Low Prevalence of Idiopathic Mast Cell Activation Syndrome Among 703 Patients With Suspected Mast Cell Disorders

Mast cell activation syndrome: An up-to-date review of literature

Mast cells are a subtype of white blood cells and are involved in the immune system. These cells contain many chemical substances called mediators, which are involved in the allergic response. The fact that mast cells play a role in many events that require urgent intervention, especially anaphylaxis, has led to a more detailed study of these cells. The diseases also caused by dysfunctions of mast cells have been examined in many circumstances. For instance, mast cell activation syndrome is known as an augmented number of cells due to decreased cell death, resulting in clinical symptoms affecting many systems. The main common symptoms include flushing, hypotension, urticaria, angioedema, headache, vomiting and diarrhea. Although the underlying mechanism is not yet clearly known, we aim to review the literature in a broad perspective and bring together the existing knowledge in the light of the literature due to the diversity of its involvement in the body and the fact that it is a little known syndrome.

Using the Right Criteria for MCAS

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The current article aims to provide a comprehensive update on diagnostic criteria for mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS), addressing challenges in diagnosing and classifying MCAS and its variants.

RECENT FINDINGS

In recent years, there has been a significant increase in our knowledge regarding the underlying mechanisms responsible for the activation of mast cells (MCs) in various pathological conditions. Furthermore, a set of criteria and a classification for MCASs have been established. MCAS is characterized by the presence of typical clinical symptoms, a substantial elevation in serum tryptase levels during an attack compared to the patient's baseline tryptase levels, and a response to MC mediator-targeting therapy. In this report, a thorough examination was conducted on the contemporary literature relating to MCAS, with a focus on comparing the specificity, sensitivity, and robustness of MCAS-related parameters within proposals for diagnosing and classifying MCAS and its variants. Moreover, the significance of employing specific consensus criteria in the assessment and categorization of MCAS in individual patients was underscored, due to the escalating occurrence of patients receiving a misdiagnosis of MCAS based on nonspecific criteria.