There is no universal agreement on the definition of anaphylaxis or the criteria for establishing its diagnosis, although it has been known to the field of emergency medicine for more than 100 years. Two meetings were convened by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease and Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network in April 2004 and July 2005. Representatives from 16 different organizations and government bodies, including representatives from developed nations, continue working toward a universally accepted definition, criteria for diagnosis, and management of anaphylaxis. This article presents the latest concepts on anaphylaxis in the literature including the research needs in this area.
2010 American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.