Module 4 Flashcards
Adverse Reactions and Immune Deffects (104 cards)
What is Immunodeficiency
Disorder or condition where the immune system has reduced function or is absent an can be traced to the failure of one or more parts of the immune system
What are the 2 main types of immunodeficiency?
Primary
Secondary
Describe primary immunodeficiencies
- Congenital
- Derive from a genetic or developmental defect leading to abnormal maturation of the immune system
- can be in either innate or adaptive immunity
- Most common kind is B-cell deficiencies
- rare because foetus rarely survives the defect
Why are primary immunodeficiencies so rare%
In most cases, foetus does not survive the defect
What are the 5 classifications of Primary immunodeficiencies?
1- B-cell deficiencies 2- T-cell deficiencies 3- Complement deficiencies 4- Phagocytic deficiencies 5- Combined T-cell and B-cell deficiencies
Describe B-cell deficiencies
- Characterized by dysfunctional B Lymphocytes or a decrease in their prevalence
- First symptoms generally appear around the age of 7-9 months old (when Mother’s antibody pool from mother decreases)
- Increased susceptibility to infection especially by encapsulated bacteria
- Example: X-linked agammaglobulinemia (XLA), where patients do not develop mature B-cells, low levels of IgG and lack all other immunobglobulins
Why do symptoms of B-cell deficiencies typically appear around 7-9 months old?
It is around 7-9 months that the antibody pool from the mother decreases, the incapability to synthesize normal levels of antibodies of the infant becomes apparent
Increase in susceptibility to infection, especially encapsulated bacteria is the result of what class of deficiencies?
B-cell deficiencies
X-linked agammaglobulinemia (XLA) is what type of immunodefficiency?
B-cell deficiencies
Describe X-linked agammaglobulinemia (XLA)
- B-cell deficiency
- X-linked and recessive, thus occurs almost exclusively in males
- Patients do not develop mature B-cells
- Low levels of IgG and lack all other immunoglobulins
- Patients are extremely susceptible to bacterial infections, but susceptibility to viral and fungal infections remains unchanged (cell mediated immune responses are normal)
Describe T-cell deficiencies
- Dyscfunctional T lymphocytes or a decrease in their prevalence
- Decreased cell-mediated immunity (which kills infected or abnormal cells)
- Increased susceptibility to viruses, protozoans, and fungi
- Frequent infections beginning 3-4 months after birth (eg: pneumonia, candidiasis)
Example: DiGeorge Syndrome
Describe Secondary immunodeficiencies
- Are acquired and result from environmental factors affecting/compromising the immune system
- Causes; chemotherapy, chronic infection (eg: AIDS), developing cancer
- AIDS is the most studied
What is the most studied secondary immunodefiency?
AIDS
Describe Complement deficiencies
Genetic deficiencies in complement components
- Prone to frequent severe bacterial infections and complications arising from inability to clear immune complexes
- Patients with C3 deficiencies display the severest symptoms, reflective of the central role played by this component in complement activities
Example: Hereditary Angionedema
Describe phagocytic deficiencies
remember phagocytes engulf and destroy pathogens
- Phagocytic deficiencies can appear at any steps of phagocytosis
- Bacterial and fungal infections are unusually frequent and severe, often causing deep abscesses
Example: Chronic Granulomatous (CGD)
Describe combined T-cells and B-cells deficiencies
- Dysfunctional and/or low numbers of lymphocytes
- Both humoral and cell-mediated responses are compromised (adaptive immunity)
- Little or no resistance to infection thus pathogens that cause mild diseases in average person (eg: chicken pox) may be life threatening
- Often suffer fatal infections within the 1st year of life
What kind of immunodeficiency is DiGeorge Syndrome?
T-cell deficiency
Describe DiGeorge Syndrome
- Caused by deletion of a small segment of chromosome 22
- Absent or underdeveloped thymus, which results in the absence of mature T-cells
- Also causes abnormalities in the heart, face, and palate + learning disabilities
Name a T-cell deficiency
DiGeorge Syndrome
Name a B-cell deficiency
X-linked agammaglobulinemia (XLA)
What kind of immunodeficiency is Hereditary Angioedema (HAE)
Complement deficiencies
Name a Complement deficiency
Hereditary Angioedema (HAE)
Describe Hereditary Angioedema (HAE)
- Dysfunction in the REGULATION of complement pathways
- caused by a lack of regulator of C1
- results in swelling of the face, lips, larynx, or GI tract. Swelling of larynx and GI trac are of particular concern because it can lead to suffocation
What kind of immunodeficiency is Chronic Granulomatous (CGD)?
Phagocytic deficiency