Disorders of the Immune System II

These flashcards cover key terms and concepts related to immune system disorders, immunodeficiencies, and therapies.

Immunodeficiency

Failure or absence of immune system components, leading to increased susceptibility to infections.

Primary Immunodeficiency

Genetic or inborn errors of immunity; examples include SCID and DiGeorge syndrome.

Secondary Immunodeficiency

Acquired conditions resulting from external factors like HIV, malnutrition, or medication.

SCID (Severe Combined Immunodeficiency)

A genetic disorder characterized by profound defects in both B and T lymphocytes, leading to life-threatening infections.

CVID (Common Variable Immunodeficiency)

A primary immunodeficiency that causes impaired antibody production, resulting in recurrent infections.

DiGeorge Syndrome

A genetic disorder that leads to thymic aplasia and reduced T cell production, increasing susceptibility to infections.

X-linked Agammaglobulinemia (XLA)

A genetic disorder caused by a mutation in BTK, leading to absent B cells and low immunoglobulin levels.

Innate Immunity

The non-specific first line of defense against pathogens, involving physical barriers and immune cells like phagocytes.

Adaptive Immunity

The immune response that is specific to particular pathogens, involving B cells and T cells.

Monoclonal Antibodies

Laboratory-made antibodies that can bind to specific targets in the body, used in various therapies.

Cytokine Therapy

Treatment that uses cytokines to boost or modify immune responses.

Immunotherapy

A therapeutic approach that uses the immune system to treat diseases, including cancer.

Checkpoint Inhibitors

Drugs that block proteins that inhibit the immune response, enhancing the body’s ability to attack cancer cells.

CAR-T Cell Therapy

A treatment that modifies a patient's T cells to better recognize and attack cancer cells.

Passive Immunization

The transfer of pre-formed antibodies to a patient to provide immediate protection against a disease.

Active Immunization

The process by which a vaccine induces the body's own immune response and memory against a pathogen.

Gene Therapy

An experimental technique that modifies a person's genes to treat or prevent disease.

Complement Deficiencies

A type of immunodeficiency resulting from defective components of the complement system, impacting pathogen clearance.

Opportunistic Infections

Infections that occur more frequently and with greater severity in individuals with weakened immune systems.

Immunodeficiency

Failure or absence of immune system components, leading to increased susceptibility to infections.

Primary Immunodeficiency

Genetic or inborn errors of immunity; examples include SCID and DiGeorge syndrome.

Secondary Immunodeficiency

Acquired conditions resulting from external factors like HIV, malnutrition, or medication.

SCID (Severe Combined Immunodeficiency)

A genetic disorder characterized by profound defects in both B and T lymphocytes, leading to life-threatening infections.

CVID (Common Variable Immunodeficiency)

A primary immunodeficiency that causes impaired antibody production, resulting in recurrent infections.

DiGeorge Syndrome

A genetic disorder that leads to thymic aplasia and reduced T cell production, increasing susceptibility to infections.

X-linked Agammaglobulinemia (XLA)

A genetic disorder caused by a mutation in BTK, leading to absent B cells and low immunoglobulin levels.

Innate Immunity

The non-specific first line of defense against pathogens, involving physical barriers and immune cells like phagocytes.

Adaptive Immunity

The immune response that is specific to particular pathogens, involving B cells and T cells.

Monoclonal Antibodies

Laboratory-made antibodies that can bind to specific targets in the body, used in various therapies.

Cytokine Therapy

Treatment that uses cytokines to boost or modify immune responses.

Immunotherapy

A therapeutic approach that uses the immune system to treat diseases, including cancer.

Checkpoint Inhibitors

Drugs that block proteins that inhibit the immune response, enhancing the body’s ability to attack cancer cells.

CAR-T Cell Therapy

A treatment that modifies a patient's T cells to better recognize and attack cancer cells.

Passive Immunization

The transfer of pre-formed antibodies to a patient to provide immediate protection against a disease.

Active Immunization

The process by which a vaccine induces the body's own immune response and memory against a pathogen.

Gene Therapy

An experimental technique that modifies a person's genes to treat or prevent disease.

Complement Deficiencies

A type of immunodeficiency resulting from defective components of the complement system, impacting pathogen clearance.

Opportunistic Infections

Infections that occur more frequently and with greater severity in individuals with weakened immune systems.

Phagocyte Deficiencies

Primary immunodeficiencies affecting phagocytic cells (e.g., neutrophils, macrophages), leading to recurrent bacterial and fungal infections. Examples include Chronic Granulomatous Disease (CGD) and Leukocyte Adhesion Deficiency (LAD).

Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant (HSCT)

A medical procedure that replaces a patient's unhealthy bone marrow with healthy hematopoietic stem cells, often used to treat severe immunodeficiencies like SCID.

Immunoglobulin Replacement Therapy

Treatment involving the regular infusion of immunoglobulins (antibodies) derived from healthy donors, used to provide passive immunity for patients with antibody deficiencies like CVID and X-linked Agammaglobulinemia.

Common Signs of Immunodeficiency

Recurrent, severe, or unusual infections; opportunistic infections; poor growth or development; and prolonged recovery from illness. Infections often involve bacterial, viral, fungal, and parasitic pathogens.

Causes of Secondary Immunodeficiency

Acquired factors such as HIV infection, malnutrition, certain medications (e.g., corticosteroids, immunosuppressants), cancer, splenectomy, and chronic diseases like diabetes or kidney failure.