A new international consensus report on anaphylaxis has been released by the Global Allergy and Asthma Excellence Network (GA²LEN) and published open access online in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology.

The report was developed by an international panel of 46 leading medical experts from 14 countries (including ASCIA members from Australia) and patient advocacy organizations. The aim was to standardise definitions of anaphylaxis and teach people how to recognize and manage the condition.

Information in the report is consistent with ASCIA anaphylaxis resources which are available on the ASCIA website.

Key highlights of the report include:

1. Unified Definition: The report introduces a new, widely agreed upon definition of anaphylaxis, emphasizing its potential to cause death and detailing the involved organ systems. This definition is designed to be easily understood by healthcare professionals and the general public to promote improved awareness of anaphylaxis.
2. Educational Overview: An innovative educational tool for healthcare professionals from different medical fields, training backgrounds, and experience levels. The overview provides essential information on recognizing and managing anaphylaxis, including common causes, symptoms, timely treatment with adrenaline (epinephrine), and key concepts for managing life-threatening reactions.
3. Clinical Support Tool: A new clinical support tool will help health professionals diagnose and treat anaphylaxis. This tool includes updated clinical criteria, indications, and dosing for intramuscular adrenaline and common findings from the different anaphylaxis organ systems. It is the first tool to include distinct infant findings to improve anaphylaxis management in young children.

This news item was issued in March 2025 by Jill Smith, CEO of ASCIA, the peak professional body for clinical immunology and allergy in Australia and New Zealand.