Inflammatory Syndrome Flashcards
What is inflammation?
The body’s defense mechanism against external threats (infection, injury) and internal threats (autoimmune diseases, tumors).
What are the local signs of inflammation?
Redness, heat, pain, swelling, and loss of function.
What are the systemic signs of inflammation?
Fatigue, anorexia, weight loss, and changes in body temperature (hyper- or hypothermia).
What is the role of inflammatory mediators?
They regulate the inflammatory response and include histamine, serotonin, prostaglandins, leukotrienes, and cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1, IL-6).
What are the main cellular components involved in inflammation?
Neutrophils, mast cells, macrophages, and T cells.
What are the general laboratory tests used to evaluate inflammation?
- Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR)
- Plasma Protein Electrophoresis (PEP)
- Complete Blood Count (CBC)
What does an elevated ESR indicate?
Inflammation, infection, autoimmune disease, or cancer.
What is Plasma Protein Electrophoresis (PEP) used for?
To analyze serum proteins such as albumin, globulins, and markers of inflammation.
What are the main protein fractions in PEP and their functions?
- Albumin: Maintains oncotic pressure, decreases during inflammation.
- Alpha 1 globulins: Includes α1-antitrypsin, orosomucoid (acute-phase proteins).
- Alpha 2 globulins: Includes haptoglobin, ceruloplasmin (binds copper), and alpha2-macroglobulin.
- Beta globulins: Includes transferrin (iron transport) and complement proteins (C3, C4).
- Gamma globulins: Includes immunoglobulins and C-reactive protein (CRP)
What is C-Reactive Protein (CRP)?
- Bacterial infections (sepsis, meningitis).
- Monitoring inflammation in autoimmune diseases (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis, lupus).
- CRPus (Ultra-sensitive CRP): Associated with cardiovascular risk (atherosclerosis).
What is Procalcitonin and why is it important?
- Faster response than CRP (elevates within 2 hours).
- Elevated in bacterial infections (>2 µg/L), stress conditions (surgery, trauma, burns).
- Helps differentiate bacterial vs. viral infections.
What is Procalcitonin and why is it important?
- Faster response than CRP (elevates within 2 hours).
- Elevated in bacterial infections (>2 µg/L), stress conditions (surgery, trauma, burns).
- Helps differentiate bacterial vs. viral infections.
Name other rapid inflammatory markers.
- Serum Amyloid A (SAA): Acute-phase protein in bacterial infections.
- Alpha-1-antichymotrypsin: Increased in chronic inflammation.
What are slow kinetics inflammatory markers, and what do they indicate?
- Haptoglobin: Negative marker for hemolysis.
- Orosomucoid: Indicator of chronic inflammation.
- Fibrinogen: Elevated in systemic inflammation.
- Ceruloplasmin: Copper transport protein, increased in chronic disease.
Which markers decrease during inflammation?
- Albumin
- Prealbumin
- Transferrin (iron transport)
- Fibronectin
- Apolipoprotein A
What are the main types of inflammatory syndromes?
- Infectious: Bacterial, fungal, parasitic infections.
- Inflammatory: Autoimmune diseases, granulomatosis.
- Neoplastic: Tumors, hematological malignancies (lymphoma).
- Vascular: Thromboembolism, aortic dissection.
- Other: Gout, chondrocalcinosis, interstitial lung disease.
How do autoimmune diseases cause inflammation?
The immune system mistakenly attacks self-tissues, causing chronic inflammation (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis, lupus).
What is the difference between autoimmune and auto-inflammatory diseases?
- Autoimmune diseases: Involve adaptive immunity (T cells, antibodies).
- Auto-inflammatory diseases: Involve innate immunity (neutrophils, cytokines).
What are tumor markers, and how are they related to inflammation?
- Substances elevated in blood due to cancer.
- Some markers (e.g., CRP, fibrinogen) are increased in both cancer and inflammation.
What is Carcinoembryonic Antigen (CEA) used for?
A tumor marker for colorectal and lung cancers.
What is CA 19-9, and which cancer is it associated with?
A tumor marker for pancreatic cancer.
What is Alpha-Fetoprotein (AFP) used for?
A tumor marker for liver and testicular cancer.
What are cardiovascular inflammatory markers?
- hs-CRP (high-sensitivity CRP): Predicts heart disease risk.
- Fibrinogen: Increased in atherosclerosis.
- Lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)]: Risk factor for cardiovascular events.
How does inflammation contribute to atherosclerosis?
Chronic low-grade inflammation leads to plaque formation and increased cardiovascular risk.
Why is inflammation important in metabolic syndrome?
Chronic inflammation contributes to insulin resistance, obesity, and cardiovascular complications.
