Seminar on Urticaria and Anaphylaxis
A one day seminar for clinicians who treat patients with Urticaria and/or Anaphylaxis
Thursday 26th February, 2009 • Governors Hall, St Thomas’ Hospital, London

Rationale:
a) Anaphylaxis: Anaphylaxis is generally defined as an acute life-threatening allergic reaction that is usually - but not exclusively - mediated by IgE-antibodies. Anaphylactoid reactions are immediate systemic reactions that mimic anaphylaxis but for which an IgE-mediated immune mechanism cannot be established. The seminar aims to cover atypical or unusual anaphylactic presentations, and in particular Food-Dependent Exercise-Induced Anaphylaxis (FDEIA), Exercise-Induced Anaphylaxis and Idiopathic Anaphylaxis. The seminar will also include sessions on rare conditions which need to be excluded from the differential diagnosis of 'atypical' anaphylaxis and angioedema presentations; these include, Mastocytosis and Familial Heredity Angioedema.
b) Urticaria: Acute urticaria is a common disorder for which a cause is frequently apparent. A cause is less frequently established for intermittent and chronic urticaria (CU). Patients with CU have a significantly impaired quality of life. Despite recent advances in the field of CU, the investigation and management thereof remains a clinical challenge. Functionally active autoantibodies - to the high affinity IgE receptor (FcepsilonRI) or the IgE-antibody itself - are believed to play a role in the pathogenesis of a significant majority of adults and children with CU. CU is frequently over investigated. When investigations are performed, they are frequently inappropriately selected. Patients with CU are often inadequately treated. The seminar therefore aims to address the diagnostic and management challenges associated with the management of CU. A practical session will also be held to demonstrate Autologous Serum Skin Testing as well as the techniques required for the determination of physical urticarial triggers such as temperature and pressure.

Audience: The seminar is designed for clinicians who frequently manage patients presenting with one or both of the above disorders. The seminar will be presented at a specialist level and will focus on the diagnosis, investigation and management of urticarial disorders and anaphylaxis variants. The seminar is therefore suitable for specialist doctors and nurses in the fields of Allergy & Immunology, Paediatrics, Internal Physicians, Dermatologists, as well as Speciality Registrars.

The primary aim of the seminar is to provide:
• An introduction to the structure and function of mast cells and basophil's
• An understanding of the spectrum of urticaria and/or angioedema presentations
• An understanding of the clinical presentation of urticaria (acute and chronic) and anaphylaxis variants
• Evidence-based strategies for the diagnosis & treatment of CU and select anaphylaxis variants
• a foundation for collaborative research or service development in this field

CPD Accreditation will be requested from the Royal College of Physicians

If you have any questions about the course then please contact the Course secretariat
on allergy@confab-consulting.co.uk. or Tel: + 44 (0) 208 906 7778

Conveners: Dr George Du Toit and Dr Clive Grattan.