Theme 2- core clinical immunology- week 1 Flashcards
(136 cards)
What is the atopic triad?
Triad- rhinitis, dermatitis, asthma
What does asthma cause?
Airway inflammation
What is rhinitis?
Rhinitis, also known as coryza, is irritation and inflammation of the mucous membrane inside the nose.
What does rhinitis cause?
Blocked / runny / itchy nose, sneezing - often with eye symptoms (Itching / burning / watery eyes, redness)
What does rhinitis lead to?
Leads to allergic and non-allergic subdivisions
What does the allergic response to rhinitis lead to?
Allergic leads to seasonal and perennial:
Seasonal- pollen and moulds
Perennial- house dust mite, animal dander
What does the non-allergic response of rhinitis lead to?
Non-allergic leads to vasomotor, infective, structural, drugs, hormonal and polyps
What is the treatment of rhinitis?
Treatment – Antihistamines and intranasal steroids
What is asthma?
Disease of inflammation & hyper-reactivity of small airways
Who does asthma mostly affect?
In childhood - aero-allergic stimuli - house dust mite key pathogenic importance
What is asthma mediated by?
Immediate symptoms are IgE-mediated
What does asthma cause?
Damage to airways due to late phase response
Damaged airways are hyper-reactive to non-allergic stimuli e.g. Fumes
What is the pathogenesis of asthma?
Mechanism- allergen presenting by APC –> T cell proliferation and differentiation into a TH2 cell releasing cytokines- IL4, IL13 and IL5–> B cell plasma cell forming mast cells, basophils and TH2 cell forms eosinophils–>Mediator- histamines, leukotrienes, prostaglandins, cytokines and basic protein and enzymes–> Leads to asthma

What is dermatitis?
CLINICALLY - Intense itching, blistering/weeping, cracking of skin

What is the major trigger in atopic disease of dermatitis?
HOUSE DUST MITE now thought to be MAJOR TRIGGER in atopic disease
What is the treatment for dermatitis?
Topical Steroids & Moisturisers
What is atropy?
Atopy refers to the genetic tendency to develop allergic diseases such as allergic rhinitis, asthma and atopic dermatitis (eczema).
What is non-atopic?
Some conditions are not dependent on IgE but still involve an abnormal immune response to a wide variety of external environmental agents. These conditions are known as non-atopic (non-IgE-mediated).
What causes an itch?
Filaggrin protein- main barrier function- allergic reaction leads to distruption and leads to a Th1 response then Th2 response leading to secretion of IgE. Leads to increased IL-31 causing itch.

How does sentisation lead to exposure?
IgE exposure on B cells and APC–> activates T cells- Th1 to TH2 cells via cytokines–> Th2 main allergic response–>sends to B cells to secrete IgE then differentiate into plasma cells to release IgE–> Crosslinking of mast cell and basophil cell-surface –> release of vasoactive amines–> lipid mediators, chemokines and cytokines
Summary of Late Phase Inflammation
- Allergic inflammation (late phase of the allergic reaction).
- Following migration to sites of allergen exposure under the influence of chemokines and other cytokines, allergen-specific T cells are reactivated and clonally expand.
- Local IgE-facilitated antigen presentation by dendritic cells (DCs) increases T-cell activation.
- Local IgE production is seen in allergic rhinitis and asthma but not in allergic skin inflammation (the main example of which is atopic dermatitis).
- Eosinophils are one of the main inflammatory cells
- TH1 cells, which produce interferon- (IFN) and tumour-necrosis factor (TNF), contribute to the activation and apoptosis of keratinocytes (in the skin), bronchial epithelial cells and pulmonary smooth-muscle cells.
- Activation of mast cells and basophils, which release histamine, chemokines and other cytokines
What is specific IgE testing?
An allergen-specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) test measures the levels of different IgE antibodies.
What occurs in specific IgE testing?
Allergen binds to different things add patients serum, antibodies will bind then need to confirm if antibody IgE type, need to bind an antibody that binds to the IgE then need a mechanism for identification which will change colour.
Specific IgE Testing (>0.35 KuA/L)
What is the skin prick test?
Skin prick test (>2mm wheal)- prick the skin so can trigger IgE reaction- will form a wheal over 2mm of the negative control (usually 0mm) for an allergic reaction



















