Skip to main content

Advertisement

Download PDF

International consensus on (ICON) anaphylaxis

World Allergy Organization Journal volume 7, pages1–19(2014)Cite this article

Abstract

ICON: Anaphylaxis provides a unique perspective on the principal evidence-based anaphylaxis guidelines developed and published independently from 2010 through 2014 by four allergy/immunology organizations. These guidelines concur with regard to the clinical features that indicate a likely diagnosis of anaphylaxis -- a life-threatening generalized or systemic allergic or hypersensitivity reaction.

They also concur about prompt initial treatment with intramuscular injection of epinephrine (adrenaline) in the mid-outer thigh, positioning the patient supine (semi-reclining if dyspneic or vomiting), calling for help, and when indicated, providing supplemental oxygen, intravenous fluid resuscitation and cardiopulmonary resuscitation, along with concomitant monitoring of vital signs and oxygenation. Additionally, they concur that H1-antihistamines, H2-antihistamines, and glucocorticoids are not initial medications of choice.

For self-management of patients at risk of anaphylaxis in community settings, they recommend carrying epinephrine auto-injectors and personalized emergency action plans, as well as follow-up with a physician (ideally an allergy/immunology specialist) to help prevent anaphylaxis recurrences.

ICON: Anaphylaxis describes unmet needs in anaphylaxis, noting that although epinephrine in 1 mg/mL ampules is available worldwide, other essentials, including supplemental oxygen, intravenous fluid resuscitation, and epinephrine auto-injectors are not universally available.

ICON: Anaphylaxis proposes a comprehensive international research agenda that calls for additional prospective studies of anaphylaxis epidemiology, patient risk factors and co-factors, triggers, clinical criteria for diagnosis, randomized controlled trials of therapeutic interventions, and measures to prevent anaphylaxis recurrences. It also calls for facilitation of global collaborations in anaphylaxis research.

In addition to confirming the alignment of major anaphylaxis guidelines, ICON: Anaphylaxis adds value by including summary tables and citing 130 key references. It is published as an information resource about anaphylaxis for worldwide use by healthcare professionals, academics, policy-makers, patients, caregivers, and the public.

Introduction

The prevalence of allergic diseases is increasing worldwide, attributed in part to increased exposure to environmental allergens and pollutants; nevertheless, these diseases remain under-diagnosed and under-treated. Within the framework of the International Collaboration in Asthma, Allergy, and Immunology (iCAALL), the World Allergy Organization (WAO) and three member organizations of the WAO federation of allergy organizations (the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology [AAAAI], the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology [ACAAI], and the European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology [EAACI]) have united to increase global awareness of allergic diseases and to promote their evidence-based management. In this collaborative outreach program, international consensus (ICON) documents are being published as resources to provide information about allergic diseases for physicians, other healthcare professionals, policy-makers, patients, caregivers, and the public [1].

This ICON: Anaphylaxis paper focuses on the principal anaphylaxis guidelines developed and published independently by the collaborating organizations from 2010 through 2014 [2–4], other anaphylaxis-relevant guidelines and publications from these organizations [5–22], and more than 100 additional key publications [23–124] that contribute to the evidence base for diagnosis, management, and prevention of anaphylaxis. In addition, it describes unmet global needs in the diagnosis and treatment of anaphylaxis in high-, mid-, and low-resource countries [125–130] and proposes an international agenda for anaphylaxis research.

Methods

The ICON: Anaphylaxis author group was identified by the 2012-2013 WAO Board of Directors based on global representation and comprised mainly of allergy/immunology specialists who had contributed to previous national and international anaphylaxis publications.

The WAO Anaphylaxis Guidelines [2], the AAAAI/ACAAI Anaphylaxis Guidelines (Practice Parameters) [3] and the EAACI Anaphylaxis Guidelines [4] were circulated to all co-authors, who reviewed them, responded to four sequential calls for input about them sent by e-mail during 2013, and supplied additional relevant references. Each call for input consisted of a series of detailed questions about anaphylaxis that focused on definition, diagnosis, treatment in healthcare settings, and post-discharge management including prevention of recurrences. Co-authors were asked to review the collaborating organizations’ principal guidelines and identify areas where they concurred, areas where emphasis differed, and areas where little or no information was provided. They were also asked to provide their perspectives on unmet needs in anaphylaxis and propose topics for an international anaphylaxis research agenda. The co-author response rate was 100% to all but one call for input (86%).

The lead author collated the responses. Areas where the co-authors failed to agree were discussed by e-mail correspondence. The lead author then drafted the ICON: Anaphylaxis manuscript, which was developed further by internal reviews by the co-authors (with 100% participation) and revisions. This was followed by external review by the iCAALL Steering Group, final revisions, and submission for publication. The co-authors met in person to discuss the ICON: Anaphylaxis document on June 25, 2013 during the World Allergy & Asthma Congress in Milan.

Overview of collaborating organizations’ principal anaphylaxis guidelines

An overview of the unique aspects of the principal anaphylaxis guidelines published by collaborating organizations is provided in Table 1[2–4]. Although they vary in some areas of emphasis and in style, length, and referencing, their recommendations on anaphylaxis are aligned with regard to clinical diagnosis, initial treatment, and prevention of recurrences.

Table 1 Overview of collaborating organizations’ principal anaphylaxis guidelines 1
Full size table

The widely disseminated WAO Anaphylaxis Guidelines [2], developed by the WAO Special Committee on Anaphylaxis, are supported by global assessments of essentials for anaphylaxis diagnosis and treatment [5–7] and yearly updates [8, 9] of the evidence supporting the recommendations made in the guidelines. They provide a comprehensive, practical view of anaphylaxis. The text is closely linked with detailed illustrations that focus on patient risk factors, co-factors that amplify anaphylaxis, mechanisms, triggers, principles of clinical diagnosis, treatment, and post-discharge management. The illustrations on clinical diagnosis and prompt initial treatment have been translated into numerous languages and globally distributed as posters, pocket cards, and patient information cards.

The AAAAI/ACAAI Anaphylaxis Guidelines (Practice Parameters) [3] were developed by the Joint Task Force on Practice Parameters (representing the AAAAI, the ACAAI, and the Joint Council of Allergy Asthma and Immunology), which has a long history of publishing practice parameters on anaphylaxis [10–12] and related subjects [13–16]. These guidelines feature detailed descriptions of many anaphylaxis triggers and of idiopathic anaphylaxis. They describe clinical and laboratory diagnosis, initial treatment of anaphylaxis, treatment of refractory anaphylaxis, and post-discharge management. Many allergy/immunology specialists self-report adherence to these guidelines [17].

The EAACI 2014 Guidelines [4] were developed according to the Institute of Medicine Guidelines for Clinical Practice [18]. Co-authors included: allergy/immunology specialists, emergency medicine specialists, population health scientists, primary care physicians, and representatives from patient organizations. These guidelines are supported by previous guidelines [19] and relevant concurrent publications that include systematic reviews of the epidemiology of anaphylaxis [20] and management of anaphylaxis [21], and the EAACI Food Allergy Guidelines [22]. They emphasize the role of anaphylaxis education in long-term management and provide practical recommendations for training physicians, other healthcare professionals, patients, and caregivers [4].

Comparative review of collaborating organizations’ principal anaphylaxis guidelines

Scrutiny of collaborating organizations’ guidelines reveals many areas of consensus, some areas where emphasis differs, and a few areas where minimal information is provided [2–4] (Table 2, 3, 4, and 5). Additional key publications representing global anaphylaxis research relevant to each area are cited as resources [5–124].

Table 2 Essential information on anaphylaxis: summary of collaborating organizations’ principal anaphylaxis guidelines 1
Full size table
Table 3 Diagnosis of anaphylaxis: summary of collaborating organizations' principal anaphylaxis guidelines 1
Full size table
Table 4 Anaphylaxis treatment in healthcare settings: summary of collaborating organizations’ principal anaphylaxis guidelines 1
Full size table
Table 5 Anaphylaxis in community settings: summary of collaborating organizations’ principal anaphylaxis guidelines 1
Full size table

Definition of anaphylaxis

In these guidelines, the independently developed definitions of anaphylaxis for clinical use by healthcare professionals all include the concepts of a serious, generalized or systemic, allergic or hypersensitivity reaction that can be life-threatening or fatal. Importantly, none of the definitions include the word “shock” [2–4] (Table 2). The correct term “anaphylaxis” is preferred to “anaphylactic shock” because shock is not necessarily present in patients with anaphylaxis [23–26]. The term “anaphylaxis” should also be used in preference to terms such as “allergic reaction”, “acute allergic reaction”, “systemic allergic reaction”, “acute IgE-mediated reaction”, “anaphylactoid reaction”, or “pseudo-anaphylaxis” [2–4].

Epidemiology

None of the guidelines has a major focus in this area [2–4]; however, they all include important information about anaphylaxis epidemiology supported by relevant references [2–4, 27–37] (Table 2).

Patient-specific risk factors and co-factors relevant to anaphylaxis

The guidelines concur about the importance of patient-specific risk factors and co-factors in anaphylaxis [2–4]. The WAO Guidelines emphasize risk factors related to age (infancy, adolescence, advanced age), physiologic state (pregnancy), concomitant diseases including asthma, cardiovascular diseases (CVD), and mastocytosis, and concurrent medications such as beta-blockers and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors. The AAAAI/ACAAI Guidelines describe patient-specific risk factors such as asthma, CVD, and mastocytosis, and concurrent beta-blocker and ACE-inhibitor use. The EAACI Guidelines include a major focus on asthma as a patient risk factor (Table 2).

The guidelines also concur about the relevance of co-factors that amplify [2–4] anaphylaxis. The WAO Guidelines and EAACI Guidelines provide an overview of co-factors such as exercise, emotional stress, acute infection, fever, concomitant ingestion of ethanol or a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), disruption of routine, and perimenstrual status. The AAAAI/ACAAI Guidelines focus on exercise. The importance of risk factors [38–49] and amplifying co-factors [33, 50, 51] that potentially impact anaphylaxis is now widely acknowledged; indeed, co-factors are now reported to be relevant in 20-30% of anaphylactic episodes [33, 50].

None of the guidelines describe the relationship between mast cell activation disorders (MCAD) and anaphylaxis, perhaps because the first international consensus document on classification of MCAD was only published in 2012 [45].

Underlying mechanisms

The WAO Guidelines provide a brief overview of IgE-dependent and IgE-independent immunologic mechanisms and direct mast cell stimulation in anaphylaxis [2]. The AAAAI/ACAAI Guidelines describe immunologic mechanisms and direct mast cell activation in the context of different triggers [3]. The EAACI Guidelines focus mainly on IgE-mediated anaphylaxis [4] (Table 2).

None of the guidelines provide optimal information on IgG-mediated anaphylaxis in humans, an emerging area of investigation [52].

Anaphylaxis triggers (Causes, Elicitors, or Inducers)

The WAO Guidelines describe triggers and idiopathic anaphylaxis concisely, and note that different triggers predominate in different age groups and different global regions [2]. The AAAAI/ACAAI Guidelines provide detailed information about many triggers including foods, stinging insect venoms, drugs, biological agents, perioperative agents, radiocontrast media, latex, subcutaneous allergen immunotherapy, and human seminal fluid; also about idiopathic anaphylaxis [3]. The EAACI Guidelines emphasize food triggers, provide information on stinging insect venom and drug triggers, and state that the relative importance of triggers varies with age and geography [4] (Table 2).

Anaphylaxis triggers such as food, venom, and drugs have been studied in Australia, Europe, North America, and beyond; for example, in Asia (China, Japan, Korea, Singapore, and Thailand), and South America (Argentina, Brazil, and Venezuela) [27–37, 53–66]. In any region, the relative importance of triggers can change over time [54].

Clinical diagnosis of anaphylaxis

Collaborating organizations’ guidelines concur about making the clinical diagnosis of anaphylaxis based on recognition of sudden onset of characteristic symptoms and signs within minutes to hours after exposure to a known or likely trigger [2–4]. They all list the clinical criteria for diagnosis of anaphylaxis that were developed as an instrument for rapid assessment of patients who present with a possible diagnosis of anaphylaxis [23] and are validated for use in medical settings and in epidemiologic studies [67, 68] (Table 3).

The guidelines also concur that laboratory tests are not helpful in diagnosing anaphylaxis at the time of patient presentation [2–4]. Measurement of a biologic marker such as serum total tryptase takes hours and test results are not available on an emergency basis. Elevation in biologic marker levels correlates with anaphylaxis severity [24]; platelet-activating factor levels appear to correlate better than tryptase or histamine levels do [69]. Tryptase levels are elevated in only about 60% of adults with clinically confirmed anaphylaxis [70] and are seldom elevated in children with anaphylaxis or in food-induced anaphylaxis. The reference range for tryptase levels in infants has been established [71]. Tryptase levels (or levels of any other biologic markers) within the normal reference range do not rule out anaphylaxis. Lack of availability of biologic marker measurements is not a barrier to prompt clinical diagnosis of anaphylaxis [2–4].

In addition to the above, all the guidelines provide a perspective on the differential diagnosis of anaphylaxis [2–4] (Table 3).

Prompt initial treatment of anaphylaxis

Importantly, collaborating organizations’ guidelines concur with regard to recommendations for prompt initial treatment of anaphylaxis with epinephrine (adrenaline) injected intramuscularly in the mid-outer thigh, and repeating the epinephrine dose after 5-15 minutes if the response to the first injection is not optimal [2–4] (Table 4).

The guidelines concur about the importance of preparedness to diagnose and treat anaphylaxis and about other measures such as rapid assessment of the patient, removing the trigger if possible, and calling for help. They all recommend positioning the patient supine (or semi-reclining in a position of comfort if dyspneic or vomiting) with elevation of the lower extremities [2–4].

The guidelines also concur that if indicated at any time, supplemental oxygen, intravenous (IV) fluid resuscitation with a crystalloid such as 0.9% (isotonic) saline, and cardiopulmonary resuscitation should be started without delay [2–4] and that H1-antihistamines, H2-antihistamines, and glucocorticoids are not initial medications of choice [72–75].

There are a few differences in emphasis among the guidelines with regard to initial treatment of anaphylaxis. The WAO Guidelines include the revised resuscitation guidelines recommendations for starting cardiopulmonary resuscitation with chest compressions before giving rescue breaths, allowing time for complete chest recoil, and minimizing interruptions for pulse checks [2, 76]. The WAO Guidelines and AAAAI/ACAAI Guidelines describe epinephrine injection, calling for help, and positioning the patient appropriately as concurrent initial steps [2, 3], while the EAACI Guidelines describe epinephrine injection as a first-line intervention and calling for help and positioning as second-line interventions [4]. The WAO Guidelines and the AAAAI/ACAAI Guidelines do not specifically recommend inhaled epinephrine for patients with stridor during anaphylaxis, although they note that an inhaled beta-2 agonist should be considered in patients with bronchospasm that persists despite epinephrine treatment [2, 3]. The EAACI Guidelines recommend inhaled epinephrine (adrenaline) in patients with stridor and an inhaled beta-2 adrenergic agonist in patients with wheezing after, and in addition to, epinephrine injection [4] (Table 4).

None of the guidelines discuss epinephrine injection in high-risk patients after exposure to a relevant trigger but before symptoms develop and none discuss epinephrine administration to a patient diagnosed incorrectly with anaphylaxis, perhaps because there is little or no published information on either of these issues.

Epinephrine utilization in anaphylaxis remains an active area of research. The need for prompt epinephrine use to prevent escalation of mediator release in anaphylaxis has been confirmed in a new in vitro model [77]. Use of multiple epinephrine injections does not necessarily correlate with patient obesity [78]. Rates of epinephrine utilization as the initial medication for anaphylaxis in emergency departments are typically low [79]; however, they can be improved significantly with implementation of an anaphylaxis protocol [80, 81].

Management of anaphylaxis refractory to initial treatment

The guidelines differ in emphasis on refractory anaphylaxis treatment. The WAO Guidelines stress the importance of prompt initial treatment to prevent escalation of symptoms [2]. They suggest that if possible, patients with anaphylaxis refractory to epinephrine, supplemental oxygen, IV fluids, and second-line medications should be transferred to the care of a specialist team for ventilatory and inotropic support and continuous electronic monitoring [2]. The AAAAI/ACAAI Guidelines provide details about interventions for cardiopulmonary arrest, airway management, and IV administration of vasopressors including epinephrine, dopamine, and vasopressin [3]. The EAACI Guidelines include brief specific instructions about when to call for Intensive Care Unit support [4] (Table 4).

Studies relevant to refractory anaphylaxis treatment are of interest. A Cochrane review of randomized controlled trials (RCT) in more than 20,000 critically ill patients with distributive shock supports administration of crystalloids such as 0.9% saline, because administration of colloids such as albumin or hetastarch did not correlate with increased survival [82]. Methylene blue administration for vasoplegia in anaphylaxis refractory to epinephrine and IV fluid resuscitation is based on case reports and extrapolation from use in other forms of shock [83].

Observation and monitoring in healthcare settings

The guidelines concur that patients with moderate or severe anaphylaxis, for example, those with moderate or severe respiratory or cardiovascular symptoms and signs should be observed and monitored for a longer duration (eg. at least 6-8 hours) than those with mild anaphylaxis. The WAO Guidelines note that duration of monitoring can also vary with patient age and co-morbidities, and with local conditions. The AAAAI and EAACI Guidelines provide additional information about biphasic anaphylaxis and protracted anaphylaxis [2–4] (Table 4).

In a prospective study in which mediator release in anaphylaxis was documented at sequential timed intervals, levels of some mediators correlated with delayed deterioration, supporting recommendations for safe observation periods after initial treatment [24].

The guidelines also concur that blood pressure, cardiac rate and function, respiratory status and oxygenation should be monitored clinically at frequent intervals (every 1-5 minutes), or if possible, continuously [2–4]. Lack of universal availability of continuous electronic monitoring and pulse oximetry remains a concern.

Post-discharge management of patients treated for acute anaphylaxis

Collaborating organizations’ guidelines concur that management of anaphylaxis does not end with treatment of the anaphylactic episode [2–4] and that post-discharge management should include follow-up with a physician, preferably an allergy/immunology specialist [2, 4, 84–124] (Table 5).

The WAO Guidelines state that if epinephrine auto-injectors are not available, alternative, although not preferred, recommendations for epinephrine injection need to be provided (for details, please see the subsequent section on Post-Discharge Management on page 12 of this paper) [2, 6, 7]. They also note the importance of anaphylaxis emergency action plans and medical identification (ID) stating anaphylaxis triggers and co-morbid diseases. The AAAAI/ACAAI Guidelines recommend prescribing more than one epinephrine auto-injector because more than one dose of epinephrine is needed in about 20% of anaphylactic episodes; additionally, they recommend action plans and medical ID [3]. The EAACI Guidelines include comprehensive information about discharge management, for example, providing a discharge letter for the family doctor, as well as providing a discharge sheet for patients that contains information about epinephrine auto-injector use, allergen avoidance, and how to contact patient support groups. They also include detailed information about management plans, evidence-based absolute indications for prescription of at least one auto-injector, and suggested indications for prescription of a second auto-injector. They suggest strategies for training patients at risk and caregivers of patients at risk. Additionally, they list gaps in the evidence supporting recommendations for long-term management of anaphylaxis [4] (Table 5).

Post-discharge management of patients at risk for anaphylaxis recurrences in the community is an active area of research [84–98]. This focuses on patient and caregiver failure to carry auto-injectors and use auto-injectors for anaphylaxis [87, 88], patient, caregiver, and physician experiences in using auto-injectors [89–92], auto-injector redesign [93, 94] and education and support of patients at risk [95–97], an area in which additional high-quality studies are needed [98]. Although improved rates of filling epinephrine prescriptions after discharge from some emergency departments are reported [85, 86], for many patients lack of affordable auto-injectors remains a barrier to use [7].

Investigations to confirm anaphylaxis triggers

The guidelines concur that triggers should be confirmed by re-taking the history of the anaphylactic episode and using this as a guide to selection of allergens for skin prick tests, measurement of allergen-specific IgE levels in serum, and additional investigations as needed [2–4, 13–15, 22, 53, 99–106]. Intradermal tests are helpful in investigation of anaphylaxis induced by insect venoms or drugs such as beta-lactam antibiotics [103–106]. Negative skin tests and absent or undetectable allergen-specific IgE levels have a high negative predictive value; however, positive tests have a lower positive predictive value because allergen sensitization without symptoms is widespread in the general population. Ideally, tests to assess sensitization to allergens should be interpreted by an allergy/immunology specialist [2–4, 13–15, 22, 53, 64, 99–106] (Table 5). Medically-supervised incremental allergen challenge tests, indicated in some patients with food or drug allergy, should be conducted only by experienced healthcare professionals in settings where anaphylaxis can be treated promptly [2–4, 13, 15, 22, 53, 104, 105].

None of the guidelines emphasize standardization of tests and challenges; perhaps because international consensus documents on standardization were only published in 2012 and 2013 [2–4, 100, 102].

Prevention of anaphylaxis recurrences

The guidelines concur about prevention of anaphylaxis recurrences by avoidance of confirmed allergens, including hidden or cross-reacting allergens [2–4, 13–15, 22, 53, 64, 99, 104, 105],[107–111]. Vigilant avoidance prevents anaphylaxis recurrence from culprit allergens [107, 108]; however, it can be time-consuming, frustrating, difficult to sustain in daily life, and associated with impaired quality-of-life; including bullying of food-allergic children [109–111].

The guidelines concur in their recommendation for immune modulation to prevent recurrences of anaphylactic episodes from stinging insect venom [2–4, 14, 112–116] and drugs [2–4, 15, 117]. The WAO Guidelines and EAACI Guidelines describe oral immunotherapy (OIT) to prevent recurrences of food-induced anaphylaxis, but concur that this approach is not yet ready for general use [2, 4, 13, 22, 119] (Table 5).

For prevention of recurrence of stinging insect venom-induced anaphylaxis, a 3-5 year course of subcutaneous immunotherapy with the relevant standardized specific venom(s) leads to long-lasting protection in most patients [2–4, 14, 112–115]; lifelong venom immunotherapy (VIT) is recommended in patients with mastocytosis [116].

For prevention of recurrent anaphylaxis from a drug such as an antibiotic or NSAID, or a biologic agent, when no safe substitute is available, desensitization conducted by experienced healthcare professionals using a published protocol is safe and effective for one uninterrupted course of treatment [2–4, 15, 104, 105, 117].

In carefully selected patients with symptoms after ingestion of milk, egg, peanut, or other highly allergenic food, RCT of OIT confirm that clinical desensitization can be achieved in most patients; however, sustained unresponsiveness after stopping treatment is more difficult to achieve, and adverse events, including anaphylaxis, occur [99, 119, 120]. OIT safety can be improved with omalizumab pre-treatment and co-treatment [99, 121]. Sublingual immunotherapy to prevent food-induced anaphylaxis, although less effective than OIT, is associated with fewer adverse events [99, 120].

The guidelines differ in their emphasis on pharmacologic prophylaxis of anaphylaxis from various triggers. They all describe pharmacologic interventions to prevent anaphylaxis to radiocontrast media [2–4, 64, 122]. The WAO and the AAAAI/ACAAI Guidelines recommend pharmacologic prophylaxis in selected patients with idiopathic anaphylaxis [2, 3]. The EAACI Guidelines provide information about pretreatment with epinephrine to prevent anaphylaxis to snake anti-venom [4, 123]. Surprisingly, no guidelines provide information about pharmacological prophylaxis of anaphylaxis from subcutaneous allergen immunotherapy, although H1-antihistamine pre-treatment before venom injections during VIT reduces systemic adverse events and has a beneficial immune-modifying effect [124] (Table 5).

Anaphylaxis education

The guidelines differ in their emphasis on anaphylaxis education for patients and caregivers. The WAO Guidelines outline the principles of anaphylaxis education [2]. The AAAAI/ACAAI Guidelines discuss anaphylaxis education in the context of some specific triggers [3]. The EAACI Guidelines provide comprehensive information about anaphylaxis education, including information about long-term management, recommendations for training (with description of barriers to and facilitators of implementation), audit criteria, and resource implications [4] (Table 5).

None of the guidelines describe anaphylaxis education for personnel working in child care, schools, colleges, universities, summer camps, and sports facilities, or the hospitality or airline industries; however, a forthcoming EAACI publication addresses anaphylaxis education in the community-at-large (Muraro A, personal communication).

Follow-up with a physician

All the guidelines address the issue of follow-up with a physician [2–4], if possible with an allergy/immunology specialist. The WAO Guidelines recommend follow-up yearly for review of prevention of recurrence, epinephrine auto-injector use, and optimizing control of relevant co-morbid diseases such as asthma [2]. The AAAAI/ACAAI Guidelines discuss specific aspects of follow-up in association with some of the major triggers [3]. In addition to physician follow-up, the WAO and EAACI Guidelines note the importance of follow-up with a dietician, if relevant, and the EAACI Guidelines also suggest follow-up with a psychologist, if relevant [4] (Table 5).

Unmet needs in anaphylaxis

Unmet needs in anaphylaxis in high-, mid-, and low-resource countries are described in Tables 6, 7, 8, and 9.

Table 6 Essential information on anaphylaxis: summary of unmet needs
Full size table
Table 7 Diagnosis of anaphylaxis: summary of unmet needs
Full size table
Table 8 Treatment of anaphylaxis in healthcare settings: summary of unmet needs
Full size table
Table 9 Treatment of anaphylaxis in community settings: summary of unmet needs
Full size table

Definition of anaphylaxis

In all countries, increased awareness of anaphylaxis as a serious, life-threatening, generalized or systemic, allergic or hypersensitivity reaction with sudden onset (minutes to a few hours) is needed among healthcare professionals, patients, caregivers, and the public (Table 6).

Epidemiology

For epidemiologic purposes, the validated clinical criteria for anaphylaxis diagnosis are helpful for informing International Classification of Disease (ICD)-9 and ICD-10 codes and facilitating reliable estimates of anaphylaxis prevalence in healthcare settings [27–33] and to a lesser extent in the general population [34, 35].

In all countries, epidemiological and health services research can serve as a baseline for quality improvement, prioritization of anaphylaxis programs, and eventual reduction in morbidity and mortality. However, until diagnosis of anaphylaxis as such by healthcare professionals improves and recognition by patients, caregivers, and the public improves, it will remain difficult to obtain reliable epidemiologic information about anaphylaxis and its prevalence will remain under-estimated (Table 6).

At post-mortem, too, anaphylaxis can be under-diagnosed [36]; for example, when signs of anaphylaxis are absent and recognition is based only on circumstantial evidence and exclusion of other diseases [37]. Nevertheless, anaphylaxis fatality studies can sometimes provide unique information about triggers, presenting symptoms and signs, time course, and associated co-morbidities in a specific region or country.

Patient-specific risk factors and co-factors relevant to anaphylaxis

In all countries, improved recognition of patient vulnerability to anaphylaxis is needed as related to age, physiologic state (pregnancy), concomitant diseases, concurrent medications, and amplifying co-factors. In some countries, the prevalence of co-morbid diseases such as asthma or CVD might itself not be known (Table 6).

Underlying mechanisms and anaphylaxis triggers

Positive collaborations among physicians in academic centers and national allergy/immunology professional organizations in high-resource countries with those in mid- or low-resource countries are expanding our global knowledge of anaphylaxis mechanisms and triggers [36, 37, 56, 57, 123]. Despite this, in some countries, little information about anaphylaxis triggers, even the taxonomy of indigenous food plants and stinging insects, is available. Where potential triggers remain unidentified, lack of context for recognition of anaphylaxis can delay diagnosis and treatment (Table 6).

Clinical diagnosis of anaphylaxis

In all countries, improved training of healthcare professionals to recognize and treat anaphylaxis is needed, and the validated clinical criteria for anaphylaxis diagnosis need to be operationalized in order to optimize their usefulness. Where resources are limited, there can be inconsistent availability of basic services such as electricity and of equipment and supplies that aid in anaphylaxis diagnosis; for example, pulse oximeters to document oxygenation and sphygmomanometers and arm cuffs of various sizes to document blood pressure [125–130].

In such situations, assessment of hypoxemia is based on clinical indicators such as central cyanosis, nasal flaring, inability to speak or drink, grunting, lethargy, severe chest retractions, respiratory rate of more than 70 breaths/minute, and head-nodding; a capillary refill time of 2 seconds or less is documented to reflect a superior vena caval oxygen saturation of greater than 70%. Assessment of hypotension and distributive shock is based on clinical indicators such as weak or non-palpable peripheral pulses [125–127] (Table 7).

In all countries, in the differential diagnosis of anaphylaxis, healthcare professionals should be aware of common considerations such as acute asthma, acute urticaria, and panic or anxiety attacks. In some countries, pneumonia is the most common consideration in patients presenting with acute-onset respiratory distress and hypoxemia, and sepsis is the most common consideration in those presenting with acute-onset hypotension or shock [2–4, 125, 126] (Table 7).

Prompt initial treatment of anaphylaxis and monitoring

In all countries, at the onset of an anaphylactic episode, it can be impossible to predict the rate of escalation or resolution of symptoms. Patients can present with deceptively mild symptoms such as hives, cough, or dizziness that rapidly increase in severity and culminate in fatality within minutes. Regardless of available resources, an important message to healthcare professionals, patients, caregivers, and the public is to recognize anaphylaxis promptly and as soon as it is recognized, inject life-saving epinephrine in order to maximize the likelihood of survival [2–4].

Box: The essentials of prompt initial anaphylaxis treatment

  • have an easy-to-follow and well-rehearsed protocol

  • remove exposure to the trigger, if relevant

  • inject epinephrine promptly intramuscularly in the mid-outer thigh

  • call for help (resuscitation team in hospital or emergency medical services in community, if available)

  • position the patient supine (or semi-reclining in a position of comfort if dyspneic or vomiting) and elevate the lower extremities

If indicated at any time,

  • provide supplemental oxygen

  • initiate IV fluid resuscitation with 0.9% saline

  • perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation

  • monitor BP, cardiac rate and function, and oxygen saturation

See Table 8 for details.

Where resources are limited, supplemental oxygen can be provided by oxygen concentrators instead of oxygen cylinders, and nasal prongs or nasopharyngeal catheters can be substituted for oxygen masks [128, 129]; however, in many hospitals, lack of availability of pulse oximetry for detecting hypoxemia and guiding oxygen therapy remains a critical concern [127]. Despite best efforts, treatment of anaphylaxis can, in some patients, be compromised by co-morbidities such as anemia and reduced ability to achieve adequate oxygenation, or severe malnutrition and reduced ability to tolerate IV fluid resuscitation [125, 126] (Table 8).

Management of anaphylaxis refractory to initial treatment

Even in high-resource countries, optimal treatment of refractory anaphylaxis is not available universally; for example, in remote, inaccessible, or impoverished areas or in specific situations such as anaphylaxis on airplanes. In limited-resource situations, lack of availability of basic essentials such as epinephrine, supplemental oxygen and IV fluid resuscitation is more critical than lack of second-line medications such as antihistamines and glucocorticoids. Lack of availability of advanced life-support management can be a major barrier to survival [72–76, 128] (Table 8). In any limited-resource situation, resuscitation efforts prolonged over hours using a hand-held bag valve mask (manual resuscitator) are often successful in anaphylaxis [2] (Table 8).

In mid- and low-resource countries, striving to ensure more consistent availability of medications, supplies, and equipment for anaphylaxis treatment is an important goal [2, 5–7]. The World Health Organization has developed a tool kit containing evidence-based guidelines and a framework for quality improvement in the hospital care of critically ill children in such environments [126], where despite many obstacles, improvements can be documented [130].

Post-discharge management

In high-resource countries, there is an increased focus on post-discharge management after successful treatment of anaphylaxis. Where resources are limited, post-discharge management is severely compromised by lack of availability of affordable auto-injectors or factory-sealed prefilled syringes containing epinephrine [2, 6, 7]. There are two alternative, although not preferred, options for epinephrine self-administration. First, a 1 mL ampule of epinephrine and a 1 mL syringe can be provided; however, in a medical emergency, patients without medical training find it difficult to draw up a dose accurately and expel air from the syringe without losing the epinephrine. Second, an unsealed prefilled syringe containing the correct dose for the patient can be drawn up in advance by his/her physician; however, all or part of the dose can be lost, and epinephrine is stable for only 3-4 months in an unsealed syringe [2, 6, 7].

Where resources are limited, local conditions typically determine the availability of follow-up with a healthcare professional and prevention of recurrent anaphylactic episodes is often compromised by lack of availability of physicians, tests to confirm triggers, and immune modulation (Table 9).

International research agenda for anaphylaxis

Anaphylaxis research has been hindered in the past by the perception that the disease is rare, absence of a universally accepted definition for clinical use, and lack of validated criteria for anaphylaxis diagnosis suitable for use in clinical and epidemiologic studies. Progress in these areas is giving momentum to basic, translational, and clinical anaphylaxis research.

ICON: Anaphylaxis proposes a comprehensive international research agenda for anaphylaxis (Tables 10 and 11) that extends and amplifies the anaphylaxis research agendas published independently by WAO and EAACI [2, 4]. The ICON: Anaphylaxis research agenda is based in part on identification of areas where little or no high quality evidence is available to support the recommendations for anaphylaxis diagnosis, treatment, and prevention made in anaphylaxis guidelines and other publications.

Table 10 International research agenda for anaphylaxis 1,2
Full size table
Table 11 International research agenda for anaphylaxis 1,2
Full size table

Research tasks awaiting prioritization, as listed in Table 10, include operationalizing the clinical criteria for diagnosis and additional studies of epidemiology, patient risk factors, mechanisms, and triggers. Research tasks awaiting prioritization, as listed in Table 11, include further RCT of interventions, risk assessment, long-term risk reduction, and anaphylaxis education, as well as studies on anaphylaxis guidelines implementation and development of anaphylaxis pathways.

The ICON: Anaphylaxis research agenda will require regular updating and might take decades to complete, depending on the collaborations initiated and the financial support available. Prioritization of research questions is recommended. Initially this should involve identification of questions that are feasible to answer in the short-to-medium term, ideally guided by a formal consensus-building process involving basic scientists, methodologists, and clinician scientists.

Global collaborative efforts to date are improving the diagnosis and treatment of anaphylaxis [36, 37, 56, 57, 123]. They have identified the importance of using the validated clinical criteria to inform ICD-10 codes for improved accuracy of anaphylaxis identification at autopsy [36], and found differences between culprit allergens and circumstances of death from anaphylaxis in different countries [37]. They have also elucidated the role of novel anaphylaxis triggers, for example, flour mites [56] and short-chain galacto-oligosaccharides [57], and confirmed in a RCT that epinephrine pre-treatment reduced anaphylaxis to anti-snake venom by 43% and was superior to H1-antihistamine and glucocorticoid pre-treatment [123]. Global collaboration among investigators needs to be facilitated in order to accelerate future advances.

Summary

ICON: Anaphylaxis presents a harmonized approach to anaphylaxis diagnosis, treatment, and prevention based on the alignment found in the collaborating organizations’ principal anaphylaxis guidelines. It documents consensus in the critically important areas of clinical diagnosis, treatment and prevention of anaphylaxis recurrences and, further, documents unmet needs in these areas. It recommends increasing the awareness of anaphylaxis, continuing to strengthen the evidence supporting recommendations for management and prevention, and improving dissemination and implementation of anaphylaxis guidelines. It proposes a comprehensive international anaphylaxis research agenda and calls for facilitation of increased collaborations among investigators in high-, mid- and low-resource countries. ICON: Anaphylaxis is a unique resource for physicians, other healthcare professionals, academics, policy-makers, patients, caregivers, and the public worldwide.

Abbreviations

AAAAI:

American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology

ACAAI:

American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology

ACE:

Angiotensin-converting enzyme

BP:

Blood pressure

CVD:

Cardiovascular disease

EAACI:

European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology

EAI:

Epinephrine auto-injectors

EMS:

Emergency medical services

iCAALL:

International Collaboration in Asthma, Allergy and Immunology

ICD:

International Classification of Disease

ICON:

Anaphylaxis – international consensus on anaphylaxis

ID:

Identification

IM:

Intramuscular

IV:

Intravenous

MCAD:

Mast cell activation disorder

MI:

Myocardial infarction

NSAID:

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs

OIT:

Oral immunotherapy

RCT:

Randomized controlled trials

RCM:

Radiocontrast media

VIT:

Venom immunotherapy

WAO:

World Allergy Organization.

References

  1. 1.

    Lotvall J, Pawankar R, Wallace DV, Akdis CA, Rosenwasser LJ, Weber RW, Burks AW, Casale TB, Lockey RF, Papadopoulos NG, Fineman SM, Ledford DK, on behalf of the AAAAI, the ACAAI, the EAACI, and the WAO: We call for iCAALL: International Collaboration in Asthma, Allergy and Immunology. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2012, 129: 904-905. 10.1016/j.jaci.2012.02.009.

  2. 2.

    Simons FER, Ardusso LRF, Bilo MB, El-Gamal YM, Ledford DK, Ring J, Sanchez-Borges M, Senna GE, Sheikh A, Thong BY, for the World Allergy Organization: World Allergy Organization guidelines for the assessment and management of anaphylaxis. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2011, 127: 587-593. 10.1016/j.jaci.2011.01.038. e1-e22

  3. 3.

    Lieberman P, Nicklas RA, Oppenheimer J, Kemp SF, Lang DM, Bernstein DI, Bernstein JA, Burks AW, Feldweg AM, Fink JN, Greenberger PA, Golden DBK, James JM, Kemp SF, Ledford DK, Lieberman P, Sheffer AL, Bernstein DI, Blessing-Moore J, Cox L, Khan DA, Lang D, Nicklas RA, Oppenheimer J, Portnoy JM, Randolph C, Schuller DE, Spector SL, Tilles S, Wallace D: The diagnosis and management of anaphylaxis practice parameter: 2010 update. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2010, 126: 477-480. 10.1016/j.jaci.2010.06.022.

  4. 4.

    Muraro A, Roberts G, Worm M, Bilo MB, Brockow K, Fernandez-Rivas M, Santos AF, Zolkipli ZQ, Bellou A, Bindslev-Jensen C, Cardona V, Clark AT, Demoly P, Dubois AEJ, Dunn Galvin A, Eigenmann P, Halken S, Harada L, Lack G, Jutel M, Niggemann B, Rueff F, Timmermans F, Vlieg-Boerstra BJ, Werfel T, Dhami S, Panesar S, Sheikh A, on behalf of EAACI Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Guidelines Group: Anaphylaxis: Guidelines from the European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. Allergy. 2014, DOI: 10.1111/all.12437

  5. 5.

    Simons FER, for the World Allergy Organization: World Allergy Organization survey on global availability of essentials for the assessment and management of anaphylaxis by allergy/immunology specialists in healthcare settings. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2010, 104: 405-412. 10.1016/j.anai.2010.01.023.

  6. 6.

    Simons FER: Lack of worldwide availability of epinephrine autoinjectors for outpatients at risk of anaphylaxis. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2005, 94: 534-538. 10.1016/S1081-1206(10)61129-5.

  7. 7.

    Simons FER, for the World Allergy Organization: Epinephrine auto-injectors: first-aid treatment still out of reach for many at risk of anaphylaxis in the community. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2009, 102: 403-409. 10.1016/S1081-1206(10)60512-1.

  8. 8.

    Simons FER, Ardusso LRF, Bilo MB, Dimov V, Ebisawa M, El-Gamal YM, Ledford DK, Lockey RF, Ring J, Sanchez-Borges M, Senna GE, Sheikh A, Thong BY, Worm M, for the World Allergy Organization: 2012 update: World Allergy Organization Guidelines for the assessment and management of anaphylaxis. Curr Opin Allergy Clin Immunol. 2012, 12: 389-399. 10.1097/ACI.0b013e328355b7e4.

  9. 9.

    Simons FER, Ardusso LRF, Dimov V, Ebisawa M, El-Gamal YM, Lockey RF, Sanchez-Borges M, Senna GE, Sheikh A, Thong BY, Worm M, for the World Allergy Organization: World Allergy Organization anaphylaxis guidelines: 2013 update of the evidence base. Int Arch Allergy Immunol. 2013, 162: 193-204. 10.1159/000354543.

  10. 10.

    Nicklas RA, Bernstein IL, Li JT, Lee RE, Spector SL, Dykewicz MS, Fineman S, Berger W, Blessing-Moore J, Schuller D, Joint Council of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology Practice Parameters: The diagnosis and management of anaphylaxis. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 1998, 101: S465-S528.

  11. 11.

    Joint Task Force on Practice Parameters, American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology, American College of Allergy Asthma and Immunology, Joint Council of Allergy Asthma and Immunology: The diagnosis and management of anaphylaxis: an updated practice parameter. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2005, 115: S483-S523. 10.1016/j.jaci.2005.01.010.

  12. 12.

    Campbell R, Li JT, Sadosty AT: Emergency department diagnosis and treatment of anaphylaxis. 2014, (in press)

  13. 13.

    Sampson HA, Bernstein D, Blessing-Moore J, Khan D, Lang D, Nicklas R, Oppenheimer J, Portnoy J, Randolph C, Schuller D, Spector S, Tilles SA, Wallace D: Food allergy: a practice parameter update. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2014, 133: (in press)

  14. 14.

    Golden DBK, Moffitt J, Nicklas RA, Freeman T, Graft DF, Reisman RE, Tracy JM: Stinging insect hypersensitivity: A practice parameter update 2011. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2011, 127: 852-854. 10.1016/j.jaci.2011.01.025. e23

  15. 15.

    Joint Task Force on Practice Parameters, American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology, American College of Allergy Asthma and Immunology, Joint Council of Allergy Asthma and Immunology: Drug allergy: an updated practice parameter. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2010, 105: 259-273.

  16. 16.

    Cox L, Nelson H, Lockey R, Calabria C, Chacko T, Finegold I, Nelson M, Weber R, Bernstein DI, Blessing-Moore J, Khan DA, Lang DM, Nicklas RA, Oppenheimer J, Portnoy JM, Randolph C, Schuller DE, Spector SL, Tilles S, Wallace D: Allergen immunotherapy: a practice parameter third update. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2011, 127: S1-S55. 10.1016/j.jaci.2010.09.034.

  17. 17.

    Fineman S, Dowling P, O'Rourke D: Allergists’ self-reported adherence to anaphylaxis practice parameters and perceived barriers to care: an American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology member survey. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2013, 111: 529-536. 10.1016/j.anai.2013.09.026.

  18. 18.

    Brouwers MC, Kho ME, Browman GP, Burgers JS, Cluzeau F, Feder G, Fervers B, Graham ID, Grimshaw J, Hanna SE, Littlejohns P, Makarski J, Zitzelsberger L: AGREE II: advancing guideline development, reporting and evaluation in health care. Can Med Assoc J. 2010, 182: E839-E842. 10.1503/cmaj.090449.

  19. 19.

    Muraro A, Roberts G, Clark A, Eigenmann PA, Halken S, Lack G, Moneret-Vautrin A, Niggemann B, Rance F: The management of anaphylaxis in childhood: position paper of the European Academy of Allergology and Clinical Immunology. Allergy. 2007, 62: 857-871. 10.1111/j.1398-9995.2007.01421.x.

  20. 20.

    Panesar SS, Javad S, de Silva D, Nwaru BI, Hickstein L, Muraro A, Roberts G, Worm M, Bilo MB, Cardona V, Dubois AEJ, Dunn Galvin A, Eigenmann P, Fernandez-Rivas M, Halken S, Lack G, Niggemann B, Santos AF, Vlieg-Boerstra BJ, Zolkipli ZQ, Sheikh A: The epidemiology of anaphylaxis in Europe: a systematic review. Allergy. 2013, 68: 1353-1361. 10.1111/all.12272.

  21. 21.

    Dhami S, Panesar SS, Roberts G, Muraro A, Worm M, Bilo MB, Cardona V, Dubois AEJ, DunnGalvin A, Eigenmann P, Fernandez-Rivas M, Halken S, Lack G, Niggemann B, Rueff F, Santos AF, Vlieg-Boerstra B, Zolkipli ZQ, Sheikh A, on behalf of the EAACI Food, Allergy and Anaphylaxis Guidelines Group: Management of anaphylaxis: a systematic review. Allergy. 2014, 69: 168-175. 10.1111/all.12318.

  22. 22.

    Muraro A, Werfel T, Beyer K, Bindslev-Jensen C, Cardona V, Dubois AEJ, Du TG, Eigenmann P, Fernandez-Rivas M, Halken S, Hickstein L, Host A, Knol E, Lack G, Marchisotto MJ, Niggemann B, Nwaru B, Papadopoulos N, Roberts G, Santos A, Skypala I, Shoepfer A, Van Ree R, Venter C, Worm M, Vlieg-Boerstra BJ, Panesar SS, de Silva D, Soares-Weisser K, Sheikh A, Ballmer-Weber BK, Nilsson C, Akdis CA, Hoffmann-Sommergruber K: Diagnosis and management of food allergy: Guidelines from the European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. Allergy. 2014, 69: (in press)

  23. 23.

    Sampson HA, Munoz-Furlong A, Campbell RL, Adkinson NF, Bock SA, Branum A, Brown SGA, Camargo CA, Cydulka R, Galli SJ, Gidudu J, Gruchalla RS, Harlor AD, Hepner DL, Lewis LM, Lieberman PL, Metcalfe DD, O'Connor R, Muraro A, Rudman A, Schmitt C, Scherrer D, Simons FER, Thomas S, Wood JP, Decker WW: Second symposium on the definition and management of anaphylaxis: summary report–Second National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease/Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network symposium. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2006, 117: 391-397. 10.1016/j.jaci.2005.12.1303.

  24. 24.

    Brown SGA, Stone SF, Fatovich DM, Burrows SA, Holdgate A, Celenza A, Coulson A, Hartnett L, Nagree Y, Cotterell C, Isbister GK: Anaphylaxis: Clinical patterns, mediator release, and severity. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2013, 132: 1141-1149. 10.1016/j.jaci.2013.06.015. e5

  25. 25.

    Park HJ, Kim SH: Factors associated with shock in anaphylaxis. Am J Emerg Med. 2012, 30: 1674-1678. 10.1016/j.ajem.2012.01.015.

  26. 26.

    Caffarelli C, Rico S, Rinaldi L, Povesi Dascola C, Terzi C, Bernasconi S: Blood pressure monitoring in children undergoing food challenge: association with anaphylaxis. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2012, 108: 285-286. 10.1016/j.anai.2012.02.001.

  27. 27.

    Gibbison B, Sheikh A, McShane P, Haddow C, Soar J: Anaphylaxis admissions to UK critical care units between 2005 and 2009. Anaesthesia. 2012, 67: 833-839. 10.1111/j.1365-2044.2012.07159.x.

  28. 28.

    Cetinkaya F, Incioglu A, Birinci S, Karaman BE, Dokucu AI, Sheikh A: Hospital admissions for anaphylaxis in Istanbul, Turkey. Allergy. 2013, 68: 128-130. 10.1111/all.12069.

  29. 29.

    Hoffer V, Scheuerman O, Marcus N, Levy Y, Segal N, Lagovsky I, Monselise Y, Garty BZ: Anaphylaxis in Israel: experience with 92 hospitalized children. Pediatr Allergy Immunol. 2011, 22: 172-177. 10.1111/j.1399-3038.2010.00990.x.

  30. 30.

    Liew WK, Williamson E, Tang MLK: Anaphylaxis fatalities and admissions in Australia. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2009, 123: 434-442. 10.1016/j.jaci.2008.10.049.

  31. 31.

    Techapornroong M, Akrawinthawong K, Cheungpasitporn W, Ruxrungtham K: Anaphylaxis: a ten years inpatient retrospective study. Asian Pac J Allergy Immunol. 2010, 28: 262-269.

  32. 32.

    Sole D, Ivancevich JC, Sanchez-Borges M: Anaphylaxis in Latin America: a report of the online Latin American Survey on Anaphylaxis (OLASA). Clinics (Sao Paulo). 2011, 66: 943-947. 10.1590/S1807-59322011000600004.

  33. 33.

    Worm M, Edenharter G, Rueff F, Scherer K, Pfohler C, Mahler V, Treudler R, Lang R, Nemat K, Koehli A, Niggemann B, Hompes S: Symptom profile and risk factors of anaphylaxis in Central Europe. Allergy. 2012, 67: 691-698. 10.1111/j.1398-9995.2012.02795.x.

  34. 34.

    Tejedor Alonso MA, Moro Moro M, Mugica Garcia MV, Esteban Hernandez J, Rosado Ingelmo A, Vila Albelda C, Gomez Traseira C, Cardenas Contreras R, Sanz Sacristan J, Hernandez MA: Incidence of anaphylaxis in the city of Alcorcon (Spain): a population-based study. Clin Exp Allergy. 2012, 42: 578-589. 10.1111/j.1365-2222.2012.03930.x.

  35. 35.

    Wood RA, Camargo CA, Lieberman P, Sampson HA, Schwartz LB, Zitt M, Collins C, Tringale M, Wilkinson M, Boyle J, Simons FER: Anaphylaxis in America: The prevalence and characteristics of anaphylaxis in the United States. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2014, 133: 461-467. 10.1016/j.jaci.2013.08.016.

  36. 36.

    Tanno LK, Ganem F, Demoly P, Toscano CM, Bierrenbach AL: Undernotification of anaphylaxis deaths in Brazil due to difficult coding under the ICD-10. Allergy. 2012, 67: 783-789. 10.1111/j.1398-9995.2012.02829.x.

  37. 37.

    Shen Y, Li L, Grant J, Rubio A, Zhao Z, Zhang X, Zhou L, Fowler D: Anaphylactic deaths in Maryland (United States) and Shanghai (China): a review of forensic autopsy cases from 2004 to 2006. Forensic Sci Int. 2009, 186: 1-5. 10.1016/j.forsciint.2008.12.007.

  38. 38.

    Simons FER: Anaphylaxis in infants: Can recognition and management be improved?. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2007, 120: 537-540. 10.1016/j.jaci.2007.06.025.

  39. 39.

    Simons FER, Schatz M: Anaphylaxis during pregnancy. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2012, 130: 597-606. 10.1016/j.jaci.2012.06.035.

  40. 40.

    Campbell RL, Hagan JB, Li JTC, Vukov SC, Kanthala AR, Smith VD, Manivannan V, Bellolio MF, Decker WW: Anaphylaxis in emergency department patients 50 or 65 years or older. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2011, 106: 401-406. 10.1016/j.anai.2011.01.011.

  41. 41.

    Gonzalez-Perez A, Aponte Z, Vidaurre CF, Rodriguez LAG: Anaphylaxis epidemiology in patients with and patients without asthma: a United Kingdom database review. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2010, 125: 1098-1104. 10.1016/j.jaci.2010.02.009. e1

  42. 42.

    Iribarren C, Tolstykh IV, Miller MK, Eisner MD: Asthma and the prospective risk of anaphylactic shock and other allergy diagnoses in a large integrated health care delivery system. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2010, 104: 371-377. 10.1016/j.anai.2010.03.004.

  43. 43.

    Triggiani M, Patella V, Staiano RI, Granata F, Marone G: Allergy and the cardiovascular system. Clin Exp Immunol. 2008, 153 (Suppl 1): 7-11.

  44. 44.

    Kalesnikoff J, Galli SJ: New developments in mast cell biology. Nat Immunol. 2008, 9: 1215-1223. 10.1038/ni.f.216.

  45. 45.

    Valent P, Akin C, Arock M, Brockow K, Butterfield JH, Carter MC, Castells M, Escribano L, Hartmann K, Lieberman P, Nedoszytko B, Orfao A, Schwartz LB, Sotlar K, Sperr WR, Triggiani M, Valenta R, Horny H-P, Metcalfe DD: Definitions, criteria and global classification of mast cell disorders with special reference to mast cell activation syndromes: a consensus proposal. Int Arch Allergy Immunol. 2012, 157: 215-225. 10.1159/000328760.

  46. 46.

    Rueff F, Przybilla B, Bilo MB, Muller U, Scheipl F, Aberer W, Birnbaum J, Bodzenta-Lukaszyk A, Bonifazi F, Bucher C, Campi P, Darsow U, Egger C, Haeberli G, Hawranek T, Korner M, Kucharewicz I, Kuchenhoff H, Lang R, Quercia O, Reider N, Severino M, Sticherling M, Sturm GJ, Wuthrich B: Predictors of severe systemic anaphylactic reactions in patients with Hymenoptera venom allergy: importance of baseline serum tryptase-a study of the European Academy of Allergology and Clinical Immunology Interest Group on Insect Venom Hypersensitivity. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2009, 124: 1047-1054. 10.1016/j.jaci.2009.08.027.

  47. 47.

    Alvarez-Twose I, Vano-Galvan S, Sanchez-Munoz L, Morgado JM, Matito A, Torrelo A, Jaen P, Schwartz LB, Orfao A, Escribano L: Increased serum baseline tryptase levels and extensive skin involvement are predictors for the severity of mast cell activation episodes in children with mastocytosis. Allergy. 2012, 67: 813-821. 10.1111/j.1398-9995.2012.02812.x.

  48. 48.

    Lee S, Hess EP, Nestler DM, Bellamkonda Athmaram VR, Bellolio MF, Decker WW, Li JTC, Hagan JB, Manivannan V, Vukov SC, Campbell RL: Antihypertensive medication use is associated with increased organ system involvement and hospitalization in emergency department patients with anaphylaxis. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2013, 131: 1103-1108. 10.1016/j.jaci.2013.01.011.

  49. 49.

    Stoevesandt J, Hain J, Kerstan A, Trautmann A: Over- and underestimated parameters in severe Hymenoptera venom-induced anaphylaxis: cardiovascular medication and absence of urticaria/angioedema. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2012, 130: 698-704. 10.1016/j.jaci.2012.03.024.

  50. 50.

    Wolbing F, Fischer J, Koberle M, Kaesler S, Biedermann T: About the role and underlying mechanisms of cofactors in anaphylaxis. Allergy. 2013, 68: 1085-1092.

  51. 51.

    Bauer CS, Kampitak T, Messieh ML, Kelly KJ, Vadas P: Heterogeneity in presentation and treatment of catamenial anaphylaxis. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2013, 111: 107-111. 10.1016/j.anai.2013.06.001.

  52. 52.

    Khodoun MV, Strait R, Armstrong L, Yanase N, Finkelman FD: Identification of markers that distinguish IgE- from IgG-mediated anaphylaxis. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 2011, 108: 12413-12418. 10.1073/pnas.1105695108.

  53. 53.

    Boyce JA, Assa'ad AH, Burks AW, Jones SM, Sampson HA, Wood RA, Plaut M, Cooper SF, Fenton M, Arshad SH, Bahna SL, Beck LA, Byrd-Bredbenner C, Camargo CA, Eichenfield L, Furuta GT, Hanifin JM, Jones C, Kraft M, Levy BD, Lieberman P, Luccioli S, McCall KM, Schneider LC, Simon RA, Simons FER, Teach SJ, Yawn BP: Guidelines for the diagnosis and management of food allergy in the United States: report of the NIAID-sponsored expert panel. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2010, 126: S1-S58.

  54. 54.

    Liew WK, Chiang WC, Goh AE, Lim HH, Chay OM, Chang S, Tan JH, Shih E, Kidon M: Paediatric anaphylaxis in a Singaporean children cohort: changing food allergy triggers over time. Asia Pac Allergy. 2013, 3: 29-34. 10.5415/apallergy.2013.3.1.29.

  55. 55.

    Vereda A, van Hage M, Ahlstedt S, Ibanez MD, Cuesta-Herranz J, van Odijk J, Wickman M, Sampson HA: Peanut allergy: Clinical and immunologic differences among patients from 3 different geographic regions. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2011, 127: 603-607. 10.1016/j.jaci.2010.09.010.

  56. 56.

    Sanchez-Borges M, Suarez Chacon R, Capriles-Hulett A, Caballero-Fonseca F, Fernandez-Caldas E: Anaphylaxis from ingestion of mites: pancake anaphylaxis. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2013, 131: 31-35. 10.1016/j.jaci.2012.09.026.

  57. 57.

    Chiang WC, Huang C-H, Llanora GV, Gerez I, Goh SH, Shek LPC, Nauta AJ, Van Doorn WA, Bindels J, Ulfman LH, Knipping K, Delsing DJ, Knol EF, Lee BW: Anaphylaxis to cow's milk formula containing short-chain galacto-oligosaccharide. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2012, 130: 1361-1367. 10.1016/j.jaci.2012.08.048.

  58. 58.

    Takahashi H, Matsuo H, Chinuki Y, Kohno K, Tanaka A, Maruyama N, Morita E: Recombinant high molecular weight-glutenin subunit-specific IgE detection is useful in identifying wheat-dependent exercise-induced anaphylaxis complementary to recombinant omega-5 gliadin-specific IgE test. Clin Exp Allergy. 2012, 42: 1293-1298. 10.1111/j.1365-2222.2012.04039.x.

  59. 59.

    Brown SGA, van Eeden P, Wiese MD, Mullins RJ, Solley GO, Puy R, Taylor RW, Heddle RJ: Causes of ant sting anaphylaxis in Australia: the Australian Ant Venom Allergy Study. Med J Aust. 2011, 195: 69-73.

  60. 60.

    Ribeiro-Vaz I, Marques J, Demoly P, Polonia J, Gomes ER: Drug-induced anaphylaxis: a decade review of reporting to the Portuguese Pharmacovigilance Authority. Eur J Clin Pharmacol. 2013, 69: 673-681. 10.1007/s00228-012-1376-5.

  61. 61.

    Renaudin J-M, Beaudouin E, Ponvert C, Demoly P, Moneret-Vautrin D-A: Severe drug-induced anaphylaxis: analysis of 333 cases recorded by the Allergy Vigilance Network from 2002 to 2010. Allergy. 2013, 68: 929-937. 10.1111/all.12168.

  62. 62.

    Mertes PM, Alla F, Trechot P, Auroy Y, Jougla E, and the Groupe d'Etudes des Reactions Anaphylactoides Peranesthesiques: Anaphylaxis during anesthesia in France: an 8-year national survey. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2011, 128: 366-373. 10.1016/j.jaci.2011.03.003.

  63. 63.

    Kim J, Park MR, Kim DS, Lee JO, Maeng SH, Cho SY, Han Y, Ahn K, Jin DK: IgE-mediated anaphylaxis and allergic reactions to idursulfase in patients with Hunter syndrome. Allergy. 2013, 68: 796-802. 10.1111/all.12155.

  64. 64.

    Brockow K, Ring J: Anaphylaxis to radiographic contrast media. Curr Opin Allergy Clin Immunol. 2011, 11: 326-331. 10.1097/ACI.0b013e32834877c3.

  65. 65.

    Minciullo PL, Cascio A, David A, Pernice LM, Calapai G, Gangemi S: Anaphylaxis caused by helminths: review of the literature. Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci. 2012, 16: 1513-1518.

  66. 66.

    Li Y, Zheng H, Cao X, Liu Z, Chen L: Demographic and clinical characteristics of patients with anaphylactic shock after surgery for cystic echinococcosis. Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2011, 85: 452-455. 10.4269/ajtmh.2011.10-0448.

  67. 67.

    Campbell RL, Hagan JB, Manivannan V, Decker WW, Kanthala AR, Bellolio MF, Smith VD, Li JTC: Evaluation of National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases/Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network criteria for the diagnosis of anaphylaxis in emergency department patients. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2012, 129: 748-752. 10.1016/j.jaci.2011.09.030.

  68. 68.

    Harduar-Morano L, Simon MR, Watkins S, Blackmore C: Algorithm for the diagnosis of anaphylaxis and its validation using population-based data on emergency department visits for anaphylaxis in Florida. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2010, 126: 98-104. 10.1016/j.jaci.2010.04.017.

  69. 69.

    Vadas P, Perelman B, Liss G: Platelet-activating factor, histamine, and tryptase levels in human anaphylaxis. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2013, 131: 144-149. 10.1016/j.jaci.2012.08.016.

  70. 70.

    Sala-Cunill A, Cardona V, Labrador-Horrillo M, Luengo O, Esteso O, Garriga T, Vicario M, Guilarte M: Usefulness and limitations of sequential serum tryptase for the diagnosis of anaphylaxis in 102 patients. Int Arch Allergy Immunol. 2013, 160: 192-199. 10.1159/000339749.

  71. 71.

    Belhocine W, Ibrahim Z, Grandne V, Buffat C, Robert P, Gras D, Cleach I, Bongrand P, Carayon P, Vitte J: Total serum tryptase levels are higher in young infants. Pediatr Allergy Immunol. 2011, 22: 600-607. 10.1111/j.1399-3038.2011.01166.x.

  72. 72.

    Choo KJL, Simons FER, Sheikh A: Glucocorticoids for the treatment of anaphylaxis. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2012, 4: CD007596

  73. 73.

    Sheikh A, Ten Broek V, Brown SGA, Simons FER: H1-antihistamines for the treatment of anaphylaxis: Cochrane systematic review. Allergy. 2007, 62: 830-837. 10.1111/j.1398-9995.2007.01435.x.

  74. 74.

    Ellis BC, Brown SGA: Parenteral antihistamines cause hypotension in anaphylaxis. Emerg Med Australas. 2013, 25: 92-93. 10.1111/1742-6723.12028.

  75. 75.

    Nurmatov U, Rhatigan E, Simons FER, Sheikh A: H2-antihistamines for the treatment of anaphylaxis with and without shock: a systematic review. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2014, 112: 126-131. 10.1016/j.anai.2013.11.010.

  76. 76.

    Field JM, Hazinski MF, Sayre MR, Chameides L, Schexnayder SM, Hemphill R, Samson RA, Kattwinkel J, Berg RA, Bhanji F, Cave DM, Jauch EC, Kudenchuk PJ, Neumar RW, Peberdy MA, Perlman JM, Sinz E, Travers AH, Berg MD, Billi JE, Eigel B, Hickey RW, Kleinman ME, Link MS, Morrison LJ, O'Connor RE, Shuster M, Callaway CW, Cucchiara B, Ferguson JD, Rea TD, Vanden Hoek TL: Part 1: executive summary: 2010 American Heart Association Guidelines for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiovascular Care. Circulation. 2010, 122: S640-S656. 10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.110.970889.

  77. 77.

    Vadas P, Perelman B: Effect of epinephrine on platelet-activating factor-stimulated human vascular smooth muscle cells. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2012, 129: 1329-1333. 10.1016/j.jaci.2012.02.027.

  78. 78.

    Rudders SA, Geyer BC, Banerji A, Phipatanakul W, Clark S, Camargo CA: Obesity is not a risk factor for repeat epinephrine use in the treatment of anaphylaxis. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2012, 130: 1216-1218. 10.1016/j.jaci.2012.08.029.

  79. 79.

    Grabenhenrich L, Hompes S, Gough H, Rueff F, Scherer K, Pfohler C, Treudler R, Mahler V, Hawranek T, Nemat K, Koehli A, Keil T, Worm M: Implementation of anaphylaxis management guidelines: a register-based study. PLoS One. 2012, 7: e35778-10.1371/journal.pone.0035778.

  80. 80.

    Arroabarren E, Lasa EM, Olaciregui I, Sarasqueta C, Munoz JA, Perez-Yarza EG: Improving anaphylaxis management in a pediatric emergency department. Pediatr Allergy Immunol. 2011, 22: 708-714. 10.1111/j.1399-3038.2011.01181.x.

  81. 81.

    Ben-Shoshan M, La Vieille S, Eisman H, Alizadehfar R, Mill C, Perkins E, Joseph L, Morris J, Clarke A: Anaphylaxis treated in a Canadian pediatric hospital: Incidence, clinical characteristics, triggers, and management. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2013, 132: 739-741. 10.1016/j.jaci.2013.06.016. e3

  82. 82.

    Perel P, Roberts I, Ker K: Colloids versus crystalloids for fluid resuscitation in critically ill patients. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2013, 2: CD000567

  83. 83.

    Jang DH, Nelson LS, Hoffman RS: Methylene blue for distributive shock: A potential new use of an old antidote. J Med Toxicol. 2013, 9: 242-249. 10.1007/s13181-013-0298-7.

  84. 84.

    Sheikh A, Simons FER, Barbour V, Worth A: Adrenaline auto-injectors for the treatment of anaphylaxis with and without cardiovascular collapse in the community. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2012, 8: CD008935

  85. 85.

    Landsman-Blumberg PB, Wei W, Douglas D, Smith DM, Clark S, Camargo CA: Food-induced anaphylaxis among commercially insured US adults: patient concordance with postdischarge care guidelines. J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract. 2013, 1: 595-601. 10.1016/j.jaip.2013.07.003.

  86. 86.

    Rudders SA, Clark S, Wei W, Camargo CA: Longitudinal study of 954 patients with stinging insect anaphylaxis. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2013, 111: 199-204. 10.1016/j.anai.2013.06.020. e1

  87. 87.

    Fleischer DM, Perry TT, Atkins D, Wood RA, Burks AW, Jones SM, Henning AK, Stablein D, Sampson HA, Sicherer SH: Allergic reactions to foods in preschool-aged children in a prospective observational food allergy study. Pediatrics. 2012, 130: e25-e32. 10.1542/peds.2011-1762.

  88. 88.

    Noimark L, Wales J, Du Toit G, Pastacaldi C, Haddad D, Gardner J, Hyer W, Vance G, Townshend C, Alfaham M, Arkwright PD, Rao R, Kapoor S, Summerfield A, Warner JO, Roberts G: The use of adrenaline autoinjectors by children and teenagers. Clin Exp Allergy. 2012, 42: 284-292. 10.1111/j.1365-2222.2011.03912.x.

  89. 89.

    Topal E, Bakirtas A, Yilmaz O, Ertoy IH, Arga M, Demirsoy MS, Turktas I: A real-life study on acquired skills from using an adrenaline autoinjector. Int Arch Allergy Immunol. 2013, 160: 301-306. 10.1159/000341367.

  90. 90.

    Arga M, Bakirtas A, Catal F, Derinoz O, Harmanci K, Razi CH, Ergocen S, Demirsoy MS, Turktas I: Training of trainers on epinephrine autoinjector use. Pediatr Allergy Immunol. 2011, 22: 590-593. 10.1111/j.1399-3038.2011.01143.x.

  91. 91.

    Brown J, Tuthill D, Alfaham M, Spear E: A randomized maternal evaluation of epinephrine autoinjection devices. Pediatr Allergy Immunol. 2013, 24: 173-177. 10.1111/pai.12048.

  92. 92.

    Chad L, Ben-Shoshan M, Asai Y, Cherkaoui S, Alizadehfar R, St-Pierre Y, Harada L, Allen M, Clarke A: A majority of parents of children with peanut allergy fear using the epinephrine auto-injector. Allergy. 2013, 68: 1605-1609. 10.1111/all.12262.

  93. 93.

    Edwards ES, Gunn R, Simons FER, Carr K, Chinchilli VM, Painter G, Goldwater R: Bioavailability of epinephrine from Auvi-Q compared with EpiPen. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2013, 111: 132-137. 10.1016/j.anai.2013.06.002.

  94. 94.

    Camargo CA, Guana A, Wang S, Simons FER: Auvi-Q versus EpiPen: preferences of adults, caregivers and children. J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract. 2013, 1: 266-272. 10.1016/j.jaip.2013.02.004.

  95. 95.

    Simons E, Sicherer SH, Simons FER: Timing the transfer of responsibilities for anaphylaxis recognition and use of an epinephrine auto-injector from adults to children and teenagers: pediatric allergists’ perspective. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2012, 108: 321-325. 10.1016/j.anai.2012.03.004.

  96. 96.

    Sicherer SH, Vargas PA, Groetch ME, Christie L, Carlisle SK, Noone S, Jones SM: Development and validation of educational materials for food allergy. J Pediatr. 2012, 160: 651-656. 10.1016/j.jpeds.2011.09.056.

  97. 97.

    Kelleher MM, Dunn Galvin A, Sheikh A, Cullinane C, Fitzsimons J, Hourihane JO'B: Twenty four-hour helpline access to expert management advice for food-allergy-triggered anaphylaxis in infants, children and young people: a pragmatic, randomized controlled trial. Allergy. 2013, 68: 1598-1604. 10.1111/all.12310.

  98. 98.

    Armstrong N, Wolff R, van Mastrigt G, Martinez N, Hernandez AV, Misso K, Kleijnen J: A systematic review and cost-effectiveness analysis of specialist services and adrenaline auto-injectors in anaphylaxis. Health Technol Assess. 2013, 17: 1-117.

  99. 99.

    Sicherer SH, Sampson HA: Food allergy: epidemiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2014, 133: 291-307. 10.1016/j.jaci.2013.11.020.

  100. 100.

    Heinzerling L, Mari A, Bergmann K-C, Bresciani M, Burbach G, Darsow U, Durham S, Fokkens W, Gjomarkaj M, Haahtela T, Bom AT, Wohrl S, Maibach H, Lockey R: The skin prick test - European standards. Clin Transl Allergy. 2013, 3: 3-10.1186/2045-7022-3-3.

  101. 101.

    Ludman S, Wassenberg J, Du Toit G, Fox AT, Lack G, Eigenmann PA: Paediatric oral peanut challenges: a comparison of practice in London and Western Switzerland. Allergy. 2013, 68: 539-541. 10.1111/all.12108.

  102. 102.

    Sampson HA, Gerth van Wijk R, Bindslev-Jensen C, Sicherer S, Teuber SS, Burks AW, Dubois AEJ, Beyer K, Eigenmann PA, Spergel JM, Werfel T, Chinchilli VM: Standardizing double-blind, placebo-controlled oral food challenges: American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology-European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology PRACTALL consensus report. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2012, 130: 1260-1274. 10.1016/j.jaci.2012.10.017.

  103. 103.

    Strohmeier B, Aberer W, Bokanovic D, Komericki P, Sturm GJ: Simultaneous intradermal testing with hymenoptera venoms is safe and more efficient than sequential testing. Allergy. 2013, 68: 542-544. 10.1111/all.12123.

  104. 104.

    Thong BY, Mirakian R, Castells M, Pichler W, Romano A, Bonadonna P, Diana D, Kowalski M, Yanez A, Lleonart R, Sanchez-Borges M, Demoly P: World Allergy Organization international survey on diagnostic procedures and therapies in drug allergy/hypersensitivity. World Allergy Organ J. 2011, 4: 257-270. 10.1097/WOX.0b013e31823dc02c.

  105. 105.

    Sanchez-Borges M, Thong B, Blanca M, Ensina LF, Gonzalez-Diaz S, Greenberger PA, Jares E, Jee Y-K, Kase-Tanno L, Khan D, Park J-W, Pichler W, Romano A, Jaen MJ: Hypersensitivity reactions to non beta-lactam antimicrobial agents, a statement of the WAO special committee on drug allergy. World Allergy Organ J. 2013, 6: 18-10.1186/1939-4551-6-18.

  106. 106.

    Lafuente A, Javaloyes G, Berroa F, Goikoetxea MJ, Moncada R, Nunez-Cordoba JM, Cabrera-Freitag P, D'Amelio C, Sanz ML, Gastaminza G: Early skin testing is effective for diagnosis of hypersensitivity reactions occurring during anesthesia. Allergy. 2013, 68: 820-822. 10.1111/all.12154.

  107. 107.

    Ng IE, Turner PJ, Kemp AS, Campbell DE: Parental perceptions and dietary adherence in children with seafood allergy. Pediatr Allergy Immunol. 2011, 22: 720-728. 10.1111/j.1399-3038.2011.01189.x.

  108. 108.

    Vale S, Smith J, Said M, Dunne G, Mullins R, Loh R: ASCIA guidelines for prevention of anaphylaxis in schools, pre-schools and childcare: 2012 update. J Paediatr Child Health. 2013, 49: 342-345. 10.1111/jpc.12166.

  109. 109.

    Barnett J, Botting N, Gowland MH, Lucas JS: The strategies that peanut and nut-allergic consumers employ to remain safe when travelling abroad. Clin Transl Allergy. 2012, 2: 12-10.1186/2045-7022-2-12.

  110. 110.

    Cummings AJ, Knibb RC, King RM, Lucas JS: The psychosocial impact of food allergy and food hypersensitivity in children, adolescents and their families: a review. Allergy. 2010, 65: 933-945. 10.1111/j.1398-9995.2010.02342.x.

  111. 111.

    Shemesh E, Annunziato RA, Ambrose MA, Ravid NL, Mullarkey C, Rubes M, Chuang K, Sicherer M, Sicherer SH: Child and parental reports of bullying in a consecutive sample of children with food allergy. Pediatrics. 2013, 131: e10-e17. 10.1542/peds.2012-1180.

  112. 112.

    Boyle RJ, Elremeli M, Hockenhull J, Cherry MG, Bulsara MK, Daniels M, Oude Elberink JNG: Venom immunotherapy for preventing allergic reactions to insect stings. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2012, 10: CD008838

  113. 113.

    Bilo MB, Antonicelli L, Bonifazi F: Honeybee venom immunotherapy: certainties and pitfalls. Immunotherapy. 2012, 4: 1153-1166. 10.2217/imt.12.113.

  114. 114.

    Brown SGA, Wiese MD, van Eeden P, Stone SF, Chuter CL, Gunner J, Wanandy T, Phillips M, Heddle RJ: Ultrarush versus semirush initiation of insect venom immunotherapy: a randomized controlled trial. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2012, 130: 162-168. 10.1016/j.jaci.2012.02.022.

  115. 115.

    Rueff F, Chatelain R, Przybilla B: Management of occupational Hymenoptera allergy. Curr Opin Allergy Clin Immunol. 2011, 11: 69-74. 10.1097/ACI.0b013e3283445772.

  116. 116.

    Bonadonna P, Gonzalez-de-Olano D, Zanotti R, Riccio AM, Matito A, Vega A, Passalacqua G: Venom immunotherapy in patients with clonal mast cell disorders: efficacy, safety, and practical considerations. J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract. 2013, 1: 474-478. 10.1016/j.jaip.2013.06.014.

  117. 117.

    Liu A, Fanning L, Chong H, Fernandez J, Sloane D, Sancho-Serra M, Castells M: Desensitization regimens for drug allergy: state of the art in the 21st century. Clin Exp Allergy. 2011, 41: 1679-1689. 10.1111/j.1365-2222.2011.03825.x.

  118. 118.

    Gibbs NM, Sadleir PH, Clarke RC, Platt PR: Survival from perioperative anaphylaxis in Western Australia 2000-2009. Br J Anaesthesia. 2013, 111: 589-593. 10.1093/bja/aet117.

  119. 119.

    Wood RA, Sampson HA: Oral immunotherapy for the treatment of peanut allergy: is it ready for prime time?. J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract. 2014, 2: 97-98. 10.1016/j.jaip.2013.11.010.

  120. 120.

    Jones SM, Burks AW, Dupont C: State of the art on food allergen immunotherapy: oral, sublingual, and epicutaneous. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2014, 133: 318-323. 10.1016/j.jaci.2013.12.1040.

  121. 121.

    Schneider LC, Rachid R, Lebovidge J, Blood E, Mittal M, Umetsu DT: A pilot study of omalizumab to facilitate rapid oral desensitization in high-risk peanut-allergic patients. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2013, 132: 1368-1374. 10.1016/j.jaci.2013.09.046.

  122. 122.

    Kim S-H, Lee S-H, Lee S-M, Kang H-R, Park H-W, Kim S-S, Cho S-H, Min K-U, Kim Y-Y, Chang Y-S: Outcomes of premedication for non-ionic radio-contrast media hypersensitivity reactions in Korea. Eur J Radiol. 2011, 80: 363-367. 10.1016/j.ejrad.2010.06.014.

  123. 123.

    de Silva HA, Pathmeswaran A, Ranasinha CD, Jayamanne S, Samarakoon SB, Hittharage A, Kalupahana R, Ratnatilaka GA, Uluwatthage W, Aronson JK, Armitage JM, Lalloo DG, de Silva HJ: Low-dose adrenaline, promethazine, and hydrocortisone in the prevention of acute adverse reactions to antivenom following snakebite: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. PLoS Med. 2011, 8: e1000435-10.1371/journal.pmed.1000435.

  124. 124.

    Muller UR, Jutel M, Reimers A, Zumkehr J, Huber C, Kriegel C, Steiner U, Haeberli G, Akdis M, Helbling A, Schnyder B, Blaser K, Akdis C: Clinical and immunologic effects of H1-antihistamine preventive medication during honeybee venom immunotherapy. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2008, 122: 1001-1007. 10.1016/j.jaci.2008.08.007.

  125. 125.

    Ralston ME, Day LT, Slusher TM, Musa NL, Doss HS: Global paediatric advanced life support: improving child survival in limited-resource settings. Lancet. 2013, 381: 256-265. 10.1016/S0140-6736(12)61191-X.

  126. 126.

    Pocket Book of Hospital care for children: Guidelines for the management of common childhood illnesses. 2013, Geneva, Switzerland: World Health Organization, 108-109. 2

  127. 127.

    Raimer PL, Han YY, Weber MS, Annich GM, Custer JR: A normal capillary refill time of ≤ 2 seconds is associated with superior vena cava oxygen saturations of ≥ 70%. J Pediatr. 2011, 158: 968-972. 10.1016/j.jpeds.2010.11.062.

  128. 128.

    Duke T, Graham SM, Cherian MN, Ginsburg AS, English M, Howie S, Peel D, Enarson PM, Wilson IH, Were W: Oxygen is an essential medicine: a call for international action. Int J Tuberc Lung Dis. 2010, 14: 1362-1368.

  129. 129.

    Enarson P, La Vincente S, Gie R, Maganga E, Chokani C: Implementation of an oxygen concentrator system in district hospital paediatric wards throughout Malawi. Bull World Health Organ. 2008, 86: 344-348. 10.2471/BLT.07.048017.

  130. 130.

    Campbell H, Duke T, Weber M, English M, Carai S, Tamburlini G: Global initiatives for improving hospital care for children: state of the art and future prospects. Pediatrics. 2008, 121: e984-992. 10.1542/peds.2007-1395.

Download references

Acknowledgments

We acknowledge the support of the iCAALL Steering Committee (Chair, Dr. Cezmi Akdis) and the World Allergy Organization. We thank Lori McNiven, Health Sciences Centre, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada for assistance.

Author information

Affiliations

  1. Department of Pediatrics & Child Health and Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Manitoba, Room FE125, 820 Sherbrook Street, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, R3A 1R9
    • F Estelle R Simons
  2. Cátedra Neumonología, Alergia e Inmunología, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Rosario, Argentina
    • Ledit RF Ardusso
  3. Allergy Unit, Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital, Ancona, Italy
    • M Beatrice Bilò
  4. Allergy Section, Department of Internal Medicine, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, Spain
    • Victoria Cardona
  5. Department of Allergy, National Hospital Organization, Sagamihara National Hospital, Clinical Research Center for Allergy & Rheumatology, Kanagawa, Japan
    • Motohiro Ebisawa
  6. Pediatric Allergy and Immunology Unit, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
    • Yehia M El-Gamal
  7. Allergy and Asthma Associates, Germantown, TN, USA
    • Phil Lieberman
  8. University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine, Tampa, FL, USA
    • Richard F Lockey
  9. Department of Women and Child Health, Food Allergy Referral Centre, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
    • Antonella Muraro
  10. University of Southampton Faculty of Medicine, Southampton, UK
    • Graham Roberts
  11. Centro Medico Docente La Trinidad, Caracas, Clinica El Avila, Caracas, Venezuela
    • Mario Sanchez-Borges
  12. Center for Population Health Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
    • Aziz Sheikh
  13. Department of Pediatrics, National University of Singapore, Singapore
    • Lynette P Shek
  14. Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, FL, USA
    • Dana V Wallace
  15. Allergie-Centrum-Charité, Klinik fur Dermatologie und Allergologie, Charité, Universitatsmedizin, Berlin, Germany
    • Margitta Worm
  16. David Hide Asthma and Allergy Research Centre, St. Mary’s Hospital, Isle of Wight, UK
    • Graham Roberts
  17. Division of General Internal Medicine and Primary Care, Brigham and Women’s Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
    • Aziz Sheikh
Authors
  1. F Estelle R Simons
    View author publications
    You can also search for this author in
  2. Ledit RF Ardusso
    View author publications
    You can also search for this author in
  3. M Beatrice Bilò
    View author publications
    You can also search for this author in
  4. Victoria Cardona
    View author publications
    You can also search for this author in
  5. Motohiro Ebisawa
    View author publications
    You can also search for this author in
  6. Yehia M El-Gamal
    View author publications
    You can also search for this author in
  7. Phil Lieberman
    View author publications
    You can also search for this author in
  8. Richard F Lockey
    View author publications
    You can also search for this author in
  9. Antonella Muraro
    View author publications
    You can also search for this author in
  10. Graham Roberts
    View author publications
    You can also search for this author in
  11. Mario Sanchez-Borges
    View author publications
    You can also search for this author in
  12. Aziz Sheikh
    View author publications
    You can also search for this author in
  13. Lynette P Shek
    View author publications
    You can also search for this author in
  14. Dana V Wallace
    View author publications
    You can also search for this author in
  15. Margitta Worm
    View author publications
    You can also search for this author in

Corresponding author

Correspondence to F Estelle R Simons.

Additional information

Competing interests

F. Estelle R. Simons: member, Medical Advisory Boards of ALK, Mylan, and Sanofi. Ledit Ardusso: no competing interests. Maria Beatrice Bilo: ALK, Meda. Victoria Cardona: has received fees as an advisor and speaker for ALK. Motohiro Ebisawa: no competing interests. Yehia El-Gamal: no competing interests. Phil Lieberman: member of the medical advisory boards of, and has been a consultant to, Mylan and Sanofi-Aventis; speaker for Mylan. Richard Lockey: no competing interests. Antonella Muraro: has served as advisor for, and has received speaker fees from, Meda. Graham Roberts: member, Medical Advisory Board for ALK-Abello. Mario Sanchez-Borges: World Allergy Organization Executive Committee (President-Elect). Aziz Sheikh: has received honoraria for consultancy and/or research from ThermoFisher, ALK, Meda, and Allergy Therapeutics. Lynette Shek: no competing interests. Dana Wallace: advisor/consultant for Mylan and Sanofi. Margitta Worm: has received honoraria for consultation and lectures from Meda, ALK, and Allergopharma.

Authors’ contributions

FERS led the development of the document and prepared the initial, interim, and final drafts. All authors contributed to the content of the document. All authors reviewed and approved the final document. Please see the “Methods” section on page 10 of this publication for details of the development process.

Rights and permissions

This article is published under license to BioMed Central Ltd. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly credited. The Creative Commons Public Domain Dedication waiver (http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/) applies to the data made available in this article, unless otherwise stated.

Reprints and Permissions

About this article

Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Simons, F.E.R., Ardusso, L.R., Bilò, M.B. et al. International consensus on (ICON) anaphylaxis. World Allergy Organ J 7, 1–19 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1186/1939-4551-7-9

Download citation

Keywords

  • Anaphylaxis
  • Acute systemic allergic reaction
  • Epinephrine (adrenaline)
  • H1-antihistamines
  • H2-antihistamines
  • Glucocorticoids
  • Food allergy
  • Venom allergy
  • Drug allergy
  • Exercise-induced anaphylaxis
  • Idiopathic anaphylaxis

World Allergy Organization Journal

ISSN: 1939-4551

Contact us