Inflammation Flashcards
What is an acute phase response?
A systemic manifestation of inflammation in response to infection, injury, or inflammatory triggers
It involves increased production of acute phase proteins by the liver.
What are acute phase proteins and provide an example?
Proteins produced by the liver that increase during inflammation; e.g., C-reactive protein (CRP)
These proteins help in inflammation and tissue repair.
What are some of the triggers for acute inflammation?
inflammation can be triggered by a variety of stimuli, including infections, immune reactions, blunt and penetrating trauma, physical or chemical agents (e.g., burns, frostbite, irradiation, caustic chemicals), and tissue necrosis from any cause.
What is leukocytosis?
An increase in white blood cells in response to inflammation
It indicates the body’s immune defenses are ramping up.
What role does fever play in the acute phase response?
Enhances immune function and inhibits pathogen growth
It creates an environment less favorable for pathogen survival, often signaled by cytokines.
How can the acute phase response be quantified?
By measuring acute phase proteins like CRP, elevated leucocytes, and fever
These indicators reflect the body’s inflammatory response.
What is serous exudate?
A watery fluid with low protein content originating from plasma
Typically seen in blisters.
What characterizes hemorrhagic exudate?
Damage to blood vessels leading to leakage of red blood cells
Often seen in severe trauma.
What is fibrinous exudate?
Exudate with large amounts of fibrinogen creating a thick and sticky meshwork
Often associated with conditions like pericarditis.
What is membranous exudate?
Developed on a highly mucous membrane, made of necrotic cells covered with fibrinopurulent exudates
Indicates significant tissue damage.
What does purulent exudate contain?
Yellow/greenish fluid containing neutrophils, dead cells, and fluid
Often seen as pus.
What are the cardinal signs of inflammation
- Heat
- Readness
- Swelling
- Pain
- Dysfunction
Which cells dominate the inflammatory response
Neutrophils within the first few minutes, peak 48-72 hours → hallmark of acute innate immune response.
Switches from neutrophil dominated to macrophage dominant, magnitude of macrophages rely on the injury.
What are the two stages of inflammation and which comes first?
Vascular phase and Cellular phase
the vascular comes first
What happens during the vascular phase of acute inflammation?
Vasoconstriction: Initial narrowing of vessels.
Vasodilation: Increased blood flow (heat/redness).
Increased permeability: Fluid/protein leakage into tissue (swelling, pain).
What occurs during the cellular phase of acute inflammation?
Leukocytes (mainly neutrophils) move to the injury site.
Extravasation: Blood leakage and cell migration via chemotaxis.
Neutrophils perform phagocytosis to clear debris.
What are the key mediators of inflammation and their roles?
Histamine: Vasodilation, increased permeability.
Cytokines: Recruit and regulate immune cells.
Prostaglandins: Vasodilation, pain, fever.
Bradykinin: Vasodilation, pain, permeability.
What is the goal of inflammation, and which cells are involved?
Inflammation recruits leukocytes to injury.
Mast cells, Basophils, Eosinophils: Release inflammatory mediators like histamine.
Platelets: Promote clotting and increase permeability.
Neutrophils: First responders; recruit monocytes/macrophages.
Monocytes/Macrophages: Phagocytose debris and aid tissue repair.
Lymphocytes: Include B and T cells; essential for adaptive immunity.
