Working Groups

The EAACI Working Groups are established as part of the Interest Groups or Sections. Each chair of the Working Group sits automatically as an additional board member in their respective Interest Group or Section board. The EAACI Working Groups represent relevant and growing scientific areas for the academy and have a clear link or common interest to their Interest Group or Sections.

Infections

Board 2024-2026

Joana Vitte
WG Chair
Giuseppe Murdaca
WG Secretary
Juan López-Rodríguez
Board Member
Esra Yucel
Board Member
George Kamkamidze
Board Member

The Aim of the working group: Bridging the Gap Between Infections and Allergic Diseases

The primary goal of the WG on Infections is to identify the knowledge gaps and provide updated information on the complex interplay between infections and allergic diseases. By exploring the molecular mechanisms and immune responses triggered by pathogens, we aim to pave the way for innovative diagnostic tools, preventative strategies, and more personalized management of infections and the allergic diseases.

Task Forces

Within this dynamic group, several task forces have emerged, each with a unique mission:

1. Task Force on Conscious and Rational use of Antibiotics in Allergic Diseases: This task force is dedicated to promoting prudent antibiotic usage in the context of allergic diseases(tackling its overuse in allergic diseases but also the association with development of allergic diseases), with the ultimate aim of minimizing antibiotic resistance while optimizing healthoutcomes.

2. Task Force on Allergic Bronchopulmonary Aspergillosis: Focused on unraveling the complexity of immune responses to Aspergillus species, this task force seeks to improve the diagnosis, management, and treatment of this challenging condition.

3. Task Force on Vaccinations in rheumatic diseases and PID: This task force focus on best vaccination strategies in patients with secondary and primary immunodeficiencies.

Collaborative Synergy

The members of the WG on Infections actively collaborate with other working groups within the EAACI as well as the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (AAAAI), supporting interdisciplinary research. We share insights within many other task forces within EAACI.

Integral to EAACI Structures

This WG plays an integral role within the EAACI, actively participating in committees such as the Research and Outreach Committee and the Exam Committee. The WG’s active participation in the preparing, presenting and chairing of annual EAACI events (congress, winter school) ensures that the event showcases the latest breakthroughs in allergy researchand infections, providing a platform for global experts to exchange ideas and advance the field.

Recommended reads

1. Tramper-Stranders G, Ambrożej D, Arcolaci A, Atanaskovic-Markovic M, Boccabella C, Bonini M, Karavelia A, Mingomataj E, O’ Mahony L, Sokolowska M, Untersmayr E, Feleszko W; EAACI Task Force on Conscious and Rational use of Antibiotics in Allergic Diseases. Dangerous liaisons: Bacteria, antimicrobial therapies, and allergic diseases. Allergy. 2021 Nov;76(11):3276-3291. doi: 10.1111/all.15046. Epub 2021 Aug 27. PMID: 34390006.

2. Feleszko W, Okarska-Napierała M, Buddingh EP, Bloomfield M, Sediva A, Bautista-Rodriguez C, Brough HA, Eigenmann PA, Eiwegger T, Eljaszewicz A, Eyerich S, Gomez-Casado C, Fraisse A, JandaJ, Jiménez-Saiz R, Kallinich T, Krohn IK, Mortz CG, Riggioni C, Sastre J, Sokolowska M, StrzelczykZ, Untersmayr E, Tramper-Stranders G; Immunology Section and Working Group Infections of the EAACI. Pathogenesis, immunology, and immune-targeted management of the multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) or pediatric inflammatory multisystem syndrome (PIMS): EAACI Position Paper. Pediatr Allergy Immunol. 2023 Jan;34(1):e13900. doi: 10.1111/pai.13900. PMID: 36705045.

3. Cabanillas B, Murdaca G, Guemari A, Torres MJ, Azkur AK, Aksoy E, Vitte J, de Las Vecillas L, Giovannini M, Fernández-Santamaria R, Castagnoli R, Orsi A, Amato R, Giberti I, Català A, AmbrozejD, Schaub B, Tramper-Stranders GA, Novak N, Nadeau KC, Agache I, Akdis M, Akdis CA. A compilation answering 50 questions on monkeypox virus and the current monkeypox outbreak. Allergy. 2023 Mar;78(3):639-662. doi: 10.1111/all.15633. Epub 2023 Jan 11. PMID: 36587287.

4. Caminati M, Feleszko W, Michel M, Annesi-Maesano I, Vitte J; EAACI Task Force Diagnosis, Management of ABPA. Aspergillus fumigatus and personalized medicine: Toward a clinically reliable algorithm. Allergy. 2022 Nov;77(11):3476-3477. doi: 10.1111/all.15299. PMID: 36305471.

5. Vitte J, Michel M, Malinovschi A, Caminati M, Odebode A, Annesi-Maesano I, Caimmi DP, CassagneC, Demoly P, Heffler E, Menu E, Nwaru BI, Sereme Y, Ranque S, Raulf M, Feleszko W, Janson C, Galán C; EAACI Task Force on Allergic Bronchopulmonary Aspergillosis. Fungal exposome, human health, and unmet needs: A 2022 update with special focus on allergy. Allergy. 2022 Nov;77(11):3199-3216. doi: 10.1111/all.15483. Epub 2022 Sep 1. PMID: 35976185.

6. Xing Y, Wang MH, Leung TF, Wong CK, Roponen M, Schaub B, Li J, Wong GWK. Poultry exposure and environmental protection against asthma in rural children. Allergy. 2022 Oct;77(10):2949-2960. doi: 10.1111/all.15365. Epub 2022 May 18. PMID: 35531632.

7. Wahn U, Lau S, Eigenmann P, Melen E, Krauss-Etschmann S, Lex C, Matricardi P, Schaub B, Halken S, Ege M, Jackson D, Hamelmann E, Szépfalusi Z, Garcia AN, von Mutius E. Early priming of asthma and respiratory allergies: Future aspects of prevention: A statement by the European Forum for Education and Research in Allergy and Airway Disease (EUFOREA) and the EAACI-Clemens von Pirquet Foundation. Pediatr Allergy Immunol. 2022 Apr;33(4):e13773. doi: 10.1111/pai.13773. PMID: 35470937

Linking infections and immune responses
Hermelijn Smits

Sections

The academy has established the EAACI Sections on Basic & Clinical Immunology, Asthma, Pediatric, Dermatology and ENT. The sections are represented in the Executive Committee by their chairs and have the opportunity to propose task forces as well as joint sessions with appropriate specialised societies. Every 2 years, new board members, chair and secretary and ExCom members are elected.

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Interest Groups

The EAACI Interest Groups represent an area of more specific interest within allergology. Additionally, Interest Groups provide a focus for scientists and clinicians interested in particular aspects of allergic diseases. The Interest Group forms a focus for discussion at EAACI scientific meetings, provides input to the scientific programme, and can make proposals for the task forces. Every 2 years, new board members, chair and secretary and ExCom members will be elected.

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Task Forces

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.
Task Forces can be found on the Knowledge Hub.

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