Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: UMLS:C0042109 (urticaria)
 6,569 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Numerous undesirable reactions to alcoholic beverages, foods, drugs and other substances are characterized by allergy-like signs and symptoms and yet show unambiguously negative allergy test results. Such persons should be assessed for evidence of histamine intolerance caused by histamine overload and/or diamine oxidase deficiency. Diamine oxidase is the main histamine degrading enzyme with a predominantly gut activity. This would explain why nutritional allergies are often primarily suspected. The clinical evidence for histamine intolerance is based on chronic headache, diarrhoea, vomiting, flush, urticaria, asthma-like symptoms, rhinitis and others. Histamine restricted food, supported if necessary by H1 antihistamine blockade are simple but highly efficacious measures as shown by us in large patient groups. Intolerance to red wine probably is the most outstanding clinical characteristic and a directed question must be included into any allergy history in order to avoid missing a very major diagnostic spectrum with good therapeutic maneuverability.
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PMID:[Pseudo-allergies are due to histamine intolerance]. 901 5

Histamine in food may be responsible for some cases of food intolerance. We previously demonstrated disturbances in the metabolism of ingested histamine in patients with chronic urticaria (CU) and proposed that this could be related to increased intestinal permeability to histamine. The present study was undertaken to look for ultrastructural changes in the intestinal tract that might explain this abnormality. We examined duodenal biopsies from seven patients with CU before and after intraduodenal administration of histamine (120 mg). Five subjects had clinical symptoms (diarrhea, urticaria, headache, accelerated heart rate, and drop in blood pressure) within 1 h of duodenal histamine challenge (DHC). Ultrastructural changes, including edema of the interstitial tissue, enlargement of the basal intercellular spaces, slight congestion of the endothelial cells, and pericapillary edema, were observed in six subjects 45 min after DHC. In all the biopsies, the epithelium was normal, and the tight junctions were not modified by DHC. This morphologic study demonstrates that histamine can induce edema in the basal intercellular spaces of the duodenal mucosa and in the submucosa without evident change in the integrity of intercellular junctions. The most plausible route for histamine to have taken would appear to be an intracellular one.
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PMID:Ultrastructural changes in the duodenal mucosa induced by ingested histamine in patients with chronic urticaria. 902 Apr 24

Having observed altered itch and flare reactions after histamine application in patients with atopic eczema, we tried to determine these reactions in patients with urticaria and psoriasis. We investigated 16 healthy non-atopic subjects, 16 atopics in an eczema-free interval, 16 with acute atopic eczema, 16 with urticaria and 16 with psoriasis. Histamine was iontophoretically applied. The resulting sensations were rated on a visual analogue scale. Flare areas were measured 6 min after stimulation. Itch ratings of urticaria and psoriasis patients did not differ significantly from controls, whereas both atopic groups, regardless of acute or symptom-free state, reported significantly reduced intensity of itching. Flares were significantly diminished in all subjects with acute skin disease (psoriasis, urticaria and atopic eczema), regardless of diagnosis. However, flares were "normal" in symptom-free atopics and were not significantly different from controls. In conclusion, all "acute" patients showed a diminished axon-reflex function, possibly due to a downregulation of C-fiber responsiveness to histamine or an increased turnover rate of inflammatory mediators. Both atopic groups reported weaker itching, suggesting altered central nervous processing of itch.
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PMID:Histamine and cutaneous nociception: histamine-induced responses in patients with atopic eczema, psoriasis and urticaria. 953 90

Histamine releasing autoantibodies play a central role in the pathogenesis of chronic urticaria (CU) in approximately 30% of affected patients. We investigated the therapeutic effect of high-dose intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) on disease activity in patients with severe CU of autoimmune aetiology. Autoimmune urticaria was diagnosed by the development of a weal-and-flare reaction to the intradermal injection of autologous serum and by serum-induced histamine release from the basophil leucocytes of healthy donors in vitro. Ten patients with severe, autoimmune CU, poorly responsive to conventional treatment, were treated with IVIG 0.4 g/kg per day for 5 days. The outcome on cutaneous wealing and itch was monitored using urticaria activity scores, visual analogue scales and autologous intradermal serum tests. Clinical benefit was noted in nine of 10 patients: three patients continue in prolonged complete remissions (3 years follow-up), two had temporary complete remissions, and symptoms in four patients improved subsequent to treatment. There was significant improvement in the urticaria activity scores and visual analogue scores at 2 (P < 0.01) and 6 weeks (P < 0.01) post-IVIG compared with the baseline values (Wilcoxon matched pairs). The diminution in urticarial activity in the majority of patients corresponded with a reduced weal-and-flare response to the intradermal injection of autologous post-treatment serum compared with the pretreatment serum. Minor side-effects were common, but there were no serious or long-term adverse effects. IVIG represents a novel therapeutic option in selected patients with recalcitrant CU associated with histamine releasing autoantibodies.
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PMID:Intravenous immunoglobulin in autoimmune chronic urticaria. 953 30

Urticaria is one of the most common and, in its chronic course, excruciating dermato-allergic diseases. Apart from the dermatological diagnosis, the identification and evaluation of causal triggering factors is of utmost importance. Here a 'three-step guideline' (according to Ring and Przybilla) has gained acceptance, ranging a general basic examination via an intensive investigation until oral provocation tests for food allergy and oral provocation tests for idiosyncrasy (OPTI) against food additives. Apart from true IgE-mediated allergies, pseudo-allergic reactions against food additives as well as food contents represent a major problem in chronic urticaria. Recently gastric mucosal colonization with Helicobacter pylori as the trigger of chronic urticaria has received attention. New pathophysiological concepts describe autoantibodies that are directed either against IgE or against the high-affinity IgE-receptor on the surface of mast cells and basophil leucocytes. In the intradermal test with autologous serum positive wheal and flare reactions can be observed (Greaves' test). In many patients with chronic urticaria considerable psychosomatic involvement is also observed. Histamine is one of the major mediators of most forms of urticaria although in some cases, especially physical urticaria, other mediators seem to play a role. Therefore antihistamines, and mainly H1 antihistamines, are the mainstay of antiurticaria therapy. Some studies have shown a benefit of combined H1- and H2-antagonist treatment in special forms of urticaria namely urticaria factitia. Similarly pretreatment with combined H1 and H2 antagonists has been proven to reduce effectively the frequency of pseudo-allergic reaction to some histamine-releasing drugs used in radiology or surgery. More than 50 years after the first introduction of an antihistamine into allergy therapy, antihistamines still represent modern and exciting agents contributing to the continuous improvement of antiallergic therapy. Antihistamine therapy can be performed with either the classical or second generation antihistamines. Classical antihistamines are connected with considerable side-effects especially sedation and anticholinergic effects. New non-sedating antihistamines have been developed that do not cross the blood-brain barrier. The efficacy of mizolastine, a new non-sedating H1 antagonist, has been evaluated in several placebo-controlled and comparative clinical trials. Overall, mizolastine 10 mg/day was found to be significantly more effective than placebo and as effective as other second generation antihistamine drugs in the management of patients with chronic urticaria, with a rapid and sustained action.
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PMID:Antihistamines in urticaria. 1020 3

Urticaria and angioedema are common diseases in children and adults. Approximately 15-25% of the population will have urticaria or angioedema at least once in their life-time. Urticaria is characterized as the appearance of erythematous, circumscribed, elevated, pruritic, edematous swelling of the upper dermal tissue. Erythematous swelling of the deeper cutaneous and subcutaneous tissue is called angioedema. In angioedema lesions are less pruritic but pain and burning are common. Urticaria may occur in any part of the body, whereas angioedema often involves face, extremities or genitalia. In contrast to other forms of edema there are not symmetric distribution. Urticaria and angioedema are often associated. Urticaria is considered acute if symptoms are present for less than 6 weeks, but usually in childhood lesions disappear in a few days. In chronic urticaria symptoms are longer than 6 weeks; if the episodes were of shorter duration than the symptoms-free periods urticaria is considered recurrent. Acute urticaria has been reported to be the common type in childhood and chronic urticaria is more frequent in adults. Acute urticaria is usually a self-limited benign disease in young children. Nevertheless it is an uncomfortable nuisance, interfering daily activities and sleep, and produces psychosocial impact in patients and parents (an altered self-image is always an alarming situation). Urticaria is a frequent cause of emergency room visit but few patients need to be admitted. Urticaria has long been believed to be an allergic disease but clinically it has rare been proved to be so. The basic mechanism involves the release of diverse vasoactive mediators that arise from the activation of cells or enzymatic pathways. Histamine is the best known of these substances, and elicits the classic triple response consisting of vasodilatation (erythema), increased vascular permeability (edema) and an axon reflex that increases reaction. In contrast to simple symptoms and easy diagnosis of urticaria, etiologic factors are often difficult to establish. Urticaria can be classified according to the eliciting factors and the different pathomechanisms. According to several works, clinical history carried out by a trained physician can be regarded as the most valuable diagnostic tool and extensive screening test do not contribute to etiologic diagnosis of urticaria. Only a few specific tests appeared to be valuable at this respect. In different studies about children urticaria, the most common etiological factors have been identified as infection, physical urticaria, food allergy, drug adverse reaction, parasitic infestation and papular urticaria. The aim of this work-shop is to define, describe and discuss these frequent problems.
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PMID:[Round Table: Urticaria and angioedema: introduction and classification]. 1035 10

Neuroendocrine tumors of the ampulla of Vater are rare (less than 100 cases reported). We report here a new case characterized by histamine secretion, a hitherto unreported feature. Clinical presentation is similar to that of other tumors of the ampulla of Vater. In our observation, the patient had noticed urticaria on the right forearm for several months. Tumor of the ampulla was confirmed by endoscopic ultrasonography, while neuroendocrine characterization was assessed on biopsies after endoscopic sphincterotomy. Histamine concentration in blood was the only elevated neuroendocrine marker and returned to normal after surgical resection. Histology showed a neuroendocrine tumor with extension to lymph nodes. On immunohistochemical analysis, production of histamine was confirmed, and the diagnosis of mastocytoma was eliminated. In view of the literature, neuroendocrine tumors of the ampulla of Vater are associated with a good prognosis (5 year-survival rate: 90%) despite early lymph node involvement.
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PMID:[Histamine-producing neuroendocrine tumor of the ampulla of Vater]. 1061 35

Histamine plays a key role in the pathogenesis of chronic urticaria (CU). The authors of this paper have studied the effects of ingested histamine in 25 patients with CU. A 120 mg dose of histamine, well-tolerated in the healthy subject, was instillated into the duodenum. Concomitantly, plasma histamine (H) levels and plasma and urinary methylhistamine (MH) levels were measured. Intraduodenal administration of histamine was responsible for the development of an attack of urticaria in 64% of patients, while control subjects were asymptomatic. Plasma histamine levels were significantly higher after digestive histamine challenge (DHC) in patients with CU compared with controls. An abnormal increase in plasma histamine was observed in 72% of them. Plasma MH exhibited the same kinetic behaviour with a usually delayed time-pattern. Urinary MH concentration was higher in patients presenting with early-onset urticaria during the first hour than in those with the late-onset type between 1 and 12 hr after DHC. The coefficient of methylation (plasma MH/MH+H) was not significantly different in patients presenting with an attack of urticaria following DHC and in other subjects. Urinary excretion of MH and urinary flow increased significantly in patients presenting with an attack of urticaria following DHC which corresponds to increased absorption of histamine during the 5-hr period following DHC and its role on excretion by the kidney via vasodilation which it induces. This study demonstrates the abnormal frequency of disturbances in the metabolism of exogenous histamine in patients with CU. Increased plasma H accounts for the abnormal passage of H across the intestinal barrier which can result either from intestinal hyperpermeability and/or a deficit in the enzymatic catabolism of histamine. The systems of methylation and urinary clearance of MH appear to be effective. It is thus postulated that there is a deficit in diamine oxidase (DAO) in the enterocyte. The lack of correlation between the kinetic behaviour of plasma H and the onset of urticaria draws attention to the extent of individual variability in skin reactivity to histamine.
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PMID:Abnormalities in histamine pharmacodynamics in chronic urticaria. 1077 95

Histamine was the first allergic mediator identified in the early part of this century. It has three defined receptors, but most effects of histamine in allergic reactions are through the H1 receptor. The first H1 antagonists were introduced into clinical use in the late 1940s, and drugs of this class are still the preferred initial choice for management of allergic rhinitis and urticaria. The first-generation drugs were characterized by nonspecific binding to many receptors and penetration of the blood-brain barrier, resulting in multiple side effects. Within the central nervous system (CNS), interference with normal histamine binding to the H1 receptor is associated with drowsiness and psychomotor impairment. The second-generation drugs have a much improved benefit/adverse effect profile, largely based on greater potency, receptor specificity, and lower CNS penetration. The potency of antihistamines for blocking H1 receptors can be compared by their inhibition of the cutaneous wheal and flare response to histamine. These drugs seem to have additional antiallergic properties related to blockade of mediator release and interference with cellular recruitment and activation. Clinical trials comparing the efficacy of antihistamines in rhinitis and asthma are reviewed. Recent studies have explored the potential of antihistamines to prevent the progression of allergy and their enhanced efficacy when combined with leukotriene antagonists.
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PMID:Molecular pharmacology of second-generation antihistamines. 1089 14

A 30-year-old man with atopic dermatitis had had erythema and itching of the hands after washing rice in water, though he had always eaten cooked rice without problems. Handling test with water used to wash regular rice was performed on abraded hands, and produced urticarial erythema after several minutes. Applications of water used to wash allergen-reduced rice were negative for urticarial reaction. Prick test with water used to wash regular rice was +++. However prick test reaction with water used to wash allergen-reduced rice was +. Histamine-release test of regular rice-washing water was grade 3 and that of allergen-reduced rice grade 1. In immunoblotting analysis with regular rice washing water, there were no bands with this patient. These results suggest that the allergen responsible for contact urticaria in this patient might be water-soluble, heat-unstable, and not contained in allergen-reduced rice.
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PMID:Contact urticaria from rice. 1120 11


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