Secondary immunodeficiency is a violation of the immune system that develops in the postnatal period. It can also occur in adults.
There are three types of secondary immunodeficiencies: induced, acquired, spontaneous.
One of the striking examples of the acquired form is AIDS. Immunity, in this case, is due to the action of the human immunodeficiency virus.
The induced form arises under the action of specific causes that lead to its appearance. These include x-ray radiation, the use of corticosteroids, cytostatic therapy, surgical interventions, injuries, a violation of the immune system, which develops secondary to the underlying disease (kidney, liver, diabetes, malignant neoplasms).
In the absence of an obvious reason that causes a violation of reactivity, secondary immunodeficiency is called spontaneous. Clinically, it manifests itself often as a recurring disease of an infectious-inflammatory nature in the broncho-pulmonary apparatus, sinuses, urogenital, gastrointestinal tract, eyes, skin, soft tissues, which are caused by opportunistic microorganisms. Therefore, sluggish, chronic, often recurring inflammatory processes of diverse localization in adults determine the clinical manifestations of secondary immunodeficiency states.
The dominant form of these states is spontaneous. Primary immunodeficiency differs from secondary in that it is based on congenital disorders of the immune system.
With this disease, the function of all parts of the system is disrupted: T-, B-cell, phagocytic, complement. To identify such defects, patients are divided into three groups:
- there are pronounced deviations of the immune system, which are combined with a change in its parameters;
- there are only signs of insufficiency of the immune system, which are not accompanied by a change in its parameters;
- there are changes in parameters that are not accompanied by signs of immune deficiency.
Secondary immunodeficiency is detected using laboratory tests: determination of the immune status (the number of leukocytes, subpopulations of B and T lymphocytes, the level of immunoglobulins M, G, A, phagocytosis are examined). Additional methods are the identification of concomitant pathology and its further treatment. Also, non-specific indicators of the acute phase, interferon status are determined. Instrumental diagnostics is also an essential diagnostic factor that identifies this condition. Only after all diagnostic studies have been carried out, specific drug therapy is prescribed, which helps prevent the development of a disease such as secondary immunodeficiency.
Treatment of this condition is carried out in accordance with its severity and associated pathologies.
In case of damage to cells that belong to the monocyte-macrophage complex, polyoxidonium, lycopid, molgramostim, filgramostim, leukomass are used.
Defects in cellular immunity require the use of polyoxidonium, tactivin, tamopin, immunofan, thymogen, thymoline, myelopid.
Substitution therapy is recommended for violations of the humoral link. Sandoglobulin, octagam, intraglobin, immunoglobulin, biaven, pentaglobin are used.
Secondary immunodeficiency with inpatient treatment is cured after 20-30 days. In the future, patients should be observed by an immunologist and specialists in basic diseases. With an exacerbation of the disease, repeated treatment is required, for which the above drugs are used.