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42 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
adenosine deaminase (ADA) deficiency |
An immunodeficiency disorder and one type of SCIDS that is caused by an inborn error in the metabolism of adenine. The accumulation of adenine destroys both B and T lymphocytes. |
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agammaglobulinemia |
Also called hypogammaglobulinemia. absence of, or severely reduced levels of, antibodies in serum. |
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AIDS |
Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. The complex of signs and symptoms characteristic of the late phase of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. |
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allergen |
A substance that provokes an allergic response. |
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allergy |
The altered, usually exaggerated, immune response to an allergen. Also called hypersensitivity. |
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alloantigen |
An antigen that is present in some, but not all, members of the same species. |
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allograft |
Relatively compatible tissue exchange between nonidentical members of the same species. Also called homograft. |
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anaphylaxis |
The unusual or exaggerated allergic reaction to antigen that leads to severe respiratory and cardiac complications |
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antihistamine |
A drug that counters the action of histamine and is useful in allergy treatment. |
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Arthus reaction |
An immune complex phenomenon that develops after repeat injection. This localized inflammation results from aggregates of antigen and antibody that bind, complement, and attract neutrophils. |
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asthma |
Respiratory disease characterized by episodes of impaired breathing due to severe bronchoconstriction. |
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atopy |
Allergic reaction classified as type I, with a strong familial relationship; caused by allergens such as pollen, insect venom, food, and dander; involves IgE antibody; includes symptoms of hay fever, asthma, and skin rash. |
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autoantibody |
An “anti-self” antibody having an affinity for tissue antigens of the subject in which it is formed. |
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autograft |
Tissue or organ surgically transplanted to another site on the same subject. |
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autoimmune disease |
The pathologic condition arising from the production of antibodies against autoantigens. Example: rheumatoid arthritis. Also called autoimmunity. |
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basement membrane |
A thin layer (1–6 μm) of protein and polysaccharide found at the base of epithelial tissues. |
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blocking antibody |
The IgG class of immunoglobulins that competes with IgE antibody for allergens, thus blocking the degranulation of basophils and mast cells. |
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bradykinin |
An active polypeptide that is a potent vasodilator released from IgE-coated mast cells during anaphylaxis. |
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contactants |
Allergens that enter the body through the skin, such as latex or lotions that trigger allergic reactions. |
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desensitization |
A therapeutic exposure to known allergens designed to build tolerance and, eventually, prevent allergic reaction. |
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DiGeorge syndrome |
A birth defect usually caused by a missing or incomplete thymus gland that results in abnormally low or absent T cells, and other developmental abnormalities. |
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eczema |
An acute or chronic allergy of the skin associated with itching and burning sensations. Typically, red, edematous, vesicular lesions erupt, leaving the skin scaly and sometimes hyperpigmented. |
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graft versus host disease (GVHD) |
A condition associated with a bone marrow transplant in which T cells in the transplanted tissue mount an immune response against the recipient’s (host) normal tissues. |
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Graves’ disease |
A malfunction of the thyroid gland in which autoantibodies directed at thyroid cells stimulate an overproduction of thyroid hormone (hyperthyroidism). |
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hay fever |
A form of atopic allergy marked by seasonal acute inflammation of the conjunctiva and mucous membranes of the respiratory passages. Symptoms are irritative itching and rhinitis. |
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hemolytic disease |
Incompatible Rh factor between mother and fetus causes maternal antibodies to attack the fetus and trigger complement-mediated lysis in the fetus. |
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histamine |
A cytokine released when mast cells and basophils release their granules. An important mediator of allergy, its effects include smooth muscle contraction, increased vascular permeability, and increased mucus secretion. |
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hypogammaglobulinemia |
An inborn disease in which the gamma globulin (antibody) fraction of serum is greatly reduced. The condition is associated with a high susceptibility to pyogenic infections. |
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hyposensitivity disease |
Disease characterized by an over-reactive immune response; for example, allergies. |
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immune complex reaction |
Type III hypersensitivity of the immune system. It is characterized by the reaction of soluble antigen with antibody, and the deposition of the resulting complexes in basement membranes of epithelial tissue. |
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immunopathology |
The study of disease states associated with overreactivity or underreactivity of the immune response. |
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ingestants |
Allergens that enter the body by mouth, such as food allergens. |
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injectants |
Allergens that are injected into the body. For example: vaccination, bee sting, or drug injections are all this type of allergen. |
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isograft |
Transplanted tissue from one monozygotic twin to the other; transplants between highly inbred animals that are genetically identical. |
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leukotriene |
An unsaturated fatty acid derivative of arachidonic acid. Leukotriene functions in chemotactic activity, smooth muscle contractility, mucus secretion, and capillary permeability. |
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prostaglandin |
A hormonelike substance that regulates many body functions. Prostaglandin comes from a family of organic acids containing 5-carbon rings that are essential to the human diet. |
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rales |
Sounds in the lung, ranging from clicking to rattling; indicate respiratory illness. |
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Rh factor |
An isoantigen that can trigger hemolytic disease in newborns due to incompatibility between maternal and infant blood factors. |
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serotonin |
A vasoconstrictor that inhibits gastric secretion and stimulates smooth muscle |
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serum sickness |
A type of immune complex disease in which immune complexes enter circulation, are carried throughout the body, and are deposited in the blood vessels of the kidney, heart, skin, and joints. The condition may become chronic. |
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severe combined immunodeficiencies |
A collection of syndromes occurring in newborns caused by a genetic defect that knocks out both B- and T-cell types of immunity. There are several versions of this disease; termed SCIDS for short. |
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xenograft |
The transfer of a tissue or an organ from an animal of one species to a recipient of another species. |