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To: neverdem

I wonder if when the immune system is destroyed you lose all previous infection memory (mumps, measles, you name it) and have to build immunities all over again?


4 posted on 04/10/2006 8:17:41 PM PDT by DB (©)
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To: DB
I wonder if when the immune system is destroyed you lose all previous infection memory (mumps, measles, you name it) and have to build immunities all over again?

I would think so. You're starting all over from square one.

6 posted on 04/10/2006 8:35:14 PM PDT by neverdem (May you be in heaven a half hour before the devil knows that you're dead.)
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To: DB; neverdem

"I wonder if when the immune system is destroyed you lose all previous infection memory (mumps, measles, you name it) and have to build immunities all over again?"

Short answer: no.

Memory B and T cells are difficult to destroy. You'd have to get TBI (total body irradiation) to a level seen in Hiroshima to get to that state. Or be given chemo that will destroy the entire mucosal tract before it would kill memory cells. To give you an example, patients given high dose chemo for BMT (bone marrow transplant) still have intact memory B and T cells (as determined by responses to tetanus toxin, for example).


20 posted on 04/11/2006 5:50:04 AM PDT by razoroccam (Then in the name of Allah, they will let loose the Germs of War (http://www.booksurge.com))
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