Glossary

I

Immunomodulation

Immunomodulation refers to the modification of the immune system. It can be weakened or stimulated.

Immunomonitoring

Immunomonitoring allows assessing a person’s immune status.

Immunopathology

Immunopathology deals with diseases and tissue damage caused by a disrupted or misdirected immune response.

Immunotherapy

The aim of immunotherapy is to influence the body’s own immune system in order to fight infections or cancer.

Influenza

Influenza is a disease of the airways that is caused by the influenza virus.
L

Last-resort antibiotic

Last-resort antibiotics are antibiotics whose use should be reserved for specific situations, such as severe infections caused by resistant bacteria.

Latency

Latency refers to a state in which a virus remains in infected cells without continuously producing new viral particles. The virus can be reactivated later.

Lectin

Lectins are common proteins that bind to carbohydrates and that play a role, amongst other things, in the formation of bacterial biofilms.

Lentivirus

Lentiviruses form a genus within the retrovirus family. The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is one of the best-known examples.

Liver cirrhosis

Liver cirrhosis can develop as a consequence of chronic hepatitis, a fatty liver or alcohol abuse. Liver cells are destroyed and replaced by connective tissue.