Allergic Rxn & Autoimmune Disease Flashcards
What is an allergen
A certain antigen that causes different category of Ab to be produced
How are allergen antibodies different from normal
Ab linked to mast cell
When special mast cell antibodies bind to the allergen, what happens
Causes mast cell to release histamine (cell wall bursts)
When released, histamine causes
Vasodilation (redness, swelling from plasma leakage, hives) Increased secretions (runny nose, tears) Smooth muscle contractions (bronchiole constriction (wheezing) , diarrhea)
What causes individuals to have allergies
Produce thousands more Abs, this a lot more histamine is produced
What happens the first time an allergy prone person encounters an allergen
Starts making IgE Ab’s, memory cells produces, IgE Ab’s attach to mast cells
What happens the second time an allergy prone person encounters an allergen
Allergen binds to IgE primed mast cells, histamine released
An extreme life threatening allergic reaction is called
Anaphylaxis
Mild (non anaphylaxis) allergic reactions can be treated w
Steroid drugs or antihistamines
When would a steroid drug be used to treat a mild allergic reaction
For longer standing reactions such as flea allergy dermatitis
How steroid drugs work
Reduce antibody: antigen binding
Also inhibits the IS
How do antihistamines work? When should they be given?
Prevent mass cell from releasing, should be given prior to allergen exposure (won’t counteract histamine already present)
What to treat anaphylaxis with
Epinephrine
What epinephrine does to help treat anaphylaxis
Constricts blood vessels, opens airway)
An allergic reaction occurs how long after vaccination (if at all)
Ab 15 mins
