Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is a characteristic symptom of bronchial asthma?
What is a characteristic symptom of bronchial asthma?
Which type of asthma is associated with a family history of atopy?
Which type of asthma is associated with a family history of atopy?
Which of the following factors can trigger bronchial asthma?
Which of the following factors can trigger bronchial asthma?
What causes airway hyper-responsiveness in asthma patients?
What causes airway hyper-responsiveness in asthma patients?
Signup and view all the answers
What is one of the primary mediators released during the early phase of an immune reaction?
What is one of the primary mediators released during the early phase of an immune reaction?
Signup and view all the answers
Which immune response is primarily involved in the extrinsic (allergic) form of asthma?
Which immune response is primarily involved in the extrinsic (allergic) form of asthma?
Signup and view all the answers
Which cytokine is associated with the growth of mast cells?
Which cytokine is associated with the growth of mast cells?
Signup and view all the answers
What role do CD4+ T-lymphocytes play in asthma?
What role do CD4+ T-lymphocytes play in asthma?
Signup and view all the answers
What characterizes late phase immune reactions following allergen exposure?
What characterizes late phase immune reactions following allergen exposure?
Signup and view all the answers
Which of the following factors is NOT a triggering factor for bronchial asthma?
Which of the following factors is NOT a triggering factor for bronchial asthma?
Signup and view all the answers
What can happen between asthma attacks for most patients?
What can happen between asthma attacks for most patients?
Signup and view all the answers
What is a common consequence of chronic bronchial inflammation in asthma?
What is a common consequence of chronic bronchial inflammation in asthma?
Signup and view all the answers
What is a common characteristic of intrinsic asthma?
What is a common characteristic of intrinsic asthma?
Signup and view all the answers
What physiological change is associated with mucus plugging in asthma?
What physiological change is associated with mucus plugging in asthma?
Signup and view all the answers
Which of the following mediators would likely be released during the late phase of an immune response?
Which of the following mediators would likely be released during the late phase of an immune response?
Signup and view all the answers
What is a characteristic of the airways in an asthmatic patient?
What is a characteristic of the airways in an asthmatic patient?
Signup and view all the answers
Which histological feature is primarily associated with bronchial asthma?
Which histological feature is primarily associated with bronchial asthma?
Signup and view all the answers
What type of hypersensitivity reaction is involved in asthma?
What type of hypersensitivity reaction is involved in asthma?
Signup and view all the answers
What is a common microscopic finding in the airway epithelium of patients with asthma?
What is a common microscopic finding in the airway epithelium of patients with asthma?
Signup and view all the answers
Which inflammatory cells are typically found in the airways of asthma patients?
Which inflammatory cells are typically found in the airways of asthma patients?
Signup and view all the answers
What potential complication may arise from bronchial obstruction due to mucous plugs in asthma?
What potential complication may arise from bronchial obstruction due to mucous plugs in asthma?
Signup and view all the answers
Which microscopic feature is specifically associated with mucus accumulation in asthma?
Which microscopic feature is specifically associated with mucus accumulation in asthma?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the role of mast cells in an asthma attack?
What is the role of mast cells in an asthma attack?
Signup and view all the answers
Which of the following is NOT associated with chronic inflammation in asthma patients?
Which of the following is NOT associated with chronic inflammation in asthma patients?
Signup and view all the answers
Which inflammatory cell type is predominantly found in patients suffering from asthma?
Which inflammatory cell type is predominantly found in patients suffering from asthma?
Signup and view all the answers
Which pathological change in asthma can lead to severe complications such as lung collapse?
Which pathological change in asthma can lead to severe complications such as lung collapse?
Signup and view all the answers
What is one of the primary outcomes of the late phase immune response in asthma?
What is one of the primary outcomes of the late phase immune response in asthma?
Signup and view all the answers
Which cells are primarily responsible for the increased inflammation seen in asthma during the late phase response?
Which cells are primarily responsible for the increased inflammation seen in asthma during the late phase response?
Signup and view all the answers
What characterizes the bronchoconstrictor response in asthma patients?
What characterizes the bronchoconstrictor response in asthma patients?
Signup and view all the answers
What describes the airway changes associated with bronchial asthma?
What describes the airway changes associated with bronchial asthma?
Signup and view all the answers
Which cytokines are specifically associated with the activation of B-lymphocytes in asthma?
Which cytokines are specifically associated with the activation of B-lymphocytes in asthma?
Signup and view all the answers
Which of the following factors can increase airway hyperreactivity in asthmatic subjects?
Which of the following factors can increase airway hyperreactivity in asthmatic subjects?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the primary distinction between atopic and non-atopic asthma?
What is the primary distinction between atopic and non-atopic asthma?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the role of leukotrienes in the immune response of asthma?
What is the role of leukotrienes in the immune response of asthma?
Signup and view all the answers
What triggers the degranulation of mast cells during an asthma episode?
What triggers the degranulation of mast cells during an asthma episode?
Signup and view all the answers
What role do CD4+ T-lymphocytes have in the development of asthma?
What role do CD4+ T-lymphocytes have in the development of asthma?
Signup and view all the answers
The development of asthma in children is often associated with which of the following characteristics?
The development of asthma in children is often associated with which of the following characteristics?
Signup and view all the answers
What is a common physiological consequence of chronic bronchial inflammation in asthma?
What is a common physiological consequence of chronic bronchial inflammation in asthma?
Signup and view all the answers
In which type of asthma do respiratory tract infections serve as a common triggering factor?
In which type of asthma do respiratory tract infections serve as a common triggering factor?
Signup and view all the answers
Which of the following accurately describes the physiologic effects of primary mediators released during the early phase of an immune reaction in asthma?
Which of the following accurately describes the physiologic effects of primary mediators released during the early phase of an immune reaction in asthma?
Signup and view all the answers
Which of the following is considered an intrinsic factor that may contribute to asthma?
Which of the following is considered an intrinsic factor that may contribute to asthma?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the mechanism by which allergens cause airway hyperresponsiveness in asthma?
What is the mechanism by which allergens cause airway hyperresponsiveness in asthma?
Signup and view all the answers
Study Notes
Bronchial Asthma
- Bronchial asthma is a condition characterized by increased responsiveness of the bronchial tree to various stimuli, resulting in paroxysms of bronchospasm.
- This bronchospasm can be reversible in the early stages but may progress to chronic bronchial inflammation and airflow limitation due to bronchoconstriction and mucus plugs.
- Recurrent episodes of wheezing, breathlessness, and coughing are characteristic, occasionally with periods of symptom-free intervals.
Clinical Presentation of Bronchial Asthma
- Recurrent episodes of wheezing, breathlessness, and cough, that show partial or full reversibility with treatment or spontaneously.
- Asymptomatic periods between acute episodes are common.
Triggering Factors of Bronchial Asthma
- Environmental: Domestic dust mites, air pollution, tobacco smoke, occupational irritants, cockroach allergens, animal fur, pollen, respiratory viral infections.
- Other: Chemical irritants, strong emotional expressions, and certain drugs (e.g., aspirin, beta-blockers).
Pathogenesis of Bronchial Asthma
- Atopic: Involves a family history of atopy (allergic conditions). Characterized by exaggerated bronchoconstrictor responses to triggering factors, particularly allergens.
- Non-atopic: Lacking a family history of atopy and hypersensitivity to certain factors like aspirin or viruses.
- Early Phase (30-60 minutes): Release of primary mediators like leukotrienes, histamine, platelet-activating factor causing bronchoconstriction, vasodilation, and increased vascular permeability.
- Late Phase (4-8 hours): Secondary mediators like eosinophil and neutrophil chemotactic factors, IL-4, and 5 are involved, leading to further inflammation, edema, mucous plugs, and damage to the epithelial lining.
Pathophysiology of Extrinsic Asthma
- Initial exposure to an allergen leads to sensitization of TH2 cells, which release cytokines like IL-4, 5, and 13. These cytokines stimulate IgE production and mast cell growth.
- Secondary exposure to the same allergen leads to cross-linking of IgE on mast cell surface.
- This triggers degranulation and release of chemical mediators, causing an inflammatory response. This results in bronchoconstriction and other symptoms.
Pathophysiology of Intrisic Asthma
- The exact cause is often less clear than with allergic asthma.
- Non-atopic factors such as viral infections and irritants can trigger an inflammatory response, leading to airway hyperresponsiveness.
Pathological Findings (Microscopic & Macroscopic)
- Lung: Over-inflation, mucous plugging, and bronchospasm are observed.
- Bronchi and Bronchioles: Mucosa is hyperemic, edematous, with thick-walled, narrow lumens often plugged by mucus.
- Other Features: Patchy necrosis of epithelium, submucosal glandular hyperplasia, hypertrophy of bronchial smooth muscle, eosinophils, mast cells, lymphocytes, mucous plugs (Curschmann spirals), debris of eosinophils (Charcot-Leyden crystals) are present in the deeper tissues.
Complications of Bronchial Asthma
- Bronchopneumonia: Inflammation in the bronchi and surrounding lung tissue.
- Emphysema: Over-inflation and damage to lung alveoli.
- Status Asthmaticus: A severe, potentially life-threatening, acute episode of asthma that does not respond to usual treatments.
- Massive Lung Collapse: Blockage in the airways by mucus plugs can lead to partial or complete lung filling.
Summary
- Bronchial asthma is characterized by chronic airway inflammation, hyperresponsiveness, and reversible bronchospasm.
- There are distinct types (intrinsic and extrinsic).
- Allergens and non-allergic triggers are involved which initiate a cascade of events leading to symptoms.
- Complications can range from pneumonia to life-threatening conditions.
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
Related Documents
Description
Explore the characteristics, clinical presentation, and triggering factors of bronchial asthma. This quiz will test your understanding of the condition, including its symptoms and management. Ideal for medical students or healthcare professionals.
