Immunological mechanisms and diagnostic tests in allergic drug reactions.

Current knowledge about the immunological mechanisms involved in drug hypersensitivity is reviewed, with comments on the major conditions which favour the development of reactions to drugs. In spite of the numerous tests available to establish the in vitro diagnosis of allergic reactions to drugs, it is often very difficult to relate the clinical picture to the laboratory findings. The results of various tests of antibody and cell-mediated responses are presented and discussed.