Chapter 12: Disorders of the Immune System

Question 1

primary immunodeficiency:

Answer 1

something you are born with

Question 2

secondary immunodeficiency:

Answer 2

something you get later on in life

Question 3

examples of secondary immunodeficiency states:

Answer 3

malnutrition, infection, neoplastic disease, immunosuppressive therapy

Question 4

results of alterations in the immune system:

Answer 4

immunodeficency states, allergic or hypersensitivty reactions, transplantation rejection, autoimmune disorders

Question 5

four major categories of immune mechanisms:

Answer 5

1. humoral or antibody mediated immunity
2. cell-mediated immunity
3. complement system
4. phagocytosis

Question 6

hypersensitivity is a

Answer 6

altered immune response to an antigen

Question 7

hypersensitivity results in

Answer 7

disease/damage to host

Question 8

deletrerious effects of hypersensitvity to environmental antigens

Answer 8

allergy

Question 9

body doesn’t recognize itself, thinks that it is foreign and attacks its own cells

Answer 9

autoimmunity

Question 10

immune reaction to tissues of another individual

Answer 10

alloimmunity

Question 11

describe some of the roles of mast cells:

Answer 11

plays a big role in IgE sensitivity, part of connective tissue, allergic diseases, anaphylaxis, autoimmune disorders/acute or chronic inflammation, wound healing, innate response for clearing bacteria and viruses

Question 12

IgE mediated is commonly called

Answer 12

allergic reactions

Question 13

IgE mediated has local aka atopic reactions such as

Answer 13

hay fever, food allergies, bronchial asthma, hives

Question 14

IgE mediated:

on first contact with allergen, it is called a

Answer 14

sensitizing dose

Question 15

IgE mediated

subsequent exposure with the same allergen and it binds

Answer 15

provocative dose

Question 16

Atopy

Answer 16

Local or Genetic

Allergy

Question 17

Anaphylaxis

Answer 17

most dangerous form of Type I
Hypersensitivity - life-threatening phenomenon; Very rapid Systemic release of histamine
and other inflammatory mediators from
IgE-coated mast cells, Must have been previously “sensitized” or
exposed to a specific antigen.

Question 18

Type II Hypersensitivity is

Answer 18

Antibody Dependent

Question 19

Antibody Dependent is

Answer 19

Cytotoxic; IgG or IgM attack antigens on cell
surfaces (antibodies bind to
antigens on cell surface

Question 20

examples of IgG or IgM attack on antigens-

Answer 20

Transfusion reactions, Rh
Disease
Autoimmune Diseases such as Multiple Sclerosis
Drug reactions

Question 21

Rh disease can lead to

Answer 21

stillbirth or jaundice

Question 22

in cytotoxic hypersensitivity- If incompatible blood types are mixed

Answer 22

agglutination occurs

and complement is activated

Question 23

transfusion reactions in type II

Answer 23

Antibodies against blood group antigens

ABO system

Question 24

ABO system

Answer 24

Two major carbohydrate antigens
-A and B (codominant)
-Individuals have naturally occurring antibodies to
the A and B antigens they lack
-Anti-A and anti-B antibody production is induced
by similar antigens on naturally occurring bacteria
in the intestinal tract
-Antibodies are usually of the IgM class
-O blood type (universal donor)
-AB blood type (universal recipient)

Question 25

Immune Complex

Hypersensitivity is caused by

Answer 25

Antigen-Antibody Aggregates

Question 26

immune Complex

Hypersensitivity develops when

Answer 26

antibody combines with
antigen and form aggregates that
accumulate in the blood vessels or tissue
surface. These Immune complexes become
trapped in tissues & incite a damaging
inflammatory response (can circulate or stay
in one area)
 Immune Complex deposits cause
Inflammation by activating complement sys

Question 27

Serum sickness

Answer 27

(systemic reaction) occurs when
IgG is produced against residual proteins in a
serum
Most often caused by Antibiotics, foods, and
Insect Venom (ex; antitoxin aka tetanus)

Question 28

Serum sickness can cause

Answer 28

kidney damage
symptoms of type I anaphylactic
hypersensitivity: hives and swelling in the
face, neck and joints

Question 29

Direct Cell-Mediated Cytotoxicity

Answer 29

Mediated by T lymphocytes NOT

antibodies; delayed allergic response

Question 30

delayed allergic response

Answer 30

can be skin
response to allergens – tuberculin skin test,
contact dermatitis from plants, metals,
cosmetics but also includes Graft Rejection
and some autoimmune diseases

Question 31

autoimmune disease

Answer 31

Normal ability to determine self from non-
self (aka Self Tolerance) is disrupted -
hyperactive immune system

Question 32

autoimmune diseases are determined

Answer 32

through evidence of
autoimmune reaction and ruling out any
other causes (secondary to another
condition)

Question 33

autoimmune disease examples

Answer 33

Systemic lupus erythematosus 
(SLE) 
Grave’s Disease
Multiple Sclerosis
Hashimoto thyroiditis

Question 34

Immunodeficiency diseases

Answer 34

Components of the immune response
system are absent. Deficiencies involve
B and T cells, phagocytes, and
complement

Question 35

primary immunodeficiency

Answer 35

genetically based congenital lack of B

-cell and/or T cell activity

Question 36

Secondary (acquired) immune

deficiency

Answer 36

due to damage
after birth (infections, drugs,
radiation) AIDS

Question 37

Human Immunodeficiency Virus

Answer 37

attaches to and penetrates host T cells (CD4+
aka Helper T or Th cell)
The virus continues to take over and kill T h cells
- Monitor CD4+ counts
B cells

Question 38

what do B cells do in HIV

Answer 38

produce antibodies discover the
virus and begin to make antibodies but…without
the direction of the helper T cells, there is no
direction so B Cells are ineffective

Question 39

where is the main reservoir of HIV

Answer 39

Lymphatic tissue (spleen, lymph nodes, 
tonsils/adenoids)

Question 40

AIDS

Answer 40

does not kill - the infections 
associated with 
depressed/suppressed immune 
system function is what actually 
kills