Current review of anaphylaxis and its relationship to asthma

Anaphylaxis is the most dramatic of hypersensitivity reactions with a two-fold relationship with asthma, in the immediate and late phases and drugs and immunotherapy may be triggers. There are many causes of anaphylaxis, with IgE-mediated reactions, especially those to some foods very common. Drug reactions are next most common, especially to beta-lactam antibiotics, sulphonamides, Dilantin and aspirin. Exercise-induced anaphylaxis is well documented and may be exacerbated by food. Careful examination of the etiology of anaphylaxis is essential. Anaphylaxis may occur during immunotherapy and skin testing and every physician who uses these techniques must have available for immediate use appropriate remedial measures. In a study of 25 patients three distinct clinical patterns were seen, uniphasic, biphasic and protected degree of anaphylaxis. Latex is now known to be responsible for immediate anaphylaxis, as well as Type IV and is found in a variety of clinical situations, including surgery. The world-wide AIDS epidemic has caused much greater use of latex with a concomitant rise in risk of anaphylaxis.