| Term | Definition |
|---|
| allergen | a nonparasitic antigen capable of stimulating a type-I hypersensitivity reaction in atopic individuals |
| anaphylaxis | is an acute systemic (multi-system) and very severe Type I Hypersensitivity allergic reaction in humans and other mammals, characterized by a quick release from mast cells of large quantities of immunological mediators (histamines, prostaglandins, leukotrienes) leading to systemic vasodilation (associated with a sudden drop in blood pressure) and edema of bronchial mucosa (resulting in bronchoconstriction and difficulty breathing). |
| atopy | is an allergic hypersensitivity affecting parts of the body not in direct contact with the allergen |
| axillary nodes | any of the lymph glands of the armpit; fights infections in the neck and chest and arm regions |
| cell-mediated immunity | is an immune response that does not involve antibodies or complement (a biochemical cascade that helps clear pathogens from an organism) but rather involves the activation of macrophages, natural killer cells, antigen-specific cytotoxic T-lymphocytes, and the release of various cytokines in response to an antigen. |
| humoral immunity | is the aspect of immunity that is mediated by secreted antibodies (as opposed to cell-mediated immunity) produced in the cells of the B lymphocyte lineage. Secreted antibodies bind to antigens on the surfaces of invading microbes (such as viruses or bacteria), which flags them for destruction. |
| immunoglobulins | gamma globulin proteins that are found in blood or other bodily fluids of vertebrates, and are used by the immune system to identify and neutralize foreign objects, such as bacteria and viruses |
| immunosuppression | involves an act that reduces the activation or efficacy of the immune system. Some portions of the immune system can act upon itself, or it may occur as an adverse reaction to a treatment of some conditions. Deliberately used in organ transplants or in the treatment of auto-immune disease. |
| inguinal nodes | lymph nodes form a chain immediately below the inguinal ligament. |
| interferons | named for its ability to interfere with viral proliferation. The various forms of interferon are the body's most rapidly produced and important defense against viruses. |
| interstitial fluid | is a solution which bathes and surrounds the cells of multicellular animals. It is the main component of the extracellular fluid, which also includes plasma and transcellular fluid. |
| Kaposi sarcoma | is a tumor caused by Human herpesvirus 8 (HHV8). It became more widely known as one of the AIDS defining illnesses in the 1980s. |
| lymphadenopathy | is a term meaning "disease of the lymph nodes." It is, however, almost synonymously used with "swollen/enlarged lymph nodes". |
| lymphedema | is a condition of localized fluid retention caused by a compromised lymphatic system. |
| lymphoma | is a type of cancer that originates in lymphocytes of the immune system. They often originate in lymph nodes, presenting as an enlargement of the node |
| protease inhibitor | are a class of medications used to treat or prevent infection by viruses, including HIV and Hepatitis C. PIs prevent viral replication by inhibiting the activity of HIV-1 protease, an enzyme used by the viruses to cleave nascent proteins for final assembly of new virons |
| splenomegaly | is an enlargement of the spleen, which usually lies in the left upper quadrant (LUQ) of the human abdomen. It is one of the four cardinal signs of hypersplenism, the other three being cytopenia(s), normal or hyperplastic bone marrow, and a response to splenectomy |
| thymoma | a tumor originating from the thymus. It consists of any type of thymic epithelial cell as well as lymphocytes that are usually abundant and probably not neoplastic |
| tonsils | areas of lymphoid tissue on either side of the throat. Part of the immune system to help protect against infection. In particular, they are believed to be involved in helping fight off pharyngeal and upper respiratory tract infections. |
| vaccination | is the administration of antigenic material (the vaccine) to produce immunity to a disease. They can prevent or ameliorate the effects of infection by a pathogen |
| protease inhibitor | a drug that protease is blocked, HIV makes copies of itself that can't infect new cells. Studies have shown that protease inhibitors can reduce the amount of virus in the blood |
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