Allergic Angiitis

Definition

Definition of Allergic Angiitis
Churg-Strauss syndrome also known as allergic granulomatosis and allergic angiitis is a disorder marked by blood vessel inflammation. This inflammation can restrict blood flow to vital organs and tissues, sometimes permanently damaging them.

Symptoms

Symptoms of Allergic Angiitis

1. Asthmatic attacks
2. Recurrent red multiform-like eruptions
3. Hemorrhagic skin lesions
4. Nodular skin lesions
5. Peripheral neuropathies
6. Raynaud phenomenon
7. Pericarditis
8. Myocarditis
9. Intestinal complications
10. Mild kidney function impairment
11. Anemia
12. Eosinophilia
13. Cardiac anomalies
14. Pleuropulmonary anomalies

Causes

Causes of Allergic Angiitis
The cause of Churg-Strauss syndrome is probably a combination of factors, although those factors haven't yet been identified. It is known that people with Churg-Strauss syndrome have an overzealous immune system. Instead of simply protecting against invading organisms such as bacteria and viruses, the immune system targets healthy tissue, causing widespread inflammation. Researchers are still trying to learn what triggers this inappropriate immune response.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of Allergic Angiitis
Diagnostic markers include eosinophil granulocytes and granulomas in affected tissue and Anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA) against neutrophil granulocytes. Differentiation from Wegener's granulomatosis can be difficult, though the increasing use of ANCA assays has made the distinction more routine. Wegener's is closely associated with c-ANCA, unlike Churg-Strauss, which shows elevations of p-ANCA.

Treatment

Treatment of Allergic Angiitis
Treatment for Churg-Strauss syndrome includes glucocorticoids such as prednisolone and other immunosupressive drugs such as azathioprine and cyclophosphamide. In many cases the disease can be put into a type of chemical remission through drug therapy, but the disease is chronic and life long.

Prognosis

Prognosis of Allergic Angiitis
Allergic vasculitis usually goes away over time. On occasion, people will have repeated episodes.

Prevention

Prevention of Allergic Angiitis
Avoid exposure to medications to which you have known allergies.