ch. 5 immune systems disease & disorders

human disease etiology spring '25

Individual born with weak immune system

Primary Immune deficiency

Individual gets a disease that weakens their immune system

Acquired Immune deficiency

Individual has an immune system that attacks them

Autoimmune disease

An immune system that is too active may happen with…

an allergic reaction

Anatomy & Physiology of the Immune System

Site of maturation of T-cells

Thymus Gland

Anatomy & Physiology of the Immune System

Immune cell “academy” (where they are made)

Bone Marrow

Anatomy & Physiology of the Immune System

Immune cell “command center” (where they gather and plan to respond to “sites”)

Lymph Nodes

Anatomy & Physiology of the Immune System

Stores and filters blood, produces WBCs

Spleen

Anatomy & Physiology of the Immune System

Detox center

Liver

Anatomy & Physiology of the Immune System

one of the first structures to detect and “trap” pathogens when entering the body

Tonsils

Anatomy & Physiology of the Immune System

1st line of defense

Specific: Block Entry

Anatomy & Physiology of the Immune System

2nd line of defense

Specific: Fight local infections

Anatomy & Physiology of the Immune System

3rd line of defense

Specific: Combat major infections

Anatomy & Physiology of Immune System

Nonspecific Immune responses

• Inflammation

• Phagocytosis

• Physical Barriers (skin & mucous membranes)

• Chemical barriers (acids & other secretions)

• First line of defense (blocking entry)

** Stem cells are made in the bone marrow and then develop into specific cell types

Types of immunity

Antibodies are produced by the body by itself and develop memory cells

Active Immunity

Types of immunity

Antibodies are acquired by another source, memory cells are not developed

Passive Immunity

Having the disease

Active Natural immunity

Receiving the vaccination

Active Artificial Immunity

Antibodies produced by the body itself or received from maternal-fetus transmission

Passive Natural Immunity

Injection of antibodies

Passive artificial Immunity

Types of Immune Disorders

Exaggerated immune reactions to foreign antigens

Hypersensitivity

examples: allergies, asthma

Types of Immune Disorders

Immune systems attacks the body’s own cells, tissues, and organs leading to inflammation and damage

Autoimmune

examples: lupus, rheumatoid arthritis

Types of Immune Disorders

Pregnant person’s blood is incompatible with the fetus’ blood, causing the mother’s immune system to attack the fetus’ blood cells

Isoimmune

examples: Rh factor antibodies

Types of Immune disorders

Body’s immune response is reduced or absent

Immune deficiency

examples: hiv (aids)

Hypersensitivity Disorders

Allergies

Immune system’s response to a substance

symptoms:

• elevated eosinophil count

• redness, heat, swelling, and itching

• runny nose, coughing, sneezing, wheezing, and nasal congestion

Hypersensitivity Disorders

Hay Fever

Reaction to allergen in mucous membranes of nose and upper respiratory tract

Causes may be seasonal or nonseasonal

symptoms:

• sneezing

• watery eyes

• runny nose

• itching

Hypersensitivity Disorders

Asthma

Airways of the lungs swell and become narrow

the chest becomes “tight” and shortness of breath is present

symptoms:

• extreme SOB

• difficulty breathing

• anxiety

Can only be controlled, NOT cured

Hypersensitivity Disorders

Anaphylaxis

Life threatening reaction/ allergic response to allergen

symptoms:

• swelling

• drop in blood pressure

Hypersensitivity Disorders

Contact dermatitis

Acute or chronic allergic skin reactions. Not contagious

symptoms:

• itchy

• uncomfortable

Autoimmune Disorders

Rheumatic Fever

Follows group A strep infection. Happens 1 to 4 weeks after strep infection

** can cause permanent heart damage, including damaged heart valves and failure

Autoimmune Disorders

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Body’s immune system mistakenly attacks the lining of its joint, causing inflammation, pain, and potential joint damage

symptoms:

• fever

• joint pain

Autoimmune Disorders

Lupus Erythematosus

Disease that attacks its own tissues, which cause widespread inflammation and tissue damage leading to organ damage

** Considered “Systemic” if it effects all systems, not just skin

Autoimmune Disorders

Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus

Chronic skin condition of sores w. inflammation and scarring

** limited to skin

Autoimmune Disorders

Myasthenia Gravis

Chronic. Antibodies destroy the communication btwn nerves and muscle, resulting in weakness of the skeletal muscles

immune system attacks Acetochylyne channel

symptoms: 

• double vision

• drooping eyelids

• difficulty swallowing

• difficulty talking

Autoimmune Disorders

Scleroderma

Group of rare diseases that involve hardening and tightening of the skin. Can cause problems in the blood vessels, internal organs, and digestive tract.

symptoms:

• joint contractures

• paleness of fingers

• thick, leather-like, taut skin

Isoimmune Disorders

Blood transfusion reaction

symptoms:

• chills

• shivering

• fever

Blood types

Has A antigens on the surface of RBCs and anti-B antibodies in the plasma

Type A Blood

Blood types

Has B antigens on the surface of RBCs and anti-A antibodies in the plasma

Type B blood

Blood types

Has both A & B on the surface of RBCs and NO anti-A & anti-B antibodies in the plasma

Type AB blood

Blood types

Has no A or B antigens on the surface of RBCs but has BOTH anti-A & anti-B antibodies in the plasma

Type O blood

Isoimmune Disorders

Erythroblastosis Fetalis

Mother’s antibodies attack and destroy antigen on baby’s RBCs

** develops when mother is Rh(-) and baby is Rh(+)

Immune Deficiency Disorders can be

Congenital, genetic disorder, or acquired

Immune Deficiency Disorders

AIDs

Eradicates individual’s lymphocytes

spreads by: sexual intercourse, sharing of hypodermic needles, in utero from infected mother to unborn baby

Late stage AIDs

T-cell count drops below 200 cells per microliter