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Questions and Answers
A patient's serially diluted serum yields a positive reaction for a specific antibody at a dilution of 1:256. After a period, the same test shows a titer of 1:64. What is the MOST likely interpretation of these results?
A patient's serially diluted serum yields a positive reaction for a specific antibody at a dilution of 1:256. After a period, the same test shows a titer of 1:64. What is the MOST likely interpretation of these results?
- The patient is experiencing a recent exposure, leading to increased antibody production.
- The patient's immune system has become less responsive, requiring a different diagnostic test.
- The patient has cleared the infection, and the memory cells are no longer producing antibodies.
- The patient had a higher level of antibodies initially, but the antibody level has decreased over time. (correct)
Which factor is MOST critical in determining the effectiveness of an attenuated vaccine?
Which factor is MOST critical in determining the effectiveness of an attenuated vaccine?
- The chemical modifications applied to the toxins.
- The number of booster doses required to achieve full immunity.
- The ability of the modified microbe to stimulate a strong immune response without causing disease. (correct)
- The presence of adjuvants to enhance the immune response.
A new mRNA vaccine is developed targeting a viral protein. During clinical trials, some participants experience unexpected inflammatory responses. What is the MOST likely reason for this?
A new mRNA vaccine is developed targeting a viral protein. During clinical trials, some participants experience unexpected inflammatory responses. What is the MOST likely reason for this?
- The vaccine contains live attenuated viruses that are causing a mild infection.
- The host's cells are producing the viral protein in an uncontrolled manner, triggering excessive immune activation. (correct)
- The mRNA sequence is unstable, leading to the production of truncated viral proteins.
- The ultracold storage requirements were not properly maintained, causing the mRNA to degrade.
In serological testing, a titer represents the:
In serological testing, a titer represents the:
A researcher is developing a vaccine and wants to use a substance that enhances the antigenicity of the active component. Which type of substance would BEST serve this purpose?
A researcher is developing a vaccine and wants to use a substance that enhances the antigenicity of the active component. Which type of substance would BEST serve this purpose?
Why do toxoid vaccines typically require multiple doses?
Why do toxoid vaccines typically require multiple doses?
An individual receives a vaccination against a specific viral disease. What is the PRIMARY goal of this vaccination?
An individual receives a vaccination against a specific viral disease. What is the PRIMARY goal of this vaccination?
For which population are subunit vaccines MOST advantageous?
For which population are subunit vaccines MOST advantageous?
A patient who received a booster vaccination has a significantly elevated titer level. Which of the following conclusions can be reliably drawn?
A patient who received a booster vaccination has a significantly elevated titer level. Which of the following conclusions can be reliably drawn?
A public health agency is deciding on a vaccine strategy for a novel virus. Given limited resources, which approach would provide the MOST broad and long-lasting protection at the population level?
A public health agency is deciding on a vaccine strategy for a novel virus. Given limited resources, which approach would provide the MOST broad and long-lasting protection at the population level?
A new vaccine has been developed that uses a harmless version of a specific epitope. What is the MAIN purpose of this type of vaccine?
A new vaccine has been developed that uses a harmless version of a specific epitope. What is the MAIN purpose of this type of vaccine?
In which scenario would determining a patient's titer level be MOST beneficial?
In which scenario would determining a patient's titer level be MOST beneficial?
Attenuated vaccines are known to have the potential to cause disease in susceptible individuals. What inherent property of these vaccines is responsible for this risk?
Attenuated vaccines are known to have the potential to cause disease in susceptible individuals. What inherent property of these vaccines is responsible for this risk?
What is the MOST significant advantage of inactivated vaccines compared to attenuated vaccines?
What is the MOST significant advantage of inactivated vaccines compared to attenuated vaccines?
A researcher aims to develop a vaccine that is both safe for immunocompromised individuals and capable of stimulating a strong immune response. Which type of vaccine would be the MOST suitable choice?
A researcher aims to develop a vaccine that is both safe for immunocompromised individuals and capable of stimulating a strong immune response. Which type of vaccine would be the MOST suitable choice?
A new mRNA vaccine is being developed. What is a PRIMARY concern regarding this type of vaccine?
A new mRNA vaccine is being developed. What is a PRIMARY concern regarding this type of vaccine?
If a patient's titer is low, what course of action is MOST likely to be recommended?
If a patient's titer is low, what course of action is MOST likely to be recommended?
How do vaccinations contribute to public health on a global scale?
How do vaccinations contribute to public health on a global scale?
An individual is diagnosed with a disease caused by a toxin-producing bacterium. Which type of vaccine would be MOST suitable for providing protection against this disease?
An individual is diagnosed with a disease caused by a toxin-producing bacterium. Which type of vaccine would be MOST suitable for providing protection against this disease?
Vaccinations can be used against which of the following?
Vaccinations can be used against which of the following?
Flashcards
Vaccine
Vaccine
A harmless version of a specific epitope, designed to stimulate an immune response.
Titer
Titer
Measurement of antibody levels in blood serum, indicating immune response strength.
Attenuated Vaccines
Attenuated Vaccines
(Modified live) vaccines use pathogens with reduced virulence to stimulate a strong immune response.
Inactivated Vaccines
Inactivated Vaccines
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Subunit Vaccines
Subunit Vaccines
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Toxoid Vaccines
Toxoid Vaccines
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mRNA vaccines
mRNA vaccines
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Adjuvant
Adjuvant
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Study Notes
Vaccination
- A vaccine is a harmless version of a specific epitope.
- The goal of vaccination is to provide an individual with memory cells against an epitope.
- Most vaccinations require an initial dose with at least one booster to ensure protection.
- The effectiveness of a vaccine can be determined by a titer, which measures antibody levels in blood serum
Titer
- A titer is specific to each epitope.
- The method measures antibody levels in blood serum.
- During the test, serum is serially diluted and tested for agglutinating activity.
- The highest dilution of serum giving a positive reaction is the titer.
- If the titer is low then a booster vaccination can be given to raise the level.
- A titer can be a reflection of protection but is not guaranteed.
- The actual antibody level is not protective against infection; it represents the presence of memory cells.
- A titer is often not obtained before a booster, except for certain diseases.
Vaccine Types
- Attenuated (modified live) vaccines use pathogens with reduced virulence.
- The process of reducing virulence is called attenuation.
- Active microbes stimulate a strong immune response.
- A problem with attenuated vaccines is that modified microbes may retain enough residual virulence to cause disease in susceptible individuals.
- Examples include Chicken Pox and MMR.
- Inactivated (killed) vaccines are safer than live vaccines.
- Inactivated vaccines often require multiple doses to achieve full immunity.
- These vaccines often contain adjuvants, which are chemicals added to increase effective antigenicity.
- Examples include meningococcal and rabies vaccines.
- Subunit vaccines are preferred for immunosuppressed individuals.
- Only a portion of the microbe is used in the vaccine (capsid, glycoprotein, etc)
- They typically result in strong immunity but require several boosters to initiate
- A subunit vaccine is safe for individuals with weakened immune systems
- Examples include Whooping cough and Influenza
- Toxoid vaccines are against toxins.
- Chemically or thermally modified toxins are used to stimulate active immunity.
- Toxoid vaccines are useful for some bacterial diseases.
- These vaccines often require multiple doses because toxoids possess few antigenic determinants.
- Examples include tetanus and diphtheria vaccines.
- mRNA vaccines are a relatively new technology that has been experimentally used for decades.
- Only pieces of the RNA are introduced, causing the host to produce microbial proteins.
- mRNA vaccines initially required ultracold storage.
- Side effects of mRNA vaccines are still being determined.
- An example is the Covid vaccine.
Vaccination
- Vaccinations can be effective against bacteria, viruses, and even cancer
- Vaccinations have eliminated deadly diseases like smallpox.
- Effective vaccines are not available for some pathogens.
- Many developing nations do not receive vaccines.
- Some individuals elect not to vaccinate.
Vaccine Safety
- Problems associated with immunization include:
- Residual virulence from attenuated vaccines
- Risk of anaphylactic shock/allergic reactions, such as from the use of egg as an adjuvant
- Allegations that certain vaccines cause autism, diabetes, and asthma
- Research has not substantiated these allegations.
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