Clinical

Division of Asthma, Allergy & Immunology
CLINICAL ACTIVITIES

Eosinophilic Esophagitis Clinic Continues to Grow

Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is an allergic inflammatory disease characterized by elevated eosinophils in the esophagus. Over the past decade, the disorder has been increasingly diagnosed in both children and adults; symptoms can include acid reflux, difficulty swallowing, chest pain, and, in children, poor growth and difficulty gaining weight. In response, the Division of Asthma, Allergy and Immunology established an interdisciplinary EoE patient clinic during FY 2013 that has continued to grow in FY 2014 and FY 2015. Bridging clinical and research interests in allergy and pediatric gastroenterology, the clinic provides comprehensive care for EoE patients, including specialized nursing and nutrition support.

The increase in food allergy has been clear in relation to three different syndromes: anaphylactic reactions to peanut, EoE and the predominantly adult delayed anaphylaxis to red meat in patients with IgE to alpha-gal. In the next year, we plan to combine the evaluation of these diseases into a Food Allergy Institute.

New Primary Immune Deficiency Diseases Clinic

The division launched a new clinic in August 2014 dedicated to the diagnosis, care and treatment of patients with Primary Immune Deficiency Diseases (PIDDs). PIDDs are rare disorders caused by a defect in the body’s immune system and can affect anyone at any age, male or female, regardless of family history. (For more on PIDDs, see sidebar on left.)

Allergy faculty member Monica Lawrence, MD, says the aim of the program is to “provide comprehensive care for adults and children, starting with an accurate diagnosis and then designing a state-of-the-art treatment plan that leads to an improved quality of life.”

The PIDDs clinic for adults is located at UVA Medical Park Northridge and staffed by Dr. Lawrence and Larry Borish, MD; the pediatric clinic is located at the Battle Building and staffed by Julia Wisniewski, MD.

Quality & Safety Initiatives

The division developed and adopted standards for communicating with patients regarding lab results, studies and clinical questions through the MyChart system. The division also evaluated and standardized the use of spirometry in clinics for patients with asthma, and established annual monitoring of patients receiving immunotherapy (allergy shots), with a focus on patients receiving therapy at off-site locations.