Friday April 16,1999
Announcements:

Lecture notes:

The literal translation of vaccination is "encowment".

Vaccination is Active Acquired Immunity. An antigen is introduced into the body. (injected, inhaled or swallowed) These antigens provoke production of memory lymphocytes.

Vaccines are preparations made from killed or weakened (attenuated) bacteria or virus. (influenza vaccine, polio vaccine)

Toxoids are preparations made from weakened toxins produced by bacteria. (tetanus, diphtheria)

Some vaccination require a "booster" dose(s) to life the number of antibodies to the level needed to prevent the disease altogether.

New vaccines use genetic engineering techniques. (Hepatitis B)

Tetanus/diphtheria toxiod - every 10 years.

Measles

Rubella (German measles) especially females.

Mumps - especially males

Special Populations:

Influenza for those over 65 or with chronic diseases.

Rabies for veterinarians and animal handlers.

Anthrax for those who handle imported animal hides, wool, hair.

***Women should consult with a physician about which vaccines they can have if they suspect they are pregnant.***

In some people, the body makes antibodies to harmless substances such as pollen and animal dander.

The antibodies made are the type IgE. These are suspected of mounting a response to parasitic worms also.

IgE antibodies, when formed, bind to mast cells and basophils rather than binding to foreign invaders.

When the allergen binds to the antibody on the mast cell, this triggers the release of histamine and prostaglandins - both involved in the inflammation process.

This causes the symptoms of allergies: the symptoms depend on where the histamine is released.

There are many new treatments for allergies that have fewer side effects.

The immune system turns against its own cells in autoimmune disease.

There are over 45 autoimmune diseases. They occur after puberty usually.

Autoimmune diseases are present in about 6-8% of the population.

Research on these diseases is in the early stages. Early results indicate:

Most people with a particular autoimmune disease have a particular MHC Type.

(Major Histocompatibility Complex) MHC proteins are also sometimes called HLA for Human Leukocyte Antigen.

There is also suspicion that the autoimmune response is sometimes triggered by a viral infection.

Examples: some types for diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, myasthenia gravis, lupus erythmatosus.

These problems occur when there is something missing, deficient or a mistake in the immune system.

"Congenital" - present at birth. The missing or incorrect part determines the resultnat problem.

Examples: X-linked agammaglobinemia (incapable of making lgG antibodies)

DiGeorge Syndrome - no thymus at birth

Combined immunodeficiency disease.

Acquired - the immune system has been damaged or compromised.

Examples: Transplant recipients who are on drugs to suppress the immune system.

Cancer patients on radiation or chemotherapy, which also suppresses the immune system.

AIDS