12 Asthma Flashcards
What is the definition of immunology?
The discipline of medicine concerned with the study of the body’s defence against infection
Why do pharmacists need to know the fundamentals of immunothology?
Important in many diseases and be aware how drugs can use the immune system to treat disease
Give examples of pathogens
- viruses
- intracellular bacteria
- fungi
- parasites
Describe the human defence system
- Block infection
- Innate immune response
- Adaptive immune response
How might the body block infection?
using barriers to entry such as:
- skin
- tears
- stomach acids
- mucus
Give examples of components of the innate immune system
- cellular factors
- natural killer cells
- phagocytic cells
- soluble mediators of the inflammosome
Compare the innate and adaptive immune system
innate - present at all times, immediate, activates the adaptive system
adaptive - develops in response to infection, protective again specific pathogens, develops memory
How long does acute inflammation occur?
days
How long does chronic inflammation occur?
weeks
What are some of the immune cells involved in asthma?
INNATE - Mast cells & Eosinophils
ADAPTIVE - B cells
What is the function of eosinophils?
contain cytotoxic granules e.g. major
basic protein and eosinophil peroxidase - important
in control of helminth (worm) infections
What is the function of mast cells?
contain histamines and cytokines and
eicosanoids - key to allergic reactions
When does asthma tend to begin?
In childhood
Allergic asthma is associated with what cell responses?
T helper 2 cell responses (Th2)
What is the non-Th2 form associated with?
Obesity, ageing and smoking
