IgE and non-IgE mechanisms in ocular allergy.

Abstract

Various forms of conjunctival disease have traditionally been referred to by the umbrella term "allergic conjunctivitis," on the assumption that they are all caused by a Gell and Coombs type I hypersensitivity reaction. Recent evidence disputes this classification, however, and suggests that other mechanisms may also be responsible for the complex clinical features of conjunctival disease. Among these are non-IgE-mediated activation of mast cells, late-phase reactions, and nonspecific conjunctival hyperreactivity. The authors suggest that the pathophysiology of allergic eye disease is multifactorial, which explains the different clinical pictures seen in different patients. Both IgE-mediated and non-IgE-mediated mechanisms may cause an immediate reaction as well as allergic inflammation, and nonspecific hyperreactivity may occur both as a result of allergic inflammation and as an independent mechanism in nonallergic conjunctival disease.

• Authors: S Bonini, S Bonini
• Journal: Annals of allergy (Ann Allergy) Vol. 71 Issue 3 Pg. 296-9 (Sep 1993) ISSN: 0003-4738 [Print] United States
• PMID: 8373003 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Immunoglobulin E

Topics

• Animals
• Conjunctivitis, Allergic (immunology)
• Humans
• Immunoglobulin E (immunology)
• Mast Cells (physiology)
• Rats
• Rats, Sprague-Dawley
• Time Factors