Expanding the spectrum: chronic urticaria and autoimmune polyendocrinopathy-candidiasis-ectodermal dystrophy

Abstract

Chronic urticaria (CU) affects approximately 1% of the general population and occurs most frequently in adult women, usually presenting in the third to fifth decade of life.1 Current research suggests a link between CU and autoimmune disease supported in part by the detection of anti-FCεRI autoantibodies and positive autologous serum skin test reactions in many patients with CU.2–5 Despite the numerous autoimmune features of autoimmune polyendocrinopathy-candidiasis-ectodermal dystrophy (APECED), this rare primary immunodeficiency disorder has not been linked with CU.