| autoimmune disease | <disease> A disease process that involves the production of host antibodies to host tissue. (27 Sep 1997) |
|---|---|
| anaemia, haemolytic, autoimmune | Acquired haemolytic anaemia due to the presence of autoantibodies which agglutinate or lyse the patient's own red cells. (12 Dec 1998) |
| autoimmune | <immunology> Pertaining to autoimmunity. (02 Jan 1998) |
| autoimmune diseases | Are illnesses which occur when the body tissues are attacked by its own immune system. The immune system is a complex organisation within the body that is designed normally to seek and destroy invaders of the body, particularly infections. Patients with these diseases have unusual antibodies in their blood that target their own body tissues. (12 Dec 1998) |
| autoimmune haemolytic anaemia | <haematology> A condition that results from the cellular destruction (haemolysis) of red blood cells due to antibodies formed to components on the surface of the red blood cells. Origin: Gr. Haima = blood (02 Jan 1998) |
| autoimmune hepatitis | <pathology> A type of chronic active hepatitis that results from circulating auto-antibodies and chronic inflammation of the liver. Symptoms are those of chronic active hepatitis. (27 Sep 1997) |
| autoimmune thrombocytopenia purpura | <haematology> A rare autoimmune disorder characterised by an acute shortage of platelets with resultant bruising and spontaneous bleeding. The platelet count becomes exceedingly low and spontaneous bleeding from the gums, gastrointestinal tract and nose can be seen. Physical examination may demonstrate enlargement of the spleen. A typical rash occurs to do microscopic haemorrhage of small blood vessels in the skin. Platelet counts under 10,000 can lead to spontaneous haemorrhage into the brain causing death. Treatment with corticosteroids is generally effective. Surgical removal of the spleen (splenectomy) is reserved for some patients. Anti-platelet antibodies are detectable in some cases. It may present in either an acute or a chronic form. Acronym: ITP (20 Sep 2002) |
| autoimmune thyroiditis | <endocrinology> Inflammation of the thyroid gland without the formation of pus. Noninfectious nonbacterial thyroid inflammation. (27 Sep 1997) |
| polyendocrinopathies, autoimmune | Autoimmune disease affecting multiple endocrine organs. Type I is characterised by childhood onset and mucocutaneous candidiasis, while type II exhibits any combination of adrenal insufficiency (addison's disease), lymphocytic thyroiditis, hypoparathyroidism, and gonadal failure. In both types organ-specific antibodies against a variety of endocrine glands have been detected. The type II syndrome differs from type I in that it is associated with HLA-a1 and b8 haplotypes, onset is usually in adulthood, and candidiasis is not present. (12 Dec 1998) |
| hepatitis, autoimmune | An unresolving, predominately periportal, hepatitis, usually with hypergammaglobulinaemia and serum autoantibodies. The existence of subgroups (types 1, 2, and 3) based on serological findings are controversial. Additionally, some patients have variant forms, where there are features associated with both autoimmune hepatitis and another type of chronic liver disease (overlap syndromes) or where there are findings incompatible with autoimmune hepatitis (outlier syndromes). (12 Dec 1998) |
| systemic autoimmune diseases | A group of connective tissue disease's characterised by the presence of autoantibodies responsible for immunopathologically mediated tissue lesions; systemic lupus erythematosus is the prototype. (05 Mar 2000) |
| thyroiditis, autoimmune | A progressive disease of the thyroid gland with antibodies in the blood stream directed against the thyroid and infiltration of the gland by lymphoctes (a key type of white blood cells involved in the immune response). This immune response is against one's own thyroid. (it is autoimmune.) predominantly affects women. Can be familial. Also called hashimoto's disease or hashimoto's thyroiditis. (12 Dec 1998) |
| accessory thyroid | An isolated mass, or one of several such masses, of thyroid tissue, sometimes present in the side of the neck, or just above the hyoid bone (suprahyoid accessory thyroid gland), or even as low as the arch of the aorta. Synonym: glandula thyroidea accessoria, accessory thyroid, prehyoid gland, suprahyoid gland, thyroidea accessoria, thyroidea ima, Wolfler's gland. (05 Mar 2000) |
| accessory thyroid gland | An isolated mass, or one of several such masses, of thyroid tissue, sometimes present in the side of the neck, or just above the hyoid bone (suprahyoid accessory thyroid gland), or even as low as the arch of the aorta. Synonym: glandula thyroidea accessoria, accessory thyroid, prehyoid gland, suprahyoid gland, thyroidea accessoria, thyroidea ima, Wolfler's gland. (05 Mar 2000) |
| anaplastic carcinoma of the thyroid | <oncology, tumour> An aggressive form and rare form of thyroid cancer that is one of the most rapidly growing and invasive types of thyroid cancer. It commonly occurs in people over 60 years of age and may cause obstruction of the trachea. The cause is unknown but exposure to radiation may be a factor. Thyroid function tests are usually normal. Hoarse voice, cough and coughing up blood are common symptoms. Examination may reveal nodules in the thyroid gland. Diagnosis is made via biopsy. Treatment is surgical with or without radiation therapy. (27 Sep 1997) |