A dental assistant develops itchy, eczematous lesions on the backs of both hands about 48 hours after wearing gloves; patch testing is positive for rubber accelerators. What is the mechanism of this reaction?

  • Correct answer

    Type IV (delayed) hypersensitivity mediated by T lymphocytes

  • Type I hypersensitivity mediated by IgE and mast cells

  • Type III hypersensitivity mediated by immune complexes

  • Type II hypersensitivity mediated by cytotoxic IgG

This question is one of 15 in AFK practice: Biomedical sciences. Test yourself on all of them.

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Explanations

  • Allergic contact dermatitis to glove chemicals such as thiurams and carbamates is a delayed, T-cell-mediated (type IV) reaction appearing 24-72 hours after contact. Type I latex allergy is IgE-mediated and appears within minutes as urticaria or anaphylaxis.

    Source: Abbas, Lichtman and Pillai, Cellular and Molecular Immunology — oneguy

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