2024-01-01 14:00:00
Immunosuppression is a condition in which the immune system does not work as well as it should. This can be caused by certain illnesses, but also by medications that suppress the immune system. Certain medical procedures can also cause immunosuppression.
The immune system and how it works
The immune system is made up of cells, tissues and organs that help the body defend once morest infections. Without an intact immune system, infections that the body would normally control can become serious or even fatal.
Immunosuppressive drugs
There are several medications taken to reduce inflammation. Some of them, called immunosuppressants, suppress specific parts of the immune system or the immune system as a whole.
Corticosteroids, also known as steroids, are oral, topical, inhaled, and intravenous medications used to dampen the immune response. Corticosteroids are prescribed to treat a variety of disorders, including allergies, autoimmune diseases, blood disorders, hormonal disorders, inflammatory eye conditions, and obstructive respiratory diseases.
Long-term use of corticosteroids may cause immunosuppression. For example, regular users of prednisone, one of the most commonly prescribed steroids, are at increased risk of bacterial, viral, and fungal infections.
Chemotherapy is used to shrink cancer cells and help people with cancer achieve or maintain remission. Chemotherapy drugs specifically target cells that reproduce quickly, including cancer cells, but also those in hair, skin and the gastrointestinal tract. Bone marrow suppression explains the high risk of infections in people receiving cancer treatment.
Monoclonal antibodies are disease-fighting proteins produced in the laboratory, mimicking the natural antibodies the body produces to fight disease. These drugs are increasingly used to treat a variety of diseases, including autoimmune disorders, cancers, and virally induced infections. However, monoclonal antibodies can also disrupt the normal functioning of the immune system, leading to an imbalance of immune cells and an increased risk of infection.
Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) inhibitors are immunosuppressive medications used to treat inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, plaque psoriasis, ankylosing spondylitis, ulcerative colitis, and Crohn’s disease. These medications inhibit the action of an inflammatory compound called tumor necrosis factor. The immunosuppressive effect of TNF-α inhibitors may significantly increase the risk of opportunistic infections.
Medical causes of immunosuppression
Temporary immunosuppression can be caused by a variety of common infections, including influenza and mononucleosis, which weaken the immune response. However, when immune cells or other components of the immune system are the target of infection, severe immunosuppression can occur.
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)st characterized by the progressive deterioration of the immune system. The virus preferentially targets CD4 T lymphocytes, white blood cells responsible for signaling and coordinating the immune response. As the number of CD4 T cells gradually declines, the body becomes vulnerable to an increasingly wide range of opportunistic infections associated with HIV.
Asplenia is the term used to describe the lack of normal function of the spleen. The spleen plays a key role in the immune response, and loss of spleen function is associated with serious risks of infection.
Hereditary immune disorders, called primary immunodeficiencies (PDI), are considered rare. However, there are over 300 different IDPs known to alter different aspects of the immune response. With IDP, the immune system does not produce enough immune cells to mount an effective defense.
Certain medical procedures can also cause immunosuppression, directly or indirectly. This usually happens when key components of the immune system, such as the spleen or bone marrow, are damaged or removed.
Overall, it is essential to understand the causes and effects of immunosuppression in order to take the necessary precautions to avoid infections. People with immunosuppression, whether temporary or chronic, should avoid contact with people carrying contagious infections, avoid public places and wash their hands regularly. It is also important to consult a healthcare professional for specific advice on preventing infections.
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François Lehn has been a science/health journalist for 15 years. Specializing in new health approaches and complementary care, he notably had the opportunity to collaborate for two years with Professor David Servan-Schreiber. Passionate regarding integrative medicine and the complementarity of different preventive and therapeutic health approaches, he tirelessly seeks the best information, health practitioners, doctors or researchers in order to provide the most reliable and useful knowledge for everyone’s health.
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