Definition

• Anaphylaxis   Anaphylaxis  is a type-I IgE-mediated hypersensitivity reaction involving mast cells and basophils.
• Anaphylactoid reactions are a direct non-immune-mediated release of mediators from mast cells and/or basophils or result from direct complement activation. Clinical symptoms similar to anaphylaxis.
• In humans the incidence of anaphylaxis under anesthesia ranges from 1 in 3,500 to 1 in 13,000.
• A clinical syndrome that will affect multiple organs.
• Unanticipated and often very sudden in onset.
• Urticaria   Urticaria / angiedema  is skin swellings that pit with digital pressure often associated with immediate-type hypersensitivity reaction.

Prevention

Diagnosis

Drugs involved

Management

Further Reading

Publications

Refereed papers

• Recent references from PubMed and VetMedResource.
• Hepner D L & Castells M C (2003) Anaphylaxis during the perioperative period. Anaesthesia Analgesia 97 (5), 1381-1395 PubMed.
• Neilson I L, Jacobs K A, Huntington P J, Chapman C D & Lloyd K C (1988) Adverse reaction to procaine penicillin G in horses. Australian Vet J 65 (6), 181-185 PubMed.

Other sources of information

• Bishop Y (1998) Ed. The Veterinary Formulary. 4th edn. British Veterinary Association and Royal Pharmaceutical Society.