Immune complex-mediated Disease (Type III Hypersensitivity)

Epidemiology and Etiology:

• Antigen-antibody complex
• Deposition of antigen-antibody complex (ex. in vascular walls)
• Complement activation
• Recruitment of leukocytes
• Release of enzymes and other toxic molecules

Common sites:

• Systemic:
• SLE
• Blood:
• Serum sickness
• Kidneys:
• Some forms of glomerulonephritis
• Subcutaneous:
• Arthus reaction

Gross features:

Histologic features:

• Necrotizing vasculitis
• Fibrinoid necrosis
• inflammation

Immunophenotype:

Marker:

Sensitivity:

Specificity:

Molecular features:

Other features:

References:

• Robbins & Cotran Pathologic Basis of Disease (2005)