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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000892251-03-000734.txt : 20031204
<SEC-HEADER>0000892251-03-000734.hdr.sgml : 20031204
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20031204155815
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000892251-03-000734
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20031202
FILED AS OF DATE:		20031204

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			MERIDIAN BIOSCIENCE INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000794172
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	IN VITRO & IN VIVO DIAGNOSTIC SUBSTANCES [2835]
		IRS NUMBER:				310888197
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			OH
		FISCAL YEAR END:			0930

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		3471 RIVER HILLS DR
		CITY:			CINCINNATI
		STATE:			OH
		ZIP:			45244
		BUSINESS PHONE:		5132713700

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		3471 RIVER HILLS DRIVE
		CITY:			CINCINNATI
		STATE:			OH
		ZIP:			45244

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	MERIDIAN DIAGNOSTICS INC
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19920703

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			MOTTO WILLIAM J
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000940435

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-14902
		FILM NUMBER:		031038094

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		MERIDIAN DIAGNOSTICS INC
		STREET 2:		3471 RIVER HILLS DRIVE
		CITY:			CINCINNATI
		STATE:			OH
		ZIP:			45244
		BUSINESS PHONE:		5132713700

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		MERIDIAN DIANOSTICS INC
		STREET 2:		3471 RIVER HILLS DRIVE
		CITY:			CINCINNATI
		STATE:			OH
		ZIP:			45244
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>motto4120203_ex.xml
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<!-- - EDGAR Ease Plus 1.0                                   07/25/03  TT    -->
<ownershipDocument>
    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>
   <periodOfReport>2003-12-02</periodOfReport>
   <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>
    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000794172</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>MERIDIAN BIOSCIENCE INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>VIVO</issuerTradingSymbol>
   </issuer>
   <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0000940435</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>MOTTO WILLIAM J</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>MERIDIAN DIAGNOSTICS INC</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>3471 RIVER HILLS DRIVE</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>CINCINNATI</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>OH</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>45244</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
            <reportingOwnerRelationship>
         <isDirector>1</isDirector>
         <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
         <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
         <isOther>0</isOther>
         <officerTitle>Chairman, CEO</officerTitle>
      </reportingOwnerRelationship>
   </reportingOwner>
 <nonDerivativeTable>
   <nonDerivativeHolding>
      <securityTitle>
         <value>Common Stock</value>
      </securityTitle>
      <postTransactionAmounts>
         <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
           <value>3484014</value>
         </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
      </postTransactionAmounts>
      <ownershipNature>
         <directOrIndirectOwnership>
            <value>D</value>
         </directOrIndirectOwnership>
      </ownershipNature>
   </nonDerivativeHolding>
   <nonDerivativeHolding>
      <securityTitle>
         <value>Common Stock</value>
      </securityTitle>
      <postTransactionAmounts>
         <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
           <value>462532</value>
         </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
      </postTransactionAmounts>
      <ownershipNature>
         <directOrIndirectOwnership>
            <value>I</value>
         </directOrIndirectOwnership>
         <natureOfOwnership>
            <value>by limited partnership</value>
            <footnoteId id="F1"/>
         </natureOfOwnership>
      </ownershipNature>
   </nonDerivativeHolding>
 </nonDerivativeTable>
 <derivativeTable>
   <derivativeTransaction>
      <securityTitle>
         <value>Stock Options (Right to Buy Common Stock)</value>
      </securityTitle>
      <conversionOrExercisePrice>
         <value>10.18</value>
      </conversionOrExercisePrice>
      <transactionDate>
         <value>2003-12-02</value>
      </transactionDate>
      <transactionCoding>
         <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
         <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
         <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
      </transactionCoding>
      <transactionAmounts>
         <transactionShares>
           <value>7000</value>
         </transactionShares>
         <transactionPricePerShare>
           <value>0</value>
         </transactionPricePerShare>
         <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
           <value>A</value>
         </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
      </transactionAmounts>
      <exerciseDate>
            <footnoteId id="F2"/>
      </exerciseDate>
      <expirationDate>
         <value>2013-12-01</value>
      </expirationDate>
      <underlyingSecurity>
         <underlyingSecurityTitle>
           <value>Common Stock</value>
         </underlyingSecurityTitle>
         <underlyingSecurityShares>
           <value>7000</value>
         </underlyingSecurityShares>
      </underlyingSecurity>
      <postTransactionAmounts>
         <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
           <value>7000</value>
         </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
      </postTransactionAmounts>
      <ownershipNature>
         <directOrIndirectOwnership>
           <value>D</value>
         </directOrIndirectOwnership>
      </ownershipNature>
   </derivativeTransaction>
 </derivativeTable>
   <footnotes>
      <footnote id="F1"> The sole general partner of the Limited Partnership is Motto Management LLC, which holds 1% of the Limited Partnership. (The 100% owner of Motto Management LLC is William J. Motto and David H. Motto. Trustees under the William J. Motto Recocable Trust.) The limited partners consists of William J. Motto and David H. Motto, Trustees under the William J. Motto Revocable Trust (96%) and 3 irrevocable trusts established by Mr. Mottto, each representing a 1% interest in the Limited Partnership. Mr. Motto disclaims beneficial ownership of Meridian's common stock held by the Limited Partnership except to the extent of his pecuniary interest therein.</footnote>

      <footnote id="F2"> These options will vest over a three year period commencing at such time as the Company's accountants have reported earnings of $8,200,000 or greater for fiscal 2004. If earnings do not reach $8,200,000 or higher for such year, the option becomes void.</footnote>
   </footnotes>
   <ownerSignature>
      <signatureName>Melissa Lueke, Attorney-in-Fact for William J. Motto</signatureName>
      <signatureDate>2003-12-04</signatureDate>
   </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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