Our department has a long lasting clinical experience with vitiligo. Currently, vitiligo is a target disease within the Reference Center for Rare (and Orphan) Diseases of the Skin of Bordeaux. This priority was deemed necessary because of the very  limited number of departments in France or abroad offering a comprehensive platform for clinical services and research in this field. Under the leadership of Dr Yvon Gauthier since the 1980s, our department has developed a comprehensive management approach, including surgical procedures and therapeutic education (camouflage techniques, prevention of the Koebner’s phenomenon).

Our laboratory is situated within INSERM U1035 at University Bordeaux Segalen. We have developped a pigmented skin equivalent which serves as an in vitro model for vitiligo (Cario-André et al, 2007). Current research focuses on detachment of melanocytes and inflammatory pathomechanisms..
 
Our department is working in close association with the Association Française du Vitiligo and other patient’s support groups worldwide, which are partners of the special interest group on Vitiligo of the International Federation of Pigment Cell Societies (IFPCS). This group organizes international meetings during international pigment cell conferences (Washington 2005, Sapporo 2008, Bordeaux 2011) which confront the experiences of scientists, physicians and patients. The aim of these meetings is to stimulate research to help improving disease understanding and treatment. Reports can be found on the VETF website .

References

What is vitiligo ?
Autologous grafts with epidermal suspensions
UV irradiation and vitiligo

Links

Vitiligo European Task Force website  
Association Française du Vitiligo (F)
Vitiligo Support International (USA)
The Vitiligo Society (UK)
Association des Pays Nordiques
Pigment Cell Research virtual issue on vitiligo (Blackwell)

Publications

Ezzedine K, Lim HW, Suzuki T, Katayama I, Hamzavi I, Lan CC, Goh BK, Anbar T, Silva de Castro C, Lee AY, Parsad D, van Geel N, Le Poole IC, Oiso N, Benzekri L, Spritz R, Gauthier Y, Hann SK, Picardo M, Taieb A; on behalf of the Vitiligo Global Issue Consensus Conference panelists. Revised classification/nomenclature of vitiligo and related issues: the Vitiligo Global Issues Consensus Conference. Pigment Cell Melanoma Res. 2012 May;25(3):E1-E13. 

Picardo, Mauro; Taïeb, Alain (Eds.) Vitiligo. 2010, XVIII, 486 p. 161 illus., 144 in color., Hardcover

Taïeb A, Picardo M. Clinical practice. Vitiligo.N Engl J Med. 2009 Jan 8;360(2):160-9.

Taieb A, Picardo M ; VETF Members. The definition and assessment of vitiligo: a consensus report of the Vitiligo European Task Force. Pigment Cell Res. 2007 Feb;20(1):27-35.