Related Experiment Videos
Late-phase urticaria Update
Naotomo Kambe1, Aki Kitao, Chikako Nishigori
1Department of Dermatology, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, 54 Kawahara-cho, Shogoin, Sakyo-ku, Japan. nkambe@kuhp.kyoto-u.ac.jp
Current Allergy and Asthma Reports
|June 5, 2002
Summary
This study identifies a distinct urticarial reaction characterized by prolonged lesions and eosinophilic infiltration, differing from typical urticaria and urticarial vasculitis. These cases respond to systemic glucocorticoids, suggesting a unique inflammatory mechanism.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Immunology
- Pathology
Background:
- Ordinary urticaria lesions typically resolve within 24 hours.
- Some patients present with urticarial eruptions lasting longer than 24 hours without vasculitis.
- These prolonged lesions are distinct from pressure urticaria.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize a specific urticarial reaction with prolonged lesion duration.
- To differentiate this entity from ordinary urticaria and urticarial vasculitis.
- To explore the underlying inflammatory mechanisms and treatment response.
Main Methods:
- Histological examination of skin biopsies from affected patients.
- Clinical evaluation for signs of vasculitis, pressure exposure, protein urea, and joint pain.
- Assessment of peripheral eosinophil counts and serum complement levels.
- Evaluation of treatment response to systemic glucocorticoids.
Main Results:
- Histology showed perivascular infiltration, predominantly eosinophils, without immunoglobulin or complement deposition.
- Patients lacked features of urticarial vasculitis and had normal peripheral eosinophil and serum complement levels.
- Lesions were refractory to standard treatments but responsive to systemic glucocorticoids.
Conclusions:
- This urticarial reaction represents a distinct clinical entity, separate from ordinary urticaria and urticarial vasculitis.
- The condition is likely mediated by a late-phase inflammatory reaction in immediate hypersensitivity.
- Systemic glucocorticoids are an effective treatment for this specific type of urticaria.