Immunity packet Flashcards
How does the bacterium E. coli get from a person’s digestive tract or lining of the skin to cause a UTI in a woman?
E. coli that is on the skin and anus region gets pushed towards the opening of the urethra during sexual intercourse.
What is a virus?
A microscopic organism consisting of genetic material covered by a protein coat.
What is the leaading cause of death worldwide for children under the age of 5?
Pneumonia
Before 1990, what bacteria was the main cause of bacterial meningitis?
Heamophilus influenzae
(Hib vaccine developed)
Worldwide 200,000 people die each year from what disease?
Tetanus
The WBC’s that attack an infection will cause what to be created?
Pus
What phase will begin the process of a person gaining immunity towards a specific pathogen?
The elimination phase, when lymphocytes are created, producing memory T and B cells.
The respiratory tract has an added defense mechanism on the cells that are lined with mucous mombranes. This addition is called what?
Cilia
Which innate system cell destroys virus infected host cells and host cells that have turned cancerous?
Natural killer cells
The effect of histamine will cause what kind of reaction in the areas of infection/injury?
Increased heat, swelling, and redness in the area.
Can a pandemic be caused by infectious disease and/or a health condition brought on by a non-infectious organism?
No, a pandemic can only be caused exclusively by an infectious disease.
When a T or B cell encounters an antigen for which it is specific to, what will occur?
The cell will proliferate, producing more lymphocytes “daughter cells” which are specific for that antigen.
What are some of the strategies for breaking the chain of events in the public health measures?
Quarantine the ill, killing insects or animals that carry pathogens, public sanitary practices, handwashing, facemasks, immunizations and the treatment of affected host.
Complementary markers allow antibodies to do what?
Recognize and neutralize specific microbes
The most serious and rare kind of allergic reaction is?
Anaphylaxis.
What is the physical cause of asthma?
Chronic inflammation of the airways and the spasm of the muscles surrounding the airways. The spasm causes constriction and the inflammation causes the airways to secrete extra mucus.
Why is universal or near-universal immunization important?
It is necessary to reduce both individual and community risk of communicable diseases.
What are the effects of histamine?
Increasing the inflammatory response and stimulating mucus production.
The immune system protects from _______ and also ________.
pathogens
cancer
Which gram (+) bacteria is sperical-shaped, often grows in small clusters and is typically found on the skin and nasal passages of healthy people?
Staphylococcus.
Staphylococcus has a very serious antibiotic resistant infection that is known as what?
MRSA —> Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus
What contributes to factors of insufficient vaccine supplies?
Insufficient stockpiles, manufacturing and production problems, and limited number of companies making vaccine. They are expensive to develop and produce and have a low profitability. The flu vaccine changes from year to year thus changing supply problems.
Who is a vector in the transmission of Lyme disease?
Tick
If a patient who takes NSAIDs develops an ulcer, what would you test for?
Test for Helicobacter pylori because withdrawing NSAIDs alone will not cure them.
What is the deifnition of the portal of exit link?
When the pathogen leaves the reservoir through a portal of exit. In humans, this includes sailva, mucous membranes, blood, feces, and nose and throat discharges.
What does a typical MRSA infection on the skin look like?
A painful lesion that resembles a spider bite
Lockjaw is cause by what bacterium?
Clostridium tetani
What are the possible side effects of vaccines?
Mild soreness at injection site and possible allergic reation.
These organisms will enter the body, and will locate and travel to the tissue that will best support their reproduction needs.
Foodborne or waterborne organisms.
What is occuring during slowdown?
Regulatory molecules and suppressor T cells inhibit lymphocyte proliferation and induce lymphocyte cell death, causing a slowdown which bring the levels of T and B cells back to “resting” levels.
B cell “daughter cells” become what specific cells and what is their immune function?
They become plasma cells and secrete antibodies verse a specific antigen or they can also become memory B cells which retain response ability for months or years later.
When a vaccine already has the antibodies in it, this gives a patient what kind of defense?
Passive immunity
What makes XDR TB special?
It is extremely resistant to TB drugs as well as second line drugs
Most allergic reactions are due to the production of a special type of antibody known as?
Immunoglobulin E (IgE)
What does histamine do to the eyes?
Itchiness and tearing.
Did the H1N1 influenza A virus become a pandemic, epidemic, or endemic?
The WHO reported that the H1N1 virus became a pandemic.
How is a person given immunity?
The immune system is primed with an antigen similar to the pathogen, but not as dangerous. The body responds by creating antibodies, which will prevent infection to the undesired pathogen if ever exposed.
What is a negative of using passive immunity vaccines?
They are short term and they do not illicit acquired memory for the patient.
How do newborns typically contract tetanus?
From unsterile cutting of the umbilical cord.
T cell “daughter cells” become what specific cells?
They can become 4 kinds of cells
1) T cells
2) Killer T cells
3) Suppressor T cells (regulatory)
4) Memory T cells
What are the pathogens that are included in infectious diseases that kill people worldwide?
Bacteria, viruses, fungi, protozoa, parasitic worms, and prions.
What does the antibody-mediated immune response work against and how do they assist in elimination?
They work against bacteria, viruses and other substances outside of the cell and they allow cells of the innate immune system to eliminate the pathogens they just marked.
What is the required treatment to stop anaphylaxis?
Epinephrine shot.
During the elimination phase, what do killer T cells do?
They strike at foreign cells and infected body cells. They identify them by placing antigen markers on their surfaces, punturing cell membrane, sacrificing host cells in order to destroy the foreign organism inside.
What is H5N1 influenza virus also known as?
Avian bird flu
What is the most common type of meningitis?
Viral
A patient presents with chronic recurring arhtritis, impaired coordination, partial facial paralysis, heart rhythm abnormalities and a bulls-eye rash. What do you suspect the patient has?
Lyme disease
What race has a 4 x’s higher rate of asthma and are 5 x’s more likely to die from it?
African Americans
Many illnesses and symptoms are directly due to?
The body’s own immune response, not from the actual invading organism.
(Ex. The release of cytokines that travel to the brain and cause the brains thermostat to reset to a higher temperature).
What other diseases can streptococcus cause?
Scarletina (scarlet fever), impetigo, and erysipelas. It can also cause necrotizing fascitis and pneumonia endocarditis.
How might one determine if a female is more likely to get a UTI?
The length of her urethra. The shorter it is the more likely she is to get infected.
Which innate system cell resides in tissues, engulfs pathogens and activates lymphocytes?
Dendritic cells
Which site of the lymphatic system cause activation of T and B cells?
Lymph nodes
During the recognition phase, what do the dendritic cells do during this phase?
They go to the site of the injury and consume foreign cells. Then they migrate to the nearby lymphoid tissue to turn on T cells by showing the antigen markers of the foreign cells. Then the natural killer cells and other early responders will destroy infected cells.
This organism reproduces by splitting into a pair of two identical cells.
Bacteria
Can vaccines cause autism?
No
What are the 3 general strategies for dealing with allergies?
Avoidance, medication, immunotherapy
Bacteria that is beneficial and does no harm to humans are called?
Communal bacteria
How does the adaptive immune system aquire its ability to help the immune system?
Over time with exposure to microorganisms
If your body is continuously releasing infectious microbes, you are considered?
Contagious
Pertaining to the lungs, in some people, an allergen can trigger what?
Asthma attack
Which markers trigger an immune response?
nonself markers
Which innate system cell occur in mucosal tissues and provide innate immunity to certain microbes?
Eosinophils
What is the most abundant living thing that lives on this planet?
Bacteria
How do patients promote the occurance of antibiotic resistance?
By failing to take the full course of an antibiotic, inappropriately taking antibiotics for viral infections, as well as the use of antibiotics in agriculture
If you suspect that a patient might have meningitis, what must you do?
Treat first, then confirm (empirical treatment)
Why is it not essential that every member in a community be vaccinated?
Because immunizations reduce the prevalence and spread of a disease throughout a community, thus lowering the risk that a disease will get a foothold. This is known as herd immunity.
If you suspect your patient has meningitis, what was their presenting symptoms for which you made this assumption?
Fever, severe headache, stiff neck, sensitivity to light, and confusion
Where does MRSA typically occur?
nosocomial infection in hospital
What does histamine do in the nose?
Causes congestion and sneezing.
The initial exposure to an allergen causes what chain of events?
A small or little response, followed by the production of allergen specific IgE, which then binds to mast cells.
If strep throat is left untreated, what could happen?
It can develop into serious rheumatic fever
Who produce antibodies?
WBC’s
Are all widespreasd diseases pandemics?
No, an infectious disease that is maintained in the human population or particular area in the absence of introduction of internal infectious agents is said to be an endemic.
Other than MRSA, what is the other major nosocomial bacterial infection?
Clostridium difficile
What does histamine do to the intestines?
Bloating and cramping.
The fluids that cover the skin and the mucous membrane are filled with what?
Enzymes.
What medications are there to help deal with allergens and what do they do?
OTC antihistamines (they control symptoms, such as blocked nasal, sinus, or middle ear passages) and
RX corticosteroids via aerosol (which reduce allergy symptoms, increase effectiveness, and help limit systemic absorption and side effects)
What is the first phase of infection?
Incubation
What does the third stage of Lyme disease typically present with?
Chronic recurring arhtritis.
What is H1N1 influenza A aslo known as?
Swine flu
Is there a vaccine for Bordetella pertussis?
Yes
What does histamine do to the skin?
Redness, itchiness and swelling.
Other than the hospital, where else are common sites for people to contract MRSA?
Close contact areas such as locker rooms and playing fields
Why is it that a pathogenic bacteria has a hard time getting a hold in a person’s gastro-intestinal tract?
Beneficial bacteria, known as normal flora, reside in the tract which give no foothold to the pathogenic bacteria. Once there is no beneficial bacteria in the tract then a foothold is available for pathogenic bacteria to grow.
How does future immunity towards pathogens occur?
During slowdowm, some T and B cells remain in the body, providing memory, where they can initiate a rapid response verses same pathogen in the future.
What cells are drawn to the site of injury and consume the foreign cells?
Dendritic cells
What is direct transmission?
When a pathogen is passed from touching an infected person.
Why did the H1N1 influenza A virus become deadly?
It was a new strain and most people had no immunity to it. This strain was a combination of 4 different viruses (2 from swine flu viruses, 1 from avian flu virus, and 1 from human flu virus.
Which type of meningitis is considered life-threatening?
Bacterial
Checking for swollen lymph nodes gives clues to a patients medical staff about what?
Possible infection’s location and cause.
Chronic use of NSAIDS will contribute to the development of 10% of all these.
Ulcers
Antibodies have complementary markers on their surfaces that work with antigen markers in what fashion?
Lock and key
What type of highly reoccurring and finacially ruining “disease” would not be considered an epidemic?
The common cold.
What bacterium is responsible for 90% of all UTIs?
E. coli
What are the WBC’s of the adaptive immune system called?
Lymphocytes
The body is injured or infected, specialized cells in the area will release what substance?
Histamine.
What is the definition of the pathogen link?
Beginning of the infectious disease cycle that starts with the introduction of the pathogen by invading host cells or the production of toxins that harm tissues
What can’t the cells of the innate immune system develop?
A memory of past pathogens.
What is the largest organ in the body?
Skin
The first line of the immune system defense are made up of?
Physical and chemicals barriers
Besides STDs, what is another infection you should warn your sexually active female patient about?
UTI’s. Although they can occur in anyone, they are most common in sexually active females.
Bacteria that can cause infections and disease are called?
Pathogenic bacteria
What is the most important underlying premise of an epidemic?
Occurence of the disease is greater than what is normally expected.
What are the most contagious diseases caused by?
Viruses
What must occur for a person to gain immunity to an infection?
They must get infected and survive that infection.
What can cause an infection of meningitis?
Bacteria, virus, fungus, or parasite
What is immunotherapy?
It is a series of slightly increasing dose shots called “allergy shots” that over time help a person become desensitized to a particular allergen.
When IgE binds to a mast cell, what occurs next?
The mast cells release large amounts of histamine and other components into local tissues.
What bacterium causes Rocky Mountain spotted fever and typhus?
Rickettsia
Which innate system cells act as scavengers, devouring pathogens and worn out cells?
Macrophages
If the pathogen enters via a skin or mucous membrane, what could occur to the location of tissue that they entered in?
The pathogen can cause a local infection of the tissue.
Which cell is the main player in the start of the proliferation stage?
Helper T cells
If there was a rapid spread of disease or health condition what would this be called?
Epidemic
What type of immune response is it when killer T cells are activated?
Cell-mediated immune response.
What is the role of mast cells?
They are part of the immune system, healing process and allergic reations
Name the phases of the immune response.
Recognition, proliferation, elimination, and slowdown.
Are there more bacteria that are pathogenic or beneficial to humans on this planet?
There are more beneficial bacteria on this planet
Today, what are the leading causes of bacterial meningitis, particularly in adolescents and young adults?
Neisseria meningitidis and streptococcus pneumoniae
When a patient is primed with an antigen, this is normally referred as?
A vaccine
How does aquired immunity prevent future illness?
The memory T and B cells recognize the pathogen and initiate an immune response before illness occurs.
When is an outbreak defined as epidemic?
When there is an outbreak of infectious diseases and/or health conditions not caused by infectious organisms (obesity, diabetes) that are not widespread.
What is the basis of immunization?
The ability of the immune system to remember previously encountered organisms and retain its strength against them in the future.
How are vaccines made?
They are either cultured and attenuated or dead pathogens that still have surface markers.
When a cell-mediated immune response occurs, what can you expect?
An amplified inflammatory response for which many more macrophages are recruited to infection site.
In history, name a few pandemics that have occurred worldwide.
Bubonic plague, smallpox, 1918-1919 influenza
What are some less common allergens?
Medications, plants, latex, metals and compounds in cosmetics.
What is incubation?
When viruses or bacteria are actively multiplying before the immune system has caught on, thus no symptoms but you can be contagious.
What is pus composed of?
Dead WBC’s and debris resulting from the immune response to the infectious invader.
The immune system is operating at what level?
Cellular
If an epidemic becomes widespread what is it now called?
Pandemic
This bacterium works with urease to break down urea, allowing it to live in an area of higher pH.
Helicobacter pylori
The two main lymphocytes are called?
T cells and B cells
Allergies are a result of?
A hypersensitive and overactive immune system.
What are ways that a pathogenic bacteria can get into the body and crowd out helpful bacteria?
They can enter the body through a cut in the skin, via an insect bite, from contaminated food or drink, or sexual activity.
A couple just had a newborn baby girl. They live a holistic, natural-only type of life and don’t believe in the use of preservatives or chemicals in any aspect of their lives. What must you warn them about when it comes to their lifestyle and its effects on their newborn?
Raw, natural honey will have Clostridium botulinum which can cause lockjaw and possible death in the baby
TB is typically found in what people?
Patients with HIV, recent immigrants from countries where TB is an endemic, and those who live in inner cities.
What is the substance that provokes allergies?
Allergens
What are the portals of entry for pathogens?
Direct contact, penetration of the skin or mucous membrane, inhalation or ingestion.
Name the common allergens.
Pollen, animal dander, dust mites, cockroaches, mold mildew, and insect venom.
What is the most common cause of bacterial pneumonia?
Streptococcus pneumoniae or pneumococcus
If the pathogen enters the bloodstream or lymphatic system what could it cause?
Systemic infection.
What socioeconomic factor has an affect on asthma rates?
Low income
How do STD’s usually enter the body?
Musous membrane linings of urethra or cervix.
Which gram (+) bacteria is spherical-shaped, often growns in chains, causes a red sore throat with white exudate on the tonsils, swollen lymph nodes, fever and headache?
Streptococcal pharyngitis (strep throat)
What is indirect transmission?
When a pathogen is passed by touching a contaminated surface.
The heat/swelling and redness reactoin caused by histamine will attract what to the infection/injury?
WBC’s
What are the symptoms of asthma?
Wheezing, tightness in chest, SOB, and coughing.
As a PA (and other healthcare providers), how can you help reduce the risk of the spread of C. diff?
Wash your hands frequently, before and after each patient.
If there is a toxin in a patient that causes muscular stiffness and spasms, it can be fatal in 30% of cases, what is this disease?
Tetanus
What is a key feature of a WBC?
It can distinguish foreign cells from host cells.
What is a cytotoxic storm?
Massive proliferation of T cells that cause tissue damage, widespread coagulation of blood in the blood vessels, and organ failure.
How many drugs do we have to fight TB?
There are 4 drugs to treat patients with TB
What is the immunity term called for a person who just created T or B cells from an infection?
Acquired immunity
How can one classify pneumonia?
Pneumonia can be called inflammation of the lungs that is caused by infection with bacteria, viruses, fungi, or by contact with chemical toxins or irritants.
Typically in what disease state will an individual normally contract pneumonia?
Pneumonia often follows another illness, such as a cold, flu, or any immunocompromising disease.
What are the stages of a virus?
The virus penetrates the cell, protein coat is removed, viral genes replicated and proteins produced, new protein coats assembled which viral gene inserts, and the virus exits the cell
Staphylococcus aureus is typically responsible for this kind of disease via the release of a toxin that is responsible for the massive proliferation of T cells that cause a cytotoxic storm.
Toxic shock syndrome
What are the 5 cells of the innate immune system?
Neutrophils, eosinophils, macrophages, natural killer cells, and dendritic cells.
What tissue makes up the skin and mocous membranes?
Epithelial tissue
If your air sacs become clogged with fluid and prevent oxygen from reaching the bloodstream, what disease are we talking about?
Pneumonia, it can cause alveoli to become clogged with fluid
Name one “epidemic” that was named as an epidemic even though it should not have been… And why shouldn’t it have been?
Ebola virus… Shouldn’t be termed an epidemic becaue it’s never been widespread.
What are the concerns people have with vaccines?
Potential shortages and safety. Some wonder if they are worth getting.
What other bacterias can cause pneumonia?
Haemophilus influenza, chlamydia pneumoniae, and mycoplasma pneumoniae.
How do the T and B cells of the adaptive immune system differ from those of the innate immune system?
They are capable of exquisite specificity and of immunological memory.
What are the two kinds of stimulus that can cause asthma attacks?
Inhaled stimulus and/or non-allergen stimulus.
What does histamine do to the lungs?
Coughing, wheezing and SOB.
90% of uclers are known to be caused by what?
Infection of the bacterium Helicobacter pylori
Nonself markers that cause an immune response are known as?
Antigens
Symptoms will finally appear during what phase?
Prodromal period.
What two systems incorporate to make up the immune system?
The innate and adaptive immune systems.
If an organism is transmitted via respiratory secretions, what could this cause in a person?
Respiratory infections, or pneumonia. They can cause systemic infections.
Why does the nosocomial infection C. diff occur?
Patients present with conditions that require chronic antibiotics, allowing the bacterial spores found in the hospital setting to infect the patient
When an antibody locks with a specific antigen, what two things can occur?
The antibody will either (1) neutraize it or (2) flag it for attack by the immune system.
What bacterial infection is a chronic lung infection that spreads through the respiratory tract and usually affects the lungs causing the symptoms of coughing, fatigue, night sweats, weight loss, and fever? Name the bacteria.
Tuberculosis caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis
What is the definition of the reservoir link?
The pathogen has a natural, favorable, environment, which it typically lives.
Worldwide, infectious diseases account for how many deaths each year?
11 million per year
Vaccines give a patient what kind of immunity?
Active immunity.
Pertaining to dealing with allergies, what does avoidance mean?
Changing ones behavior and/or environment to minimize exposure to allergens.
The bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi will cause what disease and how is it transmitted?
Lyme disease and tick vector
How is strep throat spread?
Through close contact with an infected person via respiratory droplets
What does the lymphatic system consist of?
The spleen, lymph nodes, and a network of vessels that carry a clear fluid called lymph.
What is the demographic of people who typically contract pneumonia?
Under the age of 2 or over the age of 75, and those with chronic health problems such as heart disease, asthma, or HIV
What is the definition of the means of transmission link?
Transmission that can be direct or indirect transmission.
When new lymphocyte “daughter cells” are created what will they do next?
They will differential into cells with specific immune functions and attack the invading pathogen for which it had the antigen made.
In meningitis, what happens to the protective covering of the brain?
Inflammation of the meninges
What is active immunity?
When a patient produces their own antibodies verses a specific pathogen.
What do lymph nodes do?
The lymph passes through the lymph nodes where a concentration of macrophages and dendritic cells clear the lymph of debris and pathogens.
Histamine will have what effect in the area of infection or injury?
It will cause inflammation, blood vessels will dilate and the fluid in them will flow out of the capillaries and into the interstitial spaces and infected/injured tissue.
Whom does the H5N1 strain infect?
Humans, chickens, ducks, and geese as well as wild birds… But it doesn’t pass easliy from human to human.
Interrupting the chain of infection at any point can do what?
Prevent disease
The ability of memory lymphocytes to remember previous infections is known as what?
Acquired immunity.
During elimination phase, what do B cells do?
They produce large quantities of antibody molecules and distribute into the bloostream and tissues. These antibodies will then bind to the correct antigens, marking them for destruction.
When activated, lymph nodes become?
Swollen
WBC’s are continuously produced where?
In the bone marrow.
What bacteria causes walking pneumonia?
Mycoplasma pneumoniae
What are the factors that determine whether a pathogen will be able to establish itself in a new host?
This depends on the host. People with a strong immune system or resistance to that pathogen won’t become ill while people with poor immune systems will. In a weak host the pathogen will multiply, producing disease, and possibly will become new reservoir for which the chain of infection can be started.
To infect the new host what must the pathogen have to access the body?
Portal of entry
Inflammation, caused by the gathering of WBCs may lead to what kind of damage?
Scarring and permanently damaged tissue.
Why is anaphylaxis life threatening?
It can cause swelling of the throat, extremely low blood pressure, fainting, heart arrhythmia, and seizures
What factors contribute to the development of asthma?
Environmental and genetic factors.
All body cavities and passages that expose to the external environment are lined with _______ __________.
Mucous membranes
During the proliferation phase, what do the helper T cells do?
Helper T cells rapidly stimulate the proliferation of T and B cells.
What are cytokines, where do they come from and what do they do?
They are chemical messengers that are secreted by lymphocytes and other cells within the immune system. Their role is to regulate and coordinate the immune response.
What is the best way to control the spread of MRSA?
Good hygiene and hand washing
How does the immune system of a host respond to the presence of a virus?
By producing interferons which block the pread of a virus infection and kill infected cells.
Can a virus reproduce on its own?
No, it requires a host cell.
What shapes are bacteria normally classified by?
Bacilli, cocci, vibrio, and spirochete
m. pneumoniae outbreaks are normally associated with what demographics?
Young adults in crowded settings.
Which innate system cell travels to a site of infection via the blood stream to attack and ingest pathogens?
Neutrophils.
What type of immune response is it when B cells flood the blood and tissue with antibodies?
Antibody-mediated immune response.
Your patient presents with a complaint of rapid burst of coughing followed by long inhalations accompanied with a low pitch whoop. What do you suspect and what is it caused by?
Highly contagious respiratory illness know as pertussis, aka whooping cough, caused by Bordetella pertussis.
What are specialized proteins that circulate in the bloodstream and are present in almost all body fluids?
Antibodies
What is the chain of infection?
Pathogen -> reservoir -> portal of exit-> means of transmission -> portal of entry-> new host.
What is released that causes anaphylaxis?
Histamine is released thoughout the body.
