Gell and Coombs's classification: is it still valid?

The Gell and Coombs's classification divides drug allergies into Four patho physiological types, namely anaphylaxis (type I), antibody-mediated cytotox ic reactions (type II), immune complex-mediated reactions (type III). and d elayed type hypersensitivity (type IV). Although this classification was pr oposed more than 30 years ago, it is still widely used. As only a limited n umber of drug allergies fit into this classification which does not include our current understanding of the immune response, its use is not recommend ed, particularly in the context of the preclinical safety evaluation of new therapeutic agents. In fact, three different situations can be identified, namely pseudo-allergic reactions, primarily antibody-mediated reactions an d cell-mediated reactions, which could serve as a basis for modern and more adequate classifications;(C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.