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Glossary of Terms

  • Algorithm1: The step-by-step flow of a patient’s symptoms and medical history used to arrive at the diagnosis of a disease or the processes utilized in the stepwise treatment of a disease.
  • Angioedema1: The sudden appearance of erythematous deep-skin swelling, with tightness, tingling, or a burning sensation, and sometimes pain rather than itch, which can take up to 72 hours to resolve.
  • Antibody2: The proteins produced by B cells when triggered or activated. Antibodies can influence other cellular processes or signaling in the body. The antibodies produced by activated B cells may lead to the symptoms of chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU).
  • Antigen2: The molecules or proteins (self or foreign) encountered by the immune system that can activate T cells to elicit antibody production from B cells. The antibodies produced could lead to the symptoms of a disease.
  • B cell (B lymphocyte)3: Components of the adaptive immune system and are responsible for humoral immunity. They are products of the hematopoietic stem cells of the bone marrow.
  • Basophil4,5: One of the types of white blood cells produced by the bone marrow. Activated basophils play an important role in CSU pathophysiology, causing the release of cytokines that produce the symptoms of CSU.
  • Cytokine6: The general name of several types of secreted proteins produced by different cells that have specific effects on cellular communications and the regulation of both pro- and anti-inflammatory processes. These proteins include interleukins, chemokines, and monokines.
  • Interleukin6: Proteins secreted from leukocytes that act on other leukocytes.
  • Immunoglobulin7: Glycoproteins produced by plasma cells (a type of B cell) that play a role in the humoral immune response against specific antigens.
  • Inflammation8: The body’s immune response to an irritant or tissue injury. Signs of inflammation include redness, heat, swelling, pain, and/or loss of function. Inflammation is one of the processes involved in dermatologic diseases.
  • Mast cells2,9: Immune cells derived from the bone marrow and are present in connective tissues throughout the body. Mast cell activation and subsequent degranulation regulates several physiological and pathological processes in the body. In CSU, mast cell degranulation may lead to the release of inflammatory mediators that cause the symptoms of CSU.
  • Pathogenesis/Pathophysiology10: Used somewhat similarly to describe the processes associated with the development of a disease and how the disease alters the normal functioning state of the body.
  • Signaling11: The process by which cells utilize certain proteins or molecules to communicate with each other or transmit specific stimuli through several pathways to result in activation patterns or diverse physiological responses.
  • Sinus tract12: An abnormal connection between a fluid collection with a mucosal surface and/or the skin. It can result from acute or chronic processes.
  • Wheals (Hives)1: Sharply circumscribed areas of central swelling of variable size and shape on the skin, with associated itching and occasional burning sensation. In CSU, wheals are fleeting in nature and resolve within 30 minutes to 24 hours.

References

  1. Zuberbier T, Abdul Latiff AH, Abuzakouk M, et al. Allergy. 2022;77(3):734-766. doi:10.1111/all.15090
  2. Mendes-Bastos P, Brasileiro A, Kolkhir P, et al. Allergy. 2022;77(8):2355-2366. doi:10.1111/all.15261
  3. Althwaiqeb SA, Bordoni B. Histology, B Cell Lymphocyte. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023. Accessed September 13, 2023. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK560905/
  4. Sticco KL, Pandya NK, Lynch DT. Basophilia. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023. Accessed September 13, 2023. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK535365/
  5. Vasagar K, Vonakis BM, Gober LM et al. Clin Exp Allergy. 2006;36(6):770-776. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2222.2006.02494.x
  6. Zhang JM, An J. Int Anesthesiol Clin. 2007;45(2):27-37. doi:10.1097/AIA.0b013e318034194e
  7. Justiz Vaillant AA, Jamal Z, Patel P, et al. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023. Accessed September 13, 2023. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK513460/
  8. InformedHealth.org. In: InformedHealth.org [Internet]. Cologne, Germany: Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG); 2006. Accessed September 13, 2023. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK279298/
  9. Krystel-Whittemore M, Dileepan KN, Wood JG. Cell Front Immunol. 2016;6:620. doi:10.3389/fimmu.2015.00620
  10. Witthöft, M. In: Gellman MD, Turner JR, eds. Encyclopedia of Behavioral Medicine. Springer, New York, NY. 2013.
  11. Kholodenko BN. Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol. 2006;7(3):165-176. doi:10.1038/nrm1838
  12. Qureshi P, Glick Y, Alsmair A, et al. Accessed September 13, 2023. https://radiopaedia.org/articles/sinus-tract