Acute Inflammation Flashcards
What is acute inflammation?
A basic pathologic process involving a non specific reaction to tissue damage
What are the two types of healing?
By regeneration
By repair
If the cells can regrow after inflammation has occurred what type of healing follows?
By regeneration
If the cells cannot regrow after inflammation has occurred what type of healing follows?
By repair
If the damaging agent persists, what is the resulting condition?
Chronic inflammation
Give two benefits of acute inflammation
Clear away dead tissues
Locally protect from infection and allow access of immune system components
What are the cardinal signs of acute inflammation?
Calor Rubor Dolor Tumour Functio Lesae
What is the additional clinical feature of serious inflammation?
An outpouring of serious fluid
What are the three clinical features of acute inflammation?
Vascular reaction
Exudative reaction
Cellular reaction
What are the key events in vascular reaction?
Dilatation and changes in blood flow
Microvascular dilatation
Increased permeability
What are the mediating factors which cause vascular reaction?
Histamine Bradykinin Nitrous Oxide Leyukotrine B4 Complement
What are the non mediating factors which cause vascular reaction?
Direct damage to the endothelium
Describe the Frank-Starling relationship
An intrinsic property of myocardium by which increased length (or ventricular volume) results in enhanced performance during the subsequent contraction
What are the key events in exudative reaction?
Formation of inflammatory exudate which is protein rich and filed with immunoglobulins and fibrinogen
Exudate is constantly turning over and aids with: dilution of noxious agents, transport to lymph nodes, supply of nutrients and spread of inflammatory agents
What are the key events in cellular reaction?
Migration of inflammatory cells out of vessels
Accumulation of neutrophils in extracellular space and in severe cases with cellular debris and bacteria to form pus
Where are neutrophils produced?
In the bone marrow
Neutrophils are motile and amoeboid. How does this help them carry out their function?
Allows them to easily migrate to tissues
Margination -> Rolling-Adhesion ->Migration
What are the cell derived mediators of acute inflammation?
Prostaglandins Leukotrienes Cytokines Nitrous Oxide Chemokine's Histamine (only one that is stored an not synthesised)
What are the plasma derived mediators of acute inflammation?
Kinin system
Clotting pathway
Thrombolytic Pathway
Complement Pathway
Which 2 key mediating factors lead to vascular dilatation?
Histamine and Nitrous Oxide
Which 3 key mediating factors lead to neutrophil adhesion?
IL-8
IL-1
TNF
Which key mediating factor leads to neutrophil chemotaxis?
IL-8
What are the usual blood tests carried out to assess for inflammation?
FBC
ESR
CRP
What is systemic inflammatory response syndrome?
An inflammatory state affecting the whole body, usually related or due to sepsis
