Autoimmune Information and Courses from MediaLab, Inc.
These are the MediaLab courses that cover Autoimmune and links to relevant pages within the course.
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| The use of the direct antiglobulin test is indicated in all the following except: | View Page |
| Which of the following conditions is most frequently associated with anti-I: | View Page |
| Patients with which of the following conditions would benefit most from washed red cells: | View Page |
| Which of the following antigen groups is closely related to the ABO system: | View Page |
| C-reactive protein: | View Page |
| Match these autoimmune diseases with their corresponding serological markers: | View Page |
| Which of the following is not primarily a hemolytic process? | View Page |
| Spherocytes are associated with which two of the following conditions: | View Page |
| Review 2 Cunningham MW.:
Pathogenesis of group A streptococcal infections.
Clinical Microbiology Reviews. 13):470-511, 2000Group A streptococci are model extracellular gram-positive pathogens responsible for pharyngitis, impetigo, rheumatic fever, and acute glomerulonephritis. A resurgence of invasive streptococcal diseases and rheumatic fever has appeared in outbreaks over the past 10 years, with a predominant M1 serotype as well as others identified with the outbreaks.Emm (M protein) gene sequencing has changed serotyping, and new virulence genes and new virulence regulatory networks have been defined. The emm gene superfamily has expanded to include antiphagocytic molecules and immunoglobulin-binding proteins with common structural features.At least nine superantigens have been characterized, all of which may contribute to toxic streptococcal syndrome. An emerging theme is the dichotomy between skin and throat strains in their epidemiology and genetic makeup. Eleven adhesions have been reported, and surface plasmin-binding proteins have been defined.The strong resistance of the group A streptococcus to phagocytosis is related to factor H and fibrinogen binding by M protein and to disarming complement component C5a by the C5a peptidase. Molecular mimicry appears to play a role in autoimmune mechanisms involved in rheumatic fever, while nephritis strain-associated proteins may lead to immune-mediated acute glomerulonephritis. Vaccine strategies have focused on recombinant M protein and C5a peptidase vaccines, and mucosal vaccine delivery systems are under investigation. | View Page |
| The condition most likely associated with the peripheral blood picture shown in the photograph is: | View Page |
| Match the form of red cell inclusions in each of the frames of photographs with a corresponding clinical condition. | View Page |
| Conditions in which erythrocytes as photographed here may be present in a peripheral blood smear include: | View Page |
| Warm antibody hemolytic disease A 49-year-old male with pneumonia was treated with penicillin. He became jaundiced with yellow sclera. Observe the photograph of his peripheral blood smear. Anisocytosis was observed with pale-centered microcytes and polychromatophilic macrocytes. Since penicillin is a classic offender for autoimmune hemolytic disease, the clinician asked for an antihuman globulin (AHG) test, also known as the Coombs test. A positive AHG reaction occurs when the antibody stimulated by penicillin becomes attached to red blood cells. Hemolysis follows, leaving the patient with jaundice and a peripheral blood smear, as demonstrated in the photograph. | View Page |
| The blood study from which this smear was obtained revealed an MCV of 115 femtoliters (fl).Normal MCV values in adults= 80 - 90 fl.Normal MCV values in full-term infants= 98 -108 fl.Which of the following conditions may be indicated by the results seen on this peripheral blood smear? | View Page |
| The peripheral blood smear noted in the photograph was held for morophological and clinical review as the total platelet count was 10,000/cumm. Conditions fitting this picture include: | View Page |
| Approximately 10% of the circulating white cells were similar to the one seen in the photograph. The patient was 42 years old and visited his physician because of recent bruising. Note the absence of platelets on the smear. Possible associated conditions include: | View Page |