The key difference between primary and secondary immunodeficiency disorders is that primary immunodeficiency disorders are due to genetic defects, while secondary immunodeficiency disorders are due to environmental factors such as HIV infection or malnutrition.
Immunodeficiency disorders occur due to full or partial impairment of the immune system. They are mainly divided into two types: primary and secondary immunodeficiency disorders. Primary immunodeficiency disorders are less common and are mainly inherited, whereas secondary immunodeficiency disorders are more common and occur as a consequence of infection, immunosuppression, and malignancy.
CONTENTS
1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What are Primary Immunodeficiency Disorders
3. What are Secondary Immunodeficiency Disorders
4. Similarities – Primary and Secondary Immunodeficiency Disorders
5. Primary vs. Secondary Immunodeficiency Disorders in Tabular Form
6. Summary – Primary vs. Secondary Immunodeficiency Disorders
What are Primary Immunodeficiency Disorders?
Primary immunodeficiency disorders are rare genetic disorders that usually impair the immune system. People with primary immunodeficiency disorders may be subject to chronic, debilitating infections such as the Epstein–Barr virus (EBV), which can ultimately increase the risk of developing cancer. These disorders can be identified in infancy, childhood, or adulthood, depending on the disease severity. In the United States, there are more than 200 different forms of primary immune deficiency disorders, affecting approximately 500,000 people. Moreover, common symptoms of primary immunodeficiency disorders include frequent and recurrent pneumonia, bronchitis, sinus infections, ear infections, meningitis, skin infections, inflammation of the internal organs, blood disorders, digestive problems, delayed growth and development, and autoimmune disorders.
Primary immunodeficiency disorders can be diagnosed through blood tests and prenatal DNA testing. Furthermore, treatment options for primary immunodeficiency disorders may include managing infections with medications, stem cell transplantation, and gene therapy. Examples of primary immunodeficiency disorders may include common variable immunodeficiency, ataxia-telangiectasia, chronic granulomatous disease, DiGeorge syndrome, hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis, selective IgA deficiency, and X-linked agammaglobulinemia.
What are Secondary Immunodeficiency Disorders?
Secondary immunodeficiency disorders are a type of immune deficiency disorder caused by environmental factors such as radiation or chemotherapy, chronic disease, severe burns, HIV infection, leukemia, malnutrition, drugs and medications (in rare cases). Moreover, the most common symptoms of secondary immunodeficiency disorders may include diarrhoea, pneumonia, sinus infections, ear infections, inflammation of the internal organs, colds, pink eye, digestive issues, and yeast infections.
Secondary immunodeficiency disorders can be diagnosed through physical examination and blood tests. Furthermore, treatment options for secondary immunodeficiency disorders may include managing the primary underlying condition, bone marrow transplant, and therapies like HAART (highly active antiretroviral therapy). One of the best examples of secondary immunodeficiency disorders is AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) and some cancers.
What are the Similarities Between Primary and Secondary Immunodeficiency Disorders?
- Primary and secondary immunodeficiency disorders are two types of immunodeficiency disorders.
- Both disorders are due to impairment of the immune system.
- They can cause complications.
- Both disorders can be diagnosed through blood tests.
- They can be treated through transplantation.
What is the Difference Between Primary and Secondary Immunodeficiency Disorders?
Primary immunodeficiency disorders are due to genetic defects, while secondary immunodeficiency disorders are due to environmental factors such as HIV infection or malnutrition. Thus, this is the key difference between primary and secondary immunodeficiency disorders. Furthermore, primary immunodeficiency disorders are less common, whereas secondary immunodeficiency disorders are more common.
The infographic below presents the differences between primary and secondary immunodeficiency disorders in tabular form for side-by-side comparison.
Summary – Primary vs. Secondary Immunodeficiency Disorders
Immunodeficiency disorders occur when the immune responses of the body are reduced or absent. There are two different types of immunodeficiency disorders: primary and secondary immunodeficiency disorders. Primary immunodeficiency disorders are due to genetic defects, while secondary immunodeficiency disorders are due to environmental factors such as HIV infection or malnutrition. Moreover, primary immunodeficiency disorders are less common, whereas secondary immunodeficiency disorders are more common. So, this summarizes the difference between primary and secondary immunodeficiency disorders.
Reference:
1. “What Is Primary Immunodeficiency?” Cleveland Clinic.
1. “12.6b: Secondary Immunodeficiency Diseases.” Biology LibreTexts, Libretexts.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Organs of the Immune System by AIDS.gov” By AIDS.gov – (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Symptoms of acute HIV infection” By Mikael Häggström – (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia