We and others have made the point that a much better measure of scientific importance is reflected in actual citation numbers rather than in the often difficult to understand term “Impact Factor” (see http://www.retrovirology.com/content/6/1/82 ).  Accordingly, it is informative to consider periodically how total citations to Retrovirology as a journal stack up.  Below, you will see a graph of data captured from ISI Web of Science tabulating annual citations to Retrovirology from 2005 to November 20, 2009.  Please keep in mind that there is a bit more than a month remaining in 2009, so the final number for 2009 will be higher.  Nevertheless, the slope of annual citations to Retrovirology articles continues in 2009 in an encouragingly positive manner.