Skin mast cells in polycythaemia vera relationship to the pathogenesis and treatment of pruritus
1987
SUMMARY
We have measured skin mast cell numbers, circulating basophils and whole blood histaminc in 13 patients with polycythaemia vera. Itching was present in nine cases and correlated well with the numbers of skin mast cells but not with circulating basophils or whole blood histamine. Immediate relief of pruritus was achieved with aspirin, and myelosuppressive therapy was useful for long-term control of symptoms. Neither histamine (H1 or H2) antagonists nor iron replacement therapy were effective forms of treatment. The findings suggest that mast cell prostaglandins are an important factor in the pathogenesis of pruritus and that local vascular responses may trigger mast cell degranulation.
Keywords:
- Correction
- Source
- Cite
- Save
- Machine Reading By IdeaReader
19
References
62
Citations
NaN
KQI