Question

Compare and contrast primary and secondary immune deficiency.

Answer 1

1. Compare and contrast primary and secondary immune deficiency.

IMMUNITY

Immunity is the capability of multicellular organisms, to resist harmful microorganisms, to avoid infection, disease, or other unwanted biological invasion.

IMMUNE DEFICIENCY

Immunodeficiency or immune compromise is a state in which the immune system's ability to fight infectious disease, or harmful microorganisms is compromised or entirely absent. Immunodeficiencies are inherited (primary) or acquired (secondary) disorders in which elements of host immune defences are either absent or functionally defective.

PRIMARY IMMUNE DEFICIENCY

Primary immunodeficiencies are disorders in which part of the body's immune system is missing or does not function normally. To be considered a primary immunodeficiency (PID), the cause of the immune deficiency must not be secondary in nature (i.e., caused by other disease, drug treatment, or environmental exposure to toxins). Most primary immunodeficiencies are genetic disorders; the majority are diagnosed in children under the age of one, although milder forms may not be recognized until adulthood.

Causes

· Primary immunodeficiencies are genetic disorders.

· They may result from a single genetic defect, but most are multifactorial.

· They may be caused by recessive or dominant inheritance.

Signs and symptoms

· recurrent or persistent infections

· developmental delay

· organ problems

SECONDARY IMMUNE DEFICIENCY

A secondary immune deficiency disease occurs when the immune system is compromised due to an environmental factor. Secondary immunodeficiency is also known as acquired immunodeficiencies.

Causes

· It can result from various immunosuppressive agents

· environmental toxins (mercury and other heavy metals)

· Systemic disorders such as diabetes mellitus, malnutrition, hepatitis, or HIV infection

· particular medications (chemotherapy and disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs)

· Smoking, alcoholism and drug abuse also depress immune response.

SUMMARY

•Primary immunodeficiencies are caused by genetic abnormalities; Secondary immunodeficiencies are acquired through disease, diet, or environmental exposures

•Primary immunodeficiencies may result from flaws in phagocyte killing of innate immunity, or impairment of T cells and B cells.

•Primary immunodeficiencies include chronic granulomatous disease, X-linked agammaglobulinemia, selective IgA deficiency, and severe combined immunodeficiency disease.

•Secondary immunodeficiencies result from environmentally induced defects in B cells and/or T cells.

•Causes for secondary immunodeficiencies include malnutrition, viral infection, diabetes, prolonged infections, and chemical or radiation exposure.