Immunology and Anaphylaxis Flashcards
Tissues and organs of the immune system
• Tonsils and Adenoids
• Thymus
• Lymph nodes
• Spleen
• Peyer’s patches
• Appendix
• Lymphatic vessels
• Bone marrow
Immune Priviledged sites:
• Eyes
• Placenta and Foetus
• Testicles
• Central Nervous System
What does the immune system do?
• recognise and neutralise pathogens
• recognise and kill infected cells
• respond to “danger” signals
•Surveillance and removal of transformed (pre-cancerous or cancerous cells)
• removes dead cells
Contribute to wound healing
Reaction or symptoms of IgE allergic reaction
• systemic anaphylaxis
• acute urticaria
• seasonal rhinoconjunctivitis
• asthma
• food allergy
Allergic Asthma symptoms:
• shortness of breath/breathing
• cough (day or night)
• wheezing
• chest tightness
Allergic Rhinitis symptoms:
• inflammation in the nostrils due to presence of an allergen (environment)
• itchy eyes/throat
• sneezing, blocked/runny nose
• watering, red eyes (allergic conjunctivitis)
• shortness of breath
• tiredness
• post-nasal drip
What can trigger a reaction of systemic anaphylaxis?
• drugs (penicillin, insulin, and antitoxins)
• foods
Can be fatal
What is the most severe type of anaphylaxis
• systemic anaphylaxis
• often fatal and occurs within minutes of exposure
How is an allergen introduced into the body
• directly into the blood stream
• absorbed into the circulation from the gut or skin
Symptoms of anaphylaxis
• precipitous drop in blood pressure leading to anaphylactic shock
• this would cause contraction of smooth muscles to defecation, urination and bronchioles constriction causing laboured respiration.
Symptoms of anaphylaxis are due to:
• rapid and widespread IgE antibody-mediated degranulation of mast cells and basophils and the systemic effects of their contents
What treatment is used for systemic anaphylactic reactions?
• adrenaline
• it counteracts the effects of mediators such as histamine and leukotrienes, relaxing smooth muscles of the airways and reducing vascular permeability
Oxygen
Hydrocortisone
Adrenaline improves:
Improves cardiac output, which is necessary to prevent vascular collapse
What is the role of white blood cells
• leukocytes protect against diseases, microbes and other foreign invaders
What are the three subtypes of white blood cells
• granulocytes
• lymphocytes
• monocytes