Tetanus Tutotial Flashcards
What are the types of immunity?
Innate: physical and chemical barriers, non-specific
Acquired: recognition of antigen by lymphocytes (B and T cells)
Passive: gained through transfer of antibodies from another source
Active: gained through contact with an antigen —> response from the person’s own immune system
Tell me the difference between an antigen and immunogen
Antigen
May or may not trigger an immune response
Can be internal (self) or external (foreign) to the host
Act as a marker for immune system to recognize
Immunogen
Type of antigen, can cause immune response all by itself
Always triggers an immune response
Always foreign to the host
Directly stimulates lymphocytes to mount response
This type of immunity happens when the body’s own immune system makes it own antibodies in response to antigen exposure
Active immunity
This type of immunity gives immediate but short lived immunity
Passive immunity
What type of immunity is provided by vaccination?
Active immunity
What type of immunity is provided by maternal antibodies?
Passive immunity
What are some features that are shared between active and passive immunity?
Target specific antigen
Involve antibodies
Used for tx or disease prevention
This immune response is predominantly IgM, then IgG later in the response
Primary immune response
What immune response is longer lasting and sustained for a longer period of time?
Secondary immune response
IgG or IgA/IgE (depends on pathogen) predominate in this immune response
Secondary immune response
Which immune has slow onset and less effective antibodies?
Primary immune response
Why is exposure to tetanus toxin not always sufficient for creating an immune response?
Toxin is poorly immunogenic bc not good for presentation by APCs
Very toxic even in low doses
How is immunity against tetanus toxin created?
Tetanus toxiod is detoxified form of tetanus toxin; safe for human administeration
Highly immunogenic
In what cases should a patient receive tetanus toxoid?
Toxoid = tetanus vaccine
Primary childhood vaccination
Boosters (q10y)
Post-exposure prophylaxis (unknown vax hx) + tetanus Ig
When should a pt get both tetanus antitoxin and tetanus toxoid?
Toxoid = tetanus vaccine
Antitoxin = tetanus antibody
Wound mgmt + uncertain vax hx
Need both bc TIG covers immediate passive immunity
Toxoid creates active, long term immunity
