Schweregradmarker der systemischen mastozytose

Mastocytosis embraces a large range of heterogeneous disorders with widely differing clinical severity. In clinical practice parameters may be determined that correlate with the total body mast cell burden and with its clinical consequences for the patient. Severe systemic organ involvement can be predicted either by dense and extensive or by lacking skin lesions. Serum total mast cell tryptase and 24-h urine metabolites of histamine correlate with the severity of mast cell infiltration, especially in early disease stages. In recent years further surrogate markers have been identified. Interleukin-6 in serum or plasma correlates with disease severity as well as with organ involvement and hematologic alterations in mastocytosis. Increased concentrations of soluble CD25 and soluble CD117 (KIT) are associated predominantly with aggressive forms of the disease. These parameters provide helpful information on the necessity of further invasive diagnostic procedures and on the adequate intensity of patient follow-up.