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Bacteria, fungi levels in GI tract linked to allergy, asthma
The bacteria and fungi in a patient’s gastrointestinal tract may provide clues to allergen sensitivity, according to a study in Infection and Immunity. Researchers from the University of Michigan say changes in the normal levels of microflora, bacteria and fungi in the gastrointestinal tract can increase the immune system's reaction to allergens, such as pollen and animal dander, and increase allergy and asthma development risk. Reseachers suspect changes in gut microflora are caused by antibiotic use, as well as high-fat, high-sugar and low-fiber modern diets.
    
CDC updates flu vaccine priority list
The CDC is making the flu vaccine available to more people this month. According to the CDC, the flu vaccine can now be given to adults from 50 to 64 years old and people who are in close contact with those in high-risk groups, depending on state and local availability. People in the highest-risk groups are still to be given first priority. So far, the CDC reports a mild flu season, but warns that could change at any time.  

Near-fatal asthma linked to small airway abnormalities
Extensive small airway abnormalities may be associated with near-fatal asthma, suggests a study in Chest, but the abnormalities may be partially reversible after long-term intensive treatment. Researchers from Soonchunhyang University Hospital in Seoul, Korea, were studying the usefulness of high resolution CT in characterizing near-fatal and milder asthma. They measured bronchial wall thickness abnormalities and small airway thickness abnormalities on scans of 24 patients with less-severe asthma, 16 patients with near-fatal asthma, and 16 controls. They found prominence of centrilobular structures in 36 percent of patients with mild asthma, 70 percent of patients with moderate-to-severe asthma, and 100 percent of patients with near-fatal asthma.

Blocking protein reduces allergy symptoms in mice
Scientists from the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research in London say they have identified a protein that could be crucial in developing new allergy treatments, according to a report in Nature. By blocking p110delta in mast cells, they substantially reduced allergy symptoms in tests on mice. While mice studies don’t always transfer well to humans, the researchers said the protein may have implications for how allergies and cancer are treated in the future.

Mice study gives researchers hope for psoriasis cure
In another mice study, scientists at The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center say they may have discovered what causes psoriasis — the combination of a protein called STAT3 and an active immune system. Activated STAT3 is necessary for wound healing. When the healing process is finished, normal STAT3 returns to its inactive form. However, when it doesn’t become inactive, the wound healing process continues and skin cells proliferate — leading to psoriasis. During the study, researchers developed a skin cream that blocked the process that led to psoriasis in the mice.

A word from President Myron Zitt, M.D.

B) Faculty Support: $150,000 for three young faculty members; and $6,000 for four one-week scholars-return grants ($500 to physicians; $1,000 to the academic center)

The ACAAI is admirably doing its part in joining the AAAAI in the common goal of growing and preserving our specialty. The College will continue to support our FITs and our A/I training programs and looks forward to increasing its relationship with TPDs. As a show of cooperation between our organizations, the Academy has, for the first time, invited the College to nominate a representative to the TPD Board. Richard Weber, M.D., who is the TPD at National Jewish Medical and Research Center, has been chosen to serve in this capacity. Our organizations must continue to work together to educate the public regarding cutbacks in funding of A/I fellowship programs, the projected shortfall in the supply of trained allergist/immunologists over the coming years and the need to preserve accessibility to our specialists for the treatment of asthma and allergies diseases. After all, nobody does it better than the allergist!

Sincerely,
Myron Zitt, M.D.

Aid for humanitarian crisis in Southeast Asia
Many organizations are mobilizing to provide emergency assistance to victims of the earthquake and tsunami that has devastated parts of Southeast Asia. The American Institute of Philanthropy, a charity watchdog, rates nonprofit groups with a letter grade of A+ to F. Several of the relief organizations that are providing aid to victims in Southeast Asia have earned an “A” or “A+” grade, based on the portion of their budgets going to program services and their fundraising efficiency.

Post and search employment opportunities through Job Source
The ACAAI Job Source is a service for College members to post and search employment opportunities in the field of allergy, asthma and immunology.

The ACAAI Job Source works very much like classified ads in a newspaper, except they are interactive and immediately available.

• Job candidates can access the ACAAI Job Source at no cost to search employment opportunities and to post their resumes for advertised positions.

• Employers can purchase ads for their available positions. They do this by credit card, invoice or purchase order online through the purchase of blocks of "units" that can be flexibly used. One unit equals one job posting for one day.

The power of the ACAAI Job Source is amplified through HEALTHeCAREERS, an integrated network of online job banks operated by other national health professional associations. This enables employers such as hospitals, medical centers and health care companies to enter through any participating association's Web site and list positions that can be accessed by ACAAI members, and College members can access listings in other health fields through the ACAAI Job Source portal.