| primary amoebic meningoencephalitis | An invasive, rapidly fatal cerebral infection by soil amoebae, chiefly Naegleria fowleri, found in man and other primates and experimentally in rodents; the disease is characterised by a high fever, neck rigidity, and symptoms associated with upper respiratory infection such as cough and nausea; although organisms have been cultured from various organs, the brain is the primary focus, especially the olfactory lobes and cerebral cortex, which are first attacked by the amoebae that enter from nasal mucosa through the cribriform plate; death usually occurs two to three days after onset of symptoms. (05 Mar 2000) |
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| primary amputation | An amputation formerly performed during the period between trauma or incipient gangrene and suppuration. Synonym: intrapyretic amputation, primary amputation. (05 Mar 2000) |
| primary amyloidosis | <immunology, nephrology> A disease which is characterised by the deposition of the fibrous protein amyloid in one or more locations within the body. Amyloid deposition may occur in the kidney, brain, liver, heart, skin and lungs. A recognised complication is a restrictive cardiomyopathy. (05 Mar 1998) |
| primary anaesthetic | The compound that contributes most to loss of sensation when a mixture of anaesthetics is administered. (05 Mar 2000) |
| primary antibody response | <immunology> Antibodies made upon first exposure to an antigen, mostly of the class IgM. (05 Mar 1998) |
| primary atelectasis | <chest medicine, paediatrics> A nonexpansion of the lungs after birth is known as primary atelectasis. Secondary atelectasis can occur at any age but is common in infants due to hyaline membrane disease. This form may also be seen in patients after surgery (general anaesthesia). See: atelectasis. (05 Mar 1998) |
| primary atypical pneumonia | An acute systemic disease with involvement of the lungs, caused by Mycoplasma pneumoniae and marked by high fever, cough, relatively few physical signs, and scattered densities on X-rays; usually associated with development of cold agglutinins and antibodies to the bacteria. Synonym: atypical pneumonia, Eaton agent pneumonia, mycoplasmal pneumonia. (05 Mar 2000) |
| primary biliary cirrhosis | <gastroenterology> A rare form of liver disease which results in the irreversible destruction of the liver and bile ducts. The cause is unknown, but is thought to be an autoimmune mechanism. (06 Mar 1998) |
| primary bronchus | The main bronchus arising at the tracheal bifurcation and extending into the developing lung of the embryo. (05 Mar 2000) |
| primary butyl alcohol | Propylcarbinol, CH3CH2CH2CH2OH, the butyl alcohol of fermentation; isobutyl alcohol, isopropylcarbinol, 2-methyl-1-propanol, (CH3)2CHCH2OH; narcotic in high concentrations, secondary butyl alcohol, ethylmethylcarbinol, 2-butanol, CH3CH2CH(CH3)OH; and (05 Mar 2000) |
| primary carcinoma | <tumour> Carcinoma at the site of origin, with local invasion in that organ. (05 Mar 2000) |
| primary cardiomyopathy | Cardiomyopathy of unknown or obscure cause. A disease that affects mainly the heart muscle, sparing other cardiac structures and usually resulting in fibrosis, hypertrophy, or both. Synonym: idiopathic cardiomyopathy. (05 Mar 2000) |
| primary care | The medical home for a patient, ideally providing continuity and integration of health care. All family physicians and most paediatricians and internists are in primary care. The aims of primary care are to provide the patient with a broad spectrum of care, both preventive and curative, over a period of time and to coordinate all of the care the patient receives. (12 Dec 1998) |
| primary caries | Initial lesions produced by direct extension from an external surface. (05 Mar 2000) |
| primary cell | <cell biology> A cell or cell line taken directly from a living organism, which is not immortalised. (06 Mar 1998) |