Immune function Flashcards
Immunity: definition
Body’s specific protective response to an invading foreign agent or organism
What are disorders of the immune system
Excesses or deficiencies of immunocompetent cells
Alterations in the function of these cells
Immunologic attack on self-antigens
Inappropriate or exaggerated responses to specific antigens
What are factors the influence immune function?
Central nervous system integrity Emotional status Medications Stress of illness Trauma Surgery
What are components in the body that are a part of the immune system?
Bone marrow WBC Lymphoid tissue Thymus gland Spleen Tonsils/adenoids
Autoimmunity
Normal protective immune response paradoxically turns against or attacks the body, leading to tissue damage
Hypersensitivity
Body produces inappropriate or exaggerated responses to specific antigens
Gammopathies
Immunoglobulins are overproduced
Primary immune deficiency
Deficiency results from improper development of immune cells or tissues; usually congenital or inherited
Secondary immune deficiency
Deficiency results from some interference with an already developed immune system; usually acquired later in life
What do lymph nodes do?
Remove foreign material from the lymph system before it enters the bloodstream. They are centers for the proliferation of immune cells
Where are lymph nodes located?
Distributed throughout the body throughout the body and connected by lymph channels and capillaries
Natural immunity
Provides a nonspecific response to any foreign pathogen, regardless of the pathogen’s composition.
Natural immunity is dependent on what?
The ability to distinguish between self and non-self
Natural immunity coordinates what?
The initial response to pathogens through the production of cytokines
What are the 2 stages of natural immunity?
immediate or delayed
Natural immunity: physical and chemical barriers do what
Help immune system response - prevent or delay entry into the body of various pathogens before infection can develop
Example of physical and chemical barriers
_____
Physical and chemical barriers (Natural immunity) - interferon-viricidal protein
_____ GO read in book
Natural immunity: inflammatory response
Tissue injury or pathogens
Facilitated by physical and chemical barriers
Natural immunity: immune response
Successful immune response eliminates the responsible antigen
Disorders with constant inflammatory response – hypersensitivity reaction
Acquired immunity
Develops as a result of exposure to an antigen - immunization or contacting the disease
What are the 2 types of acquired immunity?
Passive
Active
Acquired immunity: passive immunity
Temporary immunity transmitted from a source outside the body that has developed immunity through previous disease or immunization
the short-term immunity which results from the introduction of antibodies from another person or animal.
Passive immunity - Immune globulin/antiserum
used in emergencies after a hepatitis exposure
Acquired immunity: active
immunologic defense are developed by the person’s own body
- lasts years or a lifetime
- relies on the recognition of specific foreign antigens
Go read in book about the different types of immunuty
ex: active natural, artificial active, etc.
What conditions does the humoral response fight?
- Bacterial phagocytosis and lysis
- Anaphylaxis
- Allergic hay fever and asthma
- Immune complex disease
- Bacterial and some viral infections
What cells are involved in humoral response?
B cells
What cells are involved with cellular response?
T cells
What conditions does the cellular response target?
Transplant rejection Delayed hypersensitivity Graft v Host disease Tumor surveillance or destruction Intracellular infections Viral, Fungal, and parasitic infections
How might B cells respond to antigens?
Sometimes, B cells can response to the antigen by directly triggering the antibody. Other times, it needs the T cells because T cells recognize the “blueprint” and message the B cells who are waiting in the lymph nodes - then the B cells start cloning.
Then, there becomes memory and allows us to fight and recognize faster with the next invasion
What are the stages of immune response?
Recognition stage
Proliferation stage
Response stage
Effector stage
What are the types of T cells
Helper T cells
Cytotoxic (killer) T cells
Suppressor T cells
Memory cells
What are antibodies?
Large proteins called immunoglobulins that defend against foreign pathogens.
How does the body develop antibodies?
from vaccinations or previous illness
What are the types of B cells
IgG IgA IgM IgE IgD
IgG
Most abundant in body
Responsible for humoral immunity
Crosses placenta
Assumes major role in blood borne and tissue infections
IgA
Body secretions (Saliva, tears, sweat, GI tract)
Colostrum is rich in IgA
Prevents antigens or foreign substances from entering the body cells
Prevents absorption of antigens from food
IgM
First antibody to be produced in response to bacterial and viral infections
Most effective
IgE
Raised with allergies
Bind with mast cells - release histamine
IgD
Not significant role
Present on the surface of b-cells
Thought to function as a b-cell receptor
Immune dysfunction: respiratory system
Changes in respiratory rate Cough (dry or productive) Abnormal lung sounds (wheezing, crackles, rhonchi, stridor) Rhinitis Hyperventilation Bronchospasm Hypoxemia
Immune dysfunction: CV system
Hypotension Tachycardia Arrhythmia Vasculitis Anemia
Immune dysfunction: GI system
Hepatosplenomegaly
Colitis
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Immune dysfunction: Genitourinary system
Frequency and burning on urination
Hematuria
Discharge
immune dysfunction: musculoskeletal
Joint mobility, edema, and pain
immune dysfunction: neurosensory system
Cognitive dysfunction Hearing loss Visual changes Headaches and migraines Ataxia Tetany
Immune dysfunction: skin
Rashes Pruritus Lesions Dermatitis Hematomas or purpura Edema, angioedema, or urticaria Inflammation Flushing Discharge
Immune system assessment
Past medical History Signs and symptoms of an immune response Immunization status Allergies Autoimmune disorders Chronic illness and surgery Medications & Blood transfusions Nutrition
Gerontological considerations: immunity
Immune - less antibodies, inflammatory response not as quick
GI - altered nutrition, decrease immunoglobulins
Urinary - flora change –> UTI
Pulmonary - environmental stuff they breath in
Integumentary - thinning
Circulatory
Neuro - decreased sensation
What are examples of allergy testing
Skin tests
Radioallergosorbent Testing
Proactive testing
