Background Complement anaphylatoxin 5a (C5a) is a powerful inflammatory mediator involved in the pathology of inflammatory diseases such as chronic idiopathic urticaria. C5a binds to two receptors, C5aR, a G protein-coupled receptor, and C5L2, a 7-transmembrane receptor deficient in G protein coupling. The role of C5L2 in human mast cells (huMC) is unknown. We hypothesized that huMC express C5a...

Etanercept, a tumor necrosis factor receptor p75 Fc fusion protein (TNFR:Fc; Enbrel), has preliminarily been shown to be effective in the management of methotrexate-resistant polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). Reported side-effects have been minor, for example injection site reactions and upper respiratory tract infections, not necessitating discontinuation of the medication (1,...

Urticarial vasculitis is characterised by inflamed itching or burning red patches or wheals that resemble urticaria but persist for greater than 24 hours. It is often idiopathic but is sometimes associated with collagen-vascular disease, particularly systemic lupus erythematosus. Treatment options include oral antihistamines, oral corticosteroids, dapsone, colchicine or hydroxychloroquine. We d...

We describe the case of a 30-year-old woman who reported several episodes of anaphylaxis with angioedema and relapsing urticaria. Some events were related to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug intake and one episode followed alcohol ingestion, but in most cases no triggers could be identified. Specific immunoglobulin E determination was negative for food and drug allergens, C3 and C4 were in t...

idiopathic chronic urticaria (icu), the most common form (70-80%) of chronic urticaria is supposed to have immune basis causes. it is speculated that the promoter polymorphism of tgf-β1 gene may be involved in icu. this condition is thought to affect at least 0.1% of the population and often can be severe and difficult to treat. a total of 40 patients with icu and 41 normal subjects were studie...

Over 80 million people in Europe are affected by some form of allergic disease, according to the Global Allergy and Asthma European Network estimates. Among these diseases, the prevalence of allergic rhinitis (AR) is increasing, and is estimated to be up to 39% in children and 40% in adults. A total of 70% of the cases occur before the age of 30 years. In addition to clinical symptoms including...

BACKGROUND Angioedema without major urticarial flares (hives) is poorly understood. Its causes are diverse, and little is known about its pathogenic mechanisms. We report on our 11 years of experience with this condition and propose a classification of patients affected by angioedema unaccompanied by urticaria. METHODS From 1993 through 2003 at our outpatient clinic, 929 consecutive patients ...

Fexofenadine is a selective, non-sedating H1 receptor antagonist, marketed in the United States since 2000. The FDA approved an oral suspension in 2006, for the treatment of seasonal allergic rhinitis and chronic idiopathic urticaria in children. The tablet, capsule, and oral suspension are bioequivalent. Although fexofenadine does not use P450 CYP 3A4 it does interact with a number of drugs at...

BACKGROUND The pathophysiology and triggers of idiopathic nonhistaminergic angioedema are unclear. This study aimed to assess autoreactivity in recurrent idiopathic angioedema associated or not with wheals. METHODS The study population comprised 19 patients with recurrent idiopathic nonhistaminergic angioedema without wheals, 38 patients with angioedema and chronic urticaria (CU), and 52 pati...