MEDRADSC 1B03 - Autoimmune Diseases and Immunodeficiencies

autoimmune disease

leads to the production of antibodies which attack the individual's own tissue which leads to inflammation and necrosis

systemic lupus erythematosus

a chronic inflammatory disease which affects many systems

causes of lupus

genetic, hormonal and environmental factors

lupus - diagnostic tests

blood test

lupus - treatment

glucocorticoids and hydroxychloroquine

immunodeficiency

results from a loss of function of one or more components of the immune system

primary deficiency

basic developmental failure somewhere in the system

secondary deficiency

loss of immune response due to a specific cause

predispose of immunodeficiency

opportunistic disease

immunodeficiency - treatment

replacement therapy of antibodies, limited success with bone marrow and thymus transplants

HIV - characteristics

fragile and easily killed by chemical disinfection

HIV - transmission

transmission via blood, semen and vaginal secretions and small number of virus can be found in the saliva

HIV - process of development

HIV particles invade helper-T4 cells and infect others as well, which eventually leads to the destroying of helper-T4 cells which causes AIDS

HIV - process of infection

P1 - initial infection, flu-like symptoms, antibodies produced 2-10 weeks
P2 - latent period - helper-T4 cells are slowly destroyed. Gradually moves into active infection
P3 - AIDS - Acute - very low helper -T4 cells and body is prone to opportunistic diseases

examples of opportunistic diseases - AIDS

cancer, wasting syndrome and CNS involvement