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AND THE ANSWER IS . . .

4

Discussion
Antibodies against the Fc epsilon RI are present in the sera of 30-40% of those with CU (1). Antibodies against certain thyroid components, particularly the thyroid microsomal (peroxidase) antigen are found in about 20% of those with CU (2,3). However, other auto-antibodies such as anti-nuclear, anti-phospholipid, or anti-mitochondrial antibodies are not more common in CU patients, indicating that CU is not associated with a generalized state of auto-immunity (4).

Although earlier uncontrolled studies suggest that many cases of CU were due to unsuspected sensitivities to commonly ingested food additives, more recent controlled studies have found such a cause of CU in less than 5% of cases (5).

References

  1. Arch Dermatol 1997;133:1003-1008
  2. N Engl J Med. 2002;346:175-79
  3. Arch Dis Child. 2003 ;88:517-9.
  4. J Investig Allergol Clin Immunol 2001;11:16-20
  5. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2000 ;105:664-72


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