What Is
ALPS?
ALPS is a rare disease that affects both children and
adults. ALPS stands for Autoimmune
LymphoProliferative
(lim-fo-pro-lif'-er-a-tive) Syndrome. Each of
these three words helps describe the main features of this
condition.
The word autoimmune (self-immune) identifies ALPS
as a disease of the immune system. The tools used to fight
germs turn against our own cells and cause problems.
The word lymphoproliferative describes the
unusually large numbers of white blood cells (called
lymphocytes (lim'-fo-sites)) stored in the lymph nodes and
spleens of people with ALPS. The word syndrome refers
to the many common symptoms shared by ALPS patients.
Health
Related Websites
The National Cancer
Institute
The National Eye
Institute
The National Heart, Lung,
and Blood Institute

National Institute on
Aging

National Institute of
Allergy and Infectious Diseases

National Institute of
Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases

National Institute of
Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases

National Institute on Drug
Abuse

National Institute of Mental
Health

National Institute of
Neurological Disorders and Stroke
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