Immunization and Immune Disorders

Set of flashcards covering key concepts in immunization, immunoassays, and immune disorders.

Vaccine

A substance used to stimulate the production of antibodies and provide immunity against one or several diseases.

Active Immunity

Immunity that occurs when exposure to a disease triggers the immune system to produce antibodies.

Passive Immunity

Immunity acquired by the transfer of antibodies from another person, typically through maternal transfer or artificial means.

Attenuated Vaccine

A vaccine that contains live but weakened pathogens.

Inactivated Vaccine

A vaccine made from viruses or bacteria that have been killed or inactivated.

Toxoid Vaccine

A vaccine that contains a toxin produced by a pathogen, made harmless but still capable of eliciting an immune response.

Combination Vaccine

A vaccine that combines several antigens from different pathogens.

Monoclonal Antibodies

Antibodies produced by identical immune cells that are clones of a unique parent cell, used in diagnostic tests and therapy.

ELISA

Enzyme-Linked ImmunoSorbent Assay; a test that uses antibodies and color change to identify a substance.

Hypersensitivity

An exaggerated immune response to an antigen that results in tissue damage.

Autoimmune Disease

A condition arising from an abnormal immune response to a normal body part.

Immunodeficiency Disease

A disorder in which part of the body's immune system is missing or not functioning properly.

Agglutination Test

A diagnostic test that involves the agglutination of particles to detect the presence of antibodies or antigens.

Hybridoma

A cell formed by the fusion of an antibody-producing B cell and a myeloma (cancer) cell, used for producing monoclonal antibodies.

Adjuvant

A substance that enhances the body's immune response to an antigen.

Serology

The study of blood serum and other bodily fluids to detect immune responses to pathogens.

Graft vs. Host Disease

A condition where donor tissue attacks the recipient's body following a transplant.