About Primary Immune Deficiency

Click here to learn the '7 Warning Signs' of Primary Immune Deficiencies 

IDFNZ has developed a range of informational booklets, pamphlets, posters and education kits to offer NZ medical professionals, patients and families basic information about these rare disorders of the immune system.

One example is the '7 warning signs of Primary Immune Deficiency (PID)' poster, endorsed by the IDFNZ medical panel, and developed as a simple cartoon illustration which features heavily in our ongoing PID Awareness campaign. Every GP waiting room should have one on display! 

Ascia PID E-Training for GP's

IDFNZ is thrilled to announce that Ascia (Australian Society of Clinical Immunology & Allergy)have produced an excellent E-training resource for GP's warning to these 7 warning signs. We strongy recommend that patients diagnosed with PID direct their GP to this free online resource for up to date information from specialists. http://www.allergy.org.au/health-professionals/hpinformation/immunedisorder

We have also produced a series of pamphlets to satisfy inquiring young minds as to how the human body is designed to function. These resources are recommended for use by schools studying the immune system as part of World Day of Immunology and the IDFNZ ALL4GOOD challenge.

PID Brochures and Materials

PIC brochures and materials

Resource Downloads

PID Education

"Immunity is a fascinating subject that still conceals many secrets. When the immune system is fully understood, it will most likely hold the key to ridding humankind of many of its most feared diseases."

1. The normal Immune System

The Complement System

The first part of the immune system that meets invaders such as bacteria is a group of proteins called the complement system. these proteins flow freely in the blood and can quicly reach the site of an invasion where they can react directly with antigens-molecules that the body recongises as foreign substances. when actvated, the complement proteins can

-trigger inflammation

-attract eater cells suh as macrophages

-coat intruders so that eater cells are more likely to devour them

-kill intruders

Phagocytes

A group of immune cells specialized in finding and "eating" bacteria, viruses, and dead  or injured body cells. there are three main types, the granulocyte, the macrophage and the dendritic cell.

Lymphocytes- T cells and B cells

The receptors match only one specific antigen. White blood cells called lymphocytes originate in the bone marrow but migrate to parts of the lymphatic system such as the lymph nodes, spleen, and thymus. There are two main types of lymphatic cells, T cells and B cells.

T Cells

Come in two different types, helper cells and killer cells. They are named T cells after the thymus, an organ siuated under the breastbone.

Helper T cells: main regulators of the immune defence. Their primary task is to activate B cells and killer T cells.

B Cells

 Searches for antigen matching its receptors. If it finds such antigen it connects to it, and inside th B cell a triggering signal is set ooff. The B cell now needs proteins produced by  helper T cells to become fully activated.

Plasma Cell

Is specialised in producing a specific protein, cllend an antibody that will respond to the same antigen that matched the B cell receptor. Antibodies are released from the plasma cell so that they can seek out intruders and help destroy them. Plasma cells produce antibodies at an amazing rate and can release tens of thousands of antibodies per second.

Memory Cells

The second cell type produced by the division of B cells. These cells have a  prolonged life span and can remember specific intruders. The second time an intruder tries to invade the body, B and T memory cells help the immune system to activate much faster. The invaders are wiped out before the infected human feels any symptoms. The body has thus achieved immunity against  the invader.

2. Primary Immune Deficiency (PID)

Are a group of rare diseases caused by basic defects in the normal immune system.

There are over 200 known PID conditions resulting from a defect in one or more elements or functions of the immune system.

Most are  genetic conditions running in families. A range of literature has been developed by IDFNZ to convey the most common conditions.


3. Patient Resources

A range of literature has been developed by IDFNZ to convey the most common conditions;

 IDF Patient and Family Information Book

IDF Our Immune System

IDFNZ Pamphlet Series -  Living with PID Disorders - Selective IgA deficiency

IDFNZ Pamphlet Series - Living with PID

IDFNZ Pamphlet Series - Living with PID Disrders - Common variable immune deficiency

IDFNZ Pamphlet Series - Living with PID Disordrs - Genetic Testing and PID

IDFNZ Pamphlet Series - Living with PID Disorders - Chronic Granulomatous Disease (CGD

IDFNZ Pamphlet Series -  LIDFNZ Diary/Organiser

Living with PID Disorders - X - Linked Agammaglobulinaemia

IDFNZ Diary/Organiser

IDFNZ 7 Warning Sign Pens

IDFNZ 7 Warning Sign Posters - A4 Size

IDFNZ 7 Warning Sign Posters - A5 Size

IDFNZ 7 Warning Signs Notepads - A6 Size

IDFNZ Investigating Immunity

IDFNZ Understanding your blood

IDFNZ - What is a transplant

IDFNZ What is IVIC therapy

IDFNZ School Booklet - A guide for teachers

IPOPI Stay Healthy - A guide for patients and their families

IPOPI - When to give immunoglobulin replacement therapy

IPOPI - PIDS and Gastrointestinal Disorders

IPOPI - PIDS and Respiratory Disorders

IPOPI - Management after diagnosis

IPOPI - A guide for schools

IPOPI - Treatments for PID- A guide for patients and their families

IPOPI - SCIG Infusions - A practical guide for patients

See the 'Resources' tab below for the PID Information Order form, to order your free resources if needed from IDFNZ today!


4. Health Professional Resources

7 WARNING SIGNS;

1) An usually large number of infections requiring treatment

2) Infections caused by unusual types of organisms

3) Infections in unusual places

4) Infections that do not respond to treatment as expected

5) A child that does not grow or put on weight as expected

6) Family history of an immune deficiency or abnormal infections

7) Any other unusual symptoms related to infections

*Any infection needs medical attention so please see your doctor if you or your child is unwell, has any of the above signs or if you have any other concerns with ongoing infections.

ASCIA TRAINING ONLINE;

-IDFNZ is thrilled to announce that Ascia (Australian Society of Clinical Immunology & Allergy)have produced an excellent E-training resource for GP's warning to these 7 warning signs. We strongly recommend that patients diagnosed with PID direct their GP to this free online resource for up to date information from specialists. http://www.allergy.org.au/health-professionals/hpinformation/immunedisorder



Resource Downloads

PID Medical Research

IDFNZ is committed to providing Access to quality and up to date educational information on Primary Immune Deficiency conditions , their diagnosis and treatment. This information is especially targeted at assisting Medical professionals as well as patients requiring a deeper understanding of these conditions.

IDFNZ is thrilled to announce that Ascia (Australian Society of Clinical Immunology & Allergy)have produced an excellent E-training resource for GP's warning to these 7 warning signs. We strongly recommend that patients diagnosed with PID direct their GP to this free online resource for up to date information from specialists.


Resource Downloads