ABSTRACT
Many factors influencing the function of the immune system can lead to variable degrees of immune incompetence. Infections, exposure to toxic environmental factors, physical trauma, and therapeutic interventions can all be associated with immune dysfunction. In this chapter, we discuss immune deficiencies associated with undernutrition, vitamin and mineral deficiencies, medical or trauma conditions such as renal failure and severe burns, iatrogenically induced immune deficiencies such as those associated with administration of cytotoxic and/or immunosuppressive agents, surgery, use of recreational drugs, and infections. Special emphasis is given to HIV infection and the acquired immunodeficiency caused by HIV. The HIV/AIDS section includes discussion of epidemiology, characteristics of HIV and its replication, pathogenesis, clinical presentations, pediatric infection, diagnosis and monitoring of HIV-infected individuals, therapy of HIV infection, and an overview of the efforts to develop an HIV vaccine.
