National Jewish Faculty Present Latest Research at AAAAI Meeting

Natinal Jewish Medical and Research Center faculty are sharing their latest research finding with more than 7,000 of their peers at the American Academy of Allergy Asthma Immunology's 57th annual meeting in New Orleans, March 16-21. The conference is the world's largest allergy/asthma/immunology medical meeting. Below are some short descriptions of several presentations by National Jewish researchers as well as news of an honor for Senior Faculty Member Harold Nelson.

Hepa Filters and Air Purifiers Remove Allergens and Irritants from Homes

Although many people use HEPA-filter vacuums and air purifiers to remove allergens and irritants from their homes, no previous scientific research has verified that they work. In a collaborative effort, Dr. Shelly Miller at the University of Colorado and Nathan Rabinovitch, MD, found that the use of HEPA-filter vacuums and air purifiers in homes reduced by almost half the concentration of particles less than 10 microns in diameter. In epidemiological studies, high levels of such particles have been associated with increased symptoms of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. For background on the study, see a previous press release.

Getting Children To Take Their Medicine

Asthma morbidity and mortality has continued to rise among inner city populations, especially among children from low socioeconomic households. One of the contributing problems is that children frequently fail to take their medications. Nathan Rabinovitch, MD, reports that a school-based program offering asthmatic children positive reinforcement and points toward prizes, such as books, puzzles and gift certificates, significantly improved their adherence to prescribed medication schedules. Dr. Rabinovitch will participate in a press conference on new findings in asthma treatments beginning at 10 a.m. Monday, March 19 at the AAAAI meeting.

Growing Support for the "Hygiene Hypothesis"

Andy Liu, MD, continues to build support for the theory that early exposure to the remains of dead bacteria, known as endotoxin, in house dust can help prevent a child from developing asthma later in life. Dr. Liu reports that endotoxin in house dust does induce the release of the cytokine IL-12, which steers the immune system away from the development of asthma. In another report Dr. Liu and his colleagues document various factors that increase and decrease endotoxin levels in metropolitan homes. Dr. Liu is also moderating a panel discussion examining the evidence in support of the hygiene hypothesis. For more information on Dr. Liu's work, see findings published in The Lancet and findings published in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

Steroid-Free Treatment for Children with Atopic Dermatitis

Atopicdermatitis (AD), commonly known as eczema, is the most common chronic skin disease among young children. Although topical steroids are frequently prescribed for AD, they are not always effective, and are sometimes associated with adverse effects. Mark Boguniewicz, MD, reports that ASM 981, an inhibitor of pro-inflammatory cytokines developed by Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation, was safe, well-tolerated, and significantly more effective than a placebo in two multi-centered, randomized, double-blind studies of children ages 18 months to 17 years with mild to moderate AD.

Harold S. Nelson Honored with Named Lectureship

Harold S. Nelson, MD, a senior faculty member at National Jewish and one of the world's leading authorities on asthma and allergies, is being honored with the establishment of the Harold S. Nelson lectureship. Close to 150 of the postdoctoral fellows trained by Dr. Nelson during the past 30 years contributed more than $30,000 to fund the lecture to be delivered each year during the AAAAI meeting. Dr. Jean Bousquet, MD, of Montpellier, France, is delivering the first Harold S. Nelson lecture, "Allergen Immunotherapy in the 21st Century." Several of Dr. Nelson's colleagues and former fellows will honor him with speeches and a certificate during the National Jewish/Fitzsimons Fellowship Reunion Sunday, March 18.