Immunity and aging.
The immune system declines in its efficiency as the individual ages. The immunoregulatory apparatus of both the cellular and humoral divisions of the immune system appear to deteriorate with age. This results in excessive suppression of the delayed hypersensitivity system and an increase in the incidence of infections, autoimmune disease, and cancer. Malnutrition in the elderly could be one of the factors leading to impaired regulation of the immune system, but the clinical implications of this suggestion have not yet been fully investigated. The interactions between aging, malnutrition, and depressed immunity must be more fully understood so that diseases of the elderly may be more effectively treated.
D000293:Adolescent; D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007109:Immunity; D007121:Immunocompetence; D008208:Lymphatic System / Q000276:immunology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology; D009747:Nutritional Physiological Phenomena