About this Research Topic
Anaphylactic reactions are of great public health concern, with potentially life-threatening consequences. Food allergy is the most common trigger of anaphylaxis in the community, with changes in dietary habits and lifestyle the prevailing cause for the surge in incidence . In some developing countries, anaphylactic reactions are not recognized, and are hospitalized based on severity of symptoms rather than cause of the symptoms. In the last ten years several guidelines for the management of anaphylaxis have been published addressing gaps in knowledge and providing guidance. However, the current scenario is still disappointing, underlined by the disparity of diagnostic pathways and treatments, the underuse of adrenaline as a first line drug in anaphylaxis, the different scores of severity of allergic reactions in place across the world, and an overall lack of harmonized approaches both at the health care and at the community level.
The clinical manifestations of anaphylaxis are broad and may involve multiple body systems. Most anaphylactic reactions involve an IgE-mediated mechanism, although non-IgE-mediated and non-immunologic reactions can also occur. Diagnosis of anaphylaxis is primarily based on signs and symptoms and possibly by the identification and confirmation of a culprit food allergen. First-line treatment of anaphylaxis is intramuscular administration of epinephrine and generalized allergic symptoms are treated with antihistamines, steroids and other over the counter medications. Long-term management is generally focused on strict allergen avoidance and, more recently, on food desensitization using immunotherapy. In the future, the development of diagnostic and prognostic methods and focused treatment strategies based on precise immunological mechanisms will help to combat anaphylaxis across the globe.
This Research Topic aims to address gaps in the research and literature on anaphylaxis. It is particularly focused on original research and review articles on immune mechanisms and therapeutics. Relevant themes for articles include, but are not limited to:
• Diagnosis and prognosis markers of anaphylaxis
• Functions of mast cells, basophils and effector cells in relation to anaphylaxis
• Molecular and cellular mechanisms of anaphylaxis
• IgE and Pathophysiology
• Cytokines and chemokines surge during anaphylaxis
• Emergency and clinical interventions during anaphylaxis
• Clinical and physiological complications during anaphylactic reactions
The clinical manifestations of anaphylaxis are broad and may involve multiple body systems. Most anaphylactic reactions involve an IgE-mediated mechanism, although non-IgE-mediated and non-immunologic reactions can also occur. Diagnosis of anaphylaxis is primarily based on signs and symptoms and possibly by the identification and confirmation of a culprit food allergen. First-line treatment of anaphylaxis is intramuscular administration of epinephrine and generalized allergic symptoms are treated with antihistamines, steroids and other over the counter medications. Long-term management is generally focused on strict allergen avoidance and, more recently, on food desensitization using immunotherapy. In the future, the development of diagnostic and prognostic methods and focused treatment strategies based on precise immunological mechanisms will help to combat anaphylaxis across the globe.
This Research Topic aims to address gaps in the research and literature on anaphylaxis. It is particularly focused on original research and review articles on immune mechanisms and therapeutics. Relevant themes for articles include, but are not limited to:
• Diagnosis and prognosis markers of anaphylaxis
• Functions of mast cells, basophils and effector cells in relation to anaphylaxis
• Molecular and cellular mechanisms of anaphylaxis
• IgE and Pathophysiology
• Cytokines and chemokines surge during anaphylaxis
• Emergency and clinical interventions during anaphylaxis
• Clinical and physiological complications during anaphylactic reactions
Keywords: Allergy, IgE, mast/basophils, Th1/Th2 cells, cytokines, food allergy, anaphylaxis, hypersensitivity
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
