immune (redirected from Immunity (medical))

immune /im·mune/ (ĭ-mūn´)

1. resistant to a disease because of the formation of humoral antibodies or the development of cellular immunity, or both, or from some other mechanism, as interferon activity in viral infections.

2. characterized by the development of humoral antibodies or cellular immunity, or both, following antigenic challenge.

3. produced in response to antigenic challenge, as immune serum globulin.

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im·mune (-myon)

adj.

1. Of, relating to, or having resistance to infection by a specific pathogen.

2. Relating to the mechanism of sensitization in which the reactivity is so altered by previous contact with an antigen that the responsive tissues respond quickly upon subsequent contact.

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Immune or idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP)

A blood disease that results in destruction of platelets, which are blood cells involved in clotting.

Mentioned in: Splenectomy

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immune

[imyo̅o̅n′]

Etymology: L, immunis, free from

having resistance to infection by a certain pathogen.

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immune

1. being highly resistant to a disease because of the formation of humoral antibodies or the development of immunologically competent cells, or both, or as a result of some other mechanism, such as interferon activities in viral infections.

2. characterized by the development of antibodies or cellular immunity, or both, following exposure to antigen.

3. produced in response to antigen, such as immune serum globulin. The essential feature of antibody and cell-mediated immunity is that they are highly antigen specific.

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immune adherence

the binding of antibody-antigen-complement complexes to complement receptors found on red blood cells.

immune complex

see antibody-antigen complex.

immune complex disease

disease induced by the deposition of or association with antigen-antibody-complement complexes in the microvasculature of tissues. Fixation of complement component C3 by the complexes initiates inflammation. See also serum sickness, hypersensitivity.

immune complex reaction

type III hypersensitivity (1).

immune deficiency disease

one in which animals have inadequate immune responses and so are more susceptible to infectious disease. The defect may be primary (inherited), or secondary (acquired) which usually develops after birth because of toxins or infectious agents. See also combined immune deficiency syndrome, hypogammaglobulinemia, agammaglobulinemia, inherited parakeratosis, chediak-higashi syndrome and canine granulocytopathy syndrome.

immune hemolysis

see immune-mediated hemolytic anemia (below).

immune interferon

see interferon.

immune modulator

see immunomodulation.

immune reaction

immune response.

immune reaction fever

aseptic fever occurring in anaphylaxis, angioedema.

immune response

the specific response to substances interpreted by the body as not-self, the result being humoral and cellular immunity. The immune response depends on a functioning thymus and the conversion of stem cells to B and T lymphocytes. These B and T lymphocytes contribute to antibody production, cellular immunity and immunological memory. See also humoral immunity.

immune response (Ir) genes

see immune response genes.

immune surveillance

the detection by lymphocytes, especially T lymphocytes, of new antigens, particularly on tumor cells.

immune system

consists of the primary lymphoid organs (thymus and Bursa of Fabricius or its equivalent (bone marrow) in mammals) and secondary lymphoid organs (lymph nodes, spleen and other lymphoid tissue).

immune tolerance

see immunological tolerance.

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Patient discussion about Immunity (medical).

Q. Is there a vaccination against hepatitis? I want to volunteer in a charity organization abroad soon, and I heard that currently there’s and outbreak of hepatitis in the town I intend to go to. Is there anything I can do to prevent me from getting hepatitis? Is there a way to get a vaccination against it?

A. before you would like to go on with any vaccination, you should check out this very long list of links:

http://www.aegis.ch/neu/links.html

at the bottom you will also find links in english. vaccinations in general are very disputable/dubious and it is probably time that we learn about it.

Q. Why does the body attack itself in autoimmune diseases? And if it’s possible - How come it doesn’t happen most of the time?

A. Wow, good question…I got Lupus which is an autoimmune disease. And when I checked about it I discovered that apparently you are born with a perfect immune system. There are billions of white cells that can detect any foreign or self antigens. But then they are “educated” in the thymus and all those that recognize self die. But sometimes a cell that recognize similar self antigens stay, and no one knows why, they can just attack one day for no apparent reason. I hope I helped.