Pathology Flashcards
What are the causes of inflammation?
- Infection
- Tissue necrosis
- Foreign body
- Immune reactions
Histamines are released from _______ and causes ________
Histamines are released from mast cells and causes vasodilation
Cytokines are released from _______ and causes ________
Cytokines are released from macrophages and causes systemic effects (fever)
Chemokines are released from _______ and causes ________
Chemokines are released from macrophages and causes chemotaxis
Prostaglandins are released from _______ and causes ________
Prostaglandins are released from mast cells and causes vasodilation, pain, fever
Bradykinins are released from _______ and causes ________
Bradykinins are released from plasma (produced in liver) and causes pain
Signs of Acute Inflammation
pain (stimulation of nerve endings)
redness (vasodilation)
swelling (exudate)
heat (vasodilation)
loss of function (damaged tissue/voluntary)
Differences between acute and chronic inflammation.
Acute:
1. Fast onset
2. Mediated by neutrophils
3. Mild and self-limited tissue injury
4. Prominent signs
5. Can have pus formation
Chronic:
1. Slow onset
2. Mediated by macrophages/monocytes & lymphocytes
3. Severe and progressive tissue injury
4. Less prominent signs
5. No pus formation
What is exudate?
Exudate is the product of acute inflammation.
(note: transudate is NOT due to inflammation, more like due to increase of blood pressure -> edema)
Features of Exudate
- high protein content (proteins and fluid leaks out)
- high specific gravity
- coagulates easily
- “yellowish” pus -> not clear in colour
Features of Transudate
- low protein content (only fluid leaks out)
- low specific gravity
What is the role of lymphatics in acute inflammation?
Lymphatics help to carry away the exudate and drains into lymph nodes for further deactivation by immune system.
Special patterns of acute inflammation
Serous, Fibrinous, Suppurative, Ulcer
Serous
When the exudate is cell poor and typically does not involve an infection eg. blister
Fibrinous
When there is increased fibrinogen in the exudate, leading to threads of fibrins being formed eg. pericarditis
Suppurative
When there is pus - neutrophils, necrotic debris, bacteria
When it is localised, it’s called an abscess
Ulcer
When there is a defect in the epithelial surface eg. gastric ulcer
Causes of chronic inflammation
Persistent infections
Hypersensitivity diseases
Atherosclerosis from cholesterol (endogenous)
Silicosis from silica (exogenous)
Special type of chronic inflammation
Granulomatous inflammation
Features of granulomatous inflammation
- Epithelioid histiocytes (aka macrophages that come out from the bloodstream and into the tissue)
- Multinucleated giant cells
- T lymphocytes (forms a rim around histiocytes)
- Central necrosis
Causes of granulomatous inflammation
- Tuberculosis
- Leprosy
- Syphilis
- Cat scratch disease
- Fungi
- Parasite
- Sarcoidosis
- Crohn disease
- Foreign body
Outcomes of acute inflammation
Resolution, Pus formation -> Fibrosis, Fibrosis, Can lead to chronic inflammation
Cell tissue regeneration means…
Restoration of original tissues, no loss of function (occurs simultaneously with fibrosis)
Fibrous tissue repair means…
Fibrous scar, loss of function (occurs simultaneously with regeneration)
Growth factors that stimulate ECM collagen synthesis
Macrophage-derived growth factor
Platelet-derived growth factor
When can regeneration occur?
The tissue must contain pluripotent stem cells that are capable of dividing.
The more specialised the cell, the less likely that it can be replaced eg. neurons, cardiac muscle
Only labile and stable cells can regenerate
Processes involved in fibrous repair
Granulation tissue formation
- Angiogenesis
- Fibroblastic proliferation
Wound contraction (myofibroblasts)
Collagen synthesis and maturation
Scar maturation and remodelling
Cellular processes involved in healing
Cell proliferation, cell migration, angiogenesis, inflammatory cells to clear out infections, ECM synthesis and remodelling
Collagen Synthesis and Maturation
- requires vitamin C
- initially type III collagen, later removed and replaced by type I collagen
- remodelling occurs -> collagen fibres and bundles are re-organised
Scar maturation and remodelling
- Collagen synthesis exceeds degradation
- Accumulation of collagen occurs
- Tensile strength of collagen increases
- Vascular resorption continues -> pale and stable avascular scar
Factors affecting wound healing - local
- Type, size and location of wound
- Local vascular supply
- Secondary infection
- Movement
Factors affecting wound healing - systemic
- Age (young heal better)
- Circulatory status (blood supply to injured area)
- Nutrition (malnutrition -> poor healing)
- Metabolic status
- Hormones (increased corticosteroids -> inhibit collagen synthesis)
Complications of wound healing
Defective scar formation
Excessive scar tissue formation (keloid)
Excessive contraction
Healing by Primary Intention (cutaneous wounds)
Wound with closely apposed edge
Minimal hematoma
- Re-epithelialization of epidermis
- Well formed granulation tissue (angiogenesis)
- Mature collagenization with good tensile strength
Minimal wound contraction
- Complete wound healing with minimal scar formation