Systemic reactions to immunotherapy: the American Academy of Otolaryngic Allergy morbidity and mortality survey.

Anaphylaxis may be defined as a systemic, immunoglobulin E-mediated (Gell-Coombs type I) hypersensitivity reaction triggered by exposure to an antigen in a previously sensitized patient. Anaphylaxis may occur in a variety of circumstances; however, when it occurs as the result of immunotherapy, it is of great concern to the practicing allergist. When describing or reporting anaphylaxis relating to immunotherapy, most allergists speak in terms of the types of reactions, local vs. systemic. Germane to this discussion is the use of the term systemic reaction, which can mean anything from mild allergy symptoms resulting from an allergy injection to bradycardia and hypotension (shock). In this article we report serious or significant systemic reactions, which are characterized by any of the following symptoms: urticaria, sneezing or nasal obstruction, throat tightness or congestion, wheezing, and shock (bradycardia or hypotension). There were no fatalities reported from the survey group. The overall reaction rate was 0.3%.