Introduction to Clinical Sciences (detailed) Flashcards
Probs too much info
Def: Acute inflammation
Initial and often transient series of tissue reactions to injury - may last from a few hours to a few days
Def: Chronic inflammation
Prolonged inflammatory reactions involving a progressive change in type of cell present
List the main symptoms of inflammation (4)
Heat, Redness, Swelling, Pain, (loss of function also a characteristic)
List the 4 stages of Neutrophil polymorph emigration
Margination of neutrophils
Adhesion of neutrophils
Neutrophil emigration
Diapedesis
Def: Neutrophil polymorph emigration
Accumulation of neutrophil polymorphs within the extracellular space
Describe the margination of neutrophils
- Normal circulation - cells confined to axial flow (central)
- Due to loss of fluid in inflammation plasma viscosity increases and flow decreases
- Neutrophils able to flow in plasmatic zone next to endothelial cells
Describe the adhesion of neutrophils
○ Known as pavementing
○ Random contact with endothelium results in interactions between WBC and endothelial cells
○ Occurs only in venules
○ Adhesion molecules made more active by chemical inflammatory mediators
Describe neutrophil emigration
○ Migrate through the walls of venules and small veins
○ Insert pseudopodia between endothelial cells and move through the gap and through the basal lamina into the vessel wall
Name the chemical mediators involved in vascular dilatation
Histamine, Prostaglandin E2, Nitric oxide, PAF (platelet-activating factor), VIP (vasoactive intestinal peptide)
Name the chemical mediators involved in increased vascular permeability
Immediate transient: Histamine
Prolonged: Bradykinin, Nitric oxide, C5a, Leukotriene B4 and PAF
Immediate sustained: Severe direct vascular injury
Delayed prolonged: Endothelial cell injury e.g. x-rays, bacterial toxins
Name the chemical mediators involved in adhesion of leukocytes to endothelium
IL-8, C5a, Leukotriene B4, Il-1 and TNF-a
Name the chemical mediators involved in neutrophil polymorph chemotaxis
Leukotriene B4 and IL-8
Which cells release histamine
Basophils and mast cells
What induces the release of histamine from basophils and mast cells
C5a, C3a and lysosomal proteins
Name causes of inflammation (6)
- Hypersensitivity reactions
- Microbial infections
- Physical agents
- Chemicals
- Bacterial toxins
- Tissue necrosis
Give some examples of physical agents resulting in inflammation
Ionising radiation, Heat, Cold, Trauma
Give some examples of chemicals resulting in inflammation
Corrosives, Acids, Alkalis, Reducing agents
Name the plasma factors (4)
Complement factors
Kinins
Coagulation factors
Fibrinolytic system
What is the basic function of the complement system
Removes and destroys pathogens via opsonisation or by direct lysis
What are the 3 pathways of the complement system
Classical
Alternative
Lectin
How is the classical pathway (complement system) activated
Antibody binds to bacterial antigens -> classical pathway activated -> generates C3b (opsonising properties
How is the alternative pathway (complement system) activated
Bacterial lipopolysaccharides detected -> alternative pathway activated -> C3b generated
What do macrophages do in inflammation
- Secrete cytokines IL-1 and TNF-a
- Cause endothelial, fibroblast and epithelial cells to secrete MCP-1
- Predominate in later stages
- Responsible for clearing tissue debris, damaged cells and digestion of inflammatory exudate
What is MCP-1
Monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 also known as CCL2 - attracts monocytes, T memory cells and dendritic cells to site of inflammation
How is exudate drained
Lymph vessels become dilated and drain fluid to prevent extensive tissue oedema
Describe the process of phagocytosis
- Adhesion of pathogen to cell surface -> opsonisation
- Ingestion of pathogen - pseudopodia surround and fuse into a phagosome
- Lysosome fusion with phagosome to form a phagolysosome
- Intracellular killing
Basic description of oxygen-dependent intracellular killing
Reactive oxygen species like hydrogen peroxide react with myeloperoxidase in the presence of a halide to produce a potent microbicidal agent
Basic description of oxygen independent intracellular killing
Include lysozymes (muramidase) and lactoferrin
List the benefits of inflammation (5)
- Destruction of invading microorganisms and walling off of abscess cavity, preventing infection spread
- Dilution and removal of toxins by lymph drainage
- Entry of antibodies into exudate allows killing of pathogens
- Fibrin formation from exuded fibrinogen impedes pathogen movement and serves as a matrix for formation of granulation tissue
- Stimulation of immune response via drained exudate to lymph nodes -> antigens detected
List the limitations of inflammation (5)
- Disease -> abscess in the brain acts as a space-occupying lesion, compressing surrounding structures
- Fibrosis resulting from chronic inflammation distorts and alters the function of tissues
- Digestion of normal tissues due to collagenase and protease release
- Swelling is dangerous in enclosed spaces such as the cranial cavity -> raises pressure to blood flow is restricted, possibly leading to ischaemia
- Hypersensitivity reactions (e.g. anaphylactic shock)
List the 4 main outcomes of inflammation
- Resolution
- Suppuration
- Organisation
- Progression to chronic inflammation
Describe resolution of inflammation
Tissue completely returns to normal after episode of acute inflammation.
- Minimal cell death
- Good local vascular drainage
- Occurs in organ capable of regeneration
- Rapid destruction of causal agent
Describe suppuration and the outcomes it can have
Formation of pus:
- Pus surrounded by pyogenic membrane
- Abscess (collection of pus)
- Bacteria in the membrane is inaccessible to antibodies and antibiotic drugs
- Empyema - pus filled socket in hollow organ created by the fusion of an outflow tract by fibrin
Describe conditions that favour organisation after inflammation
Replacement of normal tissues with granulation tissue
- Lots of fibrin formed (enzymes not able to remove all)
- Tissue becomes necrotic or fibrous tissue not easily digested
- Exudate not removed or discharged
Describe what happens in organisation (inflammation) (4)
- New capillaries grow into exudate
- Macrophages migrate
- Fibroblasts proliferate under influence of TGF-b
- Defect filled by ingrowth of granulation tissue
- Granulation tissue produces collagen, forming a fibrous scar
Describe progression to chronic inflammation
- Causative agent not removed
- Cell exudate changes composition
What is the change in cell exudate in progression to chronic inflammation
Instead of neutrophil polymorphs there are lymphocytes, macrophages, multinucleate giant cells and fibroblasts
3 main responses in acute inflammation
Increased vessel dilatation
Increased vascular permeability
Formation of exudate
What does release of lysosomal products result in
- Damage to local tissues by proteolysis (elastase, collagenase)
- Activates coagulation factor XII
- Attracts other leukocytes
- Some increase vascular permeability and others are pyrogens (induces systemic fever by acting on the hypothalamus)
What is the role of the mast cell in acute inflammation
- Stimulated by C3a/C5a
- Release preformed inflammatory mediators like histamine
- Metabolise arachidonic acid into leukotrienes, prostaglandins and thromboxanes
Descriptive terms for inflammation (5)
- Serous (lots of fluid release)
- Suppurative (purulent)
- Membranous
- Pseudomembranous
- Necrotising (gangrenous)
Name some systemic effects of inflammation (5)
- Pyrexia
- Constitutional symptoms
- Reactive hyperplasia of the reticuloendothelial system
- Haematological changes
- Amyloidosis
How is pyrexia induced in acute inflammation
- Stimulated by phagocytosis, endotoxins and immune complexes
- Neutrophil polymorphs and macrophages produce endogenous pyrogens (of which IL-2 ha the greatest effect
- Pyrogens act on the hypothalamus to set thermoregulatory mechanisms at a higher temperature
What are the constitutional symptoms of acute inflammation
- Malaise
- Anorexia
- Nausea
- Weight loss (negative nitrogen balance due to energy required to produce inflammatory mediators)
Describe reactive hyperplasia of the reticuloendothelial system
- Local or systemic lymph node enlargement
- Splenomegaly is found in certain specific infections e.g. malaria and infectious mononucleosis
What are the haematological changes seen in acute inflammation
Increased levels of WBC
- increased neutrophils seen in pyogenic infections and tissue destruction
- Increased eosinophils in allergic and parasitic infection
- Increased lymphocytes seen in chronic infection and viral infections
- Increased monocytes seen in certain bacterial infections e.g. TB and typhoid
Anaemia may result due to blood loss into inflammatory exudate or haemolysis due to bacterial toxins
Describe amyloidosis
Long-standing chronic inflammation may cause amyloid to be deposited into various tissues, resulting in secondary amyloidosis
e.g. rheumatoid arthritis, TB, bronchiectasis
What is amyloid
Abnormal protein that builds up in organs/tissues and can eventually lead to their failure
Which cells predominate in chronic inflammation
Lymphocytes
Plasma cells
Macrophages
Name the types of chronic inflammation (4)
- Primary chronic inflammation
- Transplant rejection
- Progression from acute inflammation
- Recurrent episodes of acute inflammation
Describe primary chronic inflammation and give some examples
Where there is no initial phase of acute inflammation
- TB, Asbestos fibres, Rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn’s disease
Describe granulomatous inflammation
Immune system attempts to wall off substance but is unable to eliminate it, forming a granuloma
What is a granuloma
Collection of epithelioid histiocytes - stationary phagocytic cell found in tissue
Def: Angiogenesis
Formation of new blood vessels
Which cells are derived from monocytes (10)
Connective tissue histiocyte Alveolar macrophage Peritoneal macrophage Kupffer cell Melanophage of skin Lipophage Osteoclast Microglial Specialised histiocyte e.g epithelioid cell Histiocytic giant cell
What changes does a macrophage undergo as they migrate into an area of inflammation (5)
Increase in size, protein synthesis, mobility, phagocytic activity, and content of lysosomal enzymes
Give some examples of cytokines produced by macrophages (6)
Interferon alpha and beta
IL-1, 6, 8
Tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-a)
What stain is used to identify TB and what colour does is turn
Ziehl-Neelsen stain goes bright red
List characteristics of epithelioid histiocytes
- Histologically similar to epithelial cells
- Large vesicular nuclei
- Plentiful eosinophilic cytoplasm
- Elongated
- Arranged in clusters
- Little phagocytic activity
- Secretory function (inc. ACE)
What is caseous necrosis
Tissue maintains cheese-like appearance - soft and white
When do histiocytic giant cells form
- Accumulation of particulate matter indigestible by macrophages
- Foreign particles too large to be ingested by one macrophage
List some characteristics of langerhans giant cells (2)
- Horseshoe arrangement of peripheral nuclei at one pole of cell
- Seen in TB and other granulomatous conditions
Describe healing by first intention
- Small blood vessels occluded by thrombosis
- Fibrin locally deposited binds sides of the wound
- Coagulated blood on the surface forms a scab keeping the wound clean
- Capillaries proliferate and fibroblasts secrete collagen as they migrate into fibrin network
- After ~ 10 days repair is sufficient enough for removal of suture
Describe healing by second intention (tissue loss)
- Phagocytosis to remove any debris
- Granulation tissue to fill in lesions and repair lost specialised tissue
- Epithelial regeneration to cover the surface
- Timescale depends on size of defect and final cosmetic result depends on how tissue loss there has been
Def: Atheroma
the build up of materials that adhere to arteries (fat, cholesterol, calcium, connective tissue, inflammatory cells). Can lead to stenosis of the arteries, resulting in atherosclerosis
Describe the pathogenesis of an atheroma (pt.1)
- Endothelial damage due to irritants
- Cholesterol collects in endothelium forming fatty streaks
- Cholesterol oxidised, activating an inflammatory response
- Monocytes migrate to area of damage and transform into macrophages
- Macrophages engulf large volumes of cholesterol, undergo apoptosis and become foam cells
- Foam cells release cytokines and growth factors, attracting more monocytes
Describe pathogenesis of an atheroma (pt.2)
- Smooth muscle cells migrate into the plaque due to platelet derived growth factor and secrete elastin and collagen, forming a fibrous cap
- Presence of foam cells stimulates smooth muscle cells to secrete calcium - hardens the plaque
What secretes growth factors
Platelets, injured endothelium, macrophages and smooth muscle cells
List risk factors for atherosclerosis
- Hypercholesterolaemia
- Smoking
- Hypertension
- Diabetes
- Male
- Increasing age
Def: fatty streak
Flat or slightly elevated yellow lesion in an artery wall containing intracellular accumulation of lipids
What does a fibrous cap contain
Smooth muscle cells, macrophages, lymphocytes, foam cells, collagen, elastin
List 4 clinical manifestations of an atheroma
- Lumen narrowing due to plaque stenosis
- Acute atherothrombotic occlusion
- Embolisation of distal arterial bed
- Ruptured abdominal atherosclerotic aneurysm
Outcomes of lumen narrowing
- Reversible tissue ischaemia (especially during exercise)
- Ischaemic pain may develop at rest
- Large intraplaque haemorrhage may increase rate of stenosis
Describe acute atherothrombotic ischaemia
- Plaque rupture exposes highly thrombogenic material - collagen and elastin
- Activation of coagulation cascade and thrombotic occlusion
- Total occlusion -> irreversible ischaemia leading to infarction
Why are small infarctions in the heart dangerous
Can lead to dangerous arrhythmias
Def: thrombosis
The solidification of blood contents that forms within the vascular system during life
When does a thrombus form
A pathological thrombus forms when there is an imbalance between natural coagulant and anticoagulant factors and the coagulation and fibrinolytic system
Name the 3 components of Virchow’s triad
- Changes in vessel wall
- Changes in blood flow
- Changes in blood constituents
Describe normal blood flow
Laminar. Cells flow in the centre of the lumen and endothelial cells are not sticky
Describe pathogenesis of thrombosis
- Artery is narrowed and blood becomes turbulent
- Results in damage to endothelial cells and collagen is exposed
- Stimulates coagulation cascade
Describe the extrinsic pathway in coagulation cascade
○ TF activates VII to VIIa, forming a complex which then activates X to Xa (also activates IX to IXa which goes on to activate X through the intrinsic pathway)
○ Xa activates prothrombin to thrombin which activates fibrinogen to fibrin
○ Thrombin activates XI, V (cofactor with Xa), and VIII
Describe the intrinsic pathway in the coagulation cascade
○ XII activated by contact with collagen fibres
○ XIIa catalyses activation of XI
○ XIa catalyses activation of IX
○ IXa catalyses activation of X
Where does venous thrombosis usually occur
- Valves -> produce a natural degree of turbulence and can be damaged by trauma, stasis or occlusion
- Atheromas don’t form in veins due to low BP
When does venous thrombosis usually occur
- Can be in young active individuals with no predisposing factors
- If BP drops (due to surgery, following MI) blood cells more likely to touch damaged vessel walls
- Immobilisation -> venous return relies on muscle contractions
4 fates of thrombi
- Resolved (fibrinolytic system dissolves it)
- Organisation (macrophages clear thrombus and fibroblasts replace it with collagen. scar forms and narrowed lumen)
- Recanalisation (capillaries grow through thrombus and fuse to form larger vessels - blood flow restored)
- Embolisation (fragments of thrombus break off into circulation)
Def: embolus
Mass of material in the vascular system able to lodge in a vessel and block its lumen
Types of embolus (5)
- Thrombus (most common)
- Air
- Cholesterol crystals
- Tumour amniotic fluid (pregnant women with rapid labour)
- Fat
Result of a small pulmonary embolism
- Lysed within the lung, unnoticed
- Organised and permanent -> small respiratory deficiency
- Accumulation over time may cause idiopathic pulmonary hypertension
Result of a large pulmonary embolism
- Acute respiratory and cardiac problems (may resolve with or without treatment)
- Symptoms = chest pain and shortness of breath
- Lung function impaired and patients more likely to have another embolism from the same source
Result of a massive pulmonary embolism
- Sudden death
- Usually from long thrombi from DVT
Where do most systemic emboli originate from
The heart and atherosclerotic plaques
How do thrombi form in the heart
- Cardiac muscle dies in MI and collagen left exposed to circulating platelets
- AF -> blood stagnates in atria so thrombi form and when natural rhythm is re-established fragments may break off
Def: ischaemia
Reduction in the blood flow to a tissue or part of the body due to constriction or occlusion of the blood vessels supplying it
Extent of ischaemia depends on ….
- Duration of ischaemic period
- Metabolic demands of the tissue
Def: infarction
The death of part or the whole of an organ that occurs when the artery supplying it becomes obstructed
Supply of an organ by only 1 artery
End arterial supply
Which organs have dual arterial supply
Liver - Portal hepatic vein and hepatic artery
Lungs - Pulmonary veins and bronchial arteries
Brain - Circle of Willis
Describe the pathology of reperfusion injury
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- ## During ischaemia transport mechanisms across the cell membrane are disrupted