| immune surveillance | <immunology> The hypothesis that lymphocyte traffic ensures that all or nearly all parts of the vertebrate body are surveyed by visiting lymphocytes in order to detect any altered self material, for example mutant cells. (18 Nov 1997) |
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| immune system | <immunology> The body system, made up of many organs and cells, that defends the body against infection, disease and foreign substances. The immune system is often stimulated in specific ways to fight cancer cells. (16 Dec 1997) |
| immune thrombocytopenia | Thrombocytopenia associated with antiplatelet antibodies. See: isoimmune neonatal thrombocytopenia, autoimmune neonatal thrombocytopenia. (05 Mar 2000) |
| immune thrombocytopenic purpura | <haematology> A low number of platelets in the blood, which is common in people with HIV, but often resolves as immune deficiency worsens. HIV-related ITP usually does not have serious consequences. Its cause has not been definitely determined. Treatment with AZT frequently alleviates the condition. (09 Oct 1997) |
| immune tolerance | The specific failure of a normally responsive individual to make an immune response to a known antigen. It results from previous contact with the antigen by an immunologically immature individual (foetus or neonate) or by an adult exposed to extreme high-dose or low-dose antigen, or by exposure to radiation, antimetabolites, antilymphocytic serum, etc. (12 Dec 1998) |
| tetanus immune globulin | <protein> A protein antibody to tetanus toxin, given as passive immunity for those lacking any prior tetanus vaccination. (27 Sep 1997) |
| zoster immune globulin | A globulin fraction of pooled plasma from individuals who have recovered from herpes zoster; used prophylactically and therapeutically for varicella. (05 Mar 2000) |
| abdominal muscle deficiency syndrome | <syndrome> Congenital absence (partial or complete) of abdominal muscles, in which the outline of the intestines is visible through the protruding abdominal wall; in males, genitourinary anomalies (urinary tract dilation and cryptorchidism) are also found; genetics unclear. (05 Mar 2000) |
| adult lactase deficiency | Onset of lactase deficiency, with resulting milk intolerance and malabsorption, in adulthood. Inherited forms may not be manifested until adulthood; any process that damages the intestinal lining cells can cause lactase deficiency in adults. (05 Mar 2000) |
| alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency | <chest medicine> Deficiency of the protease inhibitor alpha-1 antitrypsin, leads primarily to degradation of elastin of the alveolar walls, as well as other structural proteins of a variety of tissues. The lack of this protein leads to damage of various organs, but mainly to the lung and liver. symptoms may become apparent at a very early age or in adulthood, manifesting either as shortness of breath or liver related symptoms (jaundice, fatigue, fluid in the abdomen, mental changes, or gastrointestinal bleeding). There are several options for treatment of the lung disease, including replacement of the missing protein. Treatment of the liver disease is a well-timed liver transplant (12 Dec 1998) |
| alpha-1-proteinase deficiency | Absence of a serum proteinase inhibitor that may cause nodular non-suppurative panniculitis. (05 Mar 2000) |
| alpha-antitrypsin deficiency | <enzyme> A specific enzyme (alpha 1 antitrypsinase) that when absent genetically can result in panacinar emphysema (lung disease) and liver disease. There is no specific treatment for this condition other than supportive care for the liver and lung complications. Medications such as alpha-1proteinase inhibitor is given regularly to these patients. Incidence: approximately 1 in 10,000. (02 Jan 1998) |
| anaemia, iron deficiency | Deficiency of iron results in anaemia because iron is necessary to make haemoglobin, the key molecule in red blood cells responsible for the transport of oxygen. In iron deficiency anaemia, the red cells are unusally small (microcytic) and pale (hypochromic). Characteristic features of iron deficiency anaemia in children include failure to thrive (grow) and increased infections. The treatment of iron deficiency anaemia, whether it be in children or adults, is with iron and iron-containing foods. Food sources of iron include meat, poultry, eggs, vegetables and cereals (especially those fortified with iron). According to the National Academy of Sciences, the Recommended Dietary Allowances of iron are 15 milligrams per day for women and 10 milligrams per day for men. Anaemia characterised by low or absent iron stores, low serum iron concentration, elevated free erythrocyte porphorin, low transferrin saturation, elevated transferrin, low serum ferritin, low haemoglobin concentration or haematocrit, and hypochromic microcytic red blood cells. Symptoms may include pallor, angular stomatitis and other oral lesions, gastrointestinal complaints, retinal haemorrhages and exudates, and thinning and brittleness of the nails. Among the causes of iron-deficiency anaemia are inadequate iron intake, impaired iron absorption, increased blood loss and increased requirements such as infancy, pregnancy, and lactation. (12 Dec 1998) |
| antibody deficiency disease | <syndrome> Any of a group of disorders associated with a defective antibody production due to defects in the B-type lymphocyte system or in T-type lymphocytes; chief manifestation is an increased susceptibility to infection by various microorganisms. See: agammaglobulinaemia, hypogammaglobulinaemia, immunodeficiency. Synonym: antibody deficiency disease. (05 Mar 2000) |
| antibody deficiency syndrome | <syndrome> Any of a group of disorders associated with a defective antibody production due to defects in the B-type lymphocyte system or in T-type lymphocytes; chief manifestation is an increased susceptibility to infection by various microorganisms. See: agammaglobulinaemia, hypogammaglobulinaemia, immunodeficiency. Synonym: antibody deficiency disease. (05 Mar 2000) |