Immunodeficiency Flashcards

1
Q

primary immunodeficiency

A

more than 250
caused by an inherited defect of either nonspecific innate or specific adaptive immune defences

increased susceptibility to infection

  • humoral immune deficiency (B cells) (e.g. primary humoral, multiple myeloma, CLL, AIDS)
  • chronic granulomatous disease (granulocyte deficiency)
  • SCID

generally grouped lymphocytes or granulocytes

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

chronic granulomatous disease (CGD)

A

defect in NADPH oxidase system of phagocytic cells including neutrophils and macrophages which prevents production of superoxide radicals in phagolysosomes so cannot phagocytose.

infections therefore persist longer and lead to a chronic local infection called a granuloma

common microorganisms associated wtih CGD:

  • aspergillus spp
  • staph aureus
  • chrombacterium violaceum
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

primary immunodeficiency B cell:

X linked agammaglobulinaemia

A

(Bruton’s agammaglobulinaemia)

lack of a specific antibody known as X linked recessive agammaglobulinaemia

defective gene BTK in XLA. unable to produce Btk therefore b cell maturation and differentiation halts so no immunoglobulins are produced. there is abnormal b cell development an deficiency in all classess of immunoglobulins.

*onset usually 4 months of age (after maternal IgG has decreased)

recurrent infections almost exclusively to extracellular pathogens:

  • haemophilus influenza
  • streptococcus pneumoniae
  • s pyogens
  • s aureus

hypoplasia of lymphoid tissues (tonsils, lymph nodes)

ix: absent or low B cells, normal t cells, low immunoglobulins of all classes

(cell mediated is not impaired so not as vulnerable to virus or intracellular pathogens)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

primary immunodeficiency

selective IgA deficiency

A

most common inherited form of immunoglobulin deficiency 1 in 800 people.

normal levels of IgG and IgM but cannot produce IgA.

predisposed to lung and GI infections (IgA is normally an important defence mechanism- it is present in mucous membranes suh as saliva, resp tract secretions, GI secretions, tears and sweat)

  • mild and often not diagnosed
  • likely to come across when testing for ceoliac. IgA anti TTG and anti EMA so important to test IgA as you could have negative test if the IgA is low.

H influenzae, S pnueoniae, Moraxella catarrhalis, S aureus, Giardia lamblia, E coli

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

common variable immunodeficiency

A

genetic mutation in genes coding for components of B cells. body is unable to make antibodies (hypogamaglobulinaemia)
deficiency in IgG and IgA with or without deficiency in IgM (despite a normal number of B cells)

symptoms:
recurrent respiratory tract infections, chronic lung disease over time. sinusitis, pneumonia, bronchitis, otitis, conjunctivitis, GI infection, GI disease. prone to RA, cancers such as non-hodgkins lymphoma

mx: immunoglobulin infusions and treat infections

Ix: low IgG, IgA and IgM. low plasma cells. normal b cells / t cells. poor response to immunizations

the decreased ability of the immune system to clear infections in patients may be responsible for causing autoimmunity. CVID- mltiple autoimmune dsieases are seen (IBS, autoimmune thromboyctopenia, thyroid)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

SCID - severe combined immunodeficiency (pathophysiology)

A

(combined immunodeficiency)
B cell and T cell defects which impairs the T cell dependent antibody response as well as cell mediated response

cannot develop immunological memory

most common form is X linked. mutation in the common gamma chain that odes for interlukin receptor on T and B cells. other gene mutations include JAC3 gene or mutations leading to adenosine deaminase deficiency

diagnosed in first few months of life.

severe often life threatening opportunistic infections- candida, pneumocystis jirovecci, Ecoli

*bone marrow transplant

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

SCID and vaccines

A

vaccines cannot provide protection as they cannot develop immunological memory

live attenuate vaccines (varicella, measles, rotovirus, poliovirus) can actually cause the infection they are intended to prevent

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Omenn syndrome and SCID

A

Omenn syndrome is a rare cause of SCID

caused by the mutation in the recombination activating gene (RAG1/RAG2) which is needed for coding important proteins in T and B cells. autosomal recessive inheritance

The syndrome is caused by abnormally functioning and deregulated T cells that attack the tissues in the fetus or neonate. This leads the classic features of Omenn syndrome:

A red, scaly, dry rash (erythroderma)
Hair loss (alopecia)
Diarrhoea
Failure to thrive
Lymphadenopathy
Hepatosplenomegaly
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

SCID management

A

atal unless successfully treated.

specialist immunology centre. treating underlying infections, immunoglobulin therapy, minimising the risk of new infections with a sterile environment, avoiding live vaccines and performing haematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

secondary immunodeficiency

A

as a result of acquired impairment or function of B cells, T cells or both

can be caused by
1. systemic disorders e.g diabetes, malnutrition, HIV, hepatitis

  1. immunosuppressive treatment e.g. cytotoxic chemotherapy, bone marrow ablation before transplantation, or radiation therapy
  2. prolonged critical illness due to an infection, surgery, trauma in young/elderly/hospitalised patients

increased susceptibility to an otherwise benign infection by opportunistic pathogens such as Candida spp., P. jirovecii, and Cryptosporidium.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

AIDS

T cell deficiency

A

acquired immunodeficiency syndrome
profound CD4 t cell lymphopenia

other T cell deficiencies- marrow and other transplant, AIDS, cancer, chemotherapy, lymphoma, glucocorticoid therapy.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

complement disorders

A

disorders that affect the complement proteins to make up the complement system and destroy pathogenic cells

  • haemophilus influenza B
  • streptococcus pneumoniae
  • nisseria meningitidis

vulnerable to certain infective organisms leading to recurrent infections. linked with immune complex disorders e.g. SLE as incomplete complement leads to immune complex build up in tissues.

important to vaccinate against encapsulated organisms

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

C1 esterate inhibitor deficiency

A

bradykinin is important part of inflammatory response (blood vessel dilation, increased vasuclar permeabiltiy= angiodema)

c1 esterase is responsibly for inhibiting bradykinin so in it’s absence there is intermittent agniodema (triggers= stress, vrial infection, random)

face, lips, resp, GI, larynx

treat with IV c1 esterase inhibitor prophylaxis

check c4 levels

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

mannose binding lectin deficiency

A

deficiency leads to inhibition of the alternative pathway.

if already susceptible to infection (CF) then can lead to more severe variant of the disease

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

T cell disorder

A
  • DiGeorge syndrome
  • Purine Nucloeside Phosphorylase Deficiency
  • Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome
  • Ataxic Telangiectasia
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Di George syndrome

A

DiGeorge syndrome, also called 22q11.2 deletion syndrome, results from a microdeletion in a portion of chromosome 22 that leads to a developmental defect in the third pharyngeal pouch and third branchial cleft. One of the consequences of this is incomplete development of the thymus gland. An underdeveloped thymus gland results in an inability to create functional T cells.

Features of DiGeorge syndrome can be remembered with the CATCH-22 mnemonic:

C – Congenital heart disease
A – Abnormal facies (characteristic facial appearance)
T – Thymus gland incompletely developed
C – Cleft palate
H – Hypoparathyroidism and resulting Hypocalcaemia
22nd chromosome affected

17
Q

Purine nucleoside phosphorylase deficiency

A

Purine nucleoside phosphorylase (PNP) deficiency is an autosomal recessive condition. PNPase is an enzyme that helps breakdown purines. Without this enzyme, a metabolite called dGTP builds up. This metabolite is exclusively toxic to T cells. Increased levels of dGTP causes low levels of T-lymphocytes. There are normal levels of B cells and immunoglobulins. Clinically, patients immunity to infection gradually gets worse. They become increasingly susceptible to infections, particularly viruses and live vaccines.

18
Q

Wiskott Aldrich syndrome

A

Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome (WAS) is an X-linked recessive condition with a mutation on the WAS gene. It causes abnormal functioning of T cells. Other features include:

Thrombocytopenia
Immunodeficiency
Neutropenia
Eczema
Recurrent infections
Chronic bloody diarrhoea
19
Q

Ataxic telangiectasia

A

Ataxic telangiectasia is an autosomal recessive condition affecting the gene coding for the ATM serine/threonine kinase protein on chromosome 11. This protein is important in several functions of DNA coding, meaning that a mutation in this gene leads to problems coding for many other genes.

There are various features of the condition:

Low numbers of T-cells and immunoglobulins, causing immunodeficiency and recurrent infections.
Ataxia: problems with coordination due to cerebellar impairment
Telangiectasia, particularly in the sclera and damaged areas of skin
Predisposition to cancers, particularly haematological cancers
Slow growth and delayed puberty
Accelerated ageing
Liver failure

20
Q

SCID investigations

A

PCR- low TRECs
absent T cells, b cells and NK cells

CXR absent thymic shadow
lymph node biopsy- absent germinal centres

21
Q

criteria for CVI

A
  1. hypogammaglobulinaemia with IgG leveles 2 SD below mean
  2. impaired vaccien response / absent isohaemagglutinins
  3. exclusion of other causes of hypogammaglobulinaemia

decrease IgG, IgA or IgG, Ig A and IgM or t-cell defects (variable)

22
Q

investigations for CVI

A
  1. Bedside
    - Temperature
    - Sputum – if productive cough present for MC&S
    - Stool – If persistent diarrhoea/GI infections Giardia Lambia, salmonella, shigella and campylobacter.
  2. Bloods
    - FBC Serum IgA and IgG levels (decreased not absent)
    - Serum IgM (can be decreased)
    - Circulating T and B lymphocytes by flow cytometry

Imaging

  • CXR
  • High-resolution CT of chest – pulmonary abnormalities.

Special Functional response to killed polysaccharide vaccines (serum levels of Ab to vaccine antigens).

Genetics/Mutations
ICOS (inducible co-stimulatory)
TACI (mutations in cell receptor)

Lymph Node/ Other Biopsy – 
Histology may show: -
- Granulomatous
- Inflammation, 
- Atypical Hyperplasia.
- Reactive follicular hyperplasia.

Bronchoscopy/Endoscopy – specific lesions or infective processes

23
Q

management of CVI

A

MDT
Review (low threshold for treating with abx)
support group (PID UK)
education
*avoid attenuated / live and inactive vaccine
influenza vaccine to be given annually

elevating care if low IgG, development of pesistet infections despite therapy.

medical: abx, corticosteroids, three weekly IgG replacement >7.8g/L aim

24
Q

SCID signs and symptoms

A

Chronic diarrhoea
Failure to thrive
Recurrent severe infections
Recurrent fevers -

Persistent mucocutaneous candidiasis -

Infections with common viruses often fatal

Opportunistic infections with usually non pathogenic organisms such as PCP

Attenuated vaccines (oral polio, rotavirus, varicella, BCG) may cause fatal infection

EXAMINATION FINDINGS Diagnosis is often delayed, as infants look normal. Peripheral lymphoid tissue (tonsils, adenoids, LNs) may be absent. Absence of thymic shadow on CXR.

25
Q

invesitgations for SCID

A

investigate / suspect in children with unexplained lymphopenia, recurrent fevers, failure to thrive, chronic diarrhoea, recurrent severe thrush, mouth, ulcers, RSV, HSV, measels, influenza

bedside: height/weight decie
bloods: low lymphocyte, absent t cells, hypogammaglobulinaemia

imaging; CXR (Absent thymus)

special: newborn screening

26
Q

SCID management

A

Conservative

MDT Paediatrics, immunology, microbiology, dietician

Review (when, by whom) Regular and managed by secondary care Lifestyle

Modification Protective isolation Medical

Acute Management (attack/complication) Protective isolation Immunoglobulin replacement 
treatment of acute infections 

Long term Management Hematopoietic cell transplant Avoidance of live virus vaccines All blood products must be irradiated, leukodepleted and CMV negative

27
Q

exampels of 2’ immunodeficiency

A
diabetes 
dialysis
cirrhosis
malnutrition
disorders of protein loss
environmental (DNA damage)
trauma/burns
normal life event- ageing, pregnancy, major life stress
infection
biologics and other immunosupressive drugs
28
Q

secondary immunodeficiency

A

can result from a wide array of disease processes. increases susceptibility to infection, malingnacy and autoimmune disease

chronic imbalance in hormones, metabolism, nutrients or waste product

neutrophil dysfunction secondary to hyperglycaemia predisposes bacterial and fungal infection

poor peripheral circulation leads to impaired delivery of neutrophils

29
Q

dialysis and uraemia in 2’ immunodeficiency

A

Haemodialysis: Impaired T cell function, reduced antibody production and altered neutrophil and dendritic cell function. Neutrophils may be partly impaired due to effects of dialysis membrane.

Peritoneal dialysis: Less effect on immune system however any immune cells within peritoneum washed out with dialysate. Indwelling foreign body increases risk of bacterial peritonitis.

cirrhosis: reduced hepatic metabolism leads to higher circualting glucocorticoids. shunting of portal blood- reduces avilality of kupffer cells to celar opsonised particles. less opsonisation occrus due to reduced complement

30
Q

2’ immunodeficiency malnutrition

A

Protein energy malnutrition associated with; -Impaired epithelial barrier function of skin & gut -Reduced levels of IgA in saliva & tears -Fewer circulating cells and complement proteins -Lymphoid organ atrophy & lymphocyte hyporesponsiveness -Reduced vaccine responsiveness Zinc, iron, folate, pyridoxine & Vit A deficiency also associated with immune dysfunction.

disorders of protein loss:
nephrotic syndrome: hypogammaglobulinaemia from renal losses. Associated with recurrent LRTI, UTI, peritonitis & sepsis especially encapsulated bacteria. Protein-losing enteropathies: Coeliac, IBD. Measure stool alpha-1 antitrypsin Intestinal lymphangiectasia: Abnormal dilation of intestinal lymphatics

31
Q

trauma and burns 2’ immunodeficiency

A

SIRS (widespread activation of monocytes and macrophages by products of cellular necrosis)- results in an immunosuppressed state CARS (compensatory anti-inflammatory response syndrome).

32
Q

normal life events 2’ immunodeficiency

A

Aging: Immune dysfunction with aging Pregnancy: Multifactorial & not well understood but theorised immunosuppression helps inhibit rejection of fetus Major life stress: observational increase in reported infections. Lab studies showed reduced NK cell activity & lymphocyte responses

33
Q

infection causing 2’ immunodeficiency

A

Radiation: DNA damage, induces apoptosis, B cells sensitive

HIV, Malaria, herpes virus Measles: global immune suppression leading to bacterial superinfection

34
Q

drugs causing 2’ immunodeficiency

A

Rituximab: Targets B cells Abatacept: Targets T cells Anti TNF: infliximab, etanercept Azathioprine: Purine antimetabolite. Affects DNA replication in rapidly dividing cells (T cells, B cells- inducing apoptosis) Cyclophosphamide: Prevents cell division by cross linking DNA. Methotrexate: Folate antagonist. Corticosteroids: Reduce neutrophils ability to adhere to endothelium which is why you get a raised neutrophil count on steroids. Impairs neutrophil migration to sites of inflammation. Promotes eosinophil apoptosis. Suppress mast cells and cytokines. Inhibition of phagocytosis. Cyclosporin: blocks cytotoxic T cell activation

35
Q

diabetes and 2’ immunodefiency

A

a Hba1c of >7% indicates poorly controlled diabetes and therefore immunosupressoin with susceptibility to infection

impaired neutrophil and macrophage function (chemotaxis, phagocytosis and intracellular killing)
Neutrophil dysfunction secondary to hyperglycaemia predisposes to bacterial and fungal infections. Poor peripheral circulation leads to impaired delivery of

neutrophils. Hyperglycaemia also impairs chemotaxis & phagocytosis.