Classification of Hypersensitivity in Relation to Clinical Disease

Abstract

Hypersensitivity is a fundamental biological phenomenon which helps to guide normal existence and ramifies into several medical and paramedical fields, e. g. infectious diseases, transplantation reactions, "autoimmune" and "collagen" diseases, haematologic, neoplastic and dermatologic disorders. A real understanding of the pathogenesis in these states presupposes a close analysis and classification of all registrable signs of hypersensitivity. The difference between humoral (immediate) and cellular (delayed) hypersensitivity is briefly described. On the basis of contemporary knowledge of the underlying patho-physiological mechanisms it is possible further to classify the various hypersensitive states, and a classification along these lines is presented. It is subsequently attempted to approach the suggested classification to the complicated pattern of hypersensitivity which occurs in some clinical entities. On account of lacking information this approach is rather difficult and very soon grows increasingly hypothetic. Efforts to explain the pathogenesis of several important medical disorders should include a classification of all registrable signs of hypersensitivity and an estimation of the corresponding pathogenetic possibilities. In this way a better understanding of pathogenetic courses in clinical conditions hitherto unexplained may be expected.