Dear Colleagues,

On behalf of the Local Scientific and Organizing Committee, it is my great pleasure to invite you to the
24th Annual Meeting of the European Society for Paediatric Infectious Diseases - ESPID, to be held
May 3 - 5, 2006 in Basel, Switzerland.

The Local Scientific & Organizing Committee, composed of paediatric infectious disease specialists from all over Switzerland and Freiburg/Germany, is actively working to provide an attractive programme for the ESPID members and other participants, and to encourage new membership. Participants will have a unique opportunity to meet with colleagues and exchange ideas in a friendly and congenial environment.

This year’s main topic is "Bacterial Infections". It is our intention to discuss various aspects of epidemiology, prevention, diagnosis, treatment and clinical presentations of important diseases. Original contributions by clinicians as well as researchers are highly welcome. There will also be moderated interactive case presentations where experts and the audience will exchange their views and approaches to common clinical problems related to infectious diseases.

Basel is the centre of north-western Switzerland, on the border with Germany and France, and located at the very core of central Europe. Basel is known as an open, many-faceted cultural, educational, and economic metropolis. It successfully combines such small-town features as clarity and intimacy with the advantages of a city: expansiveness, wide choice, and diversity.

Spring in Basel presents beautiful weather, with an average of 16-18ºC during the day and lowest 8ºC at night, and only a remote possibility of rainy days.

We look forward to welcoming you to Basel for ESPID 2006,

Ulrich Heininger
Chairman of the Local Scientific Committee