Sensibilisierten

Sensibilisierten is the German past participle form of sensibilisieren and may function as a substantive in German, referring to individuals who have been sensitized to a specific antigen or allergen. In clinical and research contexts, the term denotes persons whose immune systems have been primed to respond to a substance, typically by means of allergen-specific IgE antibodies.

In immunology, sensitization describes the initial exposure to an allergen that leads to the production of allergen-specific IgE and the priming of mast cells and basophils. Upon subsequent exposure, these cells release mediators such as histamine, prostaglandins and leukotrienes, producing allergic symptoms. The sensitization phase is distinct from elicitation, the reaction that occurs after re-exposure. Sensitized individuals may experience allergic rhinitis, asthma, urticaria or dermatitis, depending on the substance and exposure route.

Applications and context include diagnostic testing and treatment. Sensibilisierte individuals are subjects of skin prick tests or serum specific IgE assays to identify relevant allergens. They may also participate in allergen immunotherapy, a medical approach aimed at reducing sensitivity over time. In occupational health, sensitization can be monitored in workers exposed to particular chemicals or biological agents.

Linguistically, Sensibilisierte can occur as a noun or adjective in medical or academic writing, though in everyday language one might prefer sensibilisiert or sensibilisierte Personen. The term is tied to the broader concept of Sensibilisierung, the process of increasing sensitivity or awareness.