Immunologic aspects of cardiovascular disease

Article Abstract:

Carditis is an inflammation of the heart and vasculitis is an inflammation of the veins and arteries. Most of these forms of cardiovascular disease involve the deposition of antibodies, complement and immune cells in the heart and blood vessels. Rheumatic fever is an inflammation of several physiological systems that can follow streptococcal pharyngitis (strep throat). Viral carditis is usually a result of a viral infection. Carditis can also follow injury to the heart, such as occurs in a heart attack. There are several types of vasculitis. A group of diseases called systemic necrotizing arteritis includes polyarteritis nodosa, allergic angiitis and overlap syndrome. Wegener's granulomatosis involves blood vessels in the lungs and kidney. Temporal arteritis and Takayasu arteritis involve large blood vessels and hypersensitivity vasculitis involves small blood vessels, such as capillaries. Kawasaki disease is a vasculitis affecting children that can cause aneurysms.

Myocarditis, Vasculitis, Giant cell arteritis, Temporal arteritis, Wegener's granulomatosis, Periarteritis nodosa, Polyarteritis nodosa, Kawasaki disease, Kawasaki syndrome

---

Vesiculobullous diseases with prominent immunologic features

Article Abstract:

Autoimmune bullous diseases are characterized by the formation of widespread blisters and usually involve the deposition of antibodies in various layers of the skin. Pemphigus involves the deposition of IgG antibody and complement C3 and has several variants, depending on which layer of the epidermis the antibodies are deposited in. In bullous pemphigoid, antibodies are deposited in the dermis. Cicatricial pemphigoid usually involves the mucous membranes only. Herpes gestationis is a bullous disease occurring during pregnancy that usually resolves when the pregnancy ends. Dermatitis herpetiformis is a bullous disease that appears to be associated with gluten sensitivity. It may resolve when the individual follows a gluten-free diet. Widespread blistering can also occur in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. Bullous diseases are usually treated with corticosteroids or immunosuppressive drugs.

Pemphigus, Bullous pemphigoid, Dermatitis herpetiformis

---

Multiple changes of immunologic parameters in prisoners of war: assessments after release from a camp in Manjaca, Bosnia

Article Abstract:

Prisoners held in a Serb-run war camp for four to seven months had evidence of decreased immune system function on their release. In Nov 1992, 29 apparently healthy men released from a camp in Manjaca, Bosnia, were given physical exams and blood tests to immune system function. Their results were compared with those of 15 healthy men who had not been prisoners. The prisoners of war had increased levels of monocytes and non-segmented neutrophils, both of which are types of white blood cells associated with the destruction of bacteria and cell debris. The prisoners also had lower than normal hematocrit, albumin and total serum protein levels. The activity of natural killer (NK) cells, an important part of the immune system, was also lower than normal.

Health aspects, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Prisoners of war, Bosnia-Herzegovina

Similar abstracts:

• Abstracts: Immunologic aspects of diseases of the eye. Immunologic aspects of granulomatous and interstitial lung diseases and of cystic fibrosis
• Abstracts: Immunologic aspects of granulomatous and interstitial lung diseases and of cystic fibrosis. Immunologic aspects of lung diseases and cystic fibrosis

This website is not affiliated with document authors or copyright owners. This page is provided for informational purposes only. Unintentional errors are possible.