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Clinical Immunology and Allergology - EAP0104520

Title:	Clinical Immunology and Allergology
Guaranteed by:	Ústav imunologie a alergologie (14-520)
Faculty:	Faculty of Medicine in Pilsen
Actual:	from 2025
Semester:	winter
Points:	4
E-Credits:	4
Examination process:	winter s.:
Hours per week, examination:	winter s.:2/1, C+Ex [HT]
Capacity:	unlimited / unlimited (unknown)
Min. number of students:	unlimited
4EU+:	no
Virtual mobility / capacity:	no
Key competences:
State of the course:	taught
Language:	English
Teaching methods:	full-time
Level:
For type:
Note:	deregister from the credit exam date if a requisite was not fulfilled deregister from the exam date if a requisite was not fulfilled for a repeated registration for Course credit + Exam, the student must have the Course credit exam passed

Guarantor:	prof. MUDr. Petr Panzner, CSc.
Teacher(s):	RNDr. Jana Bojčuková prof. MUDr. Petr Panzner, CSc.
Attributes:	Povinné předměty pro Všeobecné lékařství
Pre-requisite :	EAP0103090, EAP0103100
Interchangeability :	EAP0103520, EA0105085
Is incompatible with:	EAP0103520
Is interchangeable with:	EAP0103520

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Annotation -

Characteristics of the immune system, barriers, innate and adaptive immunity, phagocytosis, NK cells, interferons, complement, antigen, MHC system, immune organs and tissues, T and B lymphocytes, antigen presentation, immunoglobulins, primary and secondary immune response, onthogenesis of the immune response, immunosuppression, tolerance, immunopotentiation, immunization - active, passive, laboratory methods, hypersensitivity reactions, atopy, drug hypersensivity, autoimmune diseases, immunodeficiencies, transplantation immunology, tumor immunology, immunology of reproduction.

Last update: Křikavová Lenka, Ing. (09.05.2023)

Course completion requirements -

Course conditions:

The course is finished by credit and examination.

Conditions for obtaining the credit:

attendance at seminars. One absence is allowed. Active participation in seminars.

Conditions for passing the exam:

1. Successful passing a computer test.

2. Answering two oral questions.

Last update: Bojčuková Jana, RNDr. (01.10.2025)

Literature - Czech

Abbas A. K., Lichtman A. H. H., Pillai S.: Basic Immunology: Functions and Disorders of the Immune Systém. Elsevier Health Sciences, 2012

Doan T., Melvold R., Viselli S., Valtenbaugh C.: Immunology. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2012

Last update: Křikavová Lenka, Ing. (09.05.2023)

Requirements to the exam - Czech

Questions for the oral exam from Clinical Immunology and Allergology 2025/2026:

1. The immune system and its role in the body
(components of the immune system; immune system cells; innate and adaptive immunity; barrier functions; homeostasis)

2. Organs of the immune system
(primary and secondary lymphoid organs; their roles in the immune response)

3. Antigens
(definition of antigen; immunogen; and hapten; classification of antigens; immunogenicity; superantigens; epitopes; sequestered antigens; immunologically privileged sites; chemical composition and molecular size of antigen)

4. Immunoglobulins; Laboratory diagnostics of humoral immunity – precipitation and agglutination
(structure and function of immunoglobulins; classes; genetics of antibody formation; isotype switching; idiotype)

5. Complement System
(paths and their mechanisms of activation; functions of complement; regulatory mechanisms)

6. Cytokines; Adhesion Molecules; Transcription Factors
(main cytokine groups – interleukins; interferons; their functions; roles of integrins and selectins)

7. Phagocytosis
(phagocytes; stages of phagocytosis; PRR/TLR receptors; PAMPs/DAMPs)

8. Inflammation; The role of basophils and mast cells
(phases of inflammation; key cells and mediators; local and systemic response; acute-phase proteins)

9. MHC/HLA System
(genetic basis; HLA class I and II molecules – their structure and function; mechanisms of antigen processing and presentation; antigen-presenting cells – types and functions)

10. T lymphocytes; Laboratory diagnostics of cellular immunity
(development of T cells; surface markers; T cell subpopulations and their functions; memory T lymphocytes, principle of flow cytometry, functional tests of the immune system)

11. Th1 and Th2 immune responses
(differentiation from Th0; influence of cytokines; major Th1/Th2 cytokines; functions and cross-regulation)

12. Cytotoxic T lymphocytes (Tc)
(mechanism of target cell recognition; effector mechanisms; role in antiviral and antitumor defense)

13. NK cells
(principle of recognition; mechanisms of cytotoxicity; differences from Tc cells; importance in antiviral and antitumor immunity)

14. B lymphocytes; Laboratory diagnostics of cellular immunity
(development of B cells; surface markers; activation; differentiation into plasma and memory cells, principle of flow cytometry, functional tests of the immune system)

15. Primary and secondary immune response
(development of the immune response; activation of B cells; role of Th lymphocytes; function of plasma and memory cells)

16. Cellular and humoral immunity
(differences; main effector mechanisms; cooperation between cellular and antibody-mediated immunity)

17. Major defense mechanisms against pathogens
(immune response to extracellular and intracellular bacteria; viruses; and parasites; pathogen evasion strategies)

18. Transplantation immunity
(alloimmune reactions; direct and indirect recognition; types of rejection; GVHD reaction)

19. Pre-transplant immunological testing
(significance of HLA typing and crossmatch tests; sensitization; genetic methods; prevention of rejection)

20. Immunopathological reactions according to Gell and Coombs
(types I–IV; mechanisms of action; examples of diseases)

21. Allergens; Allergenic molecules; and Allergy diagnostics
(Types of allergens; extracts vs. molecular allergens; cross-reactivity; diagnostic methods – medical history; skin tests; determination of specific IgE (EIA); molecular diagnostics; singleplex/multiplex tests; provocation tests)

22. IgE- and non-IgE-mediated allergies
(mechanism of allergic reactions; role of IgE; activation of basophils and mast cells; mediator release; clinical manifestations and disease examples)

23. Allergic rhinoconjunctivitis
(mechanism of development; symptoms and triggers; diagnostics; treatment)

24. Allergic bronchial asthma
(mechanism; major allergens and triggers; symptoms; treatment including biological therapy)

25. Extrinsic allergic alveolitis
(causes; mechanism; clinical features; diagnosis; and treatment)

26. Anaphylaxis
(causes; mechanism; role of histamine and tryptase; clinical presentation; first aid and treatment)

27. Atopic eczema (Atopic dermatitis)
(pathogenetic factors; clinical manifestations; diagnosis; treatment)

28. Urticaria
(types; triggers; mechanisms; clinical features; diagnosis; and treatment)

29. Food allergy; Celiac disease; and Food intolerance
(differences in mechanisms; manifestations; diagnostic methods – skin prick tests; specific IgE; elimination tests; treatment)

30. Drug allergy and Drug ntolerance
(most common drugs involved; mechanisms; manifestations; diagnosis; clinical management; and prevention)

31. Allergy to hymenoptera venom
(types of insects; reaction mechanisms; diagnostic methods – specific IgE; tryptase; specific immunotherapy; patient education; and prevention)

32. Autoimmune diseases and Autoantibody diagnostics (IFA; EIA methods)
(general characteristics; mechanism of tolerance breakdown; internal and external factors; phases of development)

33. Systemic autoimmune diseases: diseases; diagnostics; and therapy
(SLE; Sjögren’s syndrome; rheumatoid arthritis; dermatomyositis; scleroderma; manifestations; autoantibodies; diagnosis; immunosuppressive therapy)

34. Organ-specific and organ-localized autoimmune diseases
(examples; clinical manifestations; diagnostic and therapeutic options; characteristic autoantibodies)

35. Primary immunodeficiencies
(definition; classification; types – humoral; cellular; combined; phagocytic; complement deficiencies; clinical manifestations; diagnosis)

36. Primary immunodeficiencies: diseases; diagnostics; and principles of therapy
(major types: SCID; XLA; CVID; selective IgA deficiency; phagocyte disorders; genetic causes; diagnostic methods including TREC/KREC; substitution and prophylactic therapy)

37. Secondary immunodeficiencies
(causes; clinical features; diagnosis; treatment; and prevention of complications)

38. Hereditary angioedema (HAE)
(types; pathophysiology; clinical features; diagnosis; treatment)

39. Antitumor immunity and cancer immunotherapy
(theories of immune surveillance and tumor editing; tumor antigens (TSA/TAA); roles of Tc and NK cells; tumor escape mechanisms; immunotherapy options)

Last update: Bojčuková Jana, RNDr. (31.10.2025)

Syllabus -

9:50–12:20 Azure lecture Hall

Syllabus of Lectures — Clinical Immunology and Allergology

(4th-Year General Medicine)

1. 10. 2025 Prof. MUDr. Petr Panzner, CSc. (45 min)

· Introduction to the subject, physiological functions of the immune system

· Overview of fundamental physiological mechanisms and their cooperation

· Immunopathological diseases, overview

RNDr. Jana Bojčuková (90 min)

· Innate immunity

• Basic components: cellular (phagocytes, NK cells) and humoral (complement, inflammatory mediators)

• Phagocytosis – principle, main cell types, receptors for pathogen recognition

• Inflammation – causes, role of PAMP/DAMP, main mediators

· Adaptive immunity

• T and B lymphocytes, antibodies

· Cytokines and transcription factors

6. 10 2025 Ing. Bc. Tomáš Vlas (105 min)

· HLA system – genetic basis, HLA molecules class I and II – their structure and function

· MHC class I vs. MHC class II molecules – molecular structure, differences in antigen source, presentation to T-ly

· Antigen-presenting cells (APCs) – types of APCs, antigen presentation, cytokine secretion, activation of T-ly

· Alloimmune reactions, types and mechanisms of rejection, strategies and options for preventing rejection, GVHD reactions

· Trends in antitumor immunity – tumor antigens, mechanisms of defense against tumors, mechanisms of tumor defense

Ing. Bc. Tomáš Vlas (30 min)

· Laboratory methods for the investigation of cellular immunity: Flow cytometry –> Principles and applications (Immunophenotyping, functional tests – phagocytosis, lymphocyte proliferation test)

13. 10 2025 RNDr. Jana Bojčuková (105 min)

· Immune response

• Th1 – recognition of antigen in MHC II complex, costimulatory signals, IL-12, IFN-γ, macrophage activation, cell-mediated immunity, role in the immune system

• Th2 – recognition of antigen in MHC II complex, cytokines IL-4/5/13, activation of B-ly, antibodies (IgE), role in the immune system

• Cytotoxic (Tc) lymphocytes and their role in the immune system

· Specific processes of the immune response

• Isotype switching – mechanism of immunoglobulin class switching

• Primary and secondary immune response – differences, importance of memory cells

• Defense mechanisms against various pathogens (what happens in the immune system and in the body after contact with various types of pathogens (viruses, bacteria, parasites)

RNDr. Jana Bojčuková (30 min)

· Laboratory methods for investigating humoral immunity: The principle of agglutination and precipitation, with examples. Enzyme Immunoassays (EIAs): Principles and examples.

20. 10. 2025 Prof. MUDr. Petr Panzner, CSc. (105 min)

· Immunopathological reactions according to Gell and Coombs, mechanisms, and clinical significance

· Immunopathological reactions in the context of allergic diseases, IgE-mediated and non-IgE-mediated allergies, allergens, and allergen molecules

· Diagnostic procedures for allergies

• Clinical examples – respiratory and skin allergic diseases, acute allergic conditions – diagnosis, treatment.

· Allergic rhinoconjunctivitis, allergic bronchial asthma, exogenous allergic alveolitis (mechanisms, manifestations, diagnosis, treatment)

RNDr. Jana Bojčuková (30 min)

· Allergy diagnostics – determination of specific IgE, basophil activation test (BAT)

· Molecular allergy diagnostics – singleplex vs. multiplex methods

· Detection of IgG antibodies – diagnostic applications (infectious agents, autoantibodies, extrinsic allergic alveolitis)

27. 10. 2025 MUDr. Vachová Martina, PhD. (105 min)

· Autoimmune diseases: autoimmune reactions, causes, phases of development, and classification.

· Systemic autoimmune diseases: systemic lupus erythematosus, Sjögren syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, dermatomyositis/polymyositis, systemic sclerosis (scleroderma), vasculitides, mixed connective tissue disease (clinical presentation; diagnostic and therapeutic options).

· Organ-specific autoimmune diseases: examples; diagnostic and therapeutic options

· Organ-localized autoimmune diseases: examples; diagnostic and therapeutic options

RNDr. Jana Bojčuková (30 min)

· Detection of autoantibodies: methods and diagnostic applications; indirect immunofluorescence (IIF); basic fluorescence patterns (e.g., ANA patterns).

3. 11. 2025 MUDr. Martin Liška, PhD. (105 min)

· Immunodeficiencies: definition, classification, and clinical presentation.

· Characteristic clinical features of immunodeficiencies.

· Treatment of primary immunodeficiencies: hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), replacement therapy, biologic therapy, gene therapy.

· Immunoglobulin replacement therapy (IGRT).

· Principles and characteristics of IGRT; available medicinal products; typical indications for IGRT in primary (congenital) and secondary (acquired) immune disorders.

· Routes of administration for IGRT: IVIG and SCIG; adverse effects and complications.

· Secondary immunodeficiencies: etiology, clinical features, and treatment.

Ing. Bc. Tomáš Vlas (30 min)

· Diagnostics of immunodeficiencies – genetic testing, newborn screening, assessment of humoral and cellular immunity (parameters related to the investigation of immunodeficiencies).

Last update: Bojčuková Jana, RNDr. (01.10.2025)

Learning resources

https://lms.lfp.cuni.cz/course/view.php?id=378

Last update: Křikavová Lenka, Ing. (09.05.2023)