Principles of immunisation

Question 1

Human normal immunoglobulin

Answer 1

Contains all antibodies from unselected pool of random blood donors eg measles, polio, Hep A

Question 2

Human, specific immunoglobulin

Answer 2

Blood donors have high antibody level against target organism eg Hep B, tetanus

Question 3

Passive immunity

Answer 3

No long term effect as no memory but provides instant protection

Question 4

Active immunity

Answer 4

Antigen stimulates response and memory created

Question 5

Antibody response with successive occurences

Answer 5

IgM first then IgG - next time a quick response due to IgG

Question 6

Vaccination

Answer 6

The administration of antigenic material to stimulate an individual’s immune system to develop adaptive immunity to a pathogen

Question 7

Temporary constraints

Answer 7

Febrile illness

Pregnancy - cannot be given live attenuated vaccines

Question 8

Permanent constraints

Answer 8

Allergic or immunocompromised

Question 9

Live attenuated

Answer 9

Still alive but reduced virulence although can mutate back eg MMR

Question 10

Killed

Answer 10

Killed with formaldehyde and needs boosters as is a weaker response eg rabies, Hep A

Question 11

Acellular vaccines

Answer 11

Use antigen and suitable for immunocompromised

Question 12

Toxoid vaccines

Answer 12

Bacterial toxin treated with formalin eg tetanus

Question 13

Subunit vaccine

Answer 13

Use epitope not the whole antigen

Question 14

Conjugate vaccine

Answer 14

Link antigen to the polysaccharide so does not evade immune system eg HPV, Hep B

Question 15

DNA vaccine

Answer 15

Use DNA only and cells make antigens

Question 16

Adjuvant

Answer 16

A substance which enhances the body’s immune response to the antigen eg aluminium salts

Question 17

Herd immunity

Answer 17

Reduce risk of people who cannot receive vaccine becoming infected as reduces risk of exposure