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Activities and organisation
The Swiss Society for Allergology and Immunology (SSAI) is unique in that it brings together in one single organisation basic scientists and clinicians working in hospitals or in private practice. It is the specific aim of the SSAI to encourage close interactions between these different groups, which although sometimes challenging is often rewarding. The SSAI is also actively involved in different aspects of national health politics providing support and help in formulating regulations governing practical aspects of the work of physicians specialising in Allergy and Immunology. The society also organizes an annual congress, a research meeting for PhD students, continuous medical education courses as well as the specialist examination. In addition, the SSAI provides fellowships to encourage young colleagues to attend international meetings and present their research.
Our origins
A Swiss Society for Allergy was initially created in 1950 by a group of well-known physicians from different medical fields (internal medicine: Wilhelm Löffler, Werner Hadorn; microbiology: Arthur Grumbach; dermatology: Guido Miescher, Werner Jadassohn; and further representatives of pneumology and internal medicine) whose interest in allergy at that time was more a hobby than a profession. Already in its first year, the Society had over 150 members and organised the First International Congress of Allergology (1951, Zurich), at which the International Association for Allergology (later expanded to include Clinical Immunology: IAACI) was established.
During the 1950ies, allergy outpatient clinics were established at all Swiss University Hospitals, first in Zurich (Hans Storck, Brunello Wüthrich and Peter Grob), and then followed by Basel (Rudolf Schuppli, Ferdinand Wortmann), Bern (Alain de Weck), Lausanne (Philippe Frei) and Geneva (Jean-Pierre Girard). In the early 1960ies, immunology was increasingly emerging as a new medical and scientific discipline, breaking old ties with microbiology and seeking independent recognition. Consequently, a number of self-appointed “immunologists” from different scientific backgrounds including Henri Isliker (Biochemistry), Ernst Sorkin (Microbiology), Alfred Hässig (Blood transfusion) and Alain de Weck (Dermatology) wanted to create an independent immunological society, as has been the case in most other European countries. Instead, it was finally decided to combine the disciplines of Allergy and Immunology within a single society. The Swiss Society of Allergy had hitherto primarily been concerned with clinical aspects of allergology. The creation of the SSAI had now brought together basic scientists and clinicians from both fields and this structure has subsequently proved to be especially beneficial.
In the early 1970ies, the growing interest in the field of immunology lead to the creation of several new institutions dedicated to research and clinical practice. These included the Institute of Clinical Immunology at the University of Berne (Alain de Weck), as well as immunology Units and Divisions at other universities (Zurich: Jean Lindenmann, Rolf Zinkernagel, Peter Grob; Lausanne, Philippe Frei; Geneva: André Cruchaud, Jean-Michel Dayer). In addition, several immunological institutions independent of Universities emerged, most notably the Basel Institute of Immunology (Niels Jerne, Fritz Melchers), a Lausannebased Ludwig Institute (Jean-Charles Cerottini), the Swiss Institute for Experimental Cancer Research (Henri Isliker) and the Swiss Institute for Asthma and Allergy Research (Ernst Sorkin, Kurt Blaser). All these institutions, with the sad exception of the Basel Institute of Immunology, remain active and successful in research to the present time. They have, most recently been joined by the Institute for Research in Biomedicine (Antonio Lanzavecchia), which was established in the year 2000 in Bellinzona. The important contributions made by these institutions have led to international recognition of Switzerland’s important role in the field of Allergy and Immunology.
In 1970, Interlaken became the site where the International Union of Immunological Societies was established following the initiatives of primarily Bernard Cinader and John Humphrey. Subsequently, members of SSAI became actively involved in several international bodies dedicated to Allergy and Immunology. For example Alain de Weck had held successive presidencies at the IUIS and the IAACI and the 13th International Congress of Allergology and Clinical Immunology was held in Montreux in 1988 and in 1991 Brunello Wüthrich organized the annual meeting of the European Academy of Allergology and Clinical Immunology under the auspices of SSAI.
On a national level, the SSAI devoted itself during the 1970es and 1980es to the establishment of basic and clinical immunology teaching at all Swiss medical and science faculties and fought to have immunology recognized as an independent scientific discipline. Moreover, the SSAI was instrumental in achieving the recognition of allergy and clinical immunology as a medical specialty by the main Swiss medical organization (FMH) and federal public health authorities. Although initially a subspeciality of internal medicine, dermatology, pediatrics or otorhinolaryngology, allergy and clinical immunology does now hold the status of a fully independent medical specialty.
At a time where most institutes and hospital units in allergy and immunology have a tendency to multiply and operate independently from each other, the role of the SSAI as a common meeting ground seems ever more appropriate.
SSAI Conferences
The annual scientific meeting of the SSAI brings together clinical, translational and basic science in Allergy and Immunology and provides an important forum for practitioners. Because of the society's relatively small size (presently approximately 500 members), these meetings are combined with those of other Swiss societies linked to allergy and immunology, such as those representing the disciplines of dermatology, pneumology or infectious diseases. This approach has resulted in a number of stimulating annual meetings focused on topics that are of key interest to the participating societies. The invited speakers are chosen among international experts and, for example, in the most recent meeting in Basel (held in conjunction with the Swiss Society for Dermatology) have included D. Kioussis, UK; D. Jayne, UK; A. Strasser, Australia; M.J. Lenardo, USA; F. Dazzi, UK; P. Muraro, UK; P.A. Kolle, Germany; R. Happle, Germany; M. Pirmohamed, UK; H. Waldmann, UK; B. Rochat, France; D. Nemazee, USA; B. Stockinger, UK; M. Feldmann, UK, K. Smith, UK; H. Peter, Germany; D. Lipsker, France; C.Rooney, USA; P. Comoli, Italy or P. Friedl, Germany. Next year's meeting, which will be held together with the society for Pneumology (Fribourg, April 17-18, 2008), will focus on novel molecular mechanisms of innate and adaptive immunity, autoimmunity, parasite and tumour vaccines and clinical aspects of inflammatory lung diseases.
The SSAI also supports an annual, 2-day conference for medical specialists in Allergology and Clinical Immunology. Organized by Werner J Pichler in collaboration with one of the 5 Swiss universities and relying on considerable input by practicing allergologists and clinical immunologists, this meeting is exclusively open for SSAI members in clinical practice and in training. National and international speakers provide insights into and up-dates on particular areas relevant to allergologists and clinical immunologists. In 2007, the topics included immunodeficiency diseases, current concepts in the pathophysiology and treatment of asthma, the interplay between allergy and parasites, and the use of biologicals in autoimmune diseases. In addition workshops are offered to provide interactive training opportunities and a forum for discussions and exchange of expertise. This meeting has proven to be an extremely popular event in the postgraduate continuous education of clinicians, which is reflected by the fact that over 75 % off practicing allergologists and clinical immunologists in Switzerland usually participate.
Finally, SSAI also co-sponsors an annual meeting organized by Hans Hengartner, especially set up for immunology/allergy graduate students working in Swiss institutions. During it’s three days, the students have an opportunity to present their thesis topic and the results obtained to their peers and to a small number of experienced immunologists acting as supervisors. This meeting provides invaluable experience in preparing for presentations for international meetings.
Management
The steering committee of SSAI is composed of representatives of basic and clinical sciences and of practitioners. The two latter represent the speciality commission in charge of pre- and post-graduate programs, practical aspects of physicians in private practice, laboratory tests, medical regulations, and national professional politics. Due to her investment, Dominique Olgiati-Des Gouttes, was the first private practitioner who became president of the speciality commission during 2005-2006 and she was part of the committee of SSAI.
Dr. Dominique Olgiati-Des Gouttes, MD, graduated at the Medical Faculty of Geneva. She spent her residency with H. Isliker in Lausanne and with J. Mc.Kenzie at Mc.Gill University, Montreal. Then she worked as an assistant with P. Vassalli at Pathology in Geneva and as a post-doctoral fellow with E. Reich at the Department of Chemical Biology at Rockefeller University, New York. In 1990 she joined A. de Weck at the clinics of Allergy and Immunology in Bern. After obtaining her speciality diplomas in internal medicine and in allergy and immunology, she opened her own practice in 1993 in Delémont. Dominique Olgiati-Des Gouttes is president of the Swiss practitioners with speciality in Allergy and Immunology.
Managing Committee
As a rule, a new president of SSAI is elected every two years by the general assembly. However, to assure continuity over longer periods, the future president elected and the past president are also part of the committee. The actual members are:
Professor Andreas Bircher, MD, is head of the Allergy Unit at the Department of Dermatology of the University Hospital Basel. He is a clinical professor and vice-chairman of the Department of Dermatology. He obtained a Specialist title in Dermatology and Venerology in 1986 and in Allergology and Clinical Immunology in 1991. In 1996 he received the “venia docendi” of the University of Basel. Apart from clinical work and teaching medical students and undergraduates he is also involved in the continuing medical education of dermatologists and allergists. His main research interest lies in T-cell mediated reactions to metals and in clinical aspects of drug allergy. Since 1991 he has served as a member of the Specialist Commission of the Swiss Society of Allergology and Clinical Immunology, since 2003 he has been member of the Committee of the same society. Andreas Bircher is president elected of SSAI for the period of 2009-2011.
Professor Adriano Fontana, MD, is the director of the Clinics for Immunology of the University Hospital of Zurich. He is an expert in the diagnostic and treatment of patients with vasculitis, systemic lupus erythematosus and periodic fever syndromes. His work in neuroimmunology is amongst the most cited immunological literature. The first steps in experimental immunology he made under the supervision of Howard Weiner, Harvard Medical School Boston. Back in Zurich in the early 1980s, he collaborated with Hartmut Wekerle in Germany on antigen presentation in the nervous system. Together with Erhard Hofer in Novartis he became the first to purify and clone transforming growth factor beta 2 (TGF-ß2) when chasing an immunosuppressive molecule produced by brain tumours. In a novel mouse line, which has a TGFß receptor gene knockout in phagocytes, Ursula Malipiero in his group together with Uwe Koedel and Walter Pfister in the Klinikum Grosshadern in Munich has just recently been able to demonstrate negative influences of TGFß on the innate immune response. Adriano Fontana is the treasurer of SSAI.
Dr. Fabienne Gay-Crosier, MD, obtained a lab-technician diploma and graduated then at Geneva University in Internal Medicine and Allergology and Clinical Immunology. She was involved in research on complement activation and spent 10 years as a clinician in the Department of Internal Medicine and the Allergy and Clinical Immunology Unit of Geneva University Hospital. In 2000 she opened a private practice and was soon involved in different medical professional association: she is president of the Geneva Association of Asthma, Allergy and Clinical Immunology since 2002, president of the political professional committee and member of the committee of specialists of SSAI. Her challenge is to work out, together with her colleagues, the best conditions for Swiss practitioners to practice their medical art with the best quality possible for their patients. Fabienne Gay-Crosier is the representative of practitioners in the SSAI.
Professor Georg Holländer, MD, is a graduate of the Medical Faculty of Basel University and did his postgraduate training in clinical pediatrics in Basel Switzerland and at the Children's Hospital in Boston, USA and in experimental immunology at the Dana Farber Cancer Institute in Boston. After several years on the faculty of the Department of Pathology at Harvard Medical School, he returned back to the University of Basel where he holds a professorship in Molecular Medicine. His research interests are focused on the development and function of the thymus in health and disease. Georg Holländer is member at large of the steering committee of SSAI.
Professor Beat A. Imhof, PhD, is a graduate in Biochemistry of ETH-Zurich and he obtained his PhD in 1983 on monoclonal antibodies blocking cell adhesion with Walter Birchmeier at a Max-Planck-Laboratory in Tubingen, Germany. As an EMBO fellow he went to the embryology institute of Nicole Le Douarin in Nogent sur Marne, France where he worked with Jean-Paul Thiery on chemotactic colonization of the embryonic thymus by hemopoietic progenitors. In 1988 he joined the Basel Institute for Immunology and in 1996 the department of Pathology and Immunology at the Medical Faculty of Geneva where he became chair of the department in 1999. He substantially contributed to understand the role of novel adhesion molecules in transendothelial migration of leukocytes and the implication of these molecules in various inflammatory pathologies, immuno-deficiencies and tumour angiogenesis. Beat A. Imhof is the actual president of SSAI.
Professor Ulrich Müller, MD, graduated at the medical faculty of Bern, he did his residency in Bern at the department of neurology and at the medical division of Ziegler hospital with R. Hoigné. He was research fellow at the laboratory of immunology at Queen Mary's hospital, London, GB and at the allergy research laboratory at Buffalo general hospital, USA. Since 1981 he was head of the allergy research laboratory and medical division at Ziegler hospital Bern, since 1991 professor at medical faculty Bern and since 2000 head of medical department. His research made seminal contributions to insect venom allergy and he discovered novel methods of desensitization using isolated and recombinant venoms. Since 2007 he is retired and acts as a consultant for allergy at Ziegler hospital in Bern. Ulrich Müller is past president of SSAI.
Dr. Federica Sallusto, PhD, received her university degree as Doctor in Biology in 1988 from the University “La Sapienza”, Rome. She worked at the Department of Immunology, Italian National Institute of Health and at the Basel Institute for Immunology. Since 2000 she is group leader at the Institute for Research in Biomedicine, Bellinzona, Switzerland. Federica Sallusto has been working in the field of human dendritic cell and Tlymphocyte cell biology. She has described a method to generate immature dendritic cells from human monocytes, which is now widely used for therapeutic vaccination. She has studied human T helper cell differentiation focusing in particular on the relationship between migratory capacity and effector functions. This work led to the discovery that Th1 and Th2 cells express distinct sets of chemokine receptors and to the identification of central and effector subsets of memory T cells. In 1999 she received the Pharmacia Allergy Research Foundation Award. Federica Sallusto is member at large of the steering committee of SSAI.
Dr. Peter Schmid, MD, graduated at the Universities of Fribourg and Zurich in 1985. He did his residency at various hospitals and became a board certified specialist for allergology and clinical immunology and also dermatology at the university hospital of Zurich. He then spent two years performing experimental and clinical research on recombinant allergens at the Swiss Institute for Allergy and Asthma SIAF Davos. Since 2003 he has become associate professor and the acting head of the allergy unit of the university hospital of Zurich. His research focuses on microbial effects on atopic dermatitis, where he has observed interesting auto-reactivity phenomenon’s caused by skin colonizing fungal elements. Another focus is the improvement of immunotherapy of inhalant and insect sting allergies by using new techniques and modified allergens. Finally, having worked several years in Latin America and eastern Africa, he is involved in several studies investigating the epidemiology and prevalence of allergic diseases in tropical areas. Besides many other duties, Peter Schmid is president of the specialist board of SSAI and secretary of the dermatology section of the EAACI.
Dr. Stephan Regenass, MD, graduated at the Medical Faculty of Basel University and received his training as a postdoctoral fellow in vascular biology in the department of pathology, University of Washington in Seattle with Russel Ross. After returning to Switzerland, he achieved board certification as laboratory specialist in immunology and genetics and is heading the diagnostic laboratory of the Clinics for Immunology of the University Hospital of Zurich. Stephan Regenass is president of the laboratory board of SSAI, which engages in diagnostic laboratory topics including quality assurance, training of laboratory specialists and authoring diagnostic guidelines.
Professor François Spertini, MD, trained in Internal Medicine as well as in Allergology and Clinical Immunology in Lausanne, then in Experimental Immunology at the Department of Pathology of University Medical Center in Geneva and Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston. He joined the Division of Allergy and Immunology at CHUV, Lausanne in 1992 where he is currently Chief Physician and in charge of training of clinical Fellows in the specialty. His experimental interests are focused on immunologic mechanisms of tolerance in allergy and asthma in murine models and humans, as well as in the development of novel vaccine strategies in the field of malaria, tuberculosis and allergy. François Spertini is vice president of the specialist board of SSAI, he was president of the society from 2001-2003.
Dr. Myriam Wyss, MD, is an allergologist and dermatologist in private practice. After graduating at the Medical Faculty of Zurich University in 1985 she did her residency in clinical immunology, surgery, internal medicine, allergy and dermatology. She became a board certified specialist for dermatology, allergy and clinical immunology at the University Hospital of Zurich in 1994. Her main interests in allergy during her time as a resident and staff member were in specific immunotherap (dissertation on specific IgG4 antibodies during immunotherapy), contact allergies and allergy to latex (first description of a delayed type hypersensitivity to natural latex). In 1996 she opened her private practice. Her main interest, apart from allergy and clinical immunology, is hair disorders, aesthetic dermatology and laser medicine. Since 2003 she has been a member of the Specialist Committee of the Swiss Society of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. Myriam Wyss represents the specialists in Allergology in private practice.
Future goals
The society wishes to extend its role as a platform for communication between scientists and clinicians thereby helping to improve the quality of immunology and allergy at all levels. Moreover, it hopes to create a new foundation dedicated to fund research, provide fellowships to young scientists and physicians to go abroad and to support the education of physicians from disadvantaged countries.