Immunodeficiency Disorders and Immune System Fundamentals

CVID is the most common primary immunodeficiency disorder, affecting approximately 1 in 25,000 people.

HIV/AIDS is a type of secondary immunodeficiency disorder caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), which attacks and destroys immune cells.

Antibodies are proteins produced by B cells that recognize and bind to specific antigens, marking them for destruction by other immune cells.

T cells play a variety of roles in the immune system, including killing infected cells, helping B cells produce antibodies, and regulating immune responses.

Common symptoms of immunodeficiency disorders include frequent infections, delayed wound healing, and autoimmune disorders.

SCID can be treated with bone marrow transplant, gene therapy, IVIG therapy, or a combination of these treatments.

With early diagnosis and treatment, the prognosis for patients with CVID is generally good.

Risk factors for developing an immunodeficiency disorder include family history of immunodeficiency disorders, HIV infection, diabetes, and certain medications.

SCID is the most common type of inherited immunodeficiency disorder, affecting approximately 1 in 58,000 live births.

Neutrophils, macrophages, and dendritic cells are all types of phagocytic cells that engulf and destroy foreign particles.

The complement system helps antibodies bind to antigens, activates phagocytes, and lyses infected cells.

Interleukin-2 (IL-2), tumor necrosis factor (TNF), and interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) are all types of cytokines.

The thymus produces, matures, and regulates T cells.

Phagocytosis, inflammation, and NK cell activity are all types of innate immune responses.

Memory cells remember past infections, produce antibodies quickly upon reinfection, and help T cells kill infected cells.