Book contents
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- List of contributors
- List of abbreviations
- Foreword
- Preface
- Introduction
- Part I Scientific basis of pediatric HIV care
- 1 Normal development and physiology of the immune system
- 2 HIV basic virology for clinicians
- 3 The immunology of pediatric HIV disease
- 4 The clinical virology of pediatric HIV disease
- 5 The natural history of pediatric HIV disease
- 6 The epidemiology of pediatric HIV disease
- Part II General issues in the care of pediatric HIV patients
- Part III Antiretroviral therapy
- Part IV Clinical manifestations of HIV infection in children
- Part V Infectious problems in pediatric HIV disease
- Part VI Medical, social, and legal issues
- Appendices
- Index
- Plate section
- References
1 - Normal development and physiology of the immune system
from Part I - Scientific basis of pediatric HIV care
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 03 February 2010
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- List of contributors
- List of abbreviations
- Foreword
- Preface
- Introduction
- Part I Scientific basis of pediatric HIV care
- 1 Normal development and physiology of the immune system
- 2 HIV basic virology for clinicians
- 3 The immunology of pediatric HIV disease
- 4 The clinical virology of pediatric HIV disease
- 5 The natural history of pediatric HIV disease
- 6 The epidemiology of pediatric HIV disease
- Part II General issues in the care of pediatric HIV patients
- Part III Antiretroviral therapy
- Part IV Clinical manifestations of HIV infection in children
- Part V Infectious problems in pediatric HIV disease
- Part VI Medical, social, and legal issues
- Appendices
- Index
- Plate section
- References
Summary
Overview
Clinicians involved in the care of children with HIV infection are faced with the dual challenge of understanding the effect of HIV on the immune system and applying this knowledge to patients who, even under normal circumstances, have an immature and changing immune response. Understanding the function of the immune system and the developmental differences in the immune system of children compared with adults will facilitate and improve patient care. This knowledge will aid in effectively interpreting laboratory results, help define disease risk, and improve the understanding of the manifestations and outcome of HIV infection in children. This chapter provides a framework for understanding the unique features of the developing pediatric immune system and how it may affect the course of HIV infection in children.
The functions of the vertebrate immune system include discrimination between self and foreign antigens, the development of a memory response to antigens, recognition of neoplasms and the elimination of pathogens that invade the host. The immune system can be divided into two separate components based on the rapidity and specificity of the response. The “innate arm” of the immune system provides a rapid, non-specific response to pathogens and provides the first line of defense against invading microbes. It also acts as a surveillance system and facilitates the initiation of the antigen-specific phase of the immune system.
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- Information
- Textbook of Pediatric HIV Care , pp. 5 - 19Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2005