Brucellosis 2003 proceedings - PHIDIAS

Welcome
As Professor Paul Nicoletti reminds us, the "The first Brucellosis Research
Conference was held at the Morrison Hotel in Chicago (USA) in November 1948 and
was organized by B. T. Simms of the USDA-Bureau of Animal Industry. ... The
reputation of this Conference is well-known as an excellent medium for presentation
of results of experiments and exchange of research ideas." (A brief history of the
Brucellosis Research Conference, 50 th Anniversary Meeting, Chicago, November 8-
9, 1998). The general format of the Conference has remained unchanged since then,
with the only exception of the 53 rd Conference which was held in Nimes (France) on
7-9 September 2000, and was excellently organized by J. J. Letesson from
Laboratoire d'Immunologie et de Microbiologie, URBM-FUNDP, Namur (Belgique).
During those days, it was suggested that the 56 th Conference (year 2003) could be
held again in Europe and the "brucellosis group" in Pamplona took over the
challenge. Now, on behalf of the Organising Committee it is a great pleasure for me
to welcome all of you again in Europe, in Spain, in Pamplona, and in the University of
Navarra.
One of our main objectives was to encourage international participation.
Thanks to the contribution of the FAO of the United Nations and the OIE of the World
Organization for Animal Health, and with the special collaboration of the International
Centre for Advanced Mediterranean Agronomic Studies through the Mediterranean
Agronomic Institute of Zaragoza (CIHEAM/IAMZ) and the european COST Action
845 it has been possible to welcome more than 250 participants from 40 different
countries (from Malaysia to the USA, from Finland to Nigeria). We want also to thank
the Spanish Ministry of Science and Technology and the local Government of
Navarra for their support. The sponsorship of several companies is also
acknowledged.
Brucellosis is extremely widespread around the world and, but for a few
developed countries, occurs almost everywhere. The disease has a truly international
nature both in terms of its epidemiology, human health risks and impact on trade.
Due to its complexity, research in brucellosis requires a multidisciplinary approach
that can only be achieved by combined scientific expertise. The Brucellosis 2003
International Research Conference will be an efficient means of linking research
teams across the world and facilitating the dissemination of information to the
legislators and to the field.
We hope that the free expression and discussion of research results during
these days in Pamplona will be one more step to win the battle against this zoonotic
disease that cause heavy economical losses and human suffering around the world.
Moreover, we are sure that all our efforts to control this infection represent an
excellent opportunity to encourage the understanding among the countries and to
work for the peace and developing of the human race.
Sincerely,
Ignacio López-Goñi, Chairman
Brucellosis 2003 International Research Conference
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