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AIDS Glossary
- e.m.p.
- pharmaceutical abbreviation, in the manner prescribed (ex modo praescripto)
- ebv
- abbreviation, Epstein-Barr virus
- ectopic pregnancy
- a pregnancy in which a fertilized egg begins to develop outside the uterus (e.g., in a fallopian tube). Ectopic pregnancy can lead to tubal rupture, hemorrhage and death.
- eczema
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- an acute or chronic inflammatory condition of the skin.
- edema
- swelling caused by an abnormal accumulation of fluid in body tissues.
- eeg
- see electroencephalography.
- effective concentration (ec)
- see inhibitory concentration.
- efferent
- refers to nerves that travel from the brain and spinal cord to the rest of the body. Contrast with afferent.
- efficacy
- effectiveness; the ability to achieve a desired effect.
- electrocardiography (ekg)
- a method of recording the electrical activity of the heart.
- electrocautery (electrodessication)
- a method of destroying lesions or tissue and sealing off blood vessels using a high frequency electric current.
- electroencephalography (eeg)
- a method of recording brain activity using an electroencephalograph, a device which records electrical current.
- electrolyte
- an electrically charged element or compound (e.g., sodium, potassium) found in body fluids, tissues and cells. An imbalance of electrolytes can result from prolonged vomiting or diarrhea, and may lead to the disruption of many bodily processes, possibly resulting in muscle weakness, cramps or seizures.
- elisa
- a test to see if the patient is HIV positive. The term stands for Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay.
- empiric diagnosis/treatment (presumptive diagnosis
- evaluation and/or treatment based on observation and experience alone, without relying on laboratory test results or while awaiting laboratory results.
- encephalitis
- inflammation of the brain.
- encephalopathy
- a disease of the brain. This infection is considered an AIDS-defining condition in the United States.
- endemic
- the continuous presence of a disease in a geographic location, community or population.
- endo- (prefix)
- internal; inside or originating from within the body or an organ.
- endocarditis
- inflammation of the inner membranes of the heart.
- endocrine gland/endocrine system
- a ductless gland that regulates body functions via hormones secreted into the bloodstream. The endocrine system includes the hypothalamus, pituitary gland, thyroid, adrenal glands and gonads (ovaries and testes). Contrast with exocrine gland.
- endogenous
- originating within or produced by the body.
- endometriosis
- the presence of endometrial tissue outside the uterus, often in the form of cysts. The tissue reacts to hormones, and symptoms (primarily pain) typically occur in monthly cycles.
- endometrium
- the mucous membrane that lines the uterus.
- endorphin
- a group of endogenous (produced by the body) hormones (e.g., beta endorphin, metenkephalin) that are chemically similar to opiate drugs. Endorphins are involved in coping with acute stress and modulating the perception of pain; they may also have a role in mobilizing the immune system.
- endorphinergic
- inducing or enhancing endorphin production and/or activity.
- endoscopy (adjective endoscopic)
- a method of examining the interior of a body cavity or hollow organ (e.g., esophagus, stomach) using an endoscope, a narrow, flexible fiber optic instrument that conducts light.
- endothelium (adjective endothelial)
- a layer of cells that lines blood and lymph vessels, the heart and various body cavities.
- endotoxin
- see lipopolysaccharide.
- endpoint
- a direct marker of disease progression, e.g., disease symptoms or death. The effectiveness of drug therapies is often determined by observing the clinical endpoints that develop over time in patients undergoing experimental treatment. Contrast with surrogate marker.
- engraftment
- transplantation; the transfer of tissue or an organ from one individual to another.
- enhancing antibody
- an antibody that enhances or promotes -- rather than inhibits -- disease progression. Contrast with neutralizing antibody.
- entamoeba histolytica
- a parasitic species of ameba that causes disease in humans. The ameba invades the bowel mucosa, causing bloody diarrhea and ulceration; it may be carried to other organs via the bloodstream. Transmission is by contaminated water, oral-anal contact or hand-to-mouth transfer of fecal material.
- enteral
- within or by way of the intestines or the gastrointestinal tract.
- enteric
- relating to the intestines (e.g., an enteric parasite).
- enteritis
- inflammation of the intestines, especially the small intestine.
- env
- the gene of HIV that encodes the proteins of the viral envelope; also refers to the proteins produced by the gene.
- envelope
- the outer covering of a virus. The HIV envelope contains spikes and is composed of 2 protein subunits -- gp120 and gp41 -- encoded by the env gene. The glycoprotein gp120 attaches itself to the CD4 surface protein, allowing HIV to infect certain cells.
- enzyme
- any of numerous proteins produced by organisms that work as a biochemical catalyst (speed a chemical reaction).
- enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (elisa)
- a laboratory test used to detect the presence of antibodies in the serum. ELISA is used for first-line screening for HIV antibodies; a positive result indicates that antibodies have been detected. The test is sensitive but not specific, and a positive ELISA is typically confirmed using a Western Blot assay.
- eosinophil
- a leukocyte (blood cell) that can accept eosin stain.
- eosinophilia
- increased numbers of eosinophils in the blood characteristic of allergic reactions.
- eosinophilic folliculitis
- a rash of itchy, red, pus-filled bumps on the face, arms, chest and back. The cause is unknown, but has been associated with Demodex mites and Pityrosporum yeast; the presence of eosinophils in the hair follicles indicates that the condition may involve an allergic reaction.
- epidemic
- an outbreak of a disease within a population. See also pandemic.
- epidemiology
- the study of the frequency, distribution and behavior of a disease within a population.
- epidermis
- the outer layers of the skin.
- epidural
- relating to or administered via the dura mater, the outer membrane of the brain and spinal cord.
- epinephrine
- see adrenaline.
- epithelium
- a thin layer of cells that covers the internal and external surfaces of the body, including body cavities, ducts and vessels.
- epitope
- a unique shape or a marker on the surface of an antigen that triggers an antibody response.
- epivir
- See 3TC
- epstein-barr virus
- a virus that causes mononucleosis
- epstein-barr virus (ebv, human herpes virus 4)
- a herpesvirus. EBV infection is common and usually asymptomatic in children, and may cause infectious mononucleosis ("kissing disease") in young adults. EBV lies dormant in the lymph nodes. It is associated with oral hairy leukoplakia, lymphoid interstitial pneumonitis and some types of cancer in people with suppressed immune systems.
- eradication
- the complete elimination of an organism (e.g., HIV) from the body, including the blood and reservoir tissue sites.
- erythema (adjective erythematous)
- red, especially an inflammatory redness of the skin.
- erythrocyte
- a mature red blood cell that contains hemoglobin. Erythrocytes transport oxygen and carbon dioxide between the lungs and the tissues of the body.
- erythrocyte sedimentation rate (esr, sed rate)
- a blood test that measures the speed at which red blood cells settle in a test tube. The test is used to detect inflammation.
- erythrocytes
- the yellowish disk-shaped blood cell containing hemoglobin. Erythrocytes carry oxygen and are responsible for the color of blood.
- erythromycin
- a common antibiotic used to treat bacterial infections of the skin, respiratory tract and other organs.
- erythropoietin (epoietin, epo, epogen, procrit)
- a natural hormone that stimulates the production of red blood cells. Genetically engineered versions of EPO are used to treat anemia due to drug toxicity. Side effects include headache and high blood pressure.
- escape variant (escape mutant)
- a drug-resistant strain; a microorganism (e.g., virus) that has mutated so as to lose its sensitivity to a drug.
- escherichia coli
- a typically harmless bacteria that is found in the human digestive tract and is present in fecal material. E. coli 0157: H7 is a pathogenic strain transmitted most commonly by undercooked meats, raw milk and person-to-person contact. This strain may cause bloody diarrhea and can lead to hemolytic uremic syndrome, a rare but occasionally fatal kidney disorder.
- esophageal candidiasis
- a fungal infection of the esophagus that may cause painful swallowing leading to weight loss. Esophageal candidiasis is an AIDS-defining opportunistic infection.
- esophagitis
- inflamation of the esophagus. In some cases, this is considered an AIDS-defining condition in the United States.
- esophagus
- a muscular tube -- about 9 incues long -- that passes from the mouth to the stomach.
- esophagus (adjective esophageal)
- the swallowing tube; the portion of the digestive canal between the oral cavity and the stomach.
- estradiol
- a potent natural form of estrogen produced by the ovaries, placenta and testes.
- estrogen
- a female sex hormone; a natural or synthetic substance (e.g., estradiol, Premarin) that stimulates the development of female secondary sex characteristics and regulates the reproductive cycle in women. Estrogens are known to affect the immune system.
- ethambutol (myambutol)
- an oral drug used in combination with other agents to treat tuberculosis and Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) disease. Side effects may include nausea, headache, visual disturbances and joint pain.
- etiology
- the cause of a disease; the study of causes of disease.
- euthanasia
- "mercy killing"; the deliberate ending of life to reduce pain and suffering.
- ex vivo
- outside of or removed from the body of a living organism.
- exacerbate
- to worsen or make more severe.
- exanthem (roseola)
- a rash occurring as a symptom of an acute viral disease. Exanthem subitum or roseola infantum is a common viral disease of infants and children caused by infection with human herpesvirus type 6 and characterized by sudden onset of rash accompanied by fever.
- excision
- the process of cutting out or otherwise removing a section of tissue.
- exclusion criteria
- see inclusion/exclusion criteria.
- exo- (prefix)
- outside; the external part of the body or an organ.
- exocrine gland
- a gland with ducts (e.g., sebaceous glands) that deposits secretions directly to a site of action rather than into the bloodstream. Contrast with endocrine gland.
- exogenous
- originating or produced outside the body.
- exon
- an extraneous segment of genetic material (DNA) that is not expressed as proteins.
- exotoxin
- a toxic substance produced and released by bacteria.
- expanded access
- a program that makes experimental drugs available on a wide basis to patients who don't qualify for a clinical trial. In most cases, a drug with an expanded access program is already in the final stages of the approval process. This program was started in 1987 by the U.S. FDA.
- experimental drug
- a substance that is currently undergoing clinical trials.
- extracorporeal
- outside of the body.
- extrapolation
- the process of inferring unknown information by comparison with data that is known.
- extrapulmonary
- outside of the lungs.
