Module 2.1 and 2.

2: Intro to Immunology and Serology

Immunology
 The study concern with the processes by which
all living organism defends themselves against
infection.
 This is the study of our immune system that
protects our body from foreign invaders.
 This is the study of host reaction when foreign
antigens are introduced to the body.
Antigens
 short term for Antibody generators.
 Foreign substances that induce a host
response.
Immunity
 Condition of being resistant to infection.
WHEN TO USE SEROLOGY:
1. Unable to culture infectious agents
2. Confirmation of etiologic agent
identification (ID)
3. Diagnosis of immunologically related
disorder
4. Determine the immune status
HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE
1500 AD
 Chinese practice where children were
compelled to inhale a powder – a process
known as insufflation – made from a crust
of lesions from individuals recovering from
smallpox.
 15th century – powdered smallpox “crusts”
were inserted with a pin into the skin.
 Variolation carried out by inserting or
rubbing the powdered smallpox scabs or
fluid from pustules into superficial scratches
made in the skin.
MODULE 2.5: THE LYMPHOID SYSTEM
Lymphoid System
 Composed of two parts: Primary and secondary
lymphoid organs.
Lymphatic System
 Involves lymphatic vessels, capillaries, lymph
Bone Marrow
 Hematopoietic stem cells/parent cells are
produced.
 Center for antigen-independent lymphopoiesis
Thymus
 Found in the thorax or chest cavity
 Right below the thyroid gland
 Overlying the heart
 Undergoes atrophy – decrease in size
 First presume in life and produces virgin T-
lymphocytes in the entire system
 Although thymus diminish or atrophy, it is still
capable of producing lymphocytes until at least
5th or 6th decade of life (50-60 yrs old)
Secondary Lymphoid Organs Functions:
1. Trapping site of pathogens
2. Standby areas of T-cells, B-cells, and phagocytes
3. Place of encounter for pathogens and the cells
4. Reduction of antibodies and lymphokines and
phagocytosis occur.
5. It is antigenic-dependent lymphopoiesis
Spleen
 Largest secondary organ
 Each day, adult blood volume passes through
the spleen approximately 4 times.
 Found in upper-left quadrant of the abdomen,
just below the diaphragm
2 MAIN TYPES OF SPLENIC TISSUE:
1. Red pulp – destroys RBCs
2. White pulp – arranged around arterioles in a
periarteriolar lymphoid sheath (PALS). This
sheath contains mainly T cells. Attached to the
sheath are primary follicles, which contain B
cells that are not yet stimulated by antigen.
Lymph nodes
 Transit time of fluids in lymph nodes are 18hrs.
 Swelling of lymph nodes – lymphadenopathy
(sign and symptoms or monkeypox virus)
 Lymph fluid – flows slowly through spaces
called sinuses, which are lined with
macrophages, creating an ideal location where
phagocytosis can take place.
Other Secondary Organs:
1. Mucosal associated lymphoid tissue (MALT)
o Tonsils
 Kidney - Glomerulonephritis
 Heart - Rheumatic Heart Fever
(RHF)
o Peyer’s patches within small intestine
o Vermiform appendix
 Fecaliths – can obstruct the
appendix, leading to
appendicitis. (Ex. Tomato seeds,
chili seeds)
2. Cutaneous (skin/epidermis) – associated
lymphoid tissue
o Intraepidermal lymphocytes
CLASSES OF LYMPHOCYTES
Location
T-cells
 Paracortical region (paracortex)
o It is between follicles and medulla
o Interior of secondary follicle is know as
germinal center because it is here that
blasts transformation of B-cells takes
places.
B-cells
 Cortical region (cortex)
o Specialized cells called follicular
dendritic cells are located here.
o It exhibits large number of receptors for
antibody and complement and hep to
capture antigen to present to T and B
cells.
Lymphokines – substance produced by lymphocytes
(Interferons)
T-cells
 Cell mediated immunity
 Viral and fungal infection
 End product: Cytokines
 Cytokines
o Regulates the function of lymphocytes
and other cells involve in immune
response.
 Rosette formation with SRBC (CD2)
B-cells
 Humoral immunity
 Bacterial infection
 End product: Antibodies
 Surface Immunoglobulins (IgM, IgD)
HIV attacks T-cells because it had CD4 markers
T-CELL DEVELOPMENT
1. Double negative thymocyte
 Early thymocytes lack CD4 and CD8 markers
 Always under the influence of Interleukin 7 –
critical for growth and differentiation
2. Double positive thymocyte
 Thymocytes expressed both CD4 and CD8
3. Single positive T-cells
 CD4 or CD8
 They are the survivor of selection that exhibit
only one type of marker
 It will migrate to the medulla
4. Activated T-cell
5. Sensitized T-cell

 Leukemia or problems in blood and

immunocompromised patients – LOW CD4
 To test for CD4 – specimen of choice is whole
blood EDTA (purple tube – 8 to 10 inversion)
 Interleukin 1 – responsible for fever