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Mast Cell Disease and Vaccination: Is There Increased Risk?

mast cell

Do you or does someone you know have severe symptoms of itching, rashes, flushing, stomach or other body pain, frequent diarrhea, nausea, fatigue, brain fog, headache and severe allergies to certain foods, medications or insect stings that may include fainting episodes or anaphylaxis? Although it has been classified as a rare immune system disorder, there are indications that Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS) may be more prevalent than previously thought and people can suffer for years without being correctly diagnosed.1 With severe allergies and chronic inflammatory diseases increasing in populations around the world, scientists are investigating the association between mast cell dysregulation and various brain and immune system disorders ranging from asthma, inflammatory bowel disease and chronic fatigue syndrome to ADHD, depression, autism and cancer.2 3 4 5

What are Mast Cells?

Mast cells are often described as the body’s sentinels because they modulate and orchestrate the immune response and play a critical role in innate and adaptive immunity, as well as maintaining homeostasis in the body.6 7 Mast cells and basophils are types of white blood cells (granulocytes) that are made in the bone marrow. While basophils circulate in the blood, mast cells reside in tissues, primarily connective and mucosal tissues near blood vessels and nerves of the skin, gastrointestinal, respiratory and genitourinary tracts, and the brain. 9

Mast cells and basophils are part of the body’s first line of defense when responding to injury or foreign antigens, such as pathogenic bacteria, viruses, parasites, protozoa, fungi and toxins.10 During the immune system’s normal protective response to a perceived threat, mast cells can release over 200 potent pro-inflammatory mediators within seconds of activation, including histamine (amino acid product), heparin (anti-coagulant), tryptase (enzyme) and cytokines (cell signaling protein molecules).11 12

The activation of this normal protective inflammatory response to internal or external stress increases blood flow to the site of the infection or wound to aid in healing. Acute inflammatory responses are often accompanied by the four classic signs of redness, heat, swelling and pain, which eventually disappear as cells regenerate and inflammation resolves during the healing process.13 However, allergic inflammatory responses are also provoked by mast cell activation.14

What is Mast Cell Disease and MCAS?

Mast cell activation is common and helps combat threats to our health. However, when a dysregulated immune system overproduces mast cells or when mast cell activation is out of proportion to the perceived internal or external threat, it can compromise our health.

The most serious of mast cell activation diseases (MCAD) is systemic mastocytosis, which can develop when genetically altered mast cells infiltrate and accumulate in large numbers in major organ systems, such as the skin, liver and intestines.15 16 A rare form of MCAD is aggressive systemic mastocytosis, usually caused by somatic mutations in the KIT gene, which progresses rapidly and causes organ damage and failure.17 An even rarer form of mast cell disease is mast cell leukemia and mast cell sarcoma.18

Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS) is a common variation of mast cell disease and can be more or less severe depending upon epigenetic, environmental, lifestyle and other host factors. MCAS occurs when a normal amount of mast cells inappropriately and chronically release histamine and other pro-inflammatory mediators that can lead to persistent inflammation in one or more parts of the body. Over time, chronic inflammation can damage cells if inflammation cannot be resolved and every organ in the body can be affected.19

Systemic mastocytosis is estimated to affect 1 in 10,000 people. However, the prevalence of MCAS is not known and some researchers estimate the less serious forms of mast cell dysregulation could affect between 10 and 30 percent of populations.20 21

Symptoms of MCAS

Symptoms of MCAS can wax and wane and often various symptoms start in early childhood, although people generally do not get diagnosed for decades after symptoms appear. The effects of mast cell dysregulation can cause a plethora of diverse symptoms, depending on where the mast cells are activated in the body.

Common symptoms of MCAS can include fatigue; pruritus (severe itching); migraine; frequent nausea and diarrhea; allergic reactions to certain foods, medications, chemicals, insect bites and environmental antigens; chronic sinus congestion or dry cough; gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD); urinary tract infections; muscle cramping; feeling cold; sweating, especially at night; hair loss; dry eyes; conjunctivitis (pink eye); mouth ulcers (canker sores); dental decay; heart palpitations; inability to concentrate and brain fog; anxiety, depression and insomnia.22 23

When mast cells overeact to a benign substance as if it were a foreign antigen posing a serious threat, symptoms can be life threatening like when a person has an anaphylactic reaction to peanuts.24 Mast cell over-activation and release of large amounts of histamine in the body can be unpredictable, so people with MCAS are at risk of reacting to different foods, alcohol or medications at any time, leaving them uncertain as to when they might have another reaction to something they previously were not aware was a trigger for mast cell activation.25 Many people with MCAS carry an epi-pen with them in case of anaphylaxis.

Diagnosing mast cell disease is difficult and involves blood and urine testing and, less frequently, skin or bone marrow biopsy.26 Most medical doctors in general practice are not well informed about MCAS, while doctors specializing in functional medicine tend to be more familiar with symptoms. Functional medicine focuses on a personalized, integrative approach to investigating root causes of health problems by analyzing the unique genetic, epigenetic, biochemical, environmental and lifestyle factors that affect an individual’s immune function and influence the development of complex chronic diseases.

Because MCAS can present differently in different people, the goal is to identify individual triggers for mast cell activation, including food (such as gluten, dairy, baker’s yeast, shellfish, nuts, wheat, corn); or chemicals (alcohol, certain prescription medications, MSG, aspartame, artificial dyes, cleaning products); mold and spores; extreme heat or cold; vigorous exercise; stress or other potential triggers and avoid them.27 There are many unanswered questions about mast cell disease and few prescription drug treatments.28 There is evidence that certain flavonoids (such as Quercetin and Rutin) inhibit histamine release and expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines in mast cells. 29

MCAS and Chronic Disease

Because overactive mast cells release pro-inflammatory mediators causing widespread inflammation in the body, MCAS has been implicated in a number of diseases that involve chronic inflammation and immune dysfunction. There is evidence that MCAS is related to allergic/inflammatory diseases, autoimmune disorders, and autism spectrum disorder.30 31

Health problems that have been associated with MCAS include eczema, psoriasis, and other skin disorders; irritable bowel syndrome; small intestine bowel overgrowth (SIBO); interstitial cystitis (bladder pain syndrome); asthma; migraines; depression; anxiety; ADHD; Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD); autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, lupus and Hashimoto’s; cancer; peripheral neuropathy, multiple sclerosis; diabetes; obesity; endometriosis; infertility; fibromyalgia and postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), among others.32 33 34

Symptoms of Histamine Intolerance

Histamine is a neurotransmitter that facilitates communications between neurons throughout the nervous system. Histamine levels in the body help control the sleep and wake cycle and influence metabolism, thyroid function, reproduction and management of stress, as well as regulate body temperature, maintain fluid balance in the body and other important functions. Histamine can also increase permeability of the blood brain barrier.35

People with histamine intolerance lack sufficient levels of Diame oxidase (DAO), a gut enxyme, and histamine N-methyltransferase (HNMT), a liver enzyme, which break down and detoxify histamine in foods, medications or alcohol. When these enzymes fail to do their job, high levels of histamine circulate in the blood and cause histamine intoxication.36 Eating histamine-rich foods, drinking alcohol or taking prescription drugs that release histamine and or inhibit DAO or HNMT enzyme activity can cause high histamine levels and symptoms like diarrhea, headache, sinus congestion, heart palpitations, itching and flushing, low blood pressure and many other symptoms.

The symptoms of histamine intolerance and MCAS are similar and a person can have either histamine intolerance of MCAS or both. The main difference between the two is that histamine intolerance involves the triggering of high levels of histamine in the blood that cannot be efficiently detoxified, while MCAS involves dysregulated mast cells releasing not only histamine but multiple inflammatory and other types of mediators in tissues of the body.37

There is some evidence for genetic predisposition to histamine intolerance.  Like MCAS, histamine intolerance can be hard to diagnose even with blood and urine tests. Treatment for histamine intolerance focuses on avoiding histamine rich foods and alcohol or medications that block DAO or HNMT enzyme activity. Some people with histamine intolerance take DAO supplements to help the body break down histamine or take anti-histamines to control levels of histamine in the blood.38

MCAS and Autism Spectrum Disorder

Over the past decade, a number of reports and studies have linked Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) with immune dysregulation and chronic inflammation in the body, including in the brain.39 40 41  There is evidence that mast cell dysregulation is associated with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).42 43

Some researchers have suggested that the relationship between immune response and brain function may be negatively affected when toxins cross the blood brain barrier during a critical point in neural development, causing neurotoxicity and immune dysregulation that disrupts the natural neuron pruning process and contributes to the development of autism spectrum disorders. 44 If the immune system is dysregulated, it can affect the formation and necessary removal of physical connections between neurons that is critical to maintaining healthy brain cell function.45

ASD children have a higher rate of allergies (30%) compared to neurotypical children (2.5%). Tufts University Professor Theodore Theoharides, PhD, MD, who has conducted extensive research into mast cell disorders, has published a series of studies on the association between MCAS and autism. The evidence he has provided suggests that overactive mast cells in the brain and gut triggered by non-allergic stimulus can lead to brain inflammation and chronic brain dysfunction with symptoms diagnosed as autism. Evidence that mast cells play a role in ASD is also supported by the fact that the hypothalamus, which regulates behavior and language, houses the majority of mast cells in the brain and people with ASD often have problems associated with language and behavior.46

What Are Co-Factors for Developing MCAS?

Currently, MCAS is not considered to be a genetically inherited disease but there is evidence for epigenetic predisposition to development of MCAS as it tends to run in families, albeit with varying degrees of severity and presentations in individuals within the same family.47 Perinatal stress, environmental exposures, DNA methylation, somatic genetic mutations and interactions between microbiota and mast cells have been proposed as contributing co-factors.48 49 50

According to University of Minnesota Professor Lawrence Afrin, MD, an oncologist and leading mast cell authority, mast cell disease can present with different manifestations and outcomes for each person because every person is unique:

“Conveying a new understanding that all mast cell disease features inappropriate mast cell activation, the new top level mast cell activation disease (MCAD) encompasses various types of rare mastocytosis and likely prevalent mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS). The apparent uniqueness in each patient with MCAD of constitutively activating mutational patterns in KIT and other mast cell regulatory elements likely is the principal driver of not only the specific clinical presentation, and therapeutic response profile, in each patient but also the great heterogeneity across this population.”51  

Inflammation and Vaccination

When the immune system repeatedly mounts an inappropriate acute inflammatory response to antigens or non-allergic substances, it can lead to unwanted chronic inflammation in the body that is common to a number of immune and neuroimmune system disorders.52 53 Vaccination stimulates an inflammatory immune response that promotes production of antibodies and the acquisition of artificial active immunity.54 However, unlike naturally acquired immunity that involves a normal inflammatory response producing both innate (cellular) and humoral (adaptive) immunity, most vaccines manipulate the immune system in way that only stimulates production of vaccine strain antibodies and humoral immunity.55

Because vaccine acquired artificial immunity is temporary, many vaccines contain adjuvants, such as aluminum or squalene, to stimulate a strong inflammatory response in the body, which involves mast cell activation.56 There is mounting scientific evidence that when individuals cannot tolerate hyper-stimulation of the immune system, the atypical inflammatory response to vaccination can remain unresolved, become chronic, and lead to allergy and autoimmunity.57

Vaccines contain many ingredients, including chemicals, virus like protein particles and heavy metals, such as aluminum adjuvants and mercury (Thimerosal) preservatives, as well as other substances that can cause inflammation.58 59 Mercury can activate and destabilize mast cells,60 61 which disrupts the blood brain barrier and makes it easier for mercury to enter the brain where it can remain for long periods of time.62 Even a low concentration of mercury has been shown to activate mast cell mediators in the brain. Scientists have demonstrated that Thimerosal-derived ethylmercury is a mitochondrial toxin and may damage mitochondrial DNA.63

Polysorbate 80 is a chemical emulsifier added to some vaccines. Polysorbate 80 has the ability to help deliver substances across the protective blood brain barrier and into the brain.64 When toxins enter the brain, mast cells are activated and cause inflammation.65 Polysorbate 80 has also been shown to increase histamine levels in animal studies.66

The first vaccine found to cause acute and chronic brain inflammation (acute and chronic encephalopathy) and permanent brain dysfunction was smallpox vaccine created by Edward Jenner in 1796.67 The first vaccine found to cause acute and chronic encephalopathy with permanent brain dysfunction that ranged from learning disabilities and behavior disorders to profound mental retardation was whole cell pertussis vaccine licensed in 1915 and combined in 1949 with diphtheria and tetanus vaccine to create DPT vaccine.68 69 Whole cell pertussis vaccine ingredients include pertussis toxin, endotoxin, aluminum and mercury.70

Cases of pertussis vaccine-related brain inflammation followed by development of autism were first described in the book DPT: A Shot in the Dark published in 1985.71 72

Is Mast Cell Disease a Risk Factor for Vaccine Reactions?

Mast cells play an important part in keeping the body healthy, but when they malfunction, can cause system wide chronic inflammation in the body that interferes with quality of life or can even cause death.

Dr. Afrin recently related the story of a patient, “who in the first year of his life had been perfectly normal and then, within hours of his first DTP vaccine at age one, developed into just a terrible multi-system inflammatory mess, including essentially acute onset autism.” When he was 20 years old, biopsies tested positive for mast cells. He was subsequently treated for MCAS with remarkable improvement.73

Most babies in the U.S. are being given 25 doses of nine different vaccines (or more) by their first birthday and can receive eight or more vaccines simultaneously.74 As mentioned previously, there are ingredients in vaccines that provoke inflammatory responses in the body that involve mast cell activation.75

Although for the past several decades, most pediatricians and public health officials have rejected the possibility of a relationship between vaccination and the development of allergic and autoimmune disorders,76 the apparent increase in mast cell dysregulation in highly vaccinated populations deserves more in-depth investigation.

The two outstanding questions are:

  • Does repeated atypical manipulation of the immune system with multiple vaccines in early life trigger MCAS or development of histamine intolerance in genetically or epigenetically predisposed individuals?
  • Are individuals with undiagnosed MCAS or histamine intolerance at greater risk for suffering vaccine reactions, particularly if they have a personal or family history of allergy or autoimmunity?

There is urgent need for more basic science research into how and why MCAS and histamine intolerance occurs and whether vaccination is a co-factor in increasing individual risks for mast cell dysregulation.


References:
1 Jennings S, Russell N et al. The Mastocytosis Society Survey on Mast Cell Disorders: Patient Experiences and Perceptions. J Allergy Immunol Pract 2014; 1(1): 70-76.
2 Afrin LB. Mast cell activation and the modern epidemic of chronic inflammatory disease. Translational Research 2016; 174: 33-59.
3 Galli Sj, Tsai M, Piliponsky AM. The development of allergic inflammation. Nature 2008; 454(7203): 445-454.
4 Theoharides TC. Autism Spectrum Disorders and Mastocytosis. Int J Immunopath Pharmacol 2009; 22(4): 859-865.
5 Theoharides T, Conti P. Mast cells: the Jekyl and Hyde of tumor growth. Trends in Immunology 2004; 25(5).
6 Zayas E, deSilva M et al. Mast Cell Function: A New Vision of an Old Cell. J Histochem Cytochem 2014; 62(1).
7 Whittemore M, Dileepan K, Wood J. Mast Cell: A Multi-Functional Master Cell. Front Immunol 2016; 6:620.
8 University of Rochester Medical Center. White Blood Cells. Health Encyclopedia.
9 Nautiyal KM, Riberio AC et al. Brain mast cells link the immune system to anxiety-like behaviors. Proc Nat Acad Sci 2008; 105(46).
10 Urb M, Sheppard D. The Role of Mast Cells in the Defense Against Pathogens. PLoS Pathog Apr. 26, 2012.
11 Gilfillan S, Austin SJ, Metcalfe DD. Mast Cell Biology: Introduction and OverviewAdv Exp Med Biol 2011; 716: 2-12.
12 Amin K. The Role of Mast Cells in Allergic Inflammation. Respiratory Medicine 2012; 106: 9-14.
13 Encyclopedia Britannica. Inflammation (Pathology). Feb. 28, 2019.
14 Amin K. The Role of Mast Cells in Allergic Inflammation. Respiratory Medicine 2012; 106: 9-14.
15 Metcalfe DD. Mast cells and mastocytosis. Blood 2008; 112(4): 946-956.
16 The Mastocytosis Society. Mast Cell Diseases: Overview, Diagnosis, Definition and Classification. 2018.
17 Molderings GJ, Brettner S et al. Mast Cell Activation Disease: A Concise Practical Guide for Diagnostic Workup and Therapeutic Options. J Hematol Oncol 2011; 4(10).
18 National Institutes of Health. Systemic Mastocytosis. Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center 2018.
19 Hamilton MJ, Hornick JL et al. Mast cell activation syndrome: A newly recognized disorder with systemic clinical manifestations. J Clin Allergy Immunol 2011; 128(1).
20
Akin C. Mast cell activation syndromes. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2017; 140(2): 349-355.
21 Molderings, GJ, Zienkiewicz T, Risk of solid cancer in patients with mast cell activation syndrome: results from Germany and USA. F1000 Res 2017; 6: 1889.
22 Afrin L. Presentation, Diagnosis and Management of Mast Cell Activation Syndrome. Nova Science Publishers 2013.
23 Hoffman B. Mast Cell Activation Syndrome and Histamine: When Your Immune System Runs Rampant. Hoffman Centre for Integrative and Functional Medicine Nov. 8, 2017.
24 Santos AF, Couto-Francisco N et al. A novel human mast cell activation test for peanut allergy. J Allergy Clin Immunol May 3, 2018.
25 Maintz L, Novak N. Histamine and histamine intolerance. Am J Clin Nutr 2007; 85(5): 1185-1196.
26 National Institutes of Health. Systemic Mastocytosis. Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center 2018.
27
MastCellDisease. Mast Cell Triggers: What Are the Most Common Triggers? Dec. 12, 2017.
28 Molderings GJ, Haenisch B et al. Pharmacologic treatment options for mast cell activation disease. Naunyn-Schmiedeberg’s Archive of Pharmacology 2016; 389(7): 671-694.
29 Hyo-Hyuan P, Lee S et al. Flavanoids inhibit histamine release and expression of proinflammatory cytokines in mast cells. Arch Pharmacol Res 2008; 31:1303. 
30 Zayas E, deSilva M et al. Mast Cell Function: A New Vision of an Old Cell. J Histochem Cytochem 2014; 62(1): 698-738.
31
Theoharides TC, Tsilioni I et al. Atopic Diseases and Inflammation of the Brain in the Pathogenesis of Autism Spectrum Disorders. Trans Psychiatry 2016; 6(6).
32 Theoharides TC, Konstantinos-Dionysios A et al. Mast Cells and Inflammation. Biochimica Biophysica Acta 2012; 1822(1): 21-33.
33 Conti P, Caraffa AL. Mast cell, pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory: Jekyll and Hyde, the story continues. Journal of Biological Regulators and Homeostatic Agents 2017; 31(2): 263-267.
34 Weinstock LB, Brook JB et al. Successful treatment of postural orthostatic tachycardia and mast cell activation syndromes using naltrexone, immunoglobulin and antibiotic treatment. BMJ Case Reports Jan. 11, 2018.
35 Pizano J. The many effects of histamine. Integrative Therapeutics Mar. 1, 2016.
36
Kovacova-Hanuskova E, Buday T et al. Histamine, histamine intoxication and intolerance. Allergologia et Immunopathologia 2015; 43: 498-506.
37 Hoffman B. Is Your Histamine Intolerance Actually Mast Cell Activation Syndrome? Hoffman Centre for Integrative and Functional Medicine Dec. 5, 2017.
38 Manzotti G, Breda D et al. Serum diamine oxidase activity in patients with histamine intolerance. Int J Immunopathol Pharmacol 2016; 29(1): 105-111.
39
Tonhajzerova I, Ondrejka I et al. (2015) Inflammatory Activity in Autism Spectrum Disorder. In: Pokorski M. (eds) Respiratory Health. Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology 2015.
40 Rossignol DA, Frye RE. A review of research trends in physiologic abnormalities in autism spectrum disorders: immune dysregulation, inflammation, oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction and environmental toxicant exposures. Mol Psychiatry 2012; 17(4): 389-401.
41 Theoharides TC, Asadi S, Patel AB. Focal brain inflammation and autism. J Neuroinflamm 2013; 10: 46.
42
Theoharides TC, Doyle BS. Autism, Gut-Blood-Brain Barriers and Mast Cells. J Clin Psychopharmacol 2008; 28(5): 479-483.
43 Theoharides TC, Stewart JM et al. Mast cells, brain inflammation and autism. Eur J Pharmacol 2016; 778: 96-102.
44 Jacome MCI, Chacon LMM et al. Peripheral Inflammatory Markers Contributing to Comorbidities in Autism. Behav Sci (Basel) 2016; 6(4).
45 University of Rochester Medical Center. The Brain’s Gardeners: Immune Cells “Prune” Connections Between Neurons. Mar. 7, 2016.
46 Theoharides TC. Is a Subtype of Autism an Allergy of the Brain? Clin Thera 2013; 35(5): 584-591.
47
Molderings GJ, Haenisch B et al. Familial Occurrence of Systemic Mast Cell Activation Disease. PLOS One Sept. 13, 2013
48 Monticelli S, Leoni C. Epigenetic and transcriptional control of mast cell responses. F1000 Research Nov. 29, 2017.
49 U.S. National Library of Medicine. What Is A Gene Mutations and How Do Mutations Occur? July 3, 2018.
50
Afrin LB, Khouruts A. Mast Cell Activation Disease and Microbiotic Interactions. Clin Thera 2015; 37(5)): 941-953.
51 Ibid.
52 Walker ME, Hatfield JK, Brown MA. New insights into the role of mast cells in autoimmunity: Evidence for a common mechanism of action? Biochimica et Biophysica Acta 2012; 1822(1): 57-65.
53 Gibney SM, Drexhage HA. Evidence for a Dysregulated Immune System in the Etiology of Psychiatric Disorders. J Neuroimmune Pharmacol 2013; 8(4): 900-920.
54 Ghaffar A. Immunization. University of South Carolina School of Medicine. Nov. 8, 2017.
55
Rydyznski CE, Waggoner SN. Boosting vaccine efficacy the natural (killer) way. Trends Immunol 2015; 36(9): 536-548.
56 deVeer M. New Development in Vaccine Research – Unveiling the Secret of Vaccine Adjuvants. Discovery Medicine Sept. 15, 2011.
57 Vera-Lastra, Medina G et al. Autoimmune/inflammatory syndrome induced by adjuvants (Shoenfeld’s syndrome): clinical and immunological spectrum.  Expert Review Clinical Immunology  2013; 9(4): 361-373.
58 Fisher BL. Are Vaccine Ingredients Safe? NVIC Jan. 26, 2018.
59 Singh B. Vaccine Ingredient Toxicity – Unraveling the Intiation of Oxidative Damage to Myelin and Role of Mast Cells, Microglia and Schwan Cells in Neurogenic Inflammation and Inhibition of Remyelination. Research Gate  Feb. 10, 2017.
60 Kempuraj D, Asadi S et al. Mercury induces inflammatory mediator release from mast cells. Journal of Neuroinflammation 2010; 7:20.
61 Bent S, Gottsch C et al. The effects of heavy metal ions (CD2+, Hg2+, Pb2+, Bi3+) on histamine release from human adenoidal and cutaneous mast cells. Agents and Actions 1992; 36 (Suppl 2).
62 Cariccio VL, Sama A et al. Mercury Involvement in Neuronal Damage and Neurodegenerative Diseases. Biol Trace Element Res May 18, 2018.
63
Sharpe AM, Livingston AD et al. Thimerosal-Derived Ethylmercury is a Mitochondrial Toxin in Human Astrocytes: Possible Role in Fenton Chemistry in the Oxidation and Breakage of mtDNA. J Toxicol June 16, 2012.
64 Koffie RM, Farrar CT et al. Nanoparticles enhance brain delivery of blood-brain barrier-impermeable probes for in vivo optical and magnetic resonance imaging. Proc Natl Acad Sci 2011; 108 (46): 18837-18842.
65 Parpia R. Polysorbate 80: A Risky Vaccine Ingredient. The Vaccine Reaction Jan. 7, 2016.
66 Masini E, Planchenault J et al. Histamine releasing properties of Polysorbate 80 in vitro and in vivo: correlation with its hypotensive action in the dog. Agents Action 1985; 16(6): 470-477.
67
Miravelle A, Roos KL. Encephalitis Complicating Smallpox Vaccination. JAMA Neurology 2003; 60(7): 925-928.
68 Institute of Medicine Vaccine Safety Committee. Adverse Effects of Pertussis and Rubella Vaccines. Chapter 4: Encephalopathy (pp. 86-88). Washington, DC. The National Academies Press 1991.
69 Institute of Medicine Committee to Study New Research on Vaccines. DPT Vaccine and Chronic Nervous System Dysfunction: A New Analysis. Executive Summary (pp.1-2) Washington, D.C. The National Academies Press 1994.
70 WHO. Recommendations for whole cell pertussis vaccine. WHO Technical Report Series No. 941 2007.
71 Coulter HL, Fisher BL. DPT: A Shot in the Dark. Harcourt Brace Jovanovich 1985.
72
Fisher BL. Vaccines, Autism and Chronic Inflammation: The New Epidemic. The Autism File 2009.
73 Ruscio M. Mast Cell Activation Part 2 with Dr. Lawrence Afrin. April 2018.
74 CDC. Recommended Immunization Schedule for Children and Adolescents Aged 18 Years or Younger, United States, 2018. Feb. 6, 2017.
75 CDC. Vaccine Excipient & Media Summary. March 2018.
76 Offit PA, Hackett CJ. Addressing Parents’ Concerns: Do Vaccines Cause Allergy or Autoimmune Diseases? Pediatrics 2003; 111(3).

17 Responses

  1. Greeting Staff,

    I am a Holistic Practioner in the State of Florida and need your guidance on this DCAS condition. This is a well-written article and clearly surfaces many problems of allergy responses of my patients.

    I first would like to thank all those associated with the rebirth of the topic from your staff. I need help trying to find what products or medications other than Quercetin and Rutin can help.

    Can you please direct me to the appropriate source,s the diagnosed tests recommended, and a list of known remedies. Thank you. Joseph

    1. I would use high doses of a b-vitamin called Choline. Do lots of research on this and research what are anticholinergic that is put in all of our Pharm Meds. to prevent choline from working. I call it a complete genocide!

  2. Can add Chrinic Inflammatoey Syndrome to the list. I was exposed to toxic mold long term and experienced MCAS.
    Dr Shoemaker is the expert on mold illness and find your very well written article on MCAS similar to his CIRS diagnosis..
    The symptoms mentioned are exactly how my body was reacting.
    Thank you for the informative article.

  3. Some additional information to consider when making decisions related to vaccinations is provided by The Mastocytosis Society (TMS), an organization dedicated to improving lives of patients with all forms of mast cell disease, including MCAS. The TMS publication “The Mastocytosis Chronicles,” included a transcript of Q&A from a TMS conference where mast cell disease expert Dr. Castells stated, in part, “Patients with mastocytosis are not immunodeficient but have a chronic disease and should be vaccinated with the flu yearly.” Mast cell disease expert Dr. Akin then said “Yes, I agree…since we know that patients with mastocytosis with febrile illnesses and other infections can get triggering of the mast cell degranulation.” (Many of the symptoms of the mastocytosis form of mast cell disease can also be found in the MCAS form of mast cell disease. Mastocytosis is not an autoimmune disease, although I’m not sure if it has been determined if MCAS is an autoimmune disease.)

    Guidelines for children with mast cell disease have been published at the TMS website, as children with mast cell disease may have different considerations. https://tmsforacure.org/single-vaccines-safer-option-children-mastocytosis/

    Dr.’s Castel and Akin represented a TMS Medical Advisory Board made up physicians from around the world who are mast cell disease experts. (A list of the current 20-member Board can be found within the document found at this link. https://tmsforacure.org/special-edition-for-health-care-professionals/)

    As an adult with mast cell disease, getting vaccines over the past couple decades has been extremely important for me to avoid fevers and other concerns that significantly aggravate my mast cells. This may not be the right choice for everyone, but hopefully the above info helps round out the conversation as you evaluate your choices until such time as the needed research for answers mentioned above is completed.

  4. Your experience is interesting; Mine differs! I have Systemic Mastocytosis and experience life-threatening anaphylactic episodes of mast-cell degranulation with EVERY illness, not merely febrile illnesses! However, I ALSO experience this degranulation EVERY time I receive a vaccine, which causes the decision to receive any vaccine a complex choice. So my long-time doc, who studied postdoctorally under Marianne Castells, and remains in constant dialogue with her regarding treatment of Mastocystosis and MCAD patients, and I, decided that most immunizations are NOT a good plan for me! She has even defended my husband’s refusal to receive the flu vaccine anymore! (This was due to his experiencing repeated illnesses during each year following administration of employer-demanded flu vaccine; EACH of which caused episodes of life-threatening mast-cell degranulation that I don’t experience when he doesn’t get the flu vaccine) I have no doubt that Drs Castells and Akin’s vaccine recommendations regarding vaccinations is a requirement for them to say due to mainstream medicine’s current thoughts on vaccination. However, it does NOT reflect the views of individual physicians providing personalized medicine in treating Mastosytosis patients who react to vaccines. And there are MANY of these patients; I am NOT ALONE in my experience!

  5. Found your information and responses very informative. I have been living with a mixed diagnosis of MCAS, MCAD, Systemic Mastocytosis and Cutaneous Mastocytosis. My symptoms started in 2008, the very same year I received a course of vaccinations for Hep A and Hep B, as well as a Shingle vaccine. Has anyone else had this experience? Thank you.

  6. I never had any allergy issues until my first and only flu shot at age 20. I’ve been an allergic and arthritic mess ever since, never knowing when I’ll have an anaphylactic reaction. I test negative for all food allergies, but still react to many foods and exercise. And I’ve had chronic costochondritis since shortly after that shot.

    1. Sara McGrath, have you been diagnosed with anything and does the medical field agree? I’m going through the same thing but need evidence to prove it was the vaccines.

  7. I had a severe anaphylactic reaction to hep b and now have MCAS, 8+ doses of epi since January. Perfectly healthy until then, That was no coincidence.

  8. Please help, I have Mastocytosis in my esophagus, duodenum and stomach. I’ve had skin biopsies that show mast cells but know Mastocytosis. I’ve had a bone marrow test that came back clean. After all different doctors, specialists, labs, pathology testing I am just over two years of constant giant hives, thyroid and connective tissue issues. I read everything I can find on Mastocytosis and MCAS. I believe I fall under MCAS due to the fact of no Mastocytosis in my skin or bone marrow. I need a Doctor with Mast Cell experience in my area to get a definitive diagnosis. I seen a couple of Immunologist and Rheumatologist in Manhattan and tried Immunosuppressant with no relief. Please can anyone recommend a Doctor in my general area?

    1. Dr. Afrin, mentioned in the article above, now practices in New York, about 35 minutes north of Manhattan.

    2. Hello,

      You mentioned Connective Tissue Issue.
      Have you been thoroughly helped by doctor to rule out EDS. MCAS is a co-morbidty of EDS.

      And have you been tested for Lymes or co-infections/vector infections from a tick bite?

  9. Reply to Sarah McGrath-Oh my, I have costochondritis also which was a mess as to diagnosing it. I have so many chronic diseases but I am not sure if there are vaccine connections. I just do not get vaccines for flu or pneumonia or shingles because of some previous bad reactions. I believe my last major vaccine was for the hep series around 2010 which is when I started with pain all over my body. I have high typtase levels every time tested. I have been onto Mastocytosis since 2016 before they had anything on the internet about it. I get the rash particularly when I have tomatoes in any form. I have Lyme Disease,and I have Diabetes. I also have RA and I have no thyroid gland for 30 years due to cancer. I am a doctor’s walking nightmare because all of my diseases cause the same symptoms. I take antihistamines to control it but I need something more powerful. My major problem right now is that my Thyroid TSH readings are 65 which is so high (it means I have no working thyroid in my body at all (which keeps my cells alive) so I really should be dead. But Mastocytosis is known to affect the thyroid–is that what it is? Or is it the Lyme disease that also settles their spirochetes into my pituitary gland and hypothalmus glands to enjoy a ride as long as I live.Everything being talked about here could be making my blood tests either just read abnormal or are these are accurate readings?. I am also having major gastro issues which is how my gastroenterologist discovered my weird thyroid reading. Up to now I thought it may be a pituitary tumor but now it could be the mast cells congregating in my pituitary with or without Lyme and having a party at my expense. I have absolutely no doctor that even specializes in all these diseases not an endocrinologist for sure. Does anyone have alot of interrelated illnesses and know of a super doc who can help me?

  10. I appreciate a recommendation of a Dr that specializes in Mast Cell and Methylation. I tried to go to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester and they denied me. I have heard the MD Anderson has an excellent group for these symptoms. I believe this is all related to an overdose of antibiotics that ruined my immune system along with getting the shingles shot. Pls can you help and advise. I will go anywhere for diagnosis and help. This is so debilitating and stressful, I can not live like this without help. Thank you ?

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