Pathophysiological mechanisms of exercise-induced anaphylaxis: an EAACI position statement

The present document is the result of a consensus on the mechanisms of exercise-induced anaphylaxis (EIAn), an unpredictable. A multidisciplinary panel of experts including exercise-physiologists, allergists, lung physicians, paediatricians and a biostatistician reached the given consensus. Exercise-induced anaphylaxis (EIAn) describes a rare and potentially fatal syndrome in which anaphylaxis occurs in conjunction with exercise. The pathophysiological mechanisms underlying EIAn have not yet been elucidated although a number of hypotheses have been proposed. This review evaluates the validity of each of the popular theories in relation to exercise-physiology and immunology. On the basis of this evidence it is concluded that proposed mechanisms lack validity and it is recommended that a global research network is developed with a common approach to the diagnosis and treatment of EIAn in order to gain sufficient power for scientific evaluation.