Innate Immunity Flashcards
Immune system definition
Cells and organs (spleen) that contribute to immune defences against infectious and non infectious conditions (self vs non self)
Infectious disease definition
When pathogen succeeds in evading/overwhelming the hosts immune defences
Roles of immune system
Recognise pathogen (receptors) Contain/eliminate infection Regulate itself (minimal host damage) Remember pathogens (prevent reoccurrence of disease)
Innate immunity features
Fast
Lack specificity
Lack memory
No change in intensity
Adaptive immunity features
Slow
Specific
Immunological memory
Changes intensity (depending on exposure)
First lines of defence
Physical, physiological, chemical, biological
Prevent entry and growth
Physical barriers
Skin, mucosal membranes (mouth, respiratory tract, GI tract), Cilia
Physiological barriers
Diarrhoea
Vomiting
Coughing
Sneezing
Chemical barriers
Low pH (stomach, skin)
Anti microbial: IgA - tears, mucus membrane Lysozyme Mucus Beta defensins Gastric acid + pepsin
Biological barriers
Normal flora - non pathogenic microbes in portal entry (mouth, vagina, skin)
NOT PRESENT IN INTERNAL ORGANS
Benefits of biological barriers
Compete with pathogens for attachment sites and nutrients
Produce antmicrobials
Synthesise viatmins (k, b12, b vitamins)
Immune maturation
When do normal flora become pathogenic location wise
When displaced from normal location eg: breach of skin fecal-oral fecal-urethral Poor dental hygiene Dental work
Other reasons why normal flora can become pathogenic
Overgrowth and immunocompromised (diabetes, AIDS, chemo)
Norma flora depleted by antibiotics (cause thrush from Candida Albicans)
High risk patients
Old Young Pregnant Aspen if Damaged/prosthetic valves Previous endocarditis
Second line defence innate immunity
Phagocytes and chemicals causing inflammation
Contain and clear infection