Untitled Quiz

Overview of Inflammation

• Inflammation is a critical immune response to injury and infection, classified into acute and chronic types.
• Acute inflammation is rapid and self-limited; chronic inflammation is persistent and long-lasting.

Acute Inflammation

• Occurs swiftly after tissue injury or infection, lasting from minutes to days.
• Aims to eliminate pathogens, clear debris, and initiate healing.
• Local signs include pain, heat, redness, swelling, and loss of function.

Causes of Acute Inflammation

• Triggered by infections (bacterial, viral, fungal, parasitic).
• Physical tissue injuries such as trauma, burns, cuts, or chemical exposure.
• Immune reactions, including hypersensitivity and allergies.
• Ischemia, characterized by a lack of blood supply to affected tissues.

Steps in Acute Inflammation

• Vasodilation: Blood vessel dilation increases blood flow; higher permeability allows fluids, proteins, and immune cells to enter tissue (causing redness and swelling).
• Immune Cell Migration: Neutrophils arrive first, engaging in phagocytosis; macrophages join later for cleanup and repair.
• Release of Chemical Mediators: Histamine, bradykinin, and prostaglandins enhance vascular permeability and attract immune cells.
• Tissue Repair: As harmful stimuli are eliminated, fibroblasts and other cells regenerate tissue.

Systemic Effects of Acute Inflammation

• Systemic symptoms include fever, chills, malaise, anorexia, increased pulse, and blood pressure.
• Leukocytosis: Neutrophilia occurs with bacterial infections; lymphocytosis with viral infections; eosinophilia with allergies.
• Liver produces acute phase proteins like C-reactive protein (CRP) and fibrinogen, indicating inflammation severity.

Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (SIRS)

• A clinical syndrome marked by an exaggerated body response to local or systemic stress, including trauma and infections.
• When SIRS is coupled with confirmed or suspected infection, it is termed sepsis; septic shock is related to persistent hypotension despite fluid resuscitation.

Diagnostic Criteria for SIRS

• At least two of the following: abnormal body temperature, tachycardia, tachypnea, and abnormal white blood cell count.

Systemic Effects of Chronic Inflammation

• Symptoms include mild fever, fatigue, weight loss, and specific disease manifestations.
• Elevated eosinophil counts may indicate conditions like asthma and allergic reactions.
• Potential complications: impaired kidney and liver function, elevated inflammatory markers (E.g., CRP), autoantibodies in autoimmune disorders.

Complications of Chronic Inflammation

• Linked to various diseases: cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, allergic asthma, COPD, Alzheimer's disease, chronic kidney disease, inflammatory bowel disease, metabolic syndrome, and multiple autoimmune syndromes.

Key Differences Between Acute and Chronic Inflammation

• Acute inflammation is characterized by rapid action and immediate response, while chronic inflammation is prolonged and may lead to tissue damage and scarring.
• Understandings of these processes are vital for diagnosing, managing, and treating inflammatory conditions.