duomo, you may find not only the Brera Art Galleries but also fashionable shopping avenues where you can sample all the different aspects of this important European city.

We hope that this second joint meeting becomes a reference model for the exchange of scientific information in the future. We wish you a fruitful meeting and a pleasant stay in Milan!

Andrea Novelli
21st ECCMID /
27th ICC President