Immunocompetence
Encyclopedia
Immunocompetence is the ability of the body to produce a normal immune response following exposure to an antigen
. Immunocompetence is the opposite of immunodeficiency
or immuno-incompetent or immuno-compromised. Examples include:
There may be cases of overlap but these terms are all indicators of non fully functioning immune system.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
(CDC) recommends that household and other close contacts of persons with altered immunocompetence receive the MMR
, varicella
, and rotavirus vaccines according to the standard schedule of vaccines, as well as receiving an annual flu shot. All other vaccines may be administered to contacts without alteration to the vaccine schedule, with the exception of the smallpox vaccine
. Persons with altered immunocompetence should not receive live, attenuated vaccines (viral or bacterial), and may not receive the full benefit of inactivated vaccine
s.
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.
Antigen
An antigen is a foreign molecule that, when introduced into the body, triggers the production of an antibody by the immune system. The immune system will then kill or neutralize the antigen that is recognized as a foreign and potentially harmful invader. These invaders can be molecules such as...
. Immunocompetence is the opposite of immunodeficiency
Immunodeficiency
Immunodeficiency is a state in which the immune system's ability to fight infectious disease is compromised or entirely absent. Immunodeficiency may also decrease cancer immunosurveillance. Most cases of immunodeficiency are acquired but some people are born with defects in their immune system,...
or immuno-incompetent or immuno-compromised. Examples include:
- a newborn who does not yet have a fully functioning immune system but may have maternally transmitted antibodiesPassive immunityPassive immunity is the transfer of active humoral immunity in the form of readymade antibodies, from one individual to another. Passive immunity can occur naturally, when maternal antibodies are transferred to the fetus through the placenta, and can also be induced artificially, when high levels...
- immunodeficient; - a late stage AIDSAIDSAcquired immune deficiency syndrome or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome is a disease of the human immune system caused by the human immunodeficiency virus...
patient with a failed or failing immune system - immuno-incompetent; or - a transplant recipient taking medication so their body will not reject the donated organ - immunocompromised.
There may be cases of overlap but these terms are all indicators of non fully functioning immune system.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are a United States federal agency under the Department of Health and Human Services headquartered in Druid Hills, unincorporated DeKalb County, Georgia, in Greater Atlanta...
(CDC) recommends that household and other close contacts of persons with altered immunocompetence receive the MMR
MMR vaccine
The MMR vaccine is an immunization shot against measles, mumps, and rubella . It was first developed by Maurice Hilleman while at Merck in the late 1960s....
, varicella
Varicella vaccine
The varicella vaccine is a live virus that protects against the viral disease commonly known as chickenpox caused by Varicella Zoster Virus . Varicella vaccine is marketed as Varivax in the U.S. by Merck...
, and rotavirus vaccines according to the standard schedule of vaccines, as well as receiving an annual flu shot. All other vaccines may be administered to contacts without alteration to the vaccine schedule, with the exception of the smallpox vaccine
Smallpox vaccine
The smallpox vaccine was the first successful vaccine to be developed. The process of vaccination was discovered by Edward Jenner in 1796, who acted upon his observation that milkmaids who caught the cowpox virus did not catch smallpox...
. Persons with altered immunocompetence should not receive live, attenuated vaccines (viral or bacterial), and may not receive the full benefit of inactivated vaccine
Inactivated vaccine
An inactivated vaccine consists of virus particles which are grown in culture and then killed using a method such as heat or formaldehyde.-Examples:Types include:* viral: polio vaccine and influenza vaccine...
s.
In reference to lymphocytes, immunocompetence means that a B cell
B cell
B cells are lymphocytes that play a large role in the humoral immune response . The principal functions of B cells are to make antibodies against antigens, perform the role of antigen-presenting cells and eventually develop into memory B cells after activation by antigen interaction...
or T cell
T cell
T cells or T lymphocytes belong to a group of white blood cells known as lymphocytes, and play a central role in cell-mediated immunity. They can be distinguished from other lymphocytes, such as B cells and natural killer cells , by the presence of a T cell receptor on the cell surface. They are...
is mature and can recognize antigens and allow a person to mount an immune response.