title: [Pathophysiology of multiple chemical sensitivity].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) is a complex clinical entity that includes a large number of non-specific symptoms, associated in a univocal manner in each patient and triggered by exposure to various chemicals at low concentrations, well below those known to cause toxic effects. However, no objective test exists currently to diagnose this syndrome. One of the main reasons is that the pathophysiology is poorly understood. However, many explanatory hypotheses have been proposed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Patients with symptoms of MCS are often encountered by pulmonologists. Their suffering is undeniable but, unfortunately, the lack of understanding of the pathophysiological mechanisms makes treatment difficult and empirical.
authors.affiliation: Service de pneumologie, d'allergologie et de pathologie respiratoire de l'environnement, pôle de pathologie thoracique, hôpitaux universitaires de Strasbourg, BP 426, 67091 Strasbourg cedex, France. cindy.barnig@chru-strasbourg.fr
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Barnig
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: de Blay
mesh_terms: D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D018777:Multiple Chemical Sensitivity / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors
keywords: Allergie; Allergy; Asthma; Asthme; Chemical pollutant; Multiple chemical sensitivity; Pathophysiology; Physiopathologie; Polluant chimique; Syndrome d’hypersensibilité chimique multiple