Immunology and Vaccines Quiz

Vaccines containing inactivated but whole bacteria or viruses, rendering them harmless. Examples include Salk polio, flu, rabies, and Hepatitis A vaccines.

Vaccines containing purified proteins or fragments from a pathogen, targeting specific immune responses. Examples include Acellular Pertussis (part of DTaP) and toxoids like Diphtheria and Tetanus.

Vaccines containing purified polysaccharides from the capsules of bacteria. They induce antibody responses (B-cells) but not T-cell responses, thus not effective on young children.

Toxins that have been inactivated, rendered harmless but still retaining their antigenicity, triggering an immune response. Examples include Diphtheria and Tetanus toxoids.

Polysaccharides linked to proteins, making them recognizable by T cells. Examples include Hib (against Haemophilus influenzae serotype B) and PCV-7, PCV-13 (against Streptococcus pneumoniae).

The Salk vaccine only protects against paralytic polio, but intestinal infection can still occur, allowing for transmission.

The Sabin vaccine, introduced in 1963, significantly reduced paralytic polio cases, leading to a dramatic decrease in the US.

The absence of paralytic polio cases in the US since 1998 demonstrates the success of vaccination programs.

An outbreak of polio in the former USSR (1991-1996) was caused by a decline in immunization, highlighting the importance of herd immunity.

Herd immunity is the protection of unvaccinated individuals through the high vaccination rate of the population.

The 2019 study showed that Americans with higher education and incomes are more likely to perceive vaccines favorably.

Malaria remains a significant global health concern, with an estimated 500 million people infected annually.

The development of new vaccines is crucial for addressing ongoing public health challenges like malaria.

Methods used to study interactions between antibodies and antigens, like those found in immune responses. These methods allow us to observe and monitor how the immune system works.

Antibodies are proteins too small to be seen with regular microscopes. Immunoassays were developed to help us visualize and track the interactions between antibodies and antigens. They are like specialized tools for looking at immune responses.

These immunoassays use labeled antibodies, meaning they attach a visible tag to an antibody to make it easier to track. The tag might be a fluorescent dye, an enzyme, a radioactive material, or even a tiny gold particle.

This type of immunoassay uses an antibody that is already tagged. It directly binds to the antigen of interest and is detected through its tag.

In indirect immunoassays, the target antibody is not labeled. A secondary antibody with a tag is used to bind to the primary antibody (the one directed against the target antigen). This makes detection indirect and allows for greater amplification of the signal.

Drug that inhibits the growth of microbes without killing them.

Drug that kills microbes directly.

The range of bacteria a drug can effectively target.

Drug effective against a wide variety of bacteria, including both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria.

Drug effective against a limited range of bacteria, such as only Gram-positive or Gram-negative bacteria.

A combination of drugs where the effect of the combined drugs is greater than the sum of their individual effects.

A combination of drugs where the effect of the combined drugs is less effective than either drug used alone.

How a drug is absorbed, distributed throughout the body, metabolized, and excreted.

A technique for detecting the presence of a specific antibody (serum or plasma) by making serial dilutions and observing the reaction with a known antigen.

The last dilution of an antibody at which a reaction with the antigen is still detectable; essentially, the concentration of the antibody.

A measurement of how much antibody is present in a sample. It's determined by the highest dilution of the sample that still produces a detectable reaction with a known antigen.

Refers to the appearance of a specific antibody in the blood due to an immune response.

The fluid part of blood remaining after the removal of blood cells and the formation of a blood clot.

The fluid part of blood after the removal of just blood cells, using an anticoagulant to prevent clotting.

The concentration of an antibody is determined by making serial dilutions that are then mixed with a known antigen. The last dilution where a reaction is still detectable defines the antibody titer.

A class of antibiotics that irreversibly bind to DNA gyrase, an enzyme involved in DNA replication. This action inhibits DNA synthesis by preventing topoisomerases from relieving strain during replication. Ciprofloxacin is bactericidal and has a broad spectrum, effective against a wide range of bacteria.

A class of antibiotics that bind to RNA polymerase, an enzyme essential for RNA synthesis. This action inhibits RNA synthesis by preventing RNA polymerase from initiating transcription. Rifampin is bactericidal and has a broad spectrum, effective against various bacteria, including Gram-positive, Gram-negative, and acid-fast bacteria.

Antibiotics like Ciprofloxacin and Rifampin target specific enzymes involved in nucleic acid synthesis, either DNA replication or RNA transcription. These drugs work by inhibiting the function of these enzymes, ultimately halting the bacteria's ability to grow and reproduce.

These medications cause disruption of the cell membrane's integrity, leading to leakage and cell death. They specifically target the structural differences between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cell membranes, making them primarily suitable for topical applications.

A bactericidal antibiotic effective against Gram-positive bacteria. It targets and disrupts the cell membrane, leading to cell death.

A bactericidal antibiotic effective against Gram-negative bacteria. It also targets and disrupts the cell membrane, leading to cell death.

Antibiotics can directly target the production of essential molecules like DNA or RNA, or they can disrupt structural components like the cell membrane. Both mechanisms lead to bacterial death and are crucial for fighting infections.

Antibiotics are designed to specifically target bacterial mechanisms, minimizing harm to human cells. However, some antibiotics can have side effects due to similarities between bacterial and human cells.