The term "primary immunodeficiency diseases" (synonym: immunodeficiency syndromes) covers various diseases of the immune system that are characterized by a temporary or irreversible disturbance of the immune function. Congenital or primary immunodeficiencies (PID) are diseases in which the immunodeficiency is congenital, familial and/or inherited. The PID group is contrasted with diseases in which the immunodeficiency is acquired, which are referred to by the generic term "secondary immunodeficiencies". The most important and best-known example of this is AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome).
Patients with defects in intrinsic immunity also have recurrent invasive infections. This can include versch. Bacteria (e.g. Pneumococcus, Staphylococcus/ MyD88, IRAK4 defects) or warts(WHIM syndrome, Epidermodysplasia verruciformis) or fungal infections(Chronic Mucocutaneous Candidiasis). Defined defects in "innate immunity" affect cellular immune responses after cell activation via so-called Toll-like receptors (TLRs) or e.g. within signal processing via the NF-κB pathway.