Allergic and autoimmune diseases Flashcards
What is the difference between allergy and autoimmunity?
Allergy is a response to external antigens (e.g. pollen), whereas autoimmunity is a response to internal antigens (e.g. myelin, β cells in pancreas)
What are the similarities between allergy and autoimmunity?
They are both hyperimmune responses with inflammatory responses and symptoms
List three significant symptoms of anaphylaxis
- Rash/urticaria
- Throat constriction
- Low blood pressure
At which point has anaphylaxis become anaphylactic shock?
When BP drops by 30% or more
List some common causes of anaphylaxis
-
Food
- Peanuts, wheat, nuts, seafood, milk, eggs
- More common in children/young adults
-
Venom
- Insect bites/stings
- Bees, wasps
-
Medications
- β-lactam antibiotics, aspirin, NSAIDS
Describe the pathophysiology of anapylaxis
- Triggered by the allergen binding to mast cells (direct effect) or by IgE antibodies binding to mast cells receptors (antibody mediated release)
- Mast cells and basophils release inflammatory mediators/cytokines (e.g. histamine)
- Mast cells overreact and quickly degranulate, promoting oedema and bronchoconstriction
What is the function of antihistamines?
Antihistamines block the action of histamine. Note they don’t block histamine release, so other mechanisms to shut down the mast cell overresponse are required
List four physiological effects of inflammatory mediators/cytokines and the symptoms that result
- Vasodilation (increased blood vessel diameter) — reduced BP
- Cardiac muscle depression — reduced cardiac output and BP
- Fluid leakage from blood vessels — oedema
- Smooth muscle contraction in bronchi — loss of airway patency
List three less common symptoms of anaphylaxis
- Intestinal cramps — gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT)
- Pelvic pain — smooth muscle in bladder/uterus
- CNS depression — neurokinin mediates the CNS response to anaphylaxis/allergen, increasing GABA activity
List the symptoms of anaphylaxis
- Urticaria
- Oedema
- Hypotension
- Lightheadedness
- Syncope
- LOC
- Tachycardia (compensatory response)
- SOB
- Wheezes (∵ bronchospasm)
- Stridor (∵ swelling)
- Hyperventilation (compensatory response)
The biphasic response occurs in what percentage of all anaphylactic reactions?
~20%
What is the biphasic response?
The recurrence of anaphylaxis after initial reaction and treatment, usually within 1 to 8 hours but can occur up to 24 hours post-exposure
List the rx for anaphylaxis and the purpose of each
- Adrenaline — shock, bronchodilation
- O2 (if SpO2 <94%)
- IV fluid — BP, dehydration
- Hydrocortisone — prevention of secondary (biphasic) response
- Salbutamol (β2 adrenergic agonist) — bronchodilation, increases blood flow to the heart)
- Ipatropium bromide (antimuscarinic agent) — bronchodilation
Describe the effects and dangers of adrenaline as anaphylaxis rx
- Activates sympathetic nervous system
- Increases cardiac output and BP
- Bronchodilation
- May cause arrhythmias/dysrhythmias; vasospasm can encourage thrombus formation, leading to MI
- May interact with MAO (monoamine oxidase) inhibitors
- Can increase the half-life of adrenaline
Describe hydrocortisone and its function as anaphylaxis rx
- Adrenocortical steroid — anti-inflammatory
- Inhibits:
- Accumulation of inflammatory cells
- Phagocytosis
- Lysosomal enzyme release
- Cytokine synthesis
- Can also inhibit release of histamine from mast cells
- Potentially blocks biphasic reaction
List some autoimmune diseases
- Type 1 diabetes (IDDM)
- Inflammatory bowel diseases
- Hashimoto’s thyroiditis
- Addison’s disease
- Grave’s disease
- Reactive arthritis
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Sjögren’s syndrome
- Systemic lupus erythematosus
- Multiple sclerosis
- Guillain-Barre
- Celiac sprue disease
- Vitiligo
- Scleroderma
- Psoriasis
Describe the trigger and symptoms of Guillain-Barre syndrome
- Begins with bacterial infection (e.g. Campylobacter jejuni [food poisoning commonly contracted from chicken])
- Bilateral muscle weakness in hands and feet
- Compromised ability to control breathing
What test result is indicative of Guillain-Barre syndrome?
Absent/depressed tendon reflexes
What occurs at a cellular level in Guillain-Barre syndrome?
Autoantibodies attack myelin or axons of the peripheral nervous system
Demyelinating variant: Schwann cells
What is Babinski’s sign, and what does it indicate?
When a soft point is run up the middle of the sole of the foot from heel to toes, the normal response is flexion of the toes (bend down). An abnormal response is extension (fanning up and out); this is called the Babinski sign and is indicative of a problem in the CNS
List the rx for Guillain-Barre syndrome
- Life support
- Plasmapheresis — filter out the antibodies from plasma
- Immunotherapy — neutralise the autoantibodies with IgG antibodies (polyclonal IgGs from donors)
What is the prognosis for pts with Guillain-Barre syndrome?
- Peripheral nerves can recover in most cases
- 5% mortality
- 80% recover within a year
What is the chronic form of Guillain-Barre syndrome?
Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP)
How is multiple sclerosis similar to Guillain-Barre syndrome?
Multiple sclerosis is the demyelination in the CNS, whereas Guillain-Barre occurs in the PNS
Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis are both examples of what disease group?
Inflammatory bowel diseases
What areas of the body are affected by Crohn’s disease?
Anywhere in the GIT, commonly the ileum of the small intestine; frequently transmutal
List three possible causes of Crohn’s disease
- Genetic
- Immune
- Microbial
What areas of the body are affected by ulcerative colitis?
Large intestine (colon and rectum); extends only into the mucosa
What causes ulcerative colitis?
Autoimmune
In general terms, what are inflammatory bowel diseases?
Autoimmune diseases characterised by excessive T-cell infiltration in effected areas of the GIT
Which populations of T-cell are involved in a) Crohn’s disease and b) ulcerative colitis?
Crohn’s — TH1
Ulcerative — TH2
What is the source of IDDM in the majority of cases?
Autoimmune