Rohan Ameratunga
Associate Professor Rohan Ameratunga is an adult and paediatric clinical immunologist and allergist, working in Auckland. A/Prof Ameratunga attended Southland Boys High School in Invercargill and subsequently the University of Auckland Medical School. He then completed specialist training in adult medicine and in immunopathology. After training in adult medicine, he trained in paediatric immunology and allergy with the late Dr Lloyd Cairns at the Princess Mary Hospital. Following the untimely death of Dr Cairns, A/Prof Ameratunga was responsible for the paediatric allergy and immunology service at the Starship Hospital from 1991 to 1994. A/Prof Ameratunga has undertaken a clinical and research fellowship in paediatric allergy, immunology and rheumatology at the Johns Hopkins University Medical School with Professors Robert Wood, Jerry Winkelstein and Ed Sills. He is currently working part time as a Clinical Immunologist at Auckland Hospital and is also in part time private practice. (www.allergyspecialist.co.nz) A/Prof Ameratunga is responsible for the immunology laboratory at Auckland Hospital and for the teaching program in clinical immunology and allergy for medical students at the University of Auckland. He co-ordinates the immunology teaching program from adult medicine registars at Auckland hospital. A/Prof Ameratunga has a special interest in allergic disorders and in primary immune deficiency disorders. He has received a PhD for genetic studies of primary immune deficiencies and has an active research program in primary immune deficiency disorders and food allergy. He has published over 50 peer reviewed articles and book chapters. He was recently admitted to the Faculty of Science (RCPA) for his contributions to the understanding of primary immune deficiency disorders."

 

 

 
Urticaria
Concurrent Workshop Repeated
Friday, 13 June 2014 Start 2:00pm Duration: 55mins Room 5
Start 3:05pm Duration: 55mins Room 5
Urticaria

Associate professor Rohan Ameratunga adult and pediatric immunologist

Auckland Hospital and Grafton Specialists.

Upto 30% of the general population will experience urticaria at some stage in their lives. Traditionally urticaria has been divided into acute urticaria lasting less than six weeks and chronic urticaria, lasting more than six weeks. Most patients with chronic urticaria probably have an autoimmune basis for their symptoms. They may require higher than usual doses of antihistamines. In the talk, the many forms of physical urticaria will also be discussed. In contrast most children and probably adults suffering from acute urticaria are likely to have a viral trigger. Physical urticaria will also be discussed in the talk.

HANDOUT: Urticaria  

Managing Allergic Rhinitis and Chronic Sinusitis
Concurrent Workshop Repeated
Saturday, 14 June 2014 Start 8:30am Duration: 55mins Room 1
Start 9:35am Duration: 55mins Room 1
Allergic Rhinitis and chronic rhinosinusitis

Associate Professor Rohan Ameratunga, adult and paediatric immunologist

Auckland Hospital and Grafton Specialists

Allergic rhinitis is a common problem and frequently caused considerable suffering. In this talk the approach to patients suffering from allergic rhinitis will be discussed. A comprehensive management plan will be provided which will lead to a thorough understanding of the problem as well as its treatment. Chronic rhinosinusitis will also be discussed and some of the causes will be explored. The best results are usually obtained from a combined medical surgical approach to the problem.

HANDOUT: Allergic Rhinitis and Chronic Rhinitis    

Managing Eczema
Concurrent Workshop Repeated
Saturday, 14 June 2014 Start 11:00am Duration: 55mins Room 5
Start 12:05pm Duration: 55mins Room 5
Associate Professor Rohan Ameratunga

Adult and paediatric immunologist, Auckland Hospital and Grafton Specialists

Atopic dermatitis affects a significant number of children and adults. It is important to note that most patients have multiple triggers. Food allergy is a significant trigger in many infants. In older children and adults environmental triggers play a greater role in many patients. While attention to allergic triggers is important, skin care programs, antihistamines and antibiotics play an important role in the management of eczema. In this talk I plan to offer a strategy that will address each of the trigger factors for the disorder. Very few patients will require second line treatment with this approach.

HANDOUT: Eczema    

Safe Practice of Immunotherapy
Nurse Programme
Saturday, 14 June 2014 Start 2:00pm Duration: 30mins Sportsdrome
 
Safe Practice of immunotherapy

Associate Professor Rohan Ameratunga, adult and paediatric immunologist

Auckland Hospital and Grafton Specialists

Nurses in General practice may be called on to administer desensitization injections. This treatment has the potential for great benefit in selected patients. Equally its incorrect administration can be associated with significant risk. Patients with unstable asthma must not be given these injections and specialist allergy advice should be sought. In this talk practical aspects of the administration of these injections are discussed.

HANDOUT: Desensitisation
Food Allergy
Main Session
Sunday, 15 June 2014 Start 8:30am Duration: 25mins BayTrust
Food allergy

Associate Professor Rohan Ameratunga, adult and paediatric immunologist

Auckland Hospital and Grafton Specialist

Food allergy is a commonly encountered problem in clinical practice. In children the majority have an igE mediated disorder which can be identified with a careful history and ancillary testing. In adults, adverse reactions to foods are more complex. In this talk practical aspects of food allergy will be discussed as well as some syndromes presenting in adulthood. Laboratory testing will also be discussed including some of the newer tests.

HANDOUT: Food Allergy