ccChronic Inflammation Flashcards
Define chronic inflammation:
Chronic inflammation is a persistent inflammatory response characterized by the presence of inflammatory cells, tissue damage, and attempts at healing. It can last for months or years and is often triggered by persistent injurious agents.
Define humoral and cellular immunity:
Humoral immunity involves the production of antibodies by B-lymphocytes and plasma cells in response to antigens, while cellular immunity involves the activation of T-lymphocytes and macrophages to eliminate pathogens and infected cells.
define complement:
complement is a family of proteins produced by the liver and involved in various immune responses, including opsonization of pathogens, activation of inflammatory responses, and cell lysis.
List the cells associated with chronic inflammation:
Mononuclear cells such as lymphocytes, plasma cells, and macrophages are the primary cells associated with chronic inflammation.
Distinguish between general and granulomatous patterns of chronic inflammation:
General chronic inflammation involves nonspecific inflammatory responses with persistent tissue damage and repair attempts, while granulomatous inflammation is characterized by the formation of granulomas, nodular collections of macrophages surrounded by lymphocytes and fibroblasts.
Classify the causes of chronic inflammation and list appropriate examples:
Causes include persistent infections (e.g., tuberculosis, chronic viral hepatitis), foreign bodies (e.g., talc, silicone), autoimmune diseases (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus), and hypersensitivity reactions.
Describe a granuloma in detail:
A granuloma is a nodular collection of epithelioid macrophages surrounded by lymphocytes and fibroblasts. It may contain multinucleate giant cells and necrotic tissue and is a hallmark of granulomatous inflammation.
Classify the etiology of granulomatous inflammation with examples:
Examples include mycobacterial infections (e.g., tuberculosis), fungal infections (e.g., histoplasmosis), parasitic infestations (e.g., schistosomiasis), foreign bodies, and chronic inflammatory/autoimmune diseases (e.g., sarcoidosis, Crohn’s disease).
Describe the pathological features of granulomatous inflammation:
Granulomatous inflammation is characterized by the presence of granulomas, which consist of epithelioid macrophages, lymphocytes, and fibroblasts. Giant cells and necrosis may also be present, and the appearance of the granuloma can help identify its underlying cause.
What is chronic inflammation, and how does it differ from acute inflammation?
Chronic inflammation is a persistent inflammatory response lasting for months or years, characterized by the presence of mononuclear cells and tissue damage. Unlike acute inflammation, which is rapid and short-lived, chronic inflammation involves ongoing attempts at healing.
What are the primary cells associated with chronic inflammation?
the primary cells associated with chronic inflammation include lymphocytes, plasma cells, and macrophages.
Can you differentiate between general and granulomatous patterns of chronic inflammation?
General chronic inflammation involves nonspecific inflammatory responses with persistent tissue damage and repair attempts. Granulomatous inflammation, on the other hand, is characterized by the formation of granulomas, which are nodular collections of epithelioid macrophages surrounded by lymphocytes and fibroblasts.
What are some examples of causes of granulomatous inflammation?
Examples include mycobacterial infections (e.g., tuberculosis), fungal infections (e.g., histoplasmosis), parasitic infestations (e.g., schistosomiasis), foreign bodies, and chronic inflammatory/autoimmune diseases (e.g., sarcoidosis, Crohn’s disease).
Define hypersensitivity reactions and classify them according to mechanism.
Hypersensitivity reactions are excessive immune responses to antigens. They are classified into four types: Type I (immediate), Type II (antibody-mediated), Type III (immune complex-mediated), and Type IV (cell-mediated).
Explain the pathogenesis of systemic autoimmune diseases with examples.
Systemic autoimmune diseases involve immune cells attacking self-proteins, leading to tissue damage. Examples include systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and rheumatoid arthritis. SLE is primarily mediated by Type III hypersensitivity reactions, with antibodies against nuclear antigens like DNA and RNA.
