Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Allergic Reactions: Anaphylaxis

Allergic Reactions: Anaphylaxis

Anaphylaxis is a severe, life-threatening hypersensitivity reaction mediated by Immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies. When IgE binds to allergens, it triggers the release of mediators– histamine, leukotrienes, and prostaglandins from mast cells and basophils. These mediators cause vasodilation, edema, and inflammation, leading to various symptoms.The primary allergens causing anaphylaxis include food items (e.g., peanuts, shellfish), drugs (e.g., penicillin, asparaginase, corticotropin, heparin),...

Allergic Reactions

Allergic Reactions

Allergic Drug Reactions

Allergic Drug Reactions

Allergic reactions related to drugs are hypersensitivity responses driven by the immune system and bear no connection to the drug's therapeutic action. While drugs in isolation do not trigger an immune response, they can interact with endogenous proteins to form antigens. These antigens stimulate lymphocytes to produce antibodies. IgE-type antibodies attach themselves to mast cells. Upon subsequent exposure to the same stimulus, the antigen-antibody interaction is initiated, unleashing numerous...

Drug Toxicity: Allergic Reactions

Drug Toxicity: Allergic Reactions

Drug-related allergies are immune-mediated responses triggered by the administration of pharmacological agents. These hypersensitivity reactions are classified based on the immune mechanisms involved. The four primary types—Type I, II, III, and IV—are mediated by different immunological pathways and exhibit distinct clinical manifestations.Type I Hypersensitivity/ IgE-Mediated Reactions: Immunoglobulin E (IgE) immediately mediates Type I hypersensitivity reactions. Upon initial exposure to a...

Cross-reactivity

Cross-reactivity

Hypersensitivities

Hypersensitivities

Hypersensitivity, also known as a hypersensitivity reaction or allergic reaction, is a condition where the body's immune system reacts abnormally to a foreign substance. Such substances, that cause hypersensitivity are referred to as an allergen, could be something typically harmless to most people, like pollen or certain foods.
Types of Hypersensitivities
Hypersensitivity reactions are categorized into four types: Type 1, Type 2, Type 3, and Type 4. Each type has a distinct mechanism...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Clinical predictors of breakthrough reactions during initial rapid drug desensitizations to platinum chemotherapeutics.

Allergy and asthma proceedings·2025

Same author

COVID-19 vaccine-related presumed allergic reactions and second dose administration by using a two-step graded protocol.

Allergy and asthma proceedings·2021

Same author

Delayed angioedema after administration of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 messenger RNA vaccine.

Annals of allergy, asthma & immunology : official publication of the American College of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology·2021

Same author

Prevalence and characterization of asthma in hospitalized and nonhospitalized patients with COVID-19.

The Journal of allergy and clinical immunology·2020

Same author

Northwestern University Allergy-Immunology Syllabus.

Allergy and asthma proceedings·2019

Same author

Prevalence and characteristics of adult-onset food allergy.

The journal of allergy and clinical immunology. In practice·2015

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 20, 2026

Basophil Activation Test for Allergy Diagnosis

Basophil Activation Test for Allergy Diagnosis

Published on: May 31, 2021

Chapter 3: Allergen immunotherapy: definition, indication, and reactions.

Mary S Georgy, Carol A Saltoun

Allergy and Asthma Proceedings

|July 17, 2012

Summary

Specific allergen immunotherapy modifies disease for allergic rhinitis and asthma. It involves administering increasing allergen doses, inducing immune tolerance and potentially preventing new allergies in children.

Area of Science:

Immunology
Allergy and Immunology
Otolaryngology

Background:

Allergen immunotherapy (AIT) treats type I immediate hypersensitivity.
It is indicated for allergic rhinitis, asthma, and hymenoptera hypersensitivity.
Requires documented specific IgE antibodies for allergens used in therapy.

Purpose of the Study:

To review the indications, mechanisms, and administration of allergen immunotherapy.
To highlight its disease-modifying effects and potential to prevent new allergic sensitizations and asthma in children.
To compare subcutaneous and sublingual administration routes.

Main Methods:

Review of existing studies on allergen immunotherapy.
Analysis of immunological and cellular changes associated with AIT.

More Related Videos

Humanized Mediator Release Assay as a Read-Out for Allergen Potency

Humanized Mediator Release Assay as a Read-Out for Allergen Potency

Published on: June 29, 2021

Symptom Assessment of Patients with Allergic Rhinitis Using an Allergen Exposure Chamber

Symptom Assessment of Patients with Allergic Rhinitis Using an Allergen Exposure Chamber

Published on: March 3, 2023

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 20, 2026

Basophil Activation Test for Allergy Diagnosis

Basophil Activation Test for Allergy Diagnosis

Published on: May 31, 2021

Humanized Mediator Release Assay as a Read-Out for Allergen Potency

Humanized Mediator Release Assay as a Read-Out for Allergen Potency

Published on: June 29, 2021

Symptom Assessment of Patients with Allergic Rhinitis Using an Allergen Exposure Chamber

Symptom Assessment of Patients with Allergic Rhinitis Using an Allergen Exposure Chamber

Published on: March 3, 2023

Comparison of subcutaneous (US) and sublingual (Europe) administration routes.

Main Results:

AIT is indicated when pharmacotherapy and avoidance are insufficient, for morbidity reduction, due to side effects, or when avoidance is impossible.
Immunotherapy in children with allergic rhinitis may prevent new sensitizations and asthma.
Key changes include increased IgG4, decreased IgE, reduced mast cells/eosinophils, Treg induction, and altered cytokine profiles (IL-10, TGF-beta).

Conclusions:

Allergen immunotherapy is a disease-modifying therapy for allergic conditions.
It induces significant immunological and cellular changes, leading to tolerance.
Different administration routes exist, with subcutaneous common in the US and sublingual prevalent in Europe for certain conditions.