Doctors often use terms that are not familiar to the rest of us! Here are a few that can crop up in conversations about CGD.
Abcess - a gathering of pus in any tissue or organ, accompanied by inflammation.
Abdomen - tummy.
Acute - sudden or short lived.
Antibiotic - a protein that slows the growth, or kills off, certain microorganisms, most commonly bacteria.
Antibody - a substance produced in the blood capable of counteracting pathogens.
Aspergillus infection - infection caused by Aspergillus fungal spores.
Autosomal recessive - a type of genetic disorder that results from a genetic defect in both carrier parents.
Bacterium (pluralbacteria) - a microscopic organism that causes infection.
Biopsy - a small piece of tissue or small amount of fluid taken from part of the body for examination.
bone marrow - a fatty substance contained in the cavity of the bones where blood cells develop.
Bowel - large intestine or colon.
Carrier - does not have the disorder but, because he or she has a defective gene, can pass it on to his or her children.
Chromosomes - chromosomes are found in the nucleus of cells. They are made up of DNA and there are 23 pairs of them in most cells of the body.
Chronic - slow or long-lasting.
DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid) - material that carries the genetic information.
Genes - units of hereditary information.
Gene Therapy - possible future treatment for genetic disorders by replacing a faulty or missing gene with a fully functioning gene.
Gingivitis - inflammation of the gums.
Glands - organs that produce different substances and release them into the body as required.
Granuloma - a collection of white blood cells in a site of infection, which can continue to collect after the infection has cleared.
HickmanŽ line - a tube placed in the vein of the neck or chest through which the patient can receive food or medication.
Immunisation - medication giving protection against disease, usually by innoculation (injection with a mild or inactivated form of a disease in order to introduce immunity against that disease).
Intravenous - into a vein.
Inflammation - tissue affected by heat, swelling, redness and pain, often as a result of damage or infection.
Lesion - non-specific medical term; damage, changing in functioning.
Lymph - fluid in the tissues and organs of the body, consisting mainly of white blood corpuscles.
Lymph glands - lymph nodes - store of lymphocytes.
Lymphocyte - type of white blood cell formed in the lymph nodes, which forms part of the body's immunological defence against infection.
Mutation - a change in the structure of DNA that can cause genetic disorders.
Neutrophil - name for the most numerous type of phagocyte.
Osteomylelitis - inflammation of bone and the adjacent marrow.
Pathogen - any agent capable of causing disease.
Phagocyte - a type of white blood cell that engulfs bacterial and fungal invaders and produces a natural bleach to kill them.
Pneumonia - acute inflammation of the lung or lungs.
Primary immunodeficiency - a problem of the immune system that results from an inherent fault within the immune system. (A primary immunodeficiency cannot be 'caught' and is not caused by outside influences.)
Radiologist - X-ray specialist.
Radiographer - X-ray technician.
Pathologist - laboratory specialist.
Steroid - anti-inflammatory drug.
Symptoms - patient's observations about an illness.
Transfusion - to transfer blood or blood product from one person into the veins of another.
Transplant - to transfer living tissue from one person to another.
Ulcer - an open sore on the outer or inner surface of the body.
Viruses - microorganisms only able to multiply by infecting the cells of a host organism. Do not respond to antibiotics.
X-linked CGD - when the defective gene is located on the X (female) chromosome.
IMPORTANT NOTE :
The information contained on this website is intended only as a guideline, not as a substitute for medical advice. Always consult your doctor if you or your child has any CGD symptoms or concerns.
© 2001-2007 The Chronic Granulomatous Disorder (CGD) Research Trust
Registered Charity No. 1003425 email:cgd@cgdrt.co.uk
The CGD Research Trust is a member of the Association of Medical Research Charities (AMRC), the Genetic Interest Group (GiG) and an associate member of the International Patient Organisation of Primary Immunodeficiencies (IPOPI)
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