What Is Systemic Lupus Erythematosus? Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune inflammatory disease that is characterized by involvement of multiple organs due to the production of antibodies to components of the cell nucleus.1 SLE has an unpredictable course of acute ...
Read More »Sjögren’s Syndrome
What Is Sjögren’s Syndrome? Sjögren’s syndrome is a systemic inflammatory autoimmune disease with a chronic, progressive course that primarily attacks the lacrimal glands of the eye and the salivary glands of the mouth, which are exocrine glands. Exocrine glands secrete the substances they ...
Read More »Autoimmune Disorders In Celiac Disease
What Are Autoimmune Disorders? Autoimmune disorders refer to those conditions that involve an abnormal immune attack on the body’s own tissues perpetuated by the production of autoantibodies directed against the body, or “self.” Auto means self. Q: Why does the ...
Read More »Asthma
What Is Asthma? Asthma is a chronic immune respiratory condition characterized by narrowing and inflammation of the lung airways (large bronchi, bronchial tubes and small bronchioles) in response to an allergen as the trigger or stimulus. As such, asthma occurs ...
Read More »Urticaria or Hives, Chronic
What Is Chronic Urticaria? Urticaria is an immune based skin disorder characterized by multiple eruptions of well-demarcated edematous, intensely pruritic (itchy) plaques that may be small or reach the diameter of many centimeters with surrounding erythema (redness) each lasting less ...
Read More »Food Allergy – IgE and Non IgE
What Is Food Allergy? Food allergy is an abnormal immune response to food proteins that may damage the small intestinal lining and produce malabsorption of food. The reaction is usually delayed which makes it difficult to identify the offending food that ...
Read More »Anti-Endomysium Antibodies (EMA) Present In Blood
What Are Anti-Endomysium Antibodies? Anti-endomysium antibodies (EmA) are connective tissue autoantibodies produced in persons who have inherited the genes for celiac disease, an autoimmune disease, and are reacting to gluten in their diet. Autoantibodies are abnormal in that they attack ...
Read More »Anti-tissue Transglutaminase Antibodies (tTG) Present In Blood
What Are Anti-tissue Transglutaminase Antibodies? Anti-tissue transglutaminase antibodies (anti-tTG) are connective tissue autoantibodies and can be detected in blood samples from affected persons who are reacting to gluten in the diet. Autoantibodies are abnormal because they attack the body’s own ...
Read More »Autoimmune Polyglandular Syndromes
What Are Autoimmune Polyglandular Syndromes? Autoimmune polyglandular syndromes (APS) are rare clusterings of two or more endocrine and non-endocrine autoimmune disorders in the same affected person. Polyglandular is somewhat of a misnomer since many of the manifestations of the diseases ...
Read More »Antiphospholipid Syndrome
What Is Antiphospholipid Syndrome? Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is an autoimmune disease and a blood clotting disorder characterized by these clinical and laboratory criteria: Clinical criteria – recurrent vascular thrombosis (clots in veins/arteries) from hypercoagulability (abnormal excessive clotting) and/or recurrent complications of ...
Read More »Juvenile Autoimmune Thyroid Disease
What Is Juvenile Autoimmune Thyroid Disease? Juvenile autoimmune thyroid disease is an autoimmune disorder occurring in childhood that targets and damages the thyroid gland, often causing goiter. It is characterized by abnormal circulating thyroid hormone levels in the bloodstream. Recent evidence ...
Read More »Dermatitis Herpetiformis In Childhood
What Is Dermatitis Herpetiformis In Childhood? Dermatitis herpetiformis in childhood is an inflammatory skin manifestation of celiac disease in which immunoglobulin A (IgA) autoantibodies target components of the skin, leading to blister formation caused by ingestion of gluten in the diet. Dermatitis ...
Read More »Chronic Bullous Dermatosis of Childhood or Linear IgA Dermatosis
What Is Chronic Bullous Dermatosis Of Childhood? Chronic bullous dermatosis of childhood, also termed linear IgA dermatosis, is the most common acquired autoimmune blistering disorder of childhood and is characterized by itchy, urticated papules and plaques as well as polycyclic lesions (merged ...
Read More »Hair, Fine With Rough Texture
What Is Fine Hair With Rough Texture? Fine hair (lower diameter across the width) with rough texture is an abnormal hair shaft feature altered from the normal diameter and smooth quality of hair. Q: What is the normal diameter and smooth quality of ...
Read More »IgA Deficiency
What Is IgA Deficiency? IgA deficiency (IgAD) is an immunodeficiency disease characterized by lack of immunoglobulin A type antibody production, called IgA antibody, with no detectable levels in blood or secretions. Q: What is an IgA antibody? A: IgA is ...
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