Anatomy and Physiology

OrgansThymus glandBone marrowLymph nodesSpleen LiverTonsils

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Anatomy and Physiology

Types of ImmunityActive naturalActive artificial Passive natural Passive artificial

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Common Signs and Symptoms Symptoms varied and related to factors

such as:Immunodeficiency - lack of immunityAutoimmune - immunity against selfIsoimmune - immunity against other humans

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Diagnostic Testing

Skin tests Desensitization Blood count Coombs’ test ANA, RF

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Hypersensitivity Disorders Allergies

Examples - hay fever, asthmaCommon reactions - urticaria and contact

dermatitis

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Hypersensitivity Disorders Allergies

Symptoms:○ Elevated eosinophil count○ Redness, heat, swelling, itching○ Runny nose, cough, sneezing, wheezing,

nasal congestion

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Hypersensitivity Disorders Hay fever

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

Symptoms - sneezing, watery eyes, runny nose, itching

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Hypersensitivity Disorders Hay fever

Causes of seasonal - tree pollen, grasses, ragweed pollen, agricultural crops

Causes of nonseasonal - dust mites, pet dander, food allergies

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Hypersensitivity Disorders Treatment

Removal of allergenAir-conditioned environment or move to

different climateAntihistaminesAllergy desensitization

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Hypersensitivity Disorders

AsthmaAka bronchial asthmaSymptoms:

○ Extreme shortness of breath○ Difficulty breathing○ Wheezing, anxiety, cough

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Hypersensitivity Disorders

AsthmaTreatment:

○ Avoidance of causative allergens○ Desensitization○ Education○ Medication

No cure but can be controlled

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Hypersensitivity Disorders Anaphylaxis

Severe allergic response to an allergenCommon causes - antibiotics, anesthetics,

codeine, insulin, vaccines, foods, pollens, latex, etc.

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Hypersensitivity Disorders Anaphylaxis

May be mild to life threateningSymptoms:

○ Itching of throat, tongue, and scalp○ Edema of face and airways leading to difficulty

breathing

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Hypersensitivity Disorders Treatment

Emergency tracheostomyEpinephrineCorticosteroidsAntihistamines

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Hypersensitivity Disorders Food Allergies

Chocolate and shellfish are common Symptoms:

○ Cramping○ Diarrhea○ Vomiting

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Contact Dermatitis

Acute or chronic allergic skin reaction Causes - cosmetics, laundry products,

plants, jewelry, paint, drugs Common example - poison ivy

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Autoimmune Disorders

Rheumatic FeverFollows group A strep infectionOccurs 1 to 4 weeks after strep infection;

onset is either sudden or gradualSymptoms: fever, malaise, joint painAccurate diagnosis of strep infections best

preventive measure

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Autoimmune Disorders

Rheumatoid ArthritisAbnormal antibody that attacks or attaches

to body’s own cells and tissuesAntibody called rheumatoid factor (RF) in

blood is indicative of diseaseClassic sign is ulnar deviationProgressive disease

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Autoimmune Disorders

Rheumatoid ArthritisTreatment

○ Anti-inflammatory medications○ Analgesics○ Exercise and rest routine○ Corticosteroids short term○ Surgical joint replacement

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Autoimmune Disorders

Myasthenia GravisOnset is slowSymptoms

○ Diplopia○ Ptosis○ Dysphagia

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Autoimmune Disorders

Myasthenia GravisSymptoms

○ Dysphonia○ Difficulty with facial expressions○ Fatigue

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Autoimmune Disorders

Myasthenia GravisPeriods of remission and exacerbationTreatment

○ Mestinon○ Plasma exchange

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Autoimmune Disorders

Type 1 Diabetes MellitusFormerly known as insulin-dependent

diabetes mellitus Alters carbohydrate or sugar metabolismTriggered by viral infections such as rubella,

mumps, and influenza

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Lupus Erythematosus

Two types - cutaneous (discoid) and systemic (diffuse)

Cutaneous is limited to the skin Systemic affects multiple systems Symptoms of SLE:

Butterfly rash, joint pain, fever, weight loss

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Autoimmune Disorders

Systemic Erythematosus SLE is chronic with remissions and

exacerbations

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Autoimmune Disorders

Systemic Erythematosus Treatment is symptomatic:

NSAIDSAntipyreticsAnalgesicsCorticosteroids

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Autoimmune Disorder

SclerodermaHardening, thickening, and shrinking of

connective tissues, including the skin

Periods of exacerbation and remission Symptoms

Thick, leather-like shiny taut skin, joint contractures, Raynaud’s phenomenon

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Testing for Infection

SymptomsFeverTachycardiaMalaiseLeukocytosisSepticemia

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Testing for Infection

TestsCultureSensitivityAntigen-antibody reactive testSerologic testingSkin testing

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Autoimmune Disorders

No cure or treatment May use antibiotics, immunosuppressive

and anti-inflammatory Muscle stretching and strengthening

exercises may be beneficial

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Isoimmune Disorders

Blood Transfusion Reaction Type of tissue transplant Type O is universal blood donor Type AB is the universal recipient Symptoms of transfusion

Chills, shivering, fever

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Isoimmune Disorders

Erythroblastosis FetalisMother’s antibodies attack and destroy

antigen on baby’s RBCs, ultimately causing death

Usually no problem with first baby of Rh negative mother and Rh positive baby

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Isoimmune Disorders

Erythroblastosis FetalisCondition only affects Rh positive babies

carried by Rh negative mothers

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Isoimmune Disorders

Erythroblastosis FetalisTreatment is transfusion of baby’s blood at

birthRhoGAM has halted this condition RhoGAM is given prophylactically after

delivery of first fetus

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Organ Rejection

Human immune system attacks transplanted tissue

More closely matched donor decreases chance of rejection

Acute rejection occurs early Chronic rejection occurs over longer

period

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Immune Deficiency Disorders

Inability of immune system to protect individual against disease

Congenital, genetic disorder, or acquired Causes include:

Bone marrow suppression from chemotherapy and radiation

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Immune Deficiency Disorders Causes include:

Medications given to organ transplant recipients

AIDS

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Immune Deficiency Disorders Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome

(AIDS)Human immunodeficiency virusEradicates individual’s lymphocytes

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Immune Deficiency Disorders Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome

(AIDS)Stages:

○ Acute infection○ Asymptomatic HIV○ Symptomatic HIV

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Immune Deficiency Disorders Advanced HIV

Anti-viral medications such as AZT may slow HIV replication and disease progress

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Immune Deficiency Disorders Transmission of AIDS

Intimate contact and sharing body fluidsVirus must enter bloodstream to cause

infection

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Immune Deficiency Disorders Transmission of AIDS

Misconceptions about transmission:○ Cannot get from toilet seats, doorknobs,

furniture, water fountains, social kissing, coughing, or sneezing

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Immune Deficiency Disorders

Three ways AIDS is primarily spread Sexual intercourseSharing of hypodermic needlesIn utero from infected mother to unborn

baby

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Immune Deficiency Disorders Rare Diseases

Severe Combined Immunodeficiency Disease

Group of inherited disorders that cause partial or complete dysfunction of immune system

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