Immunosuppression may be easily seen from abnormalities in a blood test, particularly white blood cell count and levels of immunoglobulins, which are proteins primarily involved in fighting infections.
Immune system functionality can be ascertained by further tests that check for cellular and humoral immunity. Cellular immunity can be tested with the help of phagocytic function and T cell activation tests, among others. Likewise, humoral immunity can be investigated by employing serum immunoglobulin assays, B cell quantitation, and specific antibody quantitative tests Discussion: the process of immunosuppression.
The goal in treating immunosuppression is to target the offending etiology, if possible. It is then important to aggressively treat and prevent infections, while at the same time giving the immune system a boost with pharmacological therapy.
Anti-microbials are of paramount importance against infectious agents. If bacteria are the culprits, then antibiotics are urgently required, and a protracted course of antibiotics is necessary to prevent further infection while the patient’s immune system is still below optimal Discussion: the process of immunosuppression.
There are several therapies that may be employed when attempting to boost the immunity of an immunosuppressed individual. Once such therapy is the use of immunoglobulins that may be administered as necessary intravenously or subcutaneously.
Other examples of immuno-boosting therapies include the use of interferons and growth factors, which both play roles in the stimulation of immune cells in the fight against pathogens and diseased states Discussion: the process of immunosuppression
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