anaphylaxis
- Also called:
- anaphylactic shock
- Key People:
- Charles Richet
- Related Topics:
- food allergy
- shock
- epinephrine autoinjector
- atopy
anaphylaxis, in immunology, a severe, immediate, potentially fatal systemic allergic reaction to contact with a foreign substance, or antigen, to which an individual has become sensitized. Food allergies are the most common triggers of anaphylaxis, followed by drugs and insect bites and stings.
Anaphylaxis is a type I hypersensitivity reaction that produces effects throughout the body. (By comparison, asthma, another example of a type I reaction, is localized to the respiratory region of the body.) In all type I allergic reactions, sensitization occurs when a substance triggers the immune system to recognize it as a threat to the body. Upon subsequent exposure, an allergic reaction can occur.
Causes and symptoms
Almost any substance can induce anaphylaxis; common triggers include drugs such as penicillin, foods such as nuts and shellfish, and insect venom. Anaphylaxis may occur after contact with extremely small amounts of antigen and is more common in persons with a history of atopic dermatitis. In some cases anaphylaxis may be precipitated by exercise, and in other cases no cause is known.
Symptoms of anaphylaxis include an itching of the scalp and tongue, difficulty in breathing because of swelling or spasm of the bronchi, skin flush of the whole body, an abrupt fall in blood pressure, vomiting or abdominal cramping, and unconsciousness. In milder cases, hives may spread over the whole body, and often there is a severe headache.
Treatment
Treatment, which must begin within a few minutes of attack, involves the injection of epinephrine (adrenaline), followed by the administration of antihistamines, corticosteroids, bronchodilators, and fluids. Epinephrine acts quickly, reversing anaphylactic effects by constricting the blood vessels to increase blood pressure, by relaxing the muscles in the lungs to improve breathing, and by stimulating the heart. When used correctly, epinephrine injection can prevent the progression of anaphylaxis and reduce the need for hospitalization and the risk of fatality.
Mechanism
The mechanism of anaphylaxis is mediated primarily by antibodies—specifically those of the immunoglobulin E (IgE) class. These antibodies recognize the offending antigen and bind to it. The IgE antibodies also bind to specialized receptor molecules on mast cells and basophils, causing these cells to release their stores of inflammatory chemicals such as histamine, serotonin, and leukotrienes, which have a number of effects, including constriction of the smooth muscles, which leads to breathing difficulty; dilation of blood vessels, causing skin flush and hives; and an increase in vascular permeability, resulting in swelling and a decrease in blood pressure.