title: [Atopy: definition--pathogenesis].
abstract: After a short historical review about the detection of reagins by Coca and Prausnitz-Küstner 1921-1923 and about their physico-chemical characterisation as IgE-antibodies by Ishizaka and Johansson 1967-1968 the definition and the clinical relevance of atopy is discussed. The IgE-regulation by interleukins and the pathomechanism of IgE-mediated allergies is reviewed. Of special importance is the IgE-mediated inflammatory late-reaction and the--therefore caused--unspecific hyperreactivity of the stricken tissue, both characteristic features of asthma bronchiale as well as atopic dermatitis.
authors.affiliation: Allergiestation, Dermatologischen Universitätsklinik Zürich.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Wüthrich
mesh_terms: D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000276:immunology; D049673:History, 20th Century; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000266:history / Q000276:immunology*; D006968:Hypersensitivity, Delayed / Q000276:immunology; D006969:Hypersensitivity, Immediate / Q000276:immunology; D007073:Immunoglobulin E; D007378:Interleukins / Q000276:immunology; D011935:Reagins / Q000266:history / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D007378:Interleukins; D011935:Reagins; D007073:Immunoglobulin E
vernacular_title: Atopie: Definition--Pathogenese.