Question

1. Compare and contrast acquired immune deficiency syndrome and primary immune deficiency.

Make sure I can understand it and it makes sense, please. Thank you

Answer 1

Acquired immune deficiency syndrome is a condition where a healthy individual "acquires" a disease and the result is that his immune system is impaired and is prone to various infectious diseases. Example is HIV/AIDS. In HIV infection, the virus kills the CD4 lymphocytes which play a key role in both cell mediated and antibody mediated immunity. Due to the decreased CD4 cell counts, the host can no longer fight against invading microbes and succumb to various diseases. Apart from infections, cancers, malnutrition, aging, immunosuppressive medications, chemotherapy and radiotherapy can result in Acquired immune deficiencies.

One cannot get acquired immunodeficiency by birth.

Primary immune deficiency is due to genetic disorders. People get primary immune deficiency by birth as they are genetically determined. Humoral immuno deficiencies (B cell defect), Cellular immunodeficiencies (T cell defect), Combined immunodeficiencies (T and B cel defects), Disorders of phagocytosis, Disorders of complement are classified under primary immunodeficiency disorders.