Allergic Asthma and Immunology

Allergic Asthma

• Exposure to an allergen in a patient with allergic asthma triggers an immediate allergic reaction, leading to an asthma attack.
• The attack is mediated by antibodies, specifically immunoglobulin E (IgE), which recognize the allergen as a foreign substance (antigen).
• The immune response involves an antigen-antibody reaction on the surface of cells, including:
• Mast cells rich in histamines, leukotrienes, and other inflammatory mediators.
• The released inflammatory mediators trigger:
• Mucosal swelling
• Bronchoconstriction
• These two effects are characteristic of an allergic asthma attack.