Vaccines/immunization Pt. 2

Question 1

What is the relationship between prevalence of autism (ASD) and aluminum exposure from vaccines?

Answer 1

Children from countries with the highest ASD prevalence appear to have the highest Al exposure from vaccines

Question 2

Which diseases currently prevented against by the typical vaccine schedule are actually common diseases seen in the U.S.?

Answer 2

Pneumococcal disease, pertussis, rotavirus, varicella (shingles), HPV, influenza

Question 3

What is the danger of a pregnant woman getting rubella?

Answer 3

Possible birth defects

Question 4

What are the four types of influenza vaccines?

Answer 4

Whole virus inactivated
Subunit inactivated
Split virus inactivated
Live attenuated, cold-adapted

Question 5

What makes up the subunit inactivated influenza vaccine?

Answer 5

H and N influenza surface antigens only

Question 6

What makes up the split virus inactivated influenza vaccine?

Answer 6

Both surface and internal antigens

Question 7

Where must the live attenuated influenza vaccine be administered and why?

Answer 7

Intranasally; only place where live virus can multiply

Question 8

What are the subtypes of influenza A?

Answer 8

16 haemaglutinin (H) subtypes
9 neuraminidase (N) subtypes

Question 9

Which general strain of influenza is rare and mild?

Answer 9

Influenza C

Question 10

What is the Cochrane Collaboration?

Answer 10

Nonprofit organization that serves to organize medical research in a systematic way for evidence-based medicine

Question 11

The Cochrane Review discovered that influenza vaccines are efficacious in preventing cases of influenza among what age group?

Answer 11

Children older than two years of age

Question 12

What are the typical side effects from the influenza vaccine?

Answer 12

Flu-like symptoms (more common with nasal mist)

Question 13

What are some serious side effects that can result from the flu vaccine?

Answer 13

Febrile seizures, Guillain-Barre syndrome, allergic reactions associated with egg allergies

Question 14

What are the cells of the nervous system that do not conduct nervous impulses?

Answer 14

Glial cells

Question 15

What glial cells are known as the macrophages of the brain and spinal cord?

Answer 15

Microglia (20% of glial cells)

Question 16

What is the function of microglia?

Answer 16

Constantly sampling the surrounding environment to assure homeostasis

Question 17

What are examples of things that can stimulate microglia?

Answer 17

Calcium waves, aluminum

Question 18

What is the most abundant cell of the human brain?

Answer 18

Astrocytes

Question 19

What are the functions of astrocytes?

Answer 19

Structural function, nutrition for other cells, give off regulatory molecules, control synaptic transmission, control brain blood flow, aid in myelination, nervous system repair, long-term potentiation (memory)

Question 20

Which glial cells are capable of reproduction throughout life?

Answer 20

Astrocytes

Question 21

What regulatory molecules are given off by astrocytes?

Answer 21

Potassium and glutamate

Question 22

How do astrocytes provide nutrition for other cells?

Answer 22

Store and release glycogen

Release lactate

Question 23

How do astrocytes control synaptic transmission?

Answer 23

Clear excess glutamate from synapses

Question 24

Which glial cells are locations of preferential aluminum accumulation?

Answer 24

Microglia and astrocytes

Question 25

How do astrocytes limit excitotoxic damage in the brain?

Answer 25

By clearing excess glutamate

Question 26

The combination of what two things is responsible for brain injury?

Answer 26

Inflammatory cytokines, excitatory molecules (like glutamate)

Question 27

What two events are regulated by microglia?

Answer 27

Pro-inflammatory cytokine release | Release of excitatory amino acids, particularly glutamate

Question 28

Microglia contain receptors and can be activated by which cells?

Answer 28

Most neurotransmitters, cytokines, chemokines, interferons, MHC I and MHC II, PRRs, TLRs

Question 29

What effects can aluminum accumulation have in the brain?

Answer 29

Interference with membrane receptors and cell signaling pathways, alter DNA integrity, impair mitchondrial function

Question 30

What is the function of macrophages when resting?

Answer 30

Garbage collector

Question 31

What is the function of macrophages when activated?

Answer 31

Antigen presenting cell and killer

Question 32

What is the function of macrophages when hyperactivated?

Answer 32

Vicious killer

Question 33

During what stage of microglial actiation is there no increased release of cytokines, chemokines, interferons, or excitotoxins?

Answer 33

Primed stage

Question 34

Which three excitotoxins are released heavily during the hyperactive state of microglia?

Answer 34

Glutamate, aspartate, quinolinic acid (QUIN)

Question 35

What cells are the major neuronal source of glutathione and ,what substance pertaining to vaccines can lower glutathione levels?

Answer 35

Astrocytes; aluminum

Question 36

Aluminum has been shown to impair gap junctional communication between what glial cells?

Answer 36

Astrocytes

Question 37

How do aluminum-treated astrocytes appear different in shape compared to normal astrocytes?

Answer 37

More globular than the normal stellate-like appearance

Question 38

There is less production of what energy substance under aluminum-stressed conditions?

Answer 38

ATP

Question 39

What is the term for the protection provided to all individuals in a population due to the inability of a pathogen to effectively spread when a larger proportion of individuals are resistant?

Answer 39

Herd immunity (usually at 85%, minimum 75%)

Question 40

What is the estimated necessary herd immunity percentage needed for protection against mumps?

Answer 40

80%

Question 41

What can occur to herd immunity when the pool of unvaccinated individuals grows above threshold where the infectious organism still persists?

Answer 41

Reduced effectiveness and therefore, outbreaks occur

Question 42

What current "outbreaks" are we witnessing due to decreased efficiency of herd immunity?

Answer 42

Measles and pertussis

Question 43

Have measles outbreaks occurred in highly vaccinated populations?

Answer 43

Yes; this coincides with the fact that vaccination doesn't always equal immunity