Primary immunodeficiency

Primary Immunodeficiency

Primary immunodeficiency (pronounced: pri-muh-ree ih-myoo-noh-di-fish-uhn-see), often abbreviated as PID, is a group of more than 400 rare, chronic disorders in which part of the body's immune system is missing or functions improperly.

Etymology

The term "Primary immunodeficiency" is derived from the Latin words 'primus' meaning 'first', 'immunis' meaning 'exempt', and 'deficientia' meaning 'deficiency'. It refers to the immune system's inherent deficiency that is not caused by external factors.

Definition

Primary immunodeficiencies are disorders in which the immune system's ability to fight infectious disease is compromised or entirely absent. They are unlike secondary immunodeficiency diseases, which are caused by environmental factors such as malnutrition, chemotherapy, or infections like HIV/AIDS.

Types

There are several types of primary immunodeficiencies, including:

Symptoms

Symptoms of primary immunodeficiency can vary greatly, but often include recurrent infections, poor growth, and an increased susceptibility to autoimmune disorders or malignancies.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of primary immunodeficiency often involves blood tests to check levels of immune cells and antibodies, genetic testing to identify mutations, and in some cases, biopsies of the bone marrow or other tissues.

Treatment

Treatment for primary immunodeficiency depends on the specific type and severity of the condition, but may include antibiotics, immunoglobulin therapy, or stem cell transplantation.

External links

Medical encyclopedia article on Primary immunodeficiency
Wikipedia's article - Primary immunodeficiency

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Primary immunodeficiency