2001
Question 3.
a) Describe the structure of the immunoglobulin molecule and the functions of
the different structural domains.
(12 minutes)
b) How is antibody diversity generated?
(3 minutes)
2002
Question 2
Although primary immunodeficiency disorders are rare, they help us to understand
the importance of various components of the immune system in host defences.
Outline four broad categories of primary immunodeficiency.
For each, write brief notes on important function of the deficient component and
relate this to the type of micro-organisms causing infection in the
immune-deficient individual.
2003
Question 5:
Untreated patients with HIV may present with severe infection as the first
manifestation of their disease.
- Briefly describe important T cell function which are lacking in such
patients (6 minutes)
- Give examples of the types f micro-organisms to which such patients are
particularly prone. (4minutes)
Question 6:
Briefly outline the importance of Antibodies. (6minutes)
2004
Question 5.
Infants with primary (congenital) T cell deficiency present with severe
infection and failure to thrive.
a) Briefly describe important T cell functions which are lacking in such
patients.
(8 marks)
b) Give examples of the types of micro-organisms to which such patients are
particularly prone.
(4 marks)
2005
Question 3
Interaction with a pathogen induces a number of innate and acquired immune
processes. Briefly outline the host responses that are induced by a bacterium
invading the body from the respiratory tract.
(23 marks)
2007
Question 1.
Individuals with humoral (antibody) deficiency often present with bacterial
infections of the respiratory tract.
Individuals with T cell deficiency have a tendency to develop severe viral,
fungal or TB infection as well as bacterial infection.
Using your knowledge of antibody functions and T cell functions, explain why
these infection profiles differ.
(10 marks)
2008
Question 1.
(a) Compare and contrast the structure of Immunoglobulin M and Immunoglobulin G.
(5 marks)
(b) Write notes on the function of IgG antibodies and their role in specific
immune defences.
(6 marks)
Question 5.
A 6 week old infant presents with failure to thrive, oral candidiasis, diarrhoea
and recurrent pneumonia. Investigation reveals a very low lymphocyte count. HIV
testing is negative.
2009
Question 1:
Patients infected with human immune-deficiency virus (HIV) may present with
opportunistic infections as the first manifestation of HIV AIDS.
- Briefly describe important T cell functions which are lacking in such
patients
- Give 4 different examples of micro-organisms commonly causing infection
in such patients and, for each, indicate likely site of infection (or
typical presentation).
- What is meant by the term “opportunistic”
2010
Question 6.
Briefly discuss the following:
a) What is a granuloma? Outline the cell types involved and their function in
the formation of the granuloma.
(6 marks)
b) Give a cause for each of the following:
- Caseating, and
- Non-Caseating granuloma
Explain what is meant by these terms.
(6 marks)