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Immune System
Immune System The body's natural defense system which produces antibodies to fight against foreign substances such as bacteria, viruses, toxins, and cancers.
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Natural
Not human-induced or manmade.
Antibodies
Proteins produced by white blood cells. They confer immunity.
Bacteria
Single-celled microorganisms which can exist either as independent (free-living) organisms or as parasites (dependent upon another organism for life).
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Immune
Resistant to a particular disease.
Immune adherence
The adherence of particulate antigen coated with C3b to tissue having cells with C3b receptors.
Immune complex
Antigen bound to antibody.
Immune modulators
Substances that control the expression of the immune response.
Immune response (Ir) gene
A gene controlling an immune response to a particular antigen; most genes of this type are in the MHC (major histocompatibility complex), and the term is rarely used to describe other types of Ir genes outside the MHC.
Immunity
When a body's immune system helps fend off disease.
Immunization
Natural immunity provided by antibodies or induced immunity via inoculations.
Immuno globulin E
Immuno globulin E is the antibody produced in excess in allergic patients. IgE can be measured in a blood sample to determine if a person is allergic. Allergic people usually have high levels of IgE.
Immuno-Augmentative Clinic
The Immuno-Augmentative Clinic is a hospital in Freeport, Freeport, Bahamas.
Immunoassay
Detection and assay of substances by serological (immunological) methods; in most applications the substance in question serves as antigen, both in antibody production and in measurement of antibody by the test substance.
Immunofluorescence
Technique allowing the visualisation of a specific protein in cells or tissue sections (prepared from a biopsy) by binding a specific antibody conjugated to a fluorescent substrate.
Immunogen
A substance capable of inducing an immune response (as well as reacting with the products of an immune response). Compare with antigen.
Immunoglobulin
A serum protein involved in immunity. An antibody.
Immunoglobulin (Ig)
A general term for all antibody molecules. Each Ig unit is made up of two heavy chains and two light chains and has two antigen- binding sites.
Immunoglobulin E (IgE)
A type of antibody, formed to protect the body from infection, which attaches to mast cells in the respiratory and intestinal tracts and may cause allergic rhinitis, asthma, or eczema.
Immunoglobulins
Antibodies or proteins found in blood and tissue fluids produced by cells of the immune system to bind to substances in the body that are recognized as foreign antigens. Immunoglobulins sometimes bind to antigens that are not necessarily a threat to health and provoke an allergic reaction.
Immunohistochemical staining
A laboratory process of detecting an organism in tissues with antibodies. These antibodies are labeled with a compound that is seen as a colored deposit when viewed microscopically. In general, mesotheliomas require immunohistochemical confirmation before legal measures are initiated.
Immunology
The study of the body's natural defense system.
Immunosuppresive medications
Medications that suppress the body's immune system, used to minimize rejection of transplanted organs.
Immunosuppression
The artificial suppression of the immune response, usually through drugs, so that the body will not reject a transplanted organ or tissue. Drugs commonly used to suppress the immune system after transplant include prednisone, azathioprine (Imuran), mycophenolate mofetil (CellCept), and cyclosporine (Neoral).
Immunotherapy
Stimulating the body's natural defense system to attack and destroy cancers.
Immutable
Long-lasting and unchangeable.
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Intravenous
Introducing a fluid into the bloodstream through a vein (usually in the patient's forearm).
Isthmus
A tissue that connects the two lobes of the thyroid.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
A disorder of the intestine that affects motility and causes abdominal pain, bloating and irregular bowel movements (constipation and / or diarrhoea). Used to be known in the past as spastic colon or colitis and irritable colon. It should not be confused with irritable bowel disease but can be seen simultaneously with IBD.
Internal Medicine
A broad-based medical field in which physicians rely on their knowledge of major organs to diagnose and treat patients. Internists treat a variety of afflictions, from colds and heart problems to infectious diseases. Internists often serve as a patient's primary doctor, coordinating all that person's health care
Isotretinoin
Potent systemic medication used to treat severe forms of acne. Due to potential birth defects, a woman must not take this medication while pregnant or breast feeding and must not become pregnant while taking isotretinoin.
Immune System
Immunology
The study of the body's natural defense system.
Immunotherapy
Stimulating the body's natural defense system to attack and destroy cancers.
Indemnity plan
A type of health care insurance that generally does not restrict a patient's choice of doctors and medical institutions.
IORT
Intraoperative Radiation Therapy. Treating the tumor site with radiation immediately following surgery to remove the tumor.
Incontinence
Involuntary voiding of the bladder or bowel.
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