[Early biological markers of anaphylactoid reactions occurring during anesthesia].

Three markers of in vivo histamine release, i.e. plasma histamine and tryptase, and urinary methylhistamine, were assessed using sensitive radioimmunoassays in 18 patients who had experienced an adverse reaction to an anaesthetic agent.

Biochemical markers of anaphylactoid reactions to drugs. Comparison of plasma histamine and tryptase.

Adverse reactions to drugs require that their mechanisms be elucidated, particularly when anaphylaxis is suspected. Early diagnosis can be achieved by plasma histamine measurements. Unfortunately, the short plasma half-life of histamine and the difficulties in handling the sample usually preclude this measurement, although a sensitive radioimmunologic kit is routinely available.