What Types of Immune Reactions are Involved in Toxicology?
Immune reactions in toxicology can be classified into four main types, known as the Gell-Coombs classification:
Type I (Immediate Hypersensitivity): Allergic reactions such as asthma or anaphylaxis, often mediated by IgE antibodies. Type II (Cytotoxic Hypersensitivity): Involves antibody-mediated destruction of cells, as seen in certain drug-induced hemolytic anemia. Type III (Immune Complex-Mediated Hypersensitivity): Involves the formation of immune complexes that can deposit in tissues, causing conditions like serum sickness. Type IV (Delayed-Type Hypersensitivity): Mediated by T cells and involves a delayed response, such as contact dermatitis from exposure to nickel or poison ivy.
