Immunology Flashcards
Undesirable reactions directed against innocuous agents in a pre-sensitised host is known as
an allergy
Coombs and Gell (1963) developed a
classification of hypersensitivity
IgE is involved in
anaphylaxis
Cytotoxic reaction occur in response to antigens
at the cell surface
Goodpasture’s nephritis and Erythroblastosis fetalis are examples of
Type II reactions
Type III reactions occur in response to antigens
that are soluble
SLE is an example of a
Type III reaction
Nickel is a common antigen that causes
Type IV reactions
The lack of infectious drive in contributing to allergic disease is known as
the hygiene hypothesis
The immune response to parasitic infections involves
increased IgE and CD4 cells that secrete IL4, IL5 and IL13
Th2 deviation leads to
antibody mediated immunity (likely chance of allergies)
Leukotrienes and prostaglandins form the late phase reaction in
IgE mediated allergic response
In children, what reduction in BP is classified as anaphylaxis?
greater than 30% in systolic bP
What is the atopic triad?
Asthma, Rhinitis and Eczema
What should rhinitis be treated with?
Antihistamines and nasal steroids
Atopic dermatitis is caused by
something endogenous
How do you diagnose an allergy?
Graded challenge test
Basophil activation test
Skin prick test
What can indicate severe hypersensitivity reactions?
Blistering disorders
Dendritic cells, macrophages and neutrophils are
phagocytic cells
Autoimmune disease is
the breakdown of self-tolerance
Central tolerance and selection of T cells occurs
in the thymus
MHC Class 1 present to
CD8 cells
MHC class 1 are found on
all nucleated cells, never on RBCs
FOXP3 mutations cause
severe autoimmunity from birth
PTPN22 mutations cause
stronger immune responses
Rheumatic fever Abs can also react against
glycoproteins of the heart
Citrullination of proteins can lead to
Rheumatoid arthritis
What condition do antibodies destroy the thyroid?
Hashimotos
What condition do autoantibodies block ACh receptors at NMJs, causing drooping eyelids, weakness in neck and arms?
Myasthenia gravis
In what condition should you always check the MCV?
Pernicious anaemia
What does vitamin B12 need to be absorbed?
IF
In what condition do antibodies react against antigens in the nucleus?
SLE
scleroderma, polymyositis and Sjorgens syndrome are examples of
connective tissue diseases
[a/(a+c)] is
sensitivity
[d/(b+d)] is
specificity
the positive predictive value is
[a/(a+b)]
the negative predictive value is
[d/(c+d)]
ANAs are antibodies that
bind to the cell nucleus
ANAs can be detected using
indirect immunofluorescence
What antibody is commonly found in RA but not used in diagnosis?
rheumatoid factor-
it is directed at the Fc portion of IgG
What is more specific for RA than RF?
ACPA
What can be used to diagnose Wegener’s granulomatosis?
ANCA
cytoplasmic ANCA targets which antigens?
PR3 (70%)
MPO
What is immunodeficiency?
clinical situation in which the immune system is not effective enough to protect the body against infection
What type of immunodeficiency is usually due to genetics?
Primary
TLRs, a type of pathogen recognition receptors, trigger the production of inflammatory cytokines such as
MyD88 and IRAK4
Defects in which TLR leads to recurrent HSV encephalitis?
TLR3
IRAK4 and MyD88 deficiencies present as
recurrent bacterial infections
poor inflammatory response
one of the key proteins in the NADPH complex that has X-linked inheritance is
gp9/phox
Chronic granulomatous disease presents as
recurrent abscesses caused by unusual organisms
Dihydrothdamine reduction using flow cytometry can be used to investigate
chronic granulomatous disease
Deficiency in C2 and C4 can cause
SLE
Deficiency in C5-C9 (which form MAC) presents with
repeated episodes of bacterial meningitis
What investigation can be done to check if there is a complement deficiency?
complement function test
Antigens can be inactivated by antibodies by
Neutralisation
Agglutination
Precipitation
Complement
X linked agammaglobulinaemia is caused by a defect in
BTK
IgA deficiency and CVID are examples if
B cell defects
B cell defects should be treated with
Abx and IV IgG for life
The CD20 receptor on the B cell is a target for what drug
Rituximab
SCID is can be caused by
an Absence of T cells
metabolic deficiencies
SCID is an emergency for what category of patients?
paediatric
Immunomodulators that target TNF are
Adalimunab
Infliximab
Entanercept
Cetrolizumab
Immunomodulators can be
fusion proteins
monoclonal antibodies
identical signalling proteins
Passive immunisation is useful for
Hep B prophylaxis
Botulism
VZV
What type of immunisation has limited use in the immunocompromised?
Active
beta interferon can be used in therapy for what condition?
MS
alpha interferon can be used to treat what virus?
Hep C
Corticosteroids cause immunosuppression by
reducing T cell proliferation and the production of inflammatory cytokines
What antimetabolite is a folate antagonist?
Methotrexate
What antimetabolite cross links DNA?
cyclophosphamide
Tacromilus is a
calcineurin inhibitor (affects T cells)
What drugs are used in RA therapy?
Anti-TNF
Anti- IL6
What Ab can be used in the treatment of asthma against IgE?
Omalizumab
What Ab can be used in the treatment of asthma against IL-5?
Mepolizumab
What parasitic infection can be passed on by cats and their litter?
Toxoplasma gondii
Which MHC molecules are heterodimers?
class II
What HLA is involved with fighting malaria?
HLA-B53
What is allogenic transplantation?
Where an aggressive immunological response comes about due to foreign tissue
What is important to prevent rejection of grafts?
HLA typing
