Definition
Contact hypersensitivity is part of the adaptive immune response and a form of delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) or cell-mediated immune reaction that is expressed in the epidermis. It is the most frequent form of DTH reaction and the most prominent clinical manifestation of a type IV immune reaction. But it is also part of immediate contact dermatitis, according to type I immune reactions. Although contact hypersensitivity may also be directed towards parasites, bacteria, or fungi, the issue of immunotoxicity evaluation is focused on the interaction with foreign proteins and small chemicals acting as haptens (Johansen et al. 2010).
Characteristics
Dermatitis responses remain the most common industrial hygiene issue in the workplace. Of these, contact hypersensitivity responses are the most difficult to deal with. Contact hypersensitivity covers the entire range of nonirritant dermal...
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Gad, S.C. (2016). Contact Hypersensitivity. In: Vohr, HW. (eds) Encyclopedia of Immunotoxicology. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-54596-2_305
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-54596-2_305
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