Immunology

Question 1

HIV infected individuals lifespan compared to general population

Answer 1

larger as they tend to look after themselves better

Question 2

The immune system

Answer 2

a network of specialised cells, tissues and soluble factors that co-operate to kill and eliminate pathogens and cancer cells.

Question 3

Immune over-reaction

Answer 3

Autoimmune problem
- internal threat
- type 1 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, multiple sclerosis lupus, inflammator bowl disease
Allergic reaction
- external threat
- hay fever, eczema, asthma, sinstitis

Question 4

Immune under-reaction

Answer 4

Cancer
- hepatitis, HIV, singles, TB
Infection
- viruses, bacteria, fungi and parasites

Question 5

Vaccinations

Answer 5

one of the most important scientific accomplishments of the past century

Question 6

Why HPV vaccines are required

Answer 6

• most people’s immune system can deal with HPV but some can’t
• the DNA of HPV is inserted into genome and disrupts gene function to become tumorogenic and cause cancer later in life

Question 7

Immuno-suppresion

Answer 7

Essential for treatment of autoimmune disease, allergic disease and transplantation

Question 8

Is immunisation effective?

Answer 8

• yes!

- many lethal diseases we don’t see much of anymore due to the effectiveness of vaccinations

Question 9

Are all the problems of infection solved?

Answer 9

• no
• there was a case last year where t-cells were genetically modified to kill cancer cells and it worked
• very expensive

Question 10

Emergence of new infectious diseases

Answer 10

• global village
• population growth
• changes in human behaviour
• changes in dynamics of other infections
• loss of natural habitat
• interactions of pathogens with humans

Question 11

Protection against infection

Answer 11

1. local infection (penetration of epithelium)
   - wound healing induced a
2. local infection of tissues
3. lymphatic spread
4. adaptive immunity