Immunology Flashcards
What are the 4 types of immune hypersensitivity reactions?
1 - immediate: IgE mediated
2 - cytotoxic; IgG or IgM mediated
3 - immune complex mediated
4 - delayed; cell mediated
Mediators, effects and cells involved in a Type 1 (immediate) hypersensitivity reaction?
Mediators - allergen-specific IgEs
Effect - histamine, leukotrienes, prostaglandin D2, cytokines, enzymes
Cells - mast cells and basophils
Mediators, effects and cells involved in a Type 1 (late phase) hypersensitivity reaction?
Mediators - IgE
Effect - cytokines
Cells - eosinophils and basophils
Mediators, effects and cells involved in a Type 2 late phase hypersensitivity reaction?
Mediators - IgG, rarely IgM
Effect - opsonisation, complement activation
Cells - phagocytes
Mediators, effects and cells involved in a Type 3 late phase hypersensitivity reaction?
Mediators - IgG or IgA immune complex precipitation
Effect - complement activation
Cells - phagocytes
Mediators, effects and cells involved in a Type 4 late phase hypersensitivity reaction?
Mediators - T cells
Effect - cytokines
Cells - T cells, macrophages
Explain Type 1 acute phase response hypersensitive reactions
Occurs within minutes to an hour after exposure to an allergen.
Examples - systemic anaphylaxis, allergic rhino-conjunctivitis, allergic asthma, atopic dermatitis
Symptoms mostly due to release of histamine from mast cell and basophils
IgE antibodies are antigen specific and only occur in response to previous exposure
Effects of histamine
Vasodilation, increased vascular permeability, tachycardia, cardiac contraction, glandular secretion
What are the 4 histamine receptors
H1 - wheal and flare reaction, bronchoconstriction, pruritus
H2 - increased gastric acid secretion
H3 - decreased histamine synthesis and release (neg feedback)
H4 - chemotactic pathway for eosinophils
Explain Type 1 late phase response hypersensitive reactions
May start 2-12 hours after immediate reaction
Can last hours to days
Cytokine release from the acute phase causes an infiltration of eosinophils and basophils
The probability of LPR increases with the severity of the acute reaction
Explain Type 2 hypersensitive reactions
Cytotoxic hypersensitivity.
Common cause of autoimmune-mediated cell destruction.
Initiated when IgG or (rarely) IgM binds to an antigen on a cell (eg RBCs, plts), a fixed tissue antigen (eg basement membrane) or a cell receptor (eg thyroid hormone receptor).
These IgG and IgM antibodies are called autoantibodies.
Binding of the antibody results in target cell destruction by:
-> cells lysed by MAC due to complement activation
-> opsonisation from the production of C3b due to complement activation, therefore attracting phagocytes
-> phagocytes have a receptor for the Fc portion of the antibodies and attack antibody coated cells.
Examples of antibody mediated cell destruction (type 2 hypersensitivity reaction)
Immune thrombocytopaenia - plts
Autoimmune haemolytic anaemia - RBCs
Leukopaenia - WBCs
Goodpasture syndrome - basement membrane of kidneys and lungs
Myasthenia gravis - ACh receptor on muscle cells
Graves disease - thyroid hormone receptor
Explain type 3 hypersensitivity reactions
Immune complex hypersensitivity, seen in autoimmune diseases and drug reactions.
Due to accumulation of ICs not cleared by innate immune system. Abs (usually IgG but can be IgA) combine with an antigen and form an IC.
In contrast to type 2, antigens are soluble and not bound to cell surfaces.
Precipitation occurs with excess antigen to Abs (Ag:Ab>1). As more Abs are produced, a point is reached where there is only slight Ab excess. At this pt, the ICs interlace and become bigger and less soluble. These precipitate in small vessels -> activate complement -> cytokine release -> gathering of more inflammatory cells -> necrosis of small vessels.
Hallmark pathologic finding = leukocytoclastic vasculitis, identified by hemorrhagic indurated lesions ie palpable purpura.
What are the models of systemic v localised reaction in Type 3 hypersensitivity reactions?
Serum sickness (systemic) - non-immunised to antigen, see necrotic vasculitis. Also affects the joints and kidneys causing arthritis and nephritis.
Arthus reaction (cutaneous or localised) - hyperimmunised so that there are many circulating IgG Abs. A small intradermal injection of the Ag leads to complement cascade and activation at the site of injection. A painful indurated lesion develops in 4-6 hrs, can progress to sterile abscess.
Examples of autoimmune type 3 hypersensitivity reactions
SLE - SLE; nuclear materials eg dsDNA, Smith antigen
IgAV - respiratory pathogen
Pernicious anaemia - intrinsic factor
Rheumatoid arthritis - RA, rheumatoid factor
Examples of external antigen type 3 hypersensitivity reactions
Hepatitis antigen - associated serum sickness
Farmer’s lung - mould or hay dust
Tetanus and diphtheria immunisation
Local insulin reactions
Explain type 4 cell mediated reactions
T-cell mediated, antibody INDEPENDENT, delayed reaction.
Involves previously sensitised T cells interacting with an antigen, causing the attraction and activation of macrophages resulting in an inflammatory reaction.
Reaction peaks in 1-3 days.
Examples of type 4 hypersensitivity reactions
Positive tuberculin test
Allergic contact dermatitis - poison ivy, nickel, metals
Granulomatous disease - Crohns, sarcoidosis
Allograft rejection
Graft-versus-host disease
What are the allergic disorders?
Asthma, eczema, rhinitis, conjunctivitis, food allergy, urticaria
Explain anaphylaxis
An acute, severe, life-threatening reaction to an allergen that leads to the release of immune mediators from mast cells and basophils. At least 2 organ systems are involved, including the skin, resp, CVS, GI and neuro.
Symptoms that are similar but non-IgE mediated are called anaphylactoid or non-IgE mediated anaphylaxis.
What is DRESS?
Drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms.
May begin 2-12 weeks after beginning treatment.
Explain drug desensitisation
Indicated if drug is the only known clinically effective therapy. Usually penicillins or cephalosporins in CF and multiple drug resistant pseudomonas.
Only effective for one course, must be repeated each time.
Contraindicated for severe cutaneous drug reactions.
Explain Vancomycin Redman syndrome
Vancomycin flushing syndrome.
Non immune-mediated, hypersensitivity syndrome.
Caused by stimulation of vasoactive mediators, resulting in flushing, erythema and upper body pruritus.
May also have chest pain, dizziness, hypotension.
Absence of anaphylactic signs - wheeze, swelling, hives, GI sx.
Treat by lowering the infusion rate, not decreasing the dose.
Other forms of vancomycin hypersensitivity include IgE-mediated anaphylaxis, nephrotoxicity, drug-induced fever, and DRESS syndrome.
May also get linear IgA bullous dermatosis.
Explain linear IgA bullous dermatosis
Associated with antibiotics, esp Vancomycin.
Clinical appearance similar to erythema multiforme.
Occurs 24 hrs - 1 mth post use.
Usually face, lower trunk and genitalia.
Rings of blisters - “string of pearls sign” - common on the trunk.
Spares conjunctiva and mucous membranes.
Dx via biopsy and direct immunofluorescence - shows linear IgA deposition at the dermal-epidermal junction.
Resolves with discontinuation of antibiotic.
If can’t discontinue drug, can use dapsone.
Explain DRESS
Drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic syndromes.
T cell mediated.
10% mortality.
Usually occurs 2-6 wks post drug use, can be up to 12 wks.
Most common triggers are abx (vanc, minocycline, sulfonamides) but also aromatic antiepileptics and allopurinol.
May cause viral reactivation - HHV 6, HHV 7, EBV, CMV.
Sx: polymorphous rash, may be pruritic; fever; lymphadenopathy; facial swelling, arthralgias, multiorgan involvement (eg hepatitis, carditis, nephritis).
Ix: leukocytosis with peripherial eosinohilia, atypical lymphocytes, elevated serum transaminases.
Mx: cease drug (symptoms persist or worsen post), supportive care, glucocorticoids. In severe cases IvIG or immunosuppressants eg cyclosporine.
Explain a fixed drug reaction
Slightly oedematous and well-circumscribed lesions that usually occur at the same sight following reexposure to an agent.
Usually solitary lesions, may occur in small groups.
Occasionally get central blistering of the eruption, followed by desquamation, and crusting.
Usually resolves in 7-10 days but may have residual hyperpigmentation that can last for mths.
Usually occur in mouth, hands, trunk and genital area.
Initial lesions may not appear for a week or longer after agent is ingested by are visible 30 minutes to 8 hrs following repeat ingestion.
Mx: avoid offending agent.
SJS v TEN
SJS - < 10% BSA
SJS/TEN - 10-30% BSA
TEN - > 30% BSA
What is the Nikolsky sign?
Occurs in SJN/TEN.
Sloughing of the epidermis with slight tangential pressure.