Anaesthesiologists administer several drugs while providing general anaesthesia. Many of these drugs can elicit adverse drug reactions that fall apart into two major types. First, reactions that are usually dose-dependent and related to the pharmacological properties of the drug and/or its metabolites. Second, reactions that are unrelated to the drug's pharmacological characteristics and that are less dose-dependent. These reactions comprise drug intolerance, idiosyncratic reactions and drug-induced immune-mediated allergic and nonimmune-mediated so-called pseudo-allergic or anaphylactoid reactions. The terms anaphylactic and anaphylactoid, however, have been used inconsistently in the literature. Therefore, the nomenclature task force set up by the European Academy of Allergy and Immunology (EAACI) has proposed that anaphylactic-type reactions should be reclassified into allergic anaphylaxis and nonallergic anaphylaxis. Allergic anaphylaxis being further subdivided in IgE-mediated and non-IgE-mediated reactions (1).The exact prevalence of anaphylaxis during anaesthesia is difficult to ascertain. The estimated overall frequency has been reported to vary between 1 in 3500 and 1 in 13 000 procedures in French series (2, 3) and between 1 in 10 000 and 1 in 20 000 in an Australian study (4). The clinical manifestation of these reactions is not infrequently an almost immediate generalized response with bronchospasm and hypotension. The degree of severity varies and does not allow differentiation between an IgE-mediated or non-IgE mediated reaction resulting from nonspecific mediator release (5). The mortality from these reactions is in the range from 3 to 6%, and an additional 2% of patients experience significant residual brain damage (4).Diagnosis of anaphylaxis during anaesthesia is not always straightforward. It can be hampered as a broad spectrum of different drugs can elicit heterogeneous allergic and nonallergic reactions with distinct and sometimes unclear pathological mechanisms. Problems are certainly compounded as multiple drugs need to be administered during general anaesthesia. In addition, nonanaesthesia related drugs or procedures (e.g. disinfection) are sometimes administered/performed in the perioperative period and can also be the cause of an allergic reaction.In addition, none of the available diagnostic tests demonstrates absolute accuracy. False-positive test Correct management of anaphylaxis during anaesthesia requires a multidisciplinary approach with prompt recognition and treatment of the acute event by the attending anaesthesiologist, and subsequent determination of the responsible agent(s) with strict avoidance of subsequent administration of all incriminated and/or cross-reacting compounds.However, correct identification of the causative compound(s) and safe alternatives is not always straightforward and, too often, not done.This review is not intended to discuss acute management of anaesthesia-related anaphylaxis but summarizes the major causes of anaphylaxis during anaesthesia and the di...

The diagnosis of allergic reactions in clinical practice rests upon both clinical history and the demonstration of specific immunoglobulin E (sIgE), either in the serum or via skin tests. However, for various reasons, identification of the offending allergen(s) is not always possible. Moreover, not all allergies are IgE-mediated. In an attempt to find reliable methods to investigate hypersensitivity reactions, histamine and sulfidoleukotriene release tests have long been introduced. However, relatively few comprehensive quality reports have been published so far. Upon challenge with a specific allergen, basophils not only secrete quantifiable bioactive mediators but also upregulate the expression of different markers which can be detected efficiently by flow cytometry using specific monoclonal antibodies. This review addresses the principals, particular technical aspects and pitfalls as well as the clinical and research applications of flow-assisted analysis of in vitro activated basophils q

Physicians predominantly rely upon quantification of serum‐specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) and/or skin test to confirm clinically suspected IgE‐mediated allergy. However, for various reasons, identification of the offending allergen(s) and potentially cross‐reactive structures is not always straightforward. Flow‐assisted allergy diagnosis relies upon quantification of alterations in the expression of particular basophilic activation markers. Actually, upon challenge with a specific allergen, basophils not only secrete quantifiable bioactive mediators but also upregulate the expression of different markers which can be detected efficiently by flow cytometry using specific monoclonal antibodies. Currently, the technique has been applied in the investigation of IgE‐mediated allergy caused by classical inhalant allergens, food, Hevea latex, hymenoptera venoms and drugs. It is also appreciated; the technique proves valuable in the diagnosis of non‐IgE‐mediated (anaphylactoid) reactions such drug hypersensitivity and the detection of autoantibodies in certain forms of chronic urticaria. This review will not address immunologic features, characteristics and general pitfalls of flow‐assisted analysis of in vitro‐activated basophils as summarized elsewhere. After a recapitulation of the principles and some specific technical issues of flow‐assisted analysis of in vitro‐activated basophils, we principally focus on the current clinical and research applications of the basophil activation tests. Personal experience of both research groups is provided, where appropriate. Finally, a viewpoint on how the field might evolve in the following years is provided.

Indirect exposure to antibiotics (in utero and during lactation) increases the risk for allergic symptoms in children, while direct exposure to antibiotics appears to be protective. The biological mechanisms underlying these findings still need to be elucidated.

Persistent wheeze is a common chronic disease in early childhood and later may progress to asthma. However, the association between pre-and post-bronchodilator lung function and the wheezing phenotype in preschool children is not known.Children 4 yrs of age involved in a prospective birth cohort study (in Antwerp, Belgium) concerning perinatal factors and the occurrence of asthma and allergies, were invited to participate in lung function measurements with the forced oscillation technique. The wheezing phenotype was assessed via (bi)annual questionnaires.Wheezing phenotype and baseline respiratory impedance data were available for 325 children, 96% of whom underwent bronchodilation tests. The baseline resistance at 4 Hz was higher in children with early transient (11.0 hPa?s?L -1 , n5127) or persistent wheeze (11.9 hPa?s?L -1 , n554) than in children who never wheezed (10.3 hPa?s?L -1 , n5144). After bronchodilation, the resistance decreased on average by 22%. The decrease was greater among the persistent wheezers than among those who never wheezed (3.4 versus 2.3 hPa?s?L -1 ).The baseline lung function was poorer and the bronchodilator response was greater in 4-yr-old children with persistent wheeze than in those who never wheeze or who had early transient wheeze, implying a higher bronchomotor tone in the former group.

The BAT constitutes a reliable instrument to diagnose anaphylaxis from rocuronium. The technique also allows quick and simultaneous testing of different potential cross-reactive NMBA and to tailor a safe alternative.

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Hazelnut allergy in a birch-endemic region exhibits age-related sensitization profiles with distinct clinical outcomes that can be identified using CRD. The majority of hazelnut allergic preschool and school children in a birch-endemic region show systemic reactions on consumption of processed hazelnut, mostly being sensitized to the hazelnut legumin-like allergen Cor a 9 but unrelated to birch pollen allergy. In contrast, adults generally suffer from an OAS apparently as a result of cross-reactivity between Cor a 1.04 from hazelnut and Bet v 1 from birch pollen.