|
|
| |
|
August
30, 2006 |
| |
|
Welcome to ACAAI eNews — a bi-weekly aggregated news service
from the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. To be
removed from this distribution list, please see instructions at
bottom. |
| |
 |
Top
Stories |
|
|
|
|
|
Distance Learning |
|
|
|
|
|
Association
News |
| |
|
|
|
Fellows-in-Training |
| |
|
|
|
Calendar |
| |
|
|
|
Archive |
|
|
|
|
|
|
FIT Archive |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Distance Learning |
2005 Board/Recertification Review Course:
DVDs, Audio CDs, MP3s
Link
ACAAI Tape Store
Complete Listing
Link
2005 ACAAI ANNUAL MEETING
• Symposia Online
Nov. 4-9, Anaheim
Link
2004 ACAAI ANNUAL MEETING
• Symposia Online
Nov. 12-17, Boston
Link
2003 ACAAI ANNUAL MEETING
Nov. 7-12, 2003, New Orleans
• Two Symposia Online
Link
• Plenary Sessions CD-ROM and DVD
Link
Patient-Centered Allergy Practice
Endorsed by ACAAI, Sponsored by Physicians Practice
Link
|
|
Calendar |
|
SEPTEMBER
ACAAI-HSACI Joint Allergy Symposium
Allergy Update in Greece
Sept. 6-9, Athens, Greece
Tel: 011 30 210 7499300, Ext. 354
E-mail
Link
Long Island Allergy and Asthma Society
13th Annual Scientific Conference
Sept. 8–10,
Montauk, N.Y.
Tel: 516-572-6177
Ohio Society of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology
Annual Meeting 2006
Sept. 28–Oct. 1, Farmington, PA
Tel: 614-891-0550
E-mail
OCTOBER
12th Biennial Allergy Abroad Program
Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis
October 19-28
Switzerland & Germany
Tel: 314-362-6891
E-mail
Link
NOVEMBER
ACAAI XII International Food Allergy Symposium
Nov. 9, Philadelphia
ACAAI Annual Meeting
Nov. 9-15, Philadelphia
Tel: 847-427-1200
E-mail
Link
DECEMBER
International Congress on Exacerbations of Airway Disease
Dec. 8-10, San Juan, Puerto Rico
Tel: 212-988-7732
E-mail
Link
ONGOING
World Allergy Organization Society Meetings
|
Sponsored
By |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Top
Stories |
| |
Migraines common among allergic
rhinitis sufferers
Many people with allergic rhinitis also suffer from migraine
headaches, according to a study in the Annals of Allergy,
Asthma & Immunology. Researchers at Allergy & Asthma Care PA
in Haddonfield, N.J., surveyed 294 adults and children
with and without allergic rhinitis. Allergic rhinitis was
diagnosed based on skin test results, clinical history, and
physical examination. Among those with allergic rhinitis, 34
percent also had symptoms meeting the diagnostic criteria for
migraines, compared with only 4 percent of subjects who did not
have allergic rhinitis.
Early fish consumption may lower allergy risk
Children who eat fish before 1 year of age may have a
decreased risk of developing asthma and allergic disease,
according to a study in Allergy. Researchers at the
Department of Occupational and Environmental Health in
Stockholm, Sweden, followed approximately 4,000 newborns for
four years, using parental questionnaires at 2 months, as well
as 1, 2, and 4 years, gathering data about what the children had
been exposed to and health effects. They found that children who
started eating fish before the children’s first birthday had
reduced chances of developing asthma, nasal allergies or eczema.
Asthma, allergic disease among kids increasing worldwide
The number of children with asthma and other allergic diseases
is on the rise worldwide, especially among younger children,
according to a study in The Lancet. Scientists at the
University of Auckland, New Zealand, repeated a 1991 study to
see if there were changes in the global prevalence of asthma and
other allergic diseases. Scientists gathered questionnaires from
parents of more than 193,000 children 6 to 7 years old from 37
countries, asking about disease symptoms, such as wheezing, in
the children. They also surveyed 304,680 13- to 14-year-old
children from 56 countries, asking the same questions. The
researchers found increases in allergic disease were more common
than decreases and occurred more frequently among the 6- to
7-year-old group.
|
|
|
 A
word from Dr. Daniel Ein, president-elect
The title for this year’s Annual Meeting in Philadelphia,
Nov. 9-15, is the old Carpenter’s song, “We Have Only Just
Begun.” This title reflects what I think is becoming
increasingly clear for our discipline in that the enormous
advances in our understanding of the immune system in
general, and the allergic response in particular, has put
us on the cusp of significant improvements in the tools we
have to help our patients.
Our program covers a broad range of topics, from the
theoretical to the intensely practical, with an emphasis,
as in the past, on cutting-edge information. On the basic
side, there is a session on the immunology of asthma,
including talks about the emerging science of the role of
T cells in asthma and the role of cytokine dysregulation.
On the intensely practical side, there is a session about
building science, which will include everything you need
to know about indoor air quality – an area of some mystery
to many of us.
Of course, we are not abandoning those sessions that are
perennial favorites.
Dr. Bill Dolen, our own “Great White Shark,” with help
from Dr. Bryan Martin is once again leading The Great
Asthma Raft Debate, this time about asthma therapies.
And Dr. Mark O’Holleran is running the now traditional
Friday session, “Everything You Should Have Read Last
Year, But Didn’t.”
We are privileged to have practically the first word about
the new NAEPP Asthma guidelines, chaired by our Board
member and representative to the NAEPP, Dr. Michael Foggs.
We are trying out a new format for a pharmaceutical
symposium based on the popular news program “Crossfire”
that we think will be both entertaining and informative.
In the same vein of trying different learning formats, we
will have a series of three pro-con debates on the
controversial issues of LABA safety, SLIT vs. SCIT, and
use of inhaled corticosteroids in mild persistent asthma.
There is not room in this column to review the entire
program but there are many other symposia, plenary
sessions, workshops and Meet the Professor breakfasts that
will be sure to meet your learning needs.
Finally, another innovation will be to tie sessions to
Maintenance of Certification by categorizing them
according to the required MOC modules, which they help
fulfill. This will allow attendees to pick and choose
sessions, workshops and Meet the Professor breakfasts
according to the areas they feel they need to brush up on
for recertification.
And let’s not forget the social aspects of our meeting,
highlighted by our fundraising dinner on Sunday evening,
featuring Peter Nero and the Philly Pops. This promises to
be a memorable event.
I want to thank the Program Committee, the CME committee
and the wonderful College staff for all their hard to work
in making the upcoming meeting a truly outstanding one. I
look forward to seeing you all in Philadelphia, and
remember, “We have only just begun.”
Dr. Daniel Ein
ACAAI president-elect |
|
|
|
|
Association
News |
| |
|
ACAAI, emergency
physicians unite to educate about anaphylaxis
 The
College has teamed up with the American College of Emergency
Physicians (ACEP) to launch “Be S.A.F.E.,” a campaign to
increase awareness about anaphylaxis, an under-recognized and
under-treated medical emergency that causes up to 1,500 deaths
each year in the United States.
The campaign focuses on public education and provides
healthcare professionals with new resources to help foster
physician collaboration and improve the ongoing management of
severe allergic reactions.
The program addresses the challenges of diagnosing and
treating anaphylaxis in the emergency department. It
highlights the need to follow recommended guidelines,
including discharging patients with prescriptions for self-injectable
epinephrine and documenting referral to an allergist for
re-evaluation and follow-up disease management.
A variety of tools have been created to accomplish these
tasks, including Web pages on the College’s site for both
physicians and the public, a brochure for consumers and a
quick reference card for emergency physicians.
A sample consumer brochure will be mailed to all College
members with information on how to obtain additional copies.
The quick reference card will be mailed to emergency
physicians and physician directors of emergency departments.
Both pieces are available for download at the
ACAAI Web site.
The College has launched a national media relations campaign
to promote the availability of the new materials, which
feature a new S.A.F.E. memory tool that reminds patients to:
•
Seek
immediate medical help
• Identify the
Allergen
they might have encountered
•
Follow
up with a specialist for long-term management of the allergy
• Carry
Epinephrine
for emergencies
The campaign, supported by an educational grant from Dey,
L.P., was initiated by the College's Public Relations
Committee and implemented under the leadership of Dr. Clifford
W. Bassett, former chair, and Paul H.Ratner, current chair.
Dr. Phillip L. Lieberman co-chaired the ACAAI-ACEP physicians
forum.
Projected shortage of allergists/immunologists
documented in ACAAI ‘white paper’
There is a growing shortage of allergists/immunologists in the
United States. The College estimates that the number of
allergists/immunologists will decline 27 percent from 3,124 in
2006 to 2,279 in 2020, while demand for these physicians is
projected to increase by 35 percent. New and larger fellowship
programs are needed in allergy and immunology to meet growing
patient demand.
The College’s GME/Workforce Committee, chaired by Dr. John
Moffitt, developed a white paper to increase awareness of this
critical problem, especially among federal policy makers, in
the hope that concerned people working together will find
solutions.
Members are urged to review the white paper on the
Web site
and comment as soon as possible, so the document can be put in
final form. Send your comments to
president@acaai.org.
Symposium to explore latest developments in food allergy
The XII International Food Allergy Symposium will be held in
conjunction with the ACAAI Annual Meeting in Philadelphia on
Thursday, Nov. 9. The symnposium was initiated by the College
in 1972.
 “Internationally
renowned experts will discuss the most current clinical and
translational investigations relevant to food allergy,
including gastrointestinal immunoregulation and eosinophilic
disorders,” said program chair Dr. Sami Bahna, Shreveport, La.
“The symposium will provide an update on the effect of
processing on food allergens and cross-reactivities of foods,”
Dr. Bahna said. “We will also discuss factors that affect the
development of food allergy, such as transplacental and
transmammary transfer of food antigens, hypoallergenic
formulas and infant weaning.
“Participants will gain a greater understanding of the
scientific basis of the role of traditional Chinese Medicine
treatments for food allergy and explore the prospects for
sublingual and oral food immunotherapy.”
Register
online for the Food Allergy Symposium and the ACAAI
Annual Meeting in Philadelphia, Nov. 9-15.
Order your tickets for Peter Nero and the Philly Pops
concert
Don’t forget to order your tickets when you register for the
2006 ACAAI annual Fundraising Dinner, featuring a private
concert by Peter Nero and the Philly Pops on Sunday, Nov. 12.
Two time-Grammy Award winner Peter Nero and the unrivaled
Philly Pops orchestra blend all musical genres – from great
classics to jazz improvisation, big band to Broadway hits and
ragtime to rock ’n’ roll. Nero has built an impressive career
as a conductor, arranger, composer and master pianist. The
variety and originality of Peter Nero and the Philly Pops
concerts have produced continuously growing, loyal audiences
with sold-out houses.
Net proceeds for the Foundation will help fund Young Faculty
Support Awards, Scholars Return Awards and the Consortium on
Children’s Asthma Camps.
The concert venue is the state-of-the-art, world-class Kimmel
Center for the Performing Arts on Philadelphia’s Avenue of the
Arts.
Items needed for Silent Auction
The Alliance will host its 4th Annual Silent Auction
benefiting the Foundation at the ACAAI Annual Meeting in
Philadelphia. The proceeds will help support clinical research
and education through Young Faculty Awards, Scholars Return
Awards and the projects of the Consortium on Children’s Asthma
Camps.
We need your support for this worthwhile cause by donating and
soliciting quality items such as trips, services, gift items,
jewelry, tickets to major events or hand-crafted items.
Donations will be available for viewing prior to the Auction
held during the Welcome Reception on Saturday, Nov. 11. For
more details or to make a donation, please call Marcee Claflin
at (405) 340-1274 or e-mail
marceeh519@aol.com.
Alliance invites international spouses and guests to tea
The Alliance of the ACAAI will be hosting an International Tea
and Reception for spouses and guests of international
physicians attending the 2006 ACAAI Annual Meeting in
Philadelphia.
Join us on Saturday, Nov. 11, from 3 to 5 p.m. for
refreshments and camaraderie. The location will be noted in
the final program. Sign up before Nov. 1 to receive a
complimentary ticket in your registration packet. Tickets
reserved after Nov. 1 can be picked up in the Hospitality
Suite. Please RSVP to
laurinovak@acaai.org.
In Memoriam: Dr. Gail Shapiro
 It
is with great sadness that we report that Dr. Gail Shapiro
died Friday, Aug. 25, 2006.
“We are deeply saddened to learn of the loss of an esteemed
colleague,” said ACAAI President William K. Dolen. “Our heart
goes out to Gail's family. I have fond memories of our many
interactions, as recent as the 2006 AAAAI meeting in Miami. We
will all miss her greatly. The Board of Regents of the College
will be making a donation to the AAAAI ERT's Shapiro Memorial
Fund.”
“Gail combined national responsibilities with an active
research program and a busy clinic with apparent ease, and
characteristically, enjoyed all of it,” wrote AAAAI President
Dr. Tom Platts-Mills. “Gail was President of the Academy in
2001-2002 and ran the best-attended Academy meeting ever in
New York. She was most widely recognized as a powerful
advocate for improved care for children with allergic disease.
In keeping with this, she has played an important role in the
NAEPP asthma guidelines from 1989.”
Dr. Shapiro was Clinical Professor of Pediatrics at the
University of Washington School of Medicine. You may read
about her professional accomplishments or make a donation to
the Gail Greenburg Shapiro, M.D. Memorial Fund at
www.aaaai.org. |
|
|
|
Fellows-in-Training |
| |
|
Immunology Review Corner
Welcome to the Board Review Corner, prepared by Dr. Karla R.
Davis, senior representative of ACAAI’s fellows-in-training (FITs)
to the Board of Regents. The Board Review Corner is your chance
to test your Board preparedness.
To refer to a previous Board Review Corner, click the “Archive”
link in the left column.
Immunology Review Corner: Chapter 76 of the 6th edition
of Middleton’s Allergy Principles and Practice, edited by
N. Franklin Adkinson, et al. Review questions were written by
prepared by Drs. Karla R. Davis, Landstuhl Regional Medical
Center, Germany, and Soo Kim-Delio, Walter Reed Army Medical
Center.
|
|
