Clemens von Pirquet

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Clemens von Pirquet


Clemens von Pirquet






Birth date(1874-5

-12)12

1874
Birth placeVienna, Austria-Hungary
Died28 February 1929(1929-02-28) (aged 54)
Place of deathVienna, Austria
NationalityAustrian
Known forPirquet's reaction, Serum sickness


Clemens Peter Freiherr von Pirquet (May 12, 1874 – February 28, 1929) was an Austrian scientist and pediatrician best known for his contributions to the field of immunology. He is credited with coining the term "allergy" and developing the Pirquet's reaction, a diagnostic test for tuberculosis.

Early Life and Education[edit | edit source]

Clemens von Pirquet was born in Vienna, Austria-Hungary, into a noble family. He studied medicine at the University of Vienna, where he developed an interest in the emerging field of immunology.

Career[edit | edit source]

After completing his studies, von Pirquet worked at various hospitals in Vienna and later became a professor of pediatrics. His research focused on the body's immune response to foreign substances, which led to significant discoveries in the understanding of immune system reactions.

Allergy and Immunology[edit | edit source]

In 1906, von Pirquet introduced the term "allergy" to describe the altered reactions of the immune system to certain substances. His work laid the foundation for modern allergy research and treatment.

Pirquet's Reaction[edit | edit source]

Von Pirquet is also known for developing the Pirquet's reaction, a skin test used to diagnose tuberculosis. This test was a significant advancement in the early detection and management of the disease.

Serum Sickness[edit | edit source]

In addition to his work on allergies, von Pirquet studied serum sickness, a reaction that occurs after the injection of foreign serum. His research helped to elucidate the mechanisms of immune response and hypersensitivity.

Legacy[edit | edit source]

Clemens von Pirquet's contributions to medicine and immunology have had a lasting impact on the field. His pioneering work on allergies and immune reactions continues to influence research and clinical practice today.

See Also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]


External Links[edit | edit source]

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