Everything about Immune Deficiency totally explained
In
medicine,
immunodeficiency (or
immune deficiency) is a state in which the
immune system's ability to fight
infectious disease is compromised or entirely absent. Most cases of immunodeficiency are acquired ("secondary") but some people are born with defects in the immune system, or
primary immunodeficiency. Transplant patients take medications to suppress their immune system as an anti-rejection measure. A person who has an immunodeficiency of any kind is said to be
immunocompromised. An immunocompromised person may be particularly vulnerable to
opportunistic infections, in addition to normal infections that could affect everyone.
Primary immunodeficiency
A number of
rare diseases feature a heightened susceptibility to
infections from childhood onward. Many of these disorders are
hereditary and are
autosomal recessive or
X-linked. There are over 80 recognised primary immunodeficiency syndromes; they're generally grouped by the part of the immune system that's malfunctioning, such as
lymphocytes or
granulocytes.
The treatment of primary immunodeficiencies depends on the nature of the defect, and may involve antibody infusions, long-term antibiotics and (in certain cases)
stem cell transplantation.
Acquired immunodeficiency
Immune deficiency may also be the result of particular external processes or diseases; the resultant state is called "secondary" or "acquired" immunodeficiency. Common causes for secondary immunodeficiency are
malnutrition,
aging and particular medications (for example
chemotherapy,
disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs,
immunosuppressive drugs after
organ transplants,
glucocorticoids).
Many specific diseases directly or indirectly impair the immune system. This include many types of
cancer, particularly those of the bone marrow and blood cells (
leukemia,
lymphoma,
multiple myeloma), and certain chronic infections. Immunodeficiency is also the hallmark of
acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), caused by the
human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). HIV directly attacks the immune system.
Further Information
Get more info on 'Immune Deficiency'.
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