Angioedema

Angioedema refers to sudden, potentially life-threatening episodes of subcutaneous and/or submucosal swelling. It may be related to allergic diseases and urticaria through the release of mast cell mediators. Bradykinin-mediated angioedema (BK-AE), which is rather uncommon, does not typically respond to epinephrine, antihistamines, or corticosteroids, and obstruction of upper airways or involvement of the gastrointestinal tract may lead to life-threatening situations. BK-AE is usually caused by C1 inhibitor (C1Inh) deficiency, which is hereditary with variants in the SERPING1 gene (types I and II; OMIM 106100) or acquired.
Source: Annals of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology - Category: Allergy & Immunology Authors: Tags: Letter Source Type: research