Immunology Flashcards
What are the 4 hallmarks of immune deficiency?
SPUR Serious infections Persistent infections Unusual infections Recurrent infections
what defines a serious infection?
unresponsive to oral antibiotics
what defines persistent infections?
early structural damage
chronic infections
what defines unusual infections?
unusual organisms
unusual sites
what defines recurrent infections?
two major or one major + recurrent minor infections in one year
what 6 features apart from SPURS may be surggestive of primary immune deficiency?
weight loss/ failure to thrive severe skin rash chronic diarrhoea mouth ulceration unusual autoimmune disease family history
what 2 important infections lead to secondary immune deficiency?
HIV
measels
what 3 important treatment interventions lead to secondary immune deficiency?
immunosuppressive therapy
anti-cancer agents
corticosteriods
what type of malignancies can lead to secondary immune deficiency?
cancer of the immune system (lymphoma, myeloma, leukemia)
metastatic tumours
what biochemical/nutritional disorders can lead to secondary immune deficiency?
malnutrition
diabetes (Type 1 and 2)
dialysis
what is a major feature of phagocyte deficiencies?
recurrent infections
which can affect either common or unusual sites
what are the types of organisms typically infect patients with phagocyte deficiencies?
common bacteria (eg Staph sureus)
unusual bacteria (eg Burkholderia cepacia)
Mycobateria (TB and atypicals)
Fungi (candida, aspergillus)
what is the general life cycle of a phagocyte? (ie neutrophil
- mobilisation of phagocytes and precursos from bone marrow or within tissues
- upregulation of endothelial adhesion markers causing neutrophil adhesion and migration into tissues
- phagocytosis and killing of organism
- activation of other components of the immune system
what are the 2 reasons that can cause the failure of neutrophil production?
(and therefore neutropaenia and phacogyte deficiency)
failure of stem cells to differentiate along myeloid lineage
specific failure of neutrophil maturation
what is reticular dysgensis?
the failure of stem cells to differentiate along myeloid and lymphoid lineages. megakaryocyte-erythroid lineage is unaffected. most severe form of severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID)
when can the secondary defect which causes the failure of stem cells to differentiate along the myeloid lineage occur?
after stem cell transplantation
what are the 2 congenital causes of specific failure of neutrophil maturation? (and therefore cause neutropaenia)
Kostmanns syndrome
Cyclic neutropaenia
what is Kostmanns syndrome?
rare autosomal recessive disorder causing the specific failure of neutrophil maturation- leads to severe chronic neutropaenia
what is Cyclic Neutropaenia?
episodic neutropaenia every 4-6 weeks caused by the specific failure of neutrophil maturation
when do patients with Kostmanns syndrome usually present with recurrent infections?
within 2 weeks after birth
what is the supportive treatment of Kostmanns syndrome?
prophylactic antibiotics
prophylactic antifungals
what is the definitive treatment of Kostmanss syndrome?
stem cell transplantation
Granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF)
what is granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF)?
a growth factor which assists maturation of neutrophils
what rare, primary immunodeficiency is caused by the genetic defect in leukocyte integrins?
leukocyte adhesion deficiency
what does leukocyte adhesion deficiency result in?
failure of neutrophil adhesion and migration
what is the general clinical picture of leukocyte adhesion deficiency?
marked leukocytosis but with localised bacterial infections that are difficult to detect
what 2 receptors do phagocytes possess that bind to opsinons?
Fc receptors (for antibody Fc) Complement receptor 1 (CR1- for binding to complement which are bound to the antigen)
what 2 defect can cause decreased efficiency of opsonisation? (and therefore a phagocyte deficiency)
defect of complement/antibody production
defect in opsonin receptor
what is chronic granulomatous disease?
a phagocyte deficiency due to failure of oxidative killing mechanisms
in chronic granulomatous disease what causes the failure of oxidative killing mechanisms?
inability to generate oxygen free radicals and so impaired killing of intracellular organisms
why are granulomas formed in chronic granulomatous disease?
inability to clear organisms leads to excessive inflammation and persistent accumulation of neutrophils, activated macrophages and lymphocytes. all leading to a granuloma
in chronic granulomatous disease what features would you find on an full abdominal exam?
lymphadenopathy
hepatosplenomegaly
how do you investigate chronic granulomatous disease?
NBT test
nitroblue tetrazolium
how does a NBT test work?
you feed patients neutrophils a source of E-coli
add a dye sensitive to H202
if hydrogen peroxide is produced by neutrophils (meaning oxidative killing is function) the dye will change colour showing patient doesn’t have chronic granulomatous disease
what is the supportive treatment for chronic granulomatous disease?
prophylactic antibiotics
prophylactic antifungals
what type of cells do mycobacteria reside within?
macrophages
what network is activated when a macrophage becomes infected with mycobacteria?
IL12-gIFN network
what are the 6 steps in the IL12-gIFN network?
- infected macrophages stimulated to produce IL 12
- IL 12 induces T cells to secrete gIFN
- gIFN feeds back to macrophages and neutrophils
- stimulation of TNF within the infected macrophage
- activation of NADPH oxidase within the macrophage
- TNF and NADPH oxidase stimulate oxidative pathways
what is the definitive treatment for chronic granulomatous disease?
stem cell transplantation
(gene therapy)
gIFN therapy
what 3 single gene defects are associated with suscpetibility to intracellular bacteria such as mycobacteria infection and salmonella?
gIFN receptor deficiency
IL 12 deficiency
IL 12 receptor deficiency
what can happen when anti-TNF drugs are used in the treatment of inflammatory diseases?
reactivation of latent intracellular bacteria such as tuberculosis
compare congenital neutropaenia, leukocyte adhesion deficiency and chronic granulomatous disease with regards to neutrophil count?
conginital neutropaenia: absent
leukocyte adhesion defect: increased during infection
chronic granulomatous: normal
compare congenital neutropaenia, leukocyte adhesion deficiency and chronic granulomatous disease with regards to the ability to form pus?
congenital neutropaenia- no
leukocyte adhesion defect- no
chronic granulomatous- yes
compare congenital neutropaenia, leukocyte adhesion deficiency and chronic granulomatous disease with regards to leukocyte adhesion markers?
congenital neutropaenia- normal
leukocyte adhesion defect- abnormal
chronic granulomatous- normal
compare congenital neutropaenia, leukocyte adhesion deficiency and chronic granulomatous disease with regards to oxidative killing?
congenital neutropaenia- absent
leukocyte adhesion defect- normal
chronic granulomatous- absent
how is reticular dysgenesis treated?
fatal unless corrected with bone marrow transplantation
what is severe combined immunodeficiency?
failure of lymphocyte production (failure of lymphocyte precursors)
what are the 6 typical features of a child with severe combined immunodeficiency?
unwell by 3 months of age persistent diarrhoea failure to thrive infections of all types unusual skin disease family history of early infant death
what is the unusual skin disease usually present in a child with severe combined immunodeficiency?
graft versus host disease
caused by colonisation of the infants empty bone marrow by maternal lymphocytes
what is the period of time called where even normal babies get infections (3-4 months) if there immune system is slow to mature?
transient hypogammaglobulinaemia of infancy
how long does maternal IgG protect any neonate?
3 months
what is the most common form of severe combined immunodeficiency?
X-linked SCID
what is the mutation in X-linked SCID?
mutation of component of IL 2 receptor
(IL2 is very important for T cell development
what are the levels of T and B cells in a child with SCID?
very low or absent T cells
normal or increased B cells (but poor response)
why do children with SCID have poorly developed lymphoid tissue and thymus?
not being stimulated by T cells
what is the prophylactic treatment of children with SCID?
hospitalised
avoid infections (prophylactic antibiotics, fungals, no vaccines)
aggressive treatment of existing infections
antibody replacement- IV Ig
what is the definitive treatment options of a child with SCID?
Stem cell transplant from HLA identical sibling if possible
Stem cell transplant from other sibling or parent of from matched unrelated donor
What causes DiGeorges syndrome?
deletion of chromosome 22q11
what is the phenotype of a child with DiGeorge syndrome? (5 things)
Congenital heart defects Abnormal facial features Thymic hypoplasia Cleft palate Hypocalcaemia (due to hypoparathyroidism)
why is there a T cell deficiency in DiGeorges syndrome?
failure of thymic deveopment (nowhere for the T cells to mature)
what are the B cell, T cell and NK cell count like in DiGeorges Syndrome?
absent or very low T cells
normal or increased B cells (but poor response)
Normal NK cells
what is the management of DiGeorge Syndrome?
correct metabolic/cardiac abnormalities
prophylactic antibodies
early and aggressive treatment of infection
Ig replacement
why does T cell function improve with age in patients with DiGeorge syndrome?
extrathymic maturation of T cells
what type of disease happens when there is failure of normal apoptosis?
autoimmune syndromes
what are the 3 first line investigations of T cell deficiencies?
total white cell count differential
serum immunoglobulins and protein electrophoresis
quantitation of lymphocye subpopulation
what second line test is essential in investigating a T cell deficiency?
HIV test
what is the cause of Bruton’s X linked hypogammaglobulinaemia?
failure to produce mature B cells
what are the B cell levels like in Bruton’s X-linked hypogammaglobulinaemia?
no circulating B cells
no plasma calls
(no circulating antibody after first 6 months)
what is the name of the genetic condition in which IgM B cells can’t differentiate into IgA cells?
selective IgA deficiency
what are the symptoms of IgA deficiency?
2/3 asymp
1/3 recurrent respiratory tract infections
what is the name of the genetic condition in which there is low IgG, IgA and IgE?
common variable immune deficiency
what is the name of the genetic condition in which there is a failure of T cell co-stimulation of B-lymphocytes?
X-linked hyper IgM syndrome
what are the 3 main features of B cell deficiencies?
recurrent infections
opportunistic infections
antibody-mediated autoimmune disease
what are the 1st line investigations if there is a suspected B cell deficiency?
total white cell count and differential
serum immunoglobulins
serum and urine protein electrophoresis
how do you manage a B cell deficiency?
aggressive treatment of infection
immunoglobulin replacement
stem cell transplantation
what is a hypersensitivity reaction?
immune response that results in bystander damage to the self
what are the 4 types of hypersensitivity reactions?
Type 1: immediate hypersensitivity
Type 2: direct cell killing
Type 3: immune complex mediated
Type 4: delayed type hypersensitivity
what type of hypersensitivity reaction is an allergic disease?
type 1: immediate hypersensitivity
what is causes an immediate hypersensitivity reaction (allergy)?
IgE-mediated antibody response to external antigen
explain the prevalence of allergies?
increasing prevalence
what 2 factors can account for the increased prevalence of allergic disease?
genetic
environmental (eg hygiene hypothesis)
explain the hygiene hypothesis?
over the years there has been a general decrease in infectious burden during early life, this resulted in an underdeveloped immune response which predisposes to allergic conditions
what type of helper T cells (Th) cells are involved in the allergic response?
Th2
how quickly does the allergic attack occur after exposure to the allergen? (type 1: immediate hypersensitivity)
very quickly (minutes to 1/2 hours after exposure)
how can thresholds for allergic reactions be lowered?
by co-factors eg exercise, alcohol, infection
what does it mean by ‘type 1 immediate hypersensitivities are stereotyped’?
the same reaction occurs every time trigger is present
ie always a rash on exposure
name 6 common allergens?
dust mite pollen/animal dander foods drugs latex bee + wasp venom
what are the main immune cells involved in the type 1 immediate hypersensitivity response?
B lymphocytes
T lymphocytes
mast cells
what are the 2 functions of B cells within the allergic response?
recognise antigen (allergen) produce antigen-specific IgE antibody
what is the function of T cells within the allergic response?
provide help for B lymphocytes to make IgE antibody
what is the function of mast cells within the allergic response?
Fc receptors are binded to Fc of allergen specific IgE, when allergen antigen binds to variable part of the antibody, mast cells become active and release vasoactive substances
where are mast cells located?
resident in tissues, especially at interface with external environment
what vasoactive substances secreted by a mast cell are already preformed?
histamine
tryptase
heparin
what vasoactive substances secreted by a mast cell are synthesised on demand and aren’t preformed?
leukotrienes
prostaglandins
cytokines (including IL4 and TNF)
what are the 4 functions of vasoactive substances produced by a mast cell in response to an allergen?
increased blood flow
contraction of smooth muscle
increased vascular permeability
increased secretions at mucosal surface
what are the main 2 functions of a mast cell?
defence against parasites
wound healing
mast cells express Fc receptors on their surface that correspond to the Fc of what type of antibody?
IgE
what happens the first type the body encounters the allergen?
no allergic response
why is there no allergic response on first encounter with allergen?
B cells produce antigen-specific IgE antibody and allergen is cleared
on first encounter with allergen, once allergen has been cleared what happens to the residual IgE antibodies?
they bind to circulating mast cells via Fc receptors
what happens on re-encounter with an allergen (antigen)?
allergen binds to the IgE which is coating mast cells and disrupts cell membrane causing a release of preformed and newly synthesised vasoactive mediators (degranulation)
what is the name for allergic disease in the lung?
atopic asthma
what type of airway disease is asthma?
obstructive
how do you classify asthma? (3 questions)
early or late onset?
atopic or non-atopic?
extrinsic or intrinsic?
what is intrinsic asthma?
non-allergic asthma
not IgE mediated
what is extrinsic asthma?
response to external allergen
IgE mediated
name 3 common triggers of atopic asthma?
dust mite
grass pollen
animal dander
what is the clinical manifestation of muscle spasm caused by release of vasoactive substances in the lung?
wheeze (caused by bronchoconstriction)
what is the clinical manifestation of mucosal inflammation caused by release of vasoactive substances/inflammatory mediators in the lung?
sputum production (caused by mucosal oedema and increased secretions)
what is the clinical manifestation of the inflammatory cell infiltrate caused by release of vasoactive substances/inflammatory mediators in the lung?
yellow sputum (caused by infiltration of lymphocytes and eosinophils into bronchioles)
what 2 factors caue the narrowing of the airways during an asthma attack?
excess mucus
contracted brochiole smooth muscle (in spasm)
what is the clinical name for ‘hives’?
urticaria