Allergic, immune-mediated and autoimmune skin diseases

Allergies, atopic dermatitis, immunotherapy and a systematic approach to autoimmune diseases.

This course is devoted to the diagnosis and treatment of allergic, immune-mediated and autoimmune skin diseases. The first part examines skin allergies, especially atopic dermatitis. The understanding and management of atopic dermatitis have changed profoundly in recent years. New therapeutic tools are discussed in detail within a medical approach that aims to be more individualised. The second part examines autoimmune skin diseases. The immune mechanisms and pathogenesis of each disease are studied, followed by diagnostic criteria and treatment.

Programme by day

Day 1

  • Self-assessment: Quiz on skin biology and immunology (10:00–10:30)
  • Lecture: Hypersensitivity reactions (10:30–11:00)
  • Lecture: Flea allergy (11:00–11:30)
  • Break: Coffee break (11:30–11:45)
  • Lecture: Food allergy (11:45–12:30)
  • Lecture: Canine atopic dermatitis — epidemiology, pathogenesis and clinical signs (12:30–13:15)
  • Lecture: Diagnostic approach to a dog with itching (13:15–14:00)
  • Lunch: Lunch (14:00–15:00)
  • Lecture: The role of the skin microbiome and skin dysbiosis (15:00–15:45)
  • Lecture: Management of otitis externa in allergic patients (15:45–16:30)
  • Break: Coffee break (16:30–16:45)
  • Clinical case: Clinical cases, summary (16:45–17:30)

Day 2

  • Lecture: Intradermal and serological allergy tests in dogs (10:00–10:45)
  • Lecture: Allergen-specific immunotherapy in dogs (10:45–11:30)
  • Break: Coffee break (11:30–11:45)
  • Lecture: Systemic therapy of canine atopic dermatitis (11:45–12:30)
  • Lecture: Topical therapy of canine atopic dermatitis (12:30–13:15)
  • Lecture: Allergies in cats. Epidemiology, clinical signs, diagnostic approach (13:15–14:00)
  • Lunch: Lunch (14:00–15:00)
  • Lecture: Feline atopic skin syndrome. Treatment (15:00–15:45)
  • Lecture: Other types of hypersensitivity (15:45–16:30)
  • Break: Coffee break (16:30–16:45)
  • Clinical case: Clinical cases, summary (16:45–17:30)

Day 3

  • Lecture: Autoimmune diseases in dogs and cats: Introduction (10:00–10:45)
  • Lecture: General principles of immunosuppression (10:45–11:30)
  • Break: Coffee break (11:30–11:45)
  • Lecture: Autoimmune diseases of the epidermis: the pemphigus complex (11:45–12:30)
  • Lecture: Sterile pustular dermatoses, erythema multiforme / Stevens-Johnson syndrome / toxic epidermal necrolysis (12:30–13:15)
  • Lecture: Lupus diseases (13:15–14:00)
  • Lunch: Lunch (14:00–15:00)
  • Lecture: Symmetrical lupoid onychomadesis (15:00–15:45)
  • Lecture: Immune-mediated diseases of melanocytes (15:45–16:30)
  • Break: Coffee break (16:30–16:45)
  • Clinical case: Clinical cases, summary (16:45–17:30)

Day 4

  • Lecture: Structure of the basement membrane zone (10:00–10:45)
  • Lecture: Autoimmune diseases of the basement membrane zone (10:45–11:30)
  • Break: Coffee break (11:30–11:45)
  • Lecture: Vasculitis / ischaemic dermatopathies (11:45–13:15)
  • Lecture: Immune-mediated diseases of the skin appendages (13:15–14:00)
  • Lunch: Lunch (14:00–15:00)
  • Clinical case: Clinical cases. Quiz (15:00–16:30)
  • Break: Coffee break (16:30–16:45)
  • Clinical case: Students’ clinical cases, summary (16:45–17:30)

Day 5

  • Lecture: Immune-mediated diseases of the dermis (10:00–11:30)
  • Break: Coffee break (11:30–11:45)
  • Lecture: Immunosuppressive therapy (11:45–14:00)
  • Lunch: Lunch (14:00–15:00)
  • Clinical case: Clinical cases (15:00–16:30)
  • Break: Coffee break (16:30–16:45)
  • Self-assessment: Summary, quiz, self-assessment (16:45–17:30)