title: An update on mast cell disorders.
abstract: Disorders of mast cell activation can be classified as primary (mastocytosis), secondary (reactive) or idiopathic. This article discusses how to recognise and approach the diagnosis of patients suspected to have symptoms of abnormal mast cell activation. Given the highly varied and often complex symptomatology of such patients, we advocate applying a logical step-wise approach to investigating these patients to ensure the correct diagnosis is made. Treatments of mast cell activation disorders are discussed, dividing them into those that ameliorate the effects of mast cell mediators and those that act to stabilise the mast cell.
authors.affiliation: St John's Institute of Dermatology, Guys and St Thomas's Hospitals, London, UK hannahscookson@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Hannah
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Cookson
authors.affiliation: St John's Institute of Dermatology, Guys and St Thomas's Hospitals, London, UK.
authors.forename: Clive
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Grattan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D008407:Mast Cells / Q000502:physiology; D008415:Mastocytosis; D012867:Skin / Q000473:pathology; D053802:Tryptases / Q000097:blood; D014582:Urticaria Pigmentosa
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D053802:Tryptases
keywords: Activation; disorder; mast cell; mast cell disorders; mastocytosis; tryptase