Anaphylaxis as a clinical manifestation of clonal mast cell disorders

Curr Allergy Asthma Rep. 2014 Aug;14(8):450. doi: 10.1007/s11882-014-0450-8.

Abstract

Clonal mast cell disorders comprise a heterogeneous group of disorders characterized by the presence of gain of function KIT mutations and a constitutively altered activation-associated mast cell immunophenotype frequently associated with clinical manifestations related to the release of mast cells mediators. These disorders do not always fulfil the World Health Organization (WHO)-proposed criteria for mastocytosis, particularly when low-sensitive diagnostic approaches are performed. Anaphylaxis is a frequent presentation of clonal mast cell disorders, particularly in mastocytosis patients without typical skin lesions. The presence of cardiovascular symptoms, e.g., hypotension, occurring after a hymenoptera sting or spontaneously in the absence of cutaneous manifestations such as urticaria is characteristic and differs from the presentation of anaphylaxis in the general population without mastocytosis.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Anaphylaxis / genetics
  • Anaphylaxis / immunology*
  • Anaphylaxis / therapy
  • Humans
  • Mast Cells / immunology*
  • Mast Cells / pathology
  • Mastocytosis / complications
  • Mastocytosis / immunology*
  • Treatment Outcome