When Our Immune System When Our Immune System Breaks Down Breaks Down Immunopathology Immunopathology
Jan 04, 2016
Our bodies are constantly Our bodies are constantly at war, under assault 24-at war, under assault 24-
hours a day from infection hours a day from infection and toxins.and toxins.
-a network of -a network of chemicals & chemicals & cells that cells that protect the protect the body.body.
That we survive That we survive at all, is due to at all, is due to our immune our immune system, system,
Primary organs of Primary organs of immune system:immune system:
•Thymus glandThymus gland
•Bone marrowBone marrow
Secondary organs of Secondary organs of immune system:immune system:
•Lymph nodesLymph nodes
•SpleenSpleen
•Tonsils & Tonsils & AdenoidsAdenoids
Main Job of the Immune Main Job of the Immune SystemSystem
•Protects body from invasion of organisms
•Protects body from own cells which may develop incorrectly and cause harm to the fine balance of the body's systems
Major cells of immune Major cells of immune system:system:
Leukocytes:
1. Polymorphonuclear leukocytes (granulocytes) - active in inflammatory process
2. Monocytes & Macrophages - engulf and eat pathogens 7 foreign substances
3. Lymphocytes - B & T lymphocytes
•trauma
•as result of infection on surface invading microorganisms invading microorganisms can enter body, blood can enter body, blood stream & lymphatic stream & lymphatic system.system.
If physical & chemical If physical & chemical barrier is broken down barrier is broken down by:by:
Inside the body, pathogens can Inside the body, pathogens can find a niche in body tissue to find a niche in body tissue to multiply and form a colony.multiply and form a colony.
Normally our bodies Normally our bodies are fit enough to fight are fit enough to fight an infection with all an infection with all
the parts of our the parts of our immune system.immune system.
•Antibiotics are chemicals Antibiotics are chemicals developed to help us in the developed to help us in the fight infection. fight infection.
•They also reduce risk of They also reduce risk of death if immune system is death if immune system is unsuccessful.unsuccessful.
•Antibiotics reduce risk of Antibiotics reduce risk of tissue damage while tissue damage while immune system fights off immune system fights off infection. infection.
The argument has been made The argument has been made that antibiotics are over that antibiotics are over
prescribed.prescribed.
For minor For minor infections with low infections with low
risks we should risks we should wait for the body's wait for the body's
own defenses.own defenses.
These usually prevent other These usually prevent other more dangerous bugs from more dangerous bugs from spreading.spreading.
There is a protective effect of There is a protective effect of normal microorganisms which normal microorganisms which live on skin & mucosal live on skin & mucosal membranes.membranes.
•as well as killing off the as well as killing off the harmful bacteria causing the harmful bacteria causing the infection,infection,
•some of the good resident some of the good resident microbes will die, leaving an microbes will die, leaving an opportunity for others to opportunity for others to grow.grow.
•If for example you have a If for example you have a course of antibiotics for an course of antibiotics for an infection…infection…
A good example of an A good example of an opportunistic infection: opportunistic infection: thrushthrush
or or candidacandida
Note white fungal patches under Note white fungal patches under tonguetongue
After using antibiotics, fungi After using antibiotics, fungi get a chance to multiply.get a chance to multiply.
This yeast-like fungus normally This yeast-like fungus normally lives on skin, in gut & vagina lives on skin, in gut & vagina
in small, well-controlled in small, well-controlled numbers.numbers.
Hypersensitivity-contact Hypersensitivity-contact dermatitisdermatitis
http://tray.dermatology.uiowa.edu/ImageBase.html
Poison Ivy DermatitisPoison Ivy Dermatitis
http://health.discovery.com/diseasesandcond/encyclopedia/132.html
Allergic WeltsAllergic Welts
http://www.dermatest.de/PB/Publikationen/PBEN/Allergic_skin_reactions/body_allergic_skin_reactions.html
allergic rhinitis nose ruballergic rhinitis nose rub
Allergic RhinitisAllergic Rhinitis
http://www.emedicine.com/PED/topic2560.htm
““allergic shiners” as result allergic shiners” as result of allergic rhinitisof allergic rhinitis
http://www.emedicine.com/PED/topic2560.htm
AnaphalaxisAnaphalaxis
•Hypersensitivity reaction in which antibody on mast cells quickly reacts with an antigen.
•Mast cells release histamine & other mediators that lead to edema.
acute laryngeal edema due to acute laryngeal edema due to anaphylactic reaction to anaphylactic reaction to
penicillinpenicillin
http://www-medlib.med.utah.edu/WebPath/IMMHTML/IMM030.html
patient with sclerodermapatient with scleroderma
note taunt skin and scaring at note taunt skin and scaring at corners of mouthcorners of mouth
http://www-medlib.med.utah.edu/WebPath/IMMHTML/IMM024.html
Sclerodactyly as result of Sclerodactyly as result of sclerodermascleroderma
http://www.dermis.net/doia/diagnose.asp?zugr=d&lang=e&diagnr=710110&topic=t
Lupus Lupus
““butterfly butterfly rash”rash”
http://www-medlib.med.utah.edu/WebPath/IMMHTML/IMM009.html
Another lupus “butterfly Another lupus “butterfly rash”rash”
Also called “malar rash”Also called “malar rash”
Myasthenia Myasthenia gravisgravis
Three different Three different serial pictures serial pictures demonstrate demonstrate
fatigue of eyelid fatigue of eyelid muscles as muscles as
patient keeps patient keeps looking up.looking up.
http://www.methodisthealth.com/health/nervsystem/Myasgrav.htm
X-ray rheumatoid X-ray rheumatoid arthritisarthritis
http://www.vh.org/adult/provider/radiology/icmrad/skeletal/Parts/RAHands.html
Jaundice of sclera from Jaundice of sclera from auto auto immune diseaseimmune disease ---- primary biliary primary biliary
cirrhosiscirrhosis
Kaposi’s Sarcoma-Kaposi’s Sarcoma-roof of roof of mouthmouth
http://www.maxillofacialcenter.com/BondBook/softtissue/kaposi.html
Kaposi’s SarcomaKaposi’s Sarcoma
http://pathsrvr.rockford.uic.edu/inet/Immune%20Disorders/Immune%20Disorders%20Station%203.htm
SummarySummary
Immune system consists Immune system consists of:of:
•Thymus glandThymus gland
•Bone marrowBone marrow
•Lymph nodesLymph nodes
Malfunctioning or Malfunctioning or compromised immune compromised immune systems:systems:•Leave the body with Leave the body with weakened defenses weakened defenses against pathogens and against pathogens and opportunistic microbesopportunistic microbes
Primary disorders of Primary disorders of immune system are immune system are
categorized as:categorized as:1.1.Hypersensitivity Hypersensitivity
disordersdisorders (allergy, (allergy, autoimmune)autoimmune)
2.2.Immune deficiency Immune deficiency disorders disorders (congenital (congenital immunodeficiency, AIDS)immunodeficiency, AIDS)