Immunology Mnemonics

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):

• IgM
• IgA
• IgG
• IgD
• IgE

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):

• IgM
• IgA
• IgD
• IgG
• IgE

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

M

MHC I vs. MHC II properties:“Immunity helps to exterminate fun for bacteria“

• • Author: Robert O’Connor University College Dublin

S

Sjogren syndrome: morphology: “Jog through the MAPLES“:

Sjogren is:

• Mouth dry
• Arthritis
• Parotid enlarged
• Lymphoma
• Eyes dry
• Sicca (primary) or Secondary

• • Author: Author: Robert O’Connor University College Dublin

T

T and B cells: types: When bacteria enter body, T-cell says to B: “Help Me Catch Some!” B-cell replies: “My Pleasure!”:

­ T-cell types:

• Helper
• Memory
• Cytotoxic
• Suppressor
• ­ B-cell types:
• Memory cell
• Plasma cell
  • Author: Harsh Sharma BJMC, Pune, India