Anaphylaxis
Basics
Description
- Anaphylaxis is a serious, life-threatening, systemic allergic reaction that is rapid in onset and is a result of mast cell and basophil activation and degranulation.
- Skin and mucosal symptoms such as flushing, itching, urticaria, or angioedema are present in 80–90% of patients with anaphylaxis. However, absence of skin findings does not exclude anaphylaxis.
- In fatal anaphylaxis, initial signs and symptoms may include respiratory distress without urticaria resulting in delayed diagnosis and treatment.
Epidemiology
- Rate of occurrence appears to be increasing.
- Estimated to be fatal in 0.7–2% of cases
Risk Factors
Genetics
There are few studies of genetic factors in human anaphylaxis; however, individuals with a previous history of anaphylaxis or a history of atopy are at increased risk for future anaphylaxis episodes.
Pathophysiology
- In anaphylaxis, mast cells and basophils are activated via an IgE-mediated (most common) or non–IgE-mediated mechanism releasing preformed and newly generated mediators of inflammation.
- Mediators include histamine, tryptase, proteoglycans, leukotrienes, prostaglandins, platelet-activating factor, and cytokines.
- Local or systemic effects can include increased vascular permeability, vasodilation, smooth muscle contraction, complement activation, and coagulation.
- IgE-mediated anaphylaxis occurs when IgE is synthesized in response to allergen exposure (sensitization) and becomes fixed to high-affinity IgE receptors located on the surface of mast cells and basophils. Subsequent allergen exposure results in receptor-bound IgE aggregation and cell activation.
- Non–IgE-mediated anaphylaxis generally results from nonimmune stimulation of mast cells or basophils. Rarely, IgG and complement can be implicated.
Etiology
- IgE-mediated:
- Foods (peanut, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, milk, egg, wheat, soy)
- Medications (antibiotics especially β-lactams, NSAIDs, biologic products)
- Venoms (usually from stinging insects including fire ants)
- Latex (direct exposure to natural rubber or ingestion of cross-reacting foods)
- Other (vaccines, occupational allergens, and rarely inhaled allergens)
- Non–IgE-mediated:
- Radiocontrast media (can also trigger IgE-dependent anaphylaxis)
- Medications (opiates, NSAIDs, dextrans, vancomycin, polymyxin B)
- Physical stimuli (exercise, cold, heat, sunlight/UV radiation)
- Ethanol
- If no identifiable trigger is found, anaphylaxis may be idiopathic in origin.
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Citation
Cabana, Michael D., editor. "Anaphylaxis." 5-Minute Pediatric Consult, 8th ed., Wolters Kluwer, 2019. Pediatrics Central, peds.unboundmedicine.com/pedscentral/view/5-Minute-Pediatric-Consult/617232/all/Anaphylaxis.
Anaphylaxis. In: Cabana MDM, ed. 5-Minute Pediatric Consult. Wolters Kluwer; 2019. https://peds.unboundmedicine.com/pedscentral/view/5-Minute-Pediatric-Consult/617232/all/Anaphylaxis. Accessed November 5, 2024.
Anaphylaxis. (2019). In Cabana, M. D. (Ed.), 5-Minute Pediatric Consult (8th ed.). Wolters Kluwer. https://peds.unboundmedicine.com/pedscentral/view/5-Minute-Pediatric-Consult/617232/all/Anaphylaxis
Anaphylaxis [Internet]. In: Cabana MDM, editors. 5-Minute Pediatric Consult. Wolters Kluwer; 2019. [cited 2024 November 05]. Available from: https://peds.unboundmedicine.com/pedscentral/view/5-Minute-Pediatric-Consult/617232/all/Anaphylaxis.
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