Recommendations for the Use of Tryptase in the Diagnosis of Anaphylaxis and Clonal Mastcell Disorders
Stefan Platzgummer, Nicola Bizzaro, Maria Beatrice Bilò, Valerio Pravettoni, Lorenzo Cecchi, Vittorio Sargentini, Laura Caponi, Daniela Visentini, Ignazio Brusca, Giampaola Pesce, Marcello Bagnasco, A. Antico, M.C. Montera, O Quercia, Antonino Musarra, Lucio Bonazza, Paolo Borrelli, Gabriele Cortellini, Battista Roberto Polillo, Giancarlo Valenti, M.T. Zedda, Riccardo Asero, D Villalta
Abstract
Summary: Tryptase is a serin-protease produced and released by mast cells after IgE-mediated or non-IgE mediated stimuli. We here review the various aspects related to the molecular characteristics of the enzyme and its biological effects, the genetic basis of its production and the release kinetics. Recommendations for the clinical use of tryptase measurement developed by a task force of Società Italiana di Patologia Clinica e Medicina di Laboratorio and Associazione Allergologi Immunologi Italiani Territoriali e Ospedalieri are given on the best procedure for a correct definition of the reference values in relation to the inter-individual variability and to the correct determination of tryptase in blood and other biological liquids, in the diagnosis of anaphylaxis (from drugs, food, insect sting, or idiophatic), death from anaphylaxis (post mortem assessment) and cutaneous or clonal mastcell disorders.