Lecture 10

Question 1

which 4 ways can a pathogen evade an effective immune response?

Answer 1

concealment of antigens
antigenic variation
immunosuppression
interference with effector mechanisms

Question 2

what is antigenic drift?

Answer 2

a natural process whereby mutations occur during replication in the genes encoding antigens that produce alterations in the way they appear to the immune system. Minor genetic changes

Question 3

what is antigen shift?

Answer 3

the gene recombination occurring when viruses re-assort

Question 4

what type of genetic rearrangement causes major flu pandemics?

Answer 4

recombination (antigenic shift)

Question 5

Trypanosoma Bruce undergoes gene rearrangement of which protein to curb full clearance of the pathogen from the host?

Answer 5

variant specific glycoprotein (VSG) that keeps changing, antibodies to this are key in dealing with infection but it keeps changing

Question 6

what is immunopathology?

Answer 6

pathology due to the immune response

Question 7

how can a pathogen cause immunosuppression in the host?

Answer 7

infection of immune cells

induction of regulatory T cells

Question 8

what can happen if you get mass macrophage activation around the body following sepsis?

Answer 8

macrophages are very good at producing cytokines, could end up with a cytokine storm.
this can lead to lots of changes: CV shock, DIC etc.

Question 9

what makes ebola a ‘good’ and ‘successful’ pathogen?

Answer 9

very infectious
infect immune cells and alters their maturation (dendritic cells)
type I interferon effect
even corpses are highly infective