Microbiology

                              Methods of Detection of Hypersensitivity Reactions
 

                  Hypersensitivity reactions are classified into four groups: Type I, II, III, and IV, each         characterized by specific biological actions.

          Type I hypersensitivities can be determined by provacation testing, immediate-type skin testing, or radioallergosorbent tests (RASTs); Type II hypersensitivities can be determined by measuring the level of IgG antibodies to specific host proteins; Type III hypersensitivities may be detected with serum IgG antibody testing to specific antigens; Type IV hypersensitivities are determined by delayed skin testing or memory lymphocyte immunostimulation assay (MELISA).