“Could this be anaphylaxis?” - a dilemma when someone is critically ill. In some cases, it can be difficult to distinguish anaphylaxis from other forms of shock based on symptoms, particularly when the trigger is unknown.

Novel research from the Centre for Clinical Research in Emergency Medicine's (CCREM's) Francesca McGrath (PhD Candidate) and Dr. Abbie Francis has identified a family of novel biomarkers that can distinguish anaphylaxis from other systemic inflammatory events (such as sepsis or trauma).

This study showed that white blood cells in people with anaphylaxis produce a greater amount of certain small RNA molecules during an anaphylactic reaction, which could be detected and used to make a diagnosis. Researchers could even use the number of these molecules to distinguish between moderate and severe anaphylaxis. This type of information could be the basis for a simple blood test to confirm anaphylaxis.

The Foundation's Springboard Grant Program (a seed-funding scheme providing preliminary funding for innovative research projects) funded this.

Congratulations to Dr. Abbie Francis and Francesca McGrath for this outstanding achievement.