1. Pre-requisite or requisite modules: Immunology I 
2. Administering Faculty: FST
3. Allocation of study and teaching hours

 

4. Aims of the module

·         This module aims at equipping the students  with deep understanding of  the major components of the human immune system

·         The module also provides student with the background immunologic disorders, laboratory assaysand  interpretations of results.

5. Learning Outcomes

At the end of this module students should be able to:

Knowledge:

• Explain the immune disorders and regulation Describe how monoclonal antibodies are commercially produced for laboratory use.
• Explain how flow cytometry is used to diagnose lymphoma and leukemia and other infectious diseases.
• Describe the role and mechanism adaptive immune response
• Explain the basic functions of each part of the fluorescent microscope system and application in immunofluorescence diagnosis.
• Explain the principle of the indirect IFA.
• Compare the direct IFA technique with the indirect IFA technique.

 

Application of Knowledge:

• Analyze diagnostic assays limitations, Describe the theory and principle  of diagnostic Flow Cytometry.
• Describe the sources of errors of the ELISA tests antibodies
• Explain procedure for performing CD4 T-Cell count and interpretation of.
• Explain the clinical indications and application of  Western blot assay .
• Describe the serologic profile of HIV infection.
• Describe the laboratory tests involved in the evaluation of immunodeficiency and the proper sequence of said testing.

 

Attitude:

·         Demonstrate good professional conduct

·         Follow safety rules and procedures

·         Follow directions of the instructor

7. Indicative Content:

The Immune Responses and Complexes

·         Hypersensitivity: types I,II,III,IV,(immediate, delayed)

·         MHC molecules

·         Co-operation between T and B lymphocytes and their regulation

·         Common Immuno-pathological disorders

The Complement system

·         Definition of complement

·         Components and their functions

·         Complement pathways and overview of assays for complement deficiency.

Immundeficienes

·         Inherent

·         Acquired- i.e. HIV/CD4

 

Production and use of antibodies- Immunoassays

·         Anti-sera

·         Monoclonal antibodies

·         Immunoprecipitation

·         Immunocytochemistry

·         IFA-Indirect Fluorescent Antibodies (ANA, FTA, Other)

·         Flow Cytometry (CD4, CD3, CD8) Leukemia, Lymphoma CD Markers

 

Immune reactions and immunoassays

·         Cytotoxicity

·         Immune regulatory mechanism

·         Immune response to disease

·         ELISA 

·         Western blotting

·         Immuno-blotting

·         Antibody mediated complement dependent cytotoxicity assay

·         ELISA (i.e. HIV)

 

Overview of Cellular Techniques

·         Cell proliferation (CTL) assay

·         Plaque forming cell (PFC) assay

·         NTB test

Practical Skills:

• Perform an ELISA or Enzyme immunoassay according to standard operating procedure (SOP) for HIV, and reviewing hepatitis assays.
• Following the standard operating procedure, accurately perform and quantitate the number of CD4 T-cell lymphocytes by flow cytometery.
• Perfom western blot techniques

 

8. Assessment Strategy:

·         Written examination (test) to assess the student’s knowledge and understanding of immunology theory.

·         Practical examination to assess the student’s practical skills in the diagnosis of immunological disorders or misregulation, such as HIV.

·         Written assignment, the purpose of which is to help student’s present topics on immunologic disorders.

·         Final examination.

 

9. Assessment Patterns (Methods & Weightings)

 

Component	Weight (%)
In-course assessment	20
CATs	40
Final assessment	40

 

 

10. Strategy for feedback and students support during module 

• Oral feedback will be given in class during the teaching-learning process.
• Questions are answered as they are raised.
• Comments on assignment copies will be given to students.

 

11. Teaching /Technical assistance

 

·         LDC Projector

·         White board and markers

·         Flip charts and markers

·         Immunohaematology diagnostic  instruments

·         Reagents and materials

·         Biosafety materials and PPE

 

1.      Indicative resources

 

·         Abdul K. and Litchman A. (2001). Cellular and molecular immunology (5^th edition).

·         Stites, D.P. Basic and Clinical Immunology. Lange Medical Publications