Immunology

Hypersensitivity is classified into five types-

► 1. Anaphylaxis

► 2. Antibody dependant cytotoxicity

► 3. Immune complex mediated diseases

► 4. Delayed type ‘o’ cell mediated hypersensitivity

► 5. Stimulatory hypersensitivity

It is most rapid hypersensitive reaction. It responds within minutes of applying a stimulus and can get localize. Reactions are mediated by release of pharmacologically active substances.

The inflammatory response produced by inflammatory molecules result in tissue damage and some times even death. We call this as hypersensitivity or allergy.

We can recognize the Symptoms only days after exposure. This is delayed hypersensitivity (DTH).

It is a monoclonal immunoglobulin produced from a myeloma cell.

Antibody can bind to an antigen but cannot induce agglutination is called incomplete antibody.

The particles coated with immune complexes and are released from follicular dendritic cell extensions, are called as iccosomes.

Coombs and Gell

Opsonin is a substance, which promotes phagocytosis of antigens by binding to them.

Disease caused by immunological reaction to self-antigen. Such type of diseases is classified either organ specific or non-organ specific.

► Cytotoxic agents such as chlorambucil, cyclophosphamide, and azathioprine

► Glucocorticoids

► Cyclosporine

► Antilymphocyte antibodies

Immuno suppression is particularly given to the patients who are undergoing organ transplantation in the treatment of autoimmunity, graft rejection and in allergy conditions.

If humoral or cellular immunity is switch on to high for length of time, tissue damage may occur. Such reactions are called hypersensitive reactions.

► 1. Organic adjuvants

► 2. Synthetic adjuvants

► 3. Tuftsin

Adjuvant potentates the immune response Vaccines need to be enhanced by some substances, these substances are called adjuvants.

Vaccination means exploiting the immune system to protect against infectious diseases. Vaccination is done to protect against lethal diseases such as mumps, rubella, poliomyelitis, diphtheria, tetanus, small pox etc.

Natural behavior of an organism without causing disease is called attenuation i.e. reducing pathogenesity of the organism.

Secondary immune response occurs when second exposure to the same antigen occurs after weeks, months or after years.

After immunogen is introduced no antibody is detected, this is latent or inductive period. In this period, immunogen is recognized as a foreign substance.

First exposure to an antigen produces primary immune response.