Basophil-Mast Cell Response Syndromes: A Unified Clinical Approach

Allergic antibodies, now known to be of the IgE class, have been associated with basophil and mast cell activation and thus with histamine release since these cells contain histamine. Common allergen induced diseases such as allergic rhinitis have been correlated with IgE antibody, basophils, mast cells and histamine release and partial control with pharmacologic use of histamine receptor blockade. This report now classifies all immediate-type reactions in reference to basophils and mast cells and activation of these cells. This approach appears particularly important in relation to those immediate-type reactions which simulate IgE mediated responses but in which no allergenic stimulus is present. The mechanisms of pharmacologic control of these basophil-mast cell response syndromes and potential research approaches are emphasized.