Hypersensitivity Flashcards
What is hypersensitivity?
A group of disorders where the normally beneficial components of the immune response act in an exaggerated or inappropriate fashion to environmental antigens which do not normally cause tissue damage.
What is responsible for tissue damage in hypersensitivity reactions?
The exaggerated response directed at the antigen rather than the antigen itself is responsible for the tissue damage which results.
What are the 4 types of hypersensitivity reaction?
Type 1:
Allergy/anaphylaxis
Type 2:
Cytotoxic (blood)
Type 3: Immune complex (complement)
Type 4:
Delayed
What mediates type 1 reactions?
IgE
What elements are involved in type 1 reactions?
- Allergen (antigen_
- IgE
- Mast cell/basophil
- Th2 cells
- Eosinophils
- Genes
Give examples of allergens involved in type 1 reactions.
Airborne
-Pollen, house dust mitre, animal products
Ingested
-Milk, egg, fish, shellfish, cereals, nuts
Occupational
-Latex, drugs, industrial
When do type 1 reactions occur?
Immediate reaction to stimulus
What are type 1 reactions due to?
Hypersensitive Th cells
What is atopy?
- Genetic potential to produce allergic reactions
- Genetic tendency to produce IgE to normally innocuous environemental allergens (40%)
What is allergy?
A clinical expression of atopic tendency (15-20%)
What are the 2 phases in type 1 reactions?
- Sensitisation phase
- Reaction phase
What is the pathogenesis of type 1 reactions?
- Allergen exposure
- Mast cell activation and IgE
- Leads to degranulation and release of preformed mediators
- Synthesis of new mediators
- Results in mucosal oedema, capillary leakage, secretions, smooth muscle contraction and vasodilation
What are the 2 response phases in type 1 reactions?
- Early phase response (within minutes of allergen exposure)
- Late phase response (hours)
What is the early phase response of type 1 reactions due to?
Preformed mediators
What is the late phases response of type 1 reactions due to?
- Due to newly synthesise mast cell -Th2 cytokines
- Eosinophil mediators
What mast cells mediators are preformed in type 1 reactions?
- Histamine
- Heparin
- Tryptase
- Chymase
- ECF
- NCF
What mast cell mediators are newly synthesised in type 1 reactions?
- Prostaglandins
- Leukotrienes
How can allergy present clinically?
- Allergic rhino conjunctivitis
- Some asthma
- Urticaria, angioedema, eczema
- Food allergies
- Anaphylaxis
What are some common precipitants of anaphylaxis?
-Foods: fish, shellfish, eggs, milk, nuts, wheat
Insect venoms: bee, wasp
Drugs: antibiotics, anaesthetic agents, antisera
Latex, seminal plasma
How is allergy diagnosed?
- History and examination
- Skin prick tests
- Patch testing
- RAST test (IgE levels)
- Serum histamine, tryptase, leukotriene
How is allergy treated?
-Avoidance
-Antihistamines
-Steroid
-Adrenaline
-Patient education
-Sodium cromoglycate
-Leukotriene antagonist
-Desensitisation therapy
Specific treatment for asthma and anaphylaxis
What mediates type 2 reactions?
IgG or IgM directed against antigens on cell surface or within tissues