Acute & Chronic Inflammation

Question 1

What type of inflammation that involves only the innate immune system?

Answer 1

Acute inflammation

Question 2

What type of inflammation is long term and can last up to years?

Answer 2

Chronic inflammation

Question 3

What type of inflammation involve both innate and adaptive immune systems?

Answer 3

Chronic inflammation

Question 4

What are the causes of inflammation ?

Answer 4

Microbial infection
Physical agents
Irritants e.g., corrosive chemicals
Tissue necrosis

Question 5

5 cardinal signs of inflammation

Answer 5

• Redness (rubor) – Dilation of small blood vessels
• Heat (calor) – Increased blood flow (hyperaemia)
• Swelling (tumor) – Accumulation of fluid in extra vascular space (oedema)
• Pain (dolor) – Stretching of tissues and due to release of chemical mediators
• Loss of function

Question 6

What is Exudation?

Answer 6

The vessels become ‘leaky’ and allow passage of fluid

Question 7

What inflammatory exudate consists of ?

Answer 7

• Fluids and salts
• Glucose and oxygen
• Soluble mediators
• Fibrin

Question 8

What are the main types of soluble mediators?

Answer 8

Histamine
Prostaglandins
Leukotrienes
Serotonin
Bradykinin

Question 9

What are the main roles of Histamine?

Answer 9

Question 10

What is the main roles of Prostaglandins in inflammation?

Answer 10

Causes vascular dilation Prostaglandins
Acts of nerve fibres – itching
Role in tissue remodelling

Question 11

What are the four plasma factor systems?

Answer 11

• Complement
• Kinin system
• Coagulation
• Fibrinolytic system

Question 12

Kinin system

Answer 12

Involves plasma protein( kallikrein) which:
Generated by Hagemen factor
Converts Kininogens to kinins (e.g. bradykinin)

Question 13

Coagulation System

Answer 13

Leads to formation of a stable blood clot (consists of fibrin)

Question 14

Fibrinolytic system

Answer 14

Involves plasmin prevents excessive clotting of blood by degrading fibrin

Question 15

What is Haemostasis?

Answer 15

Stop the flow of the blood

Question 16

Disorders of the plasma factor systems

Answer 16

Von Willebrand disease
Haemophilia A
Haemophilia B
Warfarin
Heparin

Question 17

Examples of acute inflammation

Answer 17

Gingivitis
Abscess formation
Pericoronitis
Cellulitis
Angular Cheilitis
Ludwig’s Angina

Question 18

Where does pus form?

Answer 18

Pyogenic membrane

Question 19

Non-specific chronic inflammation

Answer 19

e.g. periodontitis

Failure to resolve acute inflammation
Persistent bouts of acute inflammation 
Excessive suppuration - pus formation

Question 20

Specific (Primary) chronic inflammation

Answer 20

Arises de novo (New source)
Persistent exposure to agent

Question 21

What is Orofacial Granulomatosis ?

Answer 21

Characterized by excessively activated tissue macrophages
Epithelioid macrophages
Giant cells consist of these macrophages fused together
B and T cells also present
Granulomas form in the soft tissue