This set of Immunology Multiple Choice Questions & Answers (MCQs) focuses on “Autoimmunity Diseases and Therapies”.
1. Which of the following is NOT considered as a cause of autoimmune diseases?
a) Person-to-person touch
b) Environmental irritants
c) Bacteria/Virus
d) Chemical irritants
View Answer
Explanation: Autoimmune diseases occur in people having a weak immune system or slower rate of response to the particular pathogen, bacteria or virus. One of the other major reasons for this is over responsiveness of the immune system. These diseases, therefore, cannot be caused by only touch. However, if the person with weak immunity comes in contact with another infected patient, there are very low chances of that person to be infected as well. Other reasons of autoimmune diseases include environmental irritants, bacteria or viruses as well as chemical irritants.
2. Which of the following is NOT an autoimmune disease?
a) Diabetes
b) Rheumatoid Arthritis
c) Multiple Sclerosis
d) AIDS
View Answer
Explanation: Autoimmune diseases are not caused through touch or any kind of physical outer body injury. AIDS among all the four options is a kind of disease which occurs if there is a contact with infected blood, semen or vaginal fluids. It mainly spreads by sexual contact. On the other hand, diseases like diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis and many more diseases are termed as autoimmune diseases because they weaken the immune system after a certain limit. These diseases completely depend on one’s immune responses.
3. What does MCTD stand for?
a) Multiple connective tissue diagnosis
b) Mixed conjunctiva tissue disease
c) Multiple connective tissue damage
d) Mixed connective tissue disease
View Answer
Explanation: Mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD) is an autoimmune disease that has some characteristics of three other connective tissue diseases that are 1) systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), 2) polymyositis, and 3) scleroderma. Hence the name ‘mixed connective tissue disease’. About 80 percent of people diagnosed with MCTD are women. The disease affects people between ages 5 to 80. Fatigue, muscle pain or weakness, joint pain and low-grade fever are some of the common symptoms.
4. Autoimmune diseases like Lupus, Multiple Sclerosis, Scleroderma can be cured easily.
a) True
b) False
View Answer
Explanation: There are currently no cures for these diseases, but some such as multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis can go into remission, even without treatment. Most autoimmune diseases are chronic and hence they need lifelong monitoring and care. Medicines can help reduce or stop the damage caused by some of the diseases. Medicine can also help suppress the immune system’s response, helping to ease symptoms caused by the disease.
5. Which of the following medication (used for treatment of dermatomyositis) can reduce muscle inflammation?
a) Prednisone
b) Methotrexate
c) Azathioprine
d) Rheumatrex
View Answer
Explanation: Dermatomyositis is an auto immune disorder affecting skin and muscles. It causes weakness, fatigue as well as rashes. Treatment for dermatomyositis includes relieving muscle weakness and skin symptoms. A corticosteroid such as Prednisone can ease muscle inflammation. If the side effects of this steroid become severe, immunosuppressant or cytotoxic medications are given such as Rheumatrex, methotrexate or Imuran (azathioprine) is used. Rheumatrex can also help reduce skin symptoms.
6. Primary Raynaud’s occurs most commonly in which age group?
a) Women of child bearing age
b) Young women of age range 15-25
c) People around the age of 40
d) Older people around age 60-70
View Answer
Explanation: Primary Raynaud’s is a condition in which people’s fingers and toes turn blur or white upon exposure to cold. This syndrome is more likely to occur in young women than secondary Raynaud’s, with a peak incidence between the ages of 15 and 25. Primary Raynaud’s is not a severe condition but if it is not given the attention it needs, it can soon develop into secondary Raynaud’s. Going outside in cold temperatures, putting hands in cold water, putting hands in the freezer or holding an iced drink are the most common ways to trigger this syndrome.
7. What is the major change that takes place in the immune system when affected by an autoimmune disease?
a) Immune cells die
b) Immune system leads to overproduction of immune cells
c) Antibodies associated with immune system attack tissues of the body
d) Antibodies associated with immune system attack the immune cells
View Answer
Explanation: On having an autoimmune disease, immune system lowers its activity which further results in targeting the tissues, bones, joints, etc. The antibodies of the immune system straightway attack the targeted parts of the body which leads to problems/diseases like diabetes, arthritis, psoriasis, etc. Occurrence of an autoimmune disease completely depends on the age as well as the strength of immune system. People having weak immune system are prone to get autoimmune diseases at their early age.
8. Which of the following can cause permanent joint damage if left untreated?
a) Rheumatoid Arthritis
b) Systemic Lupus
c) IBD
d) Multiple Sclerosis
View Answer
Explanation: Rheumatoid Arthritis is related to joint damage or joint pain. This is an autoimmune disease and very common in old people. By age, as the immune system starts getting weaker and slower by rate of responsiveness, there are times when the immune system results in over producibility of antibodies. In some cases, these antibodies get attached to the linings of the joints. This eventually results in inflammation which causes pain in the joints, swelling, etc. If this is left untreated, it might result in causing arthritis which is a life-long problem.
9. What is the term used for low levels of thyroid hormone and what does this cause?
a) Hypothyroidism; Myasthenia gravis
b) Hyperthyroidism; Hashimoto’s thyroiditis
c) Hypothyroidism; Hashimoto’s thyroiditis
d) Hyperthyroidism; Myasthenia gravis
View Answer
Explanation: Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is an autoimmune disease in which antibodies produced by the immune system attack the thyroid gland which further destroys the cells that produce thyroid hormone. This results in development of low levels of thyroid hormone which is called as hypothyroidism. Symptoms include fatigue, constipation, weight gain, depression, dry skin, and sensitivity to cold. Taking a daily oral synthetic thyroid hormone pill restores normal body functions.
10. X-rays, MRI scans and CT scans belong to which type of test for diagnosis of Vasculitis?
a) Blood test
b) Urine test
c) Imaging test
d) Heart test
View Answer
Explanation: X-rays, MRI scans as well as CT scans are a part of imaging tests. They are used for various reasons including vasculitis. Vasculitis is an issue which leads to inflammation of blood vessels. There are various issues that occur in blood vessels which can change the appearance of them. This includes swelling, stretching or narrowing of blood vessels. Imaging tests are done which detects the morphological changes of the blood vessels.
11. What is the meaning of vasoconstriction?
a) Broadening of blood vessels and high blood pressure
b) Narrowing of blood vessels and low blood pressure
c) Broadening of blood vessels and low blood pressure
d) Narrowing of blood vessels and high blood pressure
View Answer
Explanation: Vasoconstriction is a condition which results in narrowing of blood vessels and increases blood pressure. This condition occurs if anyone suffers Raynaud’s syndrome. It is a condition in which a person’s fingers or toes turn blue or white upon exposure to cold, and then bright red upon rewarming. These symptoms caused by the constriction of small blood vessels in the hands or feet can last for seconds to hours.
12. Which of the following autoimmune disease affects mainly the skin and muscles?
a) Systemic Lupus
b) Rheumatoid Arthritis
c) Dermatomyositis
d) Connective tissue disease
View Answer
Explanation: Dermatomyositis is an inflammatory disease and is related to the skin as well as muscles. This disease is an autoimmune disorder and there are very rare chances of being affected by external factors. Researchers have said that the cells associated with the immune system get attacked by our body if our immunity falls short or weak in the regular mechanisms. The basic symptoms of Dermatomyositis are skin rashes or redness of skin along with muscle pain and weakness.
13. Which of the following type of arthritis affects 2-4 joints in early stages?
a) Oligoarthritis
b) Rheumatoid Arthritis
c) Polyarthritis
d) Undifferentiated Arthritis
View Answer
Explanation: Oligoarthritis is a type of Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) which affects 2-4 joints during the first six months. It is most commonly seen in children and teens. The joints most commonly affected are the knee, ankle, and wrist. The symptoms of Oligoarthritis can be seen at an early age which include joint swelling and pain, high fever, swollen lymph glands as well as skin rashes. It can also affect the eye (most often the iris) which is known as uveitis, iridocyclitis, or iritis. This type of arthritis is more common in girls than in boys.
14. What does GCA stand for (as an autoimmune disorder)?
a) Giant cell arthritis
b) Giant connective tissue anomaly
c) Giant cell affecting disease
d) Giant chest arthritis
View Answer
Explanation: Giant cell arteritis (also referred to as GCA, cranial arteritis, or temporal arteritis) is a type of vasculitis, which is inflammation of the blood vessels. The vessels most commonly involved in GCA are the arteries of the head and scalp, especially near the temples. Sometimes arteries of the neck, arms, chest, and abdomen are involved as well.
15. Which of the following blood test is NOT considered as a standard test for diagnosing diabetes type 1?
a) Fasting blood glucose test
b) Random glucose test
c) Haemoglobin a1C test
d) Full blood test
View Answer
Explanation: There are three standard blood tests most importantly used to diagnose type 1 as well as type 2 diabetes. The biggest difference between these two types of diabetes is found in the production of insulin. In type 1, insulin production limits and may disappear after a certain time. In type 2, the pancreas continues to make insulin, but it is not enough to keep the glucose in balance. The three tests used for diagnosing diabetes are as follows: 1) Fasting blood glucose test (FBG): it should be greater than 126mg/dL. 2) Random glucose test: it should be greater than 200mg/dL with symptoms of diabetes and 3) Haemoglobin a1C test: should be greater than 6.5%.
Sanfoundry Global Education & Learning Series – Immunology.
To practice all areas of Immunology, here is complete set of 1000+ Multiple Choice Questions and Answers.
If you find a mistake in question / option / answer, kindly take a screenshot and email to [email protected]
