immunodeficiency

American  

[im-yuh-noh-di-fish-uhn-see, ih-myoo-] / ˌɪm yə noʊ dɪˈfɪʃ ən si, ɪˌmyu- /

noun

plural

immunodeficiencies

1. impairment of the immune response, predisposing to infection and certain malignancies.

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immunodeficiency British  

/ ˌimjʊnəʊdɪˈfɪʃənsɪ /

noun

1. a deficiency in or breakdown of a person's immune system

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immunodeficiency Scientific  

/ ĭm′yə-nō-dĭ-fĭsh′ən-sē,ĭ-myo̅o̅′- /

1. The inability to produce a normal immune response, caused by an acquired or inherited disease.

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Other Word Forms

• immunodeficient adjective

Etymology

Origin of immunodeficiency

First recorded in 1970–75; immuno- + deficiency

Explanation

When someone's body can't protect itself from infection the way it should, they suffer from an immunodeficiency. Many patients being treated for cancer have immunodeficiencies. Your immune system is the network of cells that works to fight infection throughout your body, and when it isn't functioning well, the result is immunodeficiency. The word is rooted in the Latin immunis, "exempt," and deficere, "to fail." In other words, immunodeficiency is a failure of the system that keeps you free from infections and illness. Various diseases, genetic conditions, and medications can result in this risky situation.

Example Sentences

They point out that malnutrition is the leading cause of immunodeficiency worldwide.

From Science Daily • Jan. 12, 2024

HIV is human immunodeficiency virus, which damages the cells in your immune system and weakens your ability to fight everyday infections and diseases.

From BBC • Jul. 25, 2023

The legal dispute centered on who devised the idea of using a Gilead medication for people at high risk of contracting H.I.V., or the human immunodeficiency virus, which causes AIDS.

From New York Times • May 9, 2023

Further, medical experts have repeatedly emphasized that COVID-19 vaccination has not been linked to developing HIV, or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, which is caused by HIV.

From Seattle Times • Mar. 10, 2023

This can prematurely trigger senescence and contribute to age-related diseases, including immunodeficiency, cardiovascular disease, metabolic disease and cancer.

From Salon • Jul. 23, 2022