Gammaglobulin Health Dictionary

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Gammaglobulin: From 1 Different Sources

any of a class of proteins, present in the blood *plasma, identified by their characteristic rate of movement in an electric field (see electrophoresis). Almost all gammaglobulins are *immunoglobulins. Injection of gammaglobulin provides temporary protection against *hepatitis A and reduces the incidence of coronary artery involvement in *Kawasaki disease. Infusions of gammaglobulin are used to treat immunodeficiencies or immune-mediated disorders, such as autoimmune haemolytic *anaemia or *idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura. See also globulin.
Health Source: Oxford | Concise Colour Medical Dictionary
Author: Jonathan Law, Elizabeth Martin

Kawasaki Disease

A rare acute illness of unknown cause that most commonly affects children under 2.

The disease is characterized by fever lasting 1–2 weeks, conjunctivitis, dryness and cracking of the lips, swollen lymph nodes in the neck, reddening of the palms and soles, and a generalized rash.

By the end of the 2nd week of illness, the skin at the tips of the fingers and toes peels and other symptoms subside.

The heart muscle and coronary arteries are affected in about 1 in 5 cases.

High dose gammaglobulin and aspirin may be given to prevent associated heart complications.

Most children recover completely.... kawasaki disease

Immunoglobulins

Immunoglobulins are a group of naturally occurring proteins that act as ANTIBODIES. They are structurally related, their di?erences determining their biological behaviour. Humans have ?ve types of immunoglobulin with di?erent protective functions: IgA, IgD, IgE, IgG and IgM. In the laboratory these are separated and identi?ed by a chemical process called electrophoresis. Most antibodies have a molecular weight of 160,000.

Certain immunoglobulins can be used in the active or passive immunity of people against infectious diseases such as RABIES and viral HEPATITIS (see also IMMUNITY and GAMMAGLOBULIN). They are also used in treating certain immunological conditions such as KAWASAKI DISEASE.... immunoglobulins

Immunoglobulin Injection

Administration of immunoglobulin preparations

(antibodies) to prevent or treat infectious diseases. Such preparations, also known as immune globulin or gammaglobulin, work by passing on antibodies obtained from the blood of people who have previously been exposed to these diseases. The main use of these injections is to prevent infectious diseases, such as chickenpox, in people exposed to infection who are not already immune or are at special risk (during cancer treatment, for example). They are also given regularly for immunodeficiency disorders. Side effects include rash, fever, and pain and tenderness at the injection site.... immunoglobulin injection

Agammaglobulinaemia

n. a total deficiency of the plasma protein *gammaglobulin. Compare hypogammaglobulinaemia.... agammaglobulinaemia

Hepatitis

n. inflammation of the liver caused by viruses, toxic substances (including alcohol), autoimmune disease, metabolic disease, or the excess deposition of fat (see nonalcoholic fatty liver disease). Infectious hepatitis is caused by viruses, several types of which have been isolated. These include hepatitis A, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, hepatitis D, and hepatitis E. Other viral causes of hepatitis include *Epstein-Barr virus, *cytomegalovirus, and rarely *herpes simplex virus. Hepatitis A is transmitted by food or drink contaminated by a carrier or patient and commonly occurs where sanitation is poor. After an incubation period of 15–40 days, the patient develops fatigue, anorexia, nausea, vomiting, arthralgia, and fever. Yellow discoloration of the skin (see jaundice) appears about a week later and persists for up to three weeks. The patient may be infectious throughout this period. Serious complications are unusual and an attack often confers immunity. Injection of *gammaglobulin provides temporary protection, but active immunization is preferable.

Hepatitis B (formerly known as serum hepatitis) is transmitted by infected blood or blood products contaminating hypodermic needles, blood transfusions, or tattooing needles, by unprotected sexual contact, or (rarely) by contact with any other body fluid. It often occurs in drug users. Symptoms, which develop suddenly after an incubation period of 1–6 months, include headache, fever, chills, general weakness, and jaundice. Treatment includes *interferon alfa and other oral antivirals (e.g. *lamivudine, *adefovir dipivoxil, entecavir). Most patients make a gradual recovery but the mortality rate is 5–20%. A vaccine is available.

Hepatitis C (formerly known as non-A, non-B hepatitis) has a mode of transmission similar to that of hepatitis B (predominantly intravenous drug abuse). Treatment is with interferon alfa, peginterferon alfa, ribavirin, telaprevir, and boceprevir.

Hepatitis D is a defective virus that can only proliferate when there is infection with hepatitis B. Patients with D virus usually have severe chronic hepatitis.

Hepatitis E is transmitted by infected food or drink and can cause acute hepatitis; it is especially severe in a pregnant patient.

Chronic hepatitis continues for months or years, eventually leading to *cirrhosis and possibly to malignancy (see hepatoma). It is usually caused by chronic viral hepatitis, alcohol, or autoimmune disease.... hepatitis

Hypogammaglobulinaemia

n. a deficiency of the protein *gammaglobulin in the blood. It may occur in a variety of inherited disorders or as an acquired defect, as in chronic lymphocytic *leukaemia (CLL). Since gammaglobulin consists mainly of antibodies (*immunoglobulins), hypogammaglobulinaemia results in an increased susceptibility to infections.... hypogammaglobulinaemia

Immunoglobulin

(Ig) n. one of a group of structurally related proteins (*gammaglobulins) that act as antibodies. Several classes of Ig with different functions are distinguished – IgA, IgD, IgE, IgG, and IgM. They can be separated by *immunoelectrophoresis. See antibody.... immunoglobulin

Plasmacytoma

n. a malignant tumour of plasma cells, often known as a ‘solitary myeloma’. Although usually occurring as a single tumour in bone marrow or more rarely soft tissue (extramedullary plasmacytoma), it may be multiple, in which case it is classified as a multiple myeloma. All of these tumours may produce the abnormal gammaglobulins that are characteristic of myeloma, and they may progress to widespread myeloma. The soft-tissue tumours often respond to radiotherapy and to such drugs as thalidomide and cyclophosphamide; the bone tumours are typically less responsive.... plasmacytoma

Podocyte

n. an epithelial cell in the *glomerulus that spreads over the capillary basement membrane and has branching tentacle-like processes that interdigitate with adjacent cells. The podocytes leave gaps or thin filtration slits. The slits are covered by slit diaphragms, which are composed of a number of cell-surface proteins including *nephrin, podocalyxin, and P-cadherin, which ensure that large molecules, such as albumin and gammaglobulin, are not filtered. Podocytes are damaged in *minimal change nephropathy and a major target of injury in *HIVAN.... podocyte

Myeloma

(multiple myeloma, myelomatosis) n. a malignant disease of the bone marrow, characterized by two or more of the following criteria: (1) the presence of an excess of abnormal malignant plasma cells in the bone marrow; (2) typical *lytic deposits in the bones on X-ray, giving the appearance of holes; (3) the presence in the serum of an abnormal gammaglobulin, usually IgG (an immunoglobulin; see paraprotein). *Bence-Jones protein may also be found in the serum or urine. The patient may complain of tiredness due to anaemia and of bone pain and may develop pathological fractures. Treatment is usually with such drugs as steroids, melphalan, cyclophosphamide, or thalidomide with local radiotherapy to particular areas of pain. See also plasmacytoma.... myeloma

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