ABSTRACT
Inability to respond adequately to an antigen intrusion is usually considered an immunodeficiency, whereby the immune system is unable to neutralize or eliminate the pathogen. Immunodeficiency occurs when one or more immune compartments are significantly affected, and are characterized by partial or complete impairment. When immune function is partially impaired, the term immune dysfunction is often used. Immune function disorders can be classified as humoral (B-cell mediated), cellular (T-cell mediated), combined immunodeficiency, phagocytic dysfunction disorders or complement deficiencies.
