Immuno. III - Week 2 (Connective Tissue Diseases)

Question 1

Define Sjogren’ Syndrome

Answer 1

An autoimmune disease in which salivary and tear glands are destroyed, causing eye and mouth dryness.

Question 2

What is the criteria to diagnose Sjogren’s Syndrome?

Answer 2

1. Positive for anti-SSA, anti-SSB, RF
2. Focal lymphocytic sialadenitis with focus score of 1 focus/4mm2
3. Keratoconjunctivitis sicca with occular staining score >3

Question 3

What is Myositis?

Answer 3

Inflammation and destruction of muscle fibres by lymphocytes, affect muscle function, leading to fatigue and immobility.

Question 4

What are the symptoms of Myositis?

Answer 4

1. weakness
2. swelling
3. pain

Question 5

How is Myositis diagnosed?

Answer 5

1. ANA - detection of myositis

2. ENA - anti-SSA, anti-SSB, anti-Smith, anti-ribonucleoprotein, anti-Jo1

Question 6

What are the three types of Myositis?

Answer 6

1. Dermamyositis
2. Polymyositis
3. Inclusion body Myositis

Question 7

What occurs to the muscle fibers in Dermamyositis?

Answer 7

Inflammatory cells concentrate around blood vessels of the muscle fiber bundle borders leading to muscle weakness and skin rash.

Question 8

What occurs to muscle fibers in Polymyositis?

Answer 8

Inflammatory cells invade muscle fibres completely leading to muscle weakness of shoulders, upper arm, pelvis and thighs.

Question 9

What occurs to muscle fibers in Inclusion-Body Myositis?

Answer 9

Muscle fibers have vacuoles and inclusions leading to inflammation, weakness and atrophy.

Question 10

What is Systemic Lupus Erythematosis (SLE)?

Answer 10

Inflammation and tissue damage in parts of the body.

Question 11

What are the symptoms of SLE?

Answer 11

1. fatigue
2. fever
3. muscle aches
4. facial rash

Question 12

What is the diagnosis of SLE?

Answer 12

1. ANA - anti-dsDNA

2. ENA - anti-Ro, La, Sm

Question 13

What is the difference between Anti-Nuclear Antibodies and Extractable Nuclear Antigen test?

Answer 13

ANA detects for connective tissue disease while ENA is more specific and identifies specific autoantibodies that are found in certain AID.

Question 14

What are ANA?

Answer 14

Autoantibodies that react with nuclear and cytoplasmic components of human cells.

Question 15

What is ENA?

Answer 15

Autoantibodies in the blood that react with proteins in the nucleus of the cell.

Question 16

What is the golden standard for ANA testing?

Answer 16

Indirect Immunofluorescent test with human epithelial cells.

Question 17

What are the five patterns of fluorescence when detecting CTD?

Answer 17

1. Homogenous (whole nucleus fluoresces)
2. Rim (nuclear perimeter fluoresces)
3. Speckled (speckles in the nucleus)
4. Nucleolar (nucleolus fluoresces)
5. Cytoplasmic (fluorescence of cytoplasm)

Question 18

Define Connective Tissue Disease

Answer 18

A disease that affects the parts of the body that connect the structures of the body together.

Question 19

What are the types of Connective Tissue?

Answer 19

1. Cartilage
2. Adipose Tissue
3. Haemopoietic tissue
4. Blood
5. Bone
6. In tendons and ligaments

Question 20

What are the general symptoms of autoimmune disease?

Answer 20

1. Fatigue
2. achy muscles
3. swelling and redness
4. low-grade fever
5. trouble concentrating
6. numbness and tingling in the hands and feet
7. hair loss
8. skin rashes

Question 21

What drugs are used to treat Autoimmune diseases?

Answer 21

1. nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
2. Disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs
3. biologics
4. corticosteroids
5. Intravenous immunoglobulin
6. plasmapheresis.
7. surgery