a presentation on auto-immune disorders Submitted to: Submitted by: Dr. Madhulika singh Anurag soni M.Sc. 4-sem. 2009-11

What is an auto immune disorder ?? An autoimmune disorder is a condition that occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys healthy body tissue. This may be restricted to certain organ or involve a particular tissue in different places. The treatment of autoimmune diseases is typically with immunosuppression—medication which decreases the immune response.

TYPES OF AUTOIMMUNE DISORDERS- Organ-Specific Autoimmune Diseases: In this, the immune response is directed to a target antigen unique to a single organ or gland, so that the manifestations are largely limited to that organ. the antibodies may over stimulate or block the normal function of the target organ. E.g. Addison’s disease ,Goodpasture’s syndrome ,Graves’ disease ,Hashimoto’s thyroiditis ,Insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus ,Myasthenia gravis

systemic autoimmune diseases : In systemic autoimmune diseases, the response is directed toward a broad range of target antigens and involves a number of organs and tissues. These diseases reflect a general defect in immune regulation that results in hyperactive T cells and B cells. E.g. Multiple sclerosis, Rheumatoid arthritis , Scleroderma , Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)

Treatments: Current therapies for autoimmune diseases are aimed at reducing symptoms to provide the patient with an acceptable quality of life. The objective of this is to reduce rapidly the undesirable inflammatory activity. It should also prevent the formation of new auto-antibodies. Some therapies are:

Treatments: (cont.) Using Immunosuppressive drugs (e.g. corticosteroids, azathioprine, and cyclophosphamide) employing cyclosporin A or FK506. in some cases of myasthenia gravis is removal of the thymus. Patients with Graves’ disease, MG, RA, or SLE may experience short-term benefit from plasmapheresis. Use of Immunomodulators.