Mechanisms and Chemotherapy of Immunologic Diseases

Abstract

Anaphylaxis, cytolysis, toxic antigen-antibody complexes, and delayed hypersensitivity, singly or in combination, are the four basic mechanisms of immunologic cell and tissue damage. Quinidine thrombocytopenia typifies cytolytic reactions in which the affected cell is an “innocent bystander.” It is not widely appreciated that vaccines (polio vaccine, for one) can trigger a relapse of systemic lupus erythematosus or a related disease.