Table I.
Clinical symptoms typically associated with local or systemic MCA and comparison to symptoms of COVID-19
| Symptom | Typically found in patients with |
|
|---|---|---|
| MCA∗ | COVID-19† | |
| Urticaria | + | − |
| Flushing | + | − |
| Pruritus | + | − |
| Measles-like rash | − | ± |
| Angioedema | + | − |
| Nasal congestion | ± | ± |
| Wheezing | + | ± |
| Anosmia | − | ++ |
| Cough | − | ++ |
| Dyspnea | ± | ++ |
| Hoarseness | ± | ± |
| Sore throat | ± | + |
| Throat swelling | ± | ± |
| Agneusia | − | ++ |
| Fever | − | ± |
| Headache | ± | ± |
| Hypotensive episode | ± | − |
| Tachycardia | ± | ± |
| Abdominal cramping | ± | − |
| Diarrhea | ± | ± |
MCA, Mast cell activation.
Score: ++, high specificity; +, moderate specificity; ±, low specificity; −, not considered to be indicative of MCA or COVID-19 when recoded as an individual symptom.
∗
In patients with MCA, the symptoms are typically episodic and recurrent and cannot be explained by other known disorders or conditions. In severe cases, an MCAS may be diagnosed.
†
Most of the COVID-19–related symptoms are recorded only during the infection period, and are transient; however, chronic pulmonary damage with persistent dyspnea may be seen in rare, severe, COVID-19 cases.