December 2002
Research and Teaching

American Vitiligo President Visits University

The president of the American Vitiligo Research Foundation recently visited the University to meet with internationally-renowned clinical dermatologist, Professor Karin Schallreuter, of the University's Department of Biomedical Sciences.

Stella Pavlides, who is receiving treatment for vitiligo, founded the American Vitiligo Research Foundation and is currently working towards raising enough funding for Karin's research to be used in the US.

Stella Pavlides, president of the American Vitiligo Research Foundation (right) recently met with the internationally renowned clinical dermatologist Professor Karin Schallreuter, of the University's Department of Biomedical Sciences.

Karin has dedicated many years to researching the treatment for vitiligo - a non-infectious pigmentary disorder of the skin - which affects one in 200 of the world's population. She founded the Institute for Pigmentary Disorders in association with Ernst-Moritz-Arndt Universität Greifswald, Germany, where patients can enrol for her treatment for vitiligo with a specially developed cream, pseudocatalase (PC-KUS).

PC-KUS removes hydrogen peroxide from the skin - something that Karin, together with Dr Jeremy Moore, a former PhD student of hers, have proved accumulates in the skin of vitiligo patients. When PC-KUS is applied to the skin regularly and combined with sunlight, it can significantly enhance the return of the lost skin colour.

Stella not only wants to import Karin's treatment for vitiligo to America, but she is also striving to raise greater awareness of the disease there. Sufferers often undergo a great deal of extreme distress and feel isolated by vitiligo, as people are prejudiced against the disease. Most strongly affected are parents of vitiligo patients, as children are rejected by other children and adults alike.

She said: "The American Vitiligo Research Foundation provides public awareness about vitiligo through dedicated work, education and counselling. What I am trying to do is counteract the ignorance. Many people just don't understand that vitiligo is not a contagious disease. Although the cause is uncertain, it can be brought on by physical trauma, illness or emotional stress - things that everyone is vulnerable to.

"Professor Schallreuter has already made such a difference to the lives of vitiligo patients and I want to have the opportunity to make people aware of her work in America."

Over the last four years, Karin has travelled to the Dead Sea in Jordan and Israel with a group of patients suffering from vitiligo. The special climate of the region and the Dead Sea water - when used in combination with the PC-KUS - works quickly to return the lost skin colour. She returned this year for the first time with a group of children who suffer from vitiligo and their parents, which proved to be a resounding success.

• For more information on vitiligo, visit www.AVRF.org or vitiligosociety.org.uk Tel: (727) 461-3899, fax: (727) 461-4796

3 December 2002

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