MEDICAL TERMINOLOGY: C19 IMMUNE SYSTEM

Immune system

is responsible for defending the body against bacteria, viruses, and other foreign substance

Immunology

study of the immune system

Phagocyte

cells that engulf foreign matter

Anaphylaxis

type of reaction so extreme as to be lif-threatening

Non-specific immune response

occurs when bacteria, viruses, or any other type of foreign substance enters the body.

complements

group of blood proteins

Neutrophils

type of phagocytes which circulate in the blood

Macrophages

type of phagocyte which reside mainly in the tissues

Humoral Immune Response

is a specific immune response that specialized lymphocyte called B-cells

Antibodies or Immunoglobulins

are proteins produced by B cells and the population in an individual body is extremely diverse, but each one binds very specific antigens

Cell-mediated immune response

is a specific immune response that other specialized lymphocytes called T-cells carry out

specific immune response

lymphocytes react to specific antigen

non-specific immune response

phagocytes engulf and destroy any foreign substances in their path

humoral immune response

b-cells turn into plasma cells that produce antibodies capable of neutralizing specific bacteria and viruses present in body fluid

cell-mediated immune response

t-cells multiply and ingest specific bacteria, viruses, infected cells, cancer cells, and foreign tissues.

Acquired immune deficiency syndrome

transmissible infection caused by human immunodeficiency virus; characterized by extreme immunodeficiency

Anaphylaxis

extreme allergic reaction characterized by a rapid drop in blood pressure

Autoimmune disease

any several disease caused by the failure of the body to distinguish between "self" and "non-self"

HIV-positive

state characterized by the presence of human immunodeficiency virus [HIV] or antibodies to HIV in the blood

hypersensitivity

condition in which the immune system produces an exaggerated response to a foreign substance

immunodeficiency

immune system is unable to respond adequately

opportunistic infection

infection caused by pathogens that would not usually caused disease in healthy people

ELISA

test used to screen blood for the presence of antibodies to HIV

skin tests

test used to evaluate the body's reaction to foreign substances by applying small amounts to the unbroken skin

western blot

test used to detect the presence of viral DNA in the blood

immunization

process of inducing immunity to a particular infectious disease

immunosuppression

use of drugs or surgery to suppress a patient's immune response

immunotherapy

treatment for allergy involving exposure to gradually increasing doses of substance to which patient is allergic

vaccination

administration of weakened or killed microorganisms to induce an immune response