immunology

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)

Chronic autoimmune disease with production of autoantibodies against nuclear antigens causing multi-organ inflammation including skin rash arthritis nephritis and hematologic abnormalities. Treatment includes corticosteroids immunosuppressants and biologics

Rheumatoid arthritis

Autoimmune disorder targeting synovial joints causing chronic symmetric polyarthritis joint deformity and systemic symptoms. Managed with NSAIDs DMARDs and biologics

Sjogren’s syndrome

Autoimmune destruction of lacrimal and salivary glands causing dry eyes (keratoconjunctivitis sicca) and dry mouth (xerostomia). Treatment focuses on symptomatic relief and immunosuppression

Multiple sclerosis

Autoimmune demyelinating disease of central nervous system causing weakness sensory disturbances and visual problems. Managed with immunomodulatory therapies and symptom control

Myasthenia gravis

Autoantibodies against acetylcholine receptors at neuromuscular junction causing fluctuating muscle weakness and fatigue. Treated with acetylcholinesterase inhibitors immunosuppressants and thymectomy

Graves’ disease

Autoimmune hyperthyroidism due to thyroid-stimulating immunoglobulins causing goiter ophthalmopathy and hypermetabolic symptoms. Treated with antithyroid drugs radioactive iodine or surgery

Hashimoto’s thyroiditis

Autoimmune hypothyroidism with lymphocytic infiltration of thyroid causing fatigue weight gain and cold intolerance. Managed with thyroid hormone replacement

Goodpasture syndrome

Autoimmune disease with anti-glomerular basement membrane antibodies causing pulmonary hemorrhage and rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis. Treated with plasmapheresis and immunosuppression

Wegener’s granulomatosis

ANCA-associated vasculitis causing granulomatous inflammation of respiratory tract and necrotizing glomerulonephritis. Treated with immunosuppressants and corticosteroids

Polyarteritis nodosa

Necrotizing vasculitis of medium-sized arteries causing systemic symptoms skin lesions renal infarcts and neuropathy. Managed with corticosteroids and immunosuppressants

Ankylosing spondylitis

Chronic inflammatory arthritis affecting spine and sacroiliac joints causing back pain and stiffness. Managed with NSAIDs and biologics

Sarcoidosis

Multisystem granulomatous disease with noncaseating granulomas affecting lungs lymph nodes and skin. Often self-limited treatment may include corticosteroids

Type 1 diabetes mellitus

Autoimmune destruction of pancreatic beta cells leading to insulin deficiency hyperglycemia and ketoacidosis. Managed with insulin therapy

Celiac disease

Autoimmune intolerance to gluten causing villous atrophy and malabsorption diarrhea and weight loss. Managed with gluten-free diet

Pernicious anemia

Autoimmune destruction of gastric parietal cells leading to vitamin B12 deficiency and megaloblastic anemia. Treated with B12 supplementation

Churg-Strauss syndrome

ANCA-associated vasculitis with asthma eosinophilia and systemic vasculitis. Treated with corticosteroids and immunosuppressants

Mixed connective tissue disease

Overlap syndrome with features of SLE scleroderma and polymyositis presenting with Raynaud’s phenomenon and arthritis. Managed with immunosuppressants

Dermatomyositis

Autoimmune inflammatory myopathy causing muscle weakness and characteristic heliotrope rash. Treated with corticosteroids and immunosuppressants

Polymyositis

Inflammatory myopathy causing proximal muscle weakness without rash. Managed with corticosteroids and immunosuppressants

IgA nephropathy

Autoimmune glomerulonephritis caused by IgA deposition in mesangium causing hematuria and proteinuria. Supportive treatment and immunosuppression in severe cases

Kawasaki disease

Acute vasculitis of children causing fever conjunctivitis strawberry tongue and risk of coronary artery aneurysms. Treated with IVIG and aspirin

Behcet’s disease

Chronic inflammatory disorder causing recurrent oral and genital ulcers uveitis and vasculitis. Managed with immunosuppressants

Pemphigus vulgaris

Autoimmune blistering disease caused by antibodies against desmoglein leading to skin and mucosal erosions. Treated with corticosteroids and immunosuppressants

Bullous pemphigoid

Autoimmune blistering disease with antibodies against hemidesmosomes causing tense blisters primarily in elderly. Managed with corticosteroids

Allergic contact dermatitis

Type IV hypersensitivity reaction causing pruritic rash after exposure to allergens. Treated with avoidance and topical steroids

Anaphylaxis

Severe systemic allergic reaction causing airway obstruction hypotension and shock. Treated with epinephrine and supportive care

Chronic granulomatous disease

Genetic defect in NADPH oxidase causing impaired phagocyte oxidative burst leading to recurrent bacterial and fungal infections. Managed with antibiotics and interferon gamma

Severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID)

Genetic defect causing absent T and B cell function leading to severe infections in infancy. Treated with bone marrow transplantation

Common variable immunodeficiency (CVID)

Heterogeneous group of disorders with low immunoglobulins causing recurrent bacterial infections and increased lymphoma risk. Managed with immunoglobulin replacement

Leukocyte adhesion deficiency

Defect in leukocyte integrins causing impaired migration leading to recurrent infections and poor wound healing. Managed with antibiotics and bone marrow transplantation

Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome

X-linked immunodeficiency with eczema thrombocytopenia and recurrent infections. Managed with supportive care and bone marrow transplantation

X-linked agammaglobulinemia

Defect in BTK gene causing absent B cells and low immunoglobulins leading to recurrent bacterial infections. Treated with immunoglobulin replacement

Hyper IgM syndrome

Defect in CD40L causing impaired class switching and susceptibility to infections. Managed with immunoglobulin therapy

Selective IgA deficiency

Most common primary immunodeficiency causing recurrent mucosal infections and allergies. Treatment is supportive

Hereditary angioedema

Deficiency of C1 esterase inhibitor causing episodic angioedema without urticaria. Treated with C1 inhibitor concentrate and supportive care

Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP)

Autoimmune platelet destruction causing bleeding and petechiae. Treated with steroids and IVI