Atopy

This article is about the disease. For the philosophical use, see Atopy (philosophy).
Atopy
Other namesAtopic syndrome
Eczema—a typical atopic manifestation
Pronunciation
SpecialtyDermatology, immunology

Atopy is the tendency to produce an exaggerated immunoglobulin E (IgE) immune response to otherwise harmless substances in the environment.[2] Allergic diseases are clinical manifestations of such inappropriate, atopic responses.[2]

Atopy may have a hereditary component, although contact with the allergen or irritant must occur before the hypersensitivity reaction can develop (characteristically after re-exposure).[3] Maternal psychological trauma in utero may also be a strong indicator for development of atopy.[4]

The term atopy was coined by Arthur F. Coca and Robert Cooke in 1923.[5][6] Many physicians and scientists use the term "atopy" for any IgE-mediated reaction (even those that are appropriate and proportional to the antigen), but many pediatricians reserve the word "atopy" for a genetically mediated predisposition to an excessive IgE reaction.[7] The term is from Greek ἀτοπία meaning "the state of being out of place", "absurdity".[8]

  1. ^ Merriam-Webster Dictionary: Atopy
  2. ^ a b Ralston, Stuart H., Herausgeber. Penman, Ian D., Herausgeber. Strachan, Mark W. J., Herausgeber. Hobson, Richard P., Herausgeber. Britton, Robert, Illustrator. Davidson, Leybourne S. 1894-1981 Begründer des Werks. (2018-04-23). Davidson's principles and practice of medicine. Elsevier. ISBN 978-0-7020-7028-0. OCLC 1040673074.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  3. ^ "Mosby's Medical Dictionary:atopy". Archived from the original on 2011-07-10.
  4. ^ Wright, Rosalind J; Enlow, Michelle Bosquet (2008-09-01). "Maternal stress and perinatal programming in the expression of atopy". Expert Review of Clinical Immunology. 4 (5): 535–538. doi:10.1586/1744666X.4.5.535. ISSN 1744-666X. PMC 2762209. PMID 19838310.
  5. ^ Coca AF, Cooke RA. (1923) On the classification of the phenomenon of hypersensitiveness J Immunol
  6. ^ Johannes Ring; Bernhard Przybilla; Thomas Ruzicka (2006). Handbook of atopic eczema. Birkhäuser. pp. 3–. ISBN 978-3-540-23133-2. Retrieved 4 May 2010.
  7. ^ Ruby Pawankar; Stephen T. Holgate; Lanny J. Rosenwasser (7 April 2009). Allergy Frontiers: Classification and Pathomechanisms. Springer. pp. 33–. ISBN 978-4-431-88314-2. Retrieved 4 May 2010.
  8. ^ "atopy". Online Etymology Dictionary. Douglas Harper. 2019. Retrieved 26 Sep 2019.