Bernadette Eberlein | |
---|---|
Born | 1964 |
Nationality | German |
Occupation(s) | Dermatologist, allergologist, academic, and researcher |
Academic background | |
Alma mater | Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich |
Academic work | |
Institutions | Technical University of Munich (TUM) |
Bernadette Eberlein is a dermatologist,allergologist,academic,and researcher. [1] [2] She is the Senior Physician of the private outpatient clinic,the Photodermatology unit,the unit for Soft X-Ray Therapy at Technical University of Munich. [3]
Eberlein has authored over 100 publications in medical journals. She led research aimed at cellular in vitro diagnostics,photodermatology,skin-physiological investigations,and several environmental health disorders. [4] [5]
Eberlein studied at Ludwig-Maximilians-University in Munich with a study scholarship of the Bavarian scholarship programme for gifted students,and completed her Study of medicine in 1989,and her Doctorate at the Department of Dermatology of the university in 1990. Her dissertation was titled "Influence of ultraviolet radiation on the in vitro histamine release of peripheral mononuclear leukocytes." [3]
Eberlein started her post-doctoral training in the Institute for Clinical and Molecular Virology at Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg in 1990,and then worked as a Doctor in Internship and Assistant Doctor in the Department of Dermatology of the Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich from 1992 to 1996. Later she was an assistant doctor at the Department of Dermatology and Allergy Biederstein,Technical University Munich from 1996 to 2003 and completed her habilitation on "Parameters of UVB radiation sensitivity in humans:in vitro and in vivo models for testing photosensitizing and photoprotective substances" at the Department of Dermatology and Allergy Biederstein in 2000. She held appointment as a Senior Physician in the photodermatological unit,the unit for soft X-ray therapy as well as in the outpatient and inpatient area in 2004,and as a professor at the Department of Dermatology and Allergy in Biederstein in 2007. [3]
Eberlein was chair (2019-2021),secretary (2017-2019) and board member (2015-2017) of the Interest Group of Allergy Diagnosis &Systems Medicine (IGAD) at European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. She was lead organizer of the EUROBAT meetings in the years 2010,2014,2016,2018,2020,2022. [6]
Eberlein's research is primarily focused on cellular in vitro diagnostics,photodermatology,earlier in skin-physiological investigations,and environmental health disorders. [4]
Eberlein focused in her studies on the use of basophil activation tests for questions on insect venom allergy,in particular to identify the clinically relevant insect in unclear cases. [7] [8] In addition,food allergy and in particular the alpha-gal syndrome was the subject of her investigations with the basophil activation test,which gave indications of the clinical relevance and served for the risk assessment of alpha-gal-containing drugs including vaccines. [9] [10] In her paper published in 2022,she provided a detailed analysis of the performance of cellular tests (basophil activation or basophil histamine release test) with different vaccines,PEGs of different molecular weights,as well as other PEGylated drugs,and highlighted the results in the context of COVID-19 vaccination of various working groups worldwide. [11]
She demonstrated in a review the application of BAT as a complementary to skin tests and sIgE and has regarded basophil activation test (BAT) as a powerful tool and sensitive marker that can be used to detect clinically relevant allergies,provide information on the severity of an allergic reaction,and monitor therapies. [12]
In her research regarding photosensitivity,Eberlein focused on the influence of photosensitizing substances and photoprotective substances such as antioxidants (vitamins C and E). [13] Photosensitising properties of antimicrobials,food additives,fragrances,hypolipidemics,neuroleptic drugs,non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs,proton pump inhibitors,statins etc. were characterised in more detail together with Bernhard Przybilla's working group. [14] [15] In a recent review she highlightened the vemurafenib-induced photosensitivity exclusively caused by UVA irradiation. [16]
While exploring the role of ultraviolet A1 phototherapy in the treatment of localized scleroderma,she conducted a retrospective and prospective study and proved the efficacy of UVA1 phototherapy in these patients. [17] In addition,the efficacy of UVA1 phototherapy in more than 200 patients with various skin diseases was retrospectively investigated. [18]
Eberlein carried out experiments in environmental exposure chambers to investigate the influence of air humidity,pollutants and allergens on the physiology of human skin. [19] [20] [21] Furthermore,she investigated effects of alpine mountain climate of Bavaria on atopic diseases with Heidrun Behrendt's and Johannes Ring's working group. [22] [23] Patients with environmental health disorders were characterized in more detail. [24] [25]
Allergies,also known as allergic diseases,are various conditions caused by hypersensitivity of the immune system to typically harmless substances in the environment. These diseases include hay fever,food allergies,atopic dermatitis,allergic asthma,and anaphylaxis. Symptoms may include red eyes,an itchy rash,sneezing,coughing,a runny nose,shortness of breath,or swelling. Note that food intolerances and food poisoning are separate conditions.
Dermatitis is inflammation of the skin,typically characterized by itchiness,redness and a rash. In cases of short duration,there may be small blisters,while in long-term cases the skin may become thickened. The area of skin involved can vary from small to covering the entire body. Dermatitis is often called eczema,and the difference between those terms is not standardized.
Eosinophils,sometimes called eosinophiles or,less commonly,acidophils,are a variety of white blood cells and one of the immune system components responsible for combating multicellular parasites and certain infections in vertebrates. Along with mast cells and basophils,they also control mechanisms associated with allergy and asthma. They are granulocytes that develop during hematopoiesis in the bone marrow before migrating into blood,after which they are terminally differentiated and do not multiply.
Basophils are a type of white blood cell. Basophils are the least common type of granulocyte,representing about 0.5% to 1% of circulating white blood cells. However,they are the largest type of granulocyte and how they work is not fully understood. They are responsible for inflammatory reactions during immune response,as well as in the formation of acute and chronic allergic diseases,including anaphylaxis,asthma,atopic dermatitis and hay fever. They also produce compounds that coordinate immune responses,including histamine and serotonin that induce inflammation,and heparin that prevents blood clotting,although there are less than that found in mast cell granules. Mast cells were once thought to be basophils that migrated from the blood into their resident tissues,but they are now known to be different types of cells.
Omalizumab,sold under the brand name Xolair,is an injectable medication to treat severe persistent allergic forms of asthma,nasal polyps,urticaria (hives),and immunoglobulin E-mediated food allergy.
Aquagenic pruritus is a skin condition characterized by the development of severe,intense,prickling-like epidermal itching without observable skin lesions and evoked by contact with water.
Atopic dermatitis (AD),also known as atopic eczema,is a long-term type of inflammation of the skin (dermatitis). It results in itchy,red,swollen,and cracked skin. Clear fluid may come from the affected areas,which can thicken over time. AD may also simply be called eczema,a term that generally refers to a larger group of skin conditions.
Solar urticaria (SU) is a rare condition in which exposure to ultraviolet or UV radiation,or sometimes even visible light,induces a case of urticaria or hives that can appear in both covered and uncovered areas of the skin. It is classified as a type of physical urticaria. The classification of disease types is somewhat controversial. One classification system distinguished various types of SU based on the wavelength of the radiation that causes the breakout;another classification system is based on the type of allergen that initiates a breakout.
Prostaglandin D2 receptor 2 (DP2 or CRTH2) is a human protein encoded by the PTGDR2 gene and GPR44. DP2 has also been designated as CD294 (cluster of differentiation 294). It is a member of the class of prostaglandin receptors which bind with and respond to various prostaglandins. DP2 along with Prostaglandin DP1 receptor are receptors for prostaglandin D2 (PGD2). Activation of DP2 by PGD2 or other cognate receptor ligands has been associated with certain physiological and pathological responses,particularly those associated with allergy and inflammation,in animal models and certain human diseases.
Aquagenic urticaria,also known as water allergy and water urticaria,is a rare form of physical urticaria in which hives develop on the skin after contact with water,regardless of its temperature. The condition typically results from contact with water of any type,temperature or additive. In rare cases,it is internal rather than external and causes ones body to let water enter the lungs,leading to drowning symptoms and/or pneumonia
Autoimmune progesterone dermatitis(APD) occurs during the luteal phase of a woman's menstrual cycle and is an uncommon cyclic premenstrual reaction to progesterone. It can present itself in several ways,including eczema,erythema multiforme,urticaria,angioedema,and progesterone-induced anaphylaxis. The first case of autoimmune progesterone dermatitis was identified in 1964. Reproductive function may be impacted by APD.
One of the most prevalent forms of adverse drug reactions is cutaneous reactions,with drug-induced urticaria ranking as the second most common type,preceded by drug-induced exanthems. Urticaria,commonly known as hives,manifests as weals,itching,burning,redness,swelling,and angioedema—a rapid swelling of lower skin layers,often more painful than pruritic. These symptoms may occur concurrently,successively,or independently. Typically,when a drug triggers urticaria,symptoms manifest within 24 hours of ingestion,aiding in the identification of the causative agent. Urticaria symptoms usually subside within 1–24 hours,while angioedema may take up to 72 hours to resolve completely.
Pressure urticaria or delayed pressure urticaria is a physical urticaria caused by pressure applied to the skin,and is characterized by the development of swelling and pain that usually occurs 3 to 12 hours after local pressure has been applied.
Alain L. de Weck,,was a Swiss immunologist and allergist. His main scientific contributions were in the area of characterization and prevention of drug allergy. He was the founding director of the Institute of Clinical Immunology at the University of Bern from 1971 to 1993 and authored or co-authored over 600 peer-reviewed publications. He is the recipient of a number of patents that led to commercial allergy products and services. He served as president of international scientific organizations such as the International Union of Immunological Societies (IUIS) and the International Association for Allergy and Clinical Immunology (IAACI) and was founder and later CEO of the Centre Médical des Grand-Places (CMG) company,acquired by Heska of Fort Collins in 1997. In later years he continued his research at the University of Navarra in Spain and wrote on a wide range of topics such as the distinction between science and pseudo-science,the emergence of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and comparative health care policy.
Chronic spontaneous urticaria(CSU) also known as Chronic idiopathic urticaria(CIU) is defined by the presence of wheals,angioedema,or both for more than six weeks. Chronic spontaneous urticaria can be characterized by angioedema,excruciatingly itchy recurrent hives,or both. Chronic urticaria patients were found to have a higher prevalence of various autoimmune diseases. Many patients with chronic spontaneous urticaria report that certain triggers,such as stress,infections,specific foods,or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug use,aggravate their condition.
Alpha-gal syndrome (AGS),also known as alpha-gal allergy or mammalian meat allergy (MMA),is a type of acquired meat allergy characterized by a delayed onset of symptoms after ingesting mammalian meat. The condition results from past exposure to certain tick bites. It was first reported in 2002. Symptoms of the allergy vary greatly between individuals and include rash,hives,nausea or vomiting,difficulty breathing,drop in blood pressure,dizziness or faintness,diarrhea,severe stomach pain,and possible anaphylaxis.
Nickel allergy is any of several allergic conditions provoked by exposure to the chemical element nickel. Nickel allergy often takes the form of nickel allergic contact dermatitis (Ni-ACD),a form of allergic contact dermatitis (ACD). Ni-ACD typically causes a rash that is red and itchy and that may be bumpy or scaly. The main treatment for it is avoiding contact with nickel-releasing metals,such as inexpensive jewelry. Another form of nickel allergy is a systemic form:systemic nickel allergy syndrome (SNAS) can mimic some of the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and also has a dermatologic component.
The p-i concept refers to the pharmacological interaction of drugs with immune receptors. It explains a form of drug hypersensitivity,namely T cell stimulation,which can lead to various acute inflammatory manifestations such as exanthems,eosinophilia and systemic symptoms,Stevens–Johnson syndrome,toxic epidermal nercrolysis,and complications upon withdrawing the drug.
Autoimmune urticaria,also known as chronic autoimmune urticaria,is a type of chronic urticaria characterized by the presence of autoantibodies in the patient's immune system that target the body's own mast cells,leading to episodes of hives (urticaria). This immunologically distinct type of urticaria is considered autoimmune because the immune system,which normally protects the body from foreign organisms,mistakenly attacks the body's own cells,causing inflammation and other symptoms.