Vaccines/immunization Pt. 2 Flashcards
What is the relationship between prevalence of autism (ASD) and aluminum exposure from vaccines?
Children from countries with the highest ASD prevalence appear to have the highest Al exposure from vaccines
Which diseases currently prevented against by the typical vaccine schedule are actually common diseases seen in the U.S.?
Pneumococcal disease, pertussis, rotavirus, varicella (shingles), HPV, influenza
What is the danger of a pregnant woman getting rubella?
Possible birth defects
What are the four types of influenza vaccines?
Whole virus inactivated
Subunit inactivated
Split virus inactivated
Live attenuated, cold-adapted
What makes up the subunit inactivated influenza vaccine?
H and N influenza surface antigens only
What makes up the split virus inactivated influenza vaccine?
Both surface and internal antigens
Where must the live attenuated influenza vaccine be administered and why?
Intranasally; only place where live virus can multiply
What are the subtypes of influenza A?
16 haemaglutinin (H) subtypes 9 neuraminidase (N) subtypes
Which general strain of influenza is rare and mild?
Influenza C
What is the Cochrane Collaboration?
Nonprofit organization that serves to organize medical research in a systematic way for evidence-based medicine
The Cochrane Review discovered that influenza vaccines are efficacious in preventing cases of influenza among what age group?
Children older than two years of age
What are the typical side effects from the influenza vaccine?
Flu-like symptoms (more common with nasal mist)
What are some serious side effects that can result from the flu vaccine?
Febrile seizures, Guillain-Barre syndrome, allergic reactions associated with egg allergies
What are the cells of the nervous system that do not conduct nervous impulses?
Glial cells
What glial cells are known as the macrophages of the brain and spinal cord?
Microglia (20% of glial cells)
What is the function of microglia?
Constantly sampling the surrounding environment to assure homeostasis
What are examples of things that can stimulate microglia?
Calcium waves, aluminum
What is the most abundant cell of the human brain?
Astrocytes
What are the functions of astrocytes?
Structural function, nutrition for other cells, give off regulatory molecules, control synaptic transmission, control brain blood flow, aid in myelination, nervous system repair, long-term potentiation (memory)
Which glial cells are capable of reproduction throughout life?
Astrocytes
What regulatory molecules are given off by astrocytes?
Potassium and glutamate
How do astrocytes provide nutrition for other cells?
Store and release glycogen
Release lactate
How do astrocytes control synaptic transmission?
Clear excess glutamate from synapses
Which glial cells are locations of preferential aluminum accumulation?
Microglia and astrocytes
How do astrocytes limit excitotoxic damage in the brain?
By clearing excess glutamate
The combination of what two things is responsible for brain injury?
Inflammatory cytokines, excitatory molecules (like glutamate)
What two events are regulated by microglia?
Pro-inflammatory cytokine release
Release of excitatory amino acids, particularly glutamate
Microglia contain receptors and can be activated by which cells?
Most neurotransmitters, cytokines, chemokines, interferons, MHC I and MHC II, PRRs, TLRs
What effects can aluminum accumulation have in the brain?
Interference with membrane receptors and cell signaling pathways, alter DNA integrity, impair mitchondrial function
What is the function of macrophages when resting?
Garbage collector
What is the function of macrophages when activated?
Antigen presenting cell and killer
What is the function of macrophages when hyperactivated?
Vicious killer
During what stage of microglial actiation is there no increased release of cytokines, chemokines, interferons, or excitotoxins?
Primed stage
Which three excitotoxins are released heavily during the hyperactive state of microglia?
Glutamate, aspartate, quinolinic acid (QUIN)
What cells are the major neuronal source of glutathione and ,what substance pertaining to vaccines can lower glutathione levels?
Astrocytes; aluminum
Aluminum has been shown to impair gap junctional communication between what glial cells?
Astrocytes
How do aluminum-treated astrocytes appear different in shape compared to normal astrocytes?
More globular than the normal stellate-like appearance
There is less production of what energy substance under aluminum-stressed conditions?
ATP
What is the term for the protection provided to all individuals in a population due to the inability of a pathogen to effectively spread when a larger proportion of individuals are resistant?
Herd immunity (usually at 85%, minimum 75%)
What is the estimated necessary herd immunity percentage needed for protection against mumps?
80%
What can occur to herd immunity when the pool of unvaccinated individuals grows above threshold where the infectious organism still persists?
Reduced effectiveness and therefore, outbreaks occur
What current “outbreaks” are we witnessing due to decreased efficiency of herd immunity?
Measles and pertussis
Have measles outbreaks occurred in highly vaccinated populations?
Yes; this coincides with the fact that vaccination doesn’t always equal immunity
