Respiratory sensitization
Detecting sensitizing substances through animal and human testing

Humoral-mediated allergy results in the production of antibodies and immunoglobulins. Manifestations are essentially respiratory.

At test level, measurements of immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels and specific pulmonary reactions in guinea pigs (bronchoconstriction) can be developed.

There is no validated test on animals. Consequently, the hazard of these respiratory sensitizing substances is assessed in humans, under medical supervision, by bronchial provocation tests; it may also be the result, a posteriori , of clinical observations in people who have developed a respiratory allergy reaction in the presence of a substance.