Allergen

Allergen, allergy, anaphylactoid, anaphylaxis, antibody, bronchospasm, chemotactic factors, cytotoxic reaction, histamine, hives, IgE, IgG, IgM, immune complex, immunoglobulin, latex allergy, penicillin allergy.

Allergic reactions are sensitivities to a specific substance, called an allergen, which is contacted through the skin, inhaled into the lungs, swallowed, or injected. They are fairly common; approximately 50 million Americans suffer from some form of allergic disease, and the incidence is increasing.

Some allergic reactions may be mild enough to treat at home while others are severe and life-threatening. First time exposure to a potential allergen may only produce a mild reaction, but once a person is sensitized, repeated exposure may lead to more severe reactions.

An allergic reaction may be a side effect of drugs, certain foods or drinks, various chemicals or environmental factors, which involves immunologic mechanisms (the immune system's distinction of self from nonself). Common allergens may include: plants, pollens, animal danders, bee stings, insect bites, medications, nuts and shellfish.

Certain agents are most often responsible for allergic reactions in surgical patients. These include neuromuscular blocking agents, latex, colloids, hypnotics, antibiotics, benzodiazepines (anti-anxiety agents), opioids (often used to treat pain or for sleep induction), local anesthetics, intravenous (IV) contrast media (a diagnostic tool), and blood products. The antibiotics most commonly associated with allergic reactions are the sulfonamides, penicillins, and cephalosporins.

Anaphylaxis is the most severe form of allergic reaction. It can present as an acute, life-threatening reaction with multiple organ system involvement or it can be more localized in appearance. Approximately 1 in every 2,700 hospitalized patients experience drug-induced anaphylaxis. If antibodies are not involved in the process, the reaction is termed anaphylactoid. However, it is not possible to distinguish between anaphylactic and anaphylactoid reactions through clinical observation.

The mechanism of action of an allergic response is based on an immune reaction. Antibodies, proteins on the surface of immune cells that are released into the blood stream in response to an allergen, function to capture unwanted substances in the body. When allergens first enter the body of a person predisposed to allergies, a series of reactions occurs and most often, allergen-specific IgE antibodies are produced. Following IgE production, these antibodies travel to immune cells called mast cells, which are abundant in the nose, eyes, lungs and gastrointestinal tract. The IgE antibodies attach themselves to the surface of the mast cells and are activated upon the reintroduction of their particular allergen. Each type of IgE is specific for only one allergen. The next time that specific allergen is introduced, it is captured by the IgE antibody, initiating the release of chemical mediators from the mast cells, leading to recruitment of other immune cells which then cause the clinical presentation of an allergic reaction.

Anaphylaxis, the most severe type of allergic reaction is initiated by an antigen binding to IgE antibodies. For this to occur, the patient must first be sensitized to the antigen with prior exposure to either the antigen itself or a substance with similar structure. The binding of the antigen to the IgE antibodies on the surface of basophils and mast cells, which are specific subtypes of immune cells, causes release of histamine and the chemotactic factors which cause anaphylaxis. Chemotactic factors are chemicals that recruit various immune cells to the site to participate in the allergic reaction. Other chemical mediators (leukotrienes, prostaglandins, kinins) are also released in response to cellular activation. The activated chemical mediators then produce bronchospasm, upper airway edema (swelling), vasodilation, increased capillary permeability, and urticaria (hives or related skin reactions). The effects of multiple mediators on the heart and peripheral vasculature may cause a cardiovascular collapse during anaphylaxis. If the individual is already sensitized to the antigen, there is often an immediate clinical manifestation of anaphylaxis. However, the onset may not occur for up to 30 minutes. The severity of the reaction may vary, causing anywhere from minor clinical changes to death.

Signs and symptoms of an anaphylactic reaction may include hives, itching and burning of the skin, flushing, swelling around the mouth and eyes, shortness of breath, chest tightness, wheezing, broncospasm, sneezing, swelling of the airways, dizziness, fatigue, disorientation, excessive sweating, loss of consciousness, low blood pressure, acute respiratory distress, rapid heart rate, and/or cardiovascular collapse.

Life-threatening reactions are more likely to occur in patients with a history of allergy, atopy (genetic predisposition to allergies), or asthma. Although these patients are frequently pretreated with corticosteroids, there is no evidence to suggest this practice is effective for preventing true anaphylactic reactions. In a survey examining the incidence of intraoperative anaphylaxis, 70.2% were due to neuromuscular blocking agents, 12.5% due to latex, 4.6% due to colloids, 3.6% due to hypnotics, 2.6% due to antibiotics, 2% due to benzodiazepines, 1.7% due to opioids, 0.7% due to local anesthetics, and 2.8% due to other agents.

The results of a recent study stress the need to promote continuous medical education programs regarding adequate diagnosis and treatment of anaphylaxis for general practitioners. Wrong concepts related to anaphylaxis treatment are frequently observed, which poses a serious problem since general practitioners are the frontline doctors in the management of outpatient anaphylactic reactions. Authors of this study stress the importance of general practitioners to be able to accurately diagnose and treat an acute anaphylactic episode, but also to make a correct retrospective diagnosis (looking back after the episode has occurred) and to advise on the use of epinephrine auto-injectors. These devices, known as Epi-pens, allow a person to self-administer a shot epinephrine in the case of an allergic reaction. Epinephrine rapidly constricts the blood vessels, relaxes the muscles in the airway and lungs, reverses swelling, and stimulates the heartbeat, thereby reversing the most dangerous effects of an anaphylactic reaction

This information has been edited and peer-reviewed by contributors to the Natural Standard Research Collaboration (www.naturalstandard.com).

American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology. 14 June 2006.

DiPiro JT and Stafford CT, "Allergic and Pseudoallergic Drug Reactions," Pharmacotherapy: A Pathophysiologic Approach, 3rd ed. Stamford CT: Appleton and Lange, 1997, 1675-88.

Ferreira MB, Alves RR. Are general practitioners alert to anaphylaxis diagnosis and treatment? Allerg Immunol (Paris). 2006 Mar;38(3):83-6.

Levy JH. Anaphylactic Reactions in Anesthesia and Intensive Care. Stoneham, Butterworth-Heinemann, 1992.

Allergic reactions can be classified into four immunopathologic categories using various classification systems. These classifications are based on the immune system's response to the allergen, not on the severity of the reaction.

Type I: This classification involves a certain immunoglobulin (antibody), known as IgE, which is specific for the drug, antigen, or other allergen that initiates the allergic reaction. The allergen binds to the immunoglobulin on specific immune cells known as basophils and mast cells. This binding results in the release of chemicals that cause inflammation in the body within 30 minutes of the allergen, such as histamine, serotonin, proteases, bradykinin generating factor, chemotactic factors from various immune cells, leukotrienes, prostaglandins and thromboxanes. This type of allergic reaction is often seen with penicillin, latex, blood products and vaccines, among other allergens.

Type II: This classification is known as a cytotoxic reaction, involving destruction of the host cells. An antigen associated with a specific cell initiates cytolysis of the cell by an antigen-specific antibody, such as IgG or IgM. This reaction often involves blood elements such as red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. It often occurs within five to twelve hours of the allergen, which may include penicillin, quinidine, phenylbutazone, thiouracils, sulfonamides, or methyldopa.

Type III: This category involves the formation of an antigen-antibody immune complex, which deposits on blood vessel walls and activates cell components known as complements. This causes a serum-sickness like syndrome, involving fever, swelling, skin rash, and enlargement of the lymph nodes, in about three to eight hours. It may be caused by a variety of allergens, including penicillins, sulfonamides, intravenous (IV) contrast media, and hydantoins.

Type IV: This classification involves delayed cell mediated reactions. Antigens on the allergen release inflammatory mediators in 24 to 48 hours. This type of reaction is seen with graft rejection, latex contact dermatitis, and tuberculin reaction.