Unlock Immunology’s Complex Concepts with Mnemonics: Learn Faster, Remember Better
C
Celiac sprue features: CELIAC:
- Cell-mediated autoimmune disease
- European descent
- Lymphocytes in Lamina propria/ Lymphoma risk
- Intolerance of gluten (wheat)
- Atrophy of villi in small intestine/ Abnormal D-xylose test
- Childhood presentation
Atrophied villi cause less absorption, so diarrhea, weight loss, less energy.
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- Author: Robert O’Connor University College Dublin
Complement cascade initiating items: alternative vs. classic
- Classic: Combined C
- Alternative: Activators Alone, or IgA.
Complexes are made of Ab and Ag combined together.
Examples of activators: endotoxin, microbial surface.
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- Author: Robert O’Connor University College Dublin
Complement: function of C3a versus C3b
- C3a: Activates Acute [inflammation].
- C3b: Bonds Bacteria [to macrophages–easier digestion].
If wish to know more than just C3:
- C3a, C4a, C5a activate acute.
- C3b, C4b bind bacteria.
- Author: Robert O’Connor and Marcus Fidel University College Dublin and UNM
D
DiGeorge Syndrome: features
The disease of T’s:
- Third and 4th pharyngeal pouch absent.
- Twenty-Two chromosome
- T-cells absent
- Tetany: hypocalcemia
- Reference: http://medicalmnemonics.com/
G
Graves disease: etiology
- In Graves disease, the thyroid-stimulating immunoglobulins are of the IgG
- Reference: http://medicalmnemonics.com/
Goodpasture’s Syndrome components
- GoodPasture is Glomerulonephritis and P
From autoantibodies attacking Glomerular and Pulmonary basement membranes.
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- Author: Robert O’Connor University College Dublin
H
Hypersensitivity reactions: Gell and Goombs nomenclature: ACID:
From I to IV:
- Anaphylactic type: type I
- Cytotoxic type: type II
- Immune complex disease: type III
- Delayed hypersensitivity (cell mediated): type IV
- Reference: http://medicalmnemonics.com/
Hypersensitivity: type IV example
- Poison IVy causes type IV
- Reference: http://medicalmnemonics.com/
I
Immunoglobulin (Ig) types: the important ones worth remembering, in order of appearanceMAGDElaine (a girl’s name):
- IgM
- IgA
- IgG
- IgD
- IgE
Magdelaine tells you the order they usually appear: M first, then A or G.
Alternatively: IgM is IMmediate.
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- Author: Magdelaine Deeby and Anonymous Contributor University College Dublin and University of Aberdeen
Immunoglobulins, and order B cells present them: MADGE (character from the old dishwashing liquid commercial):
- IgM
- IgA
- IgD
- IgG
- IgE
Order of presentation by B cells (which is made first, IgD or IgM?) B cells present IgM primarily, and then IgD.
Just remember why all of us are going through this pain…to become M.D’s. For a B cell to be competent, it must get its MD.
Finally, by the same rule, B cells must first release M then G immunoglobulin on primary exposure.
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- Author: Tevis Anthony Verrett Creighton University School of Medicine
Immunoglobulins: which crosses the placenta
- IgG crosses the placenta during G
- Reference: http://medicalmnemonics.com/
Interferon gamma: action on macrophages: “Th1nk BIG Mac Attack“:
- Th1 and NK cells Build Interferon G
Causes Macrophages to have an augmented Attack [by better lysosome function and increasing reactive oxygen metabolites, nitric oxide and defensins].
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- Author: Lior Greenberg Technion Faculty of Medicine, Haifa, Israel
L
Lupus signs and symptoms: SOAP BRAIN:
- Serositis [pleuritis, pericarditis]
- Oral ulcers
- Arthritis
- Photosensitivity
- Blood [all are low – anemia, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia]
- Renal [protein]
- ANA
- Immunologic [DS DNA, etc.]
- Neurologic [psych, seizures]
- Author: Ken Evans Saskatchewan Health, Acute and Emergency Services
M
MHC I vs. MHC II properties:“Immunity helps to exterminate fun for bacteria“
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- Author: Robert O’Connor University College Dublin
S
Sjogren syndrome: morphology: “Jog through the MAPLES“:
Sjogren is:
- Mouth dry
- Arthritis
- Parotid enlarged
- Lymphoma
- Eyes dry
- Sicca (primary) or Secondary
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- Author: Author: Robert O’Connor University College Dublin
T
T and B cells: types: When bacteria enter body, T-cell says to B: “Help Me Catch Some!” B-cell replies: “My Pleasure!”:
T-cell types:
- Helper
- Memory
- Cytotoxic
- Suppressor
- B-cell types:
- Memory cell
- Plasma cell
- Author: Harsh Sharma BJMC, Pune, India
