First Summer Meeting, Brazilian Society of Dermatology, Salvador da Bahia, December 9–11, 2010

This initial annual event, adroitly led with aplomb by Congress President Professor Paulo Cunha, commenced in the historic first capital of Brazil, Salvador da Bahia, on December 9, 2010 (Figs 1–3). With the support of Sociedade Brasileira de Dermatologia (SBD) President and Honorary Congress President Omar Lupi, Congress Scientific Coordinator, SBD Vice President and incoming SBD President Bogdana Kadunc, and Anais Brasileiros de Dermatologia Scientific Editor Izelda Carvalho, this first summer meeting of the world’s second largest dermatology society in the 4th largest country on earth proved a resounding success, the inception of a great tradition. The program was opened with a superb lecture by Omar Lupi on frontiers in the study of basal cell carcinoma. Highlights included stellar presentations by Paulo Cunha on endemic pemphigus foliaceus, Alberto Giannetti (Italy) on gene therapy in dermatology, Percy Lehmann (Germany) on rosacea, Carlos Machiedo on surgical approaches to vitiligo, Bogdana Kadunc on surgical approaches to acne, Steven P. Stone (USA) on therapeutic pearls, Uladzimir P. Adashevich (Bialorus) on erythroderma, Hana Zelenkova (Slovakia) on surgical fillers, Roderick J. Hay (UK) on emerging tropical diseases, Aldo Morrone (Italy) on dermatologic challenges in Ethiopia, Stephen K. Tyring (USA) on vaccines, Sergio Chimenti (Italy) on mycosis fungoides, Omar Sangueza on histological challenges with melanoma, António Picoto (Lisbon) on his most challenging dermatologic surgery cases, and Klaus Wolff (Austria) on dermatology ‘‘Quo Vadis.’’ Robert A. Schwartz (USA) dedicated his lecture to the memory of Raymundo Martins Castro (1927– 1993), the eminent professor and head of dermatology at the Escola Paulista de Medicina in São Paulo. A special session was held in remembrance of the life of JeanClaude Bystryn (1938–2010), an esteemed colleague and friend of Brazil. Pivotal knowledge was imparted in an efficient manner to an ardent audience. Translation was first-rate. Roderick J. Hay (UK) covered mycetoma, an entity often impossible to treat. He explained that ‘‘grains’’ form by the ‘‘onion skin effect’’ and that many fungi produce melanin, which binds antifungal drugs except voriconazole. Gerson Penna provided leprosy data in Brazil. Its incidence is increasing with new cases every year. The abrupt drop reported was an administrative error. Brazil is now self-sufficient in leprosy medications. Aldo Morrone (Italy) delineated podoconiosis, a non-filarial lymphedema linked with silica in soil, producing cutaneous and pulmonary disease in both Africa and South America, including Brazil. The pyoderma occurring commonly with scabies may be associated with post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis and rheumatic fever. Stephen K. Tyring (USA) recommended vaccination for herpes zoster in persons over 60 years of age to prevent herpes zoster and postherpetic neuralgia, noting it may be covered by medical insurance. Rut Lellis demonstrated use of ex vivo