Therapy of Anaphylaxis

Abstract

THE anaphylactic reaction, often explosive in onset, may vary from mild pruritic symptoms to irreversible shock and fatal pulmonary insufficiency. These acute systemic manifestations follow readministration of an antigen to a previously sensitized person.PathogenesisAnaphylaxis is consequent to the release of highly reactive pharmacologic substances acting upon smooth muscle and vasculature. Histamine, serotonin, plasma kinins (kallidin I, kallidin II), and slow-reacting substance (SRS-A) are the primary mediators of the anaphylactic response. Histamine induces angioneurotic edema, hypotension and erythema in human beings when various histamine releasers are administered. Pretreatment with antihistamines will abolish these symptoms, but the drugs are ineffective . . .