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allergy (alīәr-je) a state of abnormal and individual hypersensitivity acquired through exposure to a particular substance called an allergen; reexposure reveals a heightened capacity to react. There are three major types of allergies: (1) delayed-reaction ones, caused by sensitized lymphocytes; (2) antigen-antibody reactions between gamma immunoglobulin antibodies (immunoglobulins) and antigens; and (3) atopic or inherited allergies, in which there are large numbers of sensitizing antibodies called IgE antibodies.
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