Aetiology of anaphylaxis in patients referred to an immunology clinic in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

BACKGROUND: The aetiology of anaphylaxis differs according to types of foods consumed, fauna and foliage and cultural practices. Although the aetiology of anaphylaxis in Western countries are well known, the causes in South Asian countries have not been reported. We sought to determine the causes of anaphylaxis in patients referred to an immunology clinic in Colombo, Sri Lanka. METHODS: 238 episodes of anaphylaxis were reviewed in 188 patients who were referred and skin prick tests and in vitro tests (ImmunoCap) were carried out to assess the presence of allergen specific IgE. Clinical features and severity of anaphylaxis was also recorded along with treatment received. RESULTS: Anaphylaxis to food either following direct exposure 90/238 (37.5%) or after exercise in the form of food dependent exercise induced anaphylaxis 29/238 (12.2%) was the predominant cause of anaphylaxis. Allergy to cow's milk and red meat, after immediate exposure, accounted for 66/238 (27.7%) of instances of all episodes of anaphylaxis and 66/90 (73.33%) of anaphylaxis due to food. Vaccines accounted for 28/238 (11.8%) of instances of anaphylaxis, especially among children. Of those who developed anaphylaxis to the MMR (n = 14), 71.4% of them had specific IgE to cow's milk and 35.7% of them had specific IgE to beef. Of those who developed anaphylaxis to insect stings, 27/42 of these episodes occurred following stings of ants (family Formicidae). The predominant cause of anaphylaxis changed with the age, with food allergy being the most frequent trigger of anaphylaxis in childhood, while drug allergy and idiopathic anaphylaxis being more frequent after 30 years of age. CONCLUSIONS: In this cohort, anaphylaxis to red meat appears to be the predominant cause of food induced anaphylaxis and presence of beef specific IgE and cow's milk, appears to be a predisposing factor for vaccine induced anaphylaxis.

Subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus and life-threatening hypokalaemic tetraparesis: a rare complication.

We describe a patient with lesions of subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus associated with high titres of anti-Ro and anti-La antibodies who developed a rapidly progressive flaccid tetraparesis due to profound hypokalaemia. After investigation she was found to have distal renal tubular acidosis (dRTA) without pathological evidence of lupus nephritis. It is likely that her dRTA was a manifestation of associated Sjögren's syndrome, which had been otherwise asymptomatic. This is the first report of such a complication in the dermatological literature.

Equestrian perniosis associated with cold agglutinins: a novel finding.

Reports of equestrian perniosis are rare in the literature and in the cases previously described there have been no abnormal laboratory investigations. We describe two patients with equestrian perniosis who had persistently elevated titres of cold agglutinins. We discuss the relationship of these cold agglutinins to the pathogenesis of perniosis and other related skin disorders.

Photosensitive mycosis fungoides or actinic reticuloid?

We report two patients who satisfied the diagnostic criteria for actinic reticuloid (AR) on initial presentation, in whom genotypic analysis of early skin biopsies failed to show T-cell gene receptor rearrangements. Both patients progressed to widespread skin involvement associated with histopathological and genotypic features of mycosis fungoides (MF). Arguably, these patients may have had photosensitive MF from the outset, but their clinical features, phototesting, and subsequent demonstration of a T-cell gene receptor rearrangement in the skin could also suggest progression of AR to MF.

Generalized pustular psoriasis following withdrawal of oral cyclosporin treatment for palmo-plantar pustulosis.

We report the cases of two patients who developed generalized pustular psoriasis on the withdrawal of oral Cyclosporin treatment for persistent palmoplantar pustulosis. This complication does not appear to have been reported previously.