Clinical features of chronic autoimmune urticaria (CAU):
(1) chronic urticaria (lasting >= 6 weeks)
(2) absence of alternative explanation
Chronic autoimmune urticaria may be associated with:
(1) autoimmune thyroiditis
(2) other autoimmune disorders
(3) CLL or other lymphoproliferative disorder
Laboratory findings may include:
(1) serum antibodies to the IgE-receptor
(2) serum antibodies to IgE
(3) increased expression of basophil CD203c
(4) a cytokine that acts as a mast cell specific histamine releasing factor
