chapter 50 assessment of immune function

Copyright © 2010 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

Chapter 50

Assessment of Immune Function


Learning Objectives

• Describe the body’s general immune responses.• Discuss the stages of the immune response.• Differentiate between cellular and humoral immune

responses.• Describe the effects of selected variables on function of

the immune system.• Use assessment parameters for determining the status of

patients’ immune function.


Question

Is the following statement True or False?

Immunity refers to the body’s nonspecific protective response to an invading foreign agent or organism.


Answer

False

Immunity refers to the body’s specific, not nonspecific, protective response to an invading foreign agent or organism.


The Immune System• Immunity: the body’s specific protective response to

invading foreign agent or organism• Immunopathology: the study of diseases that result from

dysfunction the immune system • Immune disorders

– Autoimmunity– Hypersensitivity– Gammopathies– Immune deficiencies: primary and secondary


Central and Peripheral Lymphoid Organs


Development of Cells of the Immune System


Lymphocytes: B lymphocytes mature in the bone marrow; T lymphocytes mature in the thymus, where they also differentiate into cells with various functions


Immune Function• Natural immunity: nonspecific response to any foreign

invader – White blood cell action: release cell mediators such

as histamine, bradykinin, and prostaglandins, and engulf (phagocytize) foreign substances

– Inflammatory response– Physical barriers, such as intact skin, chemical

barriers, and acidic gastric secretions or enzymes in tars and saliva

• Acquired immunity: specific against a foreign antigen– Result of prior exposure to an antigen – Active or passive


Stages of Immune Response


Defenses• Phagocytic immune response• Humoral or antibody response• Cellular immune response


Question

Which leukocytes arrive at the inflammation site?A. BasophilsB. EosinophilsC. MonocytesD. Neutrophils


Answer

D

Neutrophils arrive first at a site where inflammation occurs.


Role of Antibodies• Agglutination of antigens• Opsonization• Promote release of vasoactive substances; activation of

complement system and phagocytosis• Act in concert with other components of the immune

system• Types of immunoglobulins: IgA, IgD, IgE,IgG, and IgM


Antigen-Antibody Binding


Cellular Immune Response• B lymphocytes: humoral immunity

– Produce antibodies or immunoglobulins• T lymphocytes: cellar immunity

– Attack invaders directly, secrete cytokines, and stimulate immune system responses

– Helper T cells– Cytotoxic T cells– Memory cells– Suppressor T cells (suppress immune response)


Non-T and Non-B Lymphocytes Involved in Immune Response • Null cells

– Destroy antigen coated with antibody• Natural killer cells

– Defend against microorganisms and some malignant cells


Complement Mediated Immune Responses


Variables That Effect Immune System Function

• Age and gender• Nutrition• Presence of conditions or disorders: cancer/neoplasm, chronic illness,

autoimmune disorders, surgery/trauma• Allergies• History of infection or immunization• Genetic factors• Lifestyle• Medications and transfusions• Pyschoneuroimmunologic factors


Tests to Evaluate Immune Function

• WBC count and differential• Bone marrow biopsy• Humoral and cellular immunity tests• Phagocytic cell function test• Complement component tests• Hypersensitivity tests• Specific antigen-antibody tests• HIV infection tests


Question

Is the following statement True or False?

Autoimmune disorders are more common in females than males.


Answer

True

Autoimmune disorders are more common in females than males.

chapter 50 assessment of immune function

Documents

immune system copyright

humoral immune responses

bodys general immune

nonspecific response

invading foreign agent

various functions copyright

salivaacquired immunity

inflammation site