pathogenesis of atopic asthma
Last reviewed 01/2018
Atopic asthma is the result of airways inflammation caused by exposure to an environmental allergen.
Patients with asthma have an exuberant Th2-mediated IgE humoural immune response.
IgE binds to bronchial mast cells via the FcERI (high affinity receptor) resulting in degranulation and the release of pro-inflammatory mediators.
There are two phases of inflammation:
- acute phase
- delayed phase
The results of inflammation are:
- bronchial hyper-reactivity
- symptoms of cough, wheeze and chest tightness
- signs of variable polyphonic wheezes
common environmental allergens in atopic asthma