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Updated: Jan 28, 2026

Basophil Activation Test for Investigation of IgE-Mediated Mechanisms in Drug Hypersensitivity
Published on: September 16, 2011
Mechanisms of hypersensitivity reactions induced by drugs
Fabrizio Franceschini1, Paolo Bottau, Silvia Caimmi
1UOC Pediatria, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria "Ospedali Riuniti", Ancona, Italy. allped@libero.it.
Abstract:
Adverse drug reactions include drug hypersensitivity reactions (DHRs), which can be immunologically mediated or non-immunologically mediated. The high number of DHRs unconfirmed and/or self-reported is a frequent problem in daily clinical practice, with considerable impact on future prescription choices and patient health. It is important to distinguish between hypersensitivity and non-hypersensitivity reactions by adopting a structured diagnostic approach to confirm or discard the suspected drug, not only to avoid life-threatening reactions, but also to reduce the frequent over-diagnosis of DHRs.
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