236
P A R T 3
Drugs acting on the immune system
effector T cells. Suppressor T cells monitor the chemical
activity in the body and act to suppress B-cell and T-cell
activity when the foreign antigen is under control. Both
B cells and T cells ultimately depend on an effective
inflammatory reaction to achieve the end goal of destruc
tion of the foreign protein or cell (Figure 15.6).
Ag-Ab complex formation (as above)
Varicella virus
1–3 days
4–7 days
Years
Immunosuppressed state
-Age
-Illness
-Stress
-Debilitation
Inhaled virus causes inflammatory
reaction in respiratory tract
B cells react with varicella
Plasma cells
Antibody formation
Signs + Sx:
Fever
Cough
Aches and pain
Runny nose
Varicella invades
cells; multiplies
Signs + Sx:
Shingles—lesions
along nerve root
No clinical presentation
IgM produced
Exposure to virus
Immediate Ag-Ab complex formation,
varicella destroyed
Slow immune response
Varicella leaves CNS along nerve route
Ag-Ab complex formation
2–3 weeks
Chicken pox lesions
Varicella destroyed
Varicella enters CNS
Activation of complement
IgG produced
Chemotaxis
Lysis
of complex
Kinin
activation
Phagocytosis
Vasodilation
Increased
permeability
FIGURE 15.5
Process of response to varicella exposure in humans. Ag-Ab, antigen–antibody complex; Ig, immunoglobulin.
