"Immunodeficiency, also known as immunocompromisation, is a state in which the immune system's ability to fight infectious diseases and cancer is compromised or entirely absent."
These are disorders that cause a weakened immune system, making individuals more susceptible to infections.
Immune system structure and function: Understanding the basic anatomy and physiology of the immune system is essential for understanding immunodeficiency diseases.
White blood cells: Understanding the different types of white blood cells, including B cells, T cells, and phagocytes, is important for understanding how the immune system works.
Antibodies: Antibodies are proteins produced by B cells that recognize and bind to specific antigens. Understanding how antibodies work is important for understanding immunodeficiency diseases.
Immunoglobulin deficiencies: Immunoglobulin deficiencies are a group of immunodeficiency diseases that are characterized by low or absent levels of certain types of antibodies.
Primary immunodeficiency diseases: Primary immunodeficiency diseases are a group of genetic disorders that affect the immune system.
Secondary immunodeficiency diseases: Secondary immunodeficiency diseases are caused by factors outside of the immune system, such as infections, chemotherapy, or malnutrition.
HIV/AIDS: HIV/AIDS is a viral infection that destroys T cells, leading to immunodeficiency.
Autoimmune diseases: Autoimmune diseases are disorders in which the immune system attacks the body’s own tissues. Some autoimmune diseases can cause immunodeficiency.
Immunodeficiency in cancer: Cancer and its treatments can weaken the immune system, leading to immunodeficiency.
Immunodeficiency in elderly: Aging can weaken the immune system, leading to immunodeficiency.
Diagnosis and treatment: Understanding how immunodeficiency diseases are diagnosed and managed is important for healthcare professionals and patients alike.
Future research directions: Immunodeficiency diseases are an active area of research, and understanding the latest advances in the field is important for anyone interested in the topic.
Severe Combined Immunodeficiency (SCID): This is a rare and severe form of immunodeficiency disease that affects both T and B lymphocytes. Individuals with this condition have a significant risk of recurrent infections and may not survive beyond infancy without treatment.
X-linked Agammaglobulinemia (XLA): This condition primarily affects males and is characterized by a decrease or absence of immunoglobulin (IG) production. Individuals will have a high susceptibility to bacterial infections, with an onset typically during early childhood.
Common Variable Immunodeficiency (CVID): This is a heterogeneous disorder that presents in late childhood or adulthood. Patients have abnormal antibody production that often leads to recurrent bacterial infections.
Hyper-IgM Syndrome (HIGM): This rare disorder is characterized by reduced levels of IgA and IgG immunoglobulins, while there is an increased level of IgM immunoglobulins. This results in an increased risk of bacterial infections, especially pneumonia and sinusitis.
Specific Antibody Deficiency (SAD): SAD refers to a type of immunodeficiency in which an individual has a normal level of total IgG but lack the production of antibodies against specific antigens. Patients with SAD are at an increased risk of recurrent infections predominantly caused by encapsulated bacteria.
DiGeorge Syndrome: This condition results from the incomplete development of the thymus gland and can lead to varying degrees of T cell deficiency. Patients present with recurrent viral, bacterial, and fungal infections.
Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome (WAS): This condition is a rare X-linked immunodeficiency disorder that leads to thrombocytopenia, immune dysfunction, and eczema.
Autoimmune Lymphoproliferative Syndrome (ALPS): It is a rare disorder characterized by lymphadenopathy, hepatosplenomegaly, and autoimmune phenomena. It can lead to increased susceptibility to infections.
Ataxia-Telangiectasia (AT): AT is a rare autosomal recessive disease that results in neurodegeneration, telangiectasias, and immunodeficiency. Patients present with recurrent respiratory infections, especially with atypical organisms.
Chronic Granulomatous Disease (CGD): CGD is a genetic disorder that affects the production of superoxide radicals by granulocytes. Patients have an increased risk of severe bacterial and fungal infections.
Leukocyte Adhesion Deficiency (LAD): It is a rare genetic disorder in which there is a disturbance in the adhesion process of leukocytes. Patients are predisposed to severe bacterial infections and wounds that do not heal properly.
Complement Deficiency: Complement deficiencies are rare conditions that predispose individuals to recurrent infections, particularly with encapsulated bacteria.
"Examples of these extrinsic factors include HIV infection and environmental factors, such as nutrition."
"Immunocompromisation may also be due to genetic diseases/flaws such as SCID."
"In clinical settings, immunosuppression by some drugs, such as steroids, can either be an adverse effect or the intended purpose of the treatment."
"Examples of such use are in organ transplant surgery as an anti-rejection measure and in patients with an overactive immune system, as in autoimmune diseases."
"Some people are born with intrinsic defects in their immune system, or primary immunodeficiency."
"A person who has an immunodeficiency of any kind is said to be immunocompromised."
"An immunocompromised individual may particularly be vulnerable to opportunistic infections, in addition to normal infections that could affect anyone."
"It also decreases cancer immunosurveillance, in which the immune system scans the body's cells and kills neoplastic ones."
"They are also more susceptible to infectious diseases owing to the reduced protection afforded by vaccines."
"Most cases are acquired ('secondary') due to extrinsic factors that affect the patient's immune system."
"Examples of these extrinsic factors include HIV infection and environmental factors, such as nutrition."
"Examples of these extrinsic factors include HIV infection and environmental factors, such as nutrition."
"In clinical settings, immunosuppression by some drugs, such as steroids, can either be an adverse effect or the intended purpose of the treatment."
"Examples of such use are in organ transplant surgery as an anti-rejection measure..."
"...and in patients with an overactive immune system, as in autoimmune diseases."
"Immunodeficiency, also known as immunocompromisation, is a state in which the immune system's ability to fight infectious diseases and cancer is compromised or entirely absent."
"Some people are born with intrinsic defects in their immune system, or primary immunodeficiency."
"They are also more susceptible to infectious diseases owing to the reduced protection afforded by vaccines."
"A person who has an immunodeficiency of any kind is said to be immunocompromised."