Hereditary vibratory angioedema: confirmation of histamine release in a type of physical hypersensitivity.

A new syndrome called hereditary vibratory angioedema (HVA), characterized by pyruritis and angioedema at the site of a vibratory stimulus, was recently reported as a model of nonimmunologic immediate hypersensitivity. The biochemical mediator of this syndrome was not defined initially. This study now demonstrates that in vivo histamine release occurs in conjunction with the local and systemic clinical manifestations following a controlled vibratory stimulus. Histamine is suggested as the major mediator in this inherited physical hypersensitivity state.