Immunology Flashcards
Hospital acquired infection definition
Infection diagnosed >48 hours after hospital admission, more specifically on or after the third day in hospital without proven prior incubation
Independent risk factors for HAI
Prolonged length of hospital stay
Indwelling devices
Mechanical ventilation
Trauma
Individual patient factors/comorbidities
Two mechanisms by which bacteria are developing antibiotic resistance
Extended spectrum beta lactamases (ESBLs)
Plasmid-mediated AmpC enzymes
Factors associated with development of MDR E. coli
Hospitalization >6 days
Treatment with a cephalosporin prior to admission
Treatment with a cephalosporin <1 day
Treatment with metronidazole while in hospital
Factors associated with MDR E.coli and methicillin resistant Staph. aureus (MRSA)
Hospitalization > 3 days
Neutrophil behavior
Neuts move from circulation into the tissues by attaching first loosely then tightly to receptors in activated endothelial cells –> move between endothelial cells and pericytes into the interstitial space –> become activated when their pattern-recognition-receptors (PRRs) bind PAMPs on pathogens and DAMPs on dying cells –> once activated they begin degranulation
Three ways neutrophils kill
- Degranulate to release destructive peptides and proteases into the extracellular matrix or into an intracytoplasmic phagosome containing ingested bugs
- Assemble a reactive oxygen species generator (NAPDH oxidase complex) on the membrane of a phagosome or on the outer cell membrane which produces an oxidative burst when activated by microorganisms
- They form neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) - DNA, histones, and other nuclear material combine with destructive peptides and proteases from intracytoplasmic granules and are expelled from the cell into the extracellular space; the NETs ensnare and kill pathogens and contain destructive molecules preventing damage to regional tissues. A process called “NETosis”.
Molecule that signals for neutrophil production
Cytokine granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF)
Most important cytokine for maintaining neutrophil homeostasis
What makes G-CSF
Bone marrow stromal cells
Also secreted by macrophages, monocytes, endothelial cells, fibroblasts
What drives “emergency myelopoiesis”?
Cytokine stimulation and the binding of PAMPs/DAMPs to PRRs on hematopoietic stem cells
What is a main factor for steady-state neutrophil production
The constant presence of PRR signaling in hematopoietic stem cells and progenitors stimulated by commensal microflora
Cytokines and growth factors that stimulate neutrophil release from the bone marrow
G-CSF
Granulocyte macrophage (GM)-CSF
TNF-alpha
TNF-beta
Complement 5a
Cytokines vs. Chemokines
Used for communication between cells vs. chemokine guide immune cells on where to go
Th1 cytokines
Type I immune response- drive by Type I T-helper cells- cellular immunity against intracellular pathogens- activation of CD8 T cells/NK cells/macrophages
Some of the cytokines involved in Th1/type I immune response
IL-2 (T cell survival, proliferation and differentiation)
IL-12 (activates NK cells)
TNF-alpha (can cause cell death)
LT-alpha (lymphotoxin-alpha)
LT-beta
IFN-gamma (antiviral, activates macrophages)
Th2
Type II immune response
Activates humoral responses (antibodies produced by B cells)
Strong presence of eosinophils, mast cells
Th2 cytokines
IL-4 (mast cell growth, stimulated eos)
IL-5
IL-13 (signals to make IgE)
IL-25
IL-10 (Ab production)
Three main lines of defense of the immune system
Physical barriers
Nonspecific (innate immunity)
Specific (adaptive immunity)
Where is the marginated pool of neutrophils
They roll slowly along the endothelium of smaller vessels and capillaries and tend to stagnate in post capillary venules; in dogs is about half of the total and in cats is 3/4 the total
Does the CBC measure the marginated or circulating pool
Circulating pool
Neutrophils have the (shortest/longest) half life in circulation
Shortest
Two bone marrow-centric mechanisms for neutropenia
Depletion of neutrophil progenitor cells (bone marrow hypoplasia)
Ineffective granulopoiesis (plenty of progenitors, they just aren’t working; maturational arrest, or retention/destruction of mature neutrophils in the bone marrow)
Infectious causes of depletion of granulocytic progenitor cells
Parvovirus
Ehrlichia canis (more often the cause compared to other rickettsial)
FeLV
FIV
FIV can also cause neutropenia because infected bone marrow cells secrete _____
Myelosuppression factors that depress granulopoiesis