20 Questions
What triggers fever?
Release of pyrogens from leukocytes and other cells
What is fever considered in the context of disease?
A symptom of a disease and a normal immunologic mechanism
What aids responses to infectious processes?
Fever production
What can produce nerve damage, coagulation of cell proteins, and death?
Hyperthermia
What is the pathophysiologic mechanism of fever initiated by?
Introduction of exogenous pyrogens or endotoxins produced by pathogens
What is used in the treatment of infection and cancer?
Therapeutic hyperthermia
What are potentially lethal developments related to hyperthermia?
Heat stroke and malignant hyperthermia
What is the temporary resetting of the hypothalamic thermostat in response to pyrogenic cytokines and exogenous pyrogens?
Fever (febrile response or pyrexia)
What decreases serum levels of iron, zinc, and copper that are needed for bacterial replication?
Fever production
What is the consequence of a fever breaking?
The set point is returned to normal
Which molecule acts on warm sensitive neurons in the hypothalamus during fever generation?
Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2)
Which response includes symptoms like anorexia, fatigue, and malaise?
The acute phase response
Which substances are released from the brain during fever?
Arginine vasopressin, α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone, and corticotropin-releasing factor
Which response aids responses to infectious processes by killing microorganisms and decreasing serum levels of essential elements?
Moderate fever
Which type of individuals may have decreased or no fever response?
Older adults
Which proteins increase during fever?
Acute phase proteins like C-reactive protein, mannose-binding protein, and fibrinogen
Which cytokines are produced by phagocytic cells during microorganism destruction?
TNF-α, IL-1, IL-6, and interferon-γ
Which system does fever trigger a response from?
Integrated behavioral, endocrine, and autonomic nervous system
Which effect does fever have on responses to infectious processes?
Enhances phagocytosis, lymphocytic transformation, and antiviral interferon production
When should antipyretic medications be used according to the text?
Only in cases of serious side effects
Study Notes
Fever and its Physiological and Clinical Aspects
- Exogenous pyrogens include lipopolysaccharide complexes in gram-positive bacteria and viruses released upon cell wall rupture.
- Pyrogenic cytokines like TNF-α, IL-1, IL-6, and interferon-γ are produced by phagocytic cells during microorganism destruction.
- Fever generation by pyrogens involves the production of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) acting on warm sensitive neurons in the hypothalamus.
- Fever triggers an integrated behavioral, endocrine, and autonomic nervous system response.
- The acute phase response includes symptoms like anorexia, fatigue, and malaise, and promotes muscle catabolism and hyperglycemia.
- Fever induces an increase in acute phase proteins like C-reactive protein, mannose-binding protein, and fibrinogen.
- During fever, arginine vasopressin, α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone, and corticotropin-releasing factor are released from the brain.
- Antipyretic effects include the release of systemic antiinflammatory cytokines like IL-1 receptor agonist and IL-10.
- Moderate fever aids responses to infectious processes by killing microorganisms and decreasing serum levels of essential elements.
- Fever enhances phagocytosis, lymphocytic transformation, and antiviral interferon production.
- Suppressing fever with antipyrogenic medications should be used only in cases of serious side effects.
- Fever responses in older adults and children may differ from those in adults, with older individuals having decreased or no fever response and children developing higher temperatures for minor infections.
Test your knowledge of fever's physiological and clinical aspects with this quiz. Explore topics such as exogenous pyrogens, pyrogenic cytokines, fever generation, acute phase response, and antipyretic effects. Learn about the effects of fever on the body's responses to infectious processes and the considerations for suppressing fever with medications.
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