Allergy and Immunology

Note: The information regarding this subspecialty will be revised and included in an upcoming edition of ACP's medical student newsletter, IMpact.

The Discipline

Allergy is derived from the Greek word allo, meaning "other or different" and ergon, meaning, "work." In this sense, allergy is something that "works differently" from normal. Immunity is derived from the Latin word immunitas, meaning "an exemption from taxes or public or military service." In the late 19th century, when knowledge of toxins and infection evolved, the meaning was extended to persons "except from" or protected against the onslaught of foreign substances and were said to be "immune."

Allergy and immunology involves the management of disorders related to hypersensitivity or altered reactivity caused by the release of immunologic mediators or by activation of inflammatory mechanisms.

Procedures

Important procedural skills include spirometry and spirometric response to irritant challenges and bronchodilators, rhinoscopy, drug desensitization protocols, immediate skin tests for IgE-related reactions, patch tests, and prick and intradermal skin tests.

Training

Allergy and Immunology fellowship training requires two years of accredited training beyond general internal medicine residency in an accredited Allergy and Immunology fellowship training program.

Dual certification can be obtained in the specialties of Rheumatology and Allergy and Immunology after a minimum of three years of training following the general internal medicine residency program. At least one year must be devoted to full- time clinical Rheumatology training in an accredited program. At least 18 months must be devoted to full-time allergy/immunology training in an accredited Allergy and Immunology fellowship-training program. Weekly attendance for 18 consecutive months in an ambulatory care program supervised by Rheumatology faculty must be included in the program.

Certification

The American Board of Allergy and Immunology offers certification in this specialty.

Training Positions

As of August 2001, there were 71 ACGME-accredited training programs in Allergy and Immunology. Forty-eight percent of the trainees were female, and 73% were US medical graduates.

Major Professional Societies

American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology
85 West Algonquin Road, Suite 550
Arlington Heights, IL 6005
http://allergy.mcg.edu

American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology
http://www.aaaai.org

Major Publications

Allergy

Allergy and Asthma Proceedings: The Official Journal of Regional and State Allergy Societies

Clinical and Experimental Allergy

Clinical and Experimental Immunology

Clinical Immunology

Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology

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