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Immunology

Course developer

Prior knowledge

Ķīmi3004, Biochemistry

LauZ2017, Genetics

Vete2013, Anatomy of the Domestic Animals I

Vete2014, Anatomy of the Domestic Animals II

Vete2015, Anatomy of the Domestic Animals III

Vete4034, Cytology, Histology and Embryology II

Vete4035, Cytology, Histology and Embryology I

Course abstract

In this course, students of veterinary medicine acquire knowledge on the reactivity mechanisms of the animal organism which constitute protection against infectious disease agents, mainly bacteria and viruses. They get an understanding of the unwanted changes in reactivity: allergy, tolerance, autoimmune disease. The course also includes a justification for theoretical and practical issues of animal immunisation.

Learning outcomes and their assessment

Knowledge and understanding about nonspecific defence and immunity processes within an animal’s organism – 3 quizzes;
Skills to take part in a professional discussion on main topics of immunology, explain and argument professional decisions among colleges and lay persons, to interpret results from a serological testing (complement fixation test), to perform tuberculin test in animals – practical works;
Competence to assess readiness of an individual animal or group of animals for vaccination, to explain to an animal owner the role, preconditions and possible disturbances of immunization - exam.

Course Content(Calendar)

1. History of the immunology. Adaptive immunity and innate (non-specific) defence. 1 h lecture and 2 h practicals.
2. Antigens. Myeloid system cells. 1 h lecture and 2 h practicals.
3. Immunoglobulins and their production in the plasmocytes. 1 h lecture and 2 h practicals.
4. Complement system. Immunocomplex. Complement fixation test.1 h lecture and 2 h practicals.1st test.
5. T and B lymphocytes. Antigen receptors. Cytokines. Humoral and cellular immunity. 1 h lecture and 2 h practicals.
6. Macrophages. Dendritic cells. Antigen presentation. Superantigens.1 h lecture and 2 h practicals.
7. Main histocompatibility complex MHC.1 h lecture and 2 h practicals.
8. Tissue and organs of the immune system. Formation of immune system organs during embryonal period. Immunity of the new-born animal. Natural passive immunization. Colostrum.1 h lecture and 2 h practicals.
9. Active immunization. Vaccination.1 h lecture and 2 h practicals.
10. Parenteral and local vaccine application. Duration of immunity. Revaccination. 1 h lecture and 2 h practicals. 2nd test.
11. Immune reaction after tissue or organ transplantation. Regulation of immune answer. Tolerance. 1 h lecture and 2 h practicals.
12. Allergy type I, anaphylaxis.1 h lecture and 2 h practicals.
13. Allergy type II. Erythrocyte antigens and blood groups. Reaction to incompatible blood. 1 h lecture and 2 h practicals.
14. Allergy type III. Immunocomplex disease. Serum sickness. 1 h lecture and 2 h practicals.
15. Allergy type IV. Tuberculinization.1 h lecture and 2 h practicals. 3rd test.
16. Autoimmunity. Immunodeficiency.1 h lecture and 2 h practicals.

Requirements for awarding credit points

Exam

Description of the organization and tasks of students’ independent work

Independent studies of literature as preparation for tests and exam.

Criteria for Evaluating Learning Outcomes

Three quizzes during the semester. Proportion of correct answers in each quizz should be at least 60%. Exam at the end of course. Allowed to take exam if all three quizzes done successfully. Cumulative assessment of exam (the average of grade from three quizzes) is offered for the students who have attended at least 80% of all contact hours and received 8 points (10-point grading system) in every quiz with the first try.

Compulsory reading

1. Day M.J., Schultz R.D. Veterinary Immunology: principles and practice. Manson Publishing Ltd, 2011. 256 p.
2. Tizard I. Veterinary Immunology: An Introduction. St. Louis, Mo.: Elsevier/Saunders, 2012. 574 p.

Further reading

1. Ройт А., Бростофф Д., Мейл Д. Иммунология. Москва: Мир, 2000. 581 с.

Notes

Compulsory course of the study programme Veterinary medicine