Our proposal to WHO to support the construction of the FFP facility was consistent with the joint venture with our technology partner. The project comprised the transfer of technology from our partner to fill-finish and package egg-based split virion inactivated influenza vaccine (seasonal and pandemic) to cover initially the domestic market. This included plant design, engineering production, quality control (QC), qualification, validation and regulatory affairs. Milestones of the complete influenza

project are outlined in Fig. 2. The facility will have a capacity for 30 million doses of trivalent seasonal vaccine per year in 10-dose vials, with potential to increase capacity to 60 million doses of southern hemisphere Quisinostat chemical structure formulation. If needed, capacity could be converted to produce approximately 60 million doses of pandemic vaccine, and consideration may be given to extending check details production beyond Mexican

demand. The development plan includes all issues related to the production process – organization planning, engineering layout, remodelling work, documentation, training, procurement of equipment, commissioning, qualification and validation – following international and national regulatory requirements. Once the technology transfer agreement with sanofi pasteur was signed, a recognized pharmaceutical engineering firm was hired to elaborate the master plan for the Cuautitlan facility, based on Birmex’s strategic plan. The consulting firm developed a detailed engineering plan for the FFP and Quality Control facility, including the structural civil engineering, architectonic and masonry layouts, specifications of all necessary systems, equipment and materials. In 2009, the office area was completed and 160 of Birmex’s 700 employees moved in. In addition, the store

house became functional for company-wide these activities. In parallel to this activity, Birmex recruited an international expert team to ensure compliance of the facility with GMP, including regulatory review of the designs and development of the qualification protocols. This part of the project is on track to be completed in mid 2013 with full production planned to start in September 2014, when antigen produced in the sanofi-built plant will be blended, filled and packaged in Cuautitlan. Birmex has acquired much of the critical production and QC laboratory equipment with the same specifications as those of sanofi pasteur at its site in France. Both Birmex and sanofi technicians were involved in the factory acceptance tests for design specifications, alarm systems and functionality of the equipment. Some critical QC laboratory equipment, such as the isolator, autoclaves and washing machines had already passed factory acceptance tests. Additional QC equipment was procured with resources from WHO.

Qualitative research can provide a unique insight into individual’s perspective and attitudes towards physical activity that cannot be elicited through quantitative methods. Frequently reported reasons to be physically active in the general elderly

population are: health concerns, socialisation, facilities, physician encouragement and purposeful activity. Frequently reported reasons to be sedentary are: lack of time, fear of injury, tiredness, lack of discipline, inadequate motivation, boredom, intimidation (afraid to slow others down), poor health, the physical environment, and lack of knowledge and understanding of the relationship between physical activity and health (Costello et al 2011, Reichert et al 2007, Schutzer PD0325901 and Graves 2004). However, to be able to increase the physical activity level in people with COPD particularly, we believe it is necessary to identify COPD-specific reasons to be physically active or sedentary. In the pulmonary rehabilitation setting, some qualitative studies have been performed concerning physical activity maintenance. For example, Hogg et al (2012) identified social support from peers and professionals and confidence as important reasons influencing maintenance after pulmonary

rehabilitation. As pulmonary rehabilitation is not accessible for all people with COPD, it would be interesting to also investigate selleckchem the reasons relevant to physical activity in daily life. Williams et al (2007) found that social integration, independence, and enjoyment were related to walking and other functional physical activities in daily life, but the sample size of this study was small. Furthermore, Electron transport chain it would be interesting to investigate whether these personal reasons relate to

the individual’s physical activity level. If barriers are identified that are amenable to change, then this might provide useful information about how physical activity participation could be enhanced in people with COPD. The research questions addressed in this study were: 1. Among people with COPD, what reasons are perceived as influencing whether they are physically active or sedentary? This observational study combined a qualitative and quantitative approach. People with mild to very severe COPD were invited to participate in this study via a letter from their general practitioner or respiratory physician at outpatient clinics of general hospitals in the northern part of The Netherlands. This study was part of a larger study on physical activity in people with COPD. Participants were enrolled in this cross-sectional study between February 2009 and February 2012 if they had COPD according to the GOLD criteria (Vestbo et al 2012). Comorbidities were allowed, but people were excluded if they had serious active disease that needed medical treatment (eg, recent myocardial infarct, carcinoma), or if they were treated for an exacerbation of their COPD during the previous two months.

Moreover, most of the available methods are based on involvement of buffer which not favourable for column efficiency. Keeping, in view of this an attempt was made to develop a simple, precise and accurate RP-HPLC

method for the simultaneous estimation of piperacillin and tazobactam in pharmaceutical dosage forms. The reference sample of piperacillin and tazobactam is a kind gift from V.V. MED Laboratories, Hyderabad. The formulation ZOSYN (BDI Pharma) was procured from the local market, acetonitrile, methanol and orthophosphoric acid used were of HPLC grade and purchased from Merck Specialties Private Limited, Mumbai, India. Analysis of the drug samples were carried out using PEAK 7000 isocratic HPLC with rheodyne manual sample injector with

switch (77251) and the column used was Tariquidar cell line Analytical column kromosil 100-5 www.selleckchem.com/products/Bortezomib.html C18.250 × 4.6 mm. Electronic balance-ELB300 for weighing the samples and DIGISUN for pH measurements. The software used for HPLC data processing is LC 7000. Proper selection of the stationary phase depends upon the nature of the sample, molecular weight and solubility. Piperacillin and tazobactam were analysed by RP columns. Chromosil C18 column (250 mm × 4.6  mm, 5 μm) was selected. Various combinations of methanol, acetonitrile and 1% orthophosphoric acid were tested. Finally the mixture of MeOH: ACN: 1% OPA in the ratio 30:50:20 was selected as a mobile phase and the final pH was at 4.2. Composition of mobile phase on the retention time of piperacillin and tazobactam were thoroughly investigated. The concentration of the MeOH: ACN: 1% OPA (30:50:20) were optimized to give symmetric peak with short runtime. UV detection wavelength was 226 nm, flow rate was 1.0 mL/min, injection volume was 20 μL, retention time was 10 min, and the resulting chromatogram was

shown in Fig. 1. Pure standards of piperacillin and tazobactam were used as external standards in the analysis. Different concentrations of the standards were used based on the range required to plot a suitable calibration curve. About 100 mg of piperacillin and tazobactam drug Idoxuridine transferred into a 100 ml volumetric flask and made up to the mark by using methanol. The flask containing standard stock solution was sonicated for 10 min to degas it. The standard solution was then filtered with 0.45 μm membrane filter paper. A series of different dilutions (50–100 ppm) were prepared using above stock solution with selected mobile phase (Methanol, acetonitrile and 1% orthophosphoric acid in the ratio 30:50:20 (v/v/v)) and filtered through 0.45 μ nylon filter. 50 ppm of sample solution was prepared by accurately weighing the required amount of the drug and transferring it into a 100 ml volumetric flask and added mobile phase. The sample solution was then filtered with 0.45 μ nylon filter.

However, we were unable to demonstrate a specific differential up-regulation of VCAM-1 in LOX-1-transduced cells because VCAM-1 expression was detected in all endothelial cells, suggesting NFκB activation was ubiquitous in this model (this may also be due to the semiquantitative nature of immunohistochemistry limiting a difference in expression from being observed—data not Angiogenesis inhibitor shown). The precise mechanism(s)

by which endothelial overexpression of LOX-1 enhances atherosclerosis in this model is undefined and is likely to be a combination of increased production of ROS, NFκB activation, adhesion molecule expression, and leukocyte binding and extravasation [6] and [10]. Thus a detailed study of the pro-atherogenic mechanisms of LOX-1 in endothelial cells in vivo is warranted. We chose

to perform these experiments in the common high throughput screening assay carotid artery of hyperlipidemic mice because this site normally remains free of atherosclerotic plaques even after months of high-fat feeding, due to its lack of curvature and side branches. Thus it is a good test site for the analysis of genes which may have pro-atherogenic function. Adenoviral vectors provide an efficient means of ectopically inducing gene expression in the carotid artery; however, strong expression from these vectors is not expected to last for more than 2–3 weeks. This makes them useful for studies looking at atherogenic gene function in the mouse hyperlipidemic model, where atherosclerosis develops rapidly, enabling even short-term transgene expression of proatherogenic genes to initiate a lesion. Fibrotic deposition around transduced arteries is observed in this model, as a response to surgically induced injury. En face oil red O staining was used to visualize lipid deposition in transduced and control arteries (see Supplementary Information); however, there was variable staining of the fibrotic tissue surrounding the artery, with some arteries exhibiting significant perivascular staining, presumably because of foam cell accumulation in the surrounding tissue. Because it was not possible to accurately discriminate between

luminal and adventitial oil red O staining in all the transduced arteries, measurement of plaque area on longitudinal sections was used. The approach used here worked well to examine the proatherogenic Histone demethylase effect of a cell-surface molecule, without the need for creating a transgenic animal, allowing rapid analysis of gene function. The experimental design should also work for anti-atherogenic molecules, as the combination of surgery and control virus induced significant initiation of plaque coverage (no plaque is observed in unoperated vessels—S. White, unpublished data). This gives the possibility of a simple single procedure for observing either pro- or anti-atherogenic effects of gene overexpression, in the ApoE−/− mouse.

15 The 2D NMR spectra of these homoisoflavanones (3–7) HKI-272 were previously studied.16 Here we report the antifungal activity of the synthetic homoisoflavanones (1–7) (Fig. 1) as well as the crystal structure

for compound 3 that showed the most potent antifungal activity. The structure of 3 exhibits a conspicuous non-planar conformation characteristic of all 2,3-dimethoxy-3-(4-hydroxybenzylidene)-4-chromanone derivatives (Fig. 2). The C3–C9–C1′–C6′ and C3–C9–C1′–C2′ torsion angles measure 19.2(2)° and −164.1(1)°, respectively. The dihedral angle between the 4-chromanone ring and the phenyl ring containing C1′ is 31.6(3)°, consistent with a substantial out-of-plane tilt of this substituent ring. The 4-chromanone ring is essentially planar as a whole, but with localized non-planarity confined

to the region encompassing the ethereal oxygen, O1 (Fig. 2). The deviations of the ether oxygen atom O1 and methylene carbon atom C2 from the mean plane of the 4-chromanone ring system measure 0.24(1) Å and 0.33(1) Å, respectively. One important conformation-defining intramolecular short contact exists for 3, specifically the hydrogen–hydrogen interaction H6′–H2B (2.034 Å). This is shown in the Van der Waals plot of Fig. 2b and is considerably shorter than the sum of the Van der Waals radii of two hydrogen atoms (2.4 Å). Analysis of the unit cell packing of 3 indicates that there are symmetric HSP inhibitor clinical trial (aromatic)C–H–O type hydrogen bonds between neighbouring molecules in the solid

state (Fig. 3) such that 3 crystallizes as an inversion pair or dimer with crystallographically-imposed inversion symmetry. One short H–O contact (shorter than the limit ∑(van der Waals radii) − 0.2 Å) exists between the carbonyl oxygen O2 and a neighbouring methoxy group’s hydrogen atom (H11A–O2, 2.49 Å). This interaction is inconsequential to the molecular conformation of 3. The X-ray structures of eleven homoisoflavanones have been reported in the literature20; the present structure of 3 is, however, novel. Inspection of the available crystallographic data suggests that the 4-chromanone ring is conformationally Farnesyltransferase flexible in all of these compounds with the 2,3-dihydro-4H-pyran-4-one moiety capable of adopting half-chair conformations in which the methylene carbon (C2) is either displaced above or below the mean plane of the bicyclic 4-chromanone ring system. Thus, for example, the parent compound, (3E)-2,3-dimethoxy-3-(4-hydroxybenzylidene)-4-chromanone, crystallizes in the triclinic space group P-1 with the unit cell containing the inversion-related pair of conformers with the methylene carbon above and below the mean plane of the 4-chromanone ring system. 21 The present compound crystallizes in the space group P21/c and, because of the inversion centre shown in Table 1, both conformers of the 2,3-dihydro-4H-pyran4-one moiety are simultaneously present in the solid state.

The spheroplast suspension was supplemented with 3 ml of 8% sodium dodecyl sulfate in TES buffer and incubated at 68 °C for 10 min. Next 1.5 ml of 3 M Sodium acetate (pH 4.8) was added and the suspension was incubated at −20 °C for 30 min. The suspension was centrifuged at 8000 rpm for 20 min at 4 °C. The translucent supernatant was filtered using gauze cloth. Two volumes of cold absolute ethanol check details were added to the filtrate and incubated overnight at −20 °C. Plasmid-enriched DNA was pelleted at 8000 rpm for 20 min

at 4 °C. Each pellet was dissolved in 100 μl Tris–EDTA (pH 8.0) (10 mM Tris–HCl, 1 mM EDTA) and stored at −20 °C until further use.15 In order to visualize the plasmid pattern from each strain, 10 μl of each plasmid-enriched DNA solution was loaded, along with lambda Hind III digest DNA ladder (GeNei™), in 0.5% agarose gels (11 by 14 cm) and run in 1× Tris–borate–EDTA buffer (45 mM Tris–borate, 1 mM EDTA) at 2 V/cm for 7–8 h. Gel slabs were stained for 10 min in 0.4 μg/ml ethidium bromide and washed in double-distilled water for 1 h. Gels were recorded in a Gel Doc (Alpha Innotech).15 Out of 60 selleck kinase inhibitor soil samples B. thuringiensis isolates were obtained from only 44 soil samples. A total of 54 colonies

were isolated and sub cultured on T3 as a selective medium. Among the 54 isolates 30 colonies from fertile land 24 colonies from hilly area. Fifty-four isolates were examined with the light microscope for spore formation, crystal production and morphology. B. thuringiensis isolates produced parasporal crystal inclusions with different morphologies, sizes and numbers. Different crystal morphologies (spherical, bipyramidal, cuboidal) were observed in 54 B. thuringiensis isolates. Among 54 B. thuringiensis strains from 60

soil samples, 35 B. thuringiensis strains (17 B. thuringiensis strains from plain areas and 18 B. thuringiensis strains from hilly areas) were selected for plasmid profiling ( Fig. 1). Different sizes of plasmids ranging from 108 kb to 2 kb in 97.22% strains were isolated. One strain had not shown even result for genomic DNA, thus was not considered. Among the B. thuringiensis strains isolated Parvulin from plain areas (Tamil Nadu Salem and Kashmir), single megaplasmid was revealed by 88.23% and more than one plasmids by 11.76%. While as in B. thuringiensis strains from hilly areas (Yercaud and Kollimalai Hills), 58.82% had one megaplasmid only and 29.41% possessed multiple megaplasmids. As megaplasmids usually harbor the crystal protein genes thus from our study it can be concluded that B. thuringiensis strains isolated from hilly areas with temperature range 13 °C–30 °C may contain more cry genes because of having more megaplasmid contents 7 ( Tables 1 and 2). The genetic diversity of B. thuringiensis is directly related to geographical areas. B.

Après 35 ans, se pose le problème de la détection de la maladie coronaire, donc de la place de l’épreuve d’effort (EE) qui sera détaillée ci-dessous. Légalement, le coût de la VNCI est à la charge du sportif, de son club ou de sa fédération. Il regroupe l’interrogatoire et l’examen physique. L’interrogatoire

est essentiel. Il peut s’appuyer sur un questionnaire téléchargeable sur le site internet de STI571 concentration la Société française de l’exercice et de médecine du sport (www.sfms.asso.fr). Il doit être complété par un interrogatoire personnalisé. Les éléments cardiovasculaires majeurs sont la recherche chez un membre de la fratrie (premier degré) d’un antécédent de mort subite (< 50 ans) et/ou d’une cardiopathie génétique et, sur le plan personnel,

des facteurs de risque cardiovasculaire individuels et la prise de traitements ou de compléments nutritionnels. Il précise de manière « policière », car parfois minimisés ou oubliés, les signes fonctionnels (douleur thoracique, fatigue ou essoufflement anormaux, palpitations, malaise) liés à l’effort. L’examen physique, classiquement complet, repose sur une auscultation cardiaque du sujet couché ou assis puis debout, de la vérification de la symétrie des pouls aux membres supérieurs et inférieurs pour éliminer une coarctation aortique, la recherche GABA cancer de signes de Marfan et la mesure de la pression artérielle aux deux bras à distance d’une séance d’entraînement. La réalisation et l’interprétation de l’ECG doivent être classiques. Le praticien ne doit se poser qu’une seule question : l’ECG est-il normal ou non ? Le but n’est pas de faire un diagnostic étiologique, mais de guider d’éventuels examens complémentaires cardiovasculaires en cas d’anomalie. Si l’ECG est anormal, un avis cardiologique doit être demandé. Il est trop classiquement rapporté que l’ECG du sportif présente des particularités. Cette affirmation mérite d’être tempérée. En effet, il ne faut pas relier trop facilement des « anomalies » électrocardiographiques à la pratique sportive. Une pratique sportive

moyenne, à savoir moins de 4 h de sport intense par semaine (environ 80 % des sportifs qui consultent), ne modifie pas significativement l’ECG, en dehors d’une baisse modeste et facultative MycoClean Mycoplasma Removal Kit de la fréquence cardiaque et d’un bloc de branche droit incomplet [28]. Des particularités ECG significatives ne peuvent se voir que chez certains sportifs qui pratiquent au moins 6 h par semaine de sport intense et depuis plus de 6 mois (tableau I et figure 1). Toutes les autres anomalies ECG nécessitent un avis cardiologique, ce qui n’est pas synonyme d’une interdiction de pratique sportive. Compte tenu du risque vital potentiel d’une cardiopathie ignorée, aucun doute n’est acceptable pour autoriser la pratique d’un sport intense. Ainsi, la présence de symptômes chez un sportif ne doit jamais être banalisée et impose toujours un bilan cardiovasculaire.

Some studies have suggested that differences in antigenicity exist among different genotypes of EV71 strains, though no difference had been seen between different subtypes within same genotype [23]. In a cross-neutralization study by Sanden et al., B0, B1, B2, C1, and C2 strains were used to cross-react with B2- and C1-immunized rabbit sera, it was shown that B2 sera could not neutralize C strain, but

C1 sera could neutralize B strain [26]. Different genotype strains were tested in neutralizing assays with marmoset sera immunized with EV71 type A attenuated strain [27]. The neutralizing activity was found to be as follows: BrCr-TR(A) > Nagoya(B1) > 75-Yamagata-2003(C4) > 1530-Yamagata-2003(C4) and 2399-Yamagata-2003(C4) > C7-Osaka(B4) and 1095 (C2). Neutralization titers of B4 and C2 were only 1.6% (1/64) those of type A. Six subtypes of strains B and C were tested with guinea pig sera immunized with B2 and C1 [28]. Results showed that the differences Regorafenib between the neutralizing titers of various subtypes could reach a factor of ten. The above finding suggested that strains with different genotypes and strains with same genotype but different origins could affect the results of NTAb analysis. Standards for EV71–NTAb MK2206 need to be developed to ensure

the accuracy and comparability of assay data. For the representativity of NTAb reference standards, we collected plasma from healthy adults who were naturally infected by EV71 as the source of NTAb reference standards. Then, eight candidate standards with different EV71 neutralizing titers were selected by screening from fifty plasma Rutecarpine samples, aliquoted and lyophilized. Collaborative calibration was carried out in four labs. A first ever EV71–NTAb standard was established. Each parameter met WHO and Chinese Pharmacopoeia requirements. Based on collaborative calibration results, the EV71–NTAb titer of the N12 standard was defined as 1000 U/ml. One negative standard, J10, one weakly positive standard, N3, and one strongly positive standard, N12, made up a QC serum panel

for antibody analysis. This panel was adapted from that used in polio virus standard antibody analysis [29]. QC antisera repeats were performed for each strain. The upper and lower limits of the detection ranges were defined using the median and four times the deviation of the antibody GMTs of each strain. In practice, assuming that all three QC sera were valid, NTAb GMTs were converted to U/ml from titers based on defined standards (N12). In initial applications, a common strain distributed by Lab 1 was used in three different labs. Seventeen serum samples from healthy people were tested with standards and QC sera. The results showed that the average of CV and Max–Min deviation were reduced 11.0% and 3.2 times after standardization. This suggests that the application of defined standards could reduce discrepancies between analyses performed in different labs.

, 2007). Y1R knockout mice display increased immobility in the forced swim test, indicative of a depression-like phenotype Anticancer Compound Library ic50 (Karlsson et al., 2008). Both Y2R and Y4R

knockout mice exhibit reduced depression-like behavior in the tail suspension test, another common screening assay for antidepressant potential (Tasan and et al, 2009, Painsipp et al., 2008 and Painsipp and et al, 2008). Knockout of both Y2R and Y4R results in augmented anti-depressant effects compared to single-knockout of either receptor (Tasan et al., 2009). Anti-depressant strategies including imipramine and electroconvulsive stimuli increase NPY immunoreactivity or receptor mRNA and binding sites, respectively (Heilig and et al, 1988 and Madsen and et al, 2000). The anti-depressant Selleck Roxadustat properties of NPY may be mediated through interactions

with the serotonin system, as administration of a tryptophan hydroxylase inhibitor blocked the anti-depressant effects of NPY in the forced swim test (Redrobe et al., 2005). The Flinders-sensitive line (FSL) is a transgenic model of depression in which abnormalities in NPY, serotonin, and catecholaminergic systems have been identified (Overstreet and et al, 2005 and Serova and et al, 1998). Depression-like behavior has been associated with impaired hippocampal neurogenesis, and enhanced NPY and serotonin activities been shown to increase cell proliferation in the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus (Husum et al., 2006). Hippocampal and amygdalar NPY immunoreactivity is lower in FSL rats compared to Flinders-resistant controls (Jimenez Vasquez and et al, 2000, Jimenez-Vasquez et al., 2000 and Zambello and et al, 2008), and aging is associated tuclazepam with exacerbated loss of hippocampal NPY immunoreactivity in the FSL line (Husum et al., 2006). In FSL rats, Y5R antagonism produces anti-depressant effects in the forced swim test (Walker et al., 2009). Electroconvulsive stimuli and the selective serotonin

reuptake inhibitor fluoxetine increase NPY mRNA or immunoreactivity in the hippocampus and hypothalamus, and upregulate amygdalar Y1R binding sites in FSL rats (Caberlotto and et al, 1998 and Caberlotto and et al, 1999). Exercise and escitalopram are associated with similar alterations in hippocampal NPY and Y1 receptor mRNA (Bjornebekk et al., 2010). NPY has also been examined in olfactory bulbectomized rats (OBX), which are utilized as a rodent model due to depression-like disruptions in behavior, physiology, and neurochemistry (Song and Leonard, 2005 and Kelly et al., 1997). Anti-depressant effects are observed following chronic treatment with NPY, a Y1R agonist, and a Y2R antagonist in OBX rats (Goyal and et al, 2009 and Morales-Medina and et al, 2012a). In contrast, chronic administration of a Y2R agonist enhanced depression-like behavior in OBX rats in the forced swim test (Morales-Medina et al., 2012).

Implementation of single use technology including risk assessment approach to design and validation of single use components in vaccine manufacturing were discussed. G. Harshavardhan, Vice-President of DCVMN, concluded the meeting acknowledging all speakers and participants for their invaluable contributions and sharing knowledge on global health needs, procurement and supply of vaccines, product developments, regulatory science, manufacturing

technologies and tools. Remarkably, in recent years innovative vaccines such as EV71, HepE, typhoid conjugate, cell based influenza vaccines, and other vaccines are coming out of research by manufacturers from developing countries. While affordability is demanded from manufacturers at the same time innovation and R&D is expected based on return on investments, which is challenging. BKM120 mw Further regulatory harmonization and regulatory convergence in developing countries should be fostered. Dr. Harshavardhan emphasized that DCVMN is fostering a culture of professional partnerships and continuous improvement ABT-199 mw among members, to supply better vaccines for healthier lives and thus achieve our common

global health goals. The authors are employees of the respective indicated organizations, and have no conflict of interest to declare. DCVMN International did not provide any financial support to speakers or moderators to participate at this meeting. We are grateful to all speakers and moderators, whose gracious participation and contribution made the conference possible. We are indebted to the US Human and Health Services (HHS) Department, for the in-kind support for registration website for the conference. We are grateful to the local organizing committee especially Ms. Lan Huong, for coordination and to all volunteers who worked on many aspects of the conference. We thank Vabiotech and corporate partners for supporting DCVMN educational activities with

grants from Polyvac, Bosch, Merck Millipore, Temptime, Bioengeneering, SGS, Alfa Wassermann, GEA. This conference almost was partially supported by a grant of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Grant no. OPP1097005. “
“In Germany, the incidence of invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) has shown a decreasing trend since 2003, with a mean annual incidence of 0.5 cases/100,000 inhabitants in 2009–2011. This is lower than the mean incidence in Europe of 0.8 in 2011, and markedly lower than in Ireland (2.0), the UK (1.7) or Spain (1.0) [1]. Approximately 70% of IMD was caused by meningococcal serogroup B (MenB), with a case-fatality of 8.2% [2]. MenB IMD incidence was highest in infants (mean: 5.9/100,000; 16% of all cases), followed by 1, 2 and 15–19 year olds (3.3, 1.7 and 1.1/100,000, respectively). Of cases in infants, 48% occurred in the first 6 months of life.