JC85 (Medicine) - Urticaria, Angioedema, Anaphylaxis Flashcards
Clinical definition of wheals
- Central swelling (palpable)
- Pruritus
- Fleeting nature - Resolution < 24 hours
Compare wheals with urticarial vasculitis
Wheals:
- Pruritic lesion with central swelling
- Resolution under 24 hours
Urticarial vasculitis:
- Painful lesion
- Last > 24 hours
- Constitutional symptoms and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation
Clinical definition of angioedema
Swelling of deep dermis/ Subcutaneous tissue
Painful (c.f. pruritic wheals)
Slow resolution through 72 hours (c.f. Wheals)
Angioedema with wheals or without wheals are two entities
Clinical definition of anaphylaxis
Serious, acute, life-threatening systemic hypersensitivity reaction
Involvement of two or more organ systems
Name one guideline and outline the diagnostic criteria for anaphylaxis
Onset time limit for anaphylaxis
EAACI guideline
Acute onset of illness with skin, mucosa or both involvement
AND at least one of following
- Respiratory compromise: dyspnea, wheezing, bronchospasm, stridor…etc
- Hypotension and end-organ dysfunction: hypotonia, syncope, incontinence
Time limit:
S/S within 2 hours of exposure
S/S within 30 mins of food allergy
S/S within minutes of IV medication or insect stings
2 patho-mechanisms/ Endotypes of Urticaria
Histaminergic - Mast cell mediated type
Bradykinergic - Kinin mediated type
Pathophysiology of histaminergic urticaria
Classic allergic histaminergic urticaria:
- Exposure to allergen activates Th cell and stimulate IgE class switch in B cells
- IgE bind to FceRI on mast cell surface
- Repeat exposure to allergen causes IgE Ab cross-link and activation of mast cell degranulation
- Release vasoactive amines and cytokines e.g. histamine
Downstream physiological response to histamine release from Mast cells
GIT:
Increase fluid secretion and peristalsis»_space; diarrhea and vomiting
Airway and eyes:
Increase mucus secretion, narrow airway»_space; airway congestion and blockage
Contract bronchial smooth muscles
Blood vessels: increase vascular permeability
Increase fluid retention in interstitium
Increase lymphatic flow
Hypotension and anaphylatix shock
Compare the clinical presentation of histaminergic vs Bradykinergic urticaria
How to differentiate the two?
Histaminergic urticaria:
- Angioedema with or without hives present
- Pruritic
- Faster onset and offset
- Responsive to antihistamines or steroids
- May have systemic symptoms (anaphylaxis)
- Related to allergen exposure
Bradykinergic urticaria:
- Angioedema WITHOUT hives
- Not Pruritic
- Only responsive to bradykinin antagonists
HIVES = Histaminergic
Challenge with antihistamines/ steroids or Bradykinin antagonist
Pathophysiology of bradykinergic urticaria
Mast cell independent
Bradykinin produced through activation of plasma contact system:
- Prekallikrein»_space; Kallikrein»_space; Increase conversion of high molecular weight kinin (HMWK) to Bradykinin
- Regulated by C1-Esterase inhibitor
- Bradykinin causes vasodilation, Increase vascular permeability, Increase nociceptor stimulation for pain sensation
Causes of Bradykinergic urticaria
Hereditary C1-esterase inhibitor defect/ deficiency
Acquired: most commonly ACEi-related
ACE normally inhibits bradykinin
ACEi»_space; remove normal inhibition on bradykinin
Differentials of histaminergic urticaria
Allergic, Type I HS reaction - Allergen caused
**Spontaneous or autoimmune urticaria and angioedema/ Chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) - No allergen needed
Inducible urticaria and angioedema
Urticarial vasculitis
Auto-inflammatory syndromes
4 clinical groups of anaphylaxis
IgE mediated
- Food, venom, medications, occupational allergen, radiocontrast
IgE independent
- Radiocontrast, NSAID, Dextrans, Biologic
Non-immunologic, Direct mast cell activation
- Physical factors: exercise, cold, heat, UV
- Ethanol
- Medication
Idiopathic (20%)
Mimics of anaphylaxis
Acute urticaria/ angioedema Asthmatic attack Vasovagal syncope Panic attacks Shock Other causes of sudden collapse or respiratory distress
Anaphylaxis
First investigations and acute management
Acute serum tryptase test***
- Must measure within 6 hours of onset
- Save blood immediately upon admission
Find potential allergen/ triggers
- Within one hour of onset
- e.g. food, drugs, venom, NSAIDs, exercise…etc
Acute treatment:
- Anti-histamine, Steroids
- Intramuscular adrenaline*** 1:1000 solution or Auto-injector
Observe for biphasic reaction