[Immunology] Introduction

Immunologists specialise in diseases of the immune system, including allergies. The spleen and bone marrow are closely associated with immunological diseases.
There is significant overlap with rheumatology, haematology, and medical genetics.
This is a pathology discipline.  

 

Etymology

Latin immūnis, immūnis, immūne = exempt, immune
Ancient Greek λογία (logia) = study

Immunology = the study of immunity (resistance against infectious diseases)

 

Subspecialties

• Allergy medicine / allergology

 

Investigations

 

History taking

 

Physical examination

 

Key presenting complaints, reasons for referral

• Allergic reactions (type 1 hypersensitivity)  
• Angioedema
• Anaphylaxis 
• Allergic contact dermatitis (type 4 hypersensitivity) 
• Frequent infections
• Rare or severe infections 

Immune system diseases 

Relevant diseases

• Atopy
• Asthma
• Allergic conjunctivitis 
• Atopic dermatitis (eczema)
• Allergic rhinitis (hay fever)
• Drug allergy
• Food allergy  
• Urticaria (hives) 
• Hypersensitivity
• Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis 
• Granulomatosis with polyangiitis
• Hereditary angioedema
• Primary antibody deficiencies
• Hypogammaglobulinaemia
• Primary immunodeficiency disorders
• Autosomal recessive hyper-IgE syndrome
• X-linked Severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID)
• Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome
• Secondary immunodeficiency disorders