Immunocompetence

Immunocompetence

Immunocompetence is the ability of the body to produce a normal immune response (i.e., antibody production and/or cell-mediated immunity) following exposure to an antigen, which might be an actual virus itself or an immunization shot. Immunocompetence is the opposite of immunodeficiency or immuno-incompetent or immuno-compromised. Several examples would be a newborn that does not yet have a fully functioning immune system but may have maternally transmitted antibody - immunodeficient; A late stage aids patient with a failed or failing immune system - immuno-incompetent; or a transplant reciepient taking medication so their body will not reject the donated organ - immunocompomised. There may be cases of overlap but these terms are all indicators of non fully functioning immune system.

In reference to lymphocytes, immunocompetence means that a B cell or T cell is mature and can recognize antigens and allow a person to mount an immune response.

ee also

*cell-mediated immunity
*humoral immunity


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  • Immunocompetence — Immunocompétence Un organisme immunocompétent est un organisme au système immunitaire normal, en opposition à un organisme immunodépression. Ce document provient de « Immunocomp%C3%A9tence ». Catégories : Système immunitaire | Immunologie …   Wikipédia en Français

  • immunocompetence — The ability to produce a normal immune response. * * * im·mu·no·com·pe·tence käm pət ən(t)s n the capacity for a normal immune response <altered the immunocompetence of the lymphocytes> im·mu·no·com·pe·tent ənt adj * * *… …   Medical dictionary

  • immunocompétence — immunocompétent, ente [ imynokɔ̃petɑ̃, ɑ̃t ] adj. • 1967; de immuno et compétent ♦ Biol. Se dit de cellules susceptibles d intervenir dans les processus immunitaires. Lymphocytes immunocompétents. N. f. IMMUNOCOMPÉTENCE , v. 1970 …   Encyclopédie Universelle

  • immunocompetence — noun Date: 1966 the capacity for a normal immune response • immunocompetent adjective …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • Immunocompétence — Un organisme immunocompétent est un organisme au système immunitaire normal, en opposition à un organisme immunodéprimé. Portail de la médecine …   Wikipédia en Français

  • immunocompetence — See immunocompetent. * * * …   Universalium

  • immunocompetence — noun The bodys capacity to develop an immune response following exposure to an antigen See Also: immunocompetent …   Wiktionary

  • immunocompetence — im·mu·no·competence …   English syllables

  • immunocompetence — The ability to produce a normal immune response …   English dictionary of cancer terms

  • immunocompetence — noun the ability to develop an immune response following exposure to an antigen • Ant: ↑immunodeficiency • Derivationally related forms: ↑immunocompetent • Hypernyms: ↑ability * * * immunocomˈpetence noun The capacity of the immune system to d …   Useful english dictionary

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