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Antibody Diseases

Antibodies are a type of protein that is produced by the body's autoimmune system when antigens or harmful substances are detected, according to Medline Plus. Types of antigens include bacteria, parasites, fungi, chemicals and viruses. Antibodies are sometimes produced mistakenly when the body attacks healthy tissue, thinking that it is an antigen. This problem is referred to as an antibody disease or an autoimmune disorder. Some of types of autoimmune disorders include HIV/AIDS, Good Pasture's syndrome, autoimmune hemolytic anemia, lupus erythematosus and myasthenia gravis.

  1. HIV/AIDS

    • Approximately 1.1 million Americans had HIV/AIDS in 2006, according to the Center for Disease Control & Prevention. Worldwide there are approximately 33 million people living with aids, according to AVERT, an international charity for AIDS. HIV is a virus that attacks cells in the immune system and results in the destruction of antibodies. To successfully fight off diseases, the adequate levels of antibodies must be present in the blood stream. HIV destroys antibodies, which makes it difficult for people with HIV/AIDS to fight off diseases. Symptoms of HIV/AIDS include fever, headache, sore throat, rashes, swollen lymph glands, diarrhea and weight loss, according to the Mayo Clinic.

    Goodpasture's Syndrome

    • Goodpasture's syndrome results in small blood vessels being damaged within the kidney or lung due to antibodies attacking blood vessel walls, according to the University of North Carolina Kidney Center. Symptoms of Goodpasture's syndrome include chills, fever, weight loss, chest pain, hemorrhage and kidney failure. Goodpasture's syndrome is extremely rare and only affects approximately one out of 1 million people.

    Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia

    • Autoimmune hemolytic anemia is the medical term that's used to describe a drop in red blood cell count due to antibodies attacking red blood cells, according to Medline Plus. Symptoms of autoimmune hemolytic anemia include dark urine, enlarged spleen, fatigue, pale coloring, rapid heartbeat, shortness of breath and yellow skin. Treatment for autoimmune hemolytic anemia usually starts with steroids such as prednisone. Adults with this disease are extremely susceptible to other types of illnesses.

    Lupus Erthematosus

    • According to the Mayo Clinic, lupus erthematosus is a chronic inflammation disease that takes place when the antibodies attack healthy tissue and organs. Lupus is an antibody disease that occurs more often in women than it does in men. Most people with lupus can lead full lives with new treatments that have been developed. Symptoms of lupus include fatigue, fever, weight change, joint pain, joint stiffness, butterfly shaped rash, mouth sores, hair loss and shortness of breath, according to the Mayo Clinic.

    Myasthenia Gravis

    • Myasthenia gravis is a neuromuscular transmission problem caused by antibodies circulating, which results in the blockage of acetycholine receptors at neuromuscular junctions. According to the Mayo Clinic, myasthenia gravis has no cure and affects approximately two out of 10,000 people. Symptoms of myasthenia gravis include double vision, blurred vision, difficulty swallowing, chewing, or speaking and weakness in arms and legs.

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