From the EAACI Bylaws

In order to allow EAACI to influence and keep updated information on matters related to allergy and clinical immunology, it has been decided to create “Interest Groups”. An Interest Group represents an area of general interest within allergology that is not well covered by any one of the EAACI Sections.

The Infections & Allergy IG in now officially sanctioned and fully active. The Interest Group on Infection & Allergy aims at raising the interest of clinicians and scientists in the interrelation between infection and allergy. An association between the two dates back to the beginnings of allergy, immunology and microbiology. Investigations which focused on the pathogenesis of bacterial infections led to the discovery of the human immune system and the concept of allergy.

Currently covered topics include: infections (viral, parasitic, fungal,
superantigen-related) as an aggravating factor of pre-existing allergic disease or an inducer of allergy de novo; infections as a protective modifier of allergy development (hygiene hypothesis); allergy to vaccines; vaccinations as possible modifiers of allergy development; the use of antivirals, antibiotics, antifungals, pre-and pro-biotics for the prevention and/or treatment of allergic disorders.

Board 2009-2011

Chairperson
Philippe Gevaert
Belgium
Philippe.Gevaert@UGent.be

Secretary
Jürgen Schwarze
United Kingdom
jurgen.schwarze@ed.ac.uk

Members at large

Christoph Grüber
Christoph.Grueber@klinikumffo.de

JMA Affiliate
George Konstantinou
gnkonstantinou@mail.com

Webmaster
Chrysanthi Skevaki
cskevaki@allergy.gr