Immunology Flashcards
1
Q
Leukocytes:
A
Function
- Destroy micro-organisms at site of infection
- Remove foreign substances & body debris
- Independent movement - can pass through blood vessel walls into tissue
- ↑ WBC’s – leukocytosis
- ↑ abnormal WBC’s -leukemia
- ↓ WBC’s – leukopoenia
2
Q
Hematopoiesis:
A
- Stem cells:
undifferentiated cells capable of renewal &
differentiation - Progenitor cells:
committed to production of particular cell lines - Precursors:
recognisable as early forms of particular cell lines
(blasts) - Mature cells
3
Q
Classification of WBCs (Leukocytes):
- Granulocytes
A
Granulocytes
- Most numerous WBC’s
- Granules in cytoplasm
- Phagocytic
- Lobed nucleus
- Polymorphonuclear cells
4
Q
Eosinophil:
A
- Destroy parasites
- Involved in allergy, eczema
- Involved in asthma
- Granules — chemicals
histamine, eosinophil peroxidase
plasminogen, major basic
protein, cathepsin, lipase - Toxic to parasites, host tissues
5
Q
Eosinophilia:
A
- High number of
Eosinophils in blood - IgE allergies, asthma, hay fever is one cause
- Parasitic infection (helminth)
- Allergy to drugs, allergic reaction
- Some cancers cause eosinophilia
- Disappears with resolution of the disease
6
Q
Eosinophilia:
- Some diseases that feature eosinophilia:
A
- Asthma, hay fever, drug allergies, dermatitis
- Eosinophilic esophagitis
- Parasitic infections
- Addisons disease
- Some blood cancers
- Systemic autoimmune diseases, SLE
- HIV infection
7
Q
Eosinopenia:
A
- Decrease of Eosinophils in blood
- Usually, eosinophils move out from
blood to site of inflammation - Can be induced by stress, use of steroids (Cushing Syndrome)
- Tumour in pituatary gland, adrenal glands
- Other causes
- Surgery, shock, trauma, burns, mental distress
8
Q
Eosinopenia:
A
Can be induced by Cushing Syndrome
- Cushing Syndrome
- prolonged use of cortisol or tumor
- Symptoms, abdominal obesity with thin arms and legs
- Round red “moon” face
- Headache, tiredness
- Red stretch marks
- Weak bones
- Weight gain
- Depression
9
Q
Basophil:
A
- Least common cells
- Large granules, obscures cell nucleus
- Similar in appearance to Mast Cells (not in blood, reside in tissues)
- Both – histamine
- Major cell involved in
Allergic reactions - Involved in inflammation
10
Q
Basophil:
A
- Abnormal elevation of Basophils in blood
- Basophilia as an isolated finding is rare
- Usually seen in chronic myeloid leukemia, ulcerative colitis,
juvenile RA, (inflammatory disorders), viral infections,
drugs, diabetes, Fe deficiency, allergies
11
Q
Basopenia:
A
- Basophil deficiency
- Agranulocytosis
CAUSE
- Urticaria (hives),
- Anaphylaxis
- Drug induced reactions
- During ovulation
- Hyperthyroidism, acute infection, steroids
12
Q
Mast Cell:
A
- Resident cells
- Not usually found in blood
- Granules —- histamine —
allergy, anaphylaxis - IgE receptor
- Granules — heparin
- Function and appearance
similar to basophil
13
Q
Mastocytosis:
A
- Abnormal accumulation of
mast cells
-Mainly in skin and other
organs (bones, GIT, liver,
spleen)
- People with mastocytosis susceptible to itching, hives, anaphylactic shock (skin) (excessive histamine release)
- Most common cutaneous
mastocytosis is:
Urticaria pigmentosa
14
Q
Neutrophil:
A
Segmented neutrophils
- Multi-lobed nucleus
- 2-5 lobes
- Polymorphonuclear cells
- Destroy harmful micro-organisms
- Destroy foreign particles
- Anti-bacterial
- Phagocytes
- Acute Inflammation
- Predominant in pus
15
Q
Neutrophilia (Granulocytosis):
A
- High number of Neutrophils in blood
- Occurs in the first stage of infection
- Stored neutrophils in the venous sinuses are released into the general bloodstream
- If pronounced, may indicate sepsis
- If the demand is too high, many immature cells are
released
