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Vaccine Science: |
Glossary
A | B-D | E-G | H-K | L-N | O-P | Q-S | T-Z BB cells: Small white blood cells that help the body defend itself against infection. These cells are produces in bone marrow and develop into plasma cells that produce antibodies. Also know as B-lymphocytes. Bacteria: Pl. Unicellular prokaryotic organisms that usually multiply by cell division and have a cell wall that provides a constancy of form. They may also be aerobic or anaerobic, motile or non-motile and free-living, saprophytic, parasitic or pathogenic. Bacterial vaccine: Vaccine derived of bacteria. Bacterium: The singular form of bacteria. Balb/c mice: A Transgenic mouse model used in immunologic and oncologic research studies due to its genetic immuno-susceptibility. BCG: Bacille Calmette Guerin attenuated strain of Mycobacterium bovis used in the preparation of BCG vaccine that is used for immunization against tuberculosis and in the cancer chemotherapy. Named after three scientists whose names were adopted as BCG. Bias: Flaws in the collection, analysis or interpretation of research data that lead to incorrect conclusions. Biological plausibility: A causal association (or relationship between two factors) is consistent with existing medical knowledge. Bloodborne pathogens: Infectious agents transmitted through exposure to blood or blood products. Bone marrow: Soft tissue located within bones that produce all blood cells, including the ones that fight infection. Booster shots: Additional doses of a vaccine needed periodically to "boost" the immune system. For example, the tetanus and diphtheria (Td) vaccine, which is recommended for adults every ten years. Brachial neuritis: Inflammation of nerves in the arm causing muscle weakness and pain. Burden of disease: The health and socio-economic cost of a given medical condition of society. CCarcinoembryonic antigen (CEA): A glycoprotein constituent of the glycocalyx of the embryonic endodermal epithelium, generally absent from adult cells with the exception of some carcinomas. It may also be detected in the serum of patients with colon cancer. Causal association: The presence or absence of a variable (e.g. smoking) is responsible for an increase or decrease in another variable (e.g. cancer). A change in exposure leads to a change in the outcome of interest. CD: Clusters of differentiation. Groups of monoclonal antibodies that identify the same surface molecule. The cell surface molecule is designated CD followed by a number (e.g. CD4 and CD8) CD4: The cell surface protein CD4 is important for recognition by the T cell receptor of antigenic peptides bound to MHC class II molecules. It acts as a co-receptor by binding to the lateral face of MHC class II molecules. CD8: The cell surface protein CD8 is important for recognition by the T-cell receptor of antigenic peptides bound to MHC class I molecules. It acts as a co-receptor by binding to the lateral face of MHC class I molecules. Cell adhesion molecules (CAMS): Are cell-surface proteins that are involved in binding cells together in tissues and also in less permanent cell-cell interactions. Cell-mediated immunity: Describes any adaptive response in which antigen-specific T cells have the main role. It is defined operationally as all adaptive immunity that cannot be transferred to a naïve recipient with serum antibody. Challenge: In vaccine experiments, the deliberate exposure of an immunized animal or person to the infectious agent. Chemokines: A group of specific chemotactic polypeptides all of which have a similar structure (4-cystein structure), involved in the migration and activation of cells, especially phagocytic cells and lymphocytes. They have a central role in inflammatory responses. Chlamydia: 1. a sexually transmitted infection caused by the bacteria Chlamydia trachomatis, which can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease. 2. an infection of the eye caused by C. trachomatis, which can lead to trachoma (chlamydial conjunctivitis) and blindness. 3. a respiratory infection caused by Chlamydia pneumoniae, which can lead to pneumonia. Chronic health condition: A health related state that lasts for a long period of time (e.g. cancer, asthma). Cirrhosis: A chronic scarring of the liver that can result in hepatic failure, jaundice and death. Cis-platin: A chemotherapeutic drug that is based on a metallic element (platinum complex). Its greatest impact has been on testicular and ovarian cancers but its limitations are the often severe nephro- and neurotoxicity. Clinical trial: A scientifically controlled study carried out under specific conditions, usually to test the effectiveness of a new treatment. Clone: A population of cells all derived from a single progenitor cells. Combination vaccine: A vaccine that combines several antigens to induce protection against disease. Communicable: Capable of spreading disease. Also known as infectious. Community immunity: Having a large percentage of the population vaccinated in order to prevent the spread of certain infectious diseases. Even individuals not vaccinated (such as newborns and those with chronic illnesses) are offered some protection because the disease has little opportunity to spread within the community. Also known as herd immunity. Containment of antimicrobial resistance: Infectious disease control measures that minimize the emergence and spread of antimicrobial-resistant microorganisms. Conjugate vaccines: Vaccines made from capsular polysaccharides bound to proteins of known immunogenicty, such as tetanus toxoid. Conjugate: Joined or paired. Contraindication: A condition in a recipient, which is likely to result in a life-threatening problem if a vaccine were given. Cost effectiveness: Ratio comparing the results of a healthcare program or procedure to the direct and indirect net costs of this program or procedure. Cross-priming: A phenomenon whereby virus like particles act as an adjuvant by carrying peptide sequences inside the antigen presenting cell and feeding peptides into the endogenous processing pathway. Crohn's disease: A chronic medical condition characterized by inflammation of the bowel. Symptoms include abdominal pain, diarrhea, fever, loss of appetite and weight loss. The cause of Crohn's disease is not yet known, but genetic, dietary and infectious factors may play a part. CTEP: Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program. CTL: Cytotoxic T lymphocytes. Cytoplasm: The living matter within a cell (excluding the nucleus) that is responsible for the function of the cell (for example, protein synthesis). Cytokines: Hormone-like low molecular weight proteins secreted by many different cell types, which regulate the intensity and duration of immune responses. Cytokines amplify some parts of the immune system and suppress other parts. Many cytokines have been identified such as interferon-a,b, tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF). Cytokines made by lymphocytes are often called lymphokines or interleukins (IL). Cytotoxicity: The property of being poisonous to cells. Cytotoxic T cells: T cells that can kill other cells. Most cytotoxic cells are MHC class I-restricted CD8 cells, but CD4 T cells can also kill in some cases. Cytotoxic T cells are important in host defense against cytosolic pathogens. DDemyelinating disorders: A medical condition where the myelin sheath is damaged. The myelin sheath surrounds nerves and is responsible for the transmission of impulses to the brain. Damage to the myelin sheath results in muscle weakness, poor coordination and possible paralysis. Examples of demyelinating disorders include Multiple Sclerosis (MS), optic neuritis, transverse neuritis and Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS). Dendritic cell: Also known as interdigitating reticular cells, are found in T cell areas of lymphoid tissues. They have a branched or dendritic morphology and are the most potent stimulators of T cell response. Non-lymphoid tissues also contain dendritic cells but these do not seem to stimulate T cell responses until they are activated and migrate to lymphoid tissues. The dendritic cell derives from bone marrow precursors. It is distinct from the follicular dendritic cell that presents antigen to be cells. Diabetes: A chronic health condition where the body is unable to produce insulin and properly breakdown sugar (glucose) in the blood. Symptoms include hunger, thirst, excessive urination, dehydration and weight loss. The treatment of diabetes requires daily insulin injections, proper nutrition and regular exercise. Complications can include heart disease, stroke, neuropathy, poor circulation leading to loss of limbs, hearing impairment, vision problems and death. Disease: Sickness, illness or loss of health. Disease control: Activities aimed at preventing or curing disease in animals intended for food. Disposal: The collection, storage, and subsequent destruction of all syringes and needles to avoid any accidents. Disposable syringe: An all-plastic syringe designed for a single use, with a separate steel needle. Because there is no mechanism to prevent re-use, this type of syringe may be used more than once. DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid): The double-stranded, helical molecular chain found within the nucleus of each cell. DNA carries the genetic information that encodes proteins and enables cell to reproduce and perform their functions. DNA vaccine (nucleic acid vaccine): Direct injection of a gene(s) coding for a specific antigenic protein(s), resulting in direct production of such antigen(s) within the vaccine recipient in order to trigger an appropriate immune response. DTH response: delayed T helper cell responses. Drug resistance: Drug resistance is the result of microbes changing in ways that reduce or eliminate the effectiveness of drugs, chemicals, or other agents to cure or prevent infections.
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