| 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) |
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| 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) |
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| 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 disease | <disease> A disease process that involves the production of host antibodies to host tissue. (27 Sep 1997) |
| 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 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) |
| 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) |
| acute parenchymatous hepatitis | A lesion in which there is extensive and rapid death of parenchymal cells of the liver, sometimes with fatty degeneration of the size of the organ; the necrosis may result from fulminant viral infection or chemical poisoning; associated with jaundice. Synonym: acute parenchymatous hepatitis, Rokitansky's disease. (05 Mar 2000) |
| anicteric hepatitis | Hepatitis without jaundice. (05 Mar 2000) |
| anicteric virus hepatitis | A relatively mild hepatitis, without jaundice, due to a virus; the principal physical signs and symptoms are enlargement of the liver, lymph nodes, and often the spleen, together with headache, continuous fatigue, nausea, anorexia, sudden distaste for smoking, abdominal pains, and sometimes mild fever; labratory tests reveal evidence of hepatitis. (05 Mar 2000) |
| vaccination, hepatitis a | When immediate protection against hepatitis a (infectious hepatitis) is needed, immunoglobulins are used. Protection is effective only if given within 2 weeks of exposure and lasts but 2-4 months. Immunoglobulins can be used to protect household contacts of someone with acute viral hepatitis and travelers to regions with poor sanitation and high hepatitis a rates, when the traveler has to depart sooner than the vaccines can take effect (about 2 weeks). Travelers can receive the immunoglobulin and vaccine simultaneously and be protected immediately and for longer term. When immediate protection is not needed, hepatitis a vaccines are considered for individuals in high-risk settings, including frequent world travelers, sexually active individuals with multiple partners, homosexual men, individuals using illicit drugs, employees of daycare centres, and certain health care workers, and sewage workers. Two hepatitis a vaccines called havrix and vaqta are commercially available in the u.s. Both are highly effective and provide protection even after only one dose. Two doses are recommended for adults and 3 doses for children (under 18 years of age) to provide prolonged protection. (12 Dec 1998) |