Which type of leukocyte is primarily involved in the allergic response?

The type of leukocyte primarily involved in the allergic response is the eosinophil. Eosinophils are a specific kind of white blood cell that play a key role in combating parasites and are also heavily involved in the body’s response to allergens. During allergic reactions, eosinophils are recruited to sites of inflammation and can release various cytokines and inflammatory mediators, contributing to the symptoms associated with allergies, such as asthma and hay fever.

Eosinophils are particularly adept at responding to allergens due to their ability to produce and release substances that can neutralize the effects of allergens, as well as their participation in hypersensitivity reactions. Their number often increases in individuals experiencing allergic reactions or conditions like asthma, making them a significant player in the allergic response.

In contrast, neutrophils primarily respond to bacterial infections and acute inflammation, while lymphocytes are crucial in the adaptive immune response and are involved in both cellular and humoral immunity. Basophils also have a role in allergic responses, but they are less frequently mobilized than eosinophils and mainly function by releasing histamine to promote inflammation.