Pathophysiology

Pathophysiology Study Guide

©2018 of 131 to develop a reaction between antigens and T-cells are as long as a day or more. One of the major symptoms of this hypersensitivity is the development of infection allergies. For instance, in a tuberculin skin test, superficial application of the purified protein derivative (PPD) of Mycobacterium tuberculosis is done. After the lapse of one or two days, the reaction on the skin takes place if the person experienced any previous episode of tuberculosis. Immunization/Vaccination Immunization is a process whereby the person is administered vaccines that help to make the immune system resistant to various infectious diseases. Active Vaccination Active immunization helps to prevent the occurrence of any infections and diseases. These vaccinations activate the process that produces antibodies useful to combat infectious. These antibodies last for a longer period. This immunity stimulates the immune system of the body into action and takes a few hours to become activated. Passive Vaccination Passive immunization does not encourage the production of inbuilt antibodies but contains a high concentration of specific antibodies, which are received and processed from a donor. These vaccinations are generally given to children or adults who have weak immune systems and are generally injected against specific infectious agents. These vaccines are given directly in the vein. These are also given to people who were not given active vaccines earlier and now the individual is exposed to the respective disease. For instance, if any wild animal bites a child, passive rabies vaccination is given. If a person intends to travel to a certain part of the world where hepatitis A is common, then passive immunization for hepatitis A is administered. Generally, passive vaccinations are less preferred as compared to active vaccines, as passive vaccines provide protection only for a short period after which these injected antibodies are worn off and removed from the blood. Immunomodulating Agents or Adjuvants An immunomodulating agent is defined as a biological therapeutic agent that helps stimulate the immune system by producing antibodies, like cytokines. Immunomodulatory drugs are often used to treat different types of inflammatory, autoimmune, and neoplastic diseases. These drugs constitute the antiangiogenic and the co-stimulatory properties of the T-lymphocyte cells. The function of these drugs is to regulate inflammatory cytokines, modulate the functions of T- lymphocyte cells of the immune system, and regulate the adhesion protein reception expression. Common examples of immunomodulating agents include Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) and Levamisole. BCG is the vaccine administered for treating superficial cancer of the bladder, while Levamisole acts as an adjuvant therapy for curing colorectal cancer. Immunotherapy Immunotherapy refers to the treatment of a disease by way of induction, enhancement, or Achieve Page 35