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Skin mast cells in polycythaemia vera relationship to the pathogenesis and treatment of pruritus
Author(s) -
JACKSON N.,
BURT D.,
CROCKER J.,
BOUGHTON B.
Publication year - 1987
Publication title -
british journal of dermatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.304
H-Index - 179
eISSN - 1365-2133
pISSN - 0007-0963
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2133.1987.tb05787.x
Subject(s) - medicine , polycythaemia , family medicine , library science , dermatology , computer science
SUMMARY We have measured skin mast cell numbers, circulating basophils and whole blood histaminc in 13 patients with polycythaemia vera. Itching was present in nine cases and correlated well with the numbers of skin mast cells but not with circulating basophils or whole blood histamine. Immediate relief of pruritus was achieved with aspirin, and myelosuppressive therapy was useful for long‐term control of symptoms. Neither histamine (H 1 or H 2 ) antagonists nor iron replacement therapy were effective forms of treatment. The findings suggest that mast cell prostaglandins are an important factor in the pathogenesis of pruritus and that local vascular responses may trigger mast cell degranulation.