Medterm Chapter 9

Immunology

The branch of medicine that diagnoses and treats immune conditions

Immunologists

Treat immunodeficiency disorders, autoimmune diseases, immune cancers, & allergies

Allergist

An immunologist who specializes in allergy treatment

Immune System

A network of cells, tissues, and organs that protect against pathogens

Pathogens

Include viruses, bacteria, toxins, fungi, and cancerous cells

Lymphocytes (White Blood Cells)

Carry out many immune functions; found in lymph nodes, tonsils, thymus gland, & spleen

Natural Immunity

Not specific to a particular pathogen; does not require prior exposure to the pathogen

Acquired Immunity

The body's response to a specific pathogen; 2 types (active + passive)

Active Acquired Immunity

Develops after exposure to a specific pathogen

Passive Acquired Immunity

The result of receiving a protective substance from another source

Adenoid/o

Adenoid

Immun/o

Protection Immunity

Lymph/o

Lymph

Lymphaden/o

Lymph Node

Lymphangi/o

Lymph Vessel

Path/o

Disease

Phag/o

Eating

Splen/o

Spleen

Thym/o

Thymus Gland

Tonsil/o

Tonsil

Cortic/o

Cortex

Cyt/o

Cell

System/o

System

-ar

Pertaining to

-atic

Pertaining to

-cyte

Cell

-ectasis

Dilated

-ectomy

Surgical Removal

-edema

Swelling

-gen

That which produces

-genic

Producing

-globulin

Protein

-gram

Record

-graphy

Process of recording

-iasis

Abnormal condition

-ic

Pertaining to

-ist

Specialist

-itis

Inflammation

-logist

One who studies

-logy

Study of

-malacia

Abnormal softening

-megaly

Enlarged

-oid

Resembling

-oma

Tumor/mass

-osis

Abnormal condition

-pathy

Disease

-pexy

Surgical fixation

-plasty

Surgical repair

-rrhaphy

To suture

-stasis

Stopping

-therapy

Treatment

-toxic

Poison

Anti-

Against

Auto-

Self

Mono-

1

Lymph Nodes

Small, roundish organs that house lymphocytes and other WBCs; located along the path of lymphatic vessels

Lymph

Clear, watery fluid that passes thru lymph nodes, the WBCs in the nodes remove pathogens & damaged cells

Tonsils

Protect the body from pathogens in air breathed & food eaten; 3 sets

What are the 3 sets of tonsils?

Palatine, Pharyngeal (Adenoids), Lingual; all three are contained in the throat

Thymus Gland

Essential for proper immune development early in life; located in mediastinum behind the sternum; begins to shrink during puberty & is replaced by connective tissue in adulthood

Spleen

Contains leukocytes that filter pathogens from the blood; these cells destroy worn-out RBCs; located in upper-left side of abdomen

Antibody

Some lymphocytes respond to the presence of an antigen by producing antibodies, molecules (not cells) that combine w/ antigens to form antigen-antibody complexes; these complexes prevent pathogens from being able to damage healthy cells & target the pathogens for phagocytosis

Antigen

A protein foreign to the body that produces an immune response; such as proteins present on the cell membrane of bacteria

Cytotoxic Cells

Cells capable of physically attacking & killing pathogens or diseased cells

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)

A retrovirus, invades the T cells, cells in the upper respiratory tract and CNS

AIDS-Related Complex

Early stage of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in which mild symptoms of infection are present; including lymphadenopathy, fatigue, fever, night sweats, weight loss, & diarrhea

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS)

Later stage of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection when the cells of the immune system lose their ability to fight off infection; patients become unable to resist opportunistic infections such as pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP) and Kaposi's sarcoma (KS)

Kaposi's Sarcoma (KS)

Type of skin cancer often seen in patients with AIDS; consists of brownish-purple papules that begin in skin & spread to internal organs

Allergy

Hypersensitivity to a common substance in the environment (such as pollen), to food, or to medication

Anaphylactic Shock

Life-threatening condition resulting from a severe allergic reaction causing cardiovascular and respiratory problems; may be triggered by some insect stings/bites, medications, or certain foods; also called anaphylaxis

Lymphedema

Localized minimal pitting fluid retention caused by a compromised lymphatic system, often after surgery or radiation therapy

Elephantiasis

Results from blockage of lymphatic vessels (due to filaria infection) that causes extreme tissue edema

Mononucleosis ("Kissing Disease")

Acute viral infection of lymphoid tissue with large number of abnormal WBCs circulating in bloodstream

Nosocomial Infection

An infection that is the result of hospital exposure; also called a healthcare-associated infection (HAI)

Opportunistic Infection

Infections seen in patients with compromised immune systems

Pneumocystic Pneumonia (PCP)

Opportunistic infection common immunodeficient persons; caused by fungus Pneumocystis jiroveci

Tonsilitis

Inflammation of the tonsils & adenoids; Common during the infancy and childhood; infections can be bacterial & viral

Staphylococcus (Staph)

Bacterial Infection; harmless on the skin but can cause infection of wounds, joints, or peritoneum

Streptococcus (Strep)

Bacterial Infection; Causes sore throats

Pneumococcus

Bacterial Infection; Causes pneumonia

Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA)

Bacterial Infection; resistant to antibiotics & occurs mostly in the hospitals (nosocomial infections)

Clostridium Difficile (C. diff)

Bacterial Infection; growing problem in healthcare facilities. After a broad-spectrum antibiotics such as clindamycin have destroyed normal gut flora, C. diff can takeover the gut and release toxins causing severe diarrhea & abnormal pain

Childhood Infections

Viral Infections; Measles, chickenpox, mumps

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndroms (SARS)

Viral Infections

Avian Influenza (Bird Flu)

Viral Infections

West Nile Virus (WNV)

Viral Infections; seasonal in North America, in summer & fall

Opportunistic Fungi

Fungal Infections; normally harmless but high susceptibility for immunocompromised

Pinworms

Parasitic Infections; common in america

Hives

Common name for the appearance of wheals during an allergic reaction

Urticaria

Severe itching associated with hives; usually seen in allergic reactions to food, stress, or medications

Inflammation

Tissue response to injury; characterized by redness, pain, swelling, & feeling hot to the touch

Immuno-deficiency

Having an immune system that is unable to respond properly to pathogens; also called immunocompromised

Splenomegaly

Enlarged spleen bc of an underline disorder; it can trap & store excessive number of blood cells & platelets

Ruptured Spleen

Common complication after a car accident; excessive bleeding can lead to dramatic fall in the blood pressure, which will require a splenectomy

Immunodeficiency Disorders

A deficient response of the immune system

Severed Combined Immunodeficiency (SCID)

Genetic condition of children born with a nonfunctioning immune system; characterized by absence of both T & B cells. Hence susceptible to opportunistic infections, often forced to live in sealed sterile rooms

Immunosuppresion

A common side effect of corticosteroids used in treatment to prevent transplant rejection and in chemotherapy treatment for cancer

Acquired Immunodeficiency

Results from acquired immunodeficiency syndroms (AIDS)

Autoimmune Disease

Disease resulting from the body's immune system attacking its own cells as if they were pathogens; examples include systemic lupus erythematosus & sarcoidosis

Sarcoidosis

Autoimmune disease with fibrous lesions forming in the lymph nodes, liver, skin, lungs, spleen, eyes, & small bones of the hands & feet