Human Leukocyte Antigen Associations in Drug Hypersensitivity Reactions

Severe adverse drug reactions are a common cause of morbidity and mortality. Some of the most severe reactions are immunologically mediated and have been linked to specific HLA alleles. The mechanisms underlying HLA-associated drug hypersensitivity are complex and not fully understood. Recent findings have provided insight into recognition mechanisms underlying drug-induced immunopathogenesis and criteria for increasing positive prediction of hypersensitivity. Refining pharmocogenetic testing strategies to better identify at-risk individuals can improve hypersensitivity prevention and mechanism characterization.