12 Jun BIO 351 – IMMUNOLOGY CASE STUDY 1
Question
BIO 351: IMMUNOLOGY
CASE STUDY #1
*************************************************************************************
Christopher Drury is a 4-year-old boy who presents to the emergency department lethargic with a high fever
and a diffuse petechial rash. The child’s illness began three days ago when he developed a low grade fever
and a sore throat. The next day, he was seen by his pediatrician and was found to be slightly febrile with
pharyngitis. His throat was cultured and he was sent home with supportive care. Today, he developed a
diffuse petechial rash and a fever peaking at 104 oC. He complains of a headache, joint pain. Nausea,
vomiting and has become more lethargic. Prior medical history includes an admission for pneumococcal
pneumonia at the age of 1, which resolved without complications.
Physical exam (PE): Temperature: 39.6oC, Heart rate (HR) 145, Blood pressure (BP) 80/50, Respiratory rate
(RR) 24, SaO2, 95% on room air. He is toxic appearing, somnolent, but arousable. His exam is significant for
nuchal rigidity with a positive Kernig’s and Brudzinski’s sign, diffuse petechial rash and bilateral knee
inflammation. He has no focal neurological deficits.
Laboratory Results: WBC 36,000/ul, Hematocrit 40%, Platelets 110,000/ul
He is hemodynamically stabilized; 2 blood cultures are sent and IV ceftriaxone is initiated for presumed
meningitis. Head CT shows no evidence of a mass lesion. A lumbar puncture is performed, which reveals
grossly cloudy cerebral spinal (CF) fluid with an elevated opening pressure, and increased protein and
decreased glucose content. Microscopically, the CSF reveals elevated WBC with a neutrophil predominance
and gram-negative diplococcic. The patient is admitted. At day 2, blood and CSF cultures grow Neisseria
meningitidis. IgM and IgG levels to meningococcus are elevated.
*************************************************************************************
Directions: Type you answers to the following questions on a separate sheet of paper. Place the number of
each question before your answer. Leave a space between your answers. Please use a size 12 font and
single-space your answers. Use complete sentences. Do NOT use quotes, but definitely use references.
Make sure to put your name in the header.
*************************************************************************************
Questions:
1. Define the following terms: (10 points)
A. Diffuse petechial rash
B. Toxic appearing
C. Somnolent
D. Nuchal rigidity
E. Kernig’s sign
F. Brudzinski’s sign
2. Indicate what the normal range is for each of the following, what they are measuring, and whether
Christopher’s results are normal or abnormal. If the result is abnormal, what does that suggest about what
is happening to Christopher? (10 points)
A. Temperature
B. Heart rate
C. Blood pressure
D. Respiratory rate
E. SaO2
F. WBC
G. Hematocrit
H. Platelet
3. Why did they take a sample of Christopher’s CSF and what is the significance of each of the following
findings: (10 points)
A. Grossly cloudy CSF
B. Elevated opening pressure
C. Increased protein
D. Decreased glucose present
E. Neutrophil predominance
F. Gram-negative intracellular diplococcic
G. Elevated IgM and IgG levels to meningococci
4. How were the levels of IgM and IgG against Neisseria meningitidis determined? (10 points)
5. What branch of the immune system is important for clearing infections with Neisseria meningitidis and
why? How does that branch of the immune system eliminate the pathogen? (10 points)
****************************************************************************************
Our website has a team of professional writers who can help you write any of your homework. They will write your papers from scratch. We also have a team of editors just to make sure all papers are of HIGH QUALITY & PLAGIARISM FREE. To make an Order you only need to click Ask A Question and we will direct you to our Order Page at WriteDemy. Then fill Our Order Form with all your assignment instructions. Select your deadline and pay for your paper. You will get it few hours before your set deadline.
Fill in all the assignment paper details that are required in the order form with the standard information being the page count, deadline, academic level and type of paper. It is advisable to have this information at hand so that you can quickly fill in the necessary information needed in the form for the essay writer to be immediately assigned to your writing project. Make payment for the custom essay order to enable us to assign a suitable writer to your order. Payments are made through Paypal on a secured billing page. Finally, sit back and relax.
About Writedemy
We are a professional paper writing website. If you have searched a question and bumped into our website just know you are in the right place to get help in your coursework. We offer HIGH QUALITY & PLAGIARISM FREE Papers.
How It Works
To make an Order you only need to click on “Order Now” and we will direct you to our Order Page. Fill Our Order Form with all your assignment instructions. Select your deadline and pay for your paper. You will get it few hours before your set deadline.
Are there Discounts?
All new clients are eligible for 20% off in their first Order. Our payment method is safe and secure.