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The article presents news from National Societies of allergy. The Council of National Societies members and affiliates of EAACI was held in Budapest, Hungary, on June 3, 1996. In order to establish a closer relationship with national societies, the EAACI has implemented a new policy supporting joint sessions to be held on the occasion of national congresses or special lectures given by EAACI members. The French Society of Allergology and Clinical Immunology is a nonprofit organization. Income derived from fees and profits of congresses and meetings is devoted to current activities, research, awards, and initiatives of interest to members.

The preferred form of acute bronchodilator therapy is to administer aerosolized beta-agonist by a metered-dose inhaler. Many patients cannot use this device efficiently, the major problem being coordination of dose release with inspiration. A new breath-actuated inhaler (the Autohaler actuator) has been developed to overcome this problem. The objective of this study was to evaluate patient's and staff's perceptions of this device. Ninety-eight percent of patients rated the device easy to use and 83% rated the overall use as excellent or good. The staffs rated it as excellent or good for 93% of patients. It was concluded that patients would accept this device, and greater patient compliance could be realized.

In a multicenter open study involving 620 patients suffering from recurrent infections of the upper and lower respiratory tract aged between 12 and 89 years, the tolerability of an oral bacterial lysate was investigated. On the basis of the nature and frequency (1.9%) of adverse effects, and an analysis of the laboratory investigations over an observation period of three months, overall tolerability was adjudged to be excellent. The frequency and severity of infections was reduced. In 75% of the cases, both physician and patient considered the augmentation of the body's defense mechanisms by immunoactivation to have been of benefit. The favourable risk-to-benefit ratio results in a high level of acceptance of immunotherapy, and 96% of the patients completed the study as planned.

The sciences of immunology and allergology have common roots and could be considered as twins. Historical highlights in discoveries of allergic and immunologic phenomena are mentioned and the IgE-mediated allergic reaction is described as a form of immunologic processes. The knowledge in basic and clinical immunology as well as in experimental and applied allergology has grown enormously in the last two decades and the possibilities of making the best of the immense amount of new information are discussed (basic and post-graduate training, journals on immunology and allergology, attendance at congresses).

The effect of an orally applied calcium preparation (Frubiase Calcium forte) was investigated and compared with a placebo in 20 adolescent patients submitted to a random double-blind test on the immediate allergic reaction. The prick test with histamine and grass pollen mixed extract showed a highly significant statistical decrease (p less than 0,001) of wheal extension after an oral dose 1 x 6 Frubiase Calcium forte fluid ampoules, when compared to the test before application.