IDFNZ Medical and Patient seminars

Celebrating Immunology Awareness Month 2025

IDFNZ marked Immunology Awareness Month 2025 with a powerful two-day event in Auckland, bringing together medical professionals, researchers, patients, and families to share the latest developments in Primary Immunodeficiencies (PIDs).

Friday 11 April – IDFNZ Medical Seminar

Our Medical Seminar, held on Friday afternoon, was a standout gathering of immunologists, clinicians, scientists, and medical students. The session featured an impressive lineup of national and international speakers, including renowned keynote guest Professor Neil Romberg from the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. The presentations covered a wide range of topics including:

• Professor Neil Romberg – CVID: TACI and PU.1 deficiency; Clinical utility of cytokine assays

• Dr. Rohan Ameratunga – CTLA4 Gene Complex Deletion Syndrome (CGCDS)

• Dr. See-Tarn Woon – ddPCR as an alternative to qPCR

• Dr. Kuang Hsiao – IFNAR1 deficiency

• Cecilia Verryt & Hamish Anderson – Novel CARD11 mutation case study

• Dr. Hilary Longhurst – Gene editing update for Hereditary Angioedema • Dr. Russell Barker – IPEX in adulthood

• Dr. Annaliesse Blincoe – Inflammatory PIDs The seminar was a fantastic opportunity to share new clinical insights and reinforce the growing importance of genetic testing in accurate diagnosis and personalised treatment plans

Saturday 12 April – Auckland Patient Seminar

Saturday morning saw our vibrant Patient Seminar, offering a more accessible program designed specifically for people living with PID and their families. It was heartening to see so many attendees eager to learn and engage with leading immunology experts.

Speaker Line-up:

• Prof. Neil Romberg – Complement Component 1 deficiency in the Amish

• Dr. Rohan Ameratunga – Genetic testing in PIDs: benefits and challenges

• Dr. See-Tarn Woon – Risks of direct-toconsumer genetic tests

• Dr. Hilary Longhurst – Gene editing in Hereditary Angioedema

• Dr. Russell Barker – Transitioning to adult care: UK experience

• Dr. Annaliesse Blincoe – The future of PID care in NZ.

Families appreciated the clear, engaging presentations and the chance to ask questions directly. The atmosphere was warm, inclusive, and full of optimism for the future of PID care in Aotearoa. We extend our heartfelt thanks to all our speakers, volunteers, and attendees who helped make this event a success.