The ICC is the congress of the International Society of Chemotherapy for Infection and Cancer (ISC) and, in 2013, is being co-hosted by the Japanese Society of Chemotherapy, the Asia- Pacific Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infection as well as the Japanese Association for Infectious Diseases. The biennial ICC was first held in 1959 and was previously held in Japan in 1969 in Tokyo and in 1985 in Kyoto. The ICC returns to Japan in 2013 after 28 years when the main theme will be "Fighting Infections".
The ICC 2013 will bring together professionals working in all areas of infectious diseases; from research to clinical practice and from students to microbiologists, pharmacists and clinicians.
Although people appeared to have conquered their fear of infection, we continue to experience new threats today. Many antimicrobial agents are becoming less powerful as a result of the growth of drug-resistant bacteria. There is a deficit of new antimicrobial agents. Epidemic areas have been expanding due to climate change. Tropical infectious diseases such as malaria are spreading. The new avian influenza epidemic has exacted a significant toll around the world and there is no clear answer on how to solve it. Thus, society is, once again, threatened by infectious diseases. Therefore, we must think anew about how to deal with these issues and how to save people from the threat of infection. These topics, and many others, will be presented, discussed and debated at the ICC 2013.
An excellent scientific programme is planned and will be delivered by a faculty of internationally renowned experts in their fields. We also invite you to contribute to the programme via the submission of abstracts for both oral and poster presentation. We guarantee you an international audience for the dissemination of ideas and results and for the exchange of information in the areas of clinical microbiology, antimicrobial chemotherapy and infectious diseases.
The host city, Yokohama, is located in the centre of Japan, about 19 miles south of Tokyo. It is a popular tourist destination which has strong cultural and business associations. We look forward to seeing you in Yokohama with heartfelt hospitality.