Urticaria pathogenesis

Dienstag, XL., Rhodes, A.R., Bhan, A.K., Dvorak, A.M., Mihm, M.C.jr., Wands, XR. Urticaria associated with acute viral hepatitis type B. Studies of pathogenesis. Ann. Intern. Med. 1978 89 34-40... 

Serum factors that act as photoallergens after UV irradiation may be involved in the pathogenesis (Holzle and Hadshiew 1996). An association with other diseases has been reported for cystic fibrosis, dermo-graphic, heat, delayed pressure and cold urticaria (Laufer and Laufer 1983 Kojima et al. 1986 Horio and Fujigaki 1988 Holzle and Hadshiew 1996). 

This chapter will review our current knowledge about the pathogenesis of allergic skin disorders, in particular atopic dermatitis (AD) and urticaria. Anti-lgE therapy has not been systematically studied in these skin diseases. Therefore we will discuss the role of IgE in their pathogenesis and provide a scientific rationale for use of anti-IgE treatment in these diseases. Recent studies indicate that the IgE molecule has a multifunctional role in these diseases, acting as both a target and a key player in the elicitation of allergen-induced immediate hypersensitivity reactions and cell-mediated responses. 

Cutaneous mast cells and their mediators play a central role in the pathogenesis of urticaria. In the skin, mast cells are predominantly of the type containing... 

Sabroe RA, Greaves MW. The pathogenesis of chronic idiopathic urticaria. Arch Dermatol 1997 133(8) 1003-1008. 

Although the pathogenesis of exercise-induced allergy (EIA) is poorly understood, biopsy studies have demonstrated mast cell degranulation after exercise. Patient s with EIA who have specific foods as coprecipitating factors invariably have positive skin test reactions to these foods, thus specific IgE mast cell sensitization is indicated. A potential dysfunction in the autonomic nervous system has also been hypothesized. Differential diagnosis includes cholinergic urticaria. 

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