Inborn Errors of Immunity Flashcards

1
Q

What does the innate vs adaptive immune system detect? What are the receptors of the two divisions?

A
  • Innate detects PAMPs, and DAMPs (WAT?)
  • Adaptive detects a huge range of specific antigens
  • Innate uses PRRs (WAT?)
  • Adaptive uses TCRs and Ig on surface of B cells
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2
Q

What are inborn errors of immunity (including the exact kind of change(s) that cause them)? What do they predispose to?

A
  • IEI are genetically determined, inborn errors of immunity
  • They can be widely heterogeneous, and can have variable clinical phenotype
  • They predispose to recurrent/unusual infections, as well as increased risk of malignancy/immune regulation (interesting that these two link together)
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3
Q

What are some possible warning signs of primary immunodeficiency?

A
  • Need for IV antibiotics to clear infections
  • Persistent thrush/fungal infection (what else causes thrush? why?)
  • FHx
  • Multiple serious sinus infections in one year
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4
Q

Why is early and accurate diagnosis of inborn errors of immunity so important?

A
  • Early intervention can prevent recurrent infections and irreversible end organ damage
  • Early diagnosis allows for best possible planning of interventions and long-term plans, such as vaccination strategies
  • Can also allow for genetic screening in other family members who may have inherited the disorder(s) moving forward
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5
Q

What kinds of infections are more likely in someone with phagocyte/complement/humoral/cellular immunodeficiency?

A
  • Phagocyte: bacteria/fungal
  • Complement: bacteria
  • Humoral: bacteria (+ some viruses)
  • Cellular: all
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6
Q

Outline three types of tests that can be used to diagnose inborn errors of immunity. Are these broadly similar for each patient as part of the immunodeficiency screen?

A
  1. Genetic testing: DNA is extracted/sequenced from a sample of tissue, and assessed for abnormalities
  2. Immunological assays: assess the number and function of cells, levels of Ig, cytokines etc.
  3. Clinical: Hx (?recurrent infections, ?autoimmunity, ?Fhx, ?recurrent miscarriages)
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7
Q

Outline the 4 broad categories of treatment for inborn errors of immunity

A
  1. Preventitive (immunisation, screening, prophylactic Rx)
  2. Supportive (IvIg, Plasmapheresis)
  3. Targeted (enzyme replacement, immunosuppressive biologics)
  4. Curative (stem cell transplant, thymus transplant)
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8
Q
A
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