MTY1201: PMLS 1

TOPIC 8.3: IMMUNOLOGY & SEROLOGY

GENERAL GUIDLINES elicit an immune response in

a host.
LEGEND FOR HEADERS  Example of his work: Cholera
• Elie Metchnikoff
MAIN TOPIC o 1883-1905
SUBTOPIC  Proposed Cellular Theory of
SUB-SUBTOPIC Immunity through
Phagocytosis
HISTORY  Phagocytosis – cell eating
• Origin – People thought that those
who had a certain disease became Immunology
immune to it.  The study of a host’s reactions
when foreign substances are
• 430 BC – Thucydides noted
introduced into the body.
individuals who got the “immune”
 The study of molecules, cells,
status from the plague.
organs and systems responsible
• 1000 AD – Chinese practiced
for the recognition and disposal
inhaling dried powders from of foreign (non-self) material
smallpox lesions.
 The study of the desirable and
• 15th Century – Powdered smallpox undesirable consequences of
crusts were inserted with a pin into immune reactions
the skin.  The study of the ways the
• Edward Jenner immune system can be
o 1798 – Edward Jenner advantageously manipulated to
discovered Smallpox vaccine. protect against or treat disease.
o Using Cowpox lesions, he
discovered “cross-immunity” Serology
o Cross-immunity is when you  A branch of immunology that
became immune to organis because focuses on the LABORATORY
you are infected to related organism detection and measurement of
• Louis Pasteur antigens and antibodies.
o Father of Immunology”
 Therapeutic Vaccination o What is an Antigen?
 First reported live attenuated ▪ Any foreign substance that induces
vaccine for Rabies. immune response.
o What is an Antibody?
 Because of attenuation, the
rabies virus is weakened. ▪ Protein (Immunoglobulin) produced by
Therefore, live attenuated Plasma Cells to neutralize antigens.
vaccine is not capable of ▪ The primary function is to protect
producing different amount of against microorganisms and toxins.
diseases ▪ 5 types: Immunoglobin (Ig) M, IgG,
 Attenuation – weakening a IgA, IgE, IgD
microbial agent but can still

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 Function of Immunology ▪ Purpose is to trap some
1. To recognize self from non-self. microorganisms
2. To defend the body against the non-self. ▪ Composed of fatty acids, it can kill
3. To prevent the development of tumors. some microorganisms.
o Acid in Stomach and Vagina
o Ciliated Linings
BODY DEFENSES ▪ Cilia can trap some of the debris,
such as germs, and will be move or
excreted by the body
o Tears and Saliva (Lysozyme)
▪ Can disrupt the cell wall of the
bacteria

A. 1st line of Defense – front liners; mostly

low pH (acidic)
o Unbroken Skin / Intact Skin
▪ Broken skin is not part of body
defense
o Mucous Membranes
▪ Foreign debris, such as dust, can
be stuck in respiratory lining B. 2nd Line of Defense – fight those who
o Normal Flora overcome the first line of defense
▪ Normal bacterial compositional of o Natural Immunity / Innate
the body Immunity / Inborn Immunity
▪ Their role is not to let the ▪ Naturally present in the body
pathogenic bacteria grow. However, ▪ Two components: Cellular and
Normal Flora Bacteria can also be Humoral
pathogenic when you are sick. o Cellular: Phagocytosis and
o Sebum Inflammation
▪ Oil in the skin ▪ Mast Cell
▪ Healthy for the skin ▪ Neutrophil
▪ Prevents the growth of bacteria ▪ Macrophage
o Lactic Acid in the Sweat o Humoral: Fluid Component
▪ Discouraging the growth of ▪ Complement
bacteria or other microorganism ▪ Natural Antibiotics
o Cerumen - Lysozyme
▪ Earwax - Interferon

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 VACCINATION
• Vaccine (noun).
- An immuno-biological substance
designed to produce specific
protection against a given
disease.
- Came from the word vacca
means cow
• Designed to induce production of antibody!
• Therefore: Vaccine contains antigen!
• A vaccine is “antigenic” but not
“pathogenic”.
TYPES OF VACCINES EXAMPLES
Live Vaccine Smallpox/ Variola Vaccine
Live Attenuated Vaccine BCG, Plague, MMR,
C. 3rd Line of Defense – protect your body Influenza, Typhus
against invaders who passed 1st and 2nd Killed Inactivated Typhoid, Cholera, Salk Polio,
defense Vaccine Japanese Encephalitis, Rabies
o Adaptive Immunity / Acquired Toxoid Diphtheria, Tetanus
Immunity Cellular Fraction Meningococcal
▪ Recognize. Remember. Respond. Vaccine Polysaccharide Vaccine
Recombinant Vaccine Hepatitis B Vaccine
▪ Two components: Cellular and
Humoral
o Cellular: ROUTE VACCINE EXAMPLES
▪ T cells and B cells Deep subcutaneous or Most vaccines
- Plasma Cells are originated in B intramuscular route
Oral route Sabin Vaccine, Oral BCG
Cells
Intradermal route BCG Vaccine
▪ Plasma Cells Scarification Smallpox Vaccine
o Humoral: Intranasal route Live Attenuated Influenza
▪ Antibodies – produced by plasma Vaccine
cells
▪ Cytokines – produced to increase
the immune response of the immune cells
SEROLOGICAL PROCEDURES
The goal of the following procedures is to determine
the different antigens and antibodies
Agglutination
 the insoluble clumping together
of antigen bearing cells,
microorganisms or particles in
the presence of specific
antibodies.
 Particles may be:
1. RBCs (hemagglutination),
2. Bacterial cells
(coagglutination) or
3. Inert particles
o latex or charcoal coated
with antigen or antibody.

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TWO STEPS: Passive Agglutination
1. Sensitization – ONE Antibody • Antigen is first bound to a particle to detect
attaches to the antigenic site antibodies.
(epitope); NOT visible • Sample Particles include:
- Sheep RBC’s
- Latex Particles
• Sample Tests:
• Anti-nuclear Antibodies (ANA)
• Rheumatoid Factor
• Group A Strep
• Viral Antibodies (CMV, Rubella, VZV)

2. Lattice Formation – Sensitized

particles adhere to one another
forming a “lattice”.

Agglutination Inhibition
• Soluble antigen and particle COMPETE to
TYPES OF AGGLUTINATION attach to the limited antibody binding sites.
Direct Agglutination • Patient Sample: May contain studied
• Antigen is found naturally on particle Antigen (is mixed with) Reagent: Antibody
•ex. Blood Grouping: ABO • If antigen is present in sample, it will bind
• Bacterial Serotyping: Salmonella, with reagent antibodies.
Tularemia, Rickettsia, Typhoid • To verify and VISUALIZE its presence, a
• Hemagglutination: Measles particle attached the same antigen being
studied is added.
• Because previously, the sample’s antigens
already reacted with reagent antibodies,
there should be NO AGGLUTINATION
when the antigen-coated particles are
added. This is interpreted as a POSITIVE
RESULT!
• Therefore, if there is an agglutination, it is
read as negative.

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 SEROLOGICAL TEST PURPOSE
WIDAL TEST Specific test for typhoid
fever
WIEL FELIX TEST Non-specific test for
Rickettsial infections
Precipitation ASO Diagnostic test for
• Refers to aggregation of soluble test (Anti-streptolysin streptococcal infectious
antigens with soluble antibodies to produce O)
visible insoluble complexes. RPR (Rapid Plasma Non-specific test for
• Can be measured by light scattering using Reagent) syphilis
turbidimetry and nephelometry. TPHA Specific test for syphilis
(Treponema Pallidum
• Example: C3c – complemented protein
Particle Agglutination)
RID test – radial
immunodiffusion test CRP (C-Reactive Non-specific marker for
Protein Test) inflammation

C3c RID TEST

(Hepatitis B Surface Rapid qualitative test
Antigen) HBSAG RAPID
TEST
(Human Fast screening test that
Immunodeficiency detects HIV 1 and 2
Virus) HIV RAPID TEST
DENGUE DUO TEST Rapid in-vitro
Flocculation immunochromatographic,
one step assay designed
• Midway reaction between agglutination
to detect ns1 antigen and
and precipitation. antibodies to dengue
• Adhesion of dispersed molecules held virus
together by weak physical interactions (systemic Lupus Detects presence of ana
leading to phase separation by formation of Erythematosus) SLE associated with SLE
precipitates larger than the colloidal size. LATEX TEST
• Example: RPR (Rapid Plasma Reagent) (Rheumatoid Factor) Determine Rheumatoid
RF LATEX TEST Arthritis
Test
(Human Leukocyte Test to determine
Antigen) HLA compatibility to organ,
tissue and bone marrow
transplantation

To determine paternity
and to diagnose HLA
related disorders such as
autoimmune disease

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