immune system disorder

Table of Contents

Introduction
Immune deficiencies
- Hereditary and congenital deficiencies
- Deficiencies caused by infection
- Deficiencies caused by drug therapy
- Deficiencies caused by malnutrition
- Deficiencies associated with limited environmental exposure
Allergies
- Type I hypersensitivity
  - Sensitization, activation, and effector phases
  - Type I allergic reactions
  - Typical type I allergens
  - Treatment of type I allergic responses
- Type II hypersensitivity
- Type III hypersensitivity
- Type IV hypersensitivity
  - Tuberculin-type hypersensitivity
  - Contact hypersensitivity and dermatitis
Autoimmune disorders
- Basic processes underlying autoimmunity
  - Alteration of self antigens
  - Release of sequestered self antigens
  - Cross-reaction with foreign antigens
  - Genetic factors
- Examples of autoimmune disorders
  - Autoimmune diseases of the thyroid gland
  - Autoimmune hemolytic anemia
  - Pernicious anemia and autoimmune gastritis
  - Rheumatoid arthritis
  - Systemic lupus erythematosus
  - Multiple sclerosis
  - Type I (insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus
  - Other autoimmune disorders
Cancers of the lymphocytes
- Genetic causes of cancer
- Malignant transformation of lymphocytes
- Treatment of cancers through identification of antigens

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immune system disorder: Media

Videos

Learn about the hygiene hypothesis and understand how exposure to certain germs help develop a child's immunity

Learn about the hygiene hypothesis and understand how exposure to certain germs help develop a child's immunity

Research suggests that exposure to germs early in life helps a child develop a healthy...

Video: Science in Seconds (www.scienceinseconds.com) (A Britannica Publishing Partner)

Images

T cell infected with HIV

T cell infected with HIV

False-colour scanning electron micrograph of a T cell infected with HIV (human immunodeficiency...

© NIBSC, Science Photo Library/Photo Researchers, Inc.

anaphylaxis

anaphylaxis

Systemic anaphylactic response to bee venom in an individual with type I hypersensitivity....

Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.

Pathways of complement activation

Pathways of complement activation

The main function of complement proteins is to aid in the destruction of pathogens...

Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.

targeted therapy for cancer; rituximab

targeted therapy for cancer; rituximab

The monoclonal antibody rituximab, approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration...

Jmol

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