Immune and Inflammatory Altered Immune Responses

Flashcards covering immune system functions, types of immunity, inflammatory responses, hypersensitivities, and specific conditions like SLE, Gout, and HIV/AIDS.

Defense

The immune system function that protects the body against invasion by microorganisms and other foreign substances.

Homeostasis

The immune system function where cells remain uniform and the body maintains 'self-tolerance' by recognizing 'self' vs 'non-self' substances.

Surveillance

The immune system function of recognizing unique proteins on cell surfaces to identify and destroy mutations as they arise.

Innate Immunity

The type of immunity that is present at birth and provides a non-specific response to invasion.

Natural active immunity

The most effective and longest-lasting form of acquired immunity, resulting from natural disease exposure such as chicken-pox.

Artificial active immunity

A form of acquired immunity developed via vaccination that usually requires a booster for continued protection.

Passive acquired immunity

Immediate short-term protection provided by the transfer of antibodies, such as across the placenta or through immunoglobulin injection.

T lymphocytes

Cells responsible for cellular immunity; they include Helper T cells, Cytotoxic T cells, and Natural Killer cells.

B lymphocytes

Cells responsible for humoral (antibody) immunity; they include memory cells and provide a rapid response.

Humoral immunity

An antibody-mediated primary immune response that occurs $4-8$ days following exposure to an antigen.

Neutrophils

The first white blood cells to arrive at a site of injury (within $6-12$ hours) to phagocytize bacteria; they have a short life span of $24-48$ hours.

Monocytes

The second phagocytic cells to arrive at an injury site ($3-7$ days); they transform into macrophages to assist in long-term cleanup.

Shift to the Left

An increase in the number of bands (immature neutrophils), commonly seen in patients with acute infections.

Hypersensitivity

An excessive response to the presence of an antigen to which a client has been previously exposed, potentially resulting in tissue damage.

Type I Hypersensitivity

A rapid IgE-mediated reaction involving increased IgE production; examples include allergies, latex allergy, and anaphylaxis.

Type II Hypersensitivity

A cytotoxic reaction where autoantibodies are directed at self-cells, such as in hemolytic transfusion reactions.

Type III Hypersensitivity

An immune complex-mediated reaction where complexes deposit in small blood vessels, seen in Rheumatoid arthritis and SLE.

Type IV Hypersensitivity

A delayed hypersensitivity reaction where sensitized T-lymphocytes respond to an antigen hours or days after exposure, such as a positive PPD test or poison ivy.

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE)

A chronic, progressive, inflammatory connective tissue disease that can result in major organ failure and is characterized by a "butterfly" rash.

Gout

A condition where urate crystals deposit in joints and tissues, causing inflammation; often triggered by a lack of uricase or high intake of purines.

Tophi

Urate crystals that develop under the skin and in major organs like the kidneys after years of untreated gout.

Lyme Disease

An infection caused by a deer tick bite releasing a spirochete; characterized by a "bulls-eye" rash and treated with oral antibiotics.

Fibromyalgia

A chronic central pain syndrome marked by widespread non-articular MSK pain, fatigue, and abnormal central processing of nociceptive pain input.

HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus)

A retrovirus that infects cells with CD4+ receptors by forcing the host cell to use viral RNA as a pattern to make complementary DNA.

AIDS

A stage of HIV infection meeting CDC criteria and characterized by opportunistic diseases such as Candida (thrush) or Pneumocystis pneumonia.