ACQUIRED IMMUNOSUPPRESSION

Acquired immunosuppression

Acquired immunosuppression

Introduction

In immunosuppression, the efficiency of the immune system is reduced. Part of immunosuppressive immune system also affects the other parts of the immune system and results in fatal reaction for treatment of other conditions (Handin et. al, 2002, pp. 292-295).

Discussion

Immunodeficiency disorder results when there is reduced response from body's immune system or having no response. In immunosuppression, the efficiency of the immune system is reduced. Part of immunosuppressive immune system also affects the other parts of the immune system and results in fatal reaction for treatment of other conditions (Handin et. al, 2002, pp. 292-295).

Causes

The immune system consists of body's lymphoid tissues. Lymphoid tissues consist of bone marrow, thymus, lymph nodes, tonsils and portion of the gastrointestinal tract and spleen. In addition to this, protein and blood cells are also part of the immune system. The purpose of the immune system is to protect the body from injurious substances known as antigens. Bacteria, toxins, viruses, foreign tissues or blood, and cancer cells from other human body or species are an example of antigens (Roberton & South, 2007, pp. 423- 425).

Whenever immune system identifies antigen in the body, it protects the body by destroying them with antibodies which protect the body from injurious elements. Phagocytosis is the process which is executed when immune system responds to antigens. The process of Phagocytosis involves specific white blood cells which destroys and swallows antigens. Proteins known as complement support in this process (Roberton & South, 2007, pp. 423-425).

When the immune system does not actively responds to protect the body from injurious elements than immune system disorder happens. The responses of the immune system might be underactive or overactive.

Any part of the immune system can be affected with immunosuppression or immunodeficiency disorder. Usually this situation is taking place when unique white cells of blood which are known as B or T lymphocytes do not work, or both does not work up to the standard, or required antibodies are not produced by your body. Innate immunosuppression that can affect B cells consists of:

Hypogammaglobulinemia - normally directs to cause gastrointestinal infection or respiratory infection.

Agammaglobulinemia - leading to intense infections at early stages of life and is mostly fatal.

Inborn immunosuppression affecting T cells might leads to repeated Candida infections or yeast infections. Immunosuppression affecting both B cells and T cells can be deadly when inherited by birth. If not treated at early stages it can be fatal during life's first year (Roberton & South, 2007, pp. 423-425).

However, some medicines also weaken the immune system (e.g. corticosteroids) which further leads to immunodeficiency, and the person having such immunodeficiency is called immunosuppressed. Chemotherapy provided to cure cancer also leads to immunosuppression, a common side effect of such treatment. Complication or difficulties of diseases can also leads to acquired immunosuppression such as malnutrition (most importantly when there is insufficient protein for a person or he does not take enough protein) and HIV infection. Most of the cancers also lead to immunosuppression (Scheld ...