Microbiology 16: Bacterial And Viral Vaccines

Question 1

What does the R0 of a disease tell you ?

Answer 1

The number of people that 1 infected person will infect on average

Question 2

Outline the immune response to a new pathogen

Answer 2

1- APC present antigens from the pathogen to Naive T helper cells.
2- Naive T helper cells become activated and activate naive B cells
3- Some B cells become activated to plasma cells which can produce antibodies against the pathogen
4- The activated T cells can also activate T killer cells which destroy the pathogen
5- Memory B and T cells are formed to create adaptive immunity

Question 3

What is an attenuated vaccine ?

Give 4 examples ?

Answer 3

Live organism modified to be less virulent

MMR, yellow fever, VZV, Typhoid

Question 4

What is an inactivated vaccine ?

Give 3 examples?

Answer 4

The microorganism is destroyed and its particles injected

Influenza, Pertussis, Hep A,

also (polio (SALK), cholera)

Question 5

What is a toxoid vaccine ?

Give 2 examples ?

Answer 5

A vaccine containing inactivated toxin of a pathogen

Diphtheria, tetanus

Question 6

What is a subunit vaccine ?

Give 2 examples ?

Answer 6

A protein component of the pathogen is injected

Hepatitis B virus, HPV

Question 7

What is a conjugate vaccine ?

Give 3 examples ?

Answer 7

Poorly immunogenic antigens are paired with an adjuvant which stimulates the immune system to respond

(encapsulated bacteria NHS)

Meningococcus (Men c, Men b etc)
Pneumococcus (PCV)
Haemophilus Influenza B (Hib)

Question 8

What is a heterotrophic vaccine ?

Give one example ?

Answer 8

Using a pathogen that infects other animals but does not cause disease in humans

BCG

Question 9

Give 2 contraindications to most live vaccines ?

Answer 9

Pregnancy

Immunocompromised patients

Question 10

Is MMR safe in HIV ?

Answer 10

Yes (one of the exceptions in live vaccines)