Immunology Flashcards
Define autoimmunity
- presence of immune responses against self-tissue
- loss of tolerance
Name some examples of autoimmune diseases in MSK?
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Myasthenia gravis
- Scleroderma
- Polymyositis
What hypersensitivity type is myasthenia gravis?
- Type II hypersensitivity reaction
What is myasthenia gravis?
-Autoimmune neuromuscular disorder characterized by severe muscular weakness and progressive fatigue
What is the pathophysiology of myasthenia gravis?
- auto-reactive antibodies IgG binds to Ach receptors on muscle cells
What are the clinical symptoms of myasthenia gravis?
-Muscles of face, eyes, mouth become droopy
What is a known cause of myasthenia gravis, and is responsible for 10% of cases?
-10% associated with thymic tumour
Diagnosing Myasthenia gravis?
- Laboratory Test (Presence of anti-AChR IgG in serum)
- Repetitive nerve stimulation
Treatment of myasthenia gravis?
- anti-cholinesterase agents
- surgery
- immunosuppression
Rheumatoid arthritis is a type ___ hypersensitivity reaction?
- Type IV
- however, does have a secondary type III reaction
What is a known HLA association with Rheumatoid arthritis?
- HLA-DRB1
Diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis?
Presence of Rheumatoid factor or anti-CCP antibodies
Treatment of rheumatoid arthritis?
- immunosuppression
- glucocorticoids
- monoclonal antibodies
What is an example of a drug that is a monoclonal antibody for rheumatoid arthritis?
- linfiximab
