Hypersensitivity is when an otherwise healthy immune system has an undesirable exaggerated response to a foreign substance (or perceived foreign substance) that damages the body’s own cells. These are the same immune processes that are necessary to prevent infection, but they create problems when they are hyperactive or misguided. The way I remember the four different types of hypersensitivity is my ABCD mnemonic.
* Types I, II and III all can involve antibodies. Therefore, having antibody in the mnemonic for type II may be confusing. However, the “classic” role of antibody involving complement activation, NK cell activation and opsonization are part of Type II which is why I feel that is the simplest way to remember it.
Type I Hypersensitivity is triggered by an innocuous foreign substance (like dust, pollen or animal dander) that would cause no problems in the majority of people. The antigen simultaneously binds more than one membrane bound IgE on a mast cell (or basophil). This process, called Crosslinking, triggers the release of mast cell granules full of histamine. Histamine then goes on to signal the various changes associated with allergies similar to how it functions during acute inflammation. This allergic reaction happens almost instantly and the symptoms can become evident within minutes. This is possible because the mast cells are Pre-Sensitized to the innocuous substance which means they have pre-formed membrane bound IgE that recognizes the particular innocuous antigen. To be pre-sensitized the immune system must have seen the antigen previously, because antibody (IgE) formation takes time. Histamine’s role in Type I Hypersensitivity is why Anti-Histamines (Histamine Antagonists) like Diphenhydramine or Loratidine can control some allergy symptoms.
Type I Hypersensitivity is the process that leads to various different “allergies”. A more mild form would include Allergic Rhinitis (seasonal allergies) that cause things like coughing, sneezing, watery eyes and nasal congestion. Some individuals with these allergies also experience an atopic rash referred to as Urticaria (Hives) or Atopic Dermatitis (Eczema). This red rash is raised and pruritic (itchy). Through a similar mechanism Type I Hypersensitivity can lead to exacerbation of Allergic Asthma by environmental triggers. This type of hypersensitivity is also the mechanism behind more serious conditions like peanut or bee sting allergies that can lead to swelling of the lips/tongue/throat, shortness of breath, stridor, and anaphylactic shock. Anaphylatic shock is a life threatening condition in which systemic histamine directed inflammation causes hypotension via global vasodilation, an increase in vascular permeability and significant fluid movement into the tissue. It is treated with epinephrine, often in the form of an “Epi Pen” when outside of a medical setting. Epinephrine activates Alpha-1 Adrenergic Receptors to raise blood pressure via vasoconstriction and increased contractility of the heart.
Type II Hypersensitivity is the process by which IgG or IgM binds to a cell to cause injury or death (Antibody Dependent Cytotoxicity). This process has the same mechanism of action as normal humoral immunity except it is targeted at the body’s own cells instead of pathogens. The variable region of the antibody binds to the host cell while the constant portion interacts with NK cells, complement and macrophages. Examples of this reaction can be seen in Rheumatic Fever (body’s own cell look similar to Strep Pyo), Goodpasture Syndrome (Anti-Glomerular Basement Membrane Antibodies) and Hemolytic Disease of Newborns/Erythroblastosis Fetalis (when a Rh- mother has a second Rh+ child and the maternal IgG targets fetal RBCs).
Type III Hypersensitivity is tissue damage created by immune complexes. Immune Complexes are aggregations of antigen and antibodies. Usually, there are far more antibodies than antigen. However, if there is a large amount of antigen or antigen is not being cleared properly by the immune system the antigen:antibody ratio increases. When the amount of antigen and antibody is comparable immune complexes can form. In this scenario a single antibody can simultaneously bind to multiple antigens which are themselves bound to multiple antibodies. This “clump” of antigens and antibody deposits in tissues (most often the vessel, kidneys or joints) and causes inflammation by activating complement and attracting neutrophils. Examples include Lupus, Post Strep Glomerulonephritis & Rheumatoid Arthritis.
Type IV Hypersensitivity is referred to as delayed hypersensitivity and involves Th1 T-Cells attracting and activating Macrophages. It is called delayed because it takes a few days to kick in. This type of hypersensitivity is Cell-Mediated and Antibody Independent. Type IV Hypersensitivity is the only type of hypersensitivity that doesn’t involve antibodies. Examples include Contact Dermatitis (poison ivy and cheap nickel jewelry), PPD (TB skin test) & Multiple Sclerosis (T-Cells attack myelin).
Atopic conditions should not be confused with contact dermatitis. Both conditions involve dermatologic problems as a result of hypersensitivity. However, they act via different mechanisms. The key to differentiate the two is the timeline. Atopic problems form within minutes, while contact dermatitis takes days to form. Any mention of being in the woods is also a big hint suggesting poison ivy exposure which is contact dermatitis.
Great summary with all the right keywords, the diagrams make it much easier to understand too, thank you!
Thanks for commenting!
Great !! In this way i want to kearn things the you present Thank you its really helpful
Thank you for simplifying the information; it makes so much sense now!
wonderful information. thank you so much
Seriously… I totally satisfied with this summary.
Thanku for the best summary ☺️
Why hypersensitivity 4 takes time to attack on second exposure as already sensitized but not in Anaphylaxis?
Thank you so much for the brief and informative summary!
Thank for the feedback 🙂
Loving these videos and really really hope u cover all MD courses/topics by the time I take on my step one exam next year. thanks
Thanks for the comment! I plan on cranking out videos over the next couple months, but so you aren’t disappointed you should know there is no way I’m gonna finish all of the material before you take your exam. Each video takes dozens of hours of work from start to finish and I’m still a med student so this is just a hobby for me. I’m guessing it is going to take roughly 200 videos to cover the all the material. My goal is to get about half way through the material (~100) by the time you take your exam. Good luck!
Wonderful summary. Thank you
thank you for commenting!
Great summary and wonderfully helpful videos! Warm regards all the way from India! ?
Thanks 🙂
such a nice source to read.. i got exam for immunology tomorrow and this and some other pages are really helpful.. thanks..
thanks for the kind words!
Include in the main difference between contact dermatitis and atopic dermatitis: contact dermatitis is localized and restricted to the area exposed to the allergen. Atopic dermatiis is usually widespread. Thank you so much for the variety of learning style presentations.
Gaylene
I’m reading for NP exam and often struggle with type 1 & 4 with the symptom of a rash. You noted type often states patient recently walked in woods and to be cognizant of he time line (type one being rapid onset). Your graphics also helped me visually cement the information. (I also like the numeric value for how likely it would appear on USMLE. ).
Thanks for the feedback!
So good and easy to understand.
Thankyou so much
thanks for watching!
wow ,its amazing summary,saves time and gulucose which is used in brain to make memory hehe
LOL I hope it doesn’t save too much glucose cuz then all my viewers will start gaining weight!
thanks so much for the elaboration of common problems in health care settings
Thanks for the comment Tonny!
awesome! thank you so much for the help
thanks for the comment kn! Please tell your friends
such a good overall review that complemented my textbook very well. Thank you!
I found your video extremely helpful and easy to understand. thank you!
Thanks for the comment Erica
It is worth reading..!! easy to undertand..thnku so very much..:-)
thank you very much.i found this very helpful
this is really amazing please keep on making videos and organize them according to organ systems!! thank you so much
The explanation made through the video was really precise and effective. Thanks a lot !!!
I really appreciate this page, but I am wondering if the information about the Th1 T-cells being involved in type-4 hypersensitivity is correct. Dr. Najeeb says Th2 T-cells are the active factor working with macrophages.
I do see that everywhere else says Th1, so you’re right. Never mind.
You have created an excellent resource! I’m a returning student in pre-PA. Can’t wait to view all of your work, and look forward to more. Keep it up!
thank you you prepared a good summary.
very easy to understand……..thank u………
Thanks to understand in easy way…..!
this is so great! Thanks so much for this <3
~Thank you so much!! I was confused by my textbook and this really helped me get a better understanding of what`s going on ^^
tante..
I helps me too much for understanding hypersensitivity very easily.
Can i get other immunology topics in such a nice way ?
If possible Sir, plz let me know.
Praise worthy work. Thankyou
It’s easy to understand and remember. Thanks a lot
Made studying this topic, less of a hurdle. Absolutely grateful for your help!
Simplified this topic. Easy to remember. Thank you!
It’s good !
Fantastic. This future nurse practitioner thanks you as well!
Im a future nurse prac too! Best wishes in your studying!! 🙂
Excellent video. I found this while looking for a refresher re: hypersensitivity reactions. Thank you for calling out the difference between contact dermatitis and atopy BTW; I bet your ABCD mnemonic gets me at least one or two questions on Step 1.
Well done! This was straightforward and easy to understand. I liked that you referenced certain diseases to each hypersensitivity, doing this made it easier to visualize and understand the concept.
Thanks so much! Like reallyyyy xoxo
Great descriptions very informative
THANK YOU..THIS IS REALLY HELPFULL 🙂
Thank you, this is such a helpful site- I just stumbled upon it and I’ll be sure to revisit. I read in one of the above comments that you’re a med student, too, and that this is a hobby for you- wow- It’s nice to be reminded that there are altruistic people in the med profession 🙂 Your efforts are truly appreciated 🙂 Best wishes
this was very informative thanks
I leve the simplisity of the whole thing
This is just awesome
Thanks for the revision. I learnt this in 1975 and it made no sense to me as a first year med student. I’m still learning
excellent summary with perfect diagram..thanks a lot.
thank u so much for short and simple summary to understand
Amazing work, great job
Thanks for simplifying
great work hand xosh
Great video! Extremely helpful and concise without skipping information.
thanks for the video! Really helps with microbiology. sharing website with classmates and teachers 🙂
Your video and illustrations were excellent. Easy to fo;;ow!
What if your reaction is immediate as in Type 1 but it only shows up on IgG tests and not on the IgE test?? Do you have a Type 1 or a Type 2 reaction then ? I mean food…