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Glossary

Showing 611-620 out of 1184 Terms

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  • Immunity

    (ih-MYOO-nih-tee)

    In medicine, the immune system’s way of protecting the body against an infectious disease.

  • Immunizations

    (IH-myoo-nih-ZAY-shun)

    A technique used to cause an immune response that results in resistance to a specific disease, especially an infectious disease.

  • Immunocompromised

    (IH-myoo-noh-KOM-proh-mized)

    Having a weakened immune system. Patients who are immunocompromised have a reduced ability to fight infections and other diseases. This may be caused by certain diseases or conditions, such as AIDS, cancer, diabetes, malnutrition, and certain genetic disorders. It may also be caused by certain medicines or treatments, such as anticancer drugs, radiation therapy, and stem cell or organ transplant. Also called immunosuppressed.

  • Immunoglobulin

    (IH-myoo-noh-GLAH-byoo-lin)

    A protein that is made by B cells and plasma cells (types of white blood cells) and helps the body fight infection. Some immunoglobulins may be found in higher than normal amounts in patients with certain conditions or certain types of cancer, including multiple myeloma and Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia. Measuring the amount of specific immunoglobulins in the blood and urine may help diagnose cancer or find out how well treatment is working or if cancer has come back. Some immunoglobulins may be used as tumor markers. Also called Ig.

  • Immunohistochemistry

    (IH-myoo-noh-HIS-toh-KEH-mih-stree)

    A lab test that uses antibodies to test for certain antigens (markers) in a sample of tissue. The antibodies are usually linked to an enzyme or a fluorescent dye. When the antibodies bind to the antigen in the tissue sample, the enzyme or dye is activated, and the antigen can then be seen under a microscope. Immunohistochemistry is used to help diagnose diseases, such as cancer. It may also be used to help tell the difference between different types of cancer.

  • Immunophenotyping

    (IH-myoo-noh-FEE-noh-ty-ping)

    A process that uses antibodies to identify cells based on the types of antigens or markers on the surface of the cells. This process is used in basic research and to help diagnose diseases, such as specific types of leukemia and lymphoma. Immunophenotyping may also be used to separate cells into different groups based on the markers they have on the surface.

  • Immunostimulant

    (IH-myoo-noh-STIM-yoo-lunt)

    A substance that increases the ability of the immune system to fight infection and disease.

  • Immunosuppression

    IH-myoo-noh-suh-PREH-shun

    Suppression of the body's immune system and its ability to fight infections and other diseases. Immunosuppression may be deliberately induced with drugs, as in preparation for bone marrow or other organ transplantation, to prevent rejection of the donor tissue. It may also result from certain diseases such as AIDS or lymphoma or from anticancer drugs.

  • Immunosuppressive

    (IH-myoo-noh-suh-PREH-siv)

    Describes the ability to decrease the body's immune system responses.

  • Immunosuppressive agent

    (IH-myoo-noh-suh-PREH-siv AY-jent)

    An agent that decreases the body’s immune responses. It reduces the body’s ability to fight infections and other diseases, such as cancer. Immunosuppressive agents may be used to keep a person from rejecting a bone marrow or organ transplant. They are also used in the treatment of conditions marked by overactive immune responses, such as autoimmune diseases and allergies.