YOU ARE HERE:
M
   Last updated: 21.10.04
macrophage
(mack-ro-fayge)

A white blood cell that roams the body tissues engulfing foreign organisms.

magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
Technique similar to CAT scanning.

MAI / MAC (Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare/Mycobacterium avium complex)
Micro-organisms related to TB which can cause disease in people with advanced HIV.

maintenance therapy
Taking drugs for a period of time after an infection has been treated, to stabilise the condition or prevent a re-occurrence or deterioration.

malabsorption
(mal-ab-zorb-shun)

Failure of the gut to absorb food, resulting in weight loss, diarrhoea and decreased effectiveness of drugs taken orally.

malaise
(ma-layze)

A general feeling of illness.

malignant
(mal-ig-nunt)
Tumours which may grow rapidly, infiltrate surrounding tissues and spread around the body.

mane
Latin term meaning day.

mean
The average value (the sum of the observed values divided by their number).

median
The central value of the distribution, so that half the values are less than or equal to it and half are greater than or equal to it.

meningitis
(men-in-jy-tuss)

Inflammation of the outer lining of the brain.

meta-analysis
Where data from several clinical trials of the same thing, such as the use of a specific drug to treat a particular infection, are combined together to produce an overall result.

metabolism
(me-ta-bol-iz-um)

The mechanisms which sustain life, turning sugar and fat into energy.

metabolite
(me-tab-o-lite)

Any chemical resulting from the process of metabolism.

microsporidiosis
(mi-crow-spor-id-ee-o-siss)

Infection with the gut parasite Microsporidia.

mitochondria
(my-toe-kon-dree-uh)

Cellular compartment involved in energy production.

monocyte
(mon-o-site)

A white blood cell that roams the body tissues engulfing foreign organisms.

monotherapy
(mon-o-the-rah-pee)

Taking a drug on its own, as opposed to in combination with other drugs.

mutation
A single change in gene sequence.

myalgia
(my-al-gee-uh)

Muscle pain.

mycobacteria
(my-ko-back-teer-ree-uh)

Family of bacteria that includes the causes of tuberculosis and MAI.

mycosis
(my-ko-siss)

Any fungal disease.

myelotoxic
(my-uh-low-tock-sick)

Damaging to the bone marrow.

myopathy
(my-o-pa-thee)

Muscle wastage or disease.

mitochondrial toxicity
Mitochondria are structures in human cells responsible for energy production. When damaged by anti- HIV drugs, this can cause a wide range of side-effects, including possibly fat loss.