Mast cellactivation syndrome is one type of mast cell activation disorder, and is an immunological condition in which mast cells inappropriately and excessively release chemical mediators, resulting in a range of chronic symptoms, sometimes including anaphylaxis or near-anaphylaxis attacks. Primary symptoms include cardiovascular, dermatological, gastrointestinal, neurological and respiratory problems. Unlike mastocytosis, another type of MCAD, where patients have an abnormally increased number of mast cells, patients with MCAS have a normal number of mast cells that do not function properly and are defined as "hyperresponsive". MCAS is still a poorly understood condition and is a current topic of research.
Pathophysiology
Mast cell activation can be localized or systemic. MCAS can present with a wide range of symptoms in multiple body systems, these symptoms may range from digestive discomfort to chronic pain, mental issues as well as an anaphylactic reaction. Some examples of tissue specific consequences of mast cell activation include urticaria, allergic rhinitis, and wheezing. Systemic mast cell activation presents with symptoms involving 2 or more organ systems. This can result from the release of mediators from a specific site, such as the skin or mucosal tissue, or activation of mast cells around the vasculature.
Signs and symptoms
MCAS is a condition that affects multiple systems, generally in an inflammatory manner. Symptoms typically wax and wane over time, varying in severity and duration. Many signs and symptoms are the same as those for mastocytosis, because both conditions result in too many mediators released by mast cells. It has many overlapping characteristics with recurrent idiopathic anaphylaxis, although there are distinguishing symptoms, specifically hives and angioedema. Common symptoms include:
Anaphylaxis If too many mediators are spilt into a patient's system, they may also experience anaphylaxis, which primarily includes: difficulty breathing, itchy hives, flushing or pale skin, feeling of warmth, weak and rapid pulse, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness and fainting.
Causes
There are no known causes, but the condition appears to be inherited in some patients. Symptoms of MCAS are caused by excessive chemical mediators inappropriately released by mast cells. Mediators include leukotrienes, histamines, prostaglandin, and tryptase. The condition may be mild until exacerbated by stressful life events, or symptoms may develop and slowly trend worse with time.
Diagnosis
MCAS is often difficult to identify due to the heterogeneity of symptoms and the "lack of flagrant acute presentation." The condition can also be difficult to diagnose, especially since many of the numerous symptoms are non-specific in nature. Mast cell activation was assigned an ICD 10 code in October 2016.
Symptoms consistent with chronic/recurrent mast cell release:
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, including aspirin can be very helpful in reducing inflammation in some patients, while others can have dangerous reactions
Prognosis
The prognosis of MCAS is uncertain because of lack of studies.
Epidemiology
MCAS is a relatively new diagnosis, being unnamed until 2007, and is believed to be under-diagnosed.
History
The condition was hypothesized by the pharmacologists John Oates and Jack Roberts of Vanderbilt University in 1991, and following a build-up of evidence featured in papers by Sonneck et al. and Akin et al., finally named in 2007. Diagnostic criteria were proposed in 2010.
