FOM week 6 Flashcards
What is the first step in managing IgE-mediated allergic disorders?
Avoid allergens, such as pollen or pet hair.
What type of medications block mast cell activation?
Antihistamines.
What is used to treat severe allergic reactions like anaphylaxis?
Adrenaline (EpiPen).
How does immunotherapy help in allergic disorders?
It re-educates the immune system through allergen desensitization.
What is autoimmunity?
It occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks the body’s own tissues or organs.
What is the key failure in autoimmune diseases?
The immune system fails to distinguish self from non-self.
What is Type 2 hypersensitivity?
It involves antibodies targeting specific cells, leading to cell damage, often seen in autoimmune conditions.
Name an example of a disease caused by Type 2 hypersensitivity.
Autoimmune hemolytic anemia, Graves’ disease, Goodpasture’s syndrome, Myasthenia Gravis, or Pemphigus vulgaris.
What is lymphopoiesis?
The development of B cells from stem cells into lymphoid progenitors.
What is central tolerance in the immune system?
Self-reactive lymphocytes are identified and eliminated in primary lymphoid organs.
What is peripheral tolerance?
Regulatory T cells inactivate self-reactive T cells outside of central tolerance.
What genetic mutation causes IPEX syndrome?
A mutation in the FOXP3 gene.
What are HLA genes, and why are they important in autoimmunity?
Human leukocyte antigen genes play a significant role in autoimmune disease susceptibility.
Why are females more prone to autoimmune diseases?
Due to genetic differences and hormonal influences on immune function.
Give an example of an environmental trigger for autoimmune diseases.
Streptococcal infection leading to rheumatic fever.
How do superantigens contribute to toxic shock syndrome?
They non-specifically activate a wide array of T and B cells, including auto-reactive ones, causing systemic inflammation.
What is the primary cause of Type III hypersensitivity?
Immune complexes form and deposit in tissues, causing inflammation and damage.
What distinguishes Type IV hypersensitivity from other types?
It is mediated by T cells, leading to direct tissue damage via delayed-type hypersensitivity reactions.
What is immune deficiency?
A loss of immune system function, reducing the ability to fight infections.
What are the two categories of immune deficiencies?
Primary (genetic) and secondary (acquired).
What does SPUR stand for in diagnosing immune deficiencies?
Serious, Persistent, Unusual, and Recurrent infections.
What is Severe Congenital Neutropenia?
A condition with severe neutropenia, recurrent infections, and accumulation of precursor cells in the bone marrow.
What is Selective IgA Deficiency?
An antibody deficiency affecting mucosal immunity, leading to recurrent respiratory and gastrointestinal infections.
What is the hallmark of Hyper-IgM Syndrome?
High levels of IgM due to a defect in CD40L, preventing class switching in B cells.
What is the most common form of Severe Combined Immunodeficiency (SCID)?
X-linked SCID caused by a mutation in the IL-2 receptor.
What is the role of regulatory T cells (Tregs) in immune tolerance?
They inactivate self-reactive T cells to prevent autoimmune reactions.
How do Peyer’s Patches contribute to mucosal immunity?
They capture antigens via M cells and transport them to immune cells for initiating immune responses.
What is the role of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) in the gastrointestinal mucosa?
They directly target and neutralize pathogens.
What is herd immunity?
Protection of a population when a sufficient percentage of individuals are vaccinated, preventing disease spread.
What type of vaccine uses a weakened form of the pathogen?
Live attenuated vaccines.
What type of vaccine generates immunity using parts of the pathogen?
Subunit vaccines.
How do memory B cells contribute to immunological memory?
They produce high-affinity antibodies during secondary immune responses.
What is the function of regulatory T cells in autoimmune disease prevention?
They suppress self-reactive T cells, maintaining immune system balance.
Why is early diagnosis of primary immunodeficiencies critical?
To manage infections effectively and prevent severe complications.
What is the treatment for phagocyte deficiencies?
Immunoglobulin replacement therapy (IVIg), antibiotics, antifungals, and sometimes stem cell transplantation.
