[Significance of the immunodeficient state in human pathology]

Recurrent infectious processes, malignant tumors, allergic, and autoimmune diseases regularly occur in immunodeficient conditions. A classification and data are presented on the basis of which different types (cell-mediated, humoral, combined, complementary, phagocytic) and nosological forms of primary, predominantly hereditary immunodeficiency syndromes may be distinguished. Pathological processes and diseases in which secondary acquired immunodeficient conditions may develop are listed. According to the author, morphology of the thymus is most informative for a pathologist with regard to diagnosis of the primary or secondary nature of an immunodeficiency syndrome. The problem of pathological diagnosis in immunodeficient conditions is discussed.