Dear Colleagues,
This EASL Monothematic Conference is devoted to the study of hepatitis D virus (HDV)to delta hepatitis, the clinical consequence of infection with HDVhepatitis B virus (HBV). HDV is unique in several aspects. For the clinican, it is unique in the sense that HDV alone does not cause disease but needs the helper function of HBV. However, dual HBV-HDV infection represents the most severe form of viral hepatitisdevelopment of hepatocellular carcinoma occurs more frequently in patients with chronic delta hepatitis compared to patients with chronic hepatitis BC. Despite this, little progress has been observed on the management of this devastating disease in the last dceades. This co-incides with the fact that even in industrialized countries the seemingly decline of delta hepatitis has come to a hold as recent epidemiological studies suggest.
The HDV is also unique for virologists. It is an RNA virus which resembles several subviral agents of plants, such as viroids, virusoidssattelite viruses. Yet, there are differences. Hence it is approved taxonomically as a separate genus.
This EASL Monothematic Conference on Delta Hepatitis will provide both virologistshepatologists with special interest in viral hepatitis, the opportunity to discuss latest developmentsneeds on the virology of HDV as well as on the epidemiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis, managementfuture research needs in delta hepatitis disease.
We look forward to welcoming you to Istanbul!
Sincerely,
Michael Manns
Mario Rizzetto
Cihan Yurdaydin
Venue
Hilton Istanbul
Cumhuriyet Caddesi
34367 Harbiye, Istanbul Turkey
Language
The official language of the Conference is English
Time Zone
The time zone in Istanbul in September is Eastern European Summer Time (EEST) (GMT +2 hours),seven hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time (EST).
Name Badges
All participants will be kindly requested to wear their name badges throughout the Conference in order to be admitted to the lecture hallsother scheduled activities.
Registration & Accommodation
All participants must submit a completed registration form.
Hotel accommodation at special conference rates will be offered to participants. Detailed information, as well as access to the registrationaccommodation form is available on this website.
Climate
September is an ideal month to visit Istanbul. Black Sea breezes refresh the cityrelieve it from some of the summer heat. Average daily temperatures are high 26º Clows of 16º C.
Visa Requirements
Visa regulations depend on your nationalitycountry of origin. We suggest you contact your local Turkish Embassy / Consulate for fullofficial instructions on the specific visa regulationsapplication procedures that apply to you as many countries require entry visas into Turkey (including passport holders from Canadathe US). It is the responsibility of the participant to obtain a visa if required. A valid passport for at least six months from date of arrival is required for entry into Turkey.
Official Letter of Invitation
Official letters of invitation designed to help overcome administrative difficulties in certain countries will be sent on request. It must be understood that such letters do not represent a commitment on the part of the Organizing CommitteeConference to provide any financial assistance. You may download an invitation letter from this website. If you require an original letter, it is recommended that you send your request 3 months in advance to account for administration time for processing the requestdelivery by post.
CME Accreditation
The EASL Monothematic Conference: Delta Hepatitis is accredited by the European Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (EACCME) to provide the following CME activity for medical specialists. The EACCME is an institution of the European Union of Medical Specialists (UEMS), www.uems.net
The EASL Monothematic Conference: Delta Hepatitis is designated for a maximum of 12 hours of European external CME credits. Each medical specialist should claim only those hours of credit that he/she actually spent in the educational activity.
EACCME credits are recognized by the American Medical Association towards the Physician´s Recognition Award (PRA). To convert EACCME credit to AMA PRA category 1 credit, contact the AMA.
Vice versa, all CME activities approved by the American Medical Association (AMA) are recognized by the EACCME. The American Medical Association is an ´Accredited Provider´ of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) - USA.
Evaluation Forms
Evaluation forms will be distributed at the entrance to the session hall. You will be kindly requested to complete the forms for each session that you attendto return them to the collection point of the hall entrances.
List of Participants
A list of participants will be displayed on the notice board, which will be located in the registration area.
Clothing
Informal for all occasions.
Smoking Policy
This will be a non-smoking event.
BankingExchange
The official currency in Turkey is the Turkish Lira (£).
Banking hours in Istanbul are from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Most banks in Istanbul exchange traveller´s cheque, Euro chequesforeign currency. These services may be available at selected branches only. Banks offer similar exchange rates as the Bureaux de Change,the commissions tend to be less.
Automated cash dispensers are located outside most bankscash can be withdrawn 24 hours a day.
All major credit cards are accepted in most hotels, restaurantsshops.
Most businesses are open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Airport Transportation
Airport Information
The internationaldomestic flights use two airports in Istanbul. The main airport is Istanbul’s Ataturk Airport located on the European part 23km from the city center.
The second airport is Sabiha Gokcen airport located on the Asian side of the city located 50 km from the city center.
Buses depart from Ataturk airport to Taksim Area (downtown) every 30 minutes, operating between 06:00–23:00 hours. Travel time is 45 minutes depending on trafficcost is 10 Turkish Lirasapproximately Euro 5 per person.
Taxis are available at Ataturk airportthe approximate cost is 40 Turkish Lirasapproximately Euro 20 one way to Taksim area where most of the hotels are located.
Buses depart Sabiha Gokcen airport every hour. The cost is 15 Turkish lirasapproximately 7 Euros.
Taxis are available at Sabiha Gokcen airportthe approximate cost is 70 Turkish liras35 Euros one way to Taksim area where most of the hotels are located.
Important note: It is strongly recommend that only licensed taxis are used. Licensed taxis are yellowdrivers are required by law to operate the taximeter in their vehicle.
SafetySecurity
Please do not leave bagssuitcases unattended at any time, whether insideoutside the session halls. Hotels strongly recommend that you use their safety deposit boxes for your valuables.
LiabilityInsurance
The organizer is not able to take any responsibility whatsoever for injurydamage involving personsproperty during the conference. Participants are advised to take out their own personal travelhealth insurance for their trip.
SCIENTIFIC ORGANIZING COMMITTEE
Michael Manns, Hannover, Germany
Mario Rizzetto, Torino, Italy
Cihan Yurdaydin, Ankara, Turkey
EASL GOVERNING BOARD
Secretary General
Heiner Wedemeyer, Hannover, Germany
Vice-Secretary
Mark Thursz, London, UK
Treasurer
Mauro Bernardi, Bologna, Italy
Scientific Committee
Ramon Bataller, Barcelona, Spain
Darius Moradpour, Lausanne, Switzerland
George V. Papatheodoridis, Athens, Greece
Daniele Prati, Lecco, Italy
Tania Roskams, Leuven, Belgium
Educational Councillors
Peter L.M. Jansen, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Fabien Zoulim, Lyon, France
EU Policy Councillor
Dominique-Charles Valla, Paris, France
EASL Office
7 rue des Battoirs
CH 1205 Geneva, Switzerland
Tel: +41 22 807 0360
Fax: + 41 22 328 0724
Email: easloffice@easloffice.eu
Homepage: www.easl.eu
Organizing Secretariat
Kenes International
1-3 rue de Chantepoulet
P. O. Box 1726
CH-1211 Geneva, Switzerland
Tel: +41 22 908 0488
Fax: + 41 22 906 9140
E-mail: deltahep@easl.eu
Homepage: www.easl.eu/istanbul2010
RegistrationAccommodation
Kenes International
1-3 rue de Chantepoulet
P. O. Box 1726
CH-1211 Geneva, Switzerland
Tel: +41 22 908 0488
Fax: +41 22 906 9140
E-mail: reg_deltahep@easl.eu
Homepage: www.easl.eu/istanbul2010
