Treatment of Allergy and Immunology Issues by Dr. Anne Maitland | English (EN)

In this lecture, Dr. Anne Maitland discusses the intricate roles that mast cells play in the immune system and their association with various hypersensitivity disorders. She explains the importance of mast cells in maintaining homeostasis, coordinating tissue repair, and their involvement in allergic reactions and connective tissue disorders like Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS). Dr. Maitland outlines the diagnostic criteria for Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS), emphasizing the need for symptom analysis, response to treatments, and specific tests to confirm diagnosis. She highlights how MCAS can manifest in multiple organ systems with symptoms ranging from skin reactions to neuropsychiatric issues and gastrointestinal distress. Various pharmacological interventions, including histamine blockers and biologics, are discussed, along with non-pharmacological approaches such as acupuncture. The talk also touches on the potential genetic link with familial hypertryptasemia and encourages a multidisciplinary approach for better diagnosis and management.