Cause of Unexplained Anaphylaxis
Completed
Conditions studied: Idiopathic Anaphylaxis, Drug Anaphylaxis, Venom Anaphylaxis, Food Anaphylaxis
In brief
This study will explore the possible cause of unexplained, or idiopathic, anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis is a rapid, life-threatening, severe reaction that occurs suddenly after contact with an allergy-causing substance, usually a particular food, drug or stinging insect. The allergen triggers mast cells to release several substances, including histamine. Histamine is responsible for many of the symptoms that may occur, such as flushing, hives, swelling of the palms and soles or tongue and vocal cords, nasal congestion, itching and tearing of the eyes, shortness of breath and wheezing, stomach pain, vomiting, low blood pressure, loss of consciousness, shock, and, rarely, death. Severe episodes of anaphylaxis are treated with epinephrine (adrenaline), followed by oral antihistamines and steroids. In more than half of cases of anaphylaxis, a clear cause is not identified. These cases are called idiopathic anaphylaxis. There is no cure or long-term preventive therapy for patients with recurrent episodes of idiopathic anaphylaxis. People between 13 and 70 years of age who have idiopathic anaphylaxis, or have anaphylaxis that is caused by specific allergens such as food, venom, or drugs and medications may be eligible for this study. Participants are evaluated at the NIH Clinical Center with the following tests and procedures: * Medical history, physical examination and blood tests. * Bone marrow biopsy. For this test, the skin over the hipbone and the outer surface of the hipbone itself are numbed with local anesthesia. Then, a needle is inserted into the hipbone and a small amount of bone marrow is drawn into a syringe. The needle also cuts a small core of bone marrow, which is removed for analysis. * Other tests that may be needed for evaluation of the patient s condition.
Key facts
- Study ID
- NCT00719719
- Run by
- National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
- People needed
- 115
- Starts
- 2008-11-05
- Last updated by the study team
- 2026-08-07
Who can join
Age: 13 and older, up to 75. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: not accepted.
You may not qualify if…
- Presence of conditions which in the judgment of the investigator or the referring physician may put the subject at undue risk for travel (including frequent episodes of IA not preventable by pre-medication, acute infection, severe thrombocytopenia [minimum platelet count of 30,000], or significant cardiovascular disease)
- Any condition that - in the view of the principal investigator would make the subject unsuitable for enrollment in this study
- Inability to provide informed consent
- Pregnancy
Where it is running
- National Institutes of Health Clinical Center — Bethesda, Maryland, United States
Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov
Trial information comes from ClinicalTrials.gov and is refreshed daily. TrialsForMe does not provide medical care and does not run the studies it lists.