PAMPS & PRRs

Question 1

What are Pathogen associated molecular patterns (PAMPs)

Answer 1

Pathogens express specific components that are recognised by host as danger signals

Question 2

What are pattern recognition receptors (PRRs)

Answer 2

Host expresses specific receptors that recognise PAMPs

Question 3

What are types of microbial PAMPS

Answer 3

Lipopolysaccharides (LPS) - component of outer membrane of gram negative bacteria
Peptidoglycan – cell wall component in gram positive bacteria
Flagellin
CpG DNA

Question 4

Define bacteremia

Answer 4

Presence of viable bacteria in blood stream

Question 5

Define Systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS)

Answer 5

Systemic response to array of severe clinical insults

Question 6

Define shock

Answer 6

SIRS induced hypotension (reduced blood pressure) & hypoperfusion (low blood flow) leading to reduced oxygen level in organs

Question 7

Define sepsis

Answer 7

SIRS due to infection

Question 8

Define severe sepsis

Answer 8

Sepsis & organ dysfunction, hypoperfusion or hypotension

Question 9

Define Multiorgan dysfunction syndrome (MODS)

Answer 9

Altered organ function in acutely ill patients

Question 10

What is the sepsis process

Answer 10

1. Pathogen recognition
2. Immune cell activation
3. Inflammatory response
4. Endothelial dysfunction
5. Organ dysfunction

Question 11

What are sepsis therapeutic intervention strategies

Answer 11

Early diagnosis, treatment of primary disease process & supportive care
Therapeutic intervention difficult
Removal of circulating LPS by antibodies
Preventing action of pro-inflammatory cytokines
NSAIDs

Question 12

What are the roles of TLR (2 or 4) receptors

Answer 12

Transmembrane receptors (lipid bilayer)
On wide range of cell types & wide range of roles

TLR 2:
Recognition of lipoproteins from wide range of pathogens
Essential for host response to gram positive bacteria

TLR 4:
Recognition of LPS in gram negative bacteria
Role in endotoxic shock