Essential Pediatric Immunopathology

The immune system performs defense, vigilance, and homeostasis functions. Pathological alterations of the system give rise to immunodeficiency, allergic and autoimmune diseases. Immunodeficiencies occur when the immune system is unable to develop an adequate response to deal with aggression from the external environment. When the immune system encounters and recognizes an environmental element as an aggressor and develops an exaggerated response, allergies occur. In autoimmune diseases, an aggressive response to the body's own structures is produced. Multiple causes and effector mechanisms are involved in these different pathological alterations of the immune response. The content of this text provides information directed to non-specialist physicians. The objective of this chapter is to briefly describe the clinical characteristics, diagnosis, and treatment of the main immunopathological diseases that are present in children and adolescents.