[Immunomorphology of drug allergy]

Abstract

Forty-eight autopsy cases of drug allergy were analysed. Heterogeneity of the immunopathomorphologic manifestations was established. The allergy reactions were classified into types I, II, III and IV according to Gell and Coombs. A change or a combination of the humoral and cellular mechanisms of the immunological reactions are not infrequent, this having a clear morphological basis. This is proved by immunoglobulins of different classes, complement components, and a set of mediators revealed in tissues by the immunofluorescence technique. Morphological criteria of drug allergy reactions are presented. Pathologic diagnosis should be made on the basis of a complex analysis of the clinical symptoms and immunomorphological data.