Chapter One
History and classification of
anaphylaxis
Johannes Ring, Knut Brockow and Heidrun Behrendt
Division Environmental Dermatology and Allergology GSF/TUM, Department of
Dermatology and Allergy Biederstein, Technical University Munich, Biedersteiner Straße 29,
D-80802 Munich, Germany
Abstract. Anaphylaxis is the maximal variant of an acute allergic reaction involving
several organ systems. The phenomenon itself is old, but it was recognized and named
at the beginning of the 20th century by Richet and Portier. The clinical symptoms of
anaphylaxis affect various organs, most commonly starting in the skin and proceeding
to the respiratory tract, to gastrointestinal involvement and to cardiovascular
symptoms, and finally to cardiac and/or respiratory arrest. Anaphylaxis stricto sensu is an
immunological reaction, mostly mediated by IgE antibodies, but also by IgG or IgM
antibodies (immune complex anaphylaxis). There are cases with similar clinical
symptomatology without detectable immunological sensitization which are called
pseudo-allergic or anaphylactoid reactions. In the newer nomenclature, some authors
tend to include these under the heading of 'anaphylaxis' which has then to be defined as
an axcute systemi ... read full excerpt from Anaphylaxis - No. 257 ebook
