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Vaccine Science: |
Glossary
A | B-D | E-G | H-K | L-N | O-P | Q-S | T-Z EEffector arm: The part of the immune system that recognizes and responds to infection. Efficacy: In vaccine research, the ability of a vaccine to produce a desired clinical effect, such as protection against a specific infection or disease, at the optimal dosage and schedule in a given population. A vaccine may be tested for efficacy in Phase 3 trials if it appears to be safe and shows some promise in smaller Phase 1 and 2 trials. Efficacy rate: A measure of how well a vaccine prevents disease. ELISA: Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. A serological assay in which bound antigen or antibody is detected by a linked enzyme that converts a colorless substrate to a colored product. ELISPOT assay: An adaptation of ELISA in which cells are placed over antibodies or antigens attached to a plastic surface. The antigen or antibody traps secreted cellular products, which can then be detected by using an enzyme-coupled antibody that leaves a colorless substrate to make a localized colored spot. Empirical therapy: Therapy that is initiated based on observation of clinical symptoms and patient history only, without previous confirmation of diagnosis by laboratory or other methods. Encephalitis: Inflammation of the brain caused by a virus. Encephalitis can result in permanent brain damage or death. Encephalopathy: A general term describing brain dysfunction. Examples include encephalitis, meningitis, seizures and head trauma. Endemic: The continual, sometimes low-level presence of disease in a community. Epidemic: The occurrence of disease within a specific geographical area or population that is in excess of what is normally expected. Epidemiology: The study of the frequency and distribution of disease in human population. Epidemiologists are thought to be important chiefly in defense against parasitic infections; they are activated by the lymphocytes of the adaptive immune response. Epitope: A site on an antigen recognized by antibody; epitopes are also called antigenic determinants. A T-cell epitope is a short peptide derived from a protein antigen. It binds to an MHC molecule and is recognized by a particular cell. Epitope spreading: The phenomenon of increasing diversity of responses to autoantigens as the response persists. Erysipelas: a specific acute cutaneous inflammatory disease caused by b-hemolytic Streptococci and characterized by hot, red, edematous, brawny and sharply defined eruption; usually accompanied by severe constitutional symptoms. Erythema Multiforme: A medical condition characterized by inflammation of the skin or mucous membranes (including the mouth, throat and eyes). Erythema Multiforme has been reported following infection. Symptoms persist anywhere from 2 days to 4 weeks and include skin lesions, blisters, itching, fatigue, joint pain and fever. Erythrocyte: A type of red blood cell. Etiology: Origin or cause of. Exposure: Contact with infectious agents (bacteria or viruses) in a manner that promotes transmission and increases the likelihood of disease. Expression system: In genetic engineering, the cells into which a gene has been inserted to manufacture desired proteins. FFebrile: Relating to fever; feverish. Food producing animal: Animals raised for the purpose of providing food for humans. Most commonly this refers to poultry, swine, cattle and sheep, but does not exclude other domestically managed animals. Functional antibody: An antibody that binds to an antigen and has an effect that can be demonstrated in laboratory tests. Fungi: Single-celled or multicellular organisms. Fungi can be either opportunistic pathogens (such as aspergillosis, candidiasis, and cryptococcosis) that cause infections in healthy persons. Fungi are also used for the development of antibiotics, antitoxins, and other drugs used to control various human diseases. GGametocytes: Precursors of the sexual forms of the malaria parasite, which release either male or female gametes within the stomach of the mosquito. Gene: A unit of genetic material (DNA); a segment of DNA that contains the information for a specific function. Genetics: the branch of science concerned with the means and consequences of transmission and generation of the components of biological inheritance. Genic: producing, formic; produced by. Genome: The complete set of genes present in a cell, parasite, or virus. GM-CSF: Granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor is a cytokine involved in the growth and differentiation of myeloid and monocytic lineage cells, including dendritic cells, monocytes and tissue macrophages and cells of the granulocyte lineage. Good management/farming practices: Routine practices that minimize risk from harmful antimicrobial resistant bacteria or resistance genes through good farm management and hygiene practices (e.g. optimal housing conditions and feeding strategies) and other non-antimicrobial disease preventive strategies, while maximizing the productivity of food animal production. Growth factor: Proteins involved in cell differentiation and growth. Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS): A rare neurological disease characterized by loss of reflexes and temporary paralysis. Symptoms include weakness, numbness, tingling and increased sensitivity that spreads over the body. Muscle paralysis starts in the feet and legs and moves upwards to the arms and hands. Sometimes paralysis can result in the respiratory muscles causing breathing difficulties. Symptoms usually appear over the course of one day and may continue to progress for 3 or 4 days up to 3 or 4 weeks. Recovery begins within 2-4 weeks after the progression stops. While most patients recover, approximately 15%-20% experience persistent symptoms. GBS is fatal in 5% of cases.
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