Meet the team behind the Task Force
Task forces are projects that deal with specific topics that are relevant, controversial or new in the field. All EAACI members can apply for a specific task forces in alignment with the chair and secretary of a specific section or interest group.
All task forces are supported by EAACI and have been approved by the Executive Committee. Please find the list of active EAACI task forces below.
For any questions, please do not hesitate to contact science@eaaci.org
Please click here to see the Task Force regulations
Task forces are projects that deal with specific topics that are relevant, controversial or new in the field. All EAACI members can apply for a specific task forces in alignment with the chair and secretary of a specific section or interest group.
All task forces are supported by EAACI and have been approved by the Executive Committee. Please find the list of active EAACI task forces below.
For any questions, please do not hesitate to contact science@eaaci.org
Please click here to see the Task Force regulations
- Asthma
- Allergic Diseases
- Allergy Diagnosis & System Medicine
- Allergen Immunotherapy
- Basic and Clinical Immunology
- Dermatology
- Drug Allergy
- Environmental & Occupational Allergy
- ENT
- Food Allergy
Task Forces / Asthma
High altitude climate treatment
4
High altitude climate therapy (HACT) combines multidisciplinary treatment with environmental trigger avoidance in the healthy alpine climate, including optimization of disease control, rehabilitation and self-management education. The high altitude environment is characterized by dry clean air, reduced levels of allergens, particulate matters and molds, combined with decreased atmospheric pressure and increased UV-exposure. High altitude treatment has been successfully applied for more than 100 year in the treatment of asthma, upper airway diseases and atopic dermatitis in children and adults, yet only recently the immunological and molecular mechanisms of successful HACT have been studied in more detail. International guidelines recommend considering a non-pharmacological treatment strategy such as high altitude treatment for patients with chronic diseases of the skin and airways. HACT Task Force aims at reviewing the evidence of the effect of HACT and advising the focus of future research.
Section: Asthma
Chair: Lucia Rijssenbeek-Nouwens
Secretary: Karin Fieten
High altitude climate treatment
Task Forces / Asthma
Organ-specific allergen challenges in a united airways context
Organ-specific allergen challenges (ocular, nasal, bronchial) are the gold standard for the diagnosis of airway allergy. These tests investigate in a controlled manner the capacity of the allergen to induce an inflammatory reaction in the conjunctival, nasal or bronchial mucosae of individual patients. To be implemented in the clinic these tests should count with standardized protocols. EAACI has recently published documents about ocular and nasal challenges. On the other hand, a document for bronchial allergen challenges has not been published in EAACI journals. Nevertheless, in the era of precision medicine, it is crucial to perform a precise phenotyping of asthma patients. This tool is especially important in the case of occupational asthma the social and economic repercussions of which make necessary a confirmatory diagnosis. Therefore, this TF will work for the generation of a consensus protocol for bronchial allergen challenges.
Because there are relevant epidemiological and pathophysiological links between conjunctivitis, rhinitis and asthma (usually collectively referred as the united airwaysconcept), it is also interesting to assess the capacity of each organ-specific allergen challenge to evaluate the totality and the complexity of the allergic respiratory disease (conjunctivitis-rhinitis- asthma). In this TF the methodological aspects of the three organ-specific challenges will be compared and their ability to diagnose/phenotype individual patients will be studied.
Section: AsthmaChair: Ibon Eguiluz
Secretary: Ioana Agache
Organ-specific allergen challenges in a united airways context
Task Forces / Asthma
Diagnosis and management of allergic and respiratory disease in sports
1
A high proportion of athletic individuals suffer from allergic and respiratory disease(s) such as rhinitis (hay-fever) and exercise-induced asthma. Although not fully understood, it is thought that the increased rate and depth of breathing during heavy exercise and regular exposure to outdoor irritants and allergens may explain the increased prevalence in comparison to the general population. The impact or consequence of an allergy or asthma diagnosis in elite athletes is typically considered two-fold; firstly, in terms of maintaining athlete health and secondly in terms of optimising sporting performance. It is equally important, however, to consider the impact of allergy and asthma from a non-athletic perspective. The World Health Organisation (the primary international public health authority) have recently targeted a reduction in physical in-activity as a key global health priority - therefore the importance of establishing an accurate diagnosis to control symptoms, optimise disease management, and reduce barriers to exercise and physical activity engagement in the wider general population remains a priority. The proposed EAACI Task Force will therefore provide an up-to-date research informed position statement detailing the optimal approach to the diagnosis and management of allergic and respiratory disease in sport. The document will be structured as a concise practically-focussed source of reference for clinicians and healthcare practitioners encountering patients reporting exercise-related allergic and respiratory symptoms.
Working Group: Allergy, Asthma and Sports
Chair: Oliver Price
Secretary: Maia Rukhadze
Diagnosis and management of allergic and respiratory disease in sports
Task Forces / Allergic Diseases
Allergic diseases in adolescents and young people
9
Although adolescents and young people are regarded as a healthy age group, death rates due to food allergy reactions and asthma are highest at this age. Furthermore, healthcare resources are not focused on this age group although this is a critical period for the development of allergic diseases. Besides being life threatening, allergic diseases such as allergic rhinitis and atopic dermatitis can impair work and school performances and negatively impact quality of life, self-esteem and identity in young people.
The aim of this task force is to focus on this age group and seek to determine the particular features of these allergic diseases, including their challenges, specific needs and efficient management strategies. This will allow the task force to produce clear recommendations to optimise healthcare for this critical age, as well as to identify unmet needs and pinpoint further required efforts in the field.
Section: Pediatrics
Chair: Graham Roberts
Secretary: Marta Vazquez Ortiz
Relevant literature:
- Pinart, M. et al. Systematic review on the definition of allergic diseases in children: the MeDALL study
- Roberts, G. et al. Development of a quality-of-life assessment for the allergic child or teenager with multisystem allergic disease
Allergic diseases in adolescents and young people
Task Forces / Allergic Diseases
The roles of non allergy physician specialists in the management of allergic disorders
2
The person with an allergy (patient) is central to the building of a service. In order for this to happen in a way which is accessible to the patient there needs to be a understanding of the possibilities and limitations of individual professionals providing care: this understanding needs also to be reached by those who are not allergy trained but who encounter aspects of allergic disease in their everyday practice and who may need assistance in identifying those within a pathway who are best placed to provide the necessary assistance.
Section: Allied Health and Primary CareChair: Dermot Ryan
Secretary: Rosan Meyer
The roles of non allergy physician specialists in the management of allergic disorders
Task Forces / Allergic Diseases
Diagnosis and management of allergic disease – the added value of allied health professionals
4
Nurses and Allied Health Care professionals (AHP) are increasingly involved in allergy care and prevention, helping to ensure optimal care and provide needed reassurance personalized education and ongoing therapeutic support in order to help patients of all ages to balance safety with normal living. It is therefore important to ensure that all patients and families living with an allergy have access to an allergy team which includes not only specialist doctors, but also nurses, dietitians, psychologists and other important AHP, so that holistic care can be provided. This Task Force will provide a blueprint for an optimal allergy service. Ultimately, the work of the task force may help to optimize management and improve quality of life for children, teens, adults, parents and families.
Section: Allied health and primary care
Chair: Emilia Vassilopoulou
Secretary: Inger Kull
Diagnosis and management of allergic disease – the added value of allied health professionals
Task Forces / Allergic Diseases
Scoping the needs and developing video resources for the public
2
Public outreach is an important responsibility for doctors and researchers to find out what the public want to know, share the results of research and improve the public’s understanding of allergy and immunology. Members of the public will be invited to participate in the Clinical Village for the first time during the London EAACI Congress in June 2020. The Clinical Village will have three interactive models of the lung, gut and a 'low allergy' garden to provide information on environmental allergies. During the Clinical Village we plan to use questionnaires to ask the public how useful they found the exhibits, whether this improved their knowledge and what they would like to see at future outreach events. We also plan to capture
interactions on video between the public and the healthcare professionals at these three interactive stations; these videos will be used for future meetings
and be available online for the public and health care professional through the EAACI online media library and patient portal.
Chair: Helen Brough
Secretary: Eva Untersmayr
Scoping the needs and developing video resources for the public
Task Forces / Allergic Diseases
Perceptions, beliefs, attitudes, and decision making in parents of children with allergic diseases
2
Ethnic and national diversity has increased over the past decade in many countries across Europe. With increase in migration, the importance of taking account of multiculturalism, cultural beliefs, traditions and behaviors has increased. Deficit of cultural competence in healthcare professionals and lack of access to reliable information may influence parental intention to treat and/or diagnose a child health problem themselves. It may also increase parental anxiety and bring mistrust to clinicians, which are all known to impact quality of life and personal relationships.
This Task Force will assess beliefs, attitudes, and decision making in parents of allergic children living across Europe to help better understanding of these factors’ role in their lives. Outcomes of the project may serve as a basis for the guidelines and will help with the patient, parent and physician education activities.
Section: Pediatric
Chair: Daniel Munblit
Secretary: Mary Jane Marchisotto
Perceptions, beliefs, attitudes, and decision making in parents of children with allergic diseases
Task Forces / Allergy Diagnosis & System Medicine
Allergens in veterinary medicine
5
Both human patients and domestic animals, such as dogs, cats and horses, suffer from allergic diseases. Often people and their animals share the same environment, respond to the same allergens and have similar clinical symptoms. Therefore, both human and veterinary allerologists (and their patients) could benefit from studying similarities and differences between allergies in humans and animals.
The Task force (TF) on “Allergens in veterinary medicine” started in 2013 with the aim to provide comprehensive overview of allergens implicated in allergic diseases in domestic animals. After a publication of a position paper on allergens in veterinary medicine in Allergy Journal, the task force decided to broaden its scope and produce a series of review/position papers comparing allergic diseases in humans and animals, covering pathogenesis, allergens involved, clinical presentation, diagnostic tools and treatment as a reference for both human and veterinary allergologists. So far, comparative position papers were published in Allergy on allergens, on allergen immunotherapy, on comparing food allergy, and on comparing insect hypersensitivities in people and animals. Currently, the TF is planning to work on a review/position paper on biologicals as treatment option in human and veterinary atopic skin diseases, and a review about comparing the microbiome development of pets and people and the impact on the development of allergic diseases.
Chair: Jozef Janda
Secretary: Douglas DeBoer
Publications:
Pali-Schöll et al 2019
EAACI position paper: Comparing insect hypersensitivity induced by bite, sting, inhalation or ingestion in human beings and animals
Mueller et al 2018
Allergen immunotherapy in people, dogs, cats and horses – differences, similarities and research needs
Pali-Schöll et al 2017
Comparing immediate‐type food allergy in humans and companion animals—revealing unmet needs
Mueller et al 2015
Allergens in veterinary medicine
2017 Pali-Schöll et al.
2018 Mueller et al.
Allergens in veterinary medicine
Task Forces / Allergen Immunotherapy
Placebo effect in allergen immunotherapy
9
A placebo is a substance that does not have any therapeutic value. Commonly, placebos are administered in clinical trials to the control set of patients (control group). In this way, the effects of the drug being tested on a certain patient group can be compared with the control group to determine the efficiency of the drug. In certain trials, the placebo groups have shown improvement of the disease despite not being prescribed a therapeutic compound. This phenomenon is called the placebo effect and is harmful for the outcome and conclusions of the trial because it impairs determining the real benefit caused by the active component.
In allergen immunotherapy (AIT) there is a quite a large report of placebo effects, increasing the need to rethink the design of AIT clinical trials, including the selection of the placebo.
Together, the group of experts in this task force aim to review the basis of placebo effects in AIT and investigate the relevance of placebo effects in these clinical trials.
Interest Group: Allergen Immunotherapy
Chair: Oliver Pfaar
Relevant literature:
- Frew, A. & Pfaar O. Placebo effects in allergen immunotherapy: an experts' opinion
- Narkus, A. et al. The placebo effect in allergen-specific immunotherapy trials
- Frew, A. et al. Assessment of specific immunotherapy efficacy using a novel placebo score-based method
After a quick run down memory lane, Sergio Bonini explains the placebo effect, most recent discoveries and exciting suggestions to circumvent this problem in AIT clinical trials.
Placebo effect in allergen immunotherapy
Task Forces / Allergen Immunotherapy
Clinical outcomes from allergen immunotherapy in asthma
9
Asthma is long-term inflammation of the airways of the lungs, and affects 235-330 million people worldwide. This common disease in the Western World usually starts in early life and has a substantial impact on the patient's quality of life. Management of asthma can be achieved by avoidance of the allergen, or treated with pharmacotherapeutics. However, when these are not sufficient to give the patient an acceptable quality of life, allergen immunotherapy (AIT) can be recommended. Treatment with AIT extends from a period of 3 to 5 years and during this time the patient is closely monitored to determine the effect of the treatment. However, there is no current European consensus on how to monitor the effect of AIT in asthma patients. This poses a problem when comparing results from different treatment centers and, ultimately, impairs the optimization of the treatment. This task force aims to address this issue by presenting a consensus in monitoring the clinical outcomes of AIT in asthma patients, both in a clinical and a research setting.
Interest Group: Allergen Immunotherapy
Chair: Jasper Kappen
Secretary: Oliver Pfaar
Relevant literature:
- Jutel M. et al. International consensus on allergy immunotherapy
- Pfaar O. et al. Recommendations for the standardization of clinical outcomes used in allergen immunotherapy trials fro allergic rhinoconjunctivitis: an EAACI position paper
- Pfaar O. et al. Clinical trials in allergen immunotherapy: current concepts and future needs
Clinical outcomes from allergen immunotherapy in asthma
Task Forces / Allergen Immunotherapy
Allergen challenge chambers
7
Allergen exposure chambers (AECs) are clinical facilities that allow controlled exposure of subjects to allergens in an enclosed environment, in order to determine allergen sensitivity. AECs have contributed towards characterizing the pathophysiology of respiratory allergic diseases and the pharmacological properties of new therapies. To date, AEC studies conducted have been monocentric, meaning that they have followed protocols unique to each centre. Because there are technical differences among AECs, it may be necessary to define parameters to standardize the AECs so that studies may be extrapolated for driving basic immunological research and for marketing authorization purposes by regulatory authorities.
This task force not only aims to address the standardization of AECs but has also, in a previous study, pin-pointed that standardization of "hybrid"-trials in AIT needs further clinical validation. Together with international scientists, clinicians, representatives from EMA and FDA, the main aim of this task force is to elaborate the principle of a multicenter "hybrid"-trial in AIT.
This task force not only aims to address the standardization of AECs but has also, in a previous study, pin-pointed that standardization of "hybrid"-trials in AIT needs further clinical validation. Together with international scientists, clinicians, representatives from EMA and FDA, the main aim of this task force is to elaborate the principle of a multicenter "hybrid"-trial in AIT.
Secretary: Petra Zieglmayer
Relevant literature:
- Pfaar, O et al. Allergen exposure chambers: harmonizing current concepts and projecting the needs for the future - an EAACI position paper
Allergen challenge chambers
Task Forces / Allergen Immunotherapy
Allergen immunotherapy adherence
5
Allergen-Immunotherapy is effective and safe but time-consuming. Patient adherence is critical for its beneficial effects. The aim of our taskforce is to evaluate the published evidence to optimize adherence for patients and to provide instruments to patients and health professionals to optimize the use of this critical lever in the treatment of allergic diseases.
Chair: Adam Chaker
Secretary: Mohamed Shamji
Chair: Adam Chaker
Secretary: Mohamed Shamji
Allergen immunotherapy adherence
Task Forces / Allergen Immunotherapy
Thresholds of allergen exposure in allergen immunotherapy outcome analysis
6
Phase I: An interdisciplinary Task Force of the Immunotherapy Interest Group and the Aerobiology and Pollution Interest Group of the EAACI (2015-2016) has recently published standardized definitions for pollen seasons (birch ( Betula sp..), grasses (Poaceae), Cypress (Cupressus spp.), Olive (Olea spp.), Ragweed (Ambrosia spp.)) in an EAACI Position Paper (#1).
Phase II: In a next step, an international cooperation of allergologists, aerobiologists and environmental informatics experts demonstrated the robustness and sensitivity of the aforementioned season defintions in a retrospective analysis of pollen count data from up to 40 pollen monitoring stations in Germany over five consecutive years (2012-2016) (#2).
Ref:#1: Pfaar O, Bastl U, Berger U et al.: Definiing pollen exposure times for clinical trials of allergen immunotherapy for pollen-induced rhinoconjunctivitis – an EAACI position paper. Allergy 2017; 72: 713-722
#2: Karatzas K, Riga M, Berger U , Werchan M, Pfaar O, Bergmann KC: Computational validation of the recently proposed pollen season definition criteria. Allerry 2017: doi 10.1111/all. 13255
Chair: Oliver Pfaar
Secretary: Christian Bergmann
Phase II: In a next step, an international cooperation of allergologists, aerobiologists and environmental informatics experts demonstrated the robustness and sensitivity of the aforementioned season defintions in a retrospective analysis of pollen count data from up to 40 pollen monitoring stations in Germany over five consecutive years (2012-2016) (#2).
Ref:#1: Pfaar O, Bastl U, Berger U et al.: Definiing pollen exposure times for clinical trials of allergen immunotherapy for pollen-induced rhinoconjunctivitis – an EAACI position paper. Allergy 2017; 72: 713-722
#2: Karatzas K, Riga M, Berger U , Werchan M, Pfaar O, Bergmann KC: Computational validation of the recently proposed pollen season definition criteria. Allerry 2017: doi 10.1111/all. 13255
Chair: Oliver Pfaar
Secretary: Christian Bergmann
Thresholds of allergen exposure in allergen immunotherapy outcome analysis
Task Forces / Allergen Immunotherapy
European awareness and practice in allergen immunotherapy
9
Allergy is already the most common chronic disease in children and young adults, and it keeps increasing worldwide. It is clear that the burden of allergic diseases is so large that it cannot be met globally by allergy specialists alone. The support of primary care physicians is indispensable in the management, treatment and diagnosis of these diseases. However, primary care clinicians are not trained adequately to manage allergic patients, creating a need to establish specialized education in allergy. Many medical postgraduate training programs, for example, have been established to allow the development of competencies in the diagnosis and management of allergic diseases. Nevertheless, these should always cover the latest hallmarks in the field. Allergen immunotherapy (AIT) is an example of a groundbreaking treatment in the field of allergy and this Task Force will investigate the knowledge of primary care specialists in the field. The goal is to discover if this important treatment, AIT, is being provided across Europe adequately and make recommendations to better identify in which cases the patient should be referred to specialist care. With this work, the Task Force hopes to get a solid understanding of the knowledge on AIT by primary care specialists and address their needs and gaps to support better allergy treatment.
Interest Group: Allied Health and Primary Care
Chair: Gawlik Radoslaw
Secretary: Bertine Flokstra-de Blak
Relevant literature:
- Ryan, D. et al. Challenges in the implementation of the EAACI AIT guidelines: A situational analysis of current provision of allergen immunotherapy
European awareness and practice in allergen immunotherapy
Task Forces / Allergen Immunotherapy
Rare insect allergy
3
Insect stings or bites can induce large local reactions or systemic reactions. Since decades, research has been focused particularly on bee and vespid allergy.
However, other hymenoptera can cause allergy as well. Depending on the geographic distribution, fire ants (e.g. In the US) and black jumper ants (e.g. in Australia) are responsible for local or systemic allergic reactions. Moreover, systemic reactions to horseflies have been reported. It is also well known that large local reactions to mosquito bites are frequently seen in Northern Europe.
Venom from bumblebees is considered similar to bee venom. However, there is evidence that if bumblebees are the primary sensitizers, bee venom maybe not sufficient to treat bumblebee venom allergy. Similarly, venom from hornets (Vespa crabro) maybe different from vespid venom. Moreover, sting reactions to “new” hymenoptera such as Vespa velutina were reported but no data exist on the diagnostic and therapeutic options.
Case series of IgE-mediated allergy to Argas reflexus, a pigeon’s tick responsible of typical nocturnal anaphylaxis, have been published as well. Currently there is no review or position paper available addressing rare insect allergy. Allergies to rare insects may be overlooked because of lacking knowledge. This position paper should be helpful to clinicians to create awareness and to improve clinical management of patients with these rare allergies.
Working Group: Insect venom hypersensitivity
Chair: Gunter Sturm
Secretary: Elisa Boni
Rare insect allergy
Task Forces / Allergen Immunotherapy
Candidate biomarkers for allergen immunotherapy in adults and children
2
Hayfever induced by inhalant allergen affects 10-15% of children with a prevalence of 23% in Europe for children and adult population. Allergen immunotherapy (AIT) involves administration of the sensitising allergen subcutaneously or sublingually for a period of at least 3 years and is safe and clinically effective in adults and children suffering from hayfever with or without asthma. Most AIT studies, SCIT and SLIT, use biomarkers, or changes in the immune response that have been validated in adults and not in children. There is a misconception that changes in immune response to AIT in children are similar to adults. However, there is a lack of studies that provide a head-to-head comparison between change in immune response in children and in adults. Thus, no consensus on immune changes in response AIT in children and adult.
The aim of the Task Force is firstly, to assess the immune parameters in adult and children, evaluate their usefulness for clinical studies and develop a concept for an age-adapted population to ensure both adults and children benefit from AIT. Secondly, to evaluate the current evidence and utility of machine-based algorithms as a part of artificial intelligence for biomarker discovery. Finally, to provide a consensus based on evidence and real-life data.
Interest Group: Allergen ImmunotherapyChair: Mohamed Shamji
Secretary: Montserrat Alvaro Lozano
Candidate biomarkers for allergen immunotherapy in adults and children
Task Forces / Allergen Immunotherapy
Insect venom allergy and mastocytosis
2
People with insect venom allergy suffer from life threatening reactions which may severely impact their quality of life.
In patients with the most severe allergic reactions, these reactions might be due to underlying mastocytosis, which is a disease of mast cells that are, due to a mutation, increased in amount and also more trigger happy. Insect venom is able to easily trigger these mastcells, resulting in very severe, sometimes even fatal reactions. There are many unresolved questions in insect venom allergic patients who suffer from underlying mastocytosis. Firstly it is unknown which patients are at risk for underlying mastocytosis and secondly, what is the best diagnostic tool to evaluate for this disease. Also, if the diagnosis mastocytosis has been made, many questions still have to be answered.
Especially in patients with an underlying mastocytosis the diagnosis insect venom allergy is sometimes difficult due to absence of specific allergic symptoms, and/or due to absent or very low amounts of specific IgE. Also, concerning best treatment there are many open questions: there is no consensus whether treatment with immunotherapy should be started, which treatment schedules should be used, and for how long patients should be treated.
In this task force we will describe the current gaps in our knowledge concerning above mentioned issues and we will discuss with the most renowned allergist in this field their opinion in order to increase awareness of mastocytosis as underlying disease in insect venom allergy and to improve diagnosis and treatment of this allergy in patients with underlying mastocytosis.
Working Group: Insect venom hypersensitivity
Chair: Hanneke Oude Elberink
Secretary: Merel Onnes
Insect venom allergy and mastocytosis
Task Forces / Basic and Clinical Immunology
AllergoOncology
2
The term AllergoOncology (AO) describes the interesting interface between allergies, IgE responses, and Th2 immunity, with cancer development. The establishment of a Task Force on this exciting and continuously evolving topic in EAACI is timely and appropriate. Previous AO activities have included a milestone position paper (Allergy, 2008), two International Conferences on AllergoOncology, a book initiative, “IgE and Cancer” (Humana Press, Springer, 2010), and a key Symposium-in-Writing initiative incorporating 10 peer-reviewed manuscripts on AllergoOncology published by key researchers in the field (Cancer Immunology, Immunotherapy, 2012)
The AO task force aims to serve as an interphase between the disciplines of oncology, allergy and Th2 immunity. The topics of this AO Task Force session will cover basic, translational and clinical research, and will also encompass epidemiology, comparative oncology research, clinical observations and clinical studies, including novel vaccination and immunotherapy approaches harnessing IgE functions to target cancer. This important endeavor will bring basic, clinical scientists and clinicians together interested in the interdisciplinary links between allergies and cancer and will support interdisciplinary links, exchange of knowledge and advances in both fields. At present, this is the first AO platform worldwide.
See our position papers "AllergoOncology – the impact of allergy in oncology: EAACI position paper" and "AllergoOncology: Opposite outcomes of immune tolerance in allergy and cancer“.
Aims:
- To establish a platform for regular exchange of scientific achievements in the AO area.
- To bring basic, clinical scientists and clinicians together interested in the interdisciplinary approach between allergies and cancer.
- To cover educational aspects, by e.g. organizing workshops, Spring Schools and poster-workshops with students and medical trainees as the main targets, and to also engage with clinically-active colleagues and clinical scientists.
- To actively and regularly communicate scientific advances and achievements of the field.
- To engage with oncology societies with the aim of attaching AO satellite symposia and workshops to them.
Pre-TaskForce Meeting at EAACI annual conference in Copenhagen, Denmark, 2014 - From left to right: Hannah Gould, Judit Fazekas, Sophia Karagiannis, Erika Jensen-Jarolim, Josef Singer, Jozef Janda, Melanie Plum, Edzard Spillner
The faculty of the AllergoOncology Task Force meeting has continuously grown until 2018
Find our list of experts here.
AllergoOncology
Task Forces / Basic and Clinical Immunology
MicroRNAs in allergy and asthma
11
Asthma is a heterogeneous disease with various phenotypes. Currently, patients with asthma can be classified based on their inflammatory cell profile such as eosinophilic, neutrophilic, or mixed granulocytic or by atopic status and time of disease onset. Additionally, some asthmatics are triggered by viral infections whereas some are not. These factors make it clear that asthma characteristics and treatment responses are different in distinct individuals and, most likely, involve diverse biological processes, so called endotypes. A better description of these endo/phenotypes may guide personalized treatment approaches in the future.
Both genetic and epigenetic alterations contribute to altered immune responses in the airways of asthmatics. Gene regulatory microRNAs (miRNAs) have recently emerged as a research field with critical roles in the regulation of many biological processes. These noncoding RNA molecules (17-27 nucleotides) can, by their ability to bind specific messenger (m)RNAs, repress translation or promote mRNA degradation of their target genes. In addition to fine-tuning the expression of target genes, miRNAs have been shown to be of crucial importance in inflammatory processes, where they take part in the regulation of both adaptive and innate immune responses as well as tissue homeostasis. Evolutionarily, miRNAs are highly conserved, which facilitates translational research. In addition, miRNAs have been found to be extremely stable in serum. These features make miRNAs potential novel biomarkers for chronic and heterogeneous diseases like asthma. Furthermore, disease-associated miRNAs may also be targets for treatment, as well as predicting treatment responses in asthmatics.
The overall aim: The TF aims to describe current knowledge of miRNA involvement in asthma related pathogenic processes and to critically evaluate the role of microRNAs as potential biomarkers and therapeutics in allergy and asthma.
Chair: Madeleine Rådinger, Sweden
Secretary: Susanne Krauss-Etschmann, Germany
MicroRNAs in allergy and asthma
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Task Forces / Basic and Clinical Immunology
Animal models of allergic disease
6
There is a myriad of animal models used for understanding pathogenesis of allergic disease and for testing novel treatment strategies. The models address immune responses in the skin, nose, airways, eyes, gastrointestinal tract and circulation (e.g., anaphylaxis). Although there are tissue-specific differences like airway goblet cell hyperplasia, skin-specific changes, etc., there are many features that are shared among allergic disease, including the use of the same antigens and allergens, e.g., ovalbumin, house dust mite, the type of immune response with eosinophilia, eosinophilic inflammation, and antigen-specific IgE. The models in each discipline are well established and have a huge amount of data that overlap and could be standardized to reduce redundancy and improve learning. A comprehensive state-of-the-art review of the current optimal tissue-specific allergic models and the potential to combine data to improve our understanding of disease pathogenesis is lacking. Therefore, we established a cross-platform Task Force with multidisciplinary expertise in different model systems of allergic disease. The aims are to conduct a comprehensive state-of-the-art review on experimental animal models of allergic disease focused on understanding the similarities and differences between tissue-specific allergic disease and the importance of animal models and how they translate to clinical medicine.
Chair: Michelle Epstein
Secretary: Mario Noti
Chair: Michelle Epstein
Secretary: Mario Noti
Animal models of allergic disease
Task Forces / Basic and Clinical Immunology
Non-biological therapeutic approaches in allergy and clinical immunology
8
Biologicals are therapeutics that are synthesized by living organisms and directed against a specific determinant, for example, a cytokine or receptor. In inflammatory, autoimmune and allergic diseases, biologicals have revolutionized the treatment of several immune-mediated disorders. However, use of biologicals does not have the same impact in the treatment of different diseases. For example, while successful in treating severe allergic and refractory eosinophilic severe asthma, they are not as successful treating chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). For that reason, it is important to be aware of the alternative treatments when a certain disease does not respond to biologicals therapy.
This task force, composed by a multidiscipplinary group of physicians, basic scientists, pharmacologists and computational biologists, aims to review the current basic, pre-clinical and clinical research to develop therapeutic strategies distinct from the use of biologicals. This review will not only examine recent discoveries on basic mechanisms of immune regulation that could be targeted by other molecules than biologicals (e.g. small molecule drugs, cell-based therapies, antago-miRs), but also describe the main opportunities and challenges associated with these therapeutic strategies and the relationship with key biological-based approaches.
Section: Basic and Clinical Immunology
Chair: Cristina Stellato
Secretary: Franziska Roth-Walter
Relevant literature:
- Roth-Walter F. et al. Comparing biologicals and small molecule drug therapies for chronic respiratory diseases: an EAACI task force on immunopharmacology position paper
Non-biological therapeutic approaches in allergy and clinical immunology
Task Forces / Basic and Clinical Immunology
Nutritional factors in immunomodulation
7
Insufficient intake of certain nutrients has been associated with suppression of immune functions which are fundamental for the well-being of every human. A well balanced nutrient consumption has been associated with a better prognosis for patients with obesity, gastrointestinal disorders but also food hypersensitivities and other immunological disorders. To better understand the influence and benefits of nutritional factors in diagnosis and management of food allergy, atopic dermatitis and asthma, this task force will assess the current knowledge in the field and develop a comprehensive review to support further education of healthcare professionals and improve patient outcomes.
Section: Basic and Clinical Immunology
Chair: Liam O'Mahony
Secretary: Carina Venter
Relevant literature:
- Venter, C. et al. Nutritional aspects in diagnosis and management of food hypersensitivity - the dietitians role
- Mazzocchi, A. et al. The role of nutritional aspects in food allergy: prevention and management
- Marcos, A. et al. Changes in the immne system are conditioned by nutrition
Nutritional factors in immunomodulation
Task Forces / Basic and Clinical Immunology
Public outreach for immunological mechanisms in allergies and asthma
10
In Europe, approximately 150 million citizens suffer from chronic allergic diseases and 7 million Europeans have food allergies. If treated adequately almost €150 billion could be saved per year by preventing the reduced productivity and the higher medication costs associated with inadequately treated allergy and asthma (Source: EAACI advocacy manifesto). This enormous disease burden deserves to become a special focus for policy makers, the lay public, clinicians and researchers worldwide. Activities to tackle the allergy epidemic require funding by public agencies. Clinicians and researchers should disseminate their clinical and scientific knowledge not only to the scientific and clinical community, but they should also translate their finding into easily understandable language to inform the general public, politicians, administrations and potential donors. Moreover, adequate education of patients plays an important role in everyday clinical work to ensure full success of medical treatment, a time-consuming task that would benefit from high quality public engagement resources. Due to the increasing need for common knowledge in this field, public outreach activities are essential to provide information about complex immunological mechanisms underlying allergy and asthma in an easily understandable way to the lay public and allergic patients, as well as students, early researchers, clinicians and other health care professionals not specifically trained in immunology.
Chair: Eva Untersmayr
Secretary: Milena Sokolowska
Chair: Eva Untersmayr
Secretary: Milena Sokolowska
Public outreach for immunological mechanisms in allergies and asthma
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10
Task Forces / Basic and Clinical Immunology
Eicosanoids in the treatment of asthma and allergic diseases
5
Eicosanoids are a family of fatty acid metabolites that includes prostaglandins, leukotrienes and pro-resolving mediators such as lipoxins and newly-discovered maresins and protectins. Eicosanoids and enzymes involved in their metabolism have been long implicated in the pathogenesis of allergy and asthma but not well understood. Moreover, drugs targeting eicosanoids have been widely used for more than a century but our understanding of their activities and response prediction in asthma and allergic diseases is challenged by the complex nature of eicosanoid biology. Hence, in the era of –omics revolution and redefining and uncovering endotypes and theratypes of asthma and allergic diseases, it is important to identify current research needs
and opportunities regarding eicosanoid pathway. In this task force, we aim to conduct a comprehensive state of the art review on the role of eicosanoids in the pathogenesis of allergies and asthma and their potential as targets for prevention and therapy of allergic diseases.
Chair: Grzegorz Woszczek
Secretary: Milena Sokolowska
and opportunities regarding eicosanoid pathway. In this task force, we aim to conduct a comprehensive state of the art review on the role of eicosanoids in the pathogenesis of allergies and asthma and their potential as targets for prevention and therapy of allergic diseases.
Chair: Grzegorz Woszczek
Secretary: Milena Sokolowska
Eicosanoids in the treatment of asthma and allergic diseases
Task Forces / Basic and Clinical Immunology
Lay summary for EAACI position papers
1
The prevalence of allergic diseases is increasing worldwide. In Europe alone, ~150 million citizens suffer from chronic allergic diseases, and it is estimated that, by 2025, more than 50% of Europeans will suffer allergy (Source: EAACI advocacy manifesto). This enormous disease burden has a negative impact at the health, social and economic level, remedy of which requires action by policy makers, lay public, clinicians and researchers worldwide. Activities to solve the allergy-epidemic require funding by public agencies. In thatregard, it is becoming more important that clinicians and scientist translate their findings into lay languagefor information of the general public, politicians, policy makers and potential donors. Moreover, adequate education of patients plays an important role in everyday clinical work to ensure full success of medical treatment. Due to the increasing need for common scientific understanding, some excellent public outreach activities have been published in the field of allergy by the EAACI. In an additional effort to maximize the accessibility and visibility of the knowledge generated by EAACI, this TF focuses on EAACI position papers,which are documents supported by a line-up of experts and cover clinically relevant issues and novel ideas in the field. Improving the accessibility of such types of documents would have a remarkable impact in combating the allergy-epidemic.
Section: Basic and clinical immunology
Chair: Rodrigo Jiménez-Saiz
Secretary: Henry McSorley
Lay summary for EAACI position papers
Task Forces / Basic and Clinical Immunology
Conscious and rational use of antibiotics in allergic diseases
Antibiotics are one of the most frequently prescribed medicines; therefore antimicrobial resistance is on a steep rise posing a threat for human health. This has led to several antibiotic stewardship programmes, but these are mainly aimed at hospitalised patients. Patients with allergic diseases, such as asthma and eczema, are at increased risk for infections and subsequent antibiotic use, both in the outpatient- and inpatient clinic. There is however controversy whether antibiotics will do benefit (or even harm) in patients with acute allergic disease exacerbations. Moreover, antibiotic use at a very young age is associated with the development of allergic diseases. Within this EAACI task force, consisting of diverse clinicians and basic scientists, we aim to summarize all current knowledge of the effects of antibiotics on the development and treatment of allergic diseases (asthma, eczema). With this knowledge, we will be able to write position papers and guidelines to promote rational antibiotic use. We will also identify gaps of knowledge with respect to antibiotic stewardship in allergic diseases to direct new research areas.
Working Group: Infections
Chair: Gerdien Tramper
Secretary: Cristina Boccabella
Conscious and rational use of antibiotics in allergic diseases
Task Forces / Basic and Clinical Immunology
Diagnosis and therapeutic management of allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA)
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In people with chronic lung conditions such as asthma, cystic fibrosis or bronchiectasis, the common airborne mould Aspergillus fumigatus (AF) can cause a severe hypersensitivity reaction of the lungs. This disease is called allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA). ABPA affects around 8% of patients with asthma and 15% of people with cystic fibrosis. If not properly recognized and treated, ABPA can lead to permanent damage to the airways, thus resulting in deterioration of the performance of the lungs. AF is ubiquitous and we all inhale countless spores every day. Nevertheless, most people do not develop illnesses because their immune system is strong enough to withstand the effect. The airways of people who are adversely affected are more vulnerable to repeated inhalation of AF. Such people easily get sensitized and produce antibodies directed to AF. Progression from sensitization to ABPA may be a slow process. When ABPA is suspected as a cause of airway exacerbation, the presence of such antibodies is important for diagnosis. Many teams are working to characterise how the immune system responds to AF and this research can lead to improved diagnosis and treatment of ABPA. However, there are currently no recommendations for clinical practice. We plan to establish an EAACI Task Force which would review and analyse currently available evidence in order to provide a position paper with evidence-based recommendations on the diagnosis and treatment of ABPA.
Working Group: Infections
Chair: Joana Vitte
Secretary: Luc Colas
Diagnosis and therapeutic management of allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA)
Task Forces / Dermatology
Diagnostic criteria for urticarial vasculitis
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Urticaria, or hives, is a disease characterized by pale red bumps or plaques (wheals) on the skin which are triggered by certain foods, medication and stress. Urticarial vasculitis has similar characteristics (wheals and redness) but additionally presents inflamed blood vessels (vasculitis) when examined under the microscope. Urticarial vasculitis is a condition which is rare and difficult to treat, and is frequently misdiagnosed as chronic spontaneous urticaria due to the common characteristics shared by both diseases. While urticaria can disappear spontaneously or be treated with antihistamines, urticarial vasculitis is treated with UV and corticosteroids (effective in 80% of the cases). This Task Force brings together experts from across Europe to develop, standardize and harmonize the diagnostic criteria for urticarial vasculitis in order to promote better patient treatment for this rare disease.
Section: Dermatology
Chair: Karoline Krause
Secretary: Margarida Goncalo
Relevant literature:
- Kolkhir, P. et al. Treatment of urticarial vasculitis: A systematic review
Diagnostic criteria for urticarial vasculitis
Task Forces / Dermatology
Targeting the skin barrier in atopic dermatitis
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There is a strong need to identify new management approaches for the prevention of atopic dermatitis (AD), due to its substantial burden on patients’ quality of life and health-care resources. In addition, AD is associated with higher risk of developing other atopic diseases. Increasing evidence suggests that skin barrier abnormalities play an essential role in initiation of early AD. The difficulties to target the underlying immune dysregulation, put forward the potential for early interventional approaches targeting skin repair. The aim of this task
force is to provide evidence on whether the daily use of topical treatments soon after birth (before the onset of AD) and for the first months of life could reduce the occurrence of AD and/or its severity, thus representing a low cost, easy to apply, safe and effective approach for the primary prevention of AD and atopic march, at least in some phenotypes.
Chair: Elena Galli
Secretary: Pasquale Comberiati
force is to provide evidence on whether the daily use of topical treatments soon after birth (before the onset of AD) and for the first months of life could reduce the occurrence of AD and/or its severity, thus representing a low cost, easy to apply, safe and effective approach for the primary prevention of AD and atopic march, at least in some phenotypes.
Chair: Elena Galli
Secretary: Pasquale Comberiati
Targeting the skin barrier in atopic dermatitis
Task Forces / Dermatology
Food allergy in children with atopic dermatitis
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Atopic dermatitis (AD) is one of the most common skin disorders. Food allergy and AD may occur in the same patient and in small children with AD, a strong association between food allergy and AD exist. As
many infants with AD are sensitized and have an increased risk to develop immediate type allergic reactions compared to infants without AD it is important to evaluated and diagnose food allergy early in these children to
prevent anaphylaxis at first feed. Also older children with atopic dermatitis has to be evaluated for a concomitant/complicating food allergy. As around 20% of children have AD and only 3.6% of children have food allergy an algorithm on whom (e.g. time of onset of AD, severity of AD, other atopic diseases, skin barrier function) and how to evaluation infants and children with atopic dermatitis could be useful for clinicians in different specialties.
Section: DermatologyChair: Charlotte G Mortz
Secretary: Barbara Ballmer-Weber
Food allergy in children with atopic dermatitis
Task Forces / Drug Allergy
Proton pump inhibitor and antacid drugs allergy
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Gastrointestinal diseases are frequently associated with an inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. In these types of diseases, anti-acid drugs which decrease acidic secretions are widely used to alleviate the symptoms. H2 receptor antagonists (2RA), for example, make the cells (parietal cells) responsible for acid secretion less responsive to stimuli thus decreasing acidity, while proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) block the final step in gastric acid secretion, halting all acid secretion.
PPIs are usually tolerated by patients with a low risk of side effects. However, serious adverse non allergic (cytopenia, vasculitis, acute interstitial nephritis, hepatitis, cutaneous lupus erythematosus) and allergic reactions have been reported in some cases. In the last years, the number of reported hypersensitivity, or allergic reactions, to PPIs has increased. One hypothesis is that this increase is correlated to the increased consumption of the drug, although this is not yet proven.
To address the increase of hypersensitivity or allergic reactions to PPIs, this task force will evaluate in detail the recent data related to incidence, immune mechanisms (underlying immediate and non-immediate reactions to PPIs, clinical symptoms, and diagnostic approaches in vivo (skin testing and drug provocation tests) and in vitro (lenfosit activation test). Ultimately, the aim of the task force is to establish a comprehensive review that will support diagnosis, treatment and prevention of PPI hypersensitivity.
Interest Group: Drug Allergy
Chair: Sevim Bavbek
Secretary: Patrizia Bonadonna
Relevant literature:
- Özdemir S. et al. Analysis of the factors associated with diagnostic skin test positivity in immediate-type hypersensitivity reactions due to proton pump inhibitors
- Untersmayr E. Acid suppression therapy and allergic reactions
- DeMuth K. et al. Relationship between treatment with antacid medication and the prevalence of food allergy in children
Proton pump inhibitor and antacid drugs allergy
Task Forces / Drug Allergy
Hypersensitivity reactions to antineoplastic agents
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Chemotherapeutic drugs are widely used in the treatment of a variety of cancers. Some chemotherapeutic drugs are also called antineoplastic when they are designed to prevent or inhibit the development of a tumor. The use of these drugs is associated with secondary effects that range from mild gastrointestinal symptoms, cough, transient rash and itching, to life-threatening reactions such as severe cytopenia and anaphylaxis. Hence there is an increased need to improve the diagnostic tools and management of hypersensitivity reactions (HRSs) to antineoplastic agents.
This Task Force, composed by specialists in the field, will focus on compiling data on incidence, pathophysiology, clinical symptoms, diagnostic tools and management of HRSs to antineoplastic agents (with a particular focus on indications and limits to desensitization procedures) to support clinicians in the diagnosis and treatment.
Interest group: Drug Allergy
Chair: Mauro Pagani
Secretary: Sevim Bavbek
Relevant literature:
- Shepherd GM. Hypersensitivity reactions to chemotherapeutic drugs
- Castells MC. Hypersensitivity to antineoplastic agents
- Syrigou E. et al. Hypersensitivity reactions to antineoplastic agents: an overview
Hypersensitivity reactions to antineoplastic agents
Task Forces / Drug Allergy
Drug provocation tests
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Fifteen years ago, a Task force of the ENDA (European Network for Drug Allergy), the core part of the EAACI drug allergy interest group published a paper on general considerations on drug provocation tests (DPT). Since 2003, a lot of studies have been published on DPT, considered the Gold Standard diagnostic procedure for determination of the culprit drug in patients with a suspected drug allergy. An update is urgently needed and more detailed recommendations are required in order to harmonize our methods across Europe. Specific areas such as risk stratification of patients, indications and contra-indications for DPT in adults and children, dosages of test preparations, number of doses and time intervals have to be discussed. Finally, since the the value of desensitization procedures has been demonstrated during the last 10 years, the differences between DPT and desensitization procedures have to be analyzed and explained.
Chair: Annick Barbaud
Secretary: Lene Heise Garvey
Chair: Annick Barbaud
Secretary: Lene Heise Garvey
Drug provocation tests
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Task Forces / Drug Allergy
Children's hypersensitivity to antiepileptic drugs
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Review and collect the all data available in the literature (Pub Med, the Cochrane Library, Embase, National Institutes of Health ) about the incidence, pathogenesis, diagnosis and management of hypersensitivity reactions to AEDs in children.
-State recommendations on diagnosis and management, based on available evidences data and on panel consensus experts in the field of hypersensitivity reactions to AEDs in children
Chair: Marina Atanaskovic-Markovic
Secretary: Francesca Mori
-State recommendations on diagnosis and management, based on available evidences data and on panel consensus experts in the field of hypersensitivity reactions to AEDs in children
Chair: Marina Atanaskovic-Markovic
Secretary: Francesca Mori
Children's hypersensitivity to antiepileptic drugs
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Task Forces / Environmental & Occupational Allergy
Map of the world's pollen monitoring stations
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Air quality has a detrimental effect on health and allergic diseases and the presence of pollen in the air has a significant impact on allergic symptoms. Being able to monitor the presence and quantities of pollen and fungal spores in the ambient air would considerably improve the prevention of allergic diseases. In order to do so, aerobiologists can use ambient air quality monitoring to detect biological particles (pollen and fungal spores) in the air. However, unlike the detection of non-biological components (ozone, nitrogen oxides, etc.), monitoring of biological particles in the ambient air is not frequently publicly funded and the data is not freely available. To address this important issue, this task force has made a review of the pollen monitoring stations throughout the world and created an interactive visualization of these stations (see below).
Interest group: Environmental and Occupational Allergy
Chair: Jeroen Buters
Secretary: Celia Antunes
Relevant literature:
- Buters, JTM. et al. Pollen and spore monitoring in the world
Contributors:
Project managers: Celia Antunes, Jeroen Buters
Database building: Ana Galveias, Celia Antunes, Jose Oteros, Jeroen Buters
Interactive map development and administrator: Jose Oteros
Members of the task force: C. Antunes, M. Thibaudon, A. Galveias, J. Oteros, C. Galan, M. Werchan, and J. Buters
Map of the world's pollen monitoring stations
Task Forces / Environmental & Occupational Allergy
Gender and occupational allergy (GOA)
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The field of occupational allergy studies the allergic diseases that are initiated or escalated by factors present in the workplace. Certain work environments have more propensity to exacerbate or lead to the development of allergic diseases depending on the agents one is exposed to. The gender distribution across professions is still unequal, and this raises a need to understand gender differences in occupational allergic diseases, to provide effective education and personalized management for both genders.
Chair: Gianna Moscato
Secretary: Monika Raulf
Relevant literature:
- Raulf M, et al. Gender-related aspects in occupational allergies - secondary publication and update
This task force brings together experts in allergology, pneumology, dermatology and occupational medicine from across Europe and aims to summarize the current scientific evidence on gender-dependent occupational allergy. The ultimate goal is to develop an up-to-date consensus document and to outline key-messages useful for policy decisions on priorities for legislative action.
Chair: Gianna Moscato
Secretary: Monika Raulf
Relevant literature:
- Raulf M, et al. Gender-related aspects in occupational allergies - secondary publication and update
Gender and occupational allergy (GOA)
Task Forces / Environmental & Occupational Allergy
Airborne fungal allergy
1
Fungal spores are an ubiquitous part of biosphere being present in varying numbers in outdoor and indoor air, as well as in specific workplace environments. Exposure to airborne fungi is associated with a variety of health effects with different symptoms and manifestations. The prevalence rates of sensitization to either indoor or outdoor fungi are heterogeneous across Europe. The aim of the TF is to summarize the current scientific evidence linking to fungal exposure in the indoor (included occupational) and outdoor places and the risk of fungal sensitization and allergy including information of the most important allergenic fungi, both indoor and outdoor, qualitative and quantitative detection of indoor and outdoor fungal exposure and data concerning outdoor fungal season from Europe. Additionally, evidence-based recommendations for general practitioners, allergologists and occupational physicians about management, diagnosis and prevention, including surveillance, health and safety education and training should be developed.
Working Group: Aerobiology and pollution
Chair: Mario Olivieri
Secretary: Carmen Galan
Airborne fungal allergy
Task Forces / ENT
Drug-induced periocular and ocular surface disorders
1
In this task force, we will extensively review the medications and cosmetics inducing allergic/toxic reactions on the eyelids and ocular surface, the mechanisms, clinical features and treatment modalities
Working Group: Ocular Allergy
Chair: Banu Bozkurt
Secretary: Andrea Leonardi
Working Group: Ocular Allergy
Chair: Banu Bozkurt
Secretary: Andrea Leonardi
Drug-induced periocular and ocular surface disorders
Task Forces / ENT
Endotyping of chronic rhinosinusitis and nasal polyps (CRSwNP)
The characterization of CRS-endotypes focusses on the inflammatory disease mechanisms. Special endotypes allow for treatment with specific monoclonal antibodies (biologicals).
Until now, no internationally accepted endotype definition exists for CRS/CRSwNP.
This TF will focuss on the characterization of CRS-endotypes and the definition of diagnostic measures or biomarkers for routine treatment and for scientific studies and thus to help identifying patient groups that will benefit most from new personalized therapies.
Section: ENT
Chair: Ludger Klimek
Secretary: Philippe Gevaert
Endotyping of chronic rhinosinusitis and nasal polyps (CRSwNP)
Task Forces / ENT
The burden of impaired vision secondary to ocular allergy in Europe
1
Severe allergic eye diseases, such as Vernal Keratoconjunctivitis and atopic keratoconjunctivitis can be difficult to manage. Patients can have inadequate control despite maximal available treatments. Vision impairment can occur as a consequence of the condition and due to adverse effects from treatments used. The ocular and epidemiology working groups will collaborate to quantify the burden of visual impairment in Europe, as a consequence of severe allergic eye disease and its managements.
Working Group: Ocular Allergy
Chair: Banu Bozkurt
Secretary: Vibha Sharma
The burden of impaired vision secondary to ocular allergy in Europe
Task Forces / ENT
Eustachian tube dysfunction: the role of immunity and allergy
Eustachian tube dysfunction (ETD) causes significant concern for parents and morbidity for children especially as it is followed by persistent middle ear inflammation with hearing loss, earache, recurrent infections. Immunological and allergological diseases can cause ETD, but no standards on adequate diagnostic pathways and treatment strategies have been defined. This task force aims to review the allergic and immune contribution to eustachian tube dysfunction and to define open questions and research needs.
Chair: Ludger KlimekSecretary: Helen Brough
Eustachian tube dysfunction: the role of immunity and allergy
Task Forces / Food Allergy
Food allergen thresholds
3
There has been growing interest from patients, healthcare professionals and the public about food allergy with fatalities hitting the headlines. Questions about the threshold of reactivity and food allergen labelling remain often unanswered and guidance is required to inform the recommendations given to food allergic patients and their families. This task force will review recently published studies about food allergen thresholds, specifically: how thresholds are determined, factors which can impact on food allergen threshold and biomarkers to predict threshold; and will elaborate a position paper on the basis of this evidence to support the clinical care provided to food allergic patients, namely allergen doses that should be given to diagnose and treat food allergies, recommendations about which foods need to be avoided and which foods can be safely eaten by food allergic patients and food allergen labelling.
Interest Group: Food Allergy
Chair: Paul Turner
Secretary: Alexandra Santos
Food allergen thresholds
Task Forces / Food Allergy
Food Allergy and Social Media
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Rationale: The use of Internet and, particularly, social media, has dramatically increased in recent years. Patients and healthcare providers are using social media as a source of information on Food Allergy. However, reliability of the available information is controversial.
Aims: To assess the quality of the information on Food Allergy available on the Twitter Social Media platform and its possible impact on the work of health care professionals and the management of patients with food allergy.
Methods: Retrospective, observational study of a of tweets published in 2019 with hashtags related to Food Allergy. Analysis wil combine an artificial intelligence-powered engine (Symplur Signals, Symplur LLC, California), with the manual review of a sample of tweets.
Interest Group: Food Allergy
Chair: Alberto Alvarez-Perea
Secretary: Alexandra Figueira Santos
Food Allergy and Social Media
Last updated 03 October 2019