This session will cover the epidemiology of atopic dermatitis, adult atopic dermatitis, and systemic aspects of atopic dermatitis; the pathophysiology of atopic dermatitis; infectious complications of atopic dermatitis; the role of contact allergy in contact dermatitis; and new treatments in atopic dermatitis.

Supported by an independent educational grant from Sanofi Genzyme and Regeneron Pharmaceuticals

This session will explore new treatments that may be approved by the FDA for food allergy in the near future and examine the latest techniques in prevention of food allergy.

Supported by an independent educational grant from Aimmune Therapeutics

Registered spouses and guests are invited to start the day with a visit to the hospitality suite. It’s a perfect way to connect with friends and meet new ones.

Allergy and immunology specialists will receive the most up-to-date information regarding the immunologic basis and therapeutic targets of the newest treatment options for chronic hyperplastic sinusitis.

"The trouble with the future is that it usually arrives before we're ready for it." –Arnold H. Glasgow

This program will utilize a case-based interactive symposium format. The program will engage health care providers by linking discussion of the latest scientific data with its application in the clinical setting. An audience response system will be used to facilitate audience participation in decision-making related to presented cases. As faculty members move through their respective presentations, the audience will be asked to make decisions related to presented patient care. In addition to the case review and audience interactivity provided by the response system, the program will include a 30-minute question and answer session. 

Supported by an independent educational grant from Pharming NV

There remains extensive debate regarding the definition of mastocytosis and MCAS. This session will clarify the diagnostic criteria and outline treatment possibilities.

Each e-poster has been assigned a specific presentation time in which the author will present their research from a dedicated presentation monitor and answer questions. The e-posters will be on display in Halls C & D (2nd Floor) of the Hynes Convention Center and open during normal exhibit hours.

The full e-poster schedule is avaible by downloading this session's handouts.

This session will examine the evidence-based therapies used to treat childhood asthma and benefit versus risk equations.

There are new advances in understanding the pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis (AD). Physicians will learn about best management practices and therapeutic advances in severe cases of AD. Inflammatory pathways, diagnosis, standard therapies, and novel treatment methods with biological drugs and immunomodulators in severe AD will be covered.

This is one of the most common complaints in an allergist's office. The case will engage the audience in a real-time needs assessment. Evaluation will focus on cutting-edge diagnostics, including FeNO.

At this session, we plan to discuss practice management techniques that help improve patients' satisfaction, including improved patient communication with staff and physicians and monitoring patient feedback with satisfaction surveys. We will be also present techniques that help improve practice operations, including customer service training, office flow and HR hiring and management.

Allergists who compound immunotherapy extracts must comply with applicable current guidelines (such as USP 797) mandated by national legislation. This session walks participants step-by-step through applicable guidelines, office requirements, techniques and the media fill test and quiz to achieve compliance. 

Immunotherapy (IT) is highly effective in certain allergic ailments, but many patients have difficulty building up to the high, effective doses necessary to achieve relief; rush and cluster IT allow for accelerated forms of building up the dose.

Atopic dermatitis and contact dermatitis are allergic skin diseases often seen in the allergist's practice. There are office procedures that can be done for dermatologic allergic disorders, and patch testing is increasingly used in the allergist’s office. This workshop will cover clinical evaluation of disease severity in patients with atopic dermatitis, response to treatment for atopic dermatitis and use of wet wraps, bleach bath, KOH smear and Wood's lamp. We will also discuss the indication and interpretation of the standard patch testing. Cases will be presented to demonstrate and self-assess skill at the interpretation of patch tests. Hands-on patch testing will be demonstrated.

This will be an interactive, case-based session that will review the utility of SPT, IgE, component testing, OFCs and interpretation of results with consideration of cross-reactivities and co-sensitization. We will also discuss tailoring management to individual needs and desires, such as when general avoidance versus targeted avoidance would be beneficial.

The Town Hall Meeting, brought to you by the House of Delegates, will begin with an informal networking session, giving you the opportunity to discuss issues with colleagues, Delegates and the ACAAI leadership. The first part of the agenda will cover the business meeting, where votes will be cast for new HOD leaders. Then expert speakers will lead thought-provoking discussions on topics of interest to the practicing allergist.

Supported by DBV Technologies

Fellows-in-Training (FITs) are invited to attend the FIT Welcome Reception. It’s the perfect place to kick back and connect with FITs from other programs across the country after a day packed with learning.

Supported by Stallergenes Greer

Following the close of Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday’s scientific sessions, all registrants are invited to attend the special Corporate Forums at the Sheraton Boston Hotel. Corporate Forums are non-CME promotional symposia organized by industry and designed to enhance your educational experience.

This workshop will provide attendees with the ability to discuss the surgical anatomy of the upper airway, including the nasal cavity, pharynx and larynx; identify normal and abnormal anatomy, as well as disease presentations and post-operative changes found with endoscopic examination of the upper airway; and identify the indications for, and the use of, the fiber-optic rhinoscope in the allergist’s office.

Supported by Mylan

Registered spouses and guests are invited to start the day with a visit to the hospitality suite. It’s a perfect way to connect with friends and meet new ones.

Each e-poster has been assigned a specific presentation time in which the author will present their research from a dedicated presentation monitor and answer questions. The e-posters will be on display in Halls C & D (2nd Floor) of the Hynes Convention Center and open during normal exhibit hours.

The full e-poster schedule is avaible by downloading this session's handouts.

These are commercial presentations conducted by exhibiting companies in specially constructed theaters on the exhibit floor. This year we will have two Product Theaters located in Halls C & D (2nd Floor) of the Hynes Convention Center, where a limited number of 25-minute and 55-minute sessions will be presented each day during the refreshment and lunch breaks. Product theaters are non-CME forums organized by industry and designed to enhance your learning experience.

Data and guidelines supporting early allergen (specifically peanut) introduction are new. These recommendations evolve former practice that supported either delay in peanut introduction (AAP, 2000), and then equipoise/no benefit in delay in the timing (AAP, 2008 and AAAAI 2013). Because the guidelines are new, there are no practical recommendations as to how to implement the new policy nor how to integrate an anticipated influx of referrals of high-risk infants requiring in-office peanut introduction into the office-based practice.

Each e-poster has been assigned a specific presentation time in which the author will present their research from a dedicated presentation monitor and answer questions. The e-posters will be on display in Halls C & D (2nd Floor) of the Hynes Convention Center and open during normal exhibit hours.

The full e-poster schedule is avaible by downloading this session's handouts.

These are commercial presentations conducted by exhibiting companies in specially constructed theaters on the exhibit floor. This year we will have two Product Theaters located in Halls C & D (2nd Floor) of the Hynes Convention Center, where a limited number of 25-minute and 55-minute sessions will be presented each day during the refreshment and lunch breaks. Product theaters are non-CME forums organized by industry and designed to enhance your learning experience.

There is a proposed paradigm shift in the diagnosis and treatment of adults with chronic cough. This paradigm moves away from the "anatomic" approach to the concept of "cough reflex hypersensitivity," where the main causation is a hypersensitive cough reflex with triggers from anatomic, neurogenic, and inflammatory sources.

Each e-poster has been assigned a specific presentation time in which the author will present their research from a dedicated presentation monitor and answer questions. The e-posters will be on display in Halls C & D (2nd Floor) of the Hynes Convention Center and open during normal exhibit hours.

The full e-poster schedule is avaible by downloading this session's handouts.

Supported by Aimmune Therapeutics

These are commercial presentations conducted by exhibiting companies in specially constructed theaters on the exhibit floor. This year we will have two Product Theaters located in Halls C & D (2nd Floor) of the Hynes Convention Center, where a limited number of 25-minute and 55-minute sessions will be presented each day during the refreshment and lunch breaks. Product theaters are non-CME forums organized by industry and designed to enhance your learning experience.

The evaluation of airway inflammation can be accomplished in office-based practice. The question of its benefit will be debated.

This session will provide definitive steps for both the avoidance and resolution of personnel conflicts among GME colleagues and office staff in order to maximize the quality of the office environment and patient care.

Sleep-disordered breathing is very common in patients with allergies and asthma, and it must be considered and evaluated by allergists.

This presentation will include discussion of the causes of pruritis with and without a rash, systemic diseases that need to be considered, and the use of systemic agents, phototherapy, and "alternative" and "natural" medications for itch.

A problem-based learning (PBL) interactive case discussion will challenge the participants to discuss a case of a chronic rash, followed by an expert lecture, with photos of masqueraders of atopic dermatitis and the latest cutting-edge therapy.

This workshop will examine newer therapies and their appropriate use in treating severe asthma in adults and children. We will look at the endotypic and phenotypic characterization of severe asthma in children and adults and discuss appropriate therapy based on these classifications. Newer administration techniques, including intravenous treatment, will also be covered.

The interactivity of the PBL case during the first hour allows for everyone to pick up pearls from each other on non-adherence. Content experts will summarize their expert knowledge with regard to the case using references and reinforce the most current guidelines/practice parameters for use in shared decision-making.

Coding is complex and errors can lead to underpayments or, worse, penalties. The Advocacy Council of ACAAI team will review coding issues important to allergists.

Primary immunodeficiencies may present with more than frequent infections, thus presenting a diagnostic dilemma for clinicians. We will discuss cases of primary immunodeficiency with various presentations. In addition, patients frequently experience complications, such as autoimmunity. We will highlight some management strategies for some of these complications.

This session will review common non-IgE-mediated food allergen conditions with gastrointestinal manifestations, including food protein induced enterocolitis syndrome (FPIES) and eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE).

Test your knowledge, sharpen your wits and join in the fun at the dynamic, fast-paced FIT Bowl!

Participating teams from training programs around the country will compete to answer a variety of serious (and not so serious) questions posed by an expert panel. In 2016, 31 teams from the US and Mexico participated at this popular game show.

Supported by Teva Respiratory

International attendees are cordially invited to attend the Alliance International Reception hosted by the ACAAI Alliance.

The College invites all registrants to the ACAAI Awards Ceremony on Saturday at the Sheraton Boston Hotel. ACAAI will formally welcome our newly-approved Fellows and recognize the recipients of the 2017 Distinguished Fellow, International Distinguished Fellow, Distinguished Service, Clemens von Pirquet and Woman in Allergy, and Young Faculty Support awards. Finally, we’ll introduce this year’s recipient of the College’s prestigious Gold Headed Cane Award.

Supported by Mylan

All attendees are invited to the ACAAI President’s Welcome Reception, which will immediately follow the Awards Ceremony. It’s the perfect place to catch up with old friends, make new acquaintances and meet the ACAAI President, President-Elect and the Alliance President. Plan to join us for this fun-filled event.

Supported by Genentech, Inc. and Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation

Following the close of Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday’s scientific sessions, all registrants are invited to attend the special Corporate Forums at the Sheraton Boston Hotel. Corporate Forums are non-CME promotional symposia organized by industry and designed to enhance your educational experience.

This session will address best evidence as currently available to guide best practice. This session will also review available action plans and tools that can be utilized in the therapeutic plan for the patient.

Supported by an independent educational grant from Mylan

This workshop will provide attendees with the ability to describe the major anatomical structures of the nasal, pharyngeal and glottic areas as visualized during examination with the fiber-optic rhinolaryngoscope; describe variations of normal seen when participants examine one another in this hands-on session; and demonstrate the proper handling and initial skills needed to perform a comprehensive upper airway examination with a fiber-optic endoscope.

This session will review the definition of severe asthma, describe emerging biologics in the treatment algorithms surrounding severe asthma, and define the relevance of fungal infection in the lung and in severe asthma.

This session will discuss new concepts of causation of chronic cough and compare strategies for evaluation and treatment in children versus adults.

Oral and high-dose inhaled corticosteroids can increase the risk of fractures. Physicians who frequently prescribe these medications for the treatment of asthma should include the assessment of fracture risk in the comprehensive and personalized care of their patients. This assessment can guide patient-specific management decisions to reduce fracture risk.

This session will be an interactive discussion focusing on challenges of diagnosing and managing hypereosinophilic syndrome. Participants will become familiar with an algorithm for evaluation and the options for treatment. New anti-IL-5 therapies are approved for treatment of asthma; however, in clinical trials, these have also been successful for hypereosinphilic syndrome.

This session will help attendees identify triggers that would prompt a primary immunodeficiency workup. It will also cover best practices for conducting a basic immune workup and interpreting the findings.

This session will review and discuss evaluation and management of common skin conditions.

This workshop will review different mechanisms of reactions to hookah, marijuana and vaping, along with the influence of vaping on asthma. It should help sharpen participants' diagnostic skills for analyzing the reactions involved. Approaches to evaluation and management of clinical problems will be offered, including handouts and summary tables.

Many allergists are not knowledgeable about, and therefore uncomfortable addressing and discussing, CAM approaches with their inquiring patients. This session will review relevant literature, the effects and adverse effects of CAM, clinical vignettes, references and resources, and a new template for integrative history intake.

Following a PBL discussion of a case, an expert will discuss Practice Parameters on atopic dermatitis, including food testing, wet to dry wraps, potency of topical steroids and even anti-interleukin biologicals (which should be approved by then).

70% of patients search online for information pertaining to their health, but misinformation is prevalent. In order to prepare themselves for these conversations, allergists need to understand the breadth of misconceptions their patients encounter, as well as develop strategies for having productive discussions in the office setting.

Registered spouses and guests are invited to start the day with a visit to the hospitality suite. It’s a perfect way to connect with friends and meet new ones.

There are multiple biologics that have been approved for asthma. This session will explore the patient profiles that may predict a response to each agent.

Supported by an independent educational grant from GlaxoSmithKline

Each e-poster has been assigned a specific presentation time in which the author will present their research from a dedicated presentation monitor and answer questions. The e-posters will be on display in Halls C & D (2nd Floor) of the Hynes Convention Center and open during normal exhibit hours.

The full e-poster schedule is avaible by downloading this session's handouts.

These are commercial presentations conducted by exhibiting companies in specially constructed theaters on the exhibit floor. This year we will have two Product Theaters located in Halls C & D (2nd Floor) of the Hynes Convention Center, where a limited number of 25-minute and 55-minute sessions will be presented each day during the refreshment and lunch breaks. Product theaters are non-CME forums organized by industry and designed to enhance your learning experience.

For years, we have been promised that changes in the way health care was delivered would revolutionize the way we practice medicine. We will review past promises and analyze if the “good old days” were really so good. We will look at lessons from the past to temper our expectations for the future. We will analyze challenges that allergists will face in implementing changes in the health care system including Alternative Payment Models and Accountable Care Organizations. 

This session is designed to help allergists understand how the regulatory changes impact their practices and what they need to do to comply.

Each e-poster has been assigned a specific presentation time in which the author will present their research from a dedicated presentation monitor and answer questions. The e-posters will be on display in Halls C & D (2nd Floor) of the Hynes Convention Center and open during normal exhibit hours.

The full e-poster schedule is avaible by downloading this session's handouts.

Supported by Teva Respiratory

Active members of the Alliance are invited to attend the Annual Business Meeting and Brunch.

These are commercial presentations conducted by exhibiting companies in specially constructed theaters on the exhibit floor. This year we will have two Product Theaters located in Halls C & D (2nd Floor) of the Hynes Convention Center, where a limited number of 25-minute and 55-minute sessions will be presented each day during the refreshment and lunch breaks. Product theaters are non-CME forums organized by industry and designed to enhance your learning experience.

This session will review biological and behavioral factors that may influence the risk for severe reactions and the evolution of the risk factors for developing allergy. Participants will discuss which factors may be modifiable and how this may affect management decisions.

View the complete schedule of oral abstracts.

This new format will provide information regarding expected outcomes when alternative non-pharmacologic compounds are used and will explore the positive and negative effects of these supplements.

This session is designed to educate participants about issues that arise in managing patients with non-eosinophilic severe asthma and about different and newer therapeutic options. Issues regarding adherence are significant in all patients with asthma and particularly problematic in patients with severe asthma.

Supported by an independent educational grant from Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

The presentation will describe the appeal of on-demand visits and how practicing allergists can participate. In addition, the use of facilitated telemed visits will be described and demonstrated.

Allergists see numerous patients who have tobacco cessation needs. Learn what you can provide in your office.

Participants in this session will learn to perform a skin biopsy, including which materials are needed and the optimal place to perform the biopsy. They will also learn how to load patch test chambers, and where and how to apply them to a patient's back.

Immune deficiency and immune dysregulation may affect various organ systems; frequently, affected patients do not present with non-infectious manifestations. The clinician should be aware of these great masqueraders to recognize immunodeficiency states and treat them appropriately.

Cutaneous reactions are a common presentation of drug hypersensitivity reactions. This session will focus on key points in the recognition, evaluation and management of these reactions, using a case-based approach.

Environmental allergens are a significant driver of airway disease. Environmental pollutants modify the response to allergens and vice versa, leading to increased airway morbidity. Environmental factors also modify levels of allergens to which individuals are exposed. This session will describe the allergen/pollutant interactions in both indoor and outdoor settings, with attention to practical and policy measures which may mitigate environmentally-driven allergic disease.

This leadership workshop is designed to help physicians get ready to be leaders in their medical practice. Attendees will learn true leadership through role-playing, self-assessment tests and other leadership training scenarios. They will explore leadership roles as a manager, communicator, mentor and team member and develop individual leadership style for maximum impact. Attendees will learn practical techniques to shape their leadership messages to achieve results.

The following criteria must be met to qualify for participation in this workshop: 

1. Have taken the Introductory Rhinolaryngoscopy Course at a prior meeting or have received similar training.
2. Have a basic working knowledge of the nasal and laryngeal anatomy.
3. Are familiar with the use of and have performed examinations with a flexible fiber-optic rhinoscope.
4. Be willing to be examined by course participants.

We will offer an up-to-date review of the latest developments regarding implementation of health care reform, as well as review strategies for the new quality reporting programs so that you can thrive, and not just survive, in 2018.

Through the presentation of selected cases of chronic urticaria, participants will understand the appropriate evaluation of patients, the stepwise approach to the management and the utility of biologics. Active participation will be encouraged.

This workshop will review the areas of pediatric asthma and allergic diseases, focusing on recent hot topics.

Following the close of Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday’s scientific sessions, all registrants are invited to attend the special Corporate Forums at the Sheraton Boston Hotel. Corporate Forums are non-CME promotional symposia organized by industry and designed to enhance your educational experience.

Don’t miss this year’s fundraising event featuring Landau Eugene Murphy Jr., 2011 winner of “America’s Got Talent.” Tickets are available at $250 each (includes reception and dinner) or $55 for the performance only. The program will also feature a live auction where some fantastic items will be auctioned off to the highest bidders, with the proceeds going to the ACAAI Foundation. Tickets are required to attend the event.

• 6:45 pm – Reception
• 7:45 pm – Dinner
• 9:00 pm – Doors open for “show only” ticket holders
• 9:15 pm – Auction
• 9:40 pm – Landau Eugene Murphy Jr. performance

Preschool children with episodic wheezing and asthma experience significant morbidity, mainly due to acute exacerbations. This seminar will review the results of recent clinical trials that investigated phenotype-based approaches for preschool asthma management. We will conclude with a suggested phenotype-based approach for the management of preschool episodic wheezing and asthma.

This session will discuss the incidence of primary immunodeficiency in patients with frequent COPD exacerbations, in particular antibody deficiency disorders. The role and indications for an immune evaluation in patients with COPD exacerbations will be discussed. The role of prophylactic antibiotics and immunoglobulin replacement therapy will be examined. Practical aspects of treating patients with COPD in an allergy medical practice will also be reviewed.

Although antibody deficiencies are the most common primary immunodeficiency, there is a wide variety of additional defects that may present in a similar fashion. We will discuss the evaluation of patients with suspected immune deficiency in whom the serum immunoglobulins are normal.

This session will focus on the common contact allergens that are encountered by medical devices and prostheses.

Rush and cluster immunotherapy buildup schedules are a treatment option to help patients achieve maintenance dosage sooner than traditional buildup schedules. This course will discuss the logistics of implementing rush/cluster immunotherapy schedules into your clinical practice.

We will review optimal strategies to evaluate patients presenting with drug allergies, including antibiotics and ASA/NSAIDs. This will include the role of skin testing using non-irritating skin test concentrations, drug challenges and desensitization. Current guidelines for management of drug allergy patients will be discussed.

This interactive session will focus on the diagnosis and management of eosinophilic gastrointestinal diseases and the importance of interdisciplinary care of patients between gastroenterologists and dieticians.

Learn the tools to develop a clinical center of excellence embedded in a practice, such as assessment and treatment protocols and internal and external marketing, including social media. Cough centers are the model, and we will present the concept of cough hypersensitivity in the diagnosis and treatment of chronic cough.

This session will cover the diagnosis and treatment of a variety of mast cell-related diseases, including cutaneous mastocytosis, systemic mastocytosis and mast cell activation syndrome.

In this session, we will discuss various eosinophilic diseases, from eosinophilic asthma and eosinophilic pneumonia to Churg Strauss syndrome and hypereosinophilic syndrome.

This session will examine the evidence for treatment of obstructive lung disease.

Registered spouses and guests are invited to start the day with a visit to the hospitality suite. It’s a perfect way to connect with friends and meet new ones.

Allergists are seeing patients from a variety of age groups who present with chronic pruritic dermatitis. Often the diagnosis is not eczema. It is important to become familiar with these masqueraders, their pathophysiology and treatment options.

This workshop will cover the differences in therapeutic extracts and prescribing practices.

This session will identify the particular allergic conditions and describe the specific challenges in elderly care, and enable the audience to prescribe more clinically-effective treatment options for this population.  This activity will also discuss practical and everyday tips for delivering health care to this growing and important segment of the population.  

This workshop will cover the methods of food challenge tests and the advantages and limitations of each, along with discussion of the preparation, administration and implementation of the oral food challenge results and specific issues in infants and adults.

This session will compare differences in the diagnosis and treatment of COPD versus asthma and examine the many comorbid conditions associated with COPD.

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common chronic relapsing inflammatory skin disease that affects children, and adults. Current therapies used to achieve disease control include moisturization and/or topical corticosteroids and topical calcineurin inhibitors. Patients with moderate-to-severe AD often receive little benefit from these treatments. The only FDA-approved systemic treatment option for these patients is systemic steroids, due to its anti-inflammatory indication. Second line therapy, not approved by the FDA for AD yet, used by physicians for moderate to severe AD includes a host of immunosuppressants, which are not indicated for AD and may have serious adverse effects; or patients go untreated. New research on the immune pathogenesis of AD has paved the way for new, targeted, systemic therapies for AD. There is a need in the field to help clinicians understand how these new therapies might fit into the current treatment paradigm, as well as to provide them with practical recommendations for assessing AD severity, treatment response, and treatment failure.

This session will address the best evidence currently available to guide best practice and review unusual presentations, as well as cases of anaphylaxis that may prove more difficult to treat (e.g., concomitant beta-blocker use, pregnancy, etc.).

The allergist will be updated on current guideline approaches and therapies for angioedema. The evaluation and treatment of angioedema is changing. New treatments are available and allergists need to stay current in this area. Allergists need to be able to diagnose, evaluate and develop a treatment plan for patients with various types of angioedema.

This workshop will review the most recent practice parameters, update the parameters with recently published material, cover the diagnosis and treatment of insect sting allergy and emphasize any new information available.

View the complete schedule of oral abstracts.

Many primary immunodeficiencies present with signs and symptoms of immune dysregulation. We will highlight national data on non-infectious complications of PID and discuss the evaluation of patients. We will also present current information on the use of biologicals to treat specific immune deficiencies, as well as advances in this area.