Anaphylaxis Flashcards
Anaphylaxis (Process + Symptoms)
“Without protection”. An inflammatory response due to stimulation of the mast/basophil cells which causes release of histamine, prostaglandin and other mediators. These cause a cascading effect of vasodilation, increased permeability, angioedema, urticaria or hives, bronchoconstriction/mucus production, increased smooth muscle contraction, increased gastric acid secretion and cardiac dysrhythmias.
Symptoms can show up within a few minutes and consist of:
Hypotension, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, airway compromise and pruritis/urticarias
Antibodies
Antibodies are proteins that are present on your mast cells and basophils. They form upon recognition of a new pathogen’s antigen.
Antibodies that come in contact with the specific antigen
will release its mediators within the mast cell or basophil and begin the inflammatory response.
Antigens
Antigens are usually proteins and come from internal or external pathogens. If recognized in the body by antibodies in a previous encounter, the mast cell/basophil will release their mediators and begin the inflammatory response.
Immunologic Memory
The ability to respond to previously introduced pathogens in a quicker and more effective manner.
Natural Immunity
Natural immunity occurs as a non-specific attack on pathogens through the initial inflammatory response and doesn’t require previously acquired antibodies
Acquired Immunity
Acquired immunity occurs when the body is infected and fights off the pathogen. This allows the body to create antibodies against that specific pathogen thereby decreasing the likelihood of future infection.
Anaphylaxis (Definition)
A serious reaction to an allergen that can cause symptoms such as vasodilation, bronchospasms, urticaria, erythema, abdominal pain, and angioedema that can cause life-threatening airway compromise.
Degranulation
Degranulation is the act of releasing chemical mediators such as histamine from the mast cell or basophil.
Mast Cells
Mast cells are a type of white blood cell that contains granules which have chemical mediators within. The release of these mediators cause an allergic reaction.
Basophils
Similar to mast cells, they are a type of white blood cell that release chemical mediators in response to antigen binding to its antibodies causing an inflammatory response.
Localized Allergic Reaction
An allergic reaction that is limited to one part of the body or organ system.
Systemic Allergic Reaction
Probably anaphylaxis. Affects more than one body system, the whole body, or cascades to other organ systems.
Anaphylaxis (diagnosing unknown exposure)
Acute hives, flushing, swelling of mouth/throat + one of the following:
- Respiratory difficulty
- Decreased BP
- Symptoms of end-organ dysfunction
Anaphylaxis (diagnosing likely exposure)
Acute onset of two or more of these symptoms after a likely exposure:
- Hives, urticaria, swelling
- Respiratory difficulty
- Decreasing BP
- GI symptoms
- Symptoms of end-organ dysfunction
Anaphylaxis (diagnosing a known exposure)
Exposure to a known allergen causing a decreased BP:
- In children, >30% drop in systolic
- In adults, >30% drop in ‘baseline’ systolic, or below 90mmHg
