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). A tutorial can be downloaded.

Our laboratory is situated within INSERM U876 at University V 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 in preparation) 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 

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 . NALP1 and the inflammasomes: challenging our perception of vitiligo and vitiligo-related autoimmune disorders. Pigment Cell Res. 2007 Aug;20(4):260-2.

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.

Gauthier Y, Cario Andre M, Taieb A . A critical appraisal of vitiligo etiologic theories. Is melanocyte loss a melanocytorrhagy? Pigment Cell Res. 2003 Aug;16(4):322-32.

Taieb A . Intrinsic and extrinsic pathomechanisms in vitiligo. Pigment Cell Res. 2000;13 Suppl 8:41-7.