GMS 6121 EXAM 4 - URT QUESTIONS WITH
ACCURATE ANSWERS
True or False: The Upper Respiratory Tract is the most common site for infectious
diseases by variety of organisms. - ANSWER False.
It is the most common site for disease by number of cases.
How do pathogens enter the URT? - ANSWER Inhalation to URT first
Inhalation all the way down to the LRT
Aspiration to LRT
Descent down mucosa
Hematogenous to alveoli (rare)
Direct penetration (rare)
How does the URT prevent infection? - ANSWER In non-immune host, defense are
mainly physical (the mucociliary escalator of the URT)
Particle exclusion (<3um can make it to LRT)
Cough reflex
Chemical
Lysozyme (degrades peptidoglycan)
Lactoferrin (binds Fe)
Alveolar macrophages (PMNS with inflammation)
Complement in LRT
The alveoli contain IgA abs, complement components and alveolar macrophages
, How do pathogens of the URT evade host defenses? - ANSWER In an immune host:
sIgA in URT
Ig in LRT
CMI:
CTLs throughout
TH1-activated macrophages in LRT for intracellular infections
Pathogens of the URT typically take advantage of a debilitated or compromised host.
What are some conditions in the host that increase the likelihood of disease? - ANSWER
COPD
Physical obstruction (foreign object)
Impairment of glottal/cough reflex (drugs, alcoholism)
Impairment/Defect of mucociliary elevator (smoking, alcoholism)
Viral infection
Loss of consciousness (aspiration from URT to LRT)
Which of the following describes differences between the upper respiratory tract (down
to bronchi) versus the lower respiratory tract (bronchoalveoli and alveoli)?
URT has IgG and complement
URT has mucociliary escalator and IgA
LRT has IgA and PMNs
LRT has mucociliary escalator and complement
Only URT has Th1 CMI, Only LRT has CTLs - ANSWER URT has mucociliary escalator
and IgA
Which of the following is FALSE regarding entry of pathogens into the LRT?
Any size of particle can be directly inhaled into the alveoli.
Some organisms colonize the URT then are aspirated
ACCURATE ANSWERS
True or False: The Upper Respiratory Tract is the most common site for infectious
diseases by variety of organisms. - ANSWER False.
It is the most common site for disease by number of cases.
How do pathogens enter the URT? - ANSWER Inhalation to URT first
Inhalation all the way down to the LRT
Aspiration to LRT
Descent down mucosa
Hematogenous to alveoli (rare)
Direct penetration (rare)
How does the URT prevent infection? - ANSWER In non-immune host, defense are
mainly physical (the mucociliary escalator of the URT)
Particle exclusion (<3um can make it to LRT)
Cough reflex
Chemical
Lysozyme (degrades peptidoglycan)
Lactoferrin (binds Fe)
Alveolar macrophages (PMNS with inflammation)
Complement in LRT
The alveoli contain IgA abs, complement components and alveolar macrophages
, How do pathogens of the URT evade host defenses? - ANSWER In an immune host:
sIgA in URT
Ig in LRT
CMI:
CTLs throughout
TH1-activated macrophages in LRT for intracellular infections
Pathogens of the URT typically take advantage of a debilitated or compromised host.
What are some conditions in the host that increase the likelihood of disease? - ANSWER
COPD
Physical obstruction (foreign object)
Impairment of glottal/cough reflex (drugs, alcoholism)
Impairment/Defect of mucociliary elevator (smoking, alcoholism)
Viral infection
Loss of consciousness (aspiration from URT to LRT)
Which of the following describes differences between the upper respiratory tract (down
to bronchi) versus the lower respiratory tract (bronchoalveoli and alveoli)?
URT has IgG and complement
URT has mucociliary escalator and IgA
LRT has IgA and PMNs
LRT has mucociliary escalator and complement
Only URT has Th1 CMI, Only LRT has CTLs - ANSWER URT has mucociliary escalator
and IgA
Which of the following is FALSE regarding entry of pathogens into the LRT?
Any size of particle can be directly inhaled into the alveoli.
Some organisms colonize the URT then are aspirated
