ABSTRACT
Hypersensitivity (allergic) reactions are among the most frequent adverse effects of medicinal products in human beings. Because of the occurrence of excessively frequent and/or severe allergic reactions in relation to the expected therapeutic benefit, a number of drugs have been withdrawn from the market in the past two decades and this has had obvious negative consequences from a medical as well as industrial perspective. Similarly, hypersensitivity reactions due to industrial chemicals, pesticides, food additives, or cosmetics are relatively common and a matter of growing concern.
