Immunosuppression is the impairment of the body's immune system which can alter the ability of the body's defence mechanisms to prevent diseases, particularly certain infections, including opportunistic infections, and cancers.
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Terminology
Patients with immunosuppression are said to be immunosuppressed, immunocompromised, or immunodeficient. An individual with a normal functioning immune system or a previously immunocompromised patient whose immune system has recovered is said to be immunocompetent.
A medication that causes immunosuppression can be described as immunosuppressive or an immunosuppressant.
Pathology
Aetiology
Immunosuppression has a large number of possible causes. It is sometimes intentional, for example preparing the body for bone marrow transplantation or preventing rejection of organ transplants. Other times it is an unfortunate side-effect, e.g. chemotherapy for cancer.
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medication
chemotherapy
antirejection agents
to treat disease (e.g. autoimmune diseases)
surgery (e.g. splenectomy)
other procedures e.g. plasmapheresis
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systemic disorders e.g. diabetes mellitus
cirrhosis and alcohol use
malnutrition
genetic e.g. SCID
radiation sickness e.g. nuclear accidents
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