Vaccination Flashcards
1
Q
What antibodies are produced during primary infection?
A
- IgM antibodies spike initially (1-14 days)
- then IgG antibodies
2
Q
What antibodies are produced during a secondary infection?
A
Both IgG and IgM, but IgG at higher levels and for longer.
3
Q
What cells mediate the secondary antibody response?
A
Long-lived plasma cells
4
Q
How are memory B cells primed for repeated exposure to an antigen?
A
They have already undergone Ig class switching and hypermutation
5
Q
How was the Salk Polio vaccine developed?
A
- formalin-inactivated preparation of all 3 poliovirus serotypes
- needs 3 inoculations
6
Q
Disadvantages of inactivated vaccines?
A
- adjuvants are needed to improve immunogenicity (simulate inflammation)
- T cell response is poor
- multiple (‘booster’) injections are needed
7
Q
What are adjuvants?
A
- inflammatory substances used alongside of antigenic peptides, proteins or carbohydrates
- toxins, aluminium hydroxide, other pathogens
8
Q
How are live attenuated vaccines generated?
A
- pathogenic virus/bacteria are passed through several monkey cells
- they lose their pathogenicity in humans, whilst still eliciting the immune reponse
9
Q
Disadvatages of llive attenuated vaccines?
A
- new mutations can be acquired, making it pathogenic again
- infections in immunocompromised patients are possible
- cold storage is required
10
Q
Sources of passive immunity?
A
- Maternal IgG transported across the placenta
- IgA in the beast milk
Therapeutic:
- pooled immuniglobulin from immune humans (e.g. HepC)
- Hyperimmune globulin, administered post-exposure (venom anti-toxin)
- monoclonal antibodies
