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Introduction
Like any system in the body the immune system can go wrong. Autoimmunity is when the immune system begins to attack itself. Immunodeficiency is when the immune system fails to protect itself from disease.
If the immunodeficient defect is present at birth and is therefore a result of a genetic or developmental abnormality, it is called primary immunodeficiency.
Secondary immunodeficiency, soemtimes called aquired immunodeficiency, is the loss of immune function during life, caused by exposure to harmful agents.
Primary Immunodeficiency
Deficiencies of Innate Immunity
Canine Cyclic Haematopoiesis
- Also called Grey Collie Syndrome
- Autosomal recessive
- Insertion mutation in AP3B1 gene
- Diluted grey coat colour, stunted growth, poor wound healing
- Neutropenia every 2 weeks which lasts 3-4 days due to cyclic production of cells from bone marrow
- Recurrent infections, e.g. pyrexia, diarrhoea, gingivitis and arthritis
Canine Leukocyte Adhesion Deficiency (CLAD)
- Occurs in Irish Setters
- Missence mutation of -Cys-36-Ser- in CD18 molecule
- CD18 is required for neutrophil migration and phagocytosis
- Recurrent bacterial infection
- Neutrophilia (neutrophils remain in the blood and are unable to fight infection in the tissue)
Bovine Leukocyte Adhesion Deficiency (BLAD)
- Occurs in Holstein cattle
- Missence mutation of -Asp-128-Gly in CD18 molecule
- Recurrent infection, e.g. pneumonia
Deficiencies of Adaptive Immunity
Equine Severe Combined Immune Deficiency (Equine SCID)
- Autosomal recessive
- Occurs in 2-3% of Arabian foals
- Defect in DNA-dependent protein kinase gene
- Gene codes for a DNA repair enzyme involved in V(D)J recombination for antigen receptors of lymphocytes (e.g. Ig and TCR)
- No functional B or T cells
- Foals develop infections (usually aorund 8 weeks of age as maternal antibody in colostrum wanes around this time)
- Foals usually die from bronchopneumonia
Canine X-Linked Severe Combined Immune Deficiency (Canine SCID)
Selective IgA deficiency of German Shepherd Dogs
Immunodeficiency of Weimaraners
Rhinitis/Bronchopneumonia in Irish Wolfhounds
Pneumocystis infection in Miniature Dachshunds
Severe Combined Deficiency
Severe Combined Immune Deficiency(SCID)
- No functional B or T cells
Arthymic nude mice (no thymus)
- No functional T cells
Knock-out mice
- E.g. Gene coding for CD4, CD8, IL-10 removed
Secondary Immunodeficiency
Viral Causes
Feline Leukaemia Virus (FeLV)
Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV)
Bovine Immunodeficiency Virus (BIV)
Toxic Causes
- Poisons
Iatrogenic Causes
- Drugs
- Corticosteroids
- Ciclosporin
- Cytoxic cancer therapy
Other Causes
- Malnutrition
- Chronic disease
- Stress
- Senescence
Links
Immunodeficiencies Flashcards
References
- Ivan Roitt: Essential Immunology, Ninth edition
- Goldsby, Kindt, & Osbourne KUBY Immunology, Fourth edition
- B.Catchpole RVC