The eponym "Wegener's granulomatosis" was derived after Friedrich Wegener (1907-1990), the german pathologist who initially described the condition. In a recent JASN review article on ANCA disease (Falk and Jennette, JASN 2010), alleged Nazi connections of Wegener are brought to the attention of nephrology community. Although no definitive evidence was found regarding his involvement in Nazi crimes, he was reportedly an early member of Nazi party. The authors proposed to medical community studying vasculitis to agree on an alternative name for Wegener's granulamatosis. In 2007, American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP) did an eloborate review of available data (Rosen MJ, Chest 2007) and finally decided to rescind their Master Clinician Award given to Wegener in 1989.
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Controversy over eponym 'Wegener's granulomatosis'
The eponym "Wegener's granulomatosis" was derived after Friedrich Wegener (1907-1990), the german pathologist who initially described the condition. In a recent JASN review article on ANCA disease (Falk and Jennette, JASN 2010), alleged Nazi connections of Wegener are brought to the attention of nephrology community. Although no definitive evidence was found regarding his involvement in Nazi crimes, he was reportedly an early member of Nazi party. The authors proposed to medical community studying vasculitis to agree on an alternative name for Wegener's granulamatosis. In 2007, American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP) did an eloborate review of available data (Rosen MJ, Chest 2007) and finally decided to rescind their Master Clinician Award given to Wegener in 1989.
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