Note from the President

I am honored to take the role of 2010-2011 President and to thank my predecessor, G. Walter Canonica, for his outstanding contribution to WAO during his Presidency. I look forward to continuing to work with Walter, as he assumes the role of Past-President, and my colleagues on the Executive Committee - Ruby Pawankar (President-Elect), Lanny Rosenwasser (Secretary-General) and Mario Sánchez-Borges (Treasurer), as well as the 2010-2011 Board of Directors.

During my presidency, I will work to promote research and education about Co-morbid Conditions of Asthma and other Allergic and Immunologic Diseases. I encourage a culture in which allergists/immunologists are first knowledgeable primary care physicians, internists, and pediatricians - and then specialists. Physicians so trained should be able to provide patients with more complete, cost-effective care for asthma and allergic and immunologic diseases. They should be able to diagnose and treat co-morbid conditions.

For example, today's allergists/immunologists should strive to achieve excellence in treating patients with obesity, rather than only referring them to other specialists. They should be able to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), osteopenia and osteoporosis; give patients the appropriate vaccinations to prevent exacerbations of asthma; and diagnose and appropriately treat other co-morbid conditions associated with asthma and other allergic and immunologic problems.

Allergists/immunologists should understand that osteopenia and osteoporosis are common problems associated with chronic lung diseases and know how to prescribe appropriate amounts of calcium and vitamin D and, as necessary, bisphosphonates and other osteoporosis medications. Likewise, appropriate GERD treatment is essential, not only for positive asthma outcomes, but also to prevent other esophageal diseases and improve quality of life.

When considering rhinitis, different co-morbid problems affect the upper airway including laryngopharyngeal reflux, vocal cord dysfunction, and often sleep apnea. It is essential that allergists/immunologists perform rhinoscopy to rule out these suspected problems. It is more diagnostic and cost-effective than a CAT scan, does not irradiate the patient, and enhances the diagnostic skills of our specialty.

Allergists/immunologists similarly should understand which vaccinations are necessary for patients with asthma, COPD and various immunodeficiency problems. For example, asthmatics, particularly those with serious asthma, should receive the pneumococcal vaccine. They all should receive flu vaccines. It seems reasonable that glucocorticosteroid-dependent asthmatics should receive the herpes zoster vaccine. One immunization for tetanus, diphtheria, and whooping cough should be given between ages 19 and 65.

To advance the thinking on and practice of comorbidities, the first WAO International Scientific Conference 2010 in Dubai is in development and is devoted to the subject of "Asthma and Co-morbid Conditions". A world class faculty will lead this initiative under the supervision of G. Walter Canonica, Executive Chair of the Scientific Program Executive Committee along with Co-Chairs Eric Bateman, Stephen Holgate, and Robert Lemanske. The conference is scheduled for December 6 - 8, 2010 in Dubai, UAE. You will find additional information on the WAO website at http://www.worldallergy.org/2010dubai/. See you in Dubai.

Sincerely yours,

Richard F. Lockey, M.D.
President, World Allergy Organization

Attention Member Society Presidents

2010 WAO Membership Renewal due: 15 April 2010
Please send your 2010 Membership Dues and Annual Activity Reports to Kate Kirchner at kkirchner@worldallergy.org no later than 15 April 2010. Contact Kate with any questions or concerns.

NEW! Drug Allergy CME Module

You now can obtain CME credit by completing the new on-line educational module on antibiotic allergy in pregnancy, authored by Prof. Mario Sánchez-Borges of the WAO Drug Allergy Special Committee.

The WAO Drug Allergy Online Learning Program and CME provides medical education for allergists practicing in countries throughout the world. It is the second in a series that addresses the knowledge objectives for allergists outlined in the World Allergy Organization Position Statement, "Requirements for Physician Competencies in Allergy: Key Clinical Competencies Appropriate for the Care of Patients with Allergic or Immunologic Diseases" (available here).

To access the program register at: http://www.worldallergy.org/modules/drugallergy

NEW! Conversations with Experts

Conversation with Maja Mockenhaupt, MD
Title: Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS) and Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN)
Conducted by Dr. Bob Lanier

Conversation with Bruce Bochner, MD
Title: Anti-cytokine Treatment in Allergic Disease
Conducted by Dr. Bob Lanier

Conversation with Sami Bahna, MD, DrPH
Title: Food Challenges Testing is Risky and Is Not Needed for Diagnosis
Conducted by Dr. Bob Lanier

Sublingual Immunotherapy: World Allergy Organization Position Paper 2009

A major WAO Position Paper on Sublingual Immunotherapy was published simultaneously in the World Allergy Organization Journal (November 2009) and in Allergy (December 2009). Contributed to and ratified by WAO's member societies, this major publication is an important summary of current knowledge on a topic of major interest to allergists worldwide. To access the Position Paper, click here

Sharing the News!
Latest Update from the Asia-Pacific Aeroallergen Working Group

The Asia Pacific Aeroallergen Working Group (APAWG) has just released the January 2010 issue of its highly informative newsletter. Composed twice a year by Editor, Dr. Syed M. Hasnain and Associate Editor, Prof. Constance Katelaris, the APAWG newsletter reports a variety of important regional and international aeroallergen events.

Click here to read the APAWG Newsletter of January 2010

World Allergy Congress 2009: A Great Success!

World Allergy Congress in Buenos Aires, 6-10 December 2009, provided an excellent scientific program with first class plenary sessions and free presentations. Full day symposia on Immunotherapy, Rhinosinusitis, and Food Allergy, and the first WAO Global Conference on Pediatric Asthma, provided major focus points. WAO Member Societies hosted Sister Society Symposia, showcasing national scientific research and clinical expertise. Postgraduate Workshops enabled delegates to interact with experts to explore questions relating to practical issues including Clinical Trial Management and the application of Evidence Based Medicine. More than 5,000 delegates registered for the Congress and almost 900 abstracts were received.

World Allergy Day 2009 celebrations focused on Childhood Asthma, and launched the Asthmatic Children's Charter. To read the Charter, visit http://www.worldallergy.org/wad/2009/ and then click on "Proclamation."

WAO is indebted to Congress Chairs, Carlos Baena-Cagnani and G. Walter Canonica, and the members of the Local Organizing Committee, for all their work in making this such a successful event.

WAO Allergy Quiz

Check Your Allergy Quotient.
The WAO Allergy Quiz is a new feature edited by Dr. Glenis Scadding posted on the home page.

Which of the following vaccines are contra-indicated in patients anaphylactic to egg?

1. Tetanus
2. Pertussis (whooping cough)
3. Measles mumps and rubella (MMR)
4. Yellow fever

Take the quiz.