This site is intended for healthcare professionals

Go to /sign-in page

You can view 5 more pages before signing in

Hypersensitivity reactions (Type IV)

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

Authoring team

This type of hypersensitivity reaction is mediated by the action of lymphocytes rather than by antibody.

The process develops over more than 12 hours and may take 2-3 days to evolve.

The reaction involves sensitised T cells, which in response to antigen release lymphokines and interleukins and may also directly kill target cells. There is a mononuclear cell infiltration into the site of antigen deposition.

An example of a type IV hypersensitivity reaction is the response to tuberculin.


Related pages

Create an account to add page annotations

Add information to this page that would be handy to have on hand during a consultation, such as a web address or phone number. This information will always be displayed when you visit this page