Core Microbiology - Immunisation (7)

Question 1

Edward Jenner (1796)

Answer 1

Vaccination for smallpox

Question 2

Louis Pasteur (1860s-1890s)

Answer 2

Vaccination for chickenpox, cholera, diphtheria, anthrax and rabies

Question 3

How does immunity work?

Answer 3

Learn specific IgG response

Question 4

Passive immunity

Answer 4

• Transfers mum > unborn baby
• Maternal antibodies can protect the baby for up to a year against illnesses to which the mother is immune
• Disappears within several weeks/months

Question 5

IG injections

Answer 5

Contains antibodies pooled together from blood of many donors (tetanus, botulism, HBV, rabies, varicella)

Question 6

Active immunity

Answer 6

• Long-lasting immunity produced by immune system in response to antigens
• From natural infection/vaccinations

Question 7

Immunological memory

Answer 7

Persistence of protection for many years after natural infection/vaccination

Question 8

Antigen

Answer 8

Anything that can be bound by an antibody

Question 9

Antigenic determinants/epitopes

Answer 9

Where antibodies interact

Question 10

Antibody

Answer 10

Produced to one specific antigen

Question 11

Different types of antibody

Answer 11

IgM, IgG, IgA, IgE

Question 12

Primary immune response

Answer 12

First few weeks following antigen exposure - IgM

Question 13

Secondary immune response

Answer 13

Faster and more powerful - IgG

Question 14

How do antibodies produce immunity?

Answer 14

• Antibodies produced from B Lymphocytes
• Antigen binds non-specifically to variable region of antibody (Ig) molecule. This triggers clonal expansion
• 1st wave of IgM production, - IgG production
• IgG binds tightly to antigen and facilitates the destruction of the antigen-bearing micro-organism
• When infection resolved levels of IgG decline
• One set of the IgG producing B lymphocytes persist with the ability to recognise that specific antigen = Immunological memory

Question 15

Live vaccine advantages

Answer 15

• Single dose sufficient to induce long-last immunity
• Strong immune response
• Local and systemic immunity

Question 16

Inactivated/killed vaccine advantages

Answer 16

• Stable
• Constituents clearly defined
• Unable to cause the infection

Question 17

Live vaccine disadvantages

Answer 17

• Revert to virulence
• Contraindication in immunosuppressed
• Interference by viruses/vaccines and passive antibody
• Poor stability
• Potential for contamination

Question 18

Inactivated/killed vaccine disadvantages

Answer 18

• Need several doses
• Local reactions common
• Adjuvant needed
• Short lasting immunity

Question 19

New vaccines

Answer 19

• Varicella/Zostavax
• Menveo
• Men B
• Rotavirus
• Fluenz