Chronic inflammation

Question 1

What are the main causes of chronic infection?

Answer 1

Infection e.g. tuberculosis
Autoimmune disease e.g. rheumatoid arthritis
Inflammatory reaction to sterile agents e.g. silica

Question 2

Which cell types cause chronic inflammation?

Answer 2

monocytes and macrophages

transforming growth factor beta (TGF) is chemotactic for macrophages and other immune cells

Question 3

What are the stages of chronic inflammation?

Answer 3

Destruction of parenchyma
Formation of granulation tissue - highly vascular tissue with angiogenesis
Chemotactic factors attract fibroblasts and endothelial cells

Question 4

What are the causes of gramulomatous inflammation?

Answer 4

Infections e.g. TB or fungi

Non infectious causes e.g. sarcoidosis or crohns disease

Question 5

How does chronic inflammation occur in cholesystitis and peptic ulcer disease?

Answer 5

Repeated acute inflammation can lead to damage of the underlying muscle tissue and hence lead to fibrosis and scarring