Question

How are SCID and AlDS similar and different?

Short answer

SCID and AIDS, both immune deficiency diseases, share similarities in terms of immune system weakening and susceptibility to infections. However, they differ in origin, impact on the immune system and treatment options. SCID, a genetic disorder, affects both B and T cells from birth and can be treated with a bone marrow transplant or gene therapy, whereas AIDS, an acquired disease, slowly destroys CD4 cells over time, and can only be managed, but not cured, with Antiretroviral therapy.

Step-by-step solution

Defining SCID and AIDS

Severe Combined Immunodeficiency (SCID) is a primary immunodeficiency disorder characterized by a severe defect in both B and T lymphocyte systems. While the Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is a condition caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), which highly affects the immune system, importantly the CD4 cells.

Identifying similarities

Both conditions, SCID and AIDS, essentially weaken the immune system, making the body highly susceptible to infections. Both share common symptoms like persistent diarrhea, recurring yeast infections, repeated and unusual infections, etc.

Identifying differences

In terms of origin, SCID is a genetic disorder usually revealed in infancy, while AIDS is acquired, often through blood, sexual contact or from mother to child during birth. For the impact on immune system, SCID profoundly affects both B and T cells, leading to non-functional immune system from birth, while AIDS slowly destroys CD4 cells, leading to a weakened immune system over time. Regarding treatment, SCID can be treated with bone marrow transplant, gene therapy etc., while AIDS doesn't have a cure, but can be managed with Antiretroviral therapy (ART).