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Clemens von Pirquet

Clemens von Pirquet was an Austrian pediatrician and immunologist, best known for his pioneering work in allergy and immunology. He introduced the concept of "hypersensitivity," which describes how the immune system can overreact to certain substances, leading to allergic reactions. Additionally, he developed the Pirquet test, a method to diagnose tuberculosis through skin testing. His contributions significantly advanced the understanding of allergies and immune responses, influencing both medical research and clinical practice. Pirquet's work laid the foundation for better allergy diagnosis and treatment methods that benefit patients today.