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antigen
substance that, when entering the body, prompts the generation of antibodies, causing an immune response
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autoimmune
type of immune response by the body against its own cells or tissues
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capillaries
microscopic blood vessels that connect the ends of the smallest arteries (arterioles) with the smallest veins (venules) of the circulatory system
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hematopoiesis
production and development of blood cells, normally in the bone marrow
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immune response
defense function of the body that protects it against invading pathogens, foreign tissues, and malignancies
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immunodeficiency
decreased or compromised ability to fight disease or a condition resulting from a defective immune mechanism
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interstitial fluid
fluid between cells and in tissue spaces
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lymphocyte
type of wbc found in the lymph nodes, spleen, bloodstream, and lymph that functions in the body's immune system by recognizing and deactivating foreign substances (antigens)
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monocytes
large wbc's formed in the bone marrow that circulate in the bloodstream and destroys pathogenic bacteria through phagocytosis
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oncology
branch of medicine concerned with the study of cancerous growths (malignancies)
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pathogens
any microorganism capable of producing disease
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transfusion
collection of blood or a blood components from a donor followed by its infusion into a recipient
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anemia
blood disorder characterized by a deficiency of red blood cell production and hemoglobin, increased red blood cell destruction, or blood loss
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aplastic anemia
failure of bone marrow to produce stem cells because it has been damaged by disease, cancer, radiation, or chemotherapy drugs; rare but serious form of anemia
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pernicious anemia
deficiency of erythrocytes due to inability to absorb vitamin b12 into the body, which plays a vital role in hematopoiesis
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sickle cell anemia
hereditary disorder of anemia characterized by crescent or sickle-shaped erythrocytes; particularly prevalent among persons of African descent
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thalassemia
group of hereditary anemias caused by an inability to produce hemoglobin; usually seen in people of Mediterranean origina
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hemophilia
group of hereditary bleeding disorders characterized by a deficiency of one of the factors necessary for coagulation of blood
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leukemia
malignant disease of the bone marrow characterized by excessive production of leukocytes
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acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS)
deficiency of cellular immunity induced by infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), characterized by increasing susceptibility to infections, malignancies, and neurological diseases.
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hodgkin disease
malignant disease characterized by painless, progressive enlargement of lymphoid tissue (usually first eveident in cervical lymph nodes), splenomegaly, and the presence of unique Reed-Sternbery cells in the lymph nodes
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HIV
retrovirus that causes AIDS
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immunodeficiency disease
any of a group of diseases caused by a defect in the immune system and generally characterized by susceptibility to infections and chronic diseases
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Kaposi sarcome
malignancy of connective tissue, including bone, fat, muscle, and fibrous tissue that is commonly fatal (because the tumors readily metastasize to various organs) and closely associated with AIDS
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lymphadenitis
inflammation and enlargement of the lymph nodes usually as a result of infection
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lymphedema
debilitating condition of localized fluid retention and tissue swelling caused by a blockage in the lymphatic system that prevents lymph fluid in the upper limbs from draining adequately
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mononucleosis
actue infection caused by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and characterized by a sore throat, fever, fatigue, and enlarged lymph nodes
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multiple myeloma
malignant disease of bone marrow plasma cells (antibody-producing B lymphocytes)
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non-Hodgkin lymphoma
any of a heterogeneous group of malignant tumors involving lymphoid tissue except for Hodgkin disease; previously called lymphosarcoma
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opportunistic infection
any infection that results from a defective immune system that cannot defend against pathogens normally found in the environment
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stroke
sudden loss of neurological function, caused by vascular injury (loss of blood flow) to an area of the brain; also known as CVA
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systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)
chronic autoimmune inflammatory disease with variable features that affect many body systems, particularly the skin, kidneys, heart, and lungs
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bone marrow aspiration
removal of a small amount of tissue (bone marrow biopsy) to diagnose blood disorders (such as anemias), cancers, or infectious diseases or to gather cells for later infusion into a patient (bone marrow transplantation)
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ELISA
test to screen blood for presence of HIV antibodies or for other disease-causing substances
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lymphangiography
radiographic examination of lymph glands and lymphatic vessels after an injection of a contrast medium to view the path of lymph flow as it moves into the chest region
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tissue typing
technique used to determine the histocompatibility of tissues; used in grafts and transplants with the recipient's tissues and cells; also known as histocompatibility testing
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western blot
test to detect presence of viral DNA in the blood and used to confirm the diagnosis of AIDS as well as detecting other viruses
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blood transfusion
administration of whole blood or a component, such as packed red cells, to replace blood lost through trauma, surgery, or disease
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bone marrow transplant
diseased bone marrow is destroyed by irradiation and chemotherapy, then replaced from a healthy donor to simulate production of normal blood cells; used to treat aplastic anemia, leukemia, and certain cancers
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lymphangiectomy
removal of a lymph vessel
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anticoagulants
prevent or delay blood coagulation
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immunizations
vaccination or injection of immune globulins to induce immunity to a particular infectious disease
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immunosuppressants
suppress the immune response to prevent organ rejection after transplantation or slow the progression of autoimmune disease
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thrombolytics
dissolve a blood clot
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vaccinations
introduction of altered antigens (viruses or bacteria) into the body to produce an immune response and protect against disease
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