PATHOLOGY Flashcards
What are the hallmark features of acute inflammation?
- Increased blood flow (vasodilation)
- Increased vascular permeability
- Neutrophil immigration into tissues
What is the role of macrophages in acute inflammation?
- Macrophages initiate the inflammatory response by recognizing DAMPs and PAMPs.
- They secrete cytokines to recruit neutrophils and other immune cells.
Describe the process of neutrophil extravasation.
- Margination and rolling: WBC adhere loosely to endothelial cells.
- Adhesion: WBC - endothelial cells tight binding
- Transmigration: WBC travels between endothelial cells and exits blood vessel
- Migration: WBC travels through interstitium to site of injury or infection guided by chemotactic signals
What are the potential outcomes of acute inflammation?
- Resolution and healing (IL-10, TGF-β)
- Persistent acute inflammation (IL-8)
- Abscess (acute inflammation walled off by fibrosis)
- Chronic inflammation (antigen presentation by macrophages and other APCs activation of CD4+ Th cells)
- Scarring
What distinguishes chronic inflammation from acute inflammation?
- Chronic inflammation lasts longer and involves simultaneous tissue destruction and repair.
- It is characterized by mononuclear cell infiltration, primarily macrophages and lymphocytes.
What causes chronic inflammation?
- Persistent infections (e.g., tuberculosis)
- Autoimmune diseases
- Prolonged exposure to irritants (e.g., silica)
What are the two types of macrophages in chronic inflammation?
- M1 Macrophages: Activated via the classical pathway, involved in microbial killing and inflammation.
- M2 Macrophages: Activated via the alternative pathway, focused on tissue repair and anti-inflammatory responses.
How do M1 macrophages contribute to tissue damage?
They generate reactive oxygen species and secrete pro-inflammatory cytokines, leading to tissue destruction.
What are the potential consequences of chronic inflammation?
- Scarring (e.g., cirrhosis)
- Secondary amyloidosis
- Increased risk of malignancy (e.g., chronic hepatitis leading to liver cancer)
What is the significance of Toll-like receptors (TLRs) in inflammation?
TLRs on macrophages recognize DAMPs and PAMPs, triggering the inflammatory response.
A 45-year-old man presents to the emergency department with fever, chills, and a painful red swelling on his leg. Laboratory tests show an elevated white blood cell count with a predominance of neutrophils. Which of the following best describes the primary function of neutrophils during acute inflammation?
A) Antigen presentation
B) Phagocytosis of pathogens
C) Secretion of antibodies
D) Activation of the complement system
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Neutrophils are the primary cells involved in phagocytosis during acute inflammation, rapidly responding to tissue injury and infection.
A researcher is studying the role of macrophages in the inflammatory response. Which of the following features is characteristic of M1 macrophages?
A) Promote tissue repair
B) Release anti-inflammatory cytokines
C) Produce reactive oxygen species
D) Inhibit the activation of T cells
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: M1 macrophages are involved in the destruction of pathogens and produce reactive oxygen species as part of their inflammatory response.
patient develops chronic inflammation due to an autoimmune disease. Which of the following cell types would be predominantly observed in this patient’s affected tissues?
A) Neutrophils
B) Eosinophils
C) Lymphocytes and macrophages
D) Basophils
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Chronic inflammation is characterized by the presence of mononuclear cells, primarily lymphocytes and macrophages, rather than neutrophils.
A patient presents with a long-standing infection that has led to the formation of granulomas. Which of the following processes is most likely involved in the pathogenesis of this condition?
A) Acute neutrophilic inflammation
B) Type I hypersensitivity reaction
C) Chronic inflammation with tissue repair
D) Activation of the inflammasome
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Granulomas are a result of chronic inflammation, where there is ongoing tissue damage and repair, typically seen in infections like tuberculosis.
A 30-year-old woman with a history of hepatitis B presents with abdominal swelling and fatigue. Liver biopsy reveals extensive fibrosis. What is the most likely outcome of her chronic inflammation?
A) Complete resolution
B) Scarring and cirrhosis
C) Formation of granulomas
D) Acute inflammatory response
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Chronic inflammation from hepatitis B can lead to scarring (fibrosis) and ultimately cirrhosis of the liver.
What are the primary cells involved in acute inflammation?
Neutrophils
Name three major chemical mediators of acute inflammation.
Histamine
Prostaglandins
Bradykinin
What are the main cells involved in chronic inflammation?
Macrophages,
Lymphocytes
Plasma cells.
What type of chronic inflammation is characterized by granuloma formation, and what cells are involved?
Granulomatous inflammation is characterized by epithelioid macrophages and multinucleated giant cells.
What are the three key features of chronic inflammation?
Tissue destruction
Fibrosis
Angiogenesis
Which cytokines are responsible for the fever and systemic effects of inflammation?
IL-1
IL-6
TNF-α
What is the role of IFN-γ in chronic inflammation?
Activates macrophages
A 25-year-old man presents to the emergency department after falling off his bike. He has abrasions and swelling around his knee, with localized redness and pain. Which of the following mediators is primarily responsible for the pain he is experiencing?
(A) Histamine
(B) Prostaglandins
(C) Interleukin-1 (IL-1)
(D) Nitric oxide
(E) Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α)
(B) Prostaglandins
A 30-year-old man presents to the emergency department with a 2-day history of high fever, chills, and muscle aches. He recently returned from a trip abroad where he developed gastrointestinal symptoms. His temperature is 39.0°C (102.2°F), blood pressure is 120/80 mm Hg, and pulse is 105/min. Laboratory findings reveal elevated white blood cells and positive blood cultures for Gram-negative bacilli. Pyrogens from the Gram-negative bacteria have triggered the release of cytokines, leading to his fever.
Which of the following molecules is directly responsible for the increase in temperature set point in this patient?
(A) Cyclooxygenase (COX)
(B) Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2)
(C) Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α)
(D) Interleukin-1 (IL-1)
(E) Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)
Correct Answer: (B) Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2)
Explanation:
In this case, the patient has a fever caused by pyrogens, such as lipopolysaccharide (LPS), from Gram-negative bacteria. Pyrogens stimulate macrophages to release IL-1 and TNF-α, which then act on the hypothalamus. These cytokines increase cyclooxygenase (COX) activity in the perivascular cells of the anterior hypothalamus, leading to increased production of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2). PGE2 is the direct mediator that raises the temperature set point, leading to fever.
A 60-year-old man with a long history of untreated rheumatoid arthritis presents with joint pain and swelling in his hands and knees. Which of the following cells plays the most important role in the chronic inflammatory response observed in his joints?
(A) Neutrophils
(B) Macrophages
(C) Eosinophils
(D) Mast cells
(E) Platelets
(B) Macrophages
Which of the following statements best differentiates chronic inflammation from acute inflammation?
(A) Acute inflammation is mediated by macrophages, while chronic inflammation is mediated by neutrophils.
(B) Chronic inflammation is characterized by angiogenesis and fibrosis, while acute inflammation is characterized by neutrophil infiltration.
(C) Acute inflammation is a long-lasting process, while chronic inflammation is short-term.
(D) Chronic inflammation is primarily mediated by prostaglandins and histamine.
(E) Acute inflammation is driven by lymphocytes and plasma cells.
(B) Chronic inflammation is characterized by angiogenesis and fibrosis, while acute inflammation is characterized by neutrophil infiltration.
A 35-year-old woman presents with shortness of breath, non-productive cough, and fatigue. A chest X-ray shows bilateral hilar lymphadenopathy. A biopsy of her lung reveals non-caseating granulomas. Which of the following conditions is most likely responsible for her symptoms?
(A) Tuberculosis
(B) Sarcoidosis
(C) Rheumatoid arthritis
(D) Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)
(E) Rheumatic fever
(B) Sarcoidosis
A 45-year-old man with a history of liver cirrhosis presents with a fever of 38.7°C (101.7°F) and shaking chills. His laboratory results show elevated C-reactive protein (CRP). Which of the following cytokines is most responsible for stimulating the acute phase response and production of CRP?
(A) Interleukin-4 (IL-4)
(B) Interleukin-6 (IL-6)
(C) Interleukin-12 (IL-12)
(D) Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α)
(E) Interferon-gamma (IFN-γ)
The correct answer is (B) Interleukin-6 (IL-6).
Explanation:
Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is the primary cytokine responsible for stimulating the acute phase response, including the production of C-reactive protein (CRP), which is synthesized by the liver. IL-6 is released by macrophages and other immune cells in response to infection or tissue injury and plays a central role in mediating inflammation.
A 30-year-old woman presents with a red, swollen, and painful left ankle after twisting it while running. Which of the following vascular changes is responsible for the swelling she is experiencing?
(A) Increased vascular permeability
(B) Decreased vascular resistance
(C) Increased smooth muscle contraction
(D) Decreased capillary hydrostatic pressure
(E) Increased arterial resistance
(A) Increased vascular permeability
A 40-year-old man presents with a chronic cough and night sweats. His chest X-ray reveals cavitations in the upper lobes. A biopsy of his lung tissue shows caseating granulomas. Which of the following cell types is most important in the formation of the granulomas seen in this patient?
(A) B cells
(B) Epithelioid macrophages
(C) Neutrophils
(D) Mast cells
(E) Platelets
(B) Epithelioid macrophages
A 52-year-old woman with a 15-year history of untreated Crohn’s disease presents with abdominal pain, diarrhea, and weight loss. Which of the following cytokines is most likely responsible for the activation of macrophages in this patient’s chronic inflammation?
(A) Interferon-gamma (IFN-γ)
(B) Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α)
(C) Interleukin-4 (IL-4)
(D) Interleukin-10 (IL-10)
(E) Interleukin-2 (IL-2)
(A) Interferon-gamma (IFN-γ)
- Th1 cells secrete IFN-γ macrophage classical activation (proinflammatory)
- Th2 cells secrete IL-4 and IL-13macrophage alternative activation (repair and anti-
inflammatory)
A 35-year-old woman presents to the clinic with abdominal pain, fatigue, and peripheral neuropathy. Laboratory tests reveal microcytic anemia, elevated blood lead levels, and basophilic stippling of erythrocytes. Which of the following pathophysiological mechanisms best explains the neurological symptoms observed in this patient?
(A) Inhibition of heme synthesis leading to decreased neurotransmitter production
(B) Direct neurotoxic effects causing demyelination of peripheral nerves
(C) Disruption of calcium signaling in neurons leading to synaptic dysfunction
(D) Formation of reactive oxygen species resulting in neuronal apoptosis
(E) Impaired release of acetylcholine at neuromuscular junctions due to decreased calcium availability
(B) Direct neurotoxic effects causing demyelination of peripheral nerves
Explanation:
(A) Inhibition of heme synthesis primarily affects erythropoiesis and does not directly cause neurological symptoms.
(B) Lead is known to have neurotoxic effects, particularly leading to demyelination of peripheral nerves, which aligns with the patient’s neurological symptoms.
(C) While lead exposure can disrupt calcium signaling, the primary neurological impact is due to demyelination rather than synaptic dysfunction.
(D) Lead can contribute to oxidative stress, but the primary mechanism for the observed symptoms relates to demyelination.
(E) Although lead can affect neuromuscular function, the symptoms in this case are more closely linked to peripheral neuropathy rather than acetylcholine release impairment.
A 53-year-old woman presents to her primary care physician with a 4-month history of progressive fatigue, low-grade fever, and unintentional weight loss. She also reports joint pain in her hands and wrists, particularly in the morning. On physical examination, she has mild scleral icterus, tender, swollen metacarpophalangeal joints, and mild splenomegaly. Laboratory studies reveal:
Hemoglobin: 9.8 g/dL
Platelets: 180,000/µL
White blood cell count: 7,200/µL
Bilirubin, total: 3.1 mg/dL
Bilirubin, direct: 0.5 mg/dL
C-reactive protein: Elevated
Rheumatoid factor: Positive
Direct Coombs test: Positive for IgG antibodies
Peripheral blood smear: Shows spherocytes and no schistocytes
A liver biopsy is performed, and the histological findings demonstrate focal periportal lymphocytic infiltration, with piecemeal necrosis and interface hepatitis.
Which of the following is the most likely underlying cause of this patient’s symptoms?
(A) Autoimmune hemolytic anemia with warm antibodies
(B) Granulomatous inflammation involving the liver
(C) Chronic inflammatory process with immune complex deposition
(D) Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) overproduction
(E) Antibody-mediated platelet destruction
(C) Chronic inflammatory process with immune complex deposition.
What is hypertrophy and in which types of cells does it occur?
Increase in cell size in response to stress.
It occurs in non-dividing cells like skeletal muscle and cardiac muscle
What is hyperplasia and how does it differ from hypertrophy?
Increase in the number of cells in a tissue, typically in response to hormonal stimulation.
It differs from hypertrophy, which involves an increase in cell size without an increase in cell number.
What are the common causes of atrophy?
- Decreased workload
- Loss of innervation
- Diminished blood supply
- Inadequate nutrition
- Aging
- Hormonal withdrawal
What is metaplasia and provide a classic example.
Metaplasia is the reversible change of one differentiated cell type to another.
An example is Barrett’s esophagus, where squamous epithelium is replaced by columnar epithelium in response to chronic acid reflux.
What is dysplasia and why is it clinically significant?
Disordered cell growth
Precancerous condition
What causes cellular swelling in reversible cell injury?
Failure of ion pumps (e.g., Na+/K+ ATPase) due to ATP depletion
In which organ is fatty change commonly seen during reversible cell injury?
Liver
due to metabolic dysfunction.
What are the key features of irreversible cell injury?
- Membrane damage
- Mitochondrial dysfunction
- Release of cytochrome c (triggering apoptosis)
- Nuclear changes (karyolysis, pyknosis, and karyorrhexis)
What is necrosis and how does it differ from apoptosis?
Necrosis is unregulated cell death caused by injury, characterized by inflammation and cell rupture.
Apoptosis is a regulated, programmed form of cell death without inflammation.
What are the main types of necrosis and give examples?
- Coagulative necrosis: Common in ischemic injuries (e.g., myocardial infarction).
- Liquefactive necrosis: Seen in brain infarcts and abscesses.
- Caseous necrosis: Typical in tuberculosis.
- Fat necrosis: Seen in acute pancreatitis.
- Fibrinoid necrosis: Associated with immune-mediated vasculitis.
What are the two main pathways leading to apoptosis?
- Intrinsic pathway (triggered by mitochondrial release of cytochrome c)
- Extrinsic pathway (triggered by death receptors like Fas and TNF receptors).
What causes oxidative stress and how does it lead to cell injury?
Accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which damage lipids (lipid peroxidation), proteins, and DNA, leading to cell injury.
What is reperfusion injury and what causes it?
Reperfusion injury occurs when blood supply returns to ischemic tissues, leading to a burst of ROS and further tissue damage.
How does mitochondrial damage lead to cell death?
Mitochondrial damage leads to ATP depletion and the release of cytochrome c, which triggers apoptosis.
In which type of tissue injury is coagulative necrosis typically seen?
Ischemic tissue injury (e.g., myocardial infarction, except in the brain).
Where is liquefactive necrosis most commonly found?
Brain infarcts and abscesses, where tissue is digested by enzymes.
Which infection is most commonly associated with caseous necrosis?
Tuberculosis.
Why is metaplasia clinically significant?
Increases the risk of dysplasia and cancer if the underlying stress persists.
A 58-year-old man with a long-standing history of hypertension presents for a routine follow-up. An echocardiogram reveals left ventricular hypertrophy. Which of the following molecular changes is most likely responsible for the hypertrophy observed in his cardiac myocytes?
(A) Decreased synthesis of actin and myosin
(B) Increased production of angiogenic factors
(C) Activation of growth factor receptors and increased protein synthesis
(D) Accumulation of misfolded proteins in the endoplasmic reticulum
(E) Increased cell division and mitotic activity
(C) Activation of growth factor receptors and increased protein synthesis
A 52-year-old man presents with chronic cough and increasing shortness of breath. He has a 30-year history of smoking one pack of cigarettes per day. A biopsy of his bronchi reveals stratified squamous epithelium replacing the normal pseudostratified columnar epithelium. Which of the following changes is this patient at risk for if the smoking persists?
(A) Chronic atrophic gastritis
(B) Barrett’s esophagus
(C) Adenocarcinoma of the esophagus
(D) Squamous cell carcinoma of the lung
(E) Transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder
(D) Squamous cell carcinoma of the lung
A 63-year-old man is brought to the emergency department after suffering an acute myocardial infarction. He undergoes successful thrombolytic therapy with tissue plasminogen activator (tPA). However, over the next 24 hours, his troponin levels continue to rise, and his condition deteriorates. Which of the following mechanisms most likely explains the continued tissue damage?
(A) Persistent coronary artery occlusion
(B) Reactive oxygen species formation
(C) Myocardial apoptosis
(D) Activation of the intrinsic coagulation cascade
(E) Activation of complement by immune complexes
(B) Reactive oxygen species formation
A 34-year-old woman presents with abdominal pain and nausea. She is diagnosed with acute pancreatitis. A biopsy of her pancreas shows enzymatic fat necrosis. Which of the following best describes a distinguishing feature of necrosis, in contrast to apoptosis?
(A) DNA fragmentation into nucleosome-sized fragments
(B) Cell membrane rupture and leakage of cellular contents
(C) Formation of apoptotic bodies
(D) Phagocytosis of apoptotic cells by neighboring cells
(E) Caspase activation leading to cell death
(B) Cell membrane rupture and leakage of cellular contents
A 45-year-old man presents with fatigue, jaundice, and dark-colored urine. He was recently treated with sulfa antibiotics for a urinary tract infection. His peripheral blood smear shows Heinz bodies and bite cells. A deficiency of which of the following enzymes is most likely responsible for this patient’s symptoms?
(A) Catalase
(B) Glutathione peroxidase
(C) Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase
(D) Superoxide dismutase
(E) Xanthine oxidase
(C) Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase
A 72-year-old man with a history of coronary artery disease and a recent myocardial infarction is found dead at home. An autopsy reveals a well-demarcated area of coagulative necrosis in the left ventricle. Which of the following best describes the characteristic feature of coagulative necrosis?
(A) Lysis of dead cells with formation of cystic spaces
(B) Enzymatic digestion of dead cells and tissue liquefaction
(C) Preservation of cellular architecture with loss of nuclei
(D) Deposition of fibrin-like material in the tissue
(E) Granulomatous inflammation with caseous necrosis
(C) Preservation of cellular architecture with loss of nuclei
A 39-year-old woman presents with severe epigastric pain that radiates to her back. Laboratory studies reveal elevated serum lipase and amylase levels. An abdominal CT scan shows an inflamed and swollen pancreas. During surgery, chalky-white lesions are found in the peripancreatic fat. Which of the following best explains the pathogenesis of the fat necrosis observed in this patient?
(A) Ischemic damage to adipocytes
(B) Activation of pancreatic enzymes leading to hydrolysis of triglycerides
(C) Accumulation of immune complexes in fat tissue
(D) Trauma-induced rupture of adipocytes
(E) Peroxidation of lipids due to oxidative stress
(B) Activation of pancreatic enzymes leading to hydrolysis of triglycerides
A 56-year-old woman with a history of hepatitis C and cirrhosis undergoes a liver biopsy. The biopsy reveals extensive hepatocyte apoptosis. Which of the following molecular events initiates the intrinsic pathway of apoptosis in this patient?
(A) Activation of Fas receptor
(B) Binding of TNF-α to TNF receptor
(C) Release of cytochrome c from mitochondria
(D) Activation of caspase-8
(E) Inhibition of p53 tumor suppressor protein
(C) Release of cytochrome c from mitochondri
A 45-year-old woman with a long-standing history of systemic hypertension presents for a routine follow-up. Physical examination reveals an elevated blood pressure. A cardiac biopsy is performed and shows an increase in myocyte size but no increase in the number of cells. Which of the following best explains the cardiac changes observed in this patient?
(A) Metaplasia
(B) Hyperplasia
(C) Dysplasia
(D) Hypertrophy
(E) Atrophy
(D) Hypertrophy
A 70-year-old man is brought to the hospital after a sudden onset of right-sided weakness and slurred speech. A CT scan of the brain reveals a large infarct in the left middle cerebral artery territory. Two weeks later, the infarcted area is characterized by liquefactive necrosis. Which of the following enzymes is primarily responsible for this type of necrosis in the brain?
(A) Caspases
(B) Pancreatic lipase
(C) Lysosomal enzymes
(D) Cytochrome c
(E) Perforin
(C) Lysosomal enzymes
A 64-year-old retired shipyard worker has been experiencing shortness of breath, a cough, and chest pain for 5 months. In that time he has lost 14.5 kg (32 lb). He develops progressive ascites, and ultimately dies due to a pulmonary embolus. Autopsy results are shown in the image. Exposure to which substance is a risk factor for this patient’s disorder?
(A) Aflatoxin B
(B) Asbestos
(C) Benzene
D) Cadmium
(E) Silica
(B) Asbestos
Golden-brown fusiform rods resembling dumbbells in alveolar sputum, visualized with Prussian blue stain
Diagnosis?
Asbestosis
“Ivory white,” calcified, supradiaphragmatic and pleural A plaques are pathognomonic of
Asbestosis
Disease associated with: shipbuilding, roofing, plumbing.
Asbestosis
A 37-year-old HIV-positive man presents for evaluation of anogenital lesions. He states that the lesions have been present for years, but have recently grown in size and become pruritic and tender. On examination he is circumcised and has multiple hyperkeratotic papules on his penis shaft, perineum, and anal area. He also has a palpable rectal mass with guaiac- positive stool and conjunctival pallor. On further questioning, he admits to recent unintentional weight loss, constipation, and bloating. His CD4+ cell count is 150/mm3 and his he- matocrit is 26%. CT scan of the abdomen shows a 3 × 4-cm rectal mass with multiple metastatic lesions in his liver. What tumor-suppressor protein is targeted by the virus causing this patient’s rectal cancer?
(A) APC
(B) BRCA1
(C) MSH2
(D) NF1
(E) p53
(E) p53
HPV produces E6 and E7 proteins, which inactivate the p53 and Rb tumor-suppressor proteins, respectively.
Cancer association with HPV 16 and 18:
- Cervical and penile/anal carcinoma
- Head and neck cancer
Cancer association with Schistosoma haematobium
Squamous cell bladder cancer
Cancer association with EBV:
- Burkitt lymphoma
- Hodgkin lymphoma
- Nasopharyngeal carcinoma
- 1° CNS lymphoma (in immunocompromised patients)
What is the structure of human papillomavirus (HPV)?
HPV is a non-enveloped, double-stranded DNA virus belonging to the Papillomaviridae family.
Which HPV types are considered high risk for causing cancer?
HPV types 16 and 18
How do HPV contribute to carcinogenesis?
E6 degrades p53, and E7 inactivates Rb (retinoblastoma protein), leading to uncontrolled cell growth and increased risk of cancer.
Which HPV types are associated with benign lesions such as genital warts?
HPV types 6 and 11 are low risk and cause genital warts (condylomata acuminata) and laryngeal papillomatosis.
A 66-year-old woman has an autosomal recessive disease with multiple sequelae, including diabetes mellitus and arthritis. Physical examination reveals hepatomegaly and skin hyper-pigmentation. A biopsy of her liver is shown in the image. What is the most likely explanation for her health problems?
A) Chronic ingestion of alcohol
(B) Genetic deficiency in the synthesis of
β-globin chains
(C) Inappropriately high iron absorption (D) Mutation in RBC membrane protein
Multiple blood transfusions or hereditary HFE mutation (can result in heart failure, “bronze diabetes,” andrisk of hepatocellular carcinoma)
Diagnosis?
Hemochromatosis
How is the interpretation of iron studies on hemochromatosis?
Increased serum iron
Decreased transferrina or TIBIC
Increased Ferritin
Increased % transferrin saturation (serum iron/TIBC)
What are de genetic features of hereditary hemochromatosis?
Autosomal recessive. Mutation in HFE gene, located on chromosome 6
Hemochromatosis triad
Cirrhosis
Diabetes mellitus
Skin pigmentation
(“bronze diabetes”)
A patient with AIDS and a CD4+ cell count <50/mm3 is suffering from an infection that af- fects his lungs, eyes, gastrointestinal tract, and central nervous system. Results of a biopsy are shown in the image. With what is the patient most likely infected?
(A) Candida albicans
(B) Cryptococcus neoformans
(C) Cytomegalovirus
(D) Herpes simplex virus
(E) Mycobacterium avium (F) Pneumocystis jiroveci
Mechanism of Fever Induction
Pyrogens (e.g., LPS) stimulate macrophages to release IL-1 and TNF-α.
IL-1 and TNF-α enhance COX activity in the perivascular cells of the anterior hypothalamus.
This increase leads to the production of PGE2 (prostaglandin E2).
PGE2 raises the temperature set point in the hypothalamus, resulting in fever.
Lead poisoning peripheral blood smear shows:
Basophilic stippling