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Autoimmunity: meaning, definitions and examples

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autoimmunity

 

[ ˌɔːtəʊɪˈmjuːnɪti ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

medical condition

Autoimmunity refers to a condition in which the immune system mistakenly attacks the body's own tissues and organs. This immune response can lead to a variety of autoimmune diseases, where common examples include rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and multiple sclerosis. It represents a failure in the immune system's ability to differentiate between self and non-self.

Synonyms

autoimmune response, self-immunity.

Examples of usage

  • Many people with autoimmune diseases experience chronic inflammation.
  • Autoimmunity can lead to various symptoms depending on which organs are affected.
  • Treatment often involves immunosuppressive medications to manage the immune response.

Translations

Translations of the word "autoimmunity" in other languages:

🇵🇹 autoimunidade

🇮🇳 स्वप्रतिरक्षा

🇩🇪 Autoimmunität

🇮🇩 autoimunitas

🇺🇦 аутоімунітет

🇵🇱 autoimmunizacja

🇯🇵 自己免疫

🇫🇷 auto-immunité

🇪🇸 autoinmunidad

🇹🇷 otoimmünite

🇰🇷 자가면역

🇸🇦 المناعة الذاتية

🇨🇿 autoimunita

🇸🇰 autoimunita

🇨🇳 自身免疫

🇸🇮 avtoimunost

🇮🇸 sjálfónæmi

🇰🇿 аутоиммунитет

🇬🇪 ავტოიმუნიტეტი

🇦🇿 autoimmunitet

🇲🇽 autoinmunidad

Etymology

The term 'autoimmunity' is derived from the prefix 'auto-', which comes from the Greek word 'αὐτός' meaning 'self', and 'immunity', which is derived from the Latin word 'immunitas' meaning 'exemption' or 'freedom from' (usually referring to the body's defense system against foreign invaders). The understanding of autoimmunity began to take shape in the early 20th century, when scientists observed that some diseases appeared to be caused by a misdirected immune response against the body's own tissues rather than an external pathogen. This burgeoning field of study gained relevance with discoveries related to specific autoimmune diseases, leading to extensive research in areas of immunology and pathology. The recognition of autoimmunity's role in human health has evolved significantly, highlighting the complexity of the immune system and its functions.

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #29,433, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.