Ch. 13 Flashcards
immunodeficiency
lack of properly functioning immune system
primary immunodeficiency
congenital (present from birth); gonna affect 1/+ immune factors that will lead to deficient immunity; often caused by opportunistic pathogens
secondary immunodeficiency
acquired, not present from birth; more common than primary; pt starts out w normal functioning immune system and then there’s a decline perhaps bc of response to antigens or it stops working altogether; causes: age, meds, systemic disorders like diabetes or alcoholism or malnutrition
autoimmune disorders
chronic conditions that dev from damaging self tissue attacks *ex: Lupus, MS, T1D
diagnosing autoimmune disorders
- autoantibodies: abys that are self reactive
- hematological tests: inflammation and metabolic processes
signs and symptoms of autoimmune disorders
joint and muscle pain, fatigue, rashes, organ disfunction, frequent low grade fevers
Why can caner be considered a failure of the immune system
any defect or deficiency in our immune system can lead to an increased cancer risk, but in particular, T cytotoxic cells are important for destroying cancer cells
who are more likely to get cancer?
transplant patients. they take immunosuppressant antirejection drugs, are almost three times more likely to develop cancer than nontransplant patients.35% more likely to die from their cancer
autoimmunity
immune system = functioning inappropriately
attacks self
sees normal cells as invaders
immunotherapies
boosts immune system and are anticancer treatments
medical interventions that cause secondary immunodeficiencies
cancer treatments, steroids, anti-seizure meds
Hygiene hypothesis
potential dec in diversity in levels of microbes dat r part of our nL microbiota so that they may b negatively affecting our immune responses
Hypersensitivity
Any inappropriate immune response. Can be allergies or an autoimmune disorder
Hypersensitivities can be what?
Localized: restricted to given tissues or parts of the body
Systemic: spread throughout the body
Measles virus
Reduction of B and T cells —> breaks down immune system. Opens door for pathogens
Many pathogens have virulence factors that directly inhibit host immune defenses. What do they do?
- some break down abys
- others interfere with cellular signaling
- certain infectious agents may directly infect immune system cells —> WBC, phagocytes, B & T cells
