S2: hypersensitivity reactions Flashcards
Define hypersensitivity
The antigen specific immune responses that are either inappropriate or excess and result in harm to host
List the types of triggers for hypersensitivity
Exogenous – non-infectious substances, infectious microbes, drugs (penicillin)
Endogenous – infectious microbes (mimicry), self-antigens (auto-immunity)
Outline the different types of hypersensitivity reaction
1) Type I or immediate (allergy) – environmental non infectious antigens
2) Type II or antibody mediated
3) Type III or immune complexes mediated
4) Type IV or cell mediated (delayed) – environmental infectious agents & self antigens
Describe the two phases of the hypersensitivity reactions
Sensitisation phase – first encounter with the antigen, activation of APCs and memory effector cells
Effector phase – pathological reaction upon re-exposure to the same antigen and activation of the memory cells of the adaptive immunity
Describe type II hypersensitivity reactions
Usually develops within 5-12 hours Involves IgG or IgM antibodies Targets cell bound antigens -exogenous: blood group antigens, rhesus D antigens -endogenous: self-antigens Induces different outcomes -tissue/cell damage -physiological change
List type II hypersensitivity reactions associated with tissue/cell damage
Haemolytic disease of the newborn, antigen = rhesus D
Transfusion reactions, antigen = ABO system
Autoimmune haemolytic anaemia, antigen = RBCs
Immune thrombocytopenic purpura, antigen = platelets
Goodpasture’s syndrome, antigen = collagen in the glomerular basement membrane of the lung & kidney
Describe an example of a disease caused by type II hypersensitivity driven by IgM
Haemolytic transfusion reaction – medical emergency
-causes: errors in patient identification, improper labelling of blood specimen, testing errors etc
Incompatibility in the ABO antigens on RBCs -> donor RBC lysis induced by type II hypersensitivity involving the recipient’s IgM
Clinical outcome: shock, respiratory distress, kidney failure & death if not treated
Describe an example of a disease caused by type II hypersensitivity driven by IgG
Haemolytic disease of the newborn
1) Rh- mother carrying her first Rh+ fetus, Rh antigens from the developing fetus can enter the mother’s blood during delivery
2) In response to the fetal Rh antigens, the mother will produce anti-Rh antibodies (give RhoGAM)
3) If the woman becomes pregnant with another Rh+ fetus, her anti-Rh antibodies (IgG) will cross the placenta & damage fetal RBCs
Severe life threatening condition – hydrops fetalis, liver/splenomegaly, severe hyperbilirubinemia & kernicterus (type of brain damage that occurs with increased levels of bilirubin)
List type II hypersensitivity reactions associated with physiological changes
Graves’ disease – increased thyroid activity, antigen = TSH receptor
Myasthenia gravis – impaired neuromuscular signalling, antigen = acetylcholine receptor
Pernicious anaemia – anaemia, antigen = intrinsic factor in gastric parietal cells
Outline treatment options for type II hypersensitivity
Cell tissue damage – anti-inflammatory drugs, plasmapheresis, splenectomy, intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG)
Physiological change – correct metabolism, replacement therapy
Describe type III hypersensitivity
Usually develops within 3-8 hours
Involves immune complexes between IgG or IgM and antigens
Targets soluble antigens – foreign (infection), endogenous (self-antigens)
Tissue damage caused by the deposition of immune complexes in blood vessels
List key factors affecting immune complex pathogenesis
Complex size Persistence of antigen Host response Local tissue factors Persistence if the immunocomplex & deposition drives the disease, common sites of damage -> joints, skin, small vessels & kidney = multisystem effects
List examples of hypersensitivity type III reactions
Rheumatoid arthritis, antigen = Fc portion of IgG
Glomerulonephritis, antigen = infectious microbes
Systemic lupus erythematosus, antigen = double-stranded DNA
Describe type IV hypersensitivity
Usually develops within 24-72 hours
Involves lymphocytes and macrophages
Triggered by environmental factors, infectious microbes, drugs
Different subtypes – contact hypersensitivity, tuberculin hypersensitivity, granulomatous hypersensitivity
List diseases caused by type IV hypersensitivity to endogenous antigens
Insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, antigen = pancreatic islet cells
Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, allergen = thyroid gland