immunosuppression

immunosuppression /im·mu·no·sup·pres·sion/ (-sah-presh´un) prevention or diminution of the immune response, such as by radiation, antimetabolites, or specific antibody.immunosuppres´sive

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im·mu·no·sup·pres·sion (my-n-s-prshn, -my-)

n.

Suppression of the immune response, as by drugs or radiation, in order to prevent the rejection of grafts or transplants or control autoimmune diseases. Also called immunodepression.

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immu·no·sup·pressive adj.

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Immunosuppression

Techniques to prevent transplant graft rejection by the body's immune system.

Mentioned in: Primary Biliary Cirrhosis

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immunosuppression

[-səpresh′ən]

Etymology: L, immunis + supprimere, to press down

1 the administration of agents that significantly interfere with the ability of the immune system to respond to antigenic stimulation by inhibiting cellular and humoral immunity. Corticosteroids; cytotoxic drugs, including antimetabolites and alkylating agents; antilymphocytic antibodies; and irradiation may produce immunosuppression. Immunosuppression may be deliberate, such as in preparation for bone marrow or other transplantation to prevent rejection by the host of the donor tissue, or incidental, such as often results from chemotherapy for the treatment of cancer.

2 an abnormal condition of the immune system characterized by markedly inhibited ability to respond to antigenic stimuli. immunosuppressed, adj.

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immunosuppression,

n 1. the administration of agents that significantly interfere with the ability of the immune system to respond to antigenic stimulation by inhibiting cellular and humoral immunity. It may be deliberate, such as in preparation for bone marrow or other transplantation to prevent rejection by the host of the donor tissue.
2. an abnormal condition of the immune system characterized by markedly inhibited ability to respond to antigenic stimuli.

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immunosuppression

diminished immune responsiveness; may occur following certain infections, notably viral infections such as retroviruses or herpesviruses (cytamegaloviruses), exposure to x-irradiation or toxic chemicals or be deliberately produced in transplantation patients by drugs or antilymphocyte serum.

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therapeutic immunosuppression

treatment which suppresses immune function where it is contributing to the disease process. Includes immune-mediated diseases of the eye, hemopoietic system, skin, kidney and central nervous system.