Comments on the XX International Dermatology Congress

Azulay, Rubem David

doi:10.1590/S0365-05962002000500013

COMMUNICATION

Comments on the XX International Dermatology Congress^*

Rubem David Azulay

Chairman of the Institute of Dermatology, Santa Casa da Misericórdia, Rio de Janeiro. Emeritus Professor of the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro and Fluminense Federal University. Titular Professor at the Gama Filho University, Fundação Técnico Educacional Souza Marques and of Cesanta

^{Correspondence} Correspondence Rubem David Azulay Av. Atlântica, 3.130, apto. 701 - Copacabana Rio de Janeiro RJ 22070-000 Tel.: (21) 2547-0786 Fax: (21) 2521-9445

Under the presidency of Prof. Jean Revus (France), the XX International Dermatology Congress was held in Paris, from July 1st to 7th, 2002, in the Palace of Congresses, with record attendance by approximately 12,000 dermatologists from 65 countries. Homage was paid to the honorary presidents, Professors Stéphane Belaich, Jean Civatte and Jean Thivolet. It should be emphasized that this was the third International Dermatology Congress to be held in Paris.

There follows a list of the International Dermatology Congress, which started in 1889:

These Congresses (now held once every five years) are promoted by the International League of Dermatology Societies, founded in 1935, comprising 95 Dermatology societies in 72 countries. The Palace of Congresses counts on a larger amphitheater, with capacity for 3,000 participants and has a further 12 smaller amphitheaters.

It was, without a doubt, the largest and best Dermatology Congress held to date: 218 scientific sessions, 22 satellite-symposiums and 2,895 scientific works presented by 1,767 dermatologists. A total of 2,414 posters were also presented.

The social aspects deserve praise, notably three events: dinner in the gardens of the Palace of Versailles, promoted by the L'Oreal Laboratory and counting on the presence of 3,000 special guests, it was the most impressive I have had the opportunity to attend in my life; the pomp night in Montmartre; and dinner on-board, navigating along the River Seine, promoted by Galderma and dedicated to the Brazilian contingent.

The scientific part was exuberant due to the amount and quality of the works presented. We will highlight only five conferences which took place at the great amphitheater: anti-angiogenic strategies (P. Cameliet, Belgium), Molecular mechanisms of aging (J. Campisi, United States), The extraordinary increase of microbial diseases (D. Raoult, France), Induction of tolerance to the treatment of auto-immune diseases (J. Bluestone, United States) and the Human genome project and its impact on Dermatology (J. Weissenbach, France).

It is fitting to underscore the presentation of posters including the following themes: Acne and correlated aspects, drug reactions, aging, atopic dermatitis, bullous diseases, contact dermatitis, cosmetic dermatology, dermatological surgery, dermatopathology, preventive epidemiology, genodermatosis, hair and nails, dermatological bacteriology, dermatological parasitology, internal medicine and collagenosis, invasive and noninvasive techniques, laser in Dermatology, melanoma, molecular biology in Dermatology, dermatoses of the mucous membranes, mycoses, pediatric Dermatology, pharmacology and therapeutics for drugs, phlebology, photobiology and phototherapy, pigmentary disorders, psoriasis and related disorders, cutaneous carcinomas, skin and psyche, sociopolitical dermatological aspects, sexually transmissible diseases and Aids, urticaria and mastocyte alterations, cicatrization and fibrosis, among others.

These posters were programmed for different times and places. The Brazilian dermatologists presented 108, of which 11 were from the Institute of Dermatology, Santa Casa da Misericórdia, Rio de Janeiro.

The Brazilian delegation was the third in number of participants, which reflects the importance of national Dermatology.

Two countries presented as possible venues for the next International Congress: Argentina and Canada. The voting was favorable to Argentina. We trust that Latin America as a whole will make efforts to ensure the success of the International Congress for the year 2007.