Immunocompetence is the ability of the body to produce a normal
immune response following exposure to an
antigen. Immunocompetence is the opposite of
immunodeficiency or immuno-incompetent or immuno-compromised. Examples include:
- a newborn who does not yet have a fully functioning immune system but may have maternally transmitted antibodies - immunodeficient;
- a late stage AIDS patient with a failed or failing immune system - immuno-incompetent; or
- a transplant recipient taking medication so their body will not reject the donated organ - immunocompromised.
There may be cases of overlap but these terms all describe immune system not fully functioning.
