The main protein in the blood, albumin constitutes 50 to 65% of the proteins in the blood plasma (liquid part of the blood). Soluble in water and made by the liver, it is not part of the globulins which are the other proteins in the blood. Its level, called albuminemia, is about 40 grams per litre of blood. Albumin is also found in egg (ovalbumin) and milk (lactalbumin).

The term proteinuria refers to the abnormal presence of proteins, of any kind, in the urine. Albuminuria corresponds, more specifically, to the abnormal presence in the urine of a particular variety of protein: albumin.

Alopecia is a loss of hair on all or part of the scalp. To be distinguished from baldness which is the absence of hair.

Antibodies, also called immunoglobulins, are blood proteins synthesized by certain cells of the immune system (B lymphocytes and plasma cells) in response to the intrusion of a foreign body (antigen) into the body.

Anticoagulants are molecules intended to delay or prevent clotting. They make the blood more fluid and can cause bleeding.

An antigen is a substance foreign to our body (which it does not usually possess) that causes an immune reaction with an antibody.

Antimalarials are drugs used in the curative or preventive treatment of malaria. Some antimalarials also express immunomodulatory properties that are used in the treatment of autoimmune diseases.

Arthralgia is a pain located in the joints without any external visible change in the joint. The pain increases when the patient mobilizes the joint(s) concerned.

This name is given to acute or chronic inflammatory conditions that affect the joints and are accompanied by swelling of the synovial membrane.

Atheromatosis is a disease of the vessel wall, partly caused by abnormalities of fats (hypercholesterolemia, hypertriglyceridemia)..

These are antibodies produced by the body during autoimmune reactions during which the patient fights abnormally against his own immune defences.

A biopsy is a medical examination that involves removing a portion of tissue from an organ, so that it can be studied. Its main interest is to give objective results in certain diseases that require a definite diagnosis.

Biotherapies refer to a new generation of medicines. On the model of natural biological molecules, they are similar or identical to proteins produced by the body (enzymes, proteins, antibodies).

The blood count is the result of the quantitative and qualitative study of the elements of the blood, that is, red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets.

A chromosome (from the Greek khroma : color and soma : body, element) is a structure made up of DNA surrounded by proteins.

Coagulation is a process of transforming liquid blood into a semi-solid gel. It causes the formation of a clot and allows the cessation of bleeding following an injury.

See question 46 here

Drug of the immunosuppressant family (see immunosuppressant)

Cytokines are small proteins that act on cells of various types with receptors of their own for each of them. Secreted by lymphocytes (white blood cells involved in cellular immunity) and macrophages (defence cells responsible for digesting foreign particles)...

Cytopenia is a term that generally defines the progressive decrease of cell lines.

Dialysis (from the Greek dia : through, and luein : dissolve) is also called extrarenal purification and is most often practiced with an artificial kidney.

Dyslipemia (from the Greek due : difficulty, lipos : fat, and haima: blood) is an anomaly (often on the excessive side) of cholesterol and triglycerides.

Echography is an examination method that uses ultrasound and allows the visualisation of certain parts of the body that are usually hidden from view.

The electrocardiogram records the electrical functioning of the heart during its relaxation-contraction cycle. Since the heart is a muscle, it needs electrical stimulation to contract.

An electromyogram is a device that measures the electrical activity of nerves and muscles. It collects electrical activity through micro-electrodes in the muscle or taped to the skin.

An enzyme is a biological catalyst, that is, a molecule that accelerates the chemical reactions of metabolism taking place in the cellular or extracellular environment up to millions of times.

Fibromyalgia is a complex disease, characterised by the existence of diffuse and multiple pains, and of certain points on the body which are painful when pressed.

Haematuria is the presence of blood in the urine. Haematuria can be macroscopic (i.e. it is visible), and the urine is then coloured in red, pink or brown and sometimes contains blood clots.

Haemolysis is the normal or pathological destruction of red blood cells. This destruction is the result of multiple processes, including autoimmune haemolysis.

Headaches are head pains, regardless of their cause. Commonly called "headaches", they are located on the cranial vault, excluding the neck and face. Very frequent, they are one of the first reasons for medical consultation.

Hypergammaglobulinemia is the increase in serum gamma globulin concentration above 18 g/l. This increase is found during various inflammatory syndromes or during malignant plasma cell proliferations.

Hypocomplementemia is a deficiency of complement protein in the body.

Hypoglycaemia is the decrease in the amount of glucose (sugar in general) below 0.5 g / l, contained in the blood. Glucose is the main energy substance that can be lacking in the brain.

Immunogenetics is the study of genetic factors involved in the mechanisms of immunity.

The term immunosuppressant (or immunocompromised) refers to anything that suppresses or has the ability to reduce the body's specific immunological reactions against an antigen (foreign body entering the body).

Interferons are part of cytokines, small proteins secreted by different types of cells involved in immunity, which have a regulatory and stimulating action of the immune system.

Leukocyturia is the presence of leukocytes, or white blood cells, in the urine. Normally, only a few white blood cells are eliminated through the urine.

Lymphadenopathy corresponds to a swelling of a lymph node, adenomegaly, of inflammatory, infectious or tumoral origin. Superficial lymphadenopathy (neck, armpit, groin) is detectable by simple clinical examination.

Lymphocytes, a variety of white blood cells, are involved in the immune response. They are of two kinds: B lymphocytes (production of antibodies) and T lymphocytes (cell-mediated immunity).

The term lymphopenia refers to the decrease in the number of lymphocytes.

The macrophage is a variety of white blood cell, large in size, having the property of absorbing and destroying large particles such as a damaged or aged cell...

Malaria is an infectious disease caused by parasites injected into humans by certain mosquitoes. This tropical condition, widespread in the intertropical zone, is a serious disease that can be fatal if proper care is not provided.

Lumbar puncture is an act of introducing a hollow needle, at the lower part of the spine, into the medullary canal.

MRI uses the magnetic energy of protons to study with great precision many organs such as the brain, spine, joints and soft tissues.

Myalgia is muscle pain. They are also found in various diseases, acute or chronic, of mechanical, inflammatory, chemical, infectious or autoimmune origin.

The myelogram is a study of the marrow that is extracted under local anaesthesia. It consists in analysing the morphology and equilibrium of the different cells present in the bone marrow.

Myositis is the inflammation of striated muscle tissue that leads to pain and decreased muscle strength, and an increase in blood levels of enzymes from the muscles (creatine kinase).

Neutropenia is a blood disorder that occurs when the number of neutrophils, one of the types of white blood cells found in the blood, is abnormally low.

Neutrophils are polynuclear neutrophils, a category of white blood cells capable of fighting bacterial infections.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, often abbreviated as "NSAIDs", are drugs with anti-inflammatory, as well as analgesic and antipyretic properties, that is, they reduce inflammation, pain and fever.

Pericarditis (from the Greek peri: around, cardia: heart, and desinence – ite: inflammation) refers to an inflammation that affects the layers that surround the heart, the pericardium.

Phlebitis is defined as the formation of a blood clot (thrombosis) in a vein, which is responsible for obstructing blood flow in that vein.

Photosensitivity reflects the excessive sensitivity of the skin to solar radiation, especially ultraviolet radiation, resulting in a rash. Photosensitivity may be secondary to the ingestion or application to the skin of a chemical or drug product.

The placebo effect is the effect that can be observed by taking a treatment that does not contain any active ingredients. This placebo effect...

A platelet (or thrombocyte) is a figurative element of blood that is formed in the bone marrow and fragments into small elements.

Pleurisy (from the Greek pleuron : side) is the inflammation of the membrane that covers and protects the lungs, the pleura...

The polynuclear cell is an essential cell of our body because it is responsible for the elimination of pathogens, such as bacteria, after they have been recognised by the immune system.

The term proteinuria refers to the abnormal presence of proteins, of any kind, in the urine.
The abnormal cut-off commonly used is 0.3g/g of creatinine or 0.3g per 24 hours.

Remission is the strong attenuation of, or disappearance of, temporary symptoms of a disease.

A distinction is made between basic research protocols, which aim to improve understanding of the pathophysiology of the disease, and clinical and therapeutic research protocols...