Background to the TVAG.The TVA Group aims to provide joined up, efficient and excellent care to patients with systemic vasculitic and allergic conditions by developing a strong multi-disciplinary alliance within Tallaght University Hospital. By combining the academic strength of the members, the group also aims to maximise research funding credibility and to provide a mechanism for national and international research network engagement. The RKD biobank and registry (http://www.medicine.tcd.ie/thkc/research/RKD-Registry-Biobank.php) is an established infrastructure which feeds into the academic arm of the TVA Group. It is co-chaired by Professor Mark Little and Professor Stephen Lane on behalf of the group. The goal of the group is to capture long-term longitudinal clinical data and high quality biological samples from patients with systemic vasculitic and allergic disorders, disease controls and healthy controls. Coordinated from Tallaght University Hospital, it currently receives data and samples from 10 centres across Ireland and has been actively recruiting since September 2012. In this relatively short period of time it has become one of the most important bio-resources in this field globally.  The DVA Group recognises, and is grateful for, the invaluable support of the Adelaide Health Foundation.
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