Atopic allergy and other hypersensitivities
The decline in deaths due to infectious diseases since the introduction of both antibiotics and widespread vaccinatinn prngrams has been mirrored by an increase in the incidence of atopic allergies. Asthma afflicts up to nine million children in the [.TSA and accounted for 500,000 admissions to hospitals in the (!SA in 1996. The causes underl'/ing the dramatic increase in the incidence of asthma and other h-ypersensitivities are the subject uf much debate in the medical community. Despite advances in our understanding of the mulecular mechanisms of leukocyte recruitment and activation, treatment fi)r asthma still relies heavily' un steruids and bronchodilaturs.
Allergy and Asthma Disease Management Center http://www.aadmc.org/ This is the website of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (AAAAI); it is updated frequently and contains links to current literature, reports of clinical trials and links to allergy reports in the media.
Allergy Web http://www.allergyweb.com/ This site has information for patients on common allergies and asthma.
Allergy and Asthma Network http://www.aanma.org/ This is the webpage of the Mothers of Asthmatics, Inc. -a charitable organization committed both to increasing awareness of asthma and improving asthma care.
Dendritic Cell Research
http://cmmg.biosci.wayne.edu/asg/dendritic.html This webpage is devoted to dendritic cells including Langerhans cells, the specialised dendritic cells of the epidermis which were first described in 1868.
MacPherson Lab Homepage http://www.path.ox.ac.uk/gm/ This webpage has nice images of dendritic cells.
Autoimmunity
The Arthritis Research Campaign estimates that arthritis and rheumatic disease afflict eight million people in the IlK, with more than three million people suffering significant disability. Diseases such as arthritis and multiple sclerosis are caused by the immune system reco~,nising, and reacting against, self antigens. The prevalence of autoimmune diseases, which diminish the quality of life of so many in the population, serves to remind us of the high price we pay fur a powerful immune system which has evolved to protect us from pathogens.
Diabetes A-Z http://www.diabetes.ca/atoz/indexl.htm This is a commendable site from the Canadian Diabetes Association; it includes information for patients, a history of diabetes research and links to other Internet resources on diabetes.
The Arthritis Society http://www.arthritis.ca/home.html Here is another excellent Canadian website. The Arthritis Society of Canada webpage has sections on a wide range of arthritis-related diseases, including lupus and scleroderma. In addition to patient information, the site details clinical trials and medical research on arthritis. Avec une version fran0aise.
Arthritis Research Campaign
http :/ /www.arc.org.uk/ Patient information booklets and educational videos are available from the UK's leading arthritis research charity. Details are given here. Information sheets cover a wide range of arthritisrelated topics including physiotherapy, carpal tunnel syndrome, psioratic arthritis and alternative therapies.