| acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) | A severe disruption of the body's immune mechanism caused by viral (HIV) infection of certain lymphocytes (white blood cells) needed to initiate immune responses. 170
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| antibodies (immunoglobulins) | Y-shaped protein molecules produced by B lymphocytes to destroy or inactivate specific antigens. 138, 175
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| antigen | Any substance that stimulates an immune response. 137, 173
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| B lymphocytes (B cells) | Lymphocytes that produce a type of immunity called humoral immunity. 174
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| cell-mediated immunity | Immunity produced by T cells; its target is usually the cell of a pathogen or an abnormal human cell. 174
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| cytomegalovirus (CMV) | A common virus that causes mild or asymptomatic infections in most people, but severe infections in HIV patients. 182
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| homogeneous | Uniform in structure. All of the same kind. 184
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| human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) | The virus that causes AIDS. 176
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| humoral immunity | The immune response produced by the release of antibodies by B lymphocytes. 174
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| Kaposi's Sarcoma (KS) | A cancer of the connective tissues. 181
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| lymphatic system | The body system that conveys excessive fluid from the tissues to the bloodstream and houses the immunity-producing white blood cells called lymphocytes. 173
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| lymph nodes | Rounded structures along lymph vessels that produce certain white blood cells and serve as filters to keep pathogens and cancer cells from entering the bloodstream. 173
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| lymphocytes | White blood cells involved in producing immunity. 138, 174
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| mutation | A change in DNA which affects the function or sequence of a gene. 177
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| opportunistic infections | Infections that the bodily defenses would normally hold in check; these pathogens require a special opportunity to produce disease. 181
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| pandemic | A disease that is epidemic at the same time in many parts of the world. 170
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| phagocytes | White blood cells that engulf and kill pathogens. 176
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| Pneumocystis carinii | Fungus that causes pneumonia in many AIDS patients. 181
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| protease | An enzyme that splits a protein molecule. 184
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| protease inhibitors | Drugs that block the action of protease, which is needed to complete the assembly of new HIV particles. 184
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| retroviruses | Viruses containing RNA that converts to DNA upon entering a host cell. 176
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| seroconversion | The process of becoming positive on an HIV antibody test. 180
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| seronegative | Having a negative test for HIV antibodies. 180
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| stem cells | Immature lymphocytes capable of developing into various types of immune cells. 174
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| T lymphocytes (T cells) | Lymphocytes that produce a type of immunity called cell-mediated immunity. 174
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| transplacental | Across the placenta. 179
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2002 McGraw-Hill Higher Education