title: Anaphylaxis: clinical presentation, immunologic mechanisms, and treatment.
abstract: Anaphylaxis is a devastating allergic catastrophe. It is described as a systemic, immediate-type hypersensitivity reaction induced by exposure to a specific antigen and is immunologically based. The clinical manifestations may be mild but are often rapidly progressive, leading to respiratory distress and cardiovascular collapse. In addition to avoiding exposure to the antigen, treatment includes general supportive measures and specific therapeutic modalities. The purpose of this article is to review the current concepts of anaphylaxis and discuss the etiologic agents, immunologic mechanisms, clinical presentation, and treatment of this true allergic emergency.
mesh_terms: D000707:Anaphylaxis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy; D000941:Antigens / Q000276:immunology; D002631:Chemotactic Factors, Eosinophil / Q000097:blood; D004630:Emergencies; D006801:Humans; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000378:metabolism; D013189:SRS-A / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D000941:Antigens; D002631:Chemotactic Factors, Eosinophil; D013189:SRS-A; D007073:Immunoglobulin E