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Pathogenesis of atopic asthma

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

Authoring team

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

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