News from the first regional symposium on hereditary epidermolysis bullosa (Mediterranean - Central and Eastern Europe).

80 participants from 14 countries (Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, France, Germany, Italy, Macedonia, Mexico, Montenegro, Romania, Slovenia, and United Kingdom). There were seven invited speakers from Austria, France, Germany, Great Britain and Mexico. During the Symposium, emphasis was put on the-state-of-the-art on EB, along with historical aspects that were presented by Head Doctor Štefanija Puretić, a doyen on EB from Zagreb, Croatia. Mutations in the genes for structural proteins in keratinocytes and dermoepidermal junction were presented by C. Has from Germany, and immunofluorescence in the diagnosis of EB by G. Pohla-Gubo, Austria. EB has been classified into the following types: EB simplex (keratin genes); junctional EB (nonHerlitz and Herlitz type – laminin 322), and dystrophic EB (type VII collagen). The new classification of EB was presented by J. W. Bauer from Austria. Diagnosis, prevention and therapy of EB depend on mutation in the genesis, therapeutic response, coding for components of the skin, mucous membranes, hair and nails. EB has been associated with a number of complications, e.g., growth retardation, pseudosyndactyly, contractures, squamous cell carcinomas, skin infections, impaired wound healing, enamel defects, caries, microstomia, gastrointestinal tract stenoses, and EB nevi. J. W. Bauer from Austria presented successful novel management of EB, which relies on the center of competence, support group, university department, family physician, family and patient education for wound skin care, for example, wearing cotton gloves, non-adhesive tape (binding, padded layers of dressing) and placing ointment in the Acta Dermatovenerol Croat 2009;17(2):147-148 NEWS AND COMMENTS