| Acquired immune deficiency |
An immune deficiency acquired during a person’s lifetime. Can be caused by e.g.: an infection, medication or radiation. |
| Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome |
AIDS. An acquired immune deficiency, caused by HIV |
| Acute |
Description of a disease, which is usually short-termed and of recent onset. |
| Adenosine Deaminase(ADA) |
An enzyme, which is important for the development of the immune system |
| Agammaglobulinemia |
Total (almost) lack of immunoglobulins |
| Amniocentesis |
Extraction of amniotic fluid in order to perform prenatal genetic testing |
| Anemia |
Deficiency of red blood cells, haemoglobin or blood volume |
| Antibody |
Protein molecules produced and secreted by some B cells in response to stimulation by an antigen. |
| Antigen |
Any foreign substance that activates the immune system |
| Aspergillus |
A kind of fungi including many common molds |
| Ataxia |
Unsteady walk caused by neurological abnormalities |
| Autoantibody |
An immunoglobulin, which reacts against the person’s own tissue |
| Autoimmune Disease |
A disease in which a persons immune system reacts against the persons own tissue. |
| Autosomal recessive inheritance |
Non X – linked inheritance. The trait or disease is inherited from both parents |
| Autosomes |
Every chromosome except the sex chromosome |
| B – lymphocytes (B cells) |
White blood cells originating from the bone marrow. Involved in the production of immunoglobulins |
| Bacteria |
Single cell organisms (microorganisms). |
| Bone marrow |
Soft tissue located in the hollow bones |
| Bone marrow transplantation (BMT) |
A treatment by the means of whichbone marrow from one person is transplanted to another person |
| Bronchiectasis |
A dilation of the bronchi. Can be caused by recurrent infections |
| Carrier detection |
Detection of a genetic defect, which does not express itself in the carrier |
| CD 40 Ligand |
A protein located on the surface of the T cells |
| Cellular immunity |
Immune protection provided by the direct action of the immune cells |
| Chemokine |
Polypeptides(chains of aminoacids) controlling the activities of the leucocytes |
| Chorionic villus sampling |
Extraction of a sample from the placenta during pregnancy with the purpose to perform a genetic test |
| Chromosomes |
Structures in the cellular nucleus carrying the genes. Each human cell has 23 pairs of chromosomes |
| Chronic |
Description of a recurrent or continuous infection or disease. |
| Combined immune deficiency |
An immune deficiency involving both B and T cells |
| Complement |
About 28 proteins circulating in the blood. They act in a definite sequence to affect the destruction of bacteria, viruses and fungi |
| Congenital |
An inborn disease or deformity |
| Cord blood |
Blood from the placenta or the umbilical cord |
| Consanguineous |
Related by blood |
| Cryptosporidium |
A microbe that can cause stomach problems and liver disease. May be present in drinking water |
| Cytokine |
A signalling protein. Regulates the activity of other cells. Interleukins and interferons are examples of cytokines |
| Deoxyribonucleic acid(DNA) |
The carrier of genetic information in the chromosomes |
| Eczema |
Inflammation of the skin with redness, itching and squamation |
| Endocrine system |
A number of glands in the body. Produces hormones. |
| Eosinophilia |
An increase in the number of eosinophil granular white blood cells |
| Enzyme |
A protein facilitating chemical reactions |
| Fungus |
Member of a family of relative primitive microorganisms (mushrooms, yeast and molds) |
| Gamma interferon |
A cytokine primarily produced by the T cells. Improves bacterial killing by phagocytes |
| Gamma globulin |
The protein fraction of blood containing immunoglobulins |
| Gene |
A unit of genetic material (DNA) |
| Gene therapy |
Treatment of genetic diseases. A normal gene is inserted into the patient |
| Genetic testing |
Test performed to confirm if a person has a special gene |
| Graft rejection |
Immune reaction in the recipient leading to rejection of the transplanted organ or tissue |
| Graft-versus-host disease |
A reaction by means of which transplanted immune cells attack the tissue of the recipient |
| Granulocyte |
A white blood cell, which is able to ingest foreign microbes |
| Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor(G-CSF) |
A cytokine which stimulates proliferation, development and function of granulocytes |
| Granulocyte- macrophage colony -stimulating factor (GM -CSF) |
A cytokine stimulating proliferation, development and function of granulocytes and macrophages. |
| Haplotype |
A series of gene clusters on the sixth chromosome that determines histocompatibility antigens |
| Helper lymphocytes(helper T cells) |
A subset of T cells, which support the function of B cells and T cells |
| Histocompatibility antigens |
Chemicals on the surface of most body cells. Rather unique to each person. Determine the tissue type of a person |
| Human immune deficiency virus (HIV) |
A virus infecting and destroying cells of the immune system. Causes AIDS |
| Humoral immunity |
Immune protection provided by soluble factors circulating in the blood. |
| Hypo- |
Under normal |
| Hypogammaglobulinaemia |
Too low levels of immunoglobulins in the blood |
| Hypoplasia |
Insufficient development of an organ or part of the body |
| IgA |
Immunglobulin, class A. Available in the blood and tears and on the mucous membranes in the body. Is secreted in the breast milk. |
| IgD |
Immunglobulin, class D. Its function is not well understood |
| IgE |
Immunglobulin, class E. Only very small amounts in the blood. Responsible for allergic reactions |
| IgG |
Immunglobulin, class G. The most abundant and common immunoglobulin. Reacts against bacteria and viruses. Able to cross the placenta. |
| IgM |
Immunglobulin, class M. Circulates with the blood. Activates the complement system. Is the first immunoglobulin to be produced |
| Immune deficiency |
A congenital or acquired abnormal function of the immune system |
| Immune response |
The reaction of the immune system against foreign microbes |
| Immunocompetent |
The ability to initiate an immune reaction |
| Immunoglobulins (Ig) |
The same as antibodies. Five different classes: IgA, IgD, IgE, IgG, IgM. |
| Immunoglobulin replacement therapy |
Subcutaneous (SCIG) or intravenous injection (IVIG) of immunoglobuulin |
| Incubation |
The time span between the infection and the manifestation of the disease |
| In vitro |
Experiment done in laboratory outside a living environment |
| In vivo |
Experiment done in a living environment |
| Infection |
Disease caused by a pathogen |
| Inflammation |
Heat of a part of the body, with pain, redness and swelling |
| Interleukin |
Signalling protein. Mainly produced by the T cells and macrophages |
| IVIG |
Intravenous injection immunoglobulin |
| Killer lymphocytes |
Cytotoxic T cells, kill microbes, or cells infected by them directly |
| Leukaemia |
Type of cancer affecting the cells of the immune system |
| Leukocyte(white blood cell) |
Small colorless blood cells playing an important role in the immune system. Five basic types: Monocytes, lymphocytes, neutrophils, eosinophils and basophil cells |
| Live vaccines |
Live viruses used in vaccines. In immunocompromised persons they can transmit that disease which they were originally designed to prevent |
| Lymph |
Fluid made up of various components of the immune system. Flows throughout tissues of the body |
| Lymph node |
Small bean-sized organs of the immune system, distributed widely in the body. Each lymph node contains special compartments for T cells, B cells and macrophages |
| Lymphocytes |
Small white cells in the blood and lymphoid tissue, Two major forms: B cells and T cells |
| Lymphoma |
Type of cancer of the lymphocytes |
| Macrophage |
A phagocytic tissue cell. Destructs foreign antigens and present them to T and B cells |
| Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) |
A series of genes on chomosome number six. Determines a persons tissue type |
| Malignancy |
Cancer |
| Metabolism |
The chemical process in the cells or the body as a whole, whether it is building up or breaking down of living material |
| Microbes |
Very small living organisms. Normally single cells. Includes bacteria, protozoa and fungi |
| Molecules |
Subunits of matter, element or compound. The molecules themselves are composed of atoms. |
| Monocyte |
Phagocytic cell in the blood. Acts as scavenger. Develops into a macrophage in the tissue |
| Monokines |
Chemical messengers produced by monocytes and macrophages |
| Mucosal surfaces |
Surfaces that come in close contact with the environment (eyes, mouth, nose, gastrointestinal tract, etc.) |
| NK cell |
Natural killer cell |
| Neutropenia |
A lower than normal number of neutrophils in the blood |
| Neutrophils |
A type of granulocytes in the blood and tissues. Able to ingest microbes |
| Opportunistic infection |
An infection, which only occurs under special circumstances. |
| Opsonin |
Antibodies, which bind microbes to phagocytes |
| Organism |
An individual living thing |
| Osteomyelitis |
Infection of a bone |
| Parasite |
A plant or animal, which lives within another living orgaism |
| Parathyroid gland |
Small glands in the neck near to thyroid. Control the metabolism and levels of calcium in the blood |
| Petecchiae |
Very small red spots in the skin caused by punctiform bleedings in the skin |
| Phagocyte |
A class of white blood cells, which ingest microbes, other cells and foreign particles |
| Plasma cells |
Cells, descending from B cells, producing immunoglobulin |
| Platelets |
The smallest and most fragile blood cells. Function: blood clotting |
| Polyethylene glycol-adenosine deaminase (PEG-ADA) |
A replacement enzyme, which is able to normalise certain immune functions |
| Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) |
A sensitive and fast method to identify a microbes |
| Polypeptides |
Chains of aminoacids |
| Polysaccharides |
Complex sugars |
| Primary immunodeficiency |
Disease, intrinsic to the cells and tissues of the immune system |
| Prophylactic |
Medical therapy initiated to prevent a disease or infection |
| Protein |
Organic chemicals made up of chains of amino acids |
| Protozoa |
A small parasite |
| Secondary immune deficiency |
Immune deficiency due to another illness or treatment. |
| Sepsis |
Infection of the blood |
| Sex chromosomes |
Two chromosomes: X and Y. XX for female and XY for male |
| Spleen |
Organ in the abdominal cavity. Contains B cells, T cells and macrophages |
| Stem cells |
Cells from which all blood cells and immune cells are derived |
| Subcutaneous infusion |
Injection of immunoglobulin directly under the skin with a small pump |
| T cell |
A lymphocyte. Processed in the thymus |
| Telangiectasia |
Dilation of the blood vessels |
| Thrombocytopenia |
Low number of the platelets |
| Thrush |
Fungal disease of mucous membranes in the mouth, caused by Candida |
| Thymus gland |
Lymphoid organ located behind the upper portion of the breast bone. The chief educator of T cells. Increases in size from infancy to adolescence. Herupon it gradually shrinks. |
| Vaccine |
A substance that contains components from an infectious organism. Stimulates the immune system and protects the body from subsequent attacks |
| Vector |
Modified viruses with normal genes. Are used in gene therapy |
| Virus |
A submicroscopic microbe causing infections. Is only able to reproduce in living cells |
| White blood cells |
See leukocyte |
| X – linked inheritance |
Inheritance when the disease is inherited via the X -chromosome |
