Immune System Flashcards
Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS)
progressive impairment of the immune system, ultimately fatal, sore throat, opportunistic infections, fatigue, diarrhea, weight loss, lymphadenopathy, pneumonia, malignancies, attacks T-cells
Causes of AIDS
sexual contact, needles
Common Variable Immunodeficiency (Acquired Hypogammaglobulinemia)
acquired B-cell deficiency, absence of antibody production/function, dyspnea, fever, diarrhea, runny nose, cough, lymphadenopathy, splenomegaly, hepatomegaly, B-cell count normal, B-cell function impaired
Causes of CVID
possibly defective T-cell signaling
Selective Immunoglobulin A Deficiency (IgA)
failure to produce immunoglobulin A (IgA), asymptomatic
Causes of Selective Immunoglobulin A Deficiency
failure to produce adequate levels of IgA, possibly failure of gene switching
X-Linked Agammaglobulinemia
severe B-cell deficiency
Causes of X-Linked Agammaglobulinemia
sex-linked, affects only males, defect in Bruton tyrosine kinase
Severe Combined Immunodeficiency
group of disorders that result from a disturbance in the development and function of T and B cells, absence of both cell-mediated (T) and antibody-mediated (B) immunity
Causes of Severe Combined Immunodeficiency
X-linked, autosomal recessive, defect in stem differentiation into B and T cells, X-linked due to mutation in a cytokine receptor gene, which blocks cytokine pathways, autosomal comes from a mutation in a gene coding for tyrosine kinase or for a recombinase enzyme
DiGeorge Anomaly (Thymic Hypoplasia)
congenital cause of immunodeficiency, small or absent thymus, signs of tetany, cardiovascular defects
Causes of DiGeorge Anomaly
abnormal development of the third and fourth pharyngeal pouches during 12th week of gestation, underdeveloped thymus
Chronic Mucocutaneous Candidiasis
chronic fungal infections of the skin, nails, and mucous membranes
Causes of of Chronic Mucocutaneous Candidiasis
T cell deficit specific to Candida, susceptible to infection
Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome
congenital disorder characterized by inadequate B and T cell function
Causes of Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome
X-linked, affects only males, mutation in the gene encoding the Wiskott-Aldrich protein, thymus gland decreases with age, metabolic defects in platelet synthesis
Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia
red blood cells are destroyed by antibodies, fatigue, weakness, chilles, jaundice, pale, dyspnea
Causes of Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia
B cells not able to identify red blood cells as part of the body and destroy them
Pernicious Anemia
impaired vitamin B12 absorption
Causes of Pernicious Anemia
decreased gastric production of hydrochloric acid, shortage of intrinsic factor, impaired vitamin B12 absorption
Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura
isolated deficiency of platelets, inability to clot, spontaneous hemorrhage
Causes of Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura
idiopathic, possibly antibodies that reduce the life of platelets
Immune Neutropenia
decreased number of circulation neutrophils
Causes of Immune Neutropenia
accelerated turnover of neutrophils, diminished to almost complete absence, infection, drug exposure, ITP, autoimmune response, acute rheumatoid arthritis, hemolytic anemia
Goodpasture Syndrome
autoimmune kidney disease, presence of antibodies directed against the antigen in the glomerular basement membrane
Causes of Goodpasture Syndrome
antibodies cause complement-mediated tissue damage in the glomerular and alveolar basement membranes, causing glomerulonephritis and pulmonary hemorrhage
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease, unusual antibodies in the blood that target body tissues, inflames and damages connective tissue, butterfly rash
Causes of Lupus
autoimmune disorder, antibodies targeting the body’s own cells
Scleroderma (Systemic Sclerosis)
chronic disease characterized by the hardening of the skin, possible scarring of internal organs
Causes of Scleroderma
unknown, possibly autoimmune disease
Sjögren Syndrome
autoimmune disease that features inflammation in various glands, rheumatoid arthritis, keratoconjunctivitis sicca, dryness of pharynges, sores on the mouth, dental decay
Causes of Sjögren Syndrom
unknown, possibly genetic factors, most patients are female
Rheumatoid Arthritis
chronic inflammatory disease that affects the joints, causes deformity and disability, inflammation of the synovial membranes surrounding joints, inflammation spreads across joint, destroys adjacent bone
Causes of Rheumatoid Arthritis
unknown, autoimmune, genetic
Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid Arthritis that affects people less than 16 years of age
Ankylosing Spondylitis
systemic, inflammatory disease affecting the spinal column, starts in sacroiliac region of spine, uveitis, limited range of motion in affected joints
Causes of Ankylosing Spondylitis
not known
Polymyositis
disease of muscle that features inflammation of the muscles fibers, usually close to trunk or torso, severe weakness, chronic illness, periods of increased and decreased symptoms, muscles weakness
Causes of Polymyositis
unknown, possibly autoimmune, white blood cells spontaneously invade muscles
Multiple Sclerosis
inflammatory disease of the central nervous system, attacks myelin sheath, fatty substance covering brain and spinal cord, causes scarring that debilitates the nerves, prevents transmission of stimuli to the brain
Causes of Multiple Sclerosis
unknown, virus, immune system most likely involved
Myasthenia Gravis
chronic, progressive, neuromuscular disease, stems from the presence of autoantibodies in the acetylcholine receptor, extreme muscular weakness
Causes of Myasthenia Gravis
autoimmune mechanism in which a faulty transmission of nerve impulses occurs, autoantibodies against the acetylcholine receptor
Small Vessel Vasculitis
inflammation of the walls of small blood vessels, capillaries, arterioles, venules, petechiae, purpura, erythema, ulcerations, edema, burning sensation
Cause of Small Vessel Vasculitis
unknown, often accompanies other immune disorders, possibly exposure to certain chemicals, foods, drugs
Systemic Necrotizing Vasculitis
inflammation of the walls of medium and large arteries
Causes of Systemic Necrotizing Vasculitis
not clear how necrotizing of blood vessels occurs
