Unlock Immunology’s Complex Concepts with Mnemonics: Learn Faster, Remember Better

C

Celiac sprue features: CELIAC:

Cell-mediated autoimmune disease
European descent
Lymphocytes in Lamina propria/ Lymphoma risk
Intolerance of gluten (wheat)
Atrophy of villi in small intestine/ Abnormal D-xylose test
Childhood presentation

Atrophied villi cause less absorption, so diarrhea, weight loss, less energy.

- Author: Robert O’Connor University College Dublin

Complement cascade initiating items: alternative vs. classic

Classic: Combined C
Alternative: Activators Alone, or IgA.

Complexes are made of Ab and Ag combined together.

Examples of activators: endotoxin, microbial surface.

- Author: Robert O’Connor University College Dublin

Complement: function of C3a versus C3b

C3a: Activates Acute [inflammation].
C3b: Bonds Bacteria [to macrophages–easier digestion].

If wish to know more than just C3:

C3a, C4a, C5a activate acute.
C3b, C4b bind bacteria.
- Author: Robert O’Connor and Marcus Fidel University College Dublin and UNM

D

DiGeorge Syndrome: features

The disease of T’s:

Third and 4th pharyngeal pouch absent.
Twenty-Two chromosome
T-cells absent
Tetany: hypocalcemia
- Reference: http://medicalmnemonics.com/

G

Graves disease: etiology

In Graves disease, the thyroid-stimulating immunoglobulins are of the IgG
- Reference: http://medicalmnemonics.com/

Goodpasture’s Syndrome components

GoodPasture is Glomerulonephritis and P

From autoantibodies attacking Glomerular and Pulmonary basement membranes.

- Author: Robert O’Connor University College Dublin

H

Hypersensitivity reactions: Gell and Goombs nomenclature: ACID:

From I to IV:

Anaphylactic type: type I
Cytotoxic type: type II
Immune complex disease: type III
Delayed hypersensitivity (cell mediated): type IV
- Reference: http://medicalmnemonics.com/

Hypersensitivity: type IV example

Poison IVy causes type IV
- Reference: http://medicalmnemonics.com/

I

Immunoglobulin (Ig) types: the important ones worth remembering, in order of appearanceMAGDElaine (a girl’s name):

Magdelaine tells you the order they usually appear: M first, then A or G.

Alternatively: IgM is IMmediate.

- Author: Magdelaine Deeby and Anonymous Contributor University College Dublin and University of Aberdeen

Immunoglobulins, and order B cells present them: MADGE (character from the old dishwashing liquid commercial):

Order of presentation by B cells (which is made first, IgD or IgM?) B cells present IgM primarily, and then IgD.

Just remember why all of us are going through this pain…to become M.D’s. For a B cell to be competent, it must get its MD.

Finally, by the same rule, B cells must first release M then G immunoglobulin on primary exposure.

- Author: Tevis Anthony Verrett Creighton University School of Medicine

Immunoglobulins: which crosses the placenta

IgG crosses the placenta during G
- Reference: http://medicalmnemonics.com/

Interferon gamma: action on macrophages: “Th1nk BIG Mac Attack“:

Th1 and NK cells Build Interferon G

Causes Macrophages to have an augmented Attack [by better lysosome function and increasing reactive oxygen metabolites, nitric oxide and defensins].

- Author: Lior Greenberg Technion Faculty of Medicine, Haifa, Israel

L

Lupus signs and symptoms: SOAP BRAIN:

Serositis [pleuritis, pericarditis]
Oral ulcers
Arthritis
Photosensitivity
Blood [all are low – anemia, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia]
Renal [protein]
ANA
Immunologic [DS DNA, etc.]
Neurologic [psych, seizures]
- Author: Ken Evans Saskatchewan Health, Acute and Emergency Services