immunodeficiency
Meaning of immunodeficiency: Immunodeficiency can be present from birth due to a genetic cause or develop later in life from illness, medication, or other acquired factors.
Definition of immunodeficiency
Immunodeficiency is a state in which the immune system's ability to defend the body against infection, and in some cases against abnormal cell growth, is reduced below normal. People with immunodeficiency are more susceptible to infections, which can be more frequent, more severe, or caused by organisms that rarely cause illness in someone with a fully functioning immune system.
Immunodeficiency is broadly divided into primary and secondary forms. Primary immunodeficiency results from an inherited genetic abnormality affecting immune system development or function and is typically present from birth, while secondary immunodeficiency is acquired later in life, arising from causes such as certain infections, malnutrition, some immune suppressing medications, or other underlying illness.
Because the specific part of the immune system affected varies between different immunodeficiency conditions, the pattern of infections a person experiences, along with laboratory testing of immune function, helps identify the particular type present and guides how it is managed.
Used in a sentence
Recurrent infections prompted testing to evaluate the patient for an underlying immunodeficiency.
Good to know
Primary immunodeficiency, present from birth due to a genetic cause, is distinguished from secondary immunodeficiency, which is acquired later from an illness, medication, or other outside factor.
Word origin
Where “immunodeficiency” comes from
Formed from Latin immunis, meaning exempt or free from, and deficientia, meaning a failing or lack, from deficere, meaning to fail or fall short.