Immunodeficiency or immunocompromise is a state in which the immune system's ability to fight
infectious disease and
cancer is compromised or entirely absent. Most cases of
immunodeficiency are acquired ("secondary") due to extrinsic factors that affect the patient's immune system.
Immunodeficiency disorders usually result from use of a drug or from a long-lasting serious disorder (such as cancer) but occasionally are inherited. People usually have frequent, unusual, or unusually severe or prolonged infections and may develop an autoimmune disorder or cancer. Asthma, familial Mediterranean fever and Crohn's disease (inflammatory bowel disease) all result from an over-reaction of the immune system, while autoimmune polyglandular syndrome and some facets of
diabetes are due to the
immune system attacking 'self'
cells and molecules.
Relevant Topics in Medical Sciences
