A case of exercise-induced anaphylaxis: evidence of an association with the complement system

Acta Paediatr Jpn. 1989 Jun;31(3):340-5. doi: 10.1111/j.1442-200x.1989.tb01311.x.

Abstract

We studied a 17-year-old girl with exercise-induced anaphylaxis (EIA). She experienced 10 episodes of EIA which demonstrated cutaneous, digestive and cardiorespiratory symptoms. This subject exhibited elevation in plasma histamine (13.3 ng/ml) and decrease in CH50 (17 U/ml) and C3 (70 mg/dl) after naturally induced EIA. On remission day CH50 (26 U/ml), C3 (83 mg/dl) and C4 (15 mg/dl) were of relatively low values. Her mother demonstrated the same tendency with a low level of C4 (14 mg/dl), and this suggested an underlying genetic disorder in the complement system. Exercise challenge could not elicit EIA symptomatically but showed fluctuation of CH50. The triggering mechanism of EIA was unclear; however there is a possibility that complement plays an important role in EIA.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Exercise*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hypersensitivity / etiology*