Acute inflammation Flashcards
What kind of bacteria usually cause acute inflammation?
Pyogenic - ‘pus-forming’
What are the four cardinal signs of inflammation?
Calor (heat)
Rubor (redness)
Dolor (pain)
Tumor (swelling).
What are the components of the acute inflammatory response?
Vascular reaction (dilatation)
Exudative reaction
Cellular reaction (migration of inflammatory cells).
What is the acute phase reaction?
Acute phase proteins (C-reactive etc) increase in concentration in response to acute inflammation.
Why is the measurement of C-reactive protein useful clinically?
It can be used as a marker of inflammation.
What my be used as a proxy marker of acute inflammation?
Erythrocyte sedimentation rate
What are the mediated mechanisms behind the vascular reaction.
Histamine
Bradykinin
NO
Leukotrine B4
Complement components
What are the non-mediated causal agents of the vascular reaction?
Endothelial injury e.g. toxins, physical agents
What is the purpose of inflammatory exudate?
Protein rich (Igs, fibrinogen)
Dilution of noxious agents
Transport to lymph nodes
Supply of nutrients, O2
Spread of inflammatory mediators
Spread of antibodies
Spread of drugs
What is fibrinous inflammation?
Precipitated fibrin from the inflammatory exudate. Results in roughening of smooth surfaces.
What are the characteristics of the cellular reaction?
Accumulation of neutrophils, can form pus.
What is the purpose of fibrinous inflammation?
Serves to destroy, dilute, or wall off both the injurious agent and the injured tissue.
What are the features of neutrophils?
Produced in bone marrow
Commonest white cell in blood
Increase in acute inflammation
Motile, amoeboid, can move into tissues
Directional chemotaxis
Short lifespan (hours in tissues)
What are the oxygen-dependent functions of neutrophils?
Myeloperoxidase - H2O2
Cl-
O2-
OH-
What are the oxygen-independent functions of neutrophils?
Lysozyme
Lactoferrin
Cationic proteins
