Immunodeficiency Flashcards
What is the general function of B lymphocytes?
develop potential to secrete antibodies (humoral immunity)
What is the general function of cytotoxic T lymphocytes?
able to kill microorganism (cellular immunity)
What is the general function of helper T cells?
secrete growth factors (cytokines) which control immune response
Define immunodeficiency
clinical situations where the immune system is not effective enough o protect the body against infection
What can cause primary immunodeficiencies?
genetic defects
Name a variety of causes of secondary/acquired immunodeficiencies
stress, surgery, malnutrition, cancer, immunosuppressive drugs, irradiation, AIDS
What do you suspect in someone with recurrent bacterial infection with pyogenic organisms?
defects in B cells
How do you treat defects in B cells?
antibiotics then iv IgG for life
Are defects in T cells normally more or less dramatic than defects in B cells?
T cell defects are normally more dramatic
What is severe combined immunodeficiency?
defects in both B and T cells
Name some primary B-cell deficiencies (6)
- common variable immunodeficiency
- X-linked agammaglobulinaemia
- autosomal recessive hyper-IgM syndrome
- IgA deficiency
- IgG subclass deficiency
- transient hypogammaglobulinaemia of infancy
Name some primary T-cell deficiencies (5)
- severe combined immunodeficiency syndromes
- adenosine deaminase deficiency
- purine nucleoside phosphorylase deficiency
- MHC class II deficiency
- Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome
What other problems may someone with chronic granulomatous disease present with?
- osteomyelitis
- pneumonia
- swollen lymph nodes
- ginigitvitis
- non-malignant granulomas
- inflammatory bowel disease
