About WASOG

The WASOG (World Association for Sarcoidosis and Other Granulomatous Disorders), was founded in 1987 in Milan, Italy, during the World Congress for Sarcoidosis. The topics WASOG is focussing on are interstitial lung diseases (ild). Many ild (e.g. sarcoidosis) are part of a larger systemic problem, where the lung may be a minor target; others (e.g. idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis) are nearly exclusively a lung problem from the beginning. Thus, the future lies as a branch midway between pneumology and internal medicine, but it is clear that currently the WASOG has its own experts, journal, society and patients.
 

History of the WASOG and current activities

Prof. Gianfranco Rizzato (Milan), former general secretary of the WASOG (World Association for Sarcoidosis and Other Granulomatous Disorders), describes the history of WASOG in a chapter of the Monograph of the European Respiratory Society (Rizzato G. Eur Respir Mon 2005; 32: 235-236). WASOG was founded on the September 7, 1987 in Milan, Italy, during the World Congress for Sarcoidosis. Activities of the WASOG, the publication of the journal Sarcoidosis, Vasculitis and Diffuse Lung Diseases and current activities are summarized.

wasog journal

wasog papers

wasog meetings

wasog links

 

Mission

The World Association of Sarcoidosis and Other Granulomatous Diseases (WASOG) organizes meetings for physicians involved in interstitial lung diseases especially sarcoidosis and other granulomatous diseases, educates people interested n these diseases, and offers opportunities to exchange scientific experience.

 

Aim

The principal aim of the 2nd joint WASOG and the International Conference on Bronchoalveolar Lavage (BAL) meeting will be to emphasize the importance of a multidisciplinary approach for investigating interstitial and granulomatous lung disease The focus will be the exploration of teamwork in all its facets involving in exchanging knowledge. We wish to invite people with diverse scientific and clinical backgrounds to participate in challenging discussions and stimulating discourse.
 

President Emeritus WASOG

This cordial greeting to all participants carries a commemorative background of over sixty years married to dear sarcoidosis. My interest was aroused by Professor Guy Scadding in 1948 and fortified by Dr Louis Siltzbach in 1951, when I was spending a year as postgraduate research fellow in New York. They were two strong backers when I organised the first Sarcoidosis Conference in London in 1958; the first of several congresses around the world. I coined the term WASOG to provide a mother-hen for all these conferences and as an international passport for all detective-scientists armed to seek the causes of sarcoidosis. WASOG has succeeded for those of you reading this welcome message are now part of its structure and influence.  It is up to you to pass WASOG on to a new school of scientists equally anxious to unravel granulomatous disorders worldwide (James DG, Sharma OP. Curr Opin Pulm Med 2002; 8: 416-23). You will enjoy and benefit from this Congress and all others in the years ahead.

 Dr. D. Geraint James, MA, MD, FRCP

 

 

Conference accommodation

The Maastricht Exhibition & Congress Centre (MECC) will be the Congress venue. It is a first class ultramodern, dynamic organization that organizes and provides accommodation for fairs, conferences and major cultural and sporting events.It is conveniently located and offers unlimited opportunities to enjoy the city of Maastricht. Click here for an impression of MECC Maastricht!

 

Hotel accommodation

The Organization Committee has selected the most appropriate accommodations in Maastricht. We will find a suitable accommodation for every guest, based on the location preference, character of the district, budget and , amenities. To give you an idea of the choices that are available, you will receive a random selection from our partners will soon.

 

Travel arrangements

To make your trip as comfortable as possible, please arrange your total journey and hotel accommodation through the Organization Booking Service. Once you have arrived at one of the airports in the area, the Conference Agency Maastricht will arrange your transport to your hotel. This service is provided from the following airports: Maastricht-Aachen Airport; Eindhoven Airport; Zaventem Airport-Brussels;Train station Liège, Köln / Bonn Airport and Düsseldorf Airport.

 

Transport at location

During your stay in Maastricht taxi arrangements can be made by The Conference Agency Maastricht. Should you prefer to be flexible during your stay, you can rent a car from several locations.

 

Scientific program

We are presenting you an overview of the scientific program, where you can see that renowned scientists in the field have honored us with their participation. What we need now is an equally high quality of original work to be presented in wasogbal2011. The best abstracts will be published in 'SARCOIDOSIS Vasculitis and Diffuse Lung Diseases', the official journal of WASOG.

 

For whom?

General practitioners, internists, pulmonary physicians, other specialists and health care workers from various disciplines involved in diagnosing and treating patients with interstitial lung diseases, granulomatous disorders, vasculitis and related illnesses.