Immunofluorescence A type ofimmunohistochemistry
in which the antibody is labeled with a fluorescent
dye.
Immunogen Any molecule or organism that stimulates a
specific immune response.
Immunoglobulins (Igs) A collective name for the five
classes ofantibodies.
Immunohistochemical techniques This refers to the
use of labeledantibodiesto detectantigenson or in
cells.
Immunological diseases Clinical conditions that occur
when the immune system causes damage to the
body’s own tissues or when it is deficient and unable
to respond appropriately topathogensandparasites.
Immunological hypersensitivity A state in which an
immune response, often to a seemingly innocuous
immunogen, results in tissue damage.
Immunological memory A molecular memory that allows
a rapid protective response on second or subsequent
contact with an immunogen.
Immunology The study of the immune system and how
it works.
Immunology laboratories Those involved in the study of
theimmune systemand its responses in both healthy
and diseased states.
Immunotherapy Treatments that manipulate the immune
system in order to improve its response against for
example acancer.
Incidence rate The number of new cases of a disease in
a population occurring within a specified period of
time.
Incubation period The time that must elapse before a
disease becomes apparent following exposure to the
etiological agent.
Infarct A segment of tissue damaged by a disruption of its
blood supply (seeinfarction).
Infarction The death (necrosis) of a section of tissue
following a disruption to its blood supply (see also
infarct).
Infection The successful persistence and/or multiplica-
tion of a pathogen on or within the host.
Infectious diseases Diseases caused bypathogens, such
as viruses and microorganisms (bacteria, fungi, proto-
zoa and helminths).
Infective dose A measure of virulence, being the mini-
mum number of organisms or virus particles that can
cause aninfectious disease.
Inflammation The array of responses to infection and tis-
sue damage, such as localized pain, redness, swelling
and heat.Interphase The period of the cell cycle betweenmitosis
ormeiosis.Intervention studies Studies aimed at changing diet and
lifestyle in order to attempt to reduce theincidenceof
a disease associated with current activities.Intrinsic factor A glycoprotein secreted by the gastric
parietal cells that binds vitamin B 12 in the stomach
and carries it to specific receptors on the mucosal
surface of the ileum.Intron Seeexon.Isograft A transplant of a piece of tissue from one site
to another on the same patient such as skin graft-
ing in burns (see also allograft and xenogeneic
transplants).Isohemagglutinins Antibodies against blood group anti-
gens that cause theagglutinationoferythrocytes.Karyogram The photographic representation of an
individual’s chromosome complement stained and
arranged in order (see also idiogramand karyotype).Karyotype The characteristic number, size and shape of
the chromosome complement of an individual or spe-
cies (see also idiogramand karyogram).Kernicterus Brain damage caused by the accumulation of
bilirubin in the brain to concentrations of 200 μmol
dm–3and above.Ketone bodies Acetoacetate, acetone, andA-hydroxybuty-
rate.Ketonemia Accumulation of ketone bodies (e.g. acetoace-
tate,A-hydroxybutyrate) in the blood.Ketonuria Excretion of ketone bodies in the urine.Korotkoff sounds The clear characteristic sounds that
can be heard with a stethoscope due to the turbu-
lence generated as the blood flows through a partially
occluded artery, for example when measuring blood
pressure.Kussmaul respiration Deep sighing breathing associated
with the hyperventilation of metabolic acidosis.Kwashiorkor A protein-energy deficient nutritional con-
dition that develops in children typically 3–5 years
old who have been abruptly weaned when a new
sibling is born. Derived from one the Kwa languages
of Ghana meaningthe one who is displaced.See also
marasmus.Large granular lymphocytes Mononuclear leukocytes
involved in nonspecific immunity.GLOSSARYCZhhVg6]bZY!BVjgZZc9Vlhdc!8]g^hHb^i]:YLddY mmk