Immunodeficiencies

May 21, 2012

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Immunodeficiencies - A weakened state of the human immune system, which eventually leads to more frequent diseases communicable diseases. When immunodeficiency infection more severe than people in the normal state. This disease in people with immune deficiency and are difficult to therapy.

According to the origin divided into immunodeficiencies primary   (i.e hereditary ) And secondary   (i.e purchased ).

The main features of both types of immune deficiency is a chronic infectious disease. Under these conditions occurs defeat infections of the upper and lower respiratory tract, skin, upper respiratory tract, and others. The manifestation of disease severity and variety are defined depending on what kind of immunodeficiency occurs in humans. Sometimes, due to immunodeficiency in humans evolve allergic reactions   and autoimmune diseases .

Primary immunodeficiency

Primary immunodeficiency - A disease of the immune system, has a hereditary character. According to medical statistics, such defect is shown in one child of ten thousand. Primary immunodeficiency - disease, which is transmitted from parents to children. There are many forms of this condition. Some of them can openly manifest almost immediately after birth, other forms of immunodeficiency many years did not make themselves known. Approximately 80% of the time of diagnosis of primary immunodeficiency patient age does not exceed twenty years. About 70% of cases of primary immunodeficiency diagnosed in males since most directly related to syndromes X-chromosome .

In primary immunodeficiency, genetic defects, are divided into several groups. At humoral immunodeficiencies   the body does not produce enough production antibodies   or immunoglobulins ; at cell immunodeficiencies   It holds lymphocytic immune deficiency; at defects of phagocytosis   bacteria can not fully captured leukocytes ; at defects in the complement system   observed deficiency of proteins which destroy foreign cells. Furthermore, distinguished combined immunodeficiencies As well as a number of other immune deficiencies, where there are problems with the main links immunity .

In most cases, the primary immunodeficiencies - is a condition that saved a person throughout his life. However, a lot of patients whose disease was diagnosed on time and ensure that it was adequately treated, have a normal life expectancy.

Secondary immunodeficiency

Under secondary immunodeficiency   It should be understood presence of acquired immune system diseases. In this case, as with primary immunodeficiencies, we are talking about too frequent attacks of infectious diseases due to weakened immunity. The best known example of this type is Immunodeficiency AIDS Which develops as a result   HIV infection . In addition, secondary immunodeficiencies are shown under the influence of drugs, radiation, certain chronic diseases. Secondary immunodeficiency can be observed in patients who go to the doctor complaining of a variety of ailments.

In general, all the actions that, anyway, is the weakening of the human immune system, promote the development of his secondary immunodeficiency.

Furthermore, this condition occurs when the dietary deficiencies, in which there is protein-energy malnutrition As well as lack of vitamins   and microelements . In this case it is particularly detrimental to the state of human deficit vitamin A . Selena . Zinc . Also at risk immunodeficiencies include people with chronic metabolic disorder arising from liver and kidney diseases. To some extent, subject to the development of immunodeficiency and people who have undergone major surgery or trauma.

In secondary immunodeficiencies is important as much as possible as early as possible to detect bacterial infections, and to take the necessary treatment.

What are the symptoms of immunodeficiency

The main, and in some cases the only sign of human immunodeficiency is a predisposition to a very common manifestation of infectious diseases. For the state of immunodeficiency characteristic manifestation recurrent respiratory infections . However, in this case, doctors have to clearly distinguish between manifestations of immunodeficiency and the so-called pain of children who are often infected with colds from their peers.

More characteristic feature of immunodeficiency is a manifestation of a severe bacterial infection that is recurrent in nature. As a rule, its development are repeated periodically sore throat, and upper respiratory tract infection. As a result, the patient develops chronic sinusitis . bronchitis . otitis . It is also a characteristic feature of immunodeficiency is the ease of development and subsequent progression of disease. Thus, in patients with immunodeficiency bronchitis becomes very easy pneumonia It manifested respiratory insufficiency   and bronchiectasis .

In addition, these patients often manifest infection of the skin, mucous membranes of the body. Thus, the most characteristic states in this case are mouth ulcers . periodontitis . thrush Which has a resistance to treatment. Moreover, immunocompromised patients often develop on the body Warts   and papilloma , occurs eczema   and baldness .

Typical of this state may be a number of disorders of the digestive system, for example, diarrhea . malabsorption .

In more rare cases immunodeficiency diagnosed hematological disorders, for example, leukopenia . autoimmune hemolytic anemia   and etc.

In some cases, there may be neurological seizures: convulsions . encephalitis . arthritis . vasculitis . There is evidence of an increased incidence of stomach cancer   such patients.

Diagnosis of Immunodeficiency

In the process of diagnosing immunodeficiency doctor must pay close attention to the family history. So, it is quite possible that the family are frequent autoimmune diseases , Early mortality, an early manifestation of malignant diseases. Also at such a diagnosis may indicate an adverse reaction to vaccination . Carrying radiation therapy   certain areas of the body may also be a prerequisite to the establishment of such a diagnosis.

Examining the patient's attending physician is required to pay attention to his appearance. As a rule, such a person is especially painful, it has very pale skin, he constantly suffers from a general malaise. Closer inspection of the skin is important, as is often manifested in immunodeficiency pyoderma . vesicular rash . eczema .

In addition, for the state of immunodeficiency characteristic of other symptoms: appearance inflammation of the eye .   chronic diseases of upper respiratory tract . swelling of the nostrils . chronic protracted cough .

In order to establish a precise analysis is necessary to conduct a thorough examination of the patient. In the first stage of research, usually appointed by a detailed analysis of blood screening tests, to determine the level immunoglobulins . Also appointed by the other studies that allow us to determine what type of infection occurs in humans. If a patient is determined by recurrent infections, the examination of the patient are carried out regularly. If necessary, depending on the clinical situation, carried smears and subsequent microbiological investigations.

Complications immunodeficiencies

As complications often manifest themselves both types of immune deficiencies should primarily be noted serious infectious disease. It sepsis . pneumonia . abscess   and others. In each case the existence of immunodeficiency complications are determined individually.

Human immunodeficiency virus

Human immunodeficiency virus can be carried to the family of retroviruses. Today, doctors determine the two types of the virus - HIV1   and HIV2 . Their principal differences are antigenic and structural features.

Human immunodeficiency virus is not resistant to the effects of characteristics of the environment. It kills almost every substance with disinfectant properties. It is believed that the virus can be a biological fluid in each of the human body. But in the absence of such fluid into the blood levels of the virus is not sufficient infection to occur. Consequently, non-hazardous biological fluids is considered to be the saliva, sweat, tears, vomit. At the same time in each liquid, which is associated with lymph It contains large amounts of virus. That is why the very high risk of HIV transmission during sexual intercourse, as well as during breast-feeding a baby. Consequently, the most dangerous body fluids from the point of view of HIV infection are blood . vaginal secretions . lymph . sperm . cerebrospinal . ascites . pericardial liquids . breast milk .

Human immunodeficiency virus, appearing in the body, enters the target cell, which are regulators in the immune response. Gradually, the virus enters the other cells, and the pathological process takes place in different systems and organs.

In the process of cell death is manifested immunodeficiency immune system, which causes symptoms of virus. Under its action a person develop the disease with both infectious and non-infectious in nature.

The severity of the disease and its rate of progression depends on the presence of infections, genetic features of the human body, age and others. The incubation period lasts from three weeks to three months.

Then comes the stage of the primary symptoms, which manifest in a variety of patient clinical symptoms and produced active antibody. This step is different people can occur in different ways. Perhaps it asymptomatic, the presence of an acute infection without secondary diseases as well as infection with secondary diseases.

During the transition of the virus in the subclinical stage of gradually increasing immunodeficiency, a human lymph nodes are increased, while the rate of reproduction of HIV is slowed down. This stage is quite long: it sometimes takes up to twenty years, although the average duration is about six years. Later, the patient develops acquired immunodeficiency syndrome .

Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome

For the first time on the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, the world learned in the mid 80s of the twentieth century. At that time, doctors discovered an unknown disease for which was typical manifestation of immunodeficiency in adults. It has been found that immune deficiency have already manifested in adulthood. Consequently, this disease then began calling Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome, abbreviated as AIDS. On the day segodnyanshy AIDS spread to epidemic levels.

With the development of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome it the body can not resist the attacks of even relatively harmless microorganisms.

Diagnosis of HIV infection is made with the help of special laboratory studies. However, drugs that are effective against the AIDS virus, to date, does not exist.

Treatment is mainly aimed at overcoming the secondary infections that develop as a result of immunodeficiency.

Treatment of immune deficiencies

The most important point for people who are diagnosed with an immunodeficiency of any kind is the maximum adherence to the principles of a healthy lifestyle and prevent infections. No less important to have regular dental checkups.

Patients with immunodeficiency important time to diagnose Fungal   and Bacterial infection And their subsequent conduct adequate therapy.

There are conditions that must be continued preventive treatment antibiotics . If a person takes place chest infection, in this case it is advisable treatment with physiotherapy and perform special regular exercise. Sometimes as prophylactic agents requires supplementation with antiviral action of, e.g. amantadine . rimantadine .

In most cases, therapy for immunodeficiency performed using intravenous or subcutaneous administration immunoglobulins . Note, however, that patients with heart failure treated with immunoglobulin is contraindicated. Today the practice as other kinds of treatment of immune deficiency, but some of them are still staying at the stage of experimental development.

In the treatment of primary immunodeficiency is important in each case to determine whether the use is justified liquid vaccines. In all cases, patients who have been diagnosed with primary immunodeficiency, it is important not to drink alcohol or smoke.

IMMUNOCORRECTION today produced by several methods. This bone marrow transplantation, the use of immunomodulators, immunoglobulins.

In the treatment of secondary immunodeficiency used general principles of assistance. This vaccination, infection control, substitution treatment.

Prevention immunodeficiencies

In order to prevent the manifestation of primary immunodeficiencies is necessary to determine the probable carriers of the defective gene in families who have a positive history. In certain pathologies is possible to conduct prenatal diagnosis.

Because of the hereditary nature of primary immunodeficiencies is currently no preventive measures for this type of disease.

As preventive measures for the prevention of secondary immunodeficiencies is important to avoid HIV infection. To do this, it is very important never to allow unprotected sex, to make sure that the medical instruments used are sterile and others. The risk of HIV infection also includes drug addicts, who, even after a single drug injecting risk of contracting the virus.