 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (November 2007) |
| Immunodeficiency | |
|---|---|
| Other names | Immunocompromisation, immune deficiency |
| Specialty | Immunology |
| Medication | Imuran |
Immunodeficiency, also known as immunocompromisation, is a state in which the immune system's ability to fight infectious diseases and cancer is compromised or entirely absent. Most cases are acquired ("secondary") due to extrinsic factors that affect the patient's immune system. Examples of these extrinsic factors include HIV infection and environmental factors, such as nutrition.[1] Immunocompromisation may also be due to genetic diseases/flaws such as SCID.
In clinical settings, immunosuppression by some drugs, such as steroids, can either be an adverse effect or the intended purpose of the treatment. Examples of such use is in organ transplant surgery as an anti-rejection measure and in patients with an overactive immune system, as in autoimmune diseases. Some people are born with intrinsic defects in their immune system, or primary immunodeficiency.[2]
A person who has an immunodeficiency of any kind is said to be immunocompromised. An immunocompromised individual may particularly be vulnerable to opportunistic infections, in addition to normal infections that could affect anyone.[3] It also decreases cancer immunosurveillance, in which the immune system scans the body's cells and kills neoplastic ones. They are also more susceptible to infectious diseases owing to the reduced protection afforded by vaccines.[4][5]
- ^ Chinen J, Shearer WT (February 2010). "Secondary immunodeficiencies, including HIV infection". The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. 125 (2 Suppl 2): S195–203. doi:10.1016/j.jaci.2009.08.040. PMC 6151868. PMID 20042227.
- ^ "Primary immunodeficiency". Mayo Clinic. 30 January 2020. Retrieved 13 May 2020.
- ^ Meidani, Mohsen; Naeini, Alireza Emami; Rostami, Mojtaba; Sherkat, Roya; Tayeri, Katayoun (March 2014). "Immunocompromised patients: Review of the most common infections happened in 446 hospitalized patients". Journal of Research in Medical Sciences. 19 (Suppl 1): S71–S73pmc=4078380. PMC 4078380. PMID 25002900.
- ^ Lee, Ainsley Ryan Yan Bin; Wong, Shi Yin; Chai, Louis Yi Ann; Lee, Soo Chin; Lee, Matilda Xinwei; Muthiah, Mark Dhinesh; Tay, Sen Hee; Teo, Chong Boon; Tan, Benjamin Kye Jyn; Chan, Yiong Huak; Sundar, Raghav; Soon, Yu Yang (2 March 2022). "Efficacy of covid-19 vaccines in immunocompromised patients: systematic review and meta-analysis". BMJ. 376: e068632. doi:10.1136/bmj-2021-068632. PMC 8889026. PMID 35236664.
- ^ Zbinden, Delphine; Manuel, Oriol (February 2014). "Influenza vaccination in immunocompromised patients: efficacy and safety". Immunotherapy. 6 (2): 131–139. doi:10.2217/imt.13.171. PMID 24491087.