immunology 5,6

Question 1

describe the differences between primary and secondary immunodeficiencies

Answer 1

primary= present at birth (congenital), due to genetic errors/mutations, specific and non specific effects like antibody production, lack of t cells, phagocyte defects

secondary= acquired after birth, due to artificial causes like immunosuppressive agents or natural causes like infections, TB, cancer, diabetes, stress, pregnancy

Question 2

name 3 causes of immunodeficiency diseases

Answer 2

B cell defects, T cell defects, combined B and T cell defects

Question 3

describe what happens when you have a B cell defect and how it leads to immunodeficiency diseases and treatments

Answer 3

-X linked, recessive trait, mostly males
-gene mutation in region coding for a
protein (bruton tyrosine kinase) involved in pre B cell maturation
-immunoglobulin therapy needed

Question 4

describe what happens when you have a T cell defect and how it leads to immunodeficiency diseases and treatments

Answer 4

-abnormal thymus development during embryonic development, deletion on chromosome 22
-deficiency in T cells leading to reduced immunity activity, absence of cell mediated response, lots of microbial infections
-thymus transplant needed

Question 5

describe what happens when you have combined B and T cell defects and how it leads to immunodeficiency diseases and treatments

Answer 5

-lymphocyte receptor deficiency
-X linked
-high risk of infection and dying
-patients need to be kept in sterile environment
-bone marrow/stem cell transplant, gene therapy

Question 6

what is passive immunisation

Answer 6

injection of antibodies (preformed pathogen specific pooled human immunoglobulins)

-provides instant protection but no long term memory
-monoclonal antibodies=mimics natural antibodies to neutralise a virus

Question 7

what is active immunisation

Answer 7

induces immune system to make antibodies
-vaccines (weakened pathogen)
-immune response develops few weeks after vaccination, long term protection, memory cells, faster response when the same pathogen enters body again

Question 8

things that make a good antigen

Answer 8

large molecules, complex molecules, lipoproteins

Question 9

production methods of vaccines

Answer 9

whole virus/bacterium, subunit, toxoid, nucleic acid

Question 10

what is an allergy

Answer 10

altered activity or extreme immune response, causes inflammatory symptoms, sensitivity increases with repeated contact to allergen

Question 11

what are allergens

Answer 11

antigens that evoke an allergic response

Question 12

portals of entry for allergens and examples

Answer 12

inhalants- drugs, pollen, dust, mould spores, animal hair
ingestants- drugs, food
injectants- drugs, vaccines, enzymes, hormones
contactants- drugs, cosmetics, rubber, detergents
skin
respiratory epithelia and GI tract