Dictionary #2

Mannose-binding lectin (MBL): A serum protein that binds to mannose in microbial cell walls and initiates the lectin pathway of complement activation.

MBL (top picture)

Hapten: A low-molecular-weight molecule that can be made immunogenic by conjugation to a suitable carrier.

Kupffer cell: A type of tissue-fixed macrophage found in the liver.

Encounters #2

Today (2/6/14) at home, my sister showed me an article that she stumbled upon while looking through the different health articles on Google News. My sister told me to take a look at the article because not only was it interesting but it also pertained to my Immunology class. She was right, it was about a 22-year old girl named Emma who has an autoimmune disease called Systemic Scleroderma. Scleroderma affects the connective tissues in a person’s body. The disease is characterized by the chronic hardening and contraction of the skin and in some cases internal organs. What was unfortunate in Emma’s case was that she was diagnosed for many different medical problems for most of her life. According to the article, doctors could not explain the medical problems she had when she was young such as her gastrointestinal problems. In 2012, she discovered a bald spot on her head and rashes on her legs. She thought it was just a common eczema. However, she would later develop a very high fever of 104 degrees for a whole week. At first doctors diagnosed her with a fungal infection but would later find out that she has scleroderma.

            After looking up the disease, I learned that there is currently no known cause or cure for scleroderma. There are two types of scleroderma: localized, which affects only the skin tissues and systemic, which affects the skin, blood vessels, and major organs. I also learned that women are more likely to have the disease than men. The article reminded me about the reading in chapter 1 in Kuby Immunology about the broad categories of immune dysfunction or failures. Autoimmune diseases are characterized by “erroneous targeting of self-proteins or tissues by immune cells (Owen).” With the help of Scleroderma Foundation, Emma is hoping that the public would be more aware of the disease and help find the cure by donating.

Link to the article: http://www.newsworks.org/index.php/health-science/item/64540-a-diagnosis-many-years-in-the-making-systemic-scleroderma-

Link to Scleroderma Foundation: http://www.scleroderma.org/site/TR/Events/General?px=1182216&pg=personal&fr_id=1050#.UvQm-v34ZlI

More information on Scleroderma: http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Scleroderma/scleroderma_ff.asp#e

Works Cited

Owen, Judith A., Jenni Punt, Sharon A. Stranford, Patricia P. Jones, and Janis Kuby. "Overview of the Immune System." Kuby Immunology. 7th ed. New York: W.H. Freeman and, 2012. 19. Print.

Patterson, Joel. "A Diagnosis Many Years in the Making - Systemic Scleroderma." NewsWorks. Web. 06 Feb. 2014.

Reflections #1

My Immunology class has been going on for almost three weeks now and I thought it was a perfect time to reflect. This class is very valuable for my future career in medical laboratory science (MLS). As a medical laboratory scientist, I will be a part of the diagnostic team. I will be the one running laboratory tests and reporting the laboratory findings such as any diseases or abnormalities found to doctors. Medical laboratory scientists are important because doctors base most of their decisions, like the type of treatment the patient will receive, off of the laboratory findings. In the first lab, I had a glimpse of what medical laboratory scientists do. We had the opportunity to count different leukocytes in a blood smear. Last week we also did a case study, we were assigned a medical scenario where we had to diagnose what the problem was. It was my first case study and it really made you think.

Although the class is very fascinating, I am having a little difficulty trying to keep up at the moment. I also find the class pace a little on the fast side. However, this could be because I did not have much of a background that is why I wish I was able to take Histology because it would have helped me at least with the basics. However, it is only the beginning of the semester and I will get back on track. I am looking forward to what this class has in store this semester. 

For more information on medical laboratory science click on the following link: http://www.bls.gov/ooh/Healthcare/Medical-and-clinical-laboratory-technologists-and-technicians.htm