Unit 3: Neurobiology and Immunology - Key Area 7/8: Immunisation/Clinical Trials of Vaccines and Drugs Flashcards

1
Q

How can immunity be developed?

A

By vaccination with antigens from infectious pathogen, so creating memory cells.

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2
Q

What are the antigens used in vaccines?

A

Inactivated pathogen toxins, dead pathogens, parts of pathogens and weakened pathogens.

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3
Q

What are antigens mixed with when producing the vaccine?

A

An adjuvant

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4
Q

What are adjuvants?

A

Substances which make the vaccine more effective and so enhances the immune response.

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5
Q

What is an example of a disease where immunity is acquired from an inactivated pathogen?

A

Diphtheria and tetanus.

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6
Q

What is an example of a disease where immunity is acquired from a weakened pathogen?

A

MMR - measles, mumps and rubella.

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7
Q

What is an example of a disease where immunity is acquired from a dead pathogen?

A

Poliomyelitis and hepatitis A

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8
Q

What is an example of a disease where immunity is acquired from an parts of pathogen?

A

HPV against cervical cancer and hepatitis A.

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9
Q

What is the difference between vaccination and immunisation?

A

Immunisation is what happens in your body after you have had a vaccination.

The vaccination which contains inactivated or weakened pathogens stimulate your immune system so that it can recognise and protect you from future infection.

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10
Q

When does herd immunity occur?

A

When a critical/large percentage of a population are immunised.

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11
Q

What is establishing herd immunity important for?

A

Establishing herd immunity is important in reducing the spread of diseases and in protecting vulnerable and non-immune individuals.

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12
Q

How does herd immunity protect non-immune individuals?

A

If a large percentage of the population are immunised, non-immune individuals are protected as there is a lower probability that they will come into contact with infected individuals.

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13
Q

What does the herd immunity threshold depend on?

A

The type of disease, the efficacy of the vaccine and the density of the population.

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14
Q

When can difficulties occur with widespread vaccination?

A

It is not possible due to poverty in the developing world, or when vaccines are rejected by a percentage of the population in the developed world.

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15
Q

What have some pathogens done to evade the immune system?

A

They have evolved mechanisms (changed their antigens)

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16
Q

What does the fact some pathogens change their antigens mean for memory cells and what is this called?

A

They are not effective against them and this is called an antigenic mutation.

17
Q

What happens to the influenza virus which means that it is a major public health problem and how do we combat this?

A

Antigenic variation occurs. Individuals who are at risk need to be vaccinated every year because of it.

18
Q

Why are vaccines and drugs subject to clinical trials?

A

Vaccines and drugs are subjected to clinical trials to establish their safety and effectiveness before being licensed for use.

19
Q

What is the description for randomisation?

A

Randomly separated:

  • test group/control group.
  • similar composition e.g. gender, age, health, etc.
  • eliminates bias (via computer selection/pick out of hat).
20
Q

What is the description for a placebo - control?

A
  • Non effective treatment - lacks active ingredient.
  • Placebo effect - thoughts/feelings.
  • example could be a sugar pill.
21
Q

What is the description of a double blind trial?

A

Neither subjects or doctors know who is receiving what.

22
Q

What is the importance of group size in clinical trials?

A

Reduce experimental error and establish statistical significance.