Immunosuppression

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Immunosuppression is the reduction of the body's immune system which can alter the ability of the body's defence mechanisms to prevent diseases, particularly certain infections and cancers. 

Terminology

Patient's with immunosuppression are said to be immunosuppressed or immunocompromised.  A patient with a normal functioning immune system, or a previously immunocompromised patient who's immune system has recovered is said to be immunocompetent. 

A medication that causes immunosuppression can be described as immunosuppressive or immunosuppressant.

Pathology

Aetiology

Immunosuppression can occur in several clinical situations:

  • intentionally induced as the effect of treatments such as medications (immunotherapies), ionising radiation, plasmapheresis and surgery (e.g. splenectomy)
    • to treat disease (e.g. autoimmune diseases)
    • to prepare for bone marrow transplantation
    • to prevent rejection of donor organs and tissues
  • unintentionally induced by medications or other medical therapies
    • side effects of certain medications e.g. chemotherapy
  • the result of disease
  • -<p><strong>Immunosuppression</strong> is the reduction of the body's <a title="Immune system" href="/articles/immunity">immune system</a> which can alter the ability of the body's defence mechanisms to prevent diseases, particularly certain infections and cancers. </p><p>Patient's with immunosuppression are said to be immunosuppressed or immunocompromised.</p><h4>Aetiology</h4><p>Immunosuppression can occur in several clinical situations:</p><ul>
  • +<p><strong>Immunosuppression</strong> is the reduction of the body's <a href="/articles/immunity">immune system</a> which can alter the ability of the body's defence mechanisms to prevent diseases, particularly certain infections and cancers. </p><h4>Terminology</h4><p>Patient's with immunosuppression are said to be <strong>immunosuppressed</strong> or <strong>immunocompromised</strong>.  A patient with a normal functioning immune system, or a previously immunocompromised patient who's immune system has recovered is said to be <strong>immunocompetent</strong>. </p><p>A medication that causes immunosuppression can be described as <strong>immunosuppressive</strong> or <strong>immunosuppressant</strong>.</p><h4>Pathology</h4><h5>Aetiology</h5><p>Immunosuppression can occur in several clinical situations:</p><ul>
  • -<li>immune disorders e.g. <a title="AIDS defining illness" href="/articles/aids-defining-illness-2">AIDS</a>, <a title="Lymphoma" href="/articles/lymphoma">lymphoma</a>
  • +<li>immune disorders e.g. <a href="/articles/hivaids">AIDS</a>, <a href="/articles/lymphoma">lymphoma</a>
  • -<li>systemic disorders e.g. <a title="Diabetes mellitus" href="/articles/diabetes-mellitus">diabetes</a>
  • +<li>systemic disorders e.g. <a href="/articles/diabetes-mellitus">diabetes</a>
  • +<li>malignancy</li>
  • +<li><a href="/articles/chronic-kidney-disease">chronic renal failure</a></li>
  • +<li>
  • +<a href="/articles/cirrhosis">cirrhosis</a> and alcoholism</li>
  • +<li>malnutrition</li>

Sections changed:

  • Pathology

Systems changed:

  • Oncology

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Immunosuppression
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