In vitro diagnostics of drug hypersensitivity reactions.

In vitro diagnostics of drug hypersensitivity reactions comprises different tests that can add important information for identifying the culprit drug. Depending on the patients' clinical history and underlying immune mechanisms, these tests can be classified into immediate-type and late-type in vitro assays. While they are currently mostly not part of routine diagnostics, knowledge of when to apply which test and what distinct benefits and specific limitations each assay carries, can be helpful when considering the referral of patients with adverse drug reactions for appropriate further testing to specialized centers.