Immunology and Mycology Notes
Subject Overview
Immunology and Mycology covers the basics of innate and acquired immunity, antigens and immunoglobulins, antigen-antibody reactions and the serological techniques built on them (complement fixation, immunofluorescence, ELISA, CCIEP, RIA, SDS-PAGE, western blotting, and diagnostic tests like Widal, VDRL, ASO, CRP), the complement system, immune response, hypersensitivity and vaccines — then moves into medical mycology, covering fungal classification, culture and identification technique for medically important fungi. A 1-credit skill enhancement theory paper.
Subject at a glance
3
Units
31
Topics
1
Credits
3
Infographics
Unit-wise Syllabus
3 units — open any unit for detailed topic-wise notes, diagrams and important exam questions
- History and introduction to immunology
- innate and acquired immunity
- types of antigens and determinants of antigenicity
- structure and properties of immunoglobulins
Present
From birth
Develops after exposure
Specificity
Non-specific
Specific to an antigen
Memory
None
Yes: faster second response
Examples
Skin, phagocytes, complement
Antibodies (B cells), T cells
Study guide
This unit introduces immunology: its history, innate and acquired immunity, antigens and the factors that make a substance antigenic and the structure and properties of immunoglobulins. Learn the five immunoglobulin classes and their main roles.
- Antigen-antibody reactions and their applications
- principle
- procedure and applications of complement fixation test
- immunofluorescence
- ELISA
- CCIEP
- RIA
- SDS-PAGE and western blotting
- serological tests — Widal
- VDRL
- ASO
- CRP
- Brucella tube agglutination
- Rose-Waaler
- complement system and activation pathways
- humoral and cellular immune response
- hypersensitivity reactions
- vaccines and India's Extended Programme of Immunization (EPI)
Widal
Antibodies to Salmonella O and H antigens
Typhoid fever
VDRL
Non-treponemal antibodies
Syphilis (screening)
ASO
Anti-streptolysin O
Rheumatic fever after strep infection
CRP
C-reactive protein
Inflammation, infection
RF / Rose-Waaler
Rheumatoid factor
Rheumatoid arthritis
Study guide
You study antigen-antibody reactions and techniques (complement fixation, immunofluorescence, ELISA, CCIEP, RIA, SDS-PAGE, western blot), serological tests (Widal, VDRL, ASO, CRP, Brucella, Rose-Waaler), the complement system, humoral and cellular immunity, hypersensitivity, vaccines and India's Extended Programme of Immunisation. Match each serological test with the disease it detects.
- Introduction to medical mycology
- superficial and deep mycoses
- taxonomy and classification of medically important fungi
- morphological and cultural characteristics of common fungal contaminants
- culture media used in mycology
- direct microscopy
- processing of clinical samples (skin, nail, hair, pus, sputum, CSF)
- isolation and identification technique for yeasts and moulds
- preservation of fungal cultures
Superficial
Outer skin and hair: pityriasis versicolor
Cutaneous
Skin, hair, nails: dermatophytes (ringworm)
Subcutaneous
Below skin: mycetoma, sporotrichosis
Systemic
Deep organs: histoplasmosis
Opportunistic
Weak immunity: Candida, Aspergillus, Cryptococcus
Study guide
You study medical mycology: superficial and deep fungal infections, classification of medically important fungi, morphology and culture, media, direct microscopy, processing of clinical samples (skin, nail, hair, pus, sputum, CSF), identification of yeasts and moulds and preservation of cultures. Learn how KOH mounts reveal fungi in skin scrapings.
Why Immunology and Mycology Matters
Serological tests such as Widal, VDRL, CRP and ELISA are used daily to diagnose infection and immune disease, and fungal diagnosis is an important specialist skill.
How to Prepare for Immunology and Mycology
- Make a table of serological tests, principle and the disease each diagnoses.
- Learn the types of hypersensitivity with examples.
- Learn the common fungi with their culture and microscopic features.
Immunology and Mycology: Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Widal test?
The Widal test detects antibodies against Salmonella typhi and paratyphi in the blood and is used to support the diagnosis of typhoid fever.
What is the difference between innate and acquired immunity?
Innate immunity is the body's immediate, non-specific defence present from birth, while acquired immunity is specific and develops after exposure to an antigen or vaccine.