EAACI/GA²LEN Allergy School
From Skin to Lung – From Theory to Patients
29 March – 1 April 2012
Davos, Switzerland
This EAACI/GA²LEN Allergy School was organised by EAACI Dermatology Section, Children‘s Allergy & Asthma Hospital in Davos, and Christine Kuhne - Center for Allergy Research and Education (CK-CARE). The aim of this school was to educate and stimulate the scientific and social contact between young physicians from all over Europe interested in the diagnosis and treatment of atopic dermatitis and atopic lung diseases.The meeting was held in Davos, Switzerland. A total of 65 participants (16 speakers and 49 participants) attended this school. In addition to the lectures given by the invited experts from Germany, Italy, Romania, Switzerland, United Kingdom, 10 abstracts and posters were presented. This Allergy School gave the attendees an understanding of atopic dermatitis and atopic lung diseases and the possible transition from skin to lung diseases. Practical courses in skin and lung function testings as well as presentations of patient cases by participants and discussion with the faculty bridged theory and practical application.
The first day started with a short opening talk and a warm welcome by Dr. Roger Lauener (Children's Allergy & Asthma Hospital at the Hochgebirgsklinik, Davos) and the EAACI President, Prof. Cezmi Akdis (Swiss Institute of Allergy and Astha Research (SIAF), University of Zurich, Davos). An introductory opening lecture entitled „Immunological bases of atopic dermatitis and asthma“ was also given by Prof. Akdis. The day ended with a welcome dinner, where all participants continued the discusions and got better acquainted with each other.
The second day of the school started with the sessions analysing atopic dermatitis supervised by the chairpersons Dr. Johanes Ring (DE) and Dr. Peter Schmid-Grendelmeier (CH). In the first keynote talk, Dr. Mubeccel Akdis (CH) gave an exelent presentation about the „Introduction of immune tolerance in the treatment of atopic dermatitis and asthma“. A review of current strategies for drug development and allergen-specific immunotherapy and the potential for preventive therapies and cure of allergic diseases was presented. Stephan Weidinger (DE) presented a second lecture entitled „Atopic Dermatitis: the impact of the genes“. The lecturer gave an overview of current knowledge and future directions in atopic dermatitis genetics.
After the coffee break, the lectures and discussions were continued. Dr. Ring introduced the participants to the role of an environment in atopic dermatitis (also covering aspects of infections and microbial colonisation). This lecture led to a lot of discussions and practical questions. As atopic dermatitis is a very common inflammatory skin disease in childhood, and has a large impact on the quality of life; about one third of children with moderate to severe AD are affected by food hypersensitivity. The lecture was very relevant and informative. Dr. Ring‘s presentation was followed by Dr. Antonella Muraro (IT), who introduced the role of food allergy in atopic dermatitis.
The afternoon session was dedicated to a practical course on skin testing. The lecture was given by Dr. Schmid-Grendelmeier and each participant had the possibility to practice performing skin prick and prick-prick tests.
It would be unfair not to mention the memorable presentation given by Ernst Rietschel (DE) with the help of his son and his little granddaughter during dinner. His talk „Immortal Music and Deadly Septicaemia – Deaths of famous composers by bacterial blood poisoning“, enriched with the sounds of music from the most famous musical compositions, did not leave anybody indifferent. After dinner, in addition with dessert, beer and wine, there was a poster session, which enabled the participants to actively discuss their data with the keynote lecturers, EAACI Board Members and other participants.
The third day of the school was dedicated to asthma. The participants were brought to the Children‘s Allergy & Asthma Hospital, Davos. With the supervision of the chairpersons Prof. Akdis and Dr. Ioana Agache (RO), the bases of lung function testing were presented by Dr. Oliver Fuchs (CH) and Dr. Georg Schappi (CH). The participants became familiar with the basics of lung physiology essential for understanding and using the currently available lung function measurement techniques.
The last day of the school, under the supervision of the chairperson Dr. Akdis (CH), started with the presentation „Asthma: the impact of the genes“ by Prof. Andrea Heinzmann (DE), followed by Prof. Angela Simpson (UK), who analysed the environmental impact on the development of asthma. Dr. Fuchs (CH) talked about the „Treatment of asthma: current gold standard, future options“, in which the basic concepts of successful asthma management according to current guidelines and new asthma treatment approaches, most of which are still in an experimental or research state, were presented. The last presentations were dedicated to urticaria and allergic rhinoconjunctivitis (Dr. Agache, RO). The answer to the question „Do urticaria patients wheeze and if not, why not“ was not very easy, but Dr. Clive Grattan (UK) gave an excellent presentation, which made it more clear.
In addition to the high quality scientific programme, the afternoon hours were given over to winter sports, and many participants took advantage of the excellent conditions on famous Davos slopes and enjoyed the perfect weather.
On behalf of all participants we would like to thank EAACI, GA²LEN and the Local Organising Committee for the excellent organisation, which turned this school into a great success.
Indre Butiene
Official Representative of EAACI Aerobiology and Pollution IG,
Junior Members and Affiliates Working Group.
Department of Pathology, Pharmacology and Forensic medicine,
Faculty of Medicine, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania.
Last updated 14 October 2014