Immunologic Flashcards
What gender is more likely to have juvenile rheumatoid arthritis?
Both genders have equal predisposition for systemic JRA
Girls are 3x more likely to have articular-specific JRA than boys
What is the most common presenting symptom in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus?
Myalgia
SLE is often referred to as the disease of 10,000 faces because its clinical presentation significantly varies
Aside from joint-related characteristics in Rheumatoid Arthritis (rheumatoid nodules, vasculitis, pannus formation, and baker cysts) what systemic symptoms can be seen?
- ) Pleural effusion
- ) Lymphadenopathy
- ) Interstitial Lung Fibrosis
In what condition do you find heliotrope discoloration of the eyelids?
Dermatomyositis
What autoantibody is highly indicative of diffuse scleroderma?
Anti-topoisomerase I
What Rheumatoid Factor titer ratio is necessary to diagnose an autoimmune condition?
Titers > 1:80
Note: RF is not specific to any condition!
What are the advantages of PCR over ELISA in HIV testing?
- ) PCR becomes positive earlier in the disease course (PCR measures DNA whereas ELISA measures antibodies)
- ) PCR does not require that the patient have a competant immune system (ELISA requires the host to make antibodies)
How is HIV viral load measured?
RT-PCR
Churg Strauss Syndrome (Eosinophilic Granulomatosis with polyangitis) causes what symptoms?
- ) Severe Asthma
- ) Allergic rhinitis
- ) Vasculitis symptoms (purpura and related symptoms)
What are the main symptoms of cryptosporidiosis in HIV?
- ) Watery Diarrhea with abdominal pain and nausea/vomiting, causing:
- ) Weight loss, anorexia, and Dehydration
What is Scleroderma?
An autoimmune disease that produces antibodies against the body’s connective tissue thereby causing systemic fibrosis. It most commonly affects the skin, kidneys, heart, and lungs
Opportunistic infections generally develop when the CD4 count drops below what threshold?
200
ANCA autoantibodies are associated with what conditions?
Small vessel vasculitis conditions such as:
- ) Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangitis (formerly Churg-Strauss)
- ) Granulomatosis with polyangitis (formerly Wegener’s granulomatosis)
- ) ANCA glomerulonephritis
What are the symptoms of CREST Syndrome? What condition is CREST associated with?
Calcinosis - deposition of calcific nodules in the skin
Raynaud’s phenomenon - frequently the first symptom
Esophageal dysmotility - which may lead to GERD or dysphagia
Sclerodactyly - increased collagen deposition in the skin of the hands causing the skin to tighten
Telangiectasia - dilated capillaries
CREST is considered to be a limited systemic version of scleroderma
A normal CD4:CD8 ratio is? In HIV it becomes?
Normal = 2:1 HIV = 1:1 or less
In polymyositis, are distal or proximal muscle groups affected?
Proximal muscle groups
How long may it take to seroconvert?
6 months